Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer known for his gritty batting style, has embarked on a new chapter in his career as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Despite lacking formal coaching experience, Gambhir's appointment is seen as a bold move that could potentially reshape Indian cricket.In his playing days, Gambhir was a fierce competitor who played with a chip on his shoulder. Unlike many left-handers known for their elegance, Gambhir was a no-nonsense batsman focused on getting the job done. His determination and resilience were evident in his performances, particularly in high-pressure situations.As a coach, Gambhir is expected to bring the same intensity and determination to the Indian team. He has already made his mark by appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of the T20I side, a decision that reflects his pragmatic approach.Gambhir's appointment comes at a time when the Indian Test team is facing a transition. Several key players are in their 30s, and the team needs to identify and groom their replacements. Gambhir's experience as a Test cricketer and his ability to nurture young talent will be crucial in this process.One of the biggest challenges facing Gambhir is the impending retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Ashwin's absence will leave a significant void in the team, and Gambhir will need to find a suitable replacement.Despite the challenges, Gambhir has a long-term vision for Indian cricket. His contract extends beyond the 2027 50-over World Cup, giving him ample time to implement his plans and build a team that can compete at the highest level.Gambhir's appointment is a testament to his reputation as a hard worker and a leader. He has a point to prove, and he is determined to make a lasting impact on Indian cricket.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has vehemently denied allegations that he took a dig at former teammate Amit Mishra in a recent interview. Shami took to social media to express his disappointment over "fake" media reports that claimed he had responded to Mishra's comments about Virat Kohli.Mishra had previously stated that Kohli had changed due to "fame and power," leading to speculation that Shami's comments about Kohli's friendship were a direct rebuttal. However, Shami has refuted these claims, emphasizing that he holds Mishra in high regard."Disappointed to see false information circulating about Amit Mishra. It's a humble request to verify news sources before publishing," Shami tweeted. He also urged the media outlet that published the false report to retract the story and issue a correction.In the interview, Shami had named Kohli and Ishant Sharma as his closest friends in the Indian team. "Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma are my best friends. They constantly kept calling me when I was injured," he said.These comments were interpreted by some as a response to Mishra's earlier remarks. However, Shami has clarified that his statements were not intended as a criticism of Mishra or Kohli."I respect Amit Mishra a lot as a cricketer. I don't share the same equation with him as I used to, but that doesn't mean I have anything against him," Shami explained.He added that he has maintained a close relationship with Kohli despite the latter's rise to stardom. "Virat is still the same person I knew when we first started playing together. He's always been supportive and encouraging," Shami said.Shami's comments have put to rest any speculation about a rift between him and Mishra or Kohli. He has emphasized the importance of verifying information before publishing it and has urged the media to be responsible in their reporting.

Vikram Rathour, India's former batting coach, has identified Shubman Gill as a future leader for the Indian cricket team across all formats. Rathour's endorsement stems from Gill's impressive recent performances and leadership qualities, which have positioned him as a potential captain.Rathour first noticed Gill's potential during net sessions, where he was immediately struck by the youngster's talent. Speaking to The Indian Express, he recalled his initial impression: "When I first saw him in the nets, my first impression was like everybody else’s. I saw exactly what a lot of people were talking about and spoke about his special talent. When I first saw him playing, the immediate thought that went into my mind was ‘wow, this kid is extremely talented’. He knew his game, he understood how he needs to bat in different situations and never shied away from challenges."At 24, Gill has established himself as a remarkable player across formats, especially noted for an outstanding run in ODIs in 2023. In 29 matches, he amassed 1584 runs, maintaining an average of 63.36.Rathour believes that taking on captaincy will enhance Gill's performance, similar to how it benefited Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He expressed confidence that leadership responsibilities could bring out the best in Gill: "I feel captaincy brought the best out of Virat and Rohit and I feel it will do the same for Shubman. Although he is not yet the captain, being in the leadership group will bring the best out of him as well. This, I am very sure of. When you are in that role, leading others, it gives you that extra bit of responsibility, which is good and I think is great for a young kid like Shubman, who one day might lead India in all three formats."Gill recently led India to a 4-1 T20I series victory against Zimbabwe, providing him with valuable captaincy experience. His leadership potential has also been recognized with his appointment as vice-captain for both T20Is and ODIs.As Shubman Gill continues to evolve as a cricketer, Rathour's confidence in his leadership abilities suggests that Gill could become a key figure in India's cricketing future, potentially leading the team across all formats.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy aspirations have been dealt a significant blow with the announcement of India's squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Despite expectations of being named T20I captain, the new management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, has opted for Suryakumar Yadav as the skipper.Gambhir's arrival as head coach has reportedly played a role in Pandya's omission, with the former India opener unconvinced by his consistency and fitness. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has also expressed concerns about Pandya's tactical awareness, a crucial attribute for a successful captain.Agarkar's reservations stem from Pandya's below-par international appearance percentage of 50% across T20Is and ODIs in the last 19 months. The selection committee believes he requires guidance and support, which he received from Ashish Nehra at Gujarat Titans but not from Mark Boucher at Mumbai Indians.The younger players in the Indian dressing room are also said to respond better to Suryakumar's leadership style than Pandya's. This feedback has further influenced the decision to hand the captaincy to the Mumbai Indians batter.Pandya's path forward is now uncertain. He must perform exceptionally well in the Sri Lanka T20Is to prove his worth. Additionally, he needs to play domestic cricket to improve his international appearance percentage.If Pandya aspires to represent India at the Champions Trophy next year, he must participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda in December. Despite the setback, Pandya's leadership ambitions are not over, as cricket is a game of unpredictable twists and turns.

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian cricket team's star fast bowler, has received widespread acclaim for his exceptional performances, including his pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. However, in a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube, Mohammed Shami, another Indian fast bowler, boldly declared himself as the best bowler in India at present.When asked, "Who is the best bowler in India?", Shami confidently replied, "Right now? I think it is me."Shami elaborated on his belief, stating, "The unit we had, me, Bumrah, Ishant, Bhuvneshwar, and Umesh Yadav, I don't think any unit in the world has enjoyed as much as we did. As a person, as a sportsman, the unit we had of 5-6 people was one of the best ever."Despite his self-assessment, Shami acknowledged the contributions of his fellow bowlers, saying, "I don't believe in No. 1 or No. 2. We all played our part."Shami also expressed his disappointment over not playing in the 2019 World Cup semifinal despite his impressive performances leading up to it. "In 2019, I didn't play the first 4-5 games. But when I got the chance, I took a hat-trick, then a five-wicket haul, and then four wickets in the next game," he said."A similar thing happened in 2023. I didn't play in the first few games, but then I picked up a fifer, then four wickets, and then a five-wicket haul again," he added.Shami questioned the team's decision-making, saying, "I took 13 wickets in three matches. What more do you expect from me? I neither have questions nor do I have answers. I can only prove myself when I get the opportunity."Despite his frustrations, Shami remains committed to the team and eager to prove his worth. "You gave me a chance, and I took 13 wickets in three matches. Then we lost to New Zealand. I played four matches overall and picked 14 wickets. In 2023, I picked 24 wickets in seven matches," he said.

The Indian cricket team's abundance of talent has often made it challenging for players to maintain a consistent spot in the national squad. Rinku Singh and Ruturaj Gaikwad have recently fallen victim to this competition, with Singh being omitted from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad and Gaikwad not making the cut for the Sri Lanka tour.Despite their impressive performances, both batters have been overlooked due to team combinations and preferences for different player profiles. However, former India and Chennai Super Kings batter S Badrinath has expressed his dissatisfaction with these selection decisions.In a video shared on social media, Badrinath expressed shock and surprise at Gaikwad's exclusion from the Sri Lanka series. He questioned the selection criteria, suggesting that players may need to have connections with Bollywood actresses or body tattoos to be consistently picked."Sometimes it seems like you need a bad guy image when the likes of Rinku Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad and others are not selected for the Indian team. It seems that you need to be in a relationship with some Bollywood actresses, have a good media manager, and have body tattoos," Badrinath said in the video.Gaikwad was part of the Indian team for the Zimbabwe T20Is, where he scored 7, 77, and 49 before being rested for the fifth match. However, he was not included in the T20I squad for the Zimbabwe tour, with the selectors opting for Yashasvi Jaiswal instead. Rinku Singh, on the other hand, was selected for the team.Badrinath's comments have sparked a debate about the selection process for the Indian cricket team. While some have defended the selectors' decisions, others have questioned the fairness and transparency of the process.

Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant Credit MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid for Their SuccessIndian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant have expressed their gratitude for the mentorship and guidance they have received from former captains MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid. In a recent video released by Star Sports, the duo shared how these legendary figures have played a pivotal role in shaping their careers.Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, hailed Rahul Dravid's influence on his growth as a cricketer. He credited Dravid's guidance as instrumental in his success, particularly during the recent T20 World Cup in the Americas where Dravid served as head coach."Rahul Dravid has been a tremendous role model for us all," said Rohit. "We've seen what he's achieved both personally and for the team, often pulling us out of tough situations. His determination throughout his career was something I wanted to learn from when he came in as a coach. It has been incredibly beneficial, and besides the World Cup, we've won several major tournaments and series under his guidance."Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant echoed similar sentiments about MS Dhoni, who was his first international captain. Pant highlighted how Dhoni's wisdom and experience have been crucial to his development as a player."Not just on the field, but off the field as well, MS Dhoni is always there to support and guide me," said Pant. "He's my go-to person whenever I'm unsure, and he encourages me to develop my own thought process."Dhoni's mentorship has extended beyond the field, with Pant crediting him for helping him navigate the challenges of international cricket. "He's taught me how to handle pressure, how to stay calm in difficult situations, and how to make the right decisions under pressure," said Pant.Under Dravid's leadership, India has enjoyed a period of success, winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados, dominating England in a five-match Test series at home, and reaching the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Hardik Pandya, India's enigmatic all-rounder, has been making headlines for both on-field performances and off-field controversies. Despite the recent turmoil in his personal life and the loss of the Indian T20 captaincy, Pandya remains focused on his fitness, which he believes is the key to unlocking his full potential.Pandya's fitness journey began at a young age, driven by his desire to excel in everything he does. With a strong base and a relentless work ethic, he developed exceptional physical abilities, including the ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 140 kph.However, as he progressed in his career, Pandya realized the importance of understanding his body and pushing his limits. He credits a video he watched as a 16-year-old for instilling in him the belief that his body is capable of more than he thinks."When our body does not get tired, our mind gets tired," Pandya said. "So, so many times in my life, the difference between when I was able to push my limits was always the fact that when my mind gets tired, I will tell my body to just push because you will always have extra effort in your body."Pandya's fitness philosophy extends beyond physical training. He emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and the ability to overcome challenges. "Start pushing your barrier every single day because the human body is such a lovely creation by god that it will mould however you want (it) to, however you want to have it, it's just that it just needs little hard work," he said.Despite his recent setbacks, Pandya remains optimistic about the future. He believes that his fitness will enable him to overcome any obstacle and achieve his goals. "I never knew what fitness would do to me, but it's just that I felt it that for me I always wanted to be No. 1 in everything which I do, so in a habit of that, I kept training a lot when I was young, I pushed myself a lot, ran a lot so I had a very good strong base," he said.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his support for Hardik Pandya as the T20I captain, following the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the skipper for the Sri Lanka tour. Kaif believes that Pandya's experience as a leader should have been considered by the selection panel.Kaif highlighted Pandya's successful tenure as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, where he led the team to the title in their inaugural season. He also pointed out Pandya's experience as T20I vice-captain during India's triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup."Hardik has captained the Gujarat Titans for two years and in their first year itself, they made it to the final," Kaif said. "He has experience captaining the T20I side. He was also the vice-captain at the T20 World Cup."Kaif expressed his belief that the selection panel should have backed Pandya, given his proven leadership abilities. He also praised Suryakumar Yadav's qualities as a player but emphasized that Pandya's experience should have been given priority."I feel they should have backed Hardik," Kaif said. "He has not done anything wrong that he should not get the captaincy."Kaif acknowledged that fitness concerns may have influenced the selection panel's decision. However, he believes that Pandya's leadership skills and experience should have outweighed any fitness issues."He has experience, has captained in the IPL and leading a new team (Gujarat Titans) to a trophy, with fresh and young faces, is a huge thing," Kaif said. "He has made the Titans win by working from Ground Zero in the IPL...I think he was entitled to the captaincy."