Cricket

Delhi Capitals Eye Former World Cup Winners for Coaching StaffAfter parting ways with Ricky Ponting, the Delhi Capitals (DC) are reportedly seeking to bolster their coaching and support staff with two former World Cup winners. The franchise is aiming to revamp its team ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.Sources close to DC have indicated that Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly is unlikely to assume the coaching role. Instead, the team is searching for an individual who actively follows the cricket circuit, similar to Gautam Gambhir."Ganguly has numerous responsibilities as Director of Cricket. The team requires a hands-on coach who closely monitors the circuit, like Gautam Gambhir," said an anonymous source to News 18. "His success as a mentor is not surprising."DC is determined to avoid a stop-gap arrangement for the head coach position, especially after the mega auction that will initiate a new cycle. A meeting between DC's higher-ups is scheduled after the conclusion of the ongoing Major League Cricket season in the USA.Despite reaching the IPL final in 2020, the Capitals have struggled to qualify for the playoffs since then. They finished sixth among 10 teams in IPL 2024.However, three DC players played key roles in India's victorious T20 World Cup 2024 campaign: Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel. All three are likely to be retained by DC ahead of the mega auction, along with Australian star Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir: A Tale of Reconciliation and RespectThe Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed many memorable moments over the years, but one that stands out is the reconciliation between former teammates Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. The two firebrand cricketers from Delhi had a long-standing alleged hostility, but all that seemed to dissolve during an IPL match earlier this year.In IPL 2023, Kohli and Gambhir, then the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants, had a fierce on-field altercation. However, this season, it was a different story. The two shared a warm embrace, choosing to let bygones be bygones.Former Indian spinner Amit Mishra revealed how the feud ended. According to Mishra, it was Gambhir who took the initiative by walking up to Kohli and hugging him. Mishra believes that Kohli should have made the first move as he had made the issue bigger in the past.Kohli also reflected on the moment with Gambhir during an event. He acknowledged that his behavior had disappointed some people but emphasized that they were not kids anymore.Gambhir, now the head coach of the Indian national cricket team, provided his perspective on the relationship with Kohli and the nuances of on-field conduct. He highlighted the media's role in shaping public perceptions and the tendency to sensationalize narratives for ratings.Gambhir believes that the media should focus on creating hype in a positive way. He also emphasized that when two people are mature enough, no one should interfere in their relationship.With Gambhir now at the helm of the Indian team, the dynamics between the former teammates are under scrutiny once again. However, their reconciliation during the IPL suggests that they have put the past behind them and are ready to work together for the betterment of Indian cricket.

Pat Cummins, the Australian fast bowler, is set to make his return to the United States for the Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament. Cummins, who last played in the T20 World Cup in the Americas, has signed a four-year deal with the San Francisco Unicorns.Cummins, 31, has previously played in only one overseas T20 league, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and has not featured in Australia's Big Bash League since the 2018-19 season due to his international commitments.The Unicorns have won only one of their three games so far this year and will welcome the boost that Cummins will provide. He made history by picking up back-to-back hat-tricks at the T20 World Cup and led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the final in the IPL.Cummins' arrival coincides with Sherfane Rutherford's departure. The West Indies allrounder has not played any of the Unicorns' matches so far and will miss the rest of the MLC due to a bereavement in the family.There were changes among the other teams as well with Ottneil Baartman replacing Gerald Coetzee (injury) at Texas Super Kings and Lungi Ngidi taking over from Wayne Parnell (player withdrawal) at Seattle Orcas.Baartman, the South Africa fast bowler, was ruled out of the T20 Blast in England due to visa delays. He has 107 wickets from 76 T20s and is known for his variations and death-bowling ability.Ngidi suffered a back injury during the SA20 but has since recovered and was part of South Africa's squad at the T20 World Cup.

Gautam Gambhir and Shah Rukh Khan Reunite at Anant Ambani's Wedding, Showcasing KKR CamaraderieAt the grand wedding ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai, newly appointed Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan shared a heartwarming moment that highlighted their shared history with the KKR franchise.A video that went viral on social media captured the Bollywood superstar giving a warm embrace to the former KKR mentor. The gesture showcased the camaraderie and respect between the two prominent figures, who have played significant roles in the success of the KKR team.As a player, Gambhir led KKR to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, showcasing his exceptional leadership skills. He then transitioned into a coaching role, guiding the KKR team to another IPL title in 2024. His coaching credentials were evident in the team's impressive performance under his mentorship.However, Gambhir's pursuit of national objectives led him to step away from the KKR franchise. He replaced Rahul Dravid as India's head coach, whose tenure ended with India's triumph in the T20 World Cup in Barbados last month.Gambhir's appointment as head coach marks a new chapter in his illustrious career. He expressed his honor and excitement to serve his country in this capacity, stating, "It is an absolute honor to serve my tricolour, my people, my country."He acknowledged the exemplary run of Rahul Dravid and his support staff, and expressed his commitment to building on their success. Gambhir's tenure will commence with the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to begin on July 27.The reunion between Gambhir and Shah Rukh Khan at Anant Ambani's wedding serves as a testament to the enduring bonds forged within the KKR franchise. It also highlights the respect and admiration that exists between these two influential figures in the world of cricket.

Ricky Ponting's seven-year tenure as head coach of the Delhi Capitals (DC) has come to an end, as the franchise looks to revamp its coaching staff ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction.Ponting joined DC in 2018, when the team was known as the Delhi Daredevils. Under his guidance, the team experienced a rollercoaster of results. In his first season, DC finished at the bottom of the league standings. However, they bounced back in 2019, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time under Ponting's leadership.DC continued their playoff streak in 2020 and 2021, reaching the finals in 2020. However, they fell short of the ultimate prize, losing to the Mumbai Indians. In the last three seasons, DC failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing sixth in 2024 with a 7-7 record.Sources close to the franchise indicate that the owners were not satisfied with the team's recent performances and decided to part ways with Ponting. The decision was made after careful consideration and a desire to bring in a fresh perspective.Ponting's departure marks the end of an era for DC. He was a respected figure within the team and played a significant role in their development. However, the franchise believes that a change in leadership is necessary to achieve their long-term goals.DC is expected to announce Ponting's replacement in the coming weeks. The new head coach will have the task of rebuilding the team and guiding them to success in the upcoming IPL seasons.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction of 2024 witnessed unprecedented bidding wars, with Australian pacers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc fetching record-breaking sums. SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) acquired Cummins for Rs 20.5 crore, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) outbid them with a staggering Rs 24.75 crore for Starc.While some fans and experts questioned the astronomical prices, both players justified their worth with exceptional performances. Starc, despite a relatively quiet group stage, delivered match-winning spells in the Qualifier 1 and final. Cummins, as SRH captain, led his team to the final, where they narrowly lost to Starc's KKR.However, in a recent interview, Starc admitted that he and Cummins were "a bit overpaid." He revealed that they had a laugh about it, saying, "We played the first game and nine weeks later we play again in finals. Suddenly it goes from 2 overpaid guys to these 2 are playing the final."Despite their high price tags, Starc and Cummins proved their value on the field. Their performances highlighted the importance of quality fast bowling in T20 cricket. However, former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes that India's Jasprit Bumrah is currently the best bowler across all formats.Lee praised Bumrah's pace, swing, and leadership abilities. He said, "He is the best bowler in all formats right now and leads the attack. Bumrah can keep up an amazing pace while shaping the new ball away. His tournament performance demonstrated his leadership abilities, taking about 15 wickets with remarkable economy. He is absolutely exceptional, and India is deserving of praise for their accomplishments."The IPL auction and the subsequent performances of Starc, Cummins, and Bumrah have sparked discussions about the value of fast bowlers in modern cricket. While high prices may raise eyebrows, the impact of these bowlers on their teams' success cannot be denied.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach of the Indian cricket team has sparked excitement and anticipation ahead of the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Gambhir, known for his astute leadership and tactical acumen, will make his debut as head coach on July 26.Gambhir's appointment comes after the successful tenure of Rahul Dravid, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup last month. Gambhir's credentials as a coach were solidified during his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under his guidance, KKR emerged as IPL champions earlier this year, ending a 10-year title drought.Ahead of Gambhir's debut series, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer has been spotted training diligently. Iyer, who was overlooked for the T20 World Cup and the ongoing tour of Zimbabwe, could benefit immensely from Gambhir's mentorship.Iyer's recent training sessions have showcased his determination and commitment. Despite the heavy rain, he was seen working out relentlessly, demonstrating his unwavering work ethic.Iyer's absence from the national team and the Central Contracts list has been a source of disappointment for the talented batter. However, Gambhir's appointment could mark a turning point in his career.Prior to the IPL, Iyer faced criticism for skipping a Ranji Trophy match due to a reported back issue. However, the NCA's contradictory fitness report raised questions about his commitment.Despite these setbacks, Iyer remained focused on his goals. He attended a pre-IPL camp with KKR and worked tirelessly to improve his fitness and performance."I had a terrific World Cup and I wanted to take a break after that and wanted to work on my body and build some strength around certain areas," Iyer said on his YouTube channel. "Due to lack of communication, there were some decisions that didn't go in my favor.""But I realized that the bat is going to be in my hand and it's on me to perform and win trophies. I decided that once I win Ranji Trophy and IPL that would be an apt answer for whatever happened in the past and thankfully everything fell into the right place. I am grateful for how it happened."With Gambhir at the helm, Iyer has a golden opportunity to revive his international career and prove his worth as a world-class batter.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the new Indian cricket team head coach has triggered a chain reaction in the coaching landscape of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With Gambhir's departure, KKR is actively seeking a replacement, and legendary South African cricketer Jacques Kallis has emerged as a potential candidate.Kallis, who was part of KKR's playing squad during his illustrious career, has a deep understanding of the franchise and its culture. He played a pivotal role in KKR's IPL triumphs in 2012 and 2014 under Gambhir's captaincy.After retiring from playing, Kallis served as KKR's batting consultant in 2015 and was subsequently appointed head coach in 2016. He held the position for four seasons until 2019, when he stepped down to join the South Africa cricket team as their batting consultant.With Gambhir's move to the Indian team, KKR is keen on bringing Kallis back into the fold. His experience and familiarity with the franchise make him an ideal candidate to lead KKR's coaching staff.According to a report by The Telegraph, Kallis's name is "doing the rounds" as a potential replacement for Gambhir. The report states that KKR is "on the lookout for a replacement for Gambhir, who was key to its third IPL crown this year."If Kallis does return to KKR, he will be tasked with building on the success achieved under Gambhir's leadership. KKR won the IPL title in 2024 under Gambhir's guidance, and the franchise will be hoping that Kallis can continue that winning momentum.

Gautam Gambhir Appointed as Head Coach of Indian Men's Cricket TeamFormer Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. The announcement was made on Tuesday, with Gambhir set to take charge from the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka later this month.Gambhir, who recently mentored Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title, will replace Rahul Dravid, who ended his tenure with the triumphant campaign at the T20 World Cup.Gambhir's appointment has been met with mixed reactions. Some have questioned his lack of experience as a professional cricket coach, while others have praised his successful stint as a mentor in the IPL.BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed the appointment, highlighting Gambhir's potential to bring success to the national team. "Gautam Gambhir is a proven leader and a successful mentor," Shah said. "We believe that he has the potential to take Indian cricket to new heights."Gambhir's transition from player to mentor has been marked by his ability to inspire and lead teams effectively. As a two-time World Cup winner and former politician, his diverse experiences are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Indian cricket team.As Gambhir prepares to step into this pivotal role, the cricketing community will be watching closely to see if the 42-year-old can continue his track record of success and lead India to new heights on the international stage.