Cricket

Batting legend Vivian Richards, a revered figure in the cricketing world, recently visited the Indian team's dressing room and expressed his unwavering support for Rohit Sharma and his men. Richards, who is known for his aggressive batting style and charismatic personality, shared his insights and offered words of encouragement to the Indian squad.During his visit, Richards witnessed India's impressive victory over Bangladesh in the Super Eights match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. After the match, he presented the fielding medal to Suryakumar Yadav for his brilliant catch in the outfield. Richards also took the opportunity to commend "pocket rocket" Rishabh Pant on his return to action after a challenging period.Richards' presence in the dressing room was met with great enthusiasm by the Indian players. He shared his admiration for the team's current form and expressed his belief that they have the potential to win the T20 World Cup. "If the guys in maroon don't get it done, I will be backing you," Richards declared, referring to the West Indies team.Richards' visit not only boosted the morale of the Indian team but also highlighted the strong bond between the two cricketing nations. The West Indian legend has always been a vocal supporter of Indian cricket, and his words of encouragement will undoubtedly inspire the team as they navigate the challenges of the tournament.India currently sits atop their group with 4 points from two games and a healthy net run rate. They will next face Australia in their final Super Eights clash, a match that will determine their fate in the tournament. With Richards' support behind them, the Indian team will be confident in their ability to overcome any obstacles and emerge victorious.

Indian Cricket Team's Title Drought: Fear of Failure a Major Factor, Says Ian SmithFormer New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith has attributed the Indian cricket team's inability to win major titles to a deep-seated fear of failure. Despite their immense talent and skill, Team India has not secured an ICC trophy since 2013, leaving fans and experts perplexed.Smith, who played 63 Tests and 148 ODIs for New Zealand, empathized with the Indian team, acknowledging the immense pressure they face. According to him, fear of failure is a significant factor in sports, especially in cricket. He highlighted the unique burden that the Indian team carries, playing under the weight of unparalleled expectations."Fear of failure is a massive thing in sport. Pressure is a big thing. Being able to handle the big occasion. I mean, I don't think any team in the world, or cricket in particular, plays with as much pressure on their shoulders as the Indian cricket team," Smith was quoted as saying by PTI.The constant need for victory makes every day a challenge for the Indian players, intensifying the already high stakes of international cricket. The team's journey is laden with expectations and scrutiny, making it a tough mental battle for the players."The expectation... desire from the population for the team to win almost every game. Every day you get out of bed you have to win. It's a tough thing to have to bear," Smith added.The fear of failure and the pressure to constantly perform at their best loom large, hindering Team India's quest for major titles. Despite their struggles, the team continues to strive for success, hoping to overcome these mental barriers and fulfill the dreams of millions of fans worldwide.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, has remained tight-lipped about his potential appointment as the next head coach of the Indian cricket team. However, he has provided insights into his coaching philosophy, which emphasizes the "team first ideology."Gambhir, who recently played a crucial role in Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) third IPL title win as team mentor, appeared in a virtual interview with the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee earlier this week. He is widely perceived to be India's next head coach after incumbent Rahul Dravid's tenure ends following the ongoing T20 World Cup.When asked about his prospects, Gambhir said, "I don't see that far ahead. You are grilling me, asking me all tough questions." He added, "It is difficult to answer right now. All I can say is that I'm happy being here, just finished a brilliant journey (and) let's enjoy that. I'm in a very happy space right now."Gambhir believes that putting the team ahead of individuals is the bedrock of his coaching philosophy. "If you have the intent of keeping your team ahead of any individual, things will fall in place. If not today, tomorrow, if not tomorrow, someday it will fall in place," he said."But if you start thinking on that, or if you know that you need to help one or two individuals perform, then your team will only suffer.""My job is not to make individuals perform. My job, as a mentor, is to make KKR win," said Gambhir, who was praised for his role in KKR's winning run this year."For me, the guru mantra is team first philosophy. I think team-first ideology, team-first philosophy is the most important ideology in any team sport," he added.Gambhir said that everyone was a leader in the KKR camp, which had a near-perfect campaign this year. "Yes, I was the leader, but all of us in the dressing room made the change. It was about making Kolkata proud. It was a moral responsibility for me to give something back to Kolkata," he said.The former cricketer, who also captained India on a few occasions, said that treating all members in a team equally is his approach. "In a team sport, it's the team that matters the most. Individuals do play a role, individuals do contribute," he said."But I think if 11 people are treated equally, if 11 people have equal respect, if everyone is treated equally, given the same respect, same responsibility, same honor, you will achieve an unbelievable amount of success.""You cannot have discrimination in a set up or in an organization," he added.Gambhir expressed no disappointment for not being able to captain India for a long run. "I have always thought about performing for the fans, and that has been my thought since the last year of my training career. In the middle, I got this honor of captaining India for six games. I tried doing it to the best of my ability," he said."Otherwise, I have no regrets whatsoever because my job was not to captain the series. My job was to make my country win, and whichever team I play for, make that team win," he added.He does have one regret, though. "I wish I had finished that game," he said, referring to the 2011 World Cup final in which then-skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored the winning runs."It was my job to finish the game, rather than leaving someone to finish the game. If I had to turn back the clock, I would go back there and score the last run, irrespective of how many runs I scored," added the left-hander, who scored 97 runs in that epic clash against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium.

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is poised to become the next head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir is set to interview for the position in Mumbai on May 29th with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and other officials.Sources close to the BCCI have indicated that Gambhir is the frontrunner for the role and that the BCCI has agreed to his terms for the position. These terms include full command over the team and the establishment of separate teams for white-ball and red-ball cricket.Gambhir's appointment would mark a significant shift in the BCCI's approach to coaching. Under current head coach Rahul Dravid, the team has struggled to maintain consistency across formats. Gambhir's proposal for separate teams aims to address this issue by allowing for specialized coaching and player development.Gambhir's credentials as a player and his experience as a commentator and analyst make him a strong candidate for the role. He was a key member of India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup winning teams. He has also been vocal about his desire to coach the national team, stating that "there is no bigger honour than coaching your national team."The BCCI's decision to appoint Gambhir as head coach is expected to be announced shortly after the interview. If appointed, Gambhir will take over the reins of the team from July 2024, with his contract extending until December 2027.

Legendary South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, renowned for his exceptional fielding skills, is reportedly being considered for the role of India's next fielding coach. According to Revsportz, Rhodes' name has been circulating within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as a potential candidate.Rhodes' fielding prowess during his playing career was unparalleled, earning him a reputation as one of the greatest fielders in cricket history. His acrobatic catches and lightning-fast reflexes made him a formidable presence on the field.While no formal approach has been made to Rhodes, his name has been discussed as the BCCI prepares to finalize India's next head coach. Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach will conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024, and the BCCI is actively seeking his replacement.Former India batter Gautam Gambhir has emerged as the frontrunner for the head coach position. According to media reports, Gambhir has agreed to the BCCI's offer, subject to certain demands. The announcement of his appointment is expected in the coming days.Rhodes previously applied for the fielding coach position in 2019, but the BCCI opted to retain R Sridhar. However, with the support staff typically selected by the head coach, Gambhir's appointment could pave the way for Rhodes to join the Indian team.Meanwhile, Paras Mhambrey and T Dilip currently serve as India's bowling and fielding coaches, respectively. Gambhir is expected to bring his own support staff, potentially leading to changes in the team's coaching setup.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opening batsman, is poised to take over as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir's appointment has been in the works for months, with current coach Rahul Dravid's contract expiring after the ongoing T20 World Cup.According to a report in Dainik Bhaskar, Gambhir's appointment will be made official by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the coming days. Gambhir reportedly accepted the offer after being approached by the BCCI, but not before laying down certain demands that were accepted by the board."We have held talks with Gambhir to become the head coach of the Indian team. He will replace the outgoing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup," a BCCI source told Dainik Bhaskar.The report also states that Gambhir informed the BCCI that he would only accept the job if he had the authority to select his support staff. This demand was met, and the board is expected to formally announce Gambhir's appointment as head coach later this month.Under Gambhir's guidance, the Kolkata Knight Riders won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2024. His leadership at KKR has been widely praised, contributing to his growing reputation as a top coaching candidate.During a recent event, Gambhir expressed his desire to coach the Indian team. "There is no bigger honor than coaching the national team," he said. "You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well."Gambhir was a member of India's T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007 and the 2011 ODI World Cup side. He is expected to make changes to both the support staff and the team itself.

Gautam Gambhir Emerges as Frontrunner for Indian Cricket Team Head Coach RoleFormer Indian cricket captain Gautam Gambhir has emerged as a leading contender for the position of head coach of the Indian cricket team, according to media reports. Gambhir's successful tenure as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the IPL 2024 title under his guidance, has reportedly caught the attention of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Former India head coach Anil Kumble has praised Gambhir's credentials but cautioned that coaching the national side presents unique challenges. "You need somebody with a strong demeanor and continuity," Kumble told ESPNCricinfo. "Rahul [Dravid] has done a fantastic job, and hopefully, he has a swansong with the World Cup. But you also have to consider that some senior players are nearing the end of their careers."Kumble emphasized the need for a smooth transition and continuity in the team. "You need players who can go through the transition period and ensure India doesn't miss out on quality in the bowling and batting departments," he said. "You pick and choose and transition through."Despite Gambhir's familiarity with many senior players in the Indian team, Kumble believes that this factor will not be a major consideration. "Today, you have been a part of the system in some form or the other," Kumble said. "It doesn't matter that much. What you look at is the candidature and not whether this particular coach has a background of playing with the players."Kumble stressed the importance of choosing a candidate with the right stature and credibility to handle the demands of the role. "Someone who is not afraid to take those calls," he said.Gambhir's potential appointment as head coach would mark a significant shift in the team's leadership. His aggressive and vocal style as a player could bring a fresh perspective to the team's approach. However, he would also face the challenge of managing a diverse group of players and navigating the pressures of international cricket.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opening batsman, has expressed his views on the yo-yo test, a fitness assessment used to gauge the physical fitness of cricket players. Gambhir believes that while fitness is important, it should not be the sole criterion for player selection.During a recent interaction with Sportskeeda, Gambhir stated that fitness should be a factor, but players should primarily be judged based on their skills. He emphasized that the yo-yo test may not accurately reflect a player's overall fitness and that it is unfair to drop or ignore players solely based on their performance in the test."Fitness should be a factor, but I also do not agree that we have to pass a fitness test to be called fit. I don't agree to that. Fitness should directly be related to the trainer. If a trainer feels that you're fit enough, some people are physically strong from a point of view that they can lift a lot of weights in the gym," Gambhir said.He added, "But if you don't select someone just because of a yo-yo test, I don't think that's the right way. You select players on their talent, on their battling skills, on their bowling skills. And it is the trainer's job to keep working on their fitness and keep making them better physically as well. Just because someone doesn't pass a yo-yo test and doesn't get selected, I think that is a bit unfair."Gambhir's comments come amid speculation that he may be in contention for the role of head coach of the Indian cricket team. The current coach, Rahul Dravid, is set to step down after the ongoing T20 World Cup.Gambhir has expressed his desire to coach the Indian team, stating that it would be a great honor. He was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2007 World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup.

India's legendary fast bowler Kapil Dev has raised concerns over the Indian team management's decision to not open the bowling with their spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. This criticism follows similar sentiments expressed by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar.In both of India's matches in the ongoing T20I series against Ireland and Pakistan, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj have been entrusted with the new ball. However, it is Bumrah who has emerged as the Player of the Match in both games, showcasing his exceptional wicket-taking abilities.Kapil Dev, speaking to ABP News, emphasized the importance of Bumrah bowling the first over. "He needs to bowl the first over, he is a wicket-taking bowler," said Kapil. "If you make him bowl the fifth or sixth bowler, the game can slip out of your hands."The criticism stems from the fact that India was defending a modest total of 119 against Pakistan. Not opening with Bumrah, arguably their most potent pacer, could have put the team in a vulnerable position.Bumrah's heroics against Pakistan turned the game in India's favor. He claimed three crucial wickets, including those of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Iftikhar Ahmed, finishing with figures of 3/14."This is not a Test match. This is T20. The quicker you take wickets, the more pressure it puts on the opposition," said Kapil, who is India's leading fast-bowling wicket-taker in Tests.Kapil believes that a positive mindset is crucial. "If Bumrah opens the bowling and picks up a couple of wickets, life becomes easier for the other bowlers as well," he said.Kapil also praised Bumrah for exceeding expectations and establishing himself as the world's best bowler. "We didn't think he'd be able to play so much cricket, because his action and the way he runs puts pressure on his body and shoulders. But he has proved all of us wrong," said Kapil.India will face hosts USA on Tuesday, June 12, with the winner securing a place in the Super 8.