Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace spearhead, has emerged as a pivotal force in Team India's recent successes, particularly in the ongoing T20 World Cup. His exceptional performances have earned him high praise from former all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who has likened him to the "Reserve Bank of India" for his reliability and consistency.Bumrah's three-wicket haul against arch-rivals Pakistan in a low-scoring encounter was a testament to his ability to deliver under pressure. His deadly spell helped India secure a crucial victory in the tournament opener. Against Afghanistan, he registered impressive figures of 4/7, further showcasing his dominance.Pathan lauded Bumrah's ability to set the tone for the bowling attack, particularly in the early overs. "He is like the Reserve Bank of India. He is absolutely safe. You expect him to perform when he bowls four overs in any situation. He sets up the game," Pathan said.Bumrah's effectiveness stems from his unwavering line and length, coupled with his judicious use of slower balls. "He bowls good lengths. If you see his pitch map, you will get to see a cluster, the slower ones, and you will see him using the bouncer only when it's required," Pathan observed.In the ongoing World Cup, Bumrah's ability to generate reverse swing in the latter stages of the innings has been a significant advantage for India. "When Jasprit Bumrah will come to bowl in the end, you will get to see a little reverse as well. It's a very big factor if India have to win this World Cup," Pathan emphasized.Bumrah's exceptional skills and unwavering determination have made him an indispensable asset for Team India. His ability to control the flow of runs and take crucial wickets has been instrumental in India's victories. As the tournament progresses, Bumrah's contributions will be crucial if India is to lift the coveted trophy.

Pat Cummins' Humble Act Highlights Australia's Winning CultureFormer Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has hailed the "culture" of the Australian cricket team after Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins was seen carrying drinks for his teammates during their ICC T20 World Cup opener against Oman.Cummins, who led Australia to victory in the ICC World Test Championship and ICC Cricket World Cup last year, was not included in the playing XI for the match against Oman. However, he showed his commitment to the team by carrying drinks for his teammates.Pathan expressed his admiration for Australia's decision to bench their multi-world championship-winning captain in favor of T20 specialist Nathan Ellis. He noted that Cummins' willingness to carry drinks despite his status as a World Cup-winning skipper demonstrated the team's strong culture."The CULTURE," Pathan tweeted.In the match itself, Australia was restricted to 50/3 at one point but recovered to post a competitive total of 164/5 thanks to half-centuries from Marcus Stoinis and David Warner. Oman's bowlers struggled to contain the Australian batsmen, with Mehran Khan being the pick of the bowlers with 2/38.In the run-chase, Oman kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 125/9 in their 20 overs. Stoinis was the standout performer with the ball for Australia, taking 3/19, while Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis, and Mitchell Starc also picked up two wickets each.Stoinis' all-round performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has advocated for Rishabh Pant to bat at No. 3 in India's T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Ireland. Pathan believes this strategy, which proved successful in the warm-up match against Bangladesh, would provide India with a left-handed batter in the powerplay, making it difficult for opponents to trap him on the off-side.Pathan's proposed playing XI includes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as openers, followed by Pant at No. 3. He also suggests including Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya in the batting lineup. For the bowling department, Pathan selects Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav as spinners, along with three pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj.However, Pathan acknowledges that the team composition may need to be adjusted when India plays in the West Indies. He proposes replacing one of the pacers with Axar Patel, who provides a solid all-rounder option at No. 8.

The recent IPL season witnessed a tumultuous change in leadership at Mumbai Indians, with Rohit Sharma stepping down as captain and Hardik Pandya taking over. This decision sparked widespread controversy, with fans expressing their disapproval of Pandya's captaincy style.Despite Mumbai Indians' disappointing 10th place finish, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that the internal issues within the franchise should not be discussed in the national dressing room. He emphasizes that the focus should be on Rahul Dravid's expectations for each player and ensuring their alignment with the team's goals.Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden echoes Pathan's sentiments, stating that the issue should not be addressed at all during the World Cup. He highlights the importance of a strong and unified dressing room where leadership is evident without explicit communication.Pathan also draws attention to the celebrity culture in Indian cricket, which he believes can sometimes hinder the team's performance. He compares it to the Australian cricketing culture, which lacks such a celebrity element. Pathan suggests that finding a balance between the two cultures would benefit Indian cricket.As India prepares for their first T20 World Cup game against Ireland on June 5, Pathan emphasizes the need for a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities within the team. He believes that the players should focus on executing Dravid's plans and maintaining a positive and supportive environment.

England Players' Early IPL Exit Sparks DebateLegendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and all-rounder Irfan Pathan have criticized England players for leaving the Indian Premier League (IPL) early this season. With the T20 World Cup approaching, England captain Jos Buttler and several other players returned home to prepare for the tournament.Gavaskar has called for penalties against the players, while Pathan believes they should either commit to the full season or not participate at all. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan has defended the players, stating that representing their country takes precedence.Vaughan pointed out that the England players left to play a five-match series against Pakistan, which was scheduled on the calendar. He believes that the players' absence from the IPL will give them a better chance to prepare for the T20 World Cup.This year's IPL schedule has been criticized for not having enough double-headers on Saturdays, which has led to the season being stretched. Vaughan believes that if the schedule had been more compact, the England players would not have left early.Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Will Jacks, and Reece Topley are among the England players who have left the IPL to join the national squad. Their departure has raised questions about the commitment of foreign players to the tournament.The debate over the England players' early exit highlights the tension between national and franchise cricket. While players have a responsibility to represent their countries, they also have contractual obligations to their IPL teams. Finding a balance between these commitments is crucial for the long-term health of both international and domestic cricket.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) rollercoaster ride in IPL 2024 has taken a disappointing turn, with their playoff hopes dashed after a crucial loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Despite a promising start, CSK's campaign has been marred by injuries, a new captain, and the absence of their legendary leader, MS Dhoni.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns over CSK's leadership, suggesting that Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy could face a similar fate to Ravindra Jadeja's in 2022. Pathan emphasized the team's pedigree in winning crucial moments but highlighted their current struggles."CSK has a lot of issues at the moment," Pathan said. "Injury issues, new captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is no longer leading them. You might have seen him occasionally setting the field, but he is not the captain. You might have remembered what happened when [Ravindra] Jadeja led the side and it didn't end well, the same can happen again."Pathan also weighed in on Dhoni's future in the IPL, speculating that the CSK vs RCB match could be his last. However, he acknowledged that it remains uncertain.Ahead of the match, Pathan had predicted an advantage for RCB, which proved accurate as they emerged victorious by 27 runs. He emphasized the importance of momentum in the tournament."Nothing is easy. It's not going to be easy for both teams. RCB has the momentum, a solid momentum. And if they win as there is no more dangerous side than the one in strong momentum," Pathan concluded.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has advocated for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bat higher up the order for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their crucial final league match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Saturday. Pathan believes that Dhoni's current hitting form and the high-scoring nature of the Bengaluru ground make a compelling case for this change.Pathan acknowledges that Dhoni's batting has evolved since his peak years, but he emphasizes that Dhoni's recent form has been impressive. "He is striking fast bowlers for sixes over the covers. He has excellent reach this time, and it comes with good fitness and when the knees are in good shape," Pathan said.Pathan also highlights the fact that the Bengaluru ground is not conducive to spin bowling, which could further benefit Dhoni's batting. "There's no turn and the ground is not big. And the bowling of RCB is also not up to the mark," Pathan noted.Despite Dhoni not being the official captain, Pathan emphasizes his leadership role within the team. "Even though he is not officially captain of the side, still he is one of the leaders of the team. So taking all the situations into account, he should take the responsibility and come to bat up the order," Pathan said.Pathan also addresses Dhoni's running between the wickets, saying, "He is running and when two can be scored he runs with the same intensity and looks good. Then why not? You had said that you are playing for the fans, then fans want to see you spend more time on the pitch with the bat."The upcoming clash between RCB and CSK is a high-stakes encounter that will determine the final team to qualify for the IPL playoffs. CSK, with 13 points and a superior net run-rate, are favorites due to their historical performance at the venue. RCB, with 12 points, face a tougher challenge and must win decisively to secure their playoff spot.Adding to the drama is the forecast of rain, which could result in a washout favoring CSK's playoff chances. RCB will need to win by at least 18 runs or chase their target with about 11 balls to spare to advance, intensifying the pressure on the in-form team.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoff race has reached its climax, with three teams vying for the final spot. Sunrisers Hyderabad has secured their place, while Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Punjab Kings have been eliminated. The remaining contenders are Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Lucknow Super Giants.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan predicts a fierce battle between RCB and CSK in their crucial clash on Saturday. RCB has gained momentum with recent victories, while CSK faces challenges with injuries and a new captain.Pathan highlights RCB's strong bowling attack, particularly Mohammed Siraj, who has been in impressive form. He also emphasizes the importance of Virat Kohli scoring runs for RCB and MS Dhoni batting higher up the order for CSK.The match holds significance as it could potentially be Dhoni's last game. Pathan believes that CSK's pedigree and experience could prove crucial, but RCB's current form makes them a formidable opponent.The outcome of the RCB-CSK clash will significantly impact the playoff landscape. A win for RCB would boost their chances of qualifying, while a victory for CSK would keep their hopes alive. Fans eagerly anticipate this "mouth-watering clash," which promises to deliver intense competition and drama.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised concerns over Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL), suggesting that it could impact India's opening combination for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Jaiswal, who is considered a potential opener for India in the T20 World Cup, has struggled in recent matches for Rajasthan Royals. In their fourth consecutive defeat, Jaiswal managed just four runs against Punjab Kings.Pathan believes that Jaiswal's current form could lead the Indian team to rethink their opening partnership. "It's a massive area of concern because I believe Yashasvi Jaiswal should start in the World Cup as he is a left-handed batter," Pathan said on Star Sports. "So the opposing team won't start with a left-arm spinner. They will hesitate a little if he is in form."However, Pathan also acknowledged the dilemma India might face, weighing the option of an in-form Virat Kohli opening alongside Rohit Sharma versus persisting with Jaiswal, who is relatively young and inexperienced. "The team will think whether they should open with in-form Virat Kohli alongside Rohit Sharma, or go with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is young and inexperienced. So it's extremely necessary for him to come in form," Pathan added.Despite Jaiswal's struggles, Pathan noted the silver lining of him getting more opportunities due to Rajasthan Royals' qualification in the tournament. However, he underscored the impact of Jaiswal's form on the team's performance, particularly in the absence of Jos Buttler."The good thing for Yashasvi is that he will get chances because his team has qualified, and if they make a place in the top two, he will get more chances. Keeping that in mind, there are a few positive things for Yashasvi, but this form will trouble Rajasthan Royals a lot as well," Pathan said.Observing Jaiswal's dismissal against Punjab, Pathan analyzed the opener's approach and suggested that he seemed unsettled and indecisive, ultimately leading to his downfall.