Cricket

Robin Singh, a Trinidadian-born cricketer, etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history as the first West Indies-born player to represent India in Test cricket. Despite a brief Test career, Robin's impact on Indian cricket extended far beyond his solitary Test match in 1989.Robin's true calling lay in the limited-overs format, where he became an indispensable member of the Indian ODI team. His tenacious batting, nimble fielding, and effective medium-pace bowling made him a versatile asset. He anchored the middle order, providing stability and making substantial contributions with the ball.Throughout his ODI career, Robin amassed over 2,000 runs and claimed 69 wickets in 136 matches. His performances were particularly crucial during India's 1999 Cricket World Cup campaign.After retiring from playing in 2004, Robin embarked on a successful coaching career. He played a pivotal role in nurturing the future stars of Indian cricket, starting with India's junior and A teams. His expertise in fielding led to his appointment as India's national team fielding coach, where he significantly improved the team's fielding standards.Robin's coaching journey also took him back to his Caribbean roots, where he coached teams in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He also became an integral part of the coaching staff for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), contributing to their triumphs with his strategic insights.Robin Singh's legacy in Indian cricket is undeniable. His remarkable journey from Trinidad to becoming a legend in Indian cricket serves as an inspiration to many. His versatility, determination, and resilience left an enduring mark on the game, both as a player and a coach.

Prithvi Shaw, hailed as India's next cricketing prodigy, made a grand entrance into international Test cricket with a scintillating century on debut. However, his promising start was marred by a puzzling decline in form, leaving fans and experts alike baffled.Shaw's early career was marked by remarkable achievements. He joined an elite group of Indian players to score a century on their Test debut, alongside legends like Rohit Sharma and Sourav Ganguly. He also held the record for the highest individual score in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for several years.Despite these early accolades, Shaw struggled to maintain consistency at the highest level. His form dipped inexplicably, raising questions about his technique and mental fortitude.India's return to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 was highly anticipated. However, Shaw's performance in the first match was a major disappointment. He was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc on the second delivery, setting a challenging tone for the series.Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting analyzed Shaw's batting technique, identifying a weakness against inswinging deliveries. Shaw's lack of front foot movement created a gap between his bat and pad, which the Australian bowlers exploited ruthlessly.Shaw's struggles continued in the second innings, where he was dismissed by Pat Cummins in a similar fashion. His technical flaw was exposed, and he was subsequently dropped from the Indian Test team.Despite his early promise, Shaw's career has been marked by inconsistency and technical deficiencies. His inability to overcome these challenges has prevented him from fulfilling his potential and becoming the star that many had predicted.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir: A Tale of On-Field Rivalry and Off-Field RespectVirat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, have often been the subject of intense scrutiny due to their on-field clashes. However, beyond the heated exchanges, there lies a deep-seated respect between the two players.Despite their contrasting personalities and playing styles, Kohli and Gambhir share a common bond: their unwavering passion for the game. Both players have made significant contributions to Indian cricket, with Kohli emerging as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and Gambhir playing a pivotal role in India's 2011 World Cup triumph.While their on-field rivalry has been well-documented, Gambhir has consistently maintained his admiration for Kohli's abilities. "I have a lot of respect for Virat Kohli," Gambhir said after taking charge as coach of the Indian cricket team. "On the field, everyone has the right to fight for their own jersey, but off the field, we're representing India and we're going to be on the same page."Piyush Chawla, who has played with both Kohli and Gambhir, has witnessed firsthand the contrasting nature of their personalities. "Gauti bhai is very motivating and gives you a free hand," Chawla said. "He backs you even if you don't perform well, which is a brilliant thing for any player."Despite their on-field differences, Kohli and Gambhir have always put the team's interests first. In the 2011 World Cup, they played crucial roles in India's historic victory, showcasing their ability to set aside personal rivalries for the greater good.Off the field, Gambhir has been known for his generosity and support of young players. Chawla recalled an incident where Gambhir correctly answered a trivia question about Kohli's 50th century, demonstrating his deep knowledge of the game and his respect for his former teammate.The relationship between Kohli and Gambhir is a testament to the complexities of human nature. Despite their on-field rivalry, they share a deep-seated respect for each other's abilities and a common goal of representing India with pride.

As the highly anticipated Women's T20 World Cup draws near, former Indian cricketer Diana Edulji has shared her expert insights and hopes for the Indian team. The tournament, commencing on October 3, will witness 10 teams vying for the coveted trophy.Edulji emphasized the pivotal role of openers Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana in India's campaign. "The biggest bets are the two openers, Shefali and Smriti. They have to put a price on their wicket. The World Cup is fully dependent on them," she stated.Expressing high expectations for the team, Edulji urged them to seize the opportunity to bring the trophy home, emulating the success of the men's team. She acknowledged the competitive nature of the tournament, highlighting Bangladesh's impressive performance in the Asia Cup. "Bangladesh had an excellent Asia Cup campaign. We should play according to our strengths. It doesn't matter that Australia has won six World Cups, they can lose too. We have to give our 100%," she said.Edulji identified spin bowling as one of India's key strengths, praising Deepti Sharma's consistent form and ability to strike in the final overs. She also mentioned the promising talent of Shreyanka Patil and emphasized the depth in India's spin department. However, she pointed out the need to focus on pace bowling, mentioning Renuka Singh as a crucial player."Our strength is our spinners, Deepti Sharma has been in form since 2017, she will be important for us in the final overs. We also have Shreyanka Patil, so, we have plenty of spinners. We have got more than 5-6 bowlers, so there should not be any problem," she added.Edulji acknowledged the strength of other teams, including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, Australia, and New Zealand, noting their consistent performance in international cricket. "This is an open world cup, South Africa looks strong, Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu is in good form, Bangladesh is causing upsets everywhere, England, Australia, and New Zealand are all looking good and they are playing cricket consistently," she said.She expressed confidence that the support staff have learnt from previous World Cups and will avoid past mistakes. Additionally, she appreciated the BCCI for providing ample facilities, with players gaining valuable experience in leagues like the Big Bash and The Hundred.

India's impending Test series against Bangladesh presents a historic opportunity for the team to surpass its losses in the format for the first time ever. With 178 wins and 178 defeats in 579 Tests, a victory in Chennai would mark a significant milestone.The shift in India's Test fortunes can be traced back to the leadership of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Dhoni's tenure as captain saw a marked improvement in India's overseas performance, while Kohli's reign ushered in an era of dominance with a focus on pace bowling.Kohli's decision to prioritize fast bowlers, alongside former coach Ravi Shastri, transformed India's Test aspirations. The emergence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma as a formidable pace trio gave India the edge in conditions that were once considered unfavorable.Under Kohli's captaincy, India achieved its first Test series win on Australian soil, a testament to the impact of his pace-bowling strategy. His win percentage of 58.82% may fall short of Rohit Sharma's current 62.5%, but his contribution to India's Test resurgence cannot be overstated.While Rohit Sharma's brief tenure as captain has yielded impressive results, it is the legacy of Dhoni and Kohli that has laid the foundation for India's current success in Test cricket. The upcoming series against Bangladesh offers an opportunity to further cement India's dominance and etch their name in the annals of Test history.

Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad: The Future of Indian Cricket Post-Kohli and RohitAs the legendary duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma approach the twilight of their illustrious careers, Indian cricket fans are eagerly looking towards the next generation of stars to carry the torch. Veteran leg-spinner Piyush Chawla believes that Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad possess the talent and potential to fill the void left by the departing greats.Chawla, who has shared the dressing room with both Kohli and Rohit, recently expressed his admiration for Gill and Gaikwad on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast. He hailed Gill's exceptional technique as a key factor in his success. "Shubman Gill—because of his technique. Whenever one goes through poor form, a batter who is technically strong can come out of it. Any batter who has a good technique cannot stay out of form for too long," Chawla said.Gill, 25, has already established himself as a vital cog in the Indian batting lineup. With 25 Tests, 47 ODIs, and 21 T20Is under his belt, he has amassed over 4,400 international runs, including 11 centuries. His ability to adapt to different formats and conditions has made him a reliable performer for India.While Gaikwad, 27, has faced some setbacks due to injuries and selection issues, Chawla remains confident in his abilities. "It [getting dropped or injured] is part and parcel of the game. It will keep happening. But, whenever he has got the opportunity, he has looked different. For me, these two players (Gill and Gaikwad) are special," Chawla added.Gaikwad has shown glimpses of his brilliance in the limited opportunities he has received. In six ODIs and 23 T20Is, he has scored over 750 runs, including a T20I century. His aggressive batting style and ability to clear the boundary with ease make him a valuable asset to any team.With Kohli and Rohit nearing retirement, the onus will fall on Gill and Gaikwad to lead the Indian batting charge in the years to come. Their talent, determination, and experience make them the ideal candidates to carry the legacy of their illustrious predecessors.

Piyush Chawla, a seasoned Indian spinner, has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma's exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to the Mumbai Indians franchise. Chawla, who played alongside Rohit in the 2023 IPL season, witnessed firsthand the impact of his captaincy on the team's success.Chawla highlighted Rohit's unwavering loyalty and tireless efforts for the Mumbai Indians. He emphasized how Rohit's leadership played a crucial role in guiding the team to numerous victories. In the 2023 IPL season, Chawla himself showcased his prowess on the field, securing 22 wickets across 16 matches, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.Chawla shared an anecdote from the season, revealing an instance when Rohit summoned him to his room at the unusual hour of 2:30 AM. "I've played so much cricket with him that we've reached a comfort level. We sit off-the-field as well. Once, at 2:30 in the night, he texted me and asked, 'you up?' He drew a field on paper and discussed with me about potentially dismissing Warner. Even at that time, he was thinking about how he could get the best out of me," Chawla told Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube.Chawla stressed that Rohit's influence extends beyond his role as a captain, highlighting his leadership qualities. He referred to instances from the ODI World Cup held last year and the recent T20 World Cup to support his point. "There's a captain, then there's a leader. He isn't a captain, he is a leader. Whether it was 2023 ODI WC, or the 2024 T20 WC, the way he batted, he sets the tone in such a way that he made it easy for next batters. He's a true leader. He gives you a free hand," said Chawla.Rohit-led Indian team ended the decade-long ICC title drought after beating South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 to lift their second title in the format. In 2023, the Men in Blue failed to win the World Test Championship and 2023 ODI World Cup under Rohit's leadership after losing to Australia in the finals.

Ishan Kishan, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, made a surprise appearance in the India C team for the Duleep Trophy match against India B on Thursday. Despite being initially omitted from the squad, Kishan was included at the last moment and made a significant impact.Kishan's inclusion in the India C squad raised eyebrows, as he was previously ruled out of the first round of matches due to a groin injury. However, his recovery has been swift, and he was cleared to play in the second round.Batting at No. 4, Kishan showcased his aggressive style, scoring a brilliant 111 off 126 balls. His innings was studded with 14 fours and three sixes, demonstrating his ability to dominate the bowling attack.Kishan's performance is a welcome boost for India C, who are looking to secure a place in the final. It also serves as a reminder of his immense talent and potential.Despite his impressive performance, Kishan has faced criticism in the past for his perceived reluctance to participate in domestic cricket. However, his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad suggests that he is committed to regaining his place in the national team.Kishan's return to form is a positive sign for Indian cricket. With his aggressive batting and reliable wicketkeeping skills, he is a valuable asset to any team. His performance in the Duleep Trophy will be closely monitored, and if he continues to impress, he could soon be back in contention for international selection.

Akash Deep, India's rising fast bowler, has expressed his admiration for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, describing him as a "unique creation of God." Deep, who made his Test debut against England in February, has earned a spot in the Indian squad for the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai.Deep acknowledges the influence of various bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, but emphasizes that Bumrah's exceptional abilities are beyond his reach. "Bumrah bhai ko bhagwan ne alag hi bana k bheja hai (He has been uniquely crafted by God)," Deep said. "I can't learn everything from him."Reflecting on his experience under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, Deep praised the T20 World Cup-winning skipper for his ability to create a relaxed atmosphere in the dressing room. "He manages things so well, talks in a way that puts you at ease, and gives simple plans that make cricket easier," Deep said.Deep also expressed his excitement about working under new head coach Gautam Gambhir, who he believes will bring a fighting spirit to the team. "The way he fights for the game of cricket makes me feel like I'll really enjoy playing under his leadership as well," Deep said.In preparation for the Bangladesh series, Deep plans to focus on his strengths and bowl in good areas. "As a bowler, you can rely on your areas and strengths, which increases the chances of success and makes it easier to perform," he said.Deep acknowledges the challenges of red-ball cricket, emphasizing the importance of both physical and mental strength. "Red-ball cricket is tough for fast bowlers," he said. "If you can survive it, you can manage white-ball cricket as well."Deep draws inspiration from legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar, admiring his down-to-earth nature and unwavering motivation. "Sachin sir's down-to-earth nature has inspired me since childhood," Deep said.