Cricket

Former New Zealand skipper and Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has lauded Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube for his unwavering dedication to honing his bowling skills ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League season. Dube, who is an integral part of India's T20 World Cup squad, could play a pivotal role with the ball if the situation demands.Despite bowling consistently in the home series against Afghanistan, Dube only managed to bowl a solitary over during the IPL season. However, his bowling prowess came into sharp focus when he delivered three overs in the recent warm-up match against Bangladesh. His unique bowling style could prove advantageous on the low and slow tracks expected in the Caribbean.Fleming, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo, discussed Dube's progress and the impact of the IPL's impact player rule on his development as a bowler. "If his bowling is the way he talks about it, he's like Kapil Dev. He has been working really hard. He worked hard through the IPL. We had a number of players that could do the all-round role, and again, with the impact player rule, it actually diminishes the role of an all-rounder or a part-time bowler who bats well, which is a bit of a shame," Fleming said.Dube has taken eight wickets in 21 T20Is, with an average of 45 and an economy rate of 9.86. Despite these modest figures, his tall frame and gentle pace could be beneficial for Team India in the T20 World Cup. The team may require overs from players outside the main bowling attack, especially if they opt to play three spinners."He's been doing his bowling, he has had his loads up. He can be awkward [to face] in the right conditions, which you'd say would be a little bit slow, where his cutters and change of pace could play a part. He can play a part, he can do a job and he has worked very hard on it," Fleming added.As Team India prepares to kickstart their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland in New York on Wednesday, the inclusion of Dube in the playing XI remains a point of interest. His contributions, both with the bat and ball, could prove pivotal in India's quest for T20 World Cup success.

Pat Cummins Recalls Virat Kohli's Fanatical Fanbase in IndiaAustralian captain Pat Cummins has shared his experiences with Virat Kohli's passionate and aggressive fanbase in India. In a resurfaced video from 2020, Cummins spoke about the relentless attention he received from Indian media and fans after tweeting about Kohli.Cummins recalled an incident where he tweeted hoping Kohli wouldn't score a century. However, when Kohli scored a century against Australia six months later, Cummins' phone "blew up" with replies from Kohli's fans."Indian media... if you live on social media at all, you get absolutely hounded," Cummins joked. "Say anything about Virat Kohli, and look out for the next years."Cummins emphasized that he had intended his tweet as a compliment to Kohli, but it was misinterpreted by his fans."I thought it was a bit of a compliment, 'He's a great player, hope he doesn't score a hundred because he's a gun player,'" Cummins said.Despite the initial backlash, Cummins has had the last laugh in recent encounters with Kohli. In the 2023 World Cup Final, Cummins dismissed Kohli to disrupt India's innings. He also reached the IPL 2024 Final with Sunrisers Hyderabad.With India and Australia both considered favorites for the 2024 T20 World Cup, the possibility of more Kohli-Cummins encounters looms large.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current Member of Parliament, has emerged as a potential candidate for the coveted role of head coach of the Indian cricket team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly shortlisted Gambhir as a top contender, sparking a flurry of speculation and debate.Gambhir's credentials as a player are impeccable. He averaged nearly 50 in his first-class career, scored over 4000 Test runs, and played key roles in two World Cup triumphs. As an opening batter, he formed one of the world's best partnerships with Virender Sehwag.Beyond his playing career, Gambhir has also gained experience as a coach. He led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2021. His tactical acumen and ability to motivate players have been widely praised.However, the Indian coaching job is notoriously demanding. Great players like Greg Chappell and Anil Kumble have struggled to navigate the internal politics and high expectations of the team. Maintaining a balance between cricket and the egos of the players requires both a firm hand and a velvet glove.Gambhir's appointment would also be seen as a political move, given his affiliation with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Some critics have questioned whether he has the necessary qualifications and experience to lead the national team.Despite these concerns, Gambhir's supporters argue that his passion for cricket, his understanding of the game, and his ability to connect with players make him an ideal candidate. They point to his success with KKR as evidence of his coaching abilities.The BCCI has remained tight-lipped about the selection process, leading to speculation that the decision may be influenced by political considerations. However, the board has stated that the coach will handle all three formats of the game, raising questions about whether the job should be split into separate roles for Test, ODI, and T20 cricket.Ultimately, the decision of whether to appoint Gambhir as head coach will rest with the BCCI. If he is selected, he will face a daunting task in leading a team that is under immense pressure to perform. However, his experience, passion, and political connections could prove to be valuable assets in navigating the challenges of the role.

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has predicted that Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli will emerge as the leading run-scorer in the upcoming 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Kohli's recent stellar performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he won the Orange Cap, has solidified his status as one of the favorites to dominate the run charts in the West Indies and the USA.Smith, who was not selected for the Australian squad, believes that Kohli's exceptional form and experience will propel him to the top of the scoring charts. "My top run-scorer of the tournament will be Virat Kohli," Smith told the ICC. "He is coming off a terrific IPL and he is bringing in some great form. I think he will be the leading run-getter."Kohli, who is already the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history with 1141 runs in 25 innings, is poised to extend his record even further. His compatriot and captain, Rohit Sharma, is not far behind, ranking fourth in the all-time run-getters list. Sharma has the potential to climb up to second place this year.The Indian duo is expected to open the batting for their team, which will face Ireland in New York on June 5. Kohli's impressive record against Pakistan, with 308 T20 World Cup runs and only one dismissal, bodes well for his chances of accumulating runs in the tournament. The arch-rivals are scheduled to clash on Sunday, June 9.While Kohli and Sharma are expected to lead India's batting charge, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that young Yashasvi Jaiswal could be a valuable addition to the lineup at number three.

Hanuma Vihari Secures NOC from Andhra Cricket Association After Bitter DisputeIndian Test batter Hanuma Vihari has finally obtained his no objection certificate (NOC) from the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) after a protracted dispute with the state body. The NOC will allow Vihari to represent another state in domestic cricket from the 2024-25 season onwards.The conflict between Vihari and the ACA began in March when the association served him a show-cause notice after he publicly accused the governing body of unceremoniously removing him from captaincy. Vihari vowed not to play for the state again, citing a lack of respect and transparency.In a post on social media, Vihari revealed that he had been requesting the NOC for two months but had been met with resistance. However, following the recent victory of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state election, the ACA has issued the NOC immediately.In the NOC, ACA secretary Gopinath Reddy stated that the association has no objection to Vihari representing another BCCI-affiliated association as a player from the 2024-25 season onwards.Vihari, who has played 16 Tests for India, last represented the national team in 2022. He is expected to attract interest from several state associations, including Hyderabad, where he has previously played.The resolution of the dispute between Vihari and the ACA is a positive development for the player, who can now focus on his cricketing career without the distraction of off-field issues. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in state cricket associations.

Former India coach Lalchand Rajput has endorsed Gautam Gambhir as the ideal candidate to lead Indian cricket forward. Rajput lauds Gambhir's astute tactical acumen and unwavering determination, highlighting his invaluable experience as a two-time World Cup winner.Gambhir's successful tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL further solidifies his credentials. Under his leadership, the team emerged victorious, showcasing his strategic prowess. Rajput emphasizes Gambhir's ability to read the game and make shrewd tactical decisions.Rajput also draws parallels between the 2007 World T20 winning squad and the current Indian team, stressing the importance of experienced players. He believes that a blend of senior and junior players, as seen in the 2007 squad, is crucial for success in high-pressure tournaments like the World Cup.Regarding India's playing XI, Rajput advocates for Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper-batter and Virat Kohli as the opener. He acknowledges the challenge of selecting the final team but emphasizes the need for a balanced lineup.Rajput urges the Indian team to adopt a positive mindset and focus on their performance rather than the end result. He believes that expressing themselves and playing with freedom will be key to their success in the upcoming ICC tournament.

India's esteemed head coach, Rahul Dravid, has announced his departure from the role after the upcoming T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies. This decision marks the end of Dravid's tenure, which began in November 2021.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has initiated the search for Dravid's successor, with former India teammate Gautam Gambhir emerging as the frontrunner. Gambhir's credentials include his successful stint as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), leading the franchise to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.Gambhir's interest in the coaching role is evident, as he has expressed his desire to guide the Indian team. "I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team," Gambhir stated.The BCCI's decision to consider Gambhir is based on his impressive record as a player and his understanding of the game. As a member of India's T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup-winning teams, Gambhir brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table.While Dravid's departure will leave a void in the Indian coaching setup, the BCCI is confident that Gambhir possesses the necessary qualities to lead the team to future success. His appointment would mark a new chapter in Indian cricket, with the former opener tasked with continuing the team's dominance on the international stage.

Kedar Jadhav Retires from Cricket, Echoing Dhoni's Iconic FarewellOn Monday, Indian cricketer Kedar Jadhav announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, mirroring the iconic retirement note of former Indian captain MS Dhoni. Jadhav's heartfelt social media post, accompanied by a poignant slideshow of career highlights, underscored the strong bond between the two cricketers.Jadhav's retirement announcement closely resembled Dhoni's surprise retirement post on August 15, 2020. Dhoni had announced his retirement with a two-line statement on Instagram, a year after his last international game for India during the 2019 World Cup in England."Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as retired," Dhoni had said, sharing a career photo slideshow set to one of his favorite songs, 'Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shair Hoon.'Jadhav's career with the Indian team spanned 73 ODIs and 9 T20Is between 2014 and 2020. The 39-year-old thrived under Dhoni's leadership, contributing valuable off-spin bowling in addition to his batting prowess. Jadhav was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup.Jadhav's retirement marks the end of an era for a player who provided critical support and versatility to the Indian team. His ability to bowl economical overs and contribute with the bat made him a valuable asset to the team.As Jadhav steps away from cricket, fans and fellow cricketers alike are sure to remember his contributions fondly. His retirement serves as a reminder of the strong bond between Dhoni and Jadhav, and the impact that Dhoni has had on the careers of many Indian cricketers.

Despite Hardik Pandya's underwhelming performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have defended his selection for the T20 World Cup 2024.Manjrekar highlighted Pandya's exceptional record in World Cups, particularly his performances in the 2019 World Cup. He emphasized Pandya's all-round contributions, including his match-winning knock in the India-Pakistan clash and his crucial innings in the semi-final against New Zealand."Hardik Pandya has consistently performed well in World Cups," Manjrekar said. "He has the ability to rise to the occasion and deliver on the big stage."Bangar echoed Manjrekar's sentiments, stating that Pandya's IPL performances should not overshadow his contributions to the Indian team. He pointed out Pandya's impressive record in all three formats of the game, including Test cricket, ODIs, and T20Is."Pandya's record in World Cup cricket is exceptional," Bangar said. "He has given fantastic performances whenever he has played for India."Bangar acknowledged that Pandya had faced some challenges due to injuries, but he expressed confidence that the all-rounder would regain his form and contribute significantly to the Indian team's success in the T20 World Cup."Pandya's presence improves the balance of the Indian team," Bangar said. "He is a valuable asset, and I am confident that he will deliver for India in the upcoming World Cup."