Cricket

Will Jacks, the rising star of English cricket, is eager to showcase the invaluable lessons he learned from batting alongside Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as England prepares to defend its T20 World Cup title.Jacks, who has played a pivotal role in England's recent warm-up victory over Pakistan, credits Kohli for providing him with crucial guidance during their partnership in the IPL. He believes that Kohli's unwavering intensity and attention to detail have left a lasting impression on him."He's a very good role model," Jacks said of Kohli. "The way he approaches all the training and every aspect of the game off the field, his intensity, everything he does is a 100 percent attention."Jacks particularly values the insights Kohli shared with him about pacing the game and maintaining focus during high-pressure chases. He believes that these lessons will be invaluable as England embarks on its World Cup campaign."When we were batting together, he was coaching me through there," Jacks revealed. "I learned some valuable things about chasing in that innings and pacing the game, which was really helpful."Despite his impressive performances in the IPL, Jacks remains humble about his England record. He acknowledges that his T20 average of 18.16 is a "mixed bag," but he is determined to improve his consistency and make a significant contribution to the team's success."I've been getting starts every game and it's about how do I change those into match-winning scores," Jacks said. "That's more of a mindset thing. It doesn't matter what I'm averaging: if the team's winning, then it's good."As England gears up for its World Cup opener against Scotland, Jacks is confident that the team is building in the right direction. He is excited to represent his country on the global stage and believes that the lessons he has learned from Kohli and other experienced players will help him make a positive impact.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a dominant force in cricket, often overshadowing the T20 World Cup. However, the IPL's influence on the World Cup squad selection has been limited, with selectors opting for a pragmatic and conservative approach.The 15-member World Cup squad, led by Rohit Sharma, includes experienced players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja. While these players have proven their worth in the past, their recent IPL performances have raised questions about their current form.The absence of young players who impressed in the IPL, such as Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana, has sparked debate. Critics argue that the selectors should have given more weight to IPL performances, especially in a format that favors experimentation.However, the selectors have defended their decision, emphasizing the importance of experience and pedigree in a high-pressure tournament like the World Cup. They believe that the team's core was established before the IPL, and that individual performances in the league should not overshadow the overall balance and chemistry of the squad.The T20 World Cup format, with its unpredictable nature and knockout rounds, makes it difficult for even the best teams to dominate. India's goal is to win the title, and the selectors have opted for a safety-first approach to ensure a strong foundation.While experience is crucial, the question remains whether the selectors have overlooked the potential of in-form youngsters. The IPL has provided a platform for emerging players to showcase their skills, and some argue that their contributions should be valued more in the World Cup selection process.The performance of India in the tournament will determine the validity of the conservative approach. If the team succeeds, it will reinforce the importance of experience and stability. However, if they falter, it may lead to a reassessment of the role of IPL performances in future World Cup selections.

Hardik Pandya, India's all-rounder and vice-captain, has been under intense scrutiny lately due to personal and professional challenges. Despite the adversity, Pandya has joined Team India in New York for the upcoming T20 World Cup, signaling his readiness for the mega event.Pandya's recent struggles include a disappointing Indian Premier League season as captain of the Mumbai Indians. The team's failure to qualify for the playoffs and their last-place finish drew criticism from fans, leading to Pandya being booed during matches.Amidst the speculation and scrutiny, Pandya's post on social media announcing his arrival in New York for Team India's training session has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans have expressed support for Pandya, while others remain skeptical about his ability to lead the team to success.The Indian cricket team has begun their preparations in New York for the ICC 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled to start on June 2. The first batch of players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and head coach Rahul Dravid, arrived in New York a few days ago and have now started their training sessions.India has been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Ireland, and Canada. They will begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5. Before the main event, the Indian team is set to play a warm-up game against Bangladesh on June 1.India's only T20 World Cup victory came in 2007 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. The current squad is eager to replicate that success and bring the trophy home once again.

Rinku Singh Breaks Silence on T20 World Cup Snub, Reveals Conversation with Rohit SharmaIndian cricketer Rinku Singh has expressed his disappointment over being excluded from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad, but has accepted the decision due to team composition.In an interview with Dainik Jagran, Singh revealed that he had a conversation with skipper Rohit Sharma about his omission. "Rohit Bhaiya did not say anything special. He only said that just keep working hard. There is a World Cup again after two years. There is no need to worry too much," Singh said.Singh's exclusion from the squad came as a surprise to many, given his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, the BCCI selectors opted for Shivam Dube and Axar Patel as all-rounder options.Singh admitted to being upset initially, but has since come to terms with the decision. "Yes, anyone feels a little bad if he is not selected despite good performance. However, this time I could not get selected due to the team combination. It is okay, one should not think too much about things that are not in one's hands," he said.Despite his disappointment, Singh remains optimistic about his future prospects. "There is a World Cup again after two years. There is no need to worry too much," he said.Singh's exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad has sparked debate among fans and experts. Some have questioned the selectors' decision, while others have defended it, citing the need for a balanced team composition.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has emerged as a strong contender for the position of head coach of the Indian cricket team. Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2024. Prior to that, he was the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants, who reached the IPL playoffs in both seasons under his leadership.According to reports, Gambhir's name is being seriously considered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the head coach role. The official deadline for application submission has passed, and a "very high-profile owner of an IPL franchise" has reportedly stated that Gambhir's appointment is a "done deal."However, the BCCI has not made any official announcement, indicating that negotiations are still ongoing. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has emphasized that the next head coach should have a "deep understanding" of the Indian cricket structure, suggesting that an Indian candidate is likely to be appointed.Gambhir's credentials as a player and mentor make him a strong candidate for the role. As a player, he was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He is known for his aggressive batting style and leadership qualities. As a mentor, he has guided two IPL teams to success, demonstrating his ability to develop and motivate players.If appointed, Gambhir would succeed Rahul Dravid, who stepped down as head coach after the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Dravid's tenure was marked by a focus on youth development and a resurgence in India's Test cricket performance.The appointment of Gambhir as head coach would be a significant development for Indian cricket. He is a respected figure in the game and his appointment would likely be welcomed by fans and players alike.

Justin Langer, the head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, experienced a profound awakening during the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Visiting the modest one-room abode of his team's physiotherapist, Rajesh Chandrashekhar, in Mumbai's Dharavi slums, Langer was confronted with a stark contrast to the opulent lifestyle he had become accustomed to.This encounter served as a poignant reminder of the vast disparities that coexist within the city, juxtaposing the extravagance of the cricketing world with the austere living conditions of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support its success. Despite LSG's failure to make the playoffs, Langer's experience left an indelible mark on him."After a life of living what I would now define as extreme luxury, I was humbled like never before seeing how other human beings live their day-to-day lives," Langer wrote in a post for 'The Nightly.'Chandrashekhar's insistence on giving Langer a haircut sparked the transformative encounter. "At first, I thought nothing of the invitation, but as the days moved into weeks, RC kept asking me if I needed a haircut," Langer recalled.Eventually, Langer relented, and Chandrashekhar arrived at his door with clippers, scissors, and a spray bottle of water. As they chatted, Langer was captivated by Chandrashekhar's life story."His story blew me away," Langer remarked. Chandrashekhar shared his humble beginnings in the slums of Mumbai and how a lucky break as a masseur for the local football team led him to his current role."I asked him what it was like to live in the 'slums,'" Langer said. Chandrashekhar described his home as the size of the bathroom in the luxury hotel they were staying in, where he lived with his mother, father, brother, sister, and brother-in-law.Langer was astonished by the contrast. "The bathroom in this luxury hotel we were staying in was nice, but as I looked around, it was about the size of my laundry here in Perth," he said.A day before his departure from India, Langer asked Chandrashekhar to take him to his home. "You want to visit my home?" Chandrashekhar asked with surprise.Langer and his brother accompanied Chandrashekhar to his humble abode, navigating through narrow alleyways and concrete houses. "When we reached the door of RC's house, we removed our shoes and walked into the humblest abode imaginable," Langer recalled.Inside, the family's living space was a mere four by five meters, with a single mattress on legs, a tiny kitchenette, and bundles of onions and garlic under the miniature kitchen bench. Despite their limited possessions, Langer sensed a sense of contentment among the family members."What struck me about our visit to RC's house was that while they seemed to have nothing, they also had everything they really needed to be happy," Langer concluded.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh has been a loyal member of the franchise for seven seasons. In recent years, he has emerged as a key player, winning matches for KKR and earning a call-up to the Indian T20 World Cup squad as a reserve.Despite his impressive performances, Rinku's salary at KKR stands at a mere Rs 55 lakh, a stark contrast to his teammate Mitchell Starc's whopping Rs 24.75 crore. This disparity has raised questions about the value placed on Indian talent in the IPL.In an interview with Dainik Jagaran, Rinku displayed a remarkable level of humility and contentment. He expressed gratitude for his current salary, stating that it is a significant amount for him."Even 50-55 lakhs is a lot. When I started, I never thought I would earn so much. I was a kid then, and if I got even 10-5 rupees, I thought I would somehow manage. Now I am getting 55 lakh rupees, so this is a lot. I should be happy with whatever God gives me," Rinku said.Rinku's philosophy extends beyond financial matters. He believes in the transience of material possessions and the importance of staying grounded."If I tell you the truth today, then all this is an illusion. You did not bring anything with you, nor will you take anything with you. You never know when time will change. I would like to say that you have to go back the same way you came. Stay grounded, what else," Rinku said.Rinku's perspective serves as a reminder that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in contentment and gratitude. His story highlights the need for a more equitable distribution of resources in the IPL and a greater appreciation for the contributions of Indian players.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a batting revolution, with teams consistently surpassing the 250-run mark. However, experts believe that bowlers may find some respite in the upcoming T20 World Cup due to several factors.Firstly, the absence of the Impact Player rule in the World Cup will force teams to rely more on all-rounders. This means that batting all-rounders will not be able to be slotted at lower positions, as they were in the IPL.Secondly, the pitches in the West Indies are expected to be slower and more gripping than those in the IPL. This will favor spinners and make it more difficult for batters to score freely.Thirdly, the lack of experience in hosting high-profile cricket matches in some of the venues in the USA may lead to inconsistent pitch conditions. This could also impact scoring rates.Despite the challenges, some batters may still be able to produce high scores on drop-in pitches, which are more consistent than natural pitches. However, overall, the consensus is that bowlers are likely to have a greater say in the T20 World Cup compared to the IPL.

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed empathy for Hardik Pandya, who has endured a challenging phase in his career. Pandya's forgettable IPL season as captain and player for Mumbai Indians, coupled with incessant fan jeering, has raised concerns about his form and mental state.However, Harbhajan believes that Pandya will find redemption at the upcoming T20 World Cup. "When he wears that blue jersey, he will be a different Hardik Pandya," Harbhajan said. "He has gone through a lot, and I wish him all the best to have a very good tournament for India."Harbhajan attributed Pandya's struggles to the pressure of captaincy, the team's poor performance, and the change in leadership from Rohit Sharma. He urged the team management to bring Pandya and Rohit on the same page and create a cohesive unit.Regarding India's pace attack, Harbhajan expressed concern about the reliance on Jasprit Bumrah. "Bumrah is in a different league," he said. "He will win you games on any kind of pitch. But other bowlers like Arshdeep and Siraj would need help from conditions."Harbhajan dismissed the significance of IPL form in the T20 World Cup. "This is what counts the most," he said. "If I was in their shoes, I would be looking for this opportunity to showcase that I have been better than what I have been doing."Harbhajan praised Virat Kohli's improved T20 batting, noting his increased strike rate. He emphasized the importance of Kohli and Rohit scoring quickly in the Powerplay while respecting the conditions in the USA and West Indies.Regarding the speculation about Gautam Gambhir becoming India's head coach, Harbhajan said, "The biggest thing a coach can do is to bring everyone together." He ruled out his own candidacy, citing family commitments.