Cricket

Umran Malik's meteoric rise to fame in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022, where he showcased his blistering pace and ability to consistently bowl over 150 km/h, earned him a spot in the Indian white-ball squad. However, despite his early promise, Malik has not featured for India in more than a year, raising questions about his current predicament.Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes that Malik's rapid rise without substantial red-ball cricket experience is a significant factor in his current situation. According to Mhambrey, Malik's swift ascent to the national team via the IPL is typical of a bowler who lacks the grounding that comes from playing longer formats. With only 12 First-Class matches under his belt, Malik has struggled to maintain his place in the national lineup."Umran is a classic case of someone who has not played enough red-ball cricket," Mhambrey told The Indian Express. "He came into reckoning through the IPL. That's 24 balls in a game. Sometimes you don't even get to bowl 24 balls. The amount of pressure in bowling 24 balls is not like the red ball. I feel this (T20) is not a format to judge a prospect."Mhambrey emphasizes the importance of First-Class cricket for developing a bowler's skills and endurance. He explains that while the IPL offers a platform for showcasing talent, it doesn't replicate the mental and physical demands of longer formats."For all the perks that come with bowling in the IPL, it has its repercussions as well," Mhambrey continued. "We made sure that he played Ranji Trophy and red-ball cricket. The moment you play one season, you understand your bowling. Physically, you will be tested in different phases of the game. Sometimes you will have to be on the ground for six sessions. And to be able to bowl with that intensity when the last session is coming up, you will be physically and mentally challenged. And you need to go through that."Mhambrey's insights highlight a crucial element in Umran Malik's development: the need for experience and endurance that comes only from playing red-ball cricket. Without this foundation, Malik has found it challenging to adjust to the rigors of international cricket, leading to his exclusion from the team.

Zaheer Khan Backs Impact Player Rule, Citing Benefits for Indian CricketFormer Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan, now the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants, has voiced his support for the continuation of the impact player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Khan believes that the rule has contributed to the overall improvement of Indian cricket by providing opportunities to young talents.The impact player rule, introduced in IPL 2023, allows teams to substitute a player during the match. This rule has sparked debate among players and stakeholders, with some expressing concerns about its impact on the game's balance. However, Khan believes that the rule has had a positive effect on Indian cricket."I'm going on record to say that I'm all for it," Khan said. "It has definitely given opportunities to a lot of uncapped Indian talents. It is something you will see this in the mega auction when teams will be looking at them."Khan emphasized that the rule has provided valuable match time for young players, which is crucial for their development. "That opportunity goes a long way with improving Indian cricket on the whole," he said. "The time spent in match time, it's something you cannot beat. That's the biggest plus."Khan also addressed concerns about the impact of the rule on all-rounders. He believes that genuine all-rounders will still be valued, as they can provide both batting and bowling abilities. "If you are a genuine all-rounder, (then) no one can stop you," he said. "There is always going to be a value addition with the ability with bat and ball."The impact player rule has been a topic of discussion among IPL team owners and BCCI officials. While some teams support its continuation, others have expressed reservations. However, Khan's endorsement of the rule adds weight to the argument for its retention.

Virat Kohli's tenure as India's Test captain marked a transformative era for the team, characterized by dominance, historic victories, and an aggressive leadership style that inspired players.Kohli, alongside head coach Ravi Shastri, fostered an environment where India's pace attack flourished, becoming one of the most formidable in the world. Under their guidance, India achieved historic series wins in Australia and drew a series in England, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.Kohli's aggressive captaincy left an indelible mark on the players who played under him. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who made his Test debut under Kohli, lauded the former skipper's leadership style.In his first Test as captain, Kohli's unwavering determination to win was evident. Despite facing a daunting target of 363 in the fourth innings, Kohli instilled a belief in his team that they could chase it down. "We are going to chase it down," he declared, injecting positivity into the dressing room.Although India ultimately fell short by 48 runs, Kohli's flamboyant 141 off 175 balls demonstrated his unwavering belief in his team's abilities. "It was a different approach," said Karn. "His words sent a wonderful indication to the players in the dressing room, that your captain has different plans."Kohli's resilience was also evident in his ability to overcome poor form. Despite enduring a rough patch during India's tour to England in 2014, he put that behind him to heap runs in Australia."He always gave the impression that everything is fine," said Karn. "Through his preparations, fitness, mental approach, Kohli never appeared too bothered or was fretting over the fact that he had a bad Test series."Kohli's leadership style not only inspired his players but also left a lasting legacy on Indian cricket. His aggressive approach, unwavering determination, and ability to overcome adversity continue to serve as a model for future generations of cricketers.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's star speedster, has emerged as a fan favorite and a formidable force in the cricketing world. His recent appearance at the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai showcased the immense popularity he enjoys among cricket enthusiasts.Upon his arrival, Bumrah was greeted with thunderous applause and a warm welcome by the event organizers. Dressed in a stylish blue shirt and grey trousers, the 30-year-old pacer exuded his signature calm demeanor. The crowd's energy and enthusiasm were palpable, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.Bumrah's most recent competitive outing was in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, where he played a pivotal role in India's triumph. His two wickets in the final proved crucial in securing India's first ICC trophy in over a decade, earning him the Player of the Tournament award.Following this achievement, India's new coach, Gautam Gambhir, decided to rest Bumrah for the subsequent series against Sri Lanka, allowing him time to recuperate before upcoming challenges. Bumrah is set to return to action in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh in September, with the opening match scheduled at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.This series will be followed by India's engagements against New Zealand and a subsequent tour to South Africa for T20I series before the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Bumrah's presence in these upcoming matches is highly anticipated, as he is expected to play a key role in India's quest for success.

Rinku Singh, India's promising batter, was surprisingly omitted from the main squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, despite his impressive performances. However, he was named as a reserve player, sparking discussions among fans and analysts.Following the squad announcement, Singh revealed insights from his conversation with India's skipper, Rohit Sharma, who offered him words of encouragement. In an interview with News24, Singh shared Sharma's advice, emphasizing perseverance and the opportunities that the future holds."He came to me and made me understand that it was okay; you are still very young. There will be many World Cups in the future. Keep working hard. There is a World Cup every two years, so focus on that. Don’t be disappointed," Singh quoted Rohit.Sharma's message appears to have given Rinku a positive perspective on his future career. According to the young cricketer, Sharma stressed that age is on Rinku's side and that his chance to shine at the global level would come with ongoing effort and dedication.Even though he was not part of the main squad, Rinku expressed his admiration for Rohit’s style of leadership and his respect for Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach to captaincy. "I like Rohit Sharma's captaincy. I like Virat Kohli as well because aggression is very important while leading a team. So, his captaincy was also very good," Rinku stated.The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team successfully ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, further demonstrating the effectiveness of Sharma's leadership and the team's cohesion. Despite his exclusion from the main squad, Rinku Singh's positive attitude and respect for his leaders underline his maturity and potential as a future star in Indian cricket.

Defending Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) champions Adelaide Strikers have secured the services of Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana for the upcoming season. Mandhana, who has previously represented Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, and Sydney Thunder in the WBBL, will be the Strikers' pre-draft signing.Mandhana's signing is a major coup for the Strikers, who have been keen to acquire her for several seasons. The left-handed opener is one of the most prolific batters in the world, having captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) title earlier this year.During her stint with Sydney Thunder in 2021, Mandhana showcased her exceptional batting prowess by smashing an unbeaten 114 off just 64 balls against Melbourne Renegades. This innings remains the joint second-highest individual score in WBBL history.Strikers head coach Luke Williams, who also coached Mandhana at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, expressed his delight at her signing. "Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers," Williams said. "Her technical skill, experience, and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us."Mandhana's arrival could further strengthen the Strikers' already formidable top order, which includes South African captain Laura Wolvaardt. However, if Mandhana is allocated as the Strikers' first-round platinum player, they will not be able to use their retention rights for Wolvaardt in the same round.Ahead of the WBBL draft on September 1, the Strikers have also made a pick trade with Melbourne Renegades, acquiring picks 22 and 27 in exchange for picks 19 and 30. The Strikers now hold pick 6 in the first round and pick 14 in the second round.Other notable pre-draft signings in the WBBL include Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes), Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades), Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars), Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers), Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), and Chamari Athapaththu (Sydney Thunder).

Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment over Shikhar Dhawan's retirement from all formats of cricket, stating that the sport will be "poorer" without him. Gavaskar believes that injuries may have played a role in Dhawan's decision to step away from the game.Dhawan, affectionately known as "Gabbar," was a prolific run-scorer across formats for India and in domestic leagues. He made significant contributions to India's cricketing success over the years, amassing 6,793 runs in 167 ODIs, 2,315 runs in 34 Tests, and 1,759 runs in T20Is.Gavaskar noted that Dhawan's retirement is a reminder of the challenges faced by opening batters, who can be dropped from the team after a lean series or tournament. He also acknowledged that injuries have been a part of Dhawan's career in recent years, which may have influenced his decision to quit while still enjoying the game.Dhawan played a crucial role in several tournaments for India, including the victorious 2013 Champions Trophy campaign in England. He was also the leading run-scorer for India in numerous other major tournaments, such as the 2014 Asia Cup, 2015 ODI World Cup, 2017 Champions Trophy, and 2018 Asia Cup.Apart from his contributions with the bat, Dhawan also led India on occasions when senior players were unavailable. In domestic leagues, he represented several teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), including Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings. Dhawan is the second-highest run-getter in the IPL, only behind Virat Kohli.Gavaskar believes that Dhawan can still bring joy to fans in various roles, such as through the Legends Cricket League and philanthropic ventures. He also noted that retired cricketers today have more opportunities to stay connected with the game.Dhawan's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His cheerful demeanor and positive attitude will be missed by teammates and fans alike. However, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.

Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, two of India's most promising batters, are set to showcase their red-ball prowess in the upcoming Buchi Babu tournament, starting Tuesday. The tournament serves as a crucial platform for the duo to revive their Test careers and secure a spot in the Indian Test squad.Suryakumar, who recently led India to a T20 series win in his first outing as skipper, is eager to prove his worth in the Test format. His solitary Test appearance came against Australia in February 2023, where he failed to make a significant impact. The Buchi Babu tournament provides him with an opportunity to showcase his red-ball credentials and stake a claim for a place in the Test squad.Shreyas Iyer, who last played a Test in February, is also eyeing a place in the Test team. He has struggled for form in recent matches, averaging a mere 17.00 in 12 innings since January 2023. The Buchi Babu tournament and the upcoming Duleep Trophy, where he will lead Team D, present him with crucial opportunities to regain form and confidence.The Mumbai team, led by Sarfaraz Khan, will face TNCA XI, led by R Sai Kishore, the leading wicket-taker in last season's Ranji Trophy. This match offers players the chance to hone their skills and vie for selection in the Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai.Top players such as Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are expected to be available for the Bangladesh series, intensifying competition for spots in the Test squad. The Buchi Babu tournament also acts as a precursor to the Duleep Trophy, starting September 5.Suryakumar's last First-Class outing was in the Duleep Trophy last year, where he scored 71 runs in four innings, averaging 17.75. Both Suryakumar and Iyer are keen to improve upon past performances and secure a place in the Test team for the forthcoming season.

Shikhar Dhawan's remarkable cricketing journey owes a significant debt to the astute judgment of two Mumbai stalwarts: Dilip Vengsarkar and Sandeep Patil. Their unwavering belief in Dhawan's talent paved the way for his meteoric rise in Indian cricket.In 2004, Vengsarkar, then chairman of the BCCI's Talent Research Development Wing, played a pivotal role in Dhawan's selection for the Under-19 World Cup. Despite Dhawan's initial omission due to poor performances in trial matches, Vengsarkar's insistence on his inclusion proved to be a masterstroke. Dhawan emerged as the tournament's highest run-getter, showcasing his exceptional talent.Years later, in 2013, Patil, as chief national selector, made the bold decision to select Dhawan for the third Test against Australia in Mohali. Replacing the legendary Virender Sehwag, Dhawan seized the opportunity with both hands, smashing a magnificent 187 on debut. His 85-ball century remains the fastest by any batter on Test debut.Patil's unwavering support for Dhawan, despite opposition from his fellow selectors, underscores his keen eye for talent. "Getting the right opportunity at the right time is extremely important," Patil said. "Shikhar had just returned from India A's South African tour after scoring a double century and a century there. He proved my decision right. He saved me!"Dhawan's success is a testament to the importance of mentors and selectors who recognize and nurture young talent. Vengsarkar and Patil's foresight and unwavering belief in Dhawan's abilities have played a significant role in shaping his illustrious career.