Cricket

Zaheer Khan Backs Impact Player Rule, Citing Benefits for Indian CricketFormer Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan, now the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants, has voiced his support for the continuation of the impact player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Khan believes that the rule has contributed to the overall improvement of Indian cricket by providing opportunities to young talents.The impact player rule, introduced in IPL 2023, allows teams to substitute a player during the match. This rule has sparked debate among players and stakeholders, with some expressing concerns about its impact on the game's balance. However, Khan believes that the rule has had a positive effect on Indian cricket."I'm going on record to say that I'm all for it," Khan said. "It has definitely given opportunities to a lot of uncapped Indian talents. It is something you will see this in the mega auction when teams will be looking at them."Khan emphasized that the rule has provided valuable match time for young players, which is crucial for their development. "That opportunity goes a long way with improving Indian cricket on the whole," he said. "The time spent in match time, it's something you cannot beat. That's the biggest plus."Khan also addressed concerns about the impact of the rule on all-rounders. He believes that genuine all-rounders will still be valued, as they can provide both batting and bowling abilities. "If you are a genuine all-rounder, (then) no one can stop you," he said. "There is always going to be a value addition with the ability with bat and ball."The impact player rule has been a topic of discussion among IPL team owners and BCCI officials. While some teams support its continuation, others have expressed reservations. However, Khan's endorsement of the rule adds weight to the argument for its retention.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a young franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has appointed former India pacer Zaheer Khan as its mentor ahead of the upcoming mega auction. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, impressed by Zaheer's experience as a player, coach, and strategist, hired him in the last two weeks."We are very excited to have him on board. We do believe he will do wonders for the future of LSG," said Goenka at a press conference.Zaheer, who previously worked with Mumbai Indians, acknowledged LSG's potential despite its short existence. "The building blocks are in place," he said. "The consistency you see in reaching the playoffs is something which is so tough in this fierce competition. That is something which gives me a lot of confidence when I'm looking at coming and contributing to this franchise's success."Zaheer emphasized his role in fostering a culture of open communication and decision-making. "I'll make sure a process which is required for each and every individual to express themselves freely, to bring a lot of victories to the franchise and the decision making which is so crucial. I think those are the aspects which we'll be closely looking at. I'm looking to build that culture, that mindset at LSG to (help it) go to the next level," said Zaheer, who will also serve as the bowling coach.Goenka refrained from providing details about the possible team composition, citing the BCCI's upcoming announcement of its player retention policy for the mega auction. However, he expressed confidence in LSG captain K.L. Rahul, stating that he is "like family" and will continue to play an important role.Coach Justin Langer, assistant coach Lance Klusener, and fielding coach Jonty Rhodes will remain with the team.

The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, has sparked controversy among players and experts. While some, like Rohit Sharma, believe it hinders the development of all-rounders, others, like R Ashwin, argue that it adds strategic depth to the game.Ashwin believes the rule encourages innovation and makes the game fairer. He cites the example of Shahbaz Ahmed, who became a match-winner for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2024 after being brought in as an Impact Player."It gives a little more value for strategy," Ashwin said. "The other side of that argument is it doesn't encourage all-rounders. But no one is stopping them."Ashwin argues that the rule has not prevented all-rounders from emerging. He points to Venkatesh Iyer, who has impressed for Lancashire in England."There's an opportunity for innovation and it makes the game fairer," Ashwin said.He also believes the rule has helped players move up the ranks, including Shahbaz Ahmed, Shivam Dube, and Dhruv Jurel."If not for the Impact Player rule, he may have never gotten the chance," Ashwin said of Jurel.However, Ashwin opposes the reintroduction of the Right to Match (RTM) rule, which allows teams to retain players they have released."If a franchise has released a player because they don't see him in their top four or five, then what gives them the right to jump in during an auction," Ashwin argued.He suggests that players should have the option to decide if they want to be RTMed and that a pre-determined price should be set by the player.

Zaheer Khan, the former Indian fast bowler, is poised to join the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise as their mentor, succeeding Gautam Gambhir, who departed after the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Gambhir has since assumed the role of mentor at Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2024 and has recently been appointed head coach of the Indian men's cricket team.Zaheer's potential appointment as LSG's mentor raises questions about whether he will also assume the role of bowling coach, a position vacated by Morne Morkel, who joined Gambhir's coaching staff with the Indian team. From 2018 to 2022, Zaheer held various positions with the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise, including director of cricket and head of global development.Prior to his administrative roles, Zaheer enjoyed a successful playing career in the IPL, representing three different teams: MI, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils. Over ten seasons, he amassed 102 wickets in 100 matches, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 7.58. His last IPL appearance came in 2017 while leading the Daredevils, before he retired from all forms of cricket.As reported by ESPNcricinfo, LSG intends to grant Zaheer a broader role beyond mentorship, involving him in scouting and player development programs during the off-season. The franchise's coaching setup is currently led by Justin Langer, who replaced Andy Flower as head coach ahead of IPL 2024. Lance Klusener and Adam Voges serve as his assistants.After securing playoff berths in their first two seasons, LSG narrowly missed out on a top-four finish in 2024 due to net run rate. Zaheer's potential return to the IPL coincides with teams preparing for a mega auction, with the IPL expected to announce retention rules by early September.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been rocked by a series of captaincy changes, with the latest rumors swirling around Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After a disappointing season that saw MI finish at the bottom of the points table, the franchise replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain. This move sparked speculation of a rift between Rohit and Hardik, which was reportedly resolved during the T20 World Cup.However, the drama surrounding MI's captaincy continues. Reports have emerged that Suryakumar Yadav, who was recently appointed captain of India's T20I side, has been approached by KKR to become their skipper. According to journalist Rohit Juglan, KKR has made an unofficial offer to Suryakumar and is willing to trade Shreyas Iyer, last year's title-winning captain, to MI in exchange.This potential move could be facilitated by the mega auction scheduled for next year. However, KKR has not officially commented on the matter. Meanwhile, both Suryakumar and Iyer are currently playing for Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament.The Buchi Babu Tournament provides a platform for both players to showcase their skills ahead of the upcoming international season. The BCCI has encouraged India internationals to participate in domestic tournaments to maintain peak performance.The captaincy changes and trade rumors surrounding MI and KKR have added an element of intrigue to the IPL. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the teams' fortunes in the upcoming season.

MS Dhoni, the legendary former Indian cricket captain, has sparked speculation about his potential return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni has remained an active player in the IPL, leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to four titles.However, a knee injury plagued Dhoni throughout the 2023 IPL season, forcing him to wear a knee brace. Concerns about his fitness emerged, but a recent video clip on social media has allayed those fears. The 43-year-old was seen hitting a jump smash at lightning speed on a badminton court, showcasing his remarkable fitness.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering reintroducing the provision for franchises to retain retired international players as uncapped players. This rule was abolished in 2021, but its reinstatement could pave the way for Dhoni's return to CSK as an uncapped player.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has denied that the franchise has requested this rule change, but the BCCI has indicated that it may be implemented. If the rule is reinstated, CSK could retain Dhoni without using one of their retention slots, giving them greater flexibility in building their squad.Dhoni's availability for the 2025 IPL season remains uncertain, but his recent display of fitness has fueled speculation about his potential return. The mega auction will precede the season, and Dhoni's decision will be closely watched by fans and franchises alike.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have experienced a remarkable resurgence under the guidance of coach Chandrakant Pandit, culminating in their third IPL title in 2024. However, former KKR player David Wiese has raised concerns about Pandit's coaching style, alleging that it created a tense atmosphere within the team.Wiese, in an interview with the 'Hitman for Hire' podcast, claimed that "guys weren't happy with certain things that were going on" under Pandit's leadership. He described the changing room as "tough" and suggested that Pandit's strict disciplinary approach did not sit well with some players.In contrast, England opener Philip Salt, who played for KKR in IPL 2024, has praised Pandit's coaching abilities. Salt emphasized that Pandit "reads a room very well" and knows how to motivate and discipline players effectively. He also revealed that he has a "great relationship" with the coach.Despite the contrasting views on Pandit's coaching style, KKR's success under his leadership cannot be denied. The team has won the IPL title twice in the past three seasons, and Salt played a crucial role in their 2024 triumph.However, Salt expressed disappointment at being recalled by England before the IPL playoffs. He felt that he had unfinished business with KKR and wanted to contribute to their title victory. Despite his absence, KKR went on to defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

Shane Warne's Profound Impact on Indian Cricket: Piyush Chawla's Transformative EncounterShane Warne, the legendary Australian leg-spinner, left an indelible mark not only on his home country's cricket but also on the Indian cricketing landscape. Piyush Chawla, a prominent Indian spinner, recently revealed the profound guidance he received from Warne during a pivotal moment in his career.In 2008, Chawla, then an 18-year-old leg-spinner, was struggling to adjust to the demands of the Indian Premier League (IPL). His debut match for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) against Chennai Super Kings proved disastrous, with Michael Hussey's century leaving him demoralized."I got smashed for 20 runs in just one over," Chawla recalled on the 2 Sloggers podcast. "I thought, 'This T20 cricket is not my cup of tea.'"At this critical juncture, Chawla's captain, Yuvraj Singh, intervened and arranged a meeting between him and Warne, despite the language barriers. This encounter proved transformative for Chawla."Warne said so many things to me and made me understand the little things about cricket," Chawla said. "After 40 minutes, I left his room and I felt there is no bowler better than me."Warne's advice rejuvenated Chawla's confidence. In his next match, he delivered an impressive spell of 2/19, showcasing his true potential. This performance marked the beginning of a long and successful IPL career.Seventeen years later, Chawla has become a veteran of the IPL, amassing 192 wickets over his career. He credits Warne's guidance as a pivotal moment in his development as a spinner."Shane Warne's impact on Indian cricket is immense," Chawla said. "He not only inspired me but also countless other young spinners in India."Warne's legacy extends beyond his own playing career. His mentorship of young players, including Chawla, has left a lasting impact on the game of cricket in India and around the world.

England opener Philip Salt has hailed the pivotal role of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Gautam Gambhir in his success during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Salt, who played a crucial role in KKR's title-winning campaign, credited Gambhir's mentorship for helping him adapt to the challenging conditions in India.Reflecting on his time with KKR, Salt praised Gambhir's competitive nature and relentless pursuit of improvement. "He's a competitor. I could really relate to him from that point of view. He's always looking for those one percenters that will get the individual and team better," Salt said.Salt's performance in the 2024 IPL was impressive. Despite leaving before the playoffs to join England's T20I series against Pakistan, he managed to score 435 runs in 12 matches at an average of 39.55 and a remarkable strike rate of 182.01.One specific piece of advice from Gambhir had a significant impact on Salt's batting strategy. "He told me to take the game deep, especially here in India. He said, 'I know you're going to score runs for us, but I want you to score the majority of your runs between overs ten and 20,'" Salt recalled.Gambhir's strategy aimed to ensure Salt could exploit the latter stages of the innings, particularly at KKR's home ground, Eden Gardens. "Even if it can be a little bit slow to start with, I want you to hang in there and make sure you're there from overs ten onwards and get the big overs," Gambhir advised.Salt acknowledged the value of Gambhir's guidance. "Of all the conversations I had, I think that's the best bit of coaching I had," he said.Salt's success with KKR is a testament to the impact of Gambhir's mentorship. The former India opener's competitive spirit and tactical acumen have helped Salt develop into a more effective batsman in Indian conditions.