Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has endorsed the decision to appoint Shubman Gill as captain for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. Sehwag believes Gill is the ideal candidate to eventually succeed Rohit Sharma as India's permanent captain.Gill, who has impressed in all three formats, will lead an inexperienced squad in Zimbabwe. The series will serve as a platform for young players to showcase their talent and stake a claim for future selection.Sehwag praised Gill's leadership qualities and suggested that he has the potential to become a long-term captain for India. "Shubman Gill is a player who plays all three formats. He's had a great last year. He was unlucky to miss out on the 2024 T20 World Cup. According to me, it is the right decision to make him the captain. When Rohit Sharma leaves tomorrow, Shubman Gill will be his right replacement for captaincy," Sehwag said.The squad for the Zimbabwe series includes a mix of experienced and uncapped players. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson are the only two players from the main T20 World Cup squad, while promising youngsters like Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, and Riyan Parag have received maiden call-ups.The series will provide an opportunity for these young players to gain valuable international experience and demonstrate their abilities. The first match will be played on July 6 at the Harare Sports Club, with the second and third matches scheduled for the same venue on July 7 and 14, respectively.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most iconic cricketers of the modern era, have announced their retirement from T20 International cricket. Their contrasting personalities and playing styles have complemented each other perfectly, making them a formidable force in the Indian team for over a decade.Kohli, known for his aggressive and intense approach, has been a pillar of consistency for India. His relentless pursuit of excellence has earned him the respect of fans and opponents alike. Rohit, on the other hand, exudes calmness and composure, even in the most challenging situations. His elegant strokeplay and ability to adapt to any situation have made him one of the most successful batsmen in the world.Despite their differences, Kohli and Rohit share a deep respect for each other's abilities. They have always put the team's success ahead of their individual ambitions. This mutual respect has allowed them to coexist harmoniously, despite the intense competition and scrutiny that comes with being two of the biggest stars in the game.Their contrasting personalities were evident in their reactions to India's T20 World Cup triumph. Rohit, overcome with emotion, shed tears of joy. Kohli, on the other hand, remained composed, trying to soak in the moment while also acknowledging the contributions of his teammates.However, their shared respect for each other's achievements was evident in their post-match comments. Kohli praised Rohit's leadership and his role in India's victory. Rohit, in turn, acknowledged Kohli's immense contribution to Indian cricket.The retirement of Kohli and Rohit marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. They have been instrumental in India's rise to the top of the world rankings and have inspired a generation of young cricketers. Their legacy will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of Indian cricketers.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two legendary Indian cricketers, have faced speculation about their future in T20 cricket. After Kohli's retirement from the format, the focus has shifted to Sharma, who has been an integral part of India's T20 journey since 2007.Sharma's return to T20Is after a break in 2022 was seen as a strategic move to prepare for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, with the tournament now behind them, the question arises: what's next for Rohit Sharma?The 2026 T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka, will mark a new era for Indian cricket with a new coach, likely to be Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir may seek to utilize Sharma's experience, but the question remains whether it's wise to retain a 37-year-old player for two more years.One possibility is that Sharma will continue to be rested in T20Is, allowing him to be available when needed. However, if he decides to retire, he can be proud of his contributions as captain, leading India to numerous victories.The decision on Sharma's future will depend on several factors, including his fitness, form, and the team's needs. With the next T20 World Cup on the horizon, the Indian cricket board and Gambhir will have to carefully consider the best course of action for the team.

Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the elite club of Indian cricketers with 100 T20 International appearances is a testament to his exceptional all-round abilities and unwavering determination. This milestone, achieved during the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, places him alongside legendary figures Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have played 159 and 125 T20Is respectively.Pandya's journey to this landmark has been marked by his versatility and impact on the Indian team. Since his debut in 2016, he has consistently delivered with both bat and ball, contributing to India's success in numerous matches. His aggressive batting style and ability to hit big shots have made him a formidable force in the middle order, while his medium-pace bowling has provided crucial breakthroughs.Prior to the T20 World Cup final, Pandya had amassed 1487 runs at an average of 26.55 and claimed 81 wickets in T20I cricket. His all-round performances have earned him a reputation as one of the most valuable players in the Indian team.Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, leads the pack with 159 T20I appearances. Known for his explosive batting and ability to anchor the innings, Rohit has been a cornerstone of India's T20 setup. His leadership and experience have been crucial in shaping the team's strategy and performance over the years.Virat Kohli, with 125 T20Is to his name, is renowned for his aggressive batting style and extraordinary consistency. Kohli's ability to chase down challenging targets and his remarkable fitness have set new benchmarks in international cricket. His passion and dedication to the game have inspired a generation of cricketers.Hardik Pandya's entry into this prestigious club highlights his importance to the team and his resilience as a player. Despite facing injuries and challenges throughout his career, Hardik has always bounced back stronger, showcasing his determination and skill. His journey from a promising youngster to a seasoned campaigner reflects his hard work and dedication.As Hardik continues to represent India in T20Is, his contributions will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the team's pursuit of future victories. His all-round abilities and unwavering spirit make him an invaluable asset for the Indian team.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has received high praise from former England captain Nasser Hussain, who lauded his batting prowess and leadership qualities. Hussain described Sharma as an "iron fist in a velvet glove," highlighting his calm demeanor and ability to balance authority with compassion.Sharma's leadership style has been a key factor in India's recent success, with the team winning the Asia Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup under his guidance. Hussain believes that Sharma's ability to create a positive and supportive environment has been crucial to the team's performance."Rohit is like that iron fist in a velvet glove," Hussain said. "You do not mess around with Rohit, but he is also a big brother that will put his arm around you and look after you."Hussain also praised Sharma's batting, noting his consistency and ability to score runs in all formats of the game. Sharma is currently the third-highest run scorer in the T20 World Cup, with 248 runs in seven matches."I have been a fan of Rohit for a very long time, as a batter, as a captain, and as a person," Hussain said. "He seems to have a very calming influence."Sharma's leadership and batting skills have made him one of the most respected players in world cricket. His ability to inspire his teammates and perform under pressure has been instrumental in India's recent success.

Over the past three years, B. Sai Sudharsan has emerged as a rising star in Indian cricket. From his breakout performance in the TNPL in 2021 to his debut for India in One-Day Internationals in December 2023, the 22-year-old's journey has been remarkable.Sudharsan's rise to prominence began with a brilliant 96 in the 2023 IPL final for Gujarat Titans against Chennai Super Kings. He followed that up with an impressive tour of Sri Lanka with India-A in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, a short but fruitful county stint with Surrey, and an eye-catching performance in the Irani Cup, which fast-tracked him into the Indian set-up.This year, the Tamil Nadu left-hander went one better in the IPL, topping the run-charts for GT (527 in 12 games) and, in the process, becoming the fastest Indian batter to 1,000 runs (25 innings), beating Sachin Tendulkar and Ruturaj Gaikwad's record (31 innings).In an interview with The Hindu, Sudharsan spoke about his growth as a cricketer. "It's been a great experience, for sure," he said. "There were so many learnings, and I think I have good things to take forward. It's definitely been a dream."Sudharsan's journey has not been without its challenges. He missed the under-19 bus before COVID and spent a year without cricket. However, he used that time to work on his game, and it has paid off handsomely."The one good thing was I had one-and-a-half years of work behind me," he said. "There was completely undistracted work or complete, deliberate practice each and every day, waking up, getting fitter, getting better as a batsman, as a person. There was more focused practice because we couldn't do much else."Sudharsan's success has been built on his ability to adapt to different levels of cricket. "I feel there is not much difference as you go up," he said. "Yes, there is definitely a slight difference in quality. Just the consistency of the people or the bowlers executing is better. But it's more about external things. You get more pressure with 100,000 people watching you."Sudharsan's game awareness has also improved significantly. "Sometimes, you practise a lot, even some particular shots," he said. "But you don't know where to use it. I think that has gotten better in three years. Exposure to difficult conditions and better opponents has helped my game awareness, and my judgement has gotten better because of that."As a batter, Sudharsan relies on timing and placement rather than power. "The game moves very quickly, but there will be instances where you need both," he said. "We definitely need to adapt as a batter. At the same time, we must not sacrifice or trade off our strengths. If my strength is timing, we should not trade it off for power-hitting."Sudharsan's goals for the future include improving his decision-making and risk-taking. "I felt my approach could have been better in the first half and that I could have taken more risks," he said. "I got that understanding after a few games of experience. Now, I want to get better at it so that I can do that from the first game of the season, which can directly help the team."Sudharsan's rise has been a testament to his hard work and dedication. He is a role model for young cricketers across India, and his story is sure to inspire many more to follow their dreams.

The Indian women's cricket team made history on the opening day of the Test match against South Africa, scoring a mammoth 525 for the loss of four wickets. This was the most runs scored by any team in a day's play in Test history, surpassing the previous record of 509 set by Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in 2022.Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana led the charge for India, scoring 205 and 149 respectively. Verma's double century was the highest individual score by an Indian woman in Test cricket, while Mandhana's century was her second in the format.South African spinner Delmi Tucker was the most successful bowler for the Proteas, taking two wickets for 141 runs. However, she praised the Indian batters for their stunning performance."We will look back and refresh today, sit down and have discussions about tomorrow. Nothing taking away from their (Indian) batters today; they were phenomenal," Tucker said.The pitch was expected to be spin-friendly, but it played more like a batting paradise on Friday. Misfields and overthrows also added to South Africa's woes.Tucker admitted that the visitors could not execute their strategies well on the day, but she remained optimistic about their chances in the remaining days of the Test."We did try a few things when Smriti and Verma were batting. We switched to around the wicket and changed the field. We were happy with it for some time, but they took it away," she said."We could have definitely been better on the field. Yeah, it's hot out there. Also, overthrows and misfields are not the best of things. But, staying positive and sharp could help in avoiding those misfields."The South African women do not have a proper red-ball setup back home, which has made their task tougher. However, Tucker said they are still learning and improving."We (SA Women) are still young (in) Test cricket, so we are still getting used to it. It's tough unlike T20s and ODIs, but we are still learning," she said."I don't think we did too bad. We did our homework and we knew what was coming."

Shafali Verma Blazes to Record-Breaking Double Century in Women's Test CricketIndian opener Shafali Verma has etched her name in the annals of women's cricket history by smashing the fastest double-century in Test cricket. During the one-off match against South Africa in Lucknow, the 20-year-old prodigy surpassed Australia's Annabel Sutherland's previous record of 248 balls. Verma achieved the milestone in a mere 194 deliveries, showcasing her exceptional batting prowess.Verma's blistering knock propelled her to become the second Indian woman after former captain Mithali Raj to score a double century in Test cricket. Raj had achieved the feat in 2002, scoring 214 off 407 balls against England.Throughout her aggressive innings, Verma displayed her power-hitting abilities, striking 23 boundaries and eight towering sixes. She reached her double century with consecutive sixes off off-spinner Delmi Tucker, followed by a single. Her remarkable knock was eventually halted when she was run out for 205 off 197 balls.Verma's opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, also played a crucial role in India's dominant performance. Mandhana scored a brilliant 149 off 161 balls, including 27 boundaries and one six. Together, the duo formed a formidable opening partnership of 292 runs, which came off just 52 overs.India has been in complete control of the opening day against South Africa, scoring at a blistering pace close to a run-a-ball. Verma's record-breaking double century has set the tone for a potential Indian victory in the one-off Test match.