Cricket

The relationship between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, two prominent figures in Indian cricket, has been a complex one marked by both professional respect and occasional friction.During their early years as teammates, Gambhir played a significant role in mentoring Kohli, guiding him through the challenges of international cricket. However, their relationship has also been strained by moments of on-field aggression and differences in perspective.One notable incident occurred during the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Gambhir, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), captained by Kohli. After Kohli's dismissal, a heated exchange ensued between the two captains, requiring the intervention of umpires and players to restore order.In 2023, Kohli and Gambhir were fined for a post-match altercation following the RCB-LSG game. Despite these incidents, there have also been moments of mutual respect and camaraderie between the two players.One such instance occurred during a 2009 ODI match against Sri Lanka, where Gambhir and Kohli shared a 224-run partnership. Gambhir, who remained unbeaten on 150, praised Kohli's contribution and handed over his Man of the Match award to him, acknowledging the importance of Kohli's maiden ODI century.This gesture highlighted Gambhir's leadership and recognition of Kohli's talent. Despite their occasional differences, both players have always acknowledged each other's contributions to the team.The relationship between Gambhir and Kohli has evolved over the years, from one of mutual respect to moments of on-field aggression and differences in perspective. However, both players have maintained a level of professionalism in their interactions, recognizing the importance of their contributions to Indian cricket.

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of young pacer Harshit Rana in the Indian Test team. Rana's impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Duleep Trophy have caught Karthik's attention, who believes the 22-year-old deserves a spot in the national side.Rana emerged as a breakout star in the IPL 2023 season, claiming 19 wickets in 13 matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate good pace made him a key contributor to KKR's third IPL title triumph.Karthik, who played alongside Rana at KKR, was particularly impressed by the youngster's performance in the Duleep Trophy. Rana took four wickets in the first innings of the first round match against India C and another four-fer in the second round against India A.Despite his impressive form, Rana was not included in India's squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Karthik expressed his surprise at this omission, stating that Rana could have been considered for the first Test."I just thought, could there have been a spot for Harshit? I felt he bowled well and there is something really special about him," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.Karthik believes that Rana's unique skills, including his ability to generate backspin and kiss the pitch, would make him a valuable asset in Australian conditions. India is scheduled to tour Australia later this year for five Tests, and Karthik urged the selectors to pick Rana for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy."Harshit Rana. He has special skills, a good backspin on the ball, kisses off the pitch, and is a very talented fast bowler. I really wish they take him to Australia because he will make a difference there," he added.The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has opted for four seamers in the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal. However, Karthik's comments suggest that Rana could be in contention for a place in the Test team in the near future.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared an intriguing anecdote about the legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni, shedding light on his enigmatic personality and unwavering dedication to the sport.Chopra, who shared a room with Dhoni during an India A tour in 2004, described him as a quiet and unassuming individual. Despite his growing reputation, Dhoni displayed a remarkable humility, never answering his phone and opting to eat vegetarian meals to accommodate his roommate's dietary preferences.However, when it came to cricket, Dhoni transformed into a different beast. Chopra witnessed firsthand Dhoni's exceptional batting skills, particularly his ability to execute unconventional shots with ease. During a match in Kenya, Dhoni stunned everyone by hitting a reverse sweep for four against a Pakistani bowler bowling at over 140 kmph.Despite not getting many opportunities to bat, Dhoni remained actively involved in the team by bowling to his competitor, Dinesh Karthik. Chopra questioned Dhoni's choice, but the latter simply replied that he enjoyed bowling.Chopra also praised Dhoni's exceptional wicketkeeping abilities, noting that his hands were still faster than anyone in the world. Despite not practicing keeping extensively, Dhoni's natural talent and dedication allowed him to excel in this aspect of the game.Dhoni's unwavering commitment to cricket and his ability to perform under pressure have made him one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. Under his leadership, India won the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian men's cricket team head coach, has often been portrayed as an enigmatic figure. During his playing career, Gambhir's fiery demeanor and unwavering passion were evident on the field. He played a pivotal role in some of India's most memorable victories, particularly in ICC events.Gambhir's contributions to India's triumph in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup were instrumental. He emerged as one of India's most reliable match-winners, but his path to the top was not without challenges.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, who also opened the batting during his playing days, shed light on the intense competition within the Indian team at the time. To accommodate talented batters, drastic changes were made, even demoting Virender Sehwag to the No. 4 spot."We were competitors because we were fighting for one place. Our team was very good. When we were playing, only one of Kohli and Dhawan got the chance to play. The team was like that. In fact, there was no place for even Viru to open the batting. Viru batted four so that we can accommodate one of Shikhar and Virat at 3," Chopra recalled in a podcast with Raj Shamani on YouTube.Chopra acknowledged that he and Gambhir were not close friends due to the intense competition for opening spots. However, he recognized Gambhir's unwavering passion and dedication."We were competitors to begin with. He wasn't a friend, to be honest. (But he was a) very passionate guy, very hard working, and very serious about his craft. And he scored a lot of runs. But he always wore his heart on the sleeve, was extremely passionate, and could short-fuse very quickly in terms of temperament," Chopra further revealed.Despite his fiery nature, Chopra emphasized Gambhir's kind-heartedness and humble upbringing. "He's a good hearted guy, comes from a very affluent family. For that kid to have that kind of passion... he would be at the ground the whole day. He was born with a golden spoon, not even silver. It's a different journey, basically like Abhinav Bindra. Gautam has the heart at the right place," Chopra asserted.

Tejashwi Yadav, the prominent Indian politician and son of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, has sparked a stir on social media by revealing his cricketing past. Yadav claims to have captained Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli during his domestic cricket days.Yadav's assertion has raised eyebrows, as his cricketing career has largely been forgotten despite his claims of being a star player. In an interview with Zee Media, he expressed his disappointment that his cricketing achievements have been overlooked."I was a cricketer and no one talks about it. Virat Kohli played in my captaincy - did anyone ever talk about it? Why don't they do so? As a professional, I played good cricket. Many Team India players are my batchmates," Yadav said.Yadav's statement has drawn mixed reactions from cricket fans. Some have questioned the veracity of his claims, while others have expressed amusement.According to Yadav, he played alongside Kohli for Delhi in domestic cricket. However, records show that Yadav played for Jharkhand in the domestic spectrum, making his First Class debut in 2009. He also represented the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2008 to 2012, but did not play a single game.Despite his limited playing time, Yadav insists that he was a talented cricketer who had to retire due to injuries. "I had to quit as my both ligaments were fractured. Let it be," he said.Yadav's cricketing claims have become a topic of discussion on social media, with many users expressing skepticism and humor. Some have even joked that Yadav's "captaincy" of Kohli was limited to the popular fantasy cricket game Dream11.Regardless of the validity of Yadav's claims, his revelation has brought attention to his cricketing past and sparked a debate about the recognition given to former players.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is determined to make a strong comeback to international cricket after recovering from an ankle injury. Shami, 34, last played in the 2023 ODI World Cup final and has been sidelined since then."I am working hard to make a comeback soon because I know I have been out of action for quite some time," Shami said at the Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) annual awards ceremony. However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring his fitness before returning to the field."I want to ensure there is no discomfort when I return. I've to work on my fitness, so that there is no discomfort," Shami said. "The stronger I return, the better it is for me. I don't want to rush and risk getting injured again."Shami has already started bowling but is not taking any chances until he is 100% fit. He is likely to make a comeback to competitive cricket for his domestic side Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, with a potential international appearance later in one of the Test matches against New Zealand."If I need to play domestic cricket to test my fitness, I will," Shami said. "What matters most is that I am fully ready for whatever comes next, regardless of the opposition or format."Shami is expected to be a key figure in India's preparations for the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "We are the favorites, they should be worried," Shami said confidently.

Mohammed Shami Aspires for Bengal Comeback, Eyes Border-Gavaskar Trophy TriumphThe Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) recently held its Annual Award Ceremony, honoring exceptional achievements in cricket. Among the celebrated individuals was India's star fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, who received a special award for his outstanding performance during the Cricket World Cup 2023.During his acceptance speech, Shami expressed his desire to return to the Bengal team. The fast bowler, who has been sidelined from international cricket, aims to regain his place in the national squad by showcasing his skills in domestic tournaments."I definitely want to play for Bengal next season. I am looking forward to playing two to three matches for Bengal in Ranji. It will help me to make a comeback in international cricket. I have been training at the NCA and I want to play as and when I am 100 percent fit," Shami said, as quoted by IANS.Shami, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, was discovered while playing first-class cricket for Bengal. After debuting in 2011, he played 15 first-class and 15 List A matches before being selected for India's ODI squad to face Pakistan in Delhi in January 2013.Expressing his gratitude towards Bengal, Shami said, "I can't thank Bengal enough. I was born in a family in UP where there was no opportunity. So I often say I was born in UP but made in Bengal. This is a journey of 22 years and I am so grateful to Bengal for making me what I am. The love and warmth Bengal has shown will never be forgotten."Shami also shared his thoughts on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin in December. He believes that India are the favorites to defeat Australia in the five-match Test series later this year."I think India are favorites to win the series. In the last series in Australia, we played with a young team with a lot of senior players missing. But we proved we were the best. So I feel the next series will be competitive one and India will be victorious," Shami added.

The Indian cricket team has long been divided over the question of who is the fittest player in the squad. While Ravindra Jadeja has been praised by experts worldwide, Virat Kohli has consistently impressed over the years and remains a fan favorite. However, India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's recent answer to this question has sparked a heated debate on social media.When asked to name the fittest cricketer in India, Bumrah acknowledged that Kohli is the expected choice but boldly put forward his own name. He explained that he always tries to promote fast bowlers in such situations.Bumrah's response has ignited a fierce war of words among fans. Some have criticized him for arrogance, pointing to his injury history and lack of success in major ICC tournaments. Others have defended Bumrah, praising his confidence and determination to stand up for himself.Meanwhile, India's fast bowler Akash Deep has heaped praise on Bumrah, describing him as "uniquely crafted by God." Deep, who recently made his Test debut, admitted that it is difficult to emulate Bumrah's actions due to their complexity.Deep also revealed that he draws inspiration from various bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, but emphasized that he does not focus on following any one bowler too closely.The debate over Bumrah's fitness claims has highlighted the importance of physical conditioning in modern cricket. Fast bowlers, in particular, face immense physical demands, and their ability to maintain peak fitness is crucial for their success.

Tilak Varma, a rising star in Indian cricket, has made a resounding statement with a magnificent century in the ongoing Duleep Trophy match between India A and India D. His unbeaten 111 off 193 balls has not only strengthened his case for a place in the Indian team but has also sparked a viral celebration from his teammate, Avesh Khan.Varma's innings was a testament to his composure and skill. He paced his innings perfectly, reaching his hundred with a calm and collected late cut to the third man region. His knock was laced with nine boundaries, showcasing his ability to find the gaps and rotate the strike.The celebration of his century was equally memorable. As Varma acknowledged the cheers from the crowd, Khan, who was watching from the stands, erupted in a series of hilarious dance moves. The moment was captured on camera and has since gone viral on social media.Varma's century was part of a dominant performance by India A. Pratham Singh also scored an impressive 122, helping India A declare their second innings at 380 for three. This gave them an overall lead of 487, putting India D in a precarious position.India D's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Atharva Taide early on. However, Ricky Bhui and Yash Dubey steadied the ship, ensuring that their side would enter the final day without further damage.Varma's performance has reignited hopes that he can become India's next all-format player. His ability to score runs consistently and his calm demeanor under pressure make him a valuable asset to any team.As the Duleep Trophy enters its final stages, all eyes will be on Varma and India A as they look to secure victory and cement their place as one of the top teams in the competition.