Cricket

Ravi Shastri Recalls Extravagant Eating and Drinking Habits During Playing DaysFormer India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared some amusing anecdotes from his playing days, revealing the excessive eating and drinking habits he and his teammate Sandeep Patil indulged in during international tours.At the launch event of Patil's autobiography, "Beyond Boundaries," Shastri reminisced about their voracious appetites. "We used to get much more money than any of the Test cricketers get today," he said. "We were one pair (Shastri and Sandip Patil) that never took home any money. We would eat like pigs."Shastri recalled an incident where the room service staff was astonished by the sheer quantity of food they had ordered. "We were never short of liquid as well," he added. "We were thirsty from a very young age. The game used to end at 5.30 and by 6.30 wet wicket would start."Despite their extravagant lifestyle, Shastri and Patil were highly successful cricketers. Shastri played 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for India, scoring close to 7000 runs and taking 280 wickets combined. Patil, known for his aggressive batting, played 25 Tests and 45 ODIs.After retiring from playing, Shastri embarked on a successful career as a commentator and later served as India team director and head coach. Under his leadership, India achieved two historic Test series wins in Australia.Shastri's candid nature and willingness to share his experiences have made him a popular figure in the cricket world. His anecdotes provide a glimpse into the camaraderie and excesses that characterized the golden era of Indian cricket.

Suryakumar Yadav's Culinary Debut: Introducing India's Newest T20I StarsAhead of India's T20I series opener against South Africa, captain Suryakumar Yadav donned the chef's hat to introduce two exciting new additions to the team: bowler Vyshak Vijaykumar and batsman Ramandeep Singh. In a novel and engaging video shared by the BCCI, Yadav, affectionately known as SKY, showcased the players as if they were ingredients in a culinary masterpiece."Captain & Chef SKY introduces two new faces/dishes to the team menu. Ready to serve," read the caption accompanying the video. "SKY like never seen before," it added.Both Vijaykumar and Singh are uncapped players eager to make their international debuts in the four-match T20I series. The series kicks off on Friday at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban, with the remaining matches scheduled for November 10 (Gqeberha), November 13 (Centurion), and November 15 (Johannesburg).Yadav's culinary analogy aptly captured the anticipation surrounding the debutants. Vijaykumar, a left-arm pacer, has impressed with his pace and accuracy in domestic cricket. Singh, on the other hand, is a hard-hitting batsman known for his aggressive style of play.The introduction of these young talents is a testament to India's commitment to nurturing and developing future stars. The T20I series against South Africa provides an ideal platform for Vijaykumar and Singh to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a permanent spot in the national team.As India embarks on this new chapter in its T20I journey, the culinary metaphor employed by Yadav serves as a reminder of the team's hunger for success and its willingness to experiment with new ingredients. The addition of Vijaykumar and Singh brings fresh energy and excitement to the squad, and fans can expect a tantalizing blend of experience and youthful exuberance on the field.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, addressed the media ahead of the first T20I against South Africa on Thursday. One of the key questions he faced was regarding the absence of Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad from the Indian T20I side.Gaikwad has emerged as one of the finest batters in recent times, impressing with his performances in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. However, he continues to be overlooked for national selection.Suryakumar acknowledged Gaikwad's talent and consistent performances but emphasized the need to respect the team management's process. He highlighted that there are many deserving players who have been performing well and that the management has a specific routine or process for giving them opportunities."Rutu (Ruturaj) is a fantastic player. He has been performing consistently across all formats, wherever he plays. There are a lot of players who have been performing well even before him, so there is a routine or process that I think that the management has come up with, so it is important to follow that," Suryakumar said.He added, "He is young and is doing well. I feel, uska bhi number aayega. Uska bhi time aayega. (His time will also come)."Gaikwad has represented India in the T20I series against Zimbabwe this year, scoring 133 runs at an average of 66.50 and a strike-rate of 158.33. He is also the captain of CSK in the IPL and has led the India C team in the Duleep Trophy.Despite his impressive domestic record, Gaikwad seems to be missing something from a national selection perspective. It remains to be seen when he will finally get his chance to represent India at the highest level.

Virat Kohli's recent struggles on the international stage have raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Despite being retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping Rs 21 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Kohli's performances in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand have been far from impressive.In the two-match series, Kohli managed scores of 0, 70, 1, 17, 4, and 1, leading to a significant drop in his ICC Test ranking. He has now slipped down eight places to 22nd, his lowest ranking in over a decade.Kohli's poor form has sparked speculation about his future with the Indian team. Some experts believe that he should consider playing domestic cricket to regain his form, while others suggest that he may need to take a break from international cricket to reassess his game.Amidst the uncertainty surrounding his international career, Kohli recently posted a cryptic message on social media, hinting at a "new chapter" with a "new team." However, the post was later clarified to be related to his business interests, not his cricketing career.Despite the clarification, Kohli's social media post has raised questions about his commitment to the Indian team. Some fans have expressed concern that he may be considering retirement, while others believe that he is simply looking for a fresh start.The lack of domestic cricket has been cited as a contributing factor to Kohli's struggles. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has suggested that top players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma should participate in domestic tournaments to regain their form.Kaif pointed out that Rishabh Pant's century in a practice match during the 2020 Border-Gavaskar Trophy helped him earn a place in the Test team and make a significant contribution to India's historic victory in Australia.Kohli's future with the Indian team remains uncertain. However, it is clear that he needs to find a way to regain his form if he wants to continue playing at the highest level.

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav remains determined to add to his solitary Test cap, despite his impressive T20I credentials. The 34-year-old has been actively participating in domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, in an effort to earn a Test recall."When the time comes, I will make a Test comeback," Yadav asserted. "I am playing all the domestic tournaments, be it red-ball or white-ball. I don't miss any game. If that [Test comeback] has to happen, it will happen."Yadav also expressed his support for Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, who has faced criticism following India's 3-0 Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand. "In sports, winning and losing are common. Everyone works hard, everyone wants to win," Yadav said. "For me, the most important thing in life is the balance. Whether he's [Rohit] doing well or not, his character does not change. That is one quality which I feel a sportsman should always have."As T20I captain, Yadav has learned valuable lessons from Rohit, particularly in handling youngsters. "I know how he [Rohit] treats the players, what he wants from them. So that route I have also taken because he's been very successful recently," Yadav explained. "I try to replicate that. When I am on the ground, I keep noticing how his body language is, how calm he is under pressure situations, how he talks to the bowlers, how he treats everyone on the field and off the field."Under Yadav's leadership, India has achieved impressive results in T20Is, winning 11 out of 13 matches. Yadav attributes this success to providing his players with freedom and clarity. "You have to understand what's happening around, what's going on in their [the players'] minds and it is very important to give them that comfort," he said. "Everyone has different skillset, and they also want to come out and express themselves. So that freedom is very important when they get onto the field and that is what I try and give."India's T20I squad for the South Africa series includes several young players, and Yadav believes they have made his job easier. "They have made my job very easy if you've seen the last two to three series," Yadav said. "I have told them to keep the needs of the team in front, and whatever calls they take, we are here to back them."Despite the bouncy nature of South African pitches, Yadav is confident in India's ability to perform well. "We do play on good bouncy pitches back home in India also. There are quite a few, so it's nothing new for us," he said. "And we played here last year. We know what the conditions are and what the ground and wicket have for us. We have our game plan, we'll back that and are very excited for the series ahead."

John Wright's Laissez-Faire Approach: The Key to India's Coaching SuccessFormer Indian cricketer and selector Sandeep Patil has attributed the success of John Wright as India's coach to his hands-off approach, which allowed players to flourish. In his autobiography, "Beyond Boundaries," Patil contrasts Wright's style with that of his successors, Greg Chappell and Anil Kumble, who he believes failed to emulate Wright's success due to their more authoritarian approaches.Patil highlights Wright's soft-spoken and polite demeanor, his willingness to stay out of the limelight, and his ability to maintain a distance from the media. He also emphasizes Wright's respect for the players and his belief in their leadership abilities.In contrast, Patil describes Chappell as aggressive and confrontational, which did not sit well with the Indian dressing room culture. Chappell's attempts to implement sweeping changes, including altering batting orders and introducing the Australian style of play, alienated senior players.Patil also points to the presence of Ian Fraser as Chappell's assistant coach as a source of tension. Many players resented Fraser's presence and felt that he undermined their authority.Patil believes that Gary Kirsten, who succeeded Chappell, was successful because of his close relationship with the players. Kirsten, like Wright, was well-respected and soft-spoken, and he had a deep understanding of Indian cricket.Patil concludes that a coach's success in India depends on their ability to understand the culture of the team and the board, and to build strong relationships with the players. Wright's laissez-faire approach allowed him to do this effectively, while Chappell's more authoritarian style proved to be counterproductive.

Indian cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been nominated for the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) Team of the Decade. The 50-player shortlist recognizes the most outstanding players from the league's 10-year history.Kaur, a right-handed batter, has played 62 matches for Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL. She has scored 1440 runs at an average of 37.89, including seven half-centuries. Her consistent performances have earned her a place among the league's elite players.The WBBL Team of the Decade will be selected by a panel of experts, including Cricket Australia Director Clea Smith, Mel Jones, Lisa Sthalekar, Matthew Mott, Quentin Hull, Laura Jolly, and Alistair Dobson. Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite players through the Big Bash App from November 11-24.The final 12-player team will be announced at the WBBL 10 Final on December 1. As per league rules, the team can include a maximum of three overseas players.Kaur's nomination is a testament to her exceptional talent and contributions to the WBBL. She is the only Indian player on the shortlist, highlighting her status as one of the most respected and admired cricketers in the world.The WBBL Team of the Decade will honor the players who have shaped the league's history and inspired generations of young cricketers. Kaur's inclusion on the shortlist is a fitting recognition of her achievements and her role in the growth of women's cricket.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback from a horrific car crash has once again cemented his status as one of India's most indispensable cricketers. After missing over a year of action, Pant returned to competitive cricket with the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024, followed by a triumphant T20 World Cup victory with the national team.However, Pant's exclusion from the captaincy of India B in the Duleep Trophy raised questions about his leadership credentials. Despite his impressive performances in the subsequent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the decision to overlook him as captain left many cricket experts perplexed.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the rationale behind this move, highlighting Pant's exceptional performances since his return. "When the Duleep Trophy teams were picked, Rishabh Pant was selected, but Abhimanyu Easwaran was the captain of that team. Pant featured as a player but not a captain in that tournament. We were left wondering if he is no longer a captaincy candidate," said Chopra.Chopra further praised Pant's resilience and dominance in Test cricket, emphasizing his ability to play with confidence and hit sixes while also possessing a solid defensive game. "He is the only one who can play with dominance, playing with so much confidence, he can hit sixes and has the defensive game," said Chopra.Pant's performances have led to renewed calls for him to be considered as a captaincy candidate. His ability to lead from the front and inspire his teammates has been evident in his recent performances. Whether or not he is given the captaincy in the future remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Pant has once again proven his immense value to the Indian cricket team.

Shreyas Iyer, the former Indian captain, has sent a resounding message to the national selectors and IPL franchises with his blistering double century for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. Iyer, who has been out of the Indian team setup, smashed an unbeaten 233 off just 228 balls against Odisha, following up on his earlier century (142) against Maharashtra.Iyer's latest knock came at a crucial time, just ahead of the IPL mega auction scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His blazing form is sure to catch the attention of franchises, as Iyer, the first captain not to be retained after leading his IPL team to a title, looks to make a fresh impact in the tournament.Returning to action after a one-match break to rest a shoulder injury, Iyer wasted no time asserting his dominance. His innings was a mix of ruthless aggression and controlled strokeplay, including nine sixes and 24 fours. Iyer formed a colossal 354-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Siddhesh Lad, propelling Mumbai to a commanding 508/4 at the time of his dismissal.The 29-year-old's sensational form in the Ranji Trophy serves as a strong statement not only ahead of the IPL auction but also as a reminder to the national selectors amid India's ongoing batting concerns. His back-to-back centuries highlight his hunger for a return to the Indian squad, particularly after being sidelined from recent series.Despite being overlooked for India’s T20I series against South Africa and the India A tour to Australia, Iyer has kept his focus, proving his value in domestic cricket. Having lost his place in the national Test side midway through the England series earlier this year, and not featuring in the BCCI's central contracts list, Iyer has been fighting to regain his form. Though he endured a tough Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup campaign, his resurgence in the Ranji Trophy is evident.Iyer's batting partner, Siddhesh Lad, also found redemption, breaking a six-year century drought in First-Class cricket. Together, the pair ensured Mumbai raced to a formidable total, with Iyer playing the aggressor and Lad anchoring the innings.With his current form, Iyer has not only reminded selectors of his potential for India but also positioned himself as a key contender in the IPL auction, where franchises are likely to be eager to secure his services.