Cricket

Gautam Gambhir's maiden Test coaching stint with the Indian cricket team has commenced, following Rahul Dravid's successful guidance to the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. As the team embarks on a lengthy Test season, Gambhir faces the challenge of continuing the team's success.Ravichandran Ashwin, a pivotal figure in India's Test aspirations, has shed light on the contrasting coaching styles of Gambhir and Dravid. "Gambhir is very relaxed," Ashwin said. "He's like, 'Are you coming?' Rahul Bhai, on the other hand, is more regimented. He wants everything in order."Ashwin also expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic crowd support during the first Test against Bangladesh. He hailed the pitch as one of the best he has played on in India, urging curators to create similar surfaces for Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy matches."The crowd was passionate," Ashwin said. "The pitch was awesome. I hope Tamil Nadu plays Ranji Trophy on such pitches. It was an outstanding Test match wicket."Ashwin recalled a conversation with former curator Pacha, who predicted the pitch would favor fast bowlers initially before becoming conducive to spin. "But like he said, the first day, there was bounce," Ashwin concluded.As India prepares for upcoming Test series against New Zealand and Australia, Ashwin's insights into the team's coaching dynamics and the importance of pitch quality provide valuable context for the challenges ahead.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, addressed the media in a press conference ahead of the first Test match against Bangladesh. The press conference provided insights into Gambhir's coaching philosophy, the team's preparations, and his relationship with captain Rohit Sharma.Gambhir emphasized the importance of bowlers in the modern game, stating that Jasprit Bumrah is the best fast bowler in the world. He credited Bumrah, along with Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja, for transforming India into a "bowlers' game."The head coach also expressed his respect for Bangladesh but asserted that India will approach the series with the mindset of a champion side. He believes that the team's best style is the one that wins.Gambhir's first Test series as head coach will be a significant milestone in his career. He previously led the team in T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.During the press conference, Gambhir and former India captain Virat Kohli discussed their on-field altercations in the past. Gambhir jokingly deflected Kohli's question about how altercations affect his performance, saying that Kohli has had more altercations than him.Kohli and Gambhir have put their past differences aside and are now working together to achieve success for the Indian team. They have "put an end to all the masala" surrounding their rumored rift.Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, acknowledged that Gambhir's coaching style is different from his predecessor, Rahul Dravid. However, he emphasized that he has a good understanding with Gambhir and that the new coaching staff brings a different perspective.

Gautam Gambhir, a legendary cricketer and now a respected coach, has a proven track record of success both on and off the field. As a player, he played pivotal roles in India's triumphs at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the title.Beyond his playing career, Gambhir has made a significant impact as a mentor for various IPL teams, including the Lucknow Super Giants and KKR. His guidance and insights have been instrumental in shaping the teams' strategies and performances.Now, as the coach of the Indian cricket team, Gambhir faces a crucial challenge. The upcoming months will be a test of his leadership and tactical acumen as India embarks on a mission to achieve success on the international stage.Gambhir is known for his straightforward and honest approach. Manan Vohra, a prominent figure in Indian domestic cricket, shared an enlightening conversation he had with Gambhir after being selected for only one match during the 2022 and 2023 LSG seasons."I approached Gambhir and expressed my concerns about playing just one match," Vohra recalled. "He responded with a simple yet profound statement: 'Life is different for everyone; some players get eight matches, some get just one. Not everyone gets the same opportunities. But if you have one match, you have to make the most of it.'"Initially, I could have taken offense, but I realized the wisdom in his words. If you're truly talented, you should be able to prove yourself even with limited opportunities."Vohra's experience highlights Gambhir's belief in accountability and the importance of seizing every chance. This philosophy has resonated with Vohra and has influenced his approach to the game.As India prepares for upcoming challenges, Gambhir's leadership and guidance will be crucial. His experience, tactical prowess, and unwavering determination will be invaluable assets as the team strives for success on the global stage.

The Indian cricket team's preparations for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh, commencing on September 19, reached a fever pitch during an intensive practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the entire 16-man squad participated in the rigorous training session.Virat Kohli, one of the team's batting stalwarts, was among the first to enter the nets, facing the pace of Jasprit Bumrah and the spin of R Ashwin, who is set to make his 101st Test appearance. Yashasvi Jaiswal, the left-handed opener, joined Kohli in the adjacent net.Following them, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan took their turns at the crease. Sarfaraz had recently arrived in Chennai after participating in the second round of the Duleep Trophy match in Anantapur. Rohit, known for his prowess against spin, focused on honing his skills against the Bangladeshi team's spin-heavy attack.Other team members, including all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, also had their share of batting practice against local bowlers and faced a significant number of throwdowns.The practice pitch on the main square provided a reasonable level of bounce, giving the batsmen a good workout. India has scheduled two additional practice sessions before the series opener against Bangladesh, who are brimming with confidence following their clean sweep in Pakistan.The playing eleven for the first Test is largely self-selecting. The Chennai pitch typically assists spinners, and there's a good chance India will field three spinners and two pacers for the match. Ashwin, Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are the likely spinners, while Bumrah and Siraj will handle the pace-bowling duties. Despite his impressive all-round performances across formats, Axar Patel may have to sit out this game.In the batting department, Pant is anticipated to make his Test comeback after a nearly two-year absence. In that case, Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in his debut series against England, will be on the bench.

The Indian cricket team has commenced preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The team arrived at the venue on Thursday night and took to the field the following day under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel.The series marks the return of several key players to the Test fold. Virat Kohli, who last featured in the format during India's tour of South Africa in January, will be eager to regain his form after a disappointing T20 World Cup and Sri Lanka tour. KL Rahul, who missed the majority of the England Test series due to injury, has also made his comeback.The pace attack will be bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been out of action since the T20 World Cup final. He will be joined by Mohammed Siraj and debutant Yash Dayal. The spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will provide balance to the team.Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side, while Rishabh Pant returns to Test cricket for the first time since his life-threatening accident in December 2022. Pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal have received maiden call-ups, adding depth to the bowling department.The series against Bangladesh will be a crucial test for India as they prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The team will be looking to build momentum and find their rhythm ahead of the highly anticipated clash.

Former Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja believes that Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, will instill an aggressive and proactive approach in the team during the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Jadeja expects Gambhir to keep the opposition on their toes throughout the series, which begins on September 19 in Chennai."His approach is aggressive. There will never be a dull moment with him around. He will always try something. He will do what he believes," Jadeja said about Gambhir's coaching style. "He will not sit back and let things flow. He will be out there, trying things."Jadeja, who played 196 ODIs for India, believes that Gambhir will not hesitate to make bold decisions, such as appointing Suryakumar Yadav as captain. "I am looking forward to the excitement we are going to see this year," he added.Despite Bangladesh's recent Test series victory against Pakistan, Jadeja remains confident in India's abilities. "India is a far superior team," he said. "Any team that has just won will always think they can win. But there is a difference between the Pakistan team at the moment and the India cricket team."Jadeja also commented on India's upcoming Test tour of Australia in November. "November is far off, but we have done well in Australia in the past. Why should we not think that we will do it again?" he said.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has commenced his tenure with a rigorous training session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The session marked the beginning of India's preparations for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which commences in five days.Gambhir, along with his coaching staff comprising Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Abhishek Nayar (assistant coach), and Ryan ten Doeschate (fielding coach), oversaw the training session under strict secrecy. The media was barred from attending, and no footage was allowed to be captured.The session focused on getting the players back into game mode after a prolonged break following the T20 World Cup triumph in June. Virat Kohli, who arrived from England late on Thursday, was among the first to take to the nets and face the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja.With a place in the World Test Championship Final in June 2025 at stake, India faces a challenging schedule of 10 Tests over the next five months. After the two Tests against Bangladesh, they will host New Zealand for a three-Test series, followed by a five-Test tour of Australia.Gambhir aims to secure four wins and a draw from these 10 games to qualify for the WTC Final. For the first five home Tests, he will need to manage the rotation of his pace bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are likely to play at Chepauk, while Mohammed Shami is on the comeback trail.Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal and Bengal's Akash Deep are also in contention for a debut, depending on their performance in practice. Another key decision for the coaching staff is the choice between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan as the No. 5 batter.Rishabh Pant remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, but his fitness after a recent accident will be closely monitored. Dhruv Jurel, who impressed on his debut against England, provides a capable backup option.Gambhir, known for his demanding nature, will expect his players to perform at their best. Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and R Ashwin are all likely to feature in the first Test.

Rohit Sharma's exceptional leadership and batting prowess guided India to a historic T20 World Cup triumph in June, ending an 11-year title drought for the nation. Throughout the tournament, Sharma showcased his dominance, amassing 251 runs in eight matches with an impressive average of 36.71.In a recent "This or That" segment with Sportskeeda, former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh expressed his admiration for Sharma's batting style, which he believes mirrors his own. "My batting style, I don't know. Probably a big hitter. Probably Rohit Sharma," Singh remarked.Meanwhile, the Indian team under Sharma's captaincy arrived in Chennai on Friday to commence preparations for the first Test against Bangladesh. Star players Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were among those spotted at the airport. Sharma and Virat Kohli also joined the team in Chennai early Friday morning. Kohli returned from London, where he had been spending time with his family.Pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal received their maiden Test call-ups, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made his Test comeback after recovering from a life-threatening accident in December 2022. Kohli will also return to Test cricket for the first time since India's tour of South Africa in January. He missed the home Test series against England due to the birth of his son.The two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh will commence on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The second Test will be played in Kanpur from September 27. Head coach Gautam Gambhir will aim to secure a series victory in his first Test assignment.

Indian Cricketers Assemble in Chennai for Bangladesh Test SeriesThe Indian cricket team arrived in Chennai on Thursday evening, gearing up for their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test is scheduled to commence on September 19 at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium.This series marks India's return to the Test arena after their participation in the T20 World Cup. Key players Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were spotted boarding the team bus, signaling their return to the longer format.Bumrah, who has been sidelined since the T20 World Cup final, is expected to spearhead India's bowling attack. Pant, who suffered a horrific car accident in December 2022, is making a remarkable comeback to the Test team. Rahul, who missed the England series due to injury, has also rejoined the squad.The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, boasts a wealth of experience with the likes of Virat Kohli. Kohli is returning to Test cricket after taking a break following the birth of his son.Bangladesh, on the other hand, recently emerged victorious in a 2-0 Test series against Pakistan. However, they have been forced to make changes due to injuries, with uncapped batter Jaker Ali replacing fast bowler Shoriful Islam.India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will be eager to start his maiden Test series with a win. This series serves as a crucial preparation for India's upcoming matches against New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.With the return of star players and high stakes, the India-Bangladesh Test series promises to be an engaging spectacle for cricket enthusiasts.