Cricket

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has urged KL Rahul to introspect and regain his confidence after a string of poor performances. Rahul, who was dropped from the Indian Test team after the first match against New Zealand, has been under pressure due to his recent form and the release from his IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants.Ganguly believes that Rahul needs to take ownership of his situation and work on improving his mental strength. "He has to speak to himself and say, just put everything behind. Ups and downs are part and parcel of sports. Confidence will go up and down. You have to bring it back by working hard in the nets," Ganguly said.The former BCCI president also highlighted the challenges Rahul faces due to the emergence of young players in the Indian team. "He (Rahul) has been in and out of the team, has seen young players play well in T20, you've seen what they've done in South Africa. But then he has to change. He cannot expect to keep playing the same way and expect to get picked all the time because somebody else will come and get picked," Ganguly added.Ganguly suggested that Rahul should consider opening the batting for India in the Perth Test if captain Rohit Sharma is unavailable. "I think so and play Dhruv Jurel in the middle," Ganguly said.Rahul's recent struggles have raised concerns about his place in the Indian team. However, Ganguly believes that the 32-year-old has the ability to overcome this difficult period. "He's got a hundred in South Africa last time they want, excellent hundred in Centurion. He can scores hundreds in these conditions, but the mind has to believe that and the fight has to be there," Ganguly said.

India's senior batsman KL Rahul is facing pressure to regain his run-scoring form ahead of a demanding schedule of nine Tests in four months. The team is backing him to rediscover his touch, starting with the ongoing Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur.Rahul's return to the side after an injury layoff has been underwhelming, with scores of 16 and 22 not out in the first Test. His last century came in December 2023, a drought that has lasted almost three years.Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in Rahul's ability to turn things around. "KL is someone who understands his game very well," Nayar said. "There are times when a player is finding his feet. Hopefully, we can have a turnaround in KL as well."India's upcoming schedule includes three Tests against New Zealand at home, followed by a five-Test tour of Australia. Nayar noted that Rahul showed glimpses of form in the first Test against Bangladesh, particularly in the second innings when he scored 22 off 19 balls."The way he was batting in the second innings is the kind of cricket we are expecting and hoping for," Nayar said. "I am pretty sure going forward you will see the expectations and the performances that you have from him."India's victory against Bangladesh marked a significant milestone, as it pushed their Test win rate above 50 percent for the first time in history. The team has now won 179 Tests and lost 178.

KL Rahul, the talented Indian opener, has showcased his exceptional batting prowess with sublime centuries across various Test venues. Despite his impressive achievements, his career statistics have not fully reflected his potential.Rahul's journey has been marked by both brilliance and inconsistency. He holds the distinction of being the only Indian opener to score Test hundreds in England, South Africa, and Australia. He is also the only visiting batter to achieve two Test centuries at Supersport Park, Centurion, a notoriously challenging ground for non-South African batters. Additionally, Rahul is the only Indian batter to score seven consecutive Test 50s.However, Rahul's overall Test average of under 35 has left fans and critics questioning his consistency. Factors such as a "confused approach," "over-thinking," and "scoreboard inertia" have been cited as potential reasons for his modest figures.Despite these challenges, Rahul has received significant support from successive captain-coach combinations. He was appointed as India's 34th Test captain in 2022, but his form suffered during his tenure. However, he has regained the backing of current captain Rohit Sharma, who has expressed confidence in Rahul's ability to flourish in Test cricket.Rahul's versatility has been a key factor in his longevity. He has seamlessly transitioned from opener to wicketkeeper and middle-order enforcer in ODIs, delivering notable performances such as his match-winning century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023.As India prepares for the upcoming tour of Australia, Rahul's presence as a backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant could prove invaluable. His ability to bat at various positions, including No. 6, provides the team with flexibility and depth.Rahul's career has been a tale of both promise and frustration. With the support of his captain and the team management, he has the opportunity to overcome his inconsistencies and establish himself as a consistent performer in Test cricket.

KL Rahul, the Indian cricket team's star batter, is preparing for the upcoming red-ball season with renewed vigor. After making his comeback in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rahul is now gearing up for the Duleep Trophy, which commences on September 5.Rahul's return to the Indian team was marked by a solid performance in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, where he scored 31 runs off 43 balls. However, he was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the second match. Despite the setback, Rahul remains determined to cement his place in the team and is using the Duleep Trophy as an opportunity to showcase his skills.The Duleep Trophy is a prestigious domestic tournament that provides a platform for players to stake their claim for national selection. Rahul will be playing for Team A, led by young India batter Shubman Gill. The tournament will give him a chance to regain his form and prove his worth in the longer format of the game.Rahul's recent batting session has been the talk of social media, with a viral video showcasing his impressive straight drive over the bowler's head. The video has generated excitement among fans, who are eager to see Rahul back in action in the red-ball format.The Duleep Trophy will be a crucial test for Rahul as he aims to regain his place in the Indian Test team. With a strong performance, he can cement his position as one of the team's key players and help India achieve success in the upcoming Test series against Australia and Bangladesh.

KL Rahul's Cryptic Social Media Post Sparks Retirement SpeculationIndian cricket star KL Rahul has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world with a cryptic social media post that has sparked speculation about his retirement. On August 22, Rahul posted a message on Instagram that read, "I have an announcement to make, stay tuned..."Shortly after, another image circulated on his Instagram channel, seemingly confirming his retirement. The image read:"After much reflection and consideration, I have decided to announce my retirement from professional cricket. This decision has not been easy, as the sport has been a significant part of my life for many years."The message went on to express gratitude for the support of family, friends, teammates, and fans, and acknowledged the invaluable experiences and memories gained throughout his career. It concluded with a heartfelt thank you to all who had been a part of his cricketing journey.However, despite the seemingly definitive nature of the message, questions have been raised about its authenticity. Rahul has not officially confirmed his retirement through any other channels, and his social media accounts have since been deactivated.Sources close to Rahul have indicated that the retirement announcement may be a hoax, and that the cricketer is currently focused on preparing for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024, which is scheduled to commence on September 5.The speculation surrounding Rahul's retirement has created a buzz on social media, with fans and experts alike expressing their thoughts and opinions. Some have expressed concern about the possibility of Rahul retiring at such a young age, while others have questioned the timing of the announcement, given his recent return to the Indian team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka.As of now, the authenticity of Rahul's retirement announcement remains uncertain. However, the cryptic social media post has certainly raised eyebrows and sparked a lively debate about the future of one of India's most talented cricketers.

VVS Laxman and his support staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) are likely to accompany the Indian team to Zimbabwe for the five-match T20I series starting July 6. This move is part of the BCCI's plan to provide continuity and support to the young players who have been identified as potential future stars.Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir is expected to start his tenure as head coach of the senior men's team from the Sri Lanka tour in mid-July. Gambhir, who is currently the favorite for the role, will have the opportunity to select his support staff, including batting, bowling, and fielding coaches.The squad for the Zimbabwe series is expected to be announced by the end of this week, with a mix of young IPL performers and experienced T20 World Cup contingent members. Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Reddy are among the rookies who are likely to receive their maiden call-ups.Hardik Pandya or Suryakumar Yadav is expected to lead the team in Zimbabwe. Pandya has been rested for the ongoing South Africa series, while Yadav captained the T20 team against Australia at home and in South Africa.The BCCI's decision to send Laxman and the NCA coaches with the Zimbabwe squad is a testament to the importance they place on developing young talent. Laxman and his team have a proven track record of nurturing young players and preparing them for the international stage.The Zimbabwe series will provide a valuable opportunity for the young Indian players to gain experience and showcase their skills. It will also serve as a platform for Laxman and his support staff to assess the players' progress and identify areas for improvement.

VVS Laxman's reluctance to become India's head coach is well-known. However, with his tenure as NCA's 'Head of Cricket' ending in September, the BCCI faces the challenge of retaining his expertise.Gautam Gambhir is reportedly the frontrunner among available options, but it's unclear if BCCI secretary Jay Shah has consulted senior players about his acceptability. Shah has hinted at seeking an Indian coach with a deep understanding of the cricketing ecosystem.Laxman, a former interim India coach, seems like the ideal successor. However, he hasn't applied for the post, which requires a significant physical and mental commitment for the next three and a half years. The application deadline is May 27.If Laxman applies, he would be a strong candidate due to his goodwill at the BCCI's High Performance Centre. The BCCI is keen to retain him and may consider offering him a consultant role for marquee red-ball series.Laxman has offers from IPL franchises and is also an established commentator. Unlike Rahul Dravid, who was based in Bengaluru, Laxman relocated from Hyderabad to work at the NCA.Shah has stated that there will be only one head coach for the national team. However, some believe that Laxman's expertise in red-ball cricket could be utilized specifically for that format.With the NCA moving to its own facility in Bengaluru next year, the BCCI will need a replacement for Laxman as Head of Cricket. Vikram Rathour, the current national team batting coach, is a potential candidate.