Cricket

Former Indian cricketer and selector Jatin Paranjape has hailed skipper Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach in the recent Test series against Bangladesh, particularly in the Kanpur Test. Paranjape believes this match will be remembered as a turning point in Indian cricket history.Despite losing two days of play due to rain, India managed to secure a 2-0 series victory. In the Kanpur Test, Bangladesh was bowled out for 233 on day four, allowing India to post 285/9 and take two wickets. On the final day, India dismissed Bangladesh for 146 and chased down the target of 95 runs.Paranjape praised Rohit's leadership, stating that his attacking mindset has permeated the team. "Since Rohit has become the captain, the intent and DNA of the team have become attack-orientated," he said. "They have decided that their DNA is to attack, their natural instinct has become attacking, and they would not abandon it."Paranjape believes this aggressive approach will continue in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "I think this is just a trailer of what we will see in Australia later this year," he said. "They will play such a way, irrespective of the opposition."Paranjape also highlighted the talent of Mumbai batter Prithvi Shaw, calling him "the most talented player in India." He expressed confidence that Shaw will have a successful season in the upcoming Ranji Trophy.Regarding spin all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, Paranjape believes his best years are ahead of him. "Nothing short of fantastic (his performances against Bangladesh)," he said. "He is a legend. He writes his name into the list of legends of Indian cricket. I think his best five years are ahead of us."Ashwin won the 'Player of the Series' award against Bangladesh, scoring 114 runs and taking 11 wickets. He became the joint-most 'Player of the Series' winner in Test cricket, alongside Muttiah Muralitharan.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has acknowledged the potential of express pacer Mayank Yadav, but emphasizes the need for careful management amidst the demanding cricket schedule. Mayank's impressive 155kph pace during IPL 2024 caught attention, earning him Player-of-the-Match awards in his first two games before an abdominal injury sidelined him.Despite his absence from competitive cricket since then, Suryakumar confirms Mayank's full recovery and his addition to the Indian team. "He has the X factor, as seen in franchise cricket," Suryakumar said. "His extra pace can make a difference. I haven't faced him in the nets, but I've witnessed his potential. He's a valuable addition, and I expect him to perform well."However, Suryakumar stresses the importance of managing Mayank's workload due to the intense cricket calendar. "It's crucial to manage him well, considering the amount of cricket being played," he said. "We need to pay proper attention, and the BCCI is doing that."Regarding the upcoming T20I against Bangladesh at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, Suryakumar expressed optimism about the pitch conditions. "The pitch looks good," he said. "We practiced on the center wicket and didn't find it too slow or low. It should be a good wicket for T20 cricket, with a balance between bat and ball."Despite the venue's lack of previous domestic or international matches, Suryakumar believes the team is well-prepared. "We've practiced here for three days and know the conditions," he said. "We'll play our usual style, and if everyone contributes, we'll get the desired results."Suryakumar also highlighted the growing trend of batters contributing with the ball in white-ball cricket. "It's beneficial if batters can bowl an over or two," he said. "Almost everyone in this squad can bowl, giving us more options. As seen in Sri Lanka, Riyan [Parag] bowled four overs. If someone is confident in bowling under pressure, why not?"

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the prodigious Indian opener, has taken the Test cricket world by storm since his debut in 2023. With an aggregate of 1217 runs in just 11 Tests, he ranks third in the world for most runs scored since his debut.Jaiswal's remarkable start to his Test career is highlighted by several impressive statistics. He has the highest average (64.05) among all batters with a minimum of 1000 runs, placing him behind only Sir Don Bradman and Kamindu Mendis in the all-time list.Jaiswal's aggressive approach has earned him the reputation as a leading proponent of "Indian Bazball." He has embraced the philosophy of attacking from the outset, scoring at a strike rate of 71.67 in Test cricket. This approach has been instrumental in India's recent success in limited-overs cricket and has now been extended to the Test arena.Jaiswal's ability to score big runs at a high strike rate makes him a genuine match-winner for India. He provides the team with explosive starts, demoralizes opposition attacks, and creates opportunities for the bowlers to dismiss the opposition twice.In addition to his impressive average and strike rate, Jaiswal has also achieved several notable milestones in his short Test career. He became the third-fastest Indian to reach 1000 Test runs, doing so in just 16 innings. He also scored a century on his Test debut, becoming the 17th Indian to do so.Jaiswal's unique feat of scoring a double century in an innings where no other batter reached fifty places him in an elite group of batters. He is only the seventh player in history to achieve this feat.Jaiswal's consistent performances have earned him comparisons to Brian Charles Lara. In a Test match against England, he became the third Indian to record two consecutive double centuries, joining Vinod Kambli and Virat Kohli.With his exceptional talent and aggressive approach, Yashasvi Jaiswal is poised to become one of the most dominant batters in Test cricket. His impressive start to his career has set the stage for a remarkable future in the sport.

Mayank Yadav, the young pace sensation from Lucknow, has been making waves in the cricketing world since his impressive debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His consistent bowling speeds surpassing 150kmph caught the attention of cricket fans and experts alike, earning him a national call-up for the upcoming Bangladesh T20Is.Yadav's selection to the national team is a testament to his exceptional talent, as he has bypassed the usual protocol of demonstrating fitness in domestic cricket. The upcoming series against Bangladesh will be a crucial assessment of both his physical and mental abilities.While Yadav's bowling prowess is undeniable, a recent incident involving his IPL team, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has added a touch of humor to the situation. LSG shared a screenshot on their social media handle showing Google's feed of the team's roster, which listed Yadav as a "right-arm medium fast bowler."This amused the franchise, who playfully took a jab at Google for downplaying Yadav's raw pace. LSG captioned the post with a tired face emoji and tagged Google, hinting at their frustration with the search engine's evaluation of the young speedster.To express their frustration further, LSG used a meme featuring a morphed image of Yadav. The meme served as a humorous way to convey Yadav's annoyance with Google's assessment of his abilities.Despite the light-hearted banter, Yadav remains focused on his upcoming national debut. The Bangladesh series will provide him with a platform to showcase his skills and prove that he is worthy of a place in the Indian team.

Rohit Sharma, the enigmatic Indian captain, bid farewell to the T20I format after India's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. The historic victory marked the end of an era for the Indian cricket team, as three senior players, Virat Kohli, Rohit, and Ravindra Jadeja, retired from the shortest format.Rohit's decision to step down from T20Is signaled the beginning of a transition phase for Indian cricket. However, the veteran batsman remains a formidable force in Tests and ODIs, with his sights set on next year's ICC Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final.Despite his absence from T20Is, Rohit continues to be missed by fans. A recent video went viral on social media, capturing a fan expressing their longing for Rohit's presence in the format. Rohit's response, "Bas ho gaya yaar," hinted at his contentment with his decision to retire from T20Is.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh recently weighed in on the debate between MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma's captaincy styles. Harbhajan preferred Rohit's approach, citing his ability to connect with his teammates and empower them, particularly the bowlers."Rohit is people's captain. He goes up to the people and asks them what they want. His teammates connect with him very well," Harbhajan said.While Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest leaders in cricket history, Rohit has earned a reputation as a players' captain, known for his freedom and support for his team."The better captain is the one who makes you fight for victory. For me, what Dhoni has done as captain, Rohit has also done it. He is no lesser than anyone," Harbhajan added.Rohit's T20I career culminated with India's World Cup triumph in 2024. Suryakumar Yadav was subsequently appointed as the captain of the T20I side, while Rohit continues to lead India in ODIs and Tests.Recently, Rohit-led India registered a 2-0 clean sweep over Bangladesh in a two-match ODI series. The victories extended India's dominance in the format and further cemented Rohit's status as a successful captain.

India vs New Zealand: A Crucial Clash in the Women's T20 World CupIndia's quest for their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title begins with a formidable challenge against New Zealand, a team known for their resilience and determination. While New Zealand may not be as highly regarded as their Trans-Tasman rivals Australia, they pose a significant threat to India's aspirations.India's recent performances in global events have been marred by mental fragility at crucial moments. To address this issue, the team underwent counseling sessions during their preparatory camp at the National Cricket Academy. However, the true test of their mental fortitude will come on the field.Harmanpreet Kaur, India's skipper, is likely making her final appearance in the T20 World Cup. She has witnessed numerous near misses and disappointments, including India's defeat to Australia in the 2020 final. This Indian team boasts an abundance of talent, but they must execute their strategies flawlessly to overcome the reigning champions Australia.India's batting lineup will be under the spotlight against New Zealand. Senior players like Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Harmanpreet Kaur will need to deliver stellar performances to provide a solid foundation for the team.

India's Long-Awaited Centre of Excellence Opens in BengaluruAfter years of anticipation, the Indian cricket fraternity has finally unveiled its state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Located near the Kempegowda International Airport, the academy was inaugurated on September 28 by BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Jay Shah.The facility boasts world-class infrastructure, including:* Indoor and outdoor practice nets: With advanced technology for ball tracking and analysis.* High-performance gym: Equipped with the latest fitness equipment and expert trainers.* Sports science and medicine center: Providing cutting-edge medical care, nutrition, and rehabilitation services.* Residential facilities: Accommodating up to 100 players and support staff.* Cricket museum: Showcasing the rich history of Indian cricket.The academy aims to nurture young talent and develop elite cricketers for the national team. It will provide comprehensive training programs, including:* Technical coaching: By experienced coaches using innovative techniques.* Physical conditioning: Tailored to the specific needs of cricketers.* Mental training: To enhance focus, resilience, and decision-making.* Nutritional guidance: To optimize performance and recovery.The Centre of Excellence is a testament to the BCCI's commitment to developing Indian cricket. It is expected to play a pivotal role in producing world-class players who will represent the country with distinction on the international stage.

Shafali Verma, the dynamic opener of the Indian women's cricket team, has forged an unbreakable bond with her batting partner, Smriti Mandhana. Their contrasting styles complement each other perfectly, with Shafali's aggressive approach blending seamlessly with Mandhana's elegant strokeplay."We can sense each other's feelings just by our facial expressions while batting," Shafali revealed. "We know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and we give each other positive vibes."This understanding has been crucial to India's recent dominance in women's cricket. Shafali acknowledges the importance of their partnership, especially during the powerplay. "We try to perform well for ourselves, our teammates, and the country," she said.Shafali admires Mandhana's exceptional timing and ability to construct big innings. "These are the two things I admire most about her batting," she said.As India embarks on its Women's T20 World Cup campaign, Shafali is determined to make amends for the team's runner-up finish in 2020. "Winning the World Cup has always been a dream for Harmanpreet di," she said, referring to captain Harmanpreet Kaur. "She's a great player, a great teammate, and a fantastic captain who inspires and motivates us all the time."Shafali made her World Cup debut at the tender age of 16. Despite missing out on the trophy by a whisker, she is confident of changing that this time around. "We were so close to winning, but hopefully, we can change that this time around," she said.The experience of playing in the final against Australia in front of a packed MCG crowd has taught Shafali to handle pressure better. "I couldn't hear anything because of the massive crowd," she recalled. "I've learned to focus more now."Shafali's journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. But through it all, she has remained steadfast in her pursuit of excellence. Her partnership with Mandhana is a testament to the power of teamwork and mutual respect. As India aims to conquer the world stage, Shafali and Mandhana will undoubtedly play a pivotal role.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, two legendary Indian cricketers, have both left an indelible mark on the game as captains. Dhoni, known for his astute leadership and tactical brilliance, led India to unprecedented success, winning the T20 World Cup (2007), ODI World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013). Rohit, on the other hand, has emerged as a charismatic and progressive leader, guiding India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title.While Dhoni's captaincy was characterized by his calm demeanor and strategic decision-making, Rohit's approach is more collaborative and empowering. According to former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, Rohit's ability to connect with his teammates and seek their input sets him apart."Rohit is people's captain. He goes up to the people and asks them what they want. His teammates connect with him very well," Singh said.In contrast, Dhoni's leadership style was more introspective and authoritative. "He didn't talk to anyone. He wanted to convey his thoughts through his silence. It was his way of communicating with others," Singh added.Despite their contrasting styles, both Dhoni and Rohit have been highly successful as captains. Dhoni's legacy as one of the greatest leaders in cricket history is secure, while Rohit has proven himself to be a worthy successor, leading India to new heights."The better captain is the one who makes you fight for victory. For me, what Dhoni has done as captain, Rohit has also done it. He is no lesser than anyone," Singh said.Rohit's decision to retire from T20I cricket after India's World Cup triumph in 2024 has paved the way for Suryakumar Yadav to take over the reins in the shortest format. However, Rohit continues to lead the Indian team in ODIs and Tests, where he has enjoyed considerable success.Recently, Rohit-led India registered a 2-0 clean sweep over Bangladesh in the ODI series, showcasing the team's dominance under his leadership.