Cricket

Sanjay Manjrekar's recent comments on the role of coaches in the Indian cricket team's success have sparked a heated debate on social media. Manjrekar, a former India cricketer, suggested that there is no direct correlation between the presence of a coach and the team's ability to win World Cups.Manjrekar's remarks came just as Gautam Gambhir, another former India cricketer, prepares to take over as the head coach of the Indian men's national team. Manjrekar argued that India's success in cricket is more dependent on the overall functioning of the system rather than the individual coach.He pointed out that India won its first ODI World Cup in 1983 without a designated head coach. The team also enjoyed successful stints under MS Dhoni in 2007 and 2011, despite having different coaches on both occasions.Under Rahul Dravid's mentorship, India lifted the T20 World Cup 2024 title in Barbados, ending their 11-year-long ICC title drought. India also came close to winning the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup final against Australia last year.Manjrekar believes that the focus should be on the players and the system, rather than the coach. He emphasized that India's success in cricket is a result of the collective efforts of the players, the support staff, and the overall cricketing ecosystem."No coach, Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten & Dravid. Coaches when India won WCs in 1983, 2007, 2011 & 2023. It's really about Indian cricket, not who the coach is. Time we stop thinking there is a direct correlation," Manjrekar wrote on Twitter.Many fans took to social media to criticize Manjrekar's comments, especially considering the timing. Gambhir's first coaching assignment will begin in Sri Lanka later in the day as Suryakumar Yadav-led India will take on the hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series in Pallekele.

As Gautam Gambhir embarks on his new role as head coach of Team India, he received a heartfelt message from his predecessor, Rahul Dravid. In a video shared by the BCCI, Dravid extended his well wishes and shared valuable insights with Gambhir.Dravid began by welcoming Gambhir to the "most exciting job in the world," recalling his own triumphant tenure that culminated in India's T20 World Cup victory in 2024. He expressed his hope that Gambhir would have the same fortune of having a fully fit squad at his disposal.Dravid also acknowledged Gambhir's dedication and passion for Indian cricket, having observed his work as a coach and mentor in the Indian Premier League. He urged Gambhir to maintain his drive to extract the best from his team and to assist younger players.Recognizing the intense scrutiny that comes with the role, Dravid offered words of support and encouragement. He emphasized that Gambhir would have the backing of the players, staff, and fans, even in challenging times.Dravid concluded his message with a personal request: "In the most heated of times, exhale, take a step back, and even if it's difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people."Gambhir was visibly moved by Dravid's message, expressing his gratitude and admiration for his predecessor. He acknowledged the weight of the responsibility he had inherited and pledged to lead the Indian team with honesty, transparency, and a determination to make the nation proud.

Shubman Gill, the rising star of Indian cricket, is poised to assume the role of vice-captain in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah. This move signals a significant step in Gill's career trajectory, as he is widely regarded as a potential future captain of the Indian team.Gill's appointment as vice-captain in the Test format follows his successful stint as Rohit Sharma's deputy in white-ball cricket. His consistent performances and leadership qualities have earned him the trust of the team management. The youngster is expected to play a crucial role in guiding the Indian team in the absence of Bumrah, who is recovering from a back injury.The Test series against Bangladesh will commence on September 19 in Chennai, followed by the second encounter on September 27 in Nagpur. Gill will also serve as vice-captain in the subsequent T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.Meanwhile, newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has vowed to continue the aggressive brand of cricket that characterized Rohit Sharma's tenure. Yadav emphasized that the team will maintain the attacking approach that has been instrumental in India's recent successes.Yadav, who has been a key member of the Indian T20I team, expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma's leadership style. He stated that he aims to emulate Sharma's qualities as a leader who inspires and guides his team.The upcoming series against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will provide Gill and Yadav with an opportunity to showcase their leadership abilities and contribute to the team's success. As India looks to build a strong foundation for the future, the performances of these young players will be closely watched.

Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed captain of the Indian T20I team, has vowed to maintain the aggressive style of play that characterized Rohit Sharma's tenure. Under Rohit's leadership, India adopted a revolutionary attacking approach that has become their hallmark.Suryakumar emphasized that the team's "train will go ahead" with the same aggressive mindset, despite the change in captaincy. He aims to emulate Rohit's leadership style and strategies, which he believes have been instrumental in India's recent success."What I have learnt from Rohit is that he was always a leader on the ground and off it," Suryakumar said. "He was not just a captain — there is a lot of difference between the two. He was a leader who stood in the middle of the group and showed people the way."Suryakumar also expressed his desire to provide opportunities for young talents like Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh. He believes that these players have the potential to make a significant impact on the upcoming matches against Sri Lanka.Reflecting on his own journey, Suryakumar acknowledged that he has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade. He attributed this change to his marriage and the lessons he has learned from playing under different captains."I am also a completely changed man now," he said. "In 2016, I got married. So, absolutely, you have to change after that as well. But yeah, things are completely different now."Suryakumar also addressed comments made by the newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who expressed regret for not fully utilizing his potential during their time together at the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise. However, Suryakumar remained optimistic, stating that there is still ample time for him to showcase his skills and make a significant impact in the team."We can fulfil that potential together now," he said with a smile. "Our bond has always been special. We have talked a lot. We both understand what we want to say just by our body language."

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, possesses exceptional abilities that rival those of England's Ben Stokes, according to former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris. However, Styris emphasizes the need for Pandya to demonstrate greater consistency in his performances.Despite his immense talent, Pandya has not consistently delivered on the field. Styris believes that Pandya must improve his fitness and availability to become a dominant all-rounder. He urges Pandya to showcase his skills with both bat and ball, rather than relying solely on occasional cameos.Styris also highlights the importance of left-arm all-rounder Axar Patel in India's upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Patel's fighting spirit and reliability make him a valuable asset for the team. Styris suggests that Patel could be a floater in the batting order, providing flexibility and depth.While acknowledging the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20 International cricket, Styris views it as an opportunity for the next generation of Indian players to gain experience. He praises the young Indian cricketers for their talent, as evidenced in the IPL, and believes they can step up and fill the void left by the veterans.Styris expresses his desire to see Rinku Singh given more opportunities in the Indian team. Singh's impressive performances have earned him a place in the squad, and Styris believes he should be given a chance to continue his role.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is poised for a comeback after a prolonged injury layoff. Shami last donned the Indian jersey in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where he emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker despite battling an ankle injury.Since then, Shami has been sidelined for the entire 2023 season, missing major events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup, which India won in his absence. However, the pacer has recently resumed training and is determined to regain full fitness.In a recent interview, Shami's close friend and fellow pacer Umesh Kumar revealed the secret behind Shami's exceptional bowling speed: his love for mutton. "Shami can tolerate everything, but he cannot survive without mutton," Kumar said. "If he doesn't eat 1kg mutton daily, his bowling speed will reduce by up to 15 kmph."Meanwhile, India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar expressed optimism that Shami will recover in time for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. "Shami has started to bowl, which is a good sign," Agarkar said. "September 19 is the first Test, and that was always the goal."Agarkar also emphasized the importance of monitoring first-class cricket to identify potential additions to the Test team. "We will need some depth," he said. "Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have been around for a while, but there will be some conversation around it."Shami's return to the Indian team will be a significant boost for the side, especially with the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and the ICC World Test Championship final on the horizon. The pacer's experience and wicket-taking ability will be crucial for India's success in these high-stakes matches.

Hardik Pandya's significance in Indian cricket cannot be overstated. As a premier fast-bowling all-rounder, he brings a rare skillset to the team. His presence in the lineup provides exceptional balance, as witnessed during the T20 World Cup. Pandya's crucial late overs in the final against South Africa played a pivotal role in India's victory.However, Pandya's absence as captain or vice-captain for the Sri Lanka T20I series has raised questions about his fitness. Former Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore, who has experience coaching Indian domestic teams, has shed light on this issue.Whatmore emphasizes the importance of a robust domestic setup for the health of the national team. He highlights the extensive participation in India's domestic circuit and the role of the IPL in developing talent. However, he also points out that some players, including Pandya, have not been actively involved in white-ball cricket at the domestic level."In my last few years in Baroda, Hardik Pandya wouldn't ever play white-ball cricket," Whatmore said. "It always amuses me that he's termed as the all-rounder from Baroda but he hasn't played for Baroda for years!"Whatmore acknowledges that the BCCI has recently taken steps to encourage players to participate in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy. He believes that this will ultimately benefit the national team by providing a stronger foundation for players to develop their skills.

Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed Indian T20 captain, has expressed his enthusiasm for leading the team on the field, despite not having previously held the captaincy role. He credits his leadership skills to the lessons he has learned from various skippers throughout his career.Yadav was named India's T20 captain last week, succeeding Hardik Pandya after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format. His first assignment will be the three-match T20 series against hosts Sri Lanka, beginning on Saturday."I have always enjoyed being a leader on the field even though I was not the captain. I have always learnt a lot of things from different captains. It's a good feeling and a great responsibility," Yadav told BCCI.TV.Yadav's appointment marks the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket, with Gautam Gambhir taking over as head coach. Yadav and Gambhir share a strong bond from their days together at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014."This relationship is special because in 2014 I played under him in KKR. It was special because from there only I got opportunities. The relationship is still strong," Yadav said.Yadav emphasized the importance of humility and staying grounded while leading the team. He believes that cricket is just a part of life and that it should not define one's self-worth."I think most important thing what I have learned from this sport is how humble you are after achieving or even after not doing well. I have learned when you do something on the ground you have to leave it on the ground," he said."This is not your life, this is just a part of your life. So you can't be when you are doing well you stay on the top and when you are not doing well, you are underground."Yadav's leadership style is likely to be influenced by the experiences he has gained from playing under different captains. He has learned the importance of communication, adaptability, and decision-making.As India embarks on a new chapter in its cricketing history, Yadav's leadership will be crucial in shaping the team's future. His experience, skills, and passion for the game make him an ideal candidate to lead India to success in the T20 format.

Indian cricket is poised for a transformative chapter as it embarks on a three-match T20I series against hosts Sri Lanka on Saturday. This series marks the dawn of a new era under head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.Gambhir, who recently succeeded Rahul Dravid following India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, has swiftly implemented significant changes to the team. One of the most notable decisions was appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain, replacing Hardik Pandya. This choice sparked considerable debate, but as the series opener approaches, the focus shifts to the present and future.Suryakumar Yadav, renowned for his aggressive batting style and innovative shots, shared insights into his relationship with Gambhir, describing it as both special and strong. "This relationship is very special. When I joined KKR in 2014, I played under him. It was special because I got the opportunity to play for the franchise and... As they say, if you take three steps, he takes two steps, and somewhere in the middle, we meet. That's the kind of relationship we had. And even now, the relationship remains the same, strong," Suryakumar said in a video released by BCCI on its social media handle.Reflecting on their past experiences at Kolkata Knight Riders, Suryakumar emphasized the mutual understanding and support that has defined their relationship. He is optimistic about how this dynamic will translate into their new roles within the Indian team."But he knows how I work. What my mindset is when I come to practice sessions. How he tries to work as a coach. And it's all about that lovely relationship we have and very excited to see how it goes forward," Suryakumar concluded.As India prepares for the series against Sri Lanka, the team's strategy and performance under the new leadership will be closely scrutinized. Gambhir's tenure as head coach and Suryakumar's captaincy promise a fresh approach, aiming to build on India's recent successes and take the team to new heights.