Cricket

Hardik Pandya's appointment as Mumbai Indians' captain in 2024 sparked controversy among fans, leading to frequent booing and criticism. However, India and MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah has revealed the team's unwavering support for Pandya during this challenging period.Bumrah emphasized that the team strongly disapproves of the negative behavior directed towards Pandya. "We don't encourage or promote that. We don't think it's warranted," he stated. The team rallied around Pandya, providing him with support and encouragement.The situation took a dramatic turn after India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pandya's match-winning performance in the final, where he dismissed key South African batsmen, earned him widespread praise and admiration. The narrative shifted, and the fans who had once booed him now cheered him on."The narrative just changed when we won the World Cup," Bumrah said. "This is part of the journey. It's us against the world. We will try to give as much support as we can."Pandya's impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, where he scored 144 runs at a strike rate of over 150 and claimed 11 wickets, further solidified his position as a valuable asset to the team.Bumrah's comments highlight the importance of team unity and support, especially in the face of adversity. The Mumbai Indians' unwavering belief in Pandya's leadership and abilities ultimately helped him overcome the initial backlash and establish himself as a respected captain.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, has had the privilege of playing under three legendary captains: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Each captain has left an indelible mark on Bumrah's career, shaping his development and instilling in him a unique set of values.Under Dhoni's astute leadership, Bumrah gained confidence and security. Dhoni's unwavering belief in his instincts and ability to create a supportive environment allowed Bumrah to flourish in the international arena. Kohli, on the other hand, ignited a passion within Bumrah, emphasizing the importance of fitness and pushing the team to new heights. Kohli's energy and determination inspired Bumrah to become a more complete player.Rohit Sharma, the current captain, has brought a different dimension to Bumrah's game. Rohit's empathy towards bowlers and willingness to listen to feedback have created a collaborative atmosphere where Bumrah feels valued and respected. Rohit's open-mindedness has allowed Bumrah to experiment with different strategies and develop his skills further.Despite the differences in their leadership styles, all three captains have shared a common goal: to bring success to the Indian cricket team. Bumrah credits each captain for their unique contributions and acknowledges that their guidance has played a pivotal role in his growth as a player.Bumrah's ability to adapt and learn from each captain is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. He has embraced the strengths of each leader, incorporating their teachings into his own game. As a result, Bumrah has become one of the most feared and respected bowlers in the world, capable of delivering match-winning performances in all formats of the game.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, is expected to return for the three-Test series against New Zealand starting on October 16. However, he may be rested for the two Tests against Bangladesh in September. The Indian team management and selectors are considering adding a left-arm seam and swing bowler to the pace attack for greater variation.Arshdeep Singh, a regular in the T20 format, and Khaleel Ahmed, who is highly rated but injury-prone, are the two main contenders for the left-arm seamer role. Arshdeep has experience playing County cricket for Kent, while Khaleel has shown improvement but can be erratic.In terms of Bumrah's availability, the decision will ultimately depend on his fitness. The team management is keen to have him fully fit for the five-Test series against Australia Down Under.Meanwhile, Ajay Ratra is the frontrunner to become the North Zone national selector. Salil Ankola's term has ended, and Ratra, a former India wicketkeeper, is expected to fill the vacant slot.

After a well-deserved break following the Sri Lanka series, the Indian cricket team will reconvene next month for a two-Test series against Bangladesh. This extended break is a rarity for Indian cricketers, providing much-needed respite after a grueling schedule.However, according to reports, India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for the Bangladesh series. The decision stems from the team's hectic upcoming schedule and the spin-friendly conditions expected in Bangladesh. With Mohammed Shami likely to make a comeback, the BCCI selectors may opt to give Bumrah additional rest.Bumrah has a history of injury-related breaks, including a stress fracture surgery in March 2023. To ensure his fitness for the upcoming tour of Australia, the selectors may prioritize his recovery.Meanwhile, the BCCI has shifted one of the opening matches of the Duleep Trophy from Anantapur to Bengaluru to accommodate top players who are likely to feature in the Bangladesh series. Senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may be exempted from the tournament, while others like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and KL Rahul are expected to participate partially or fully.The Duleep Trophy, scheduled to begin on September 5, will provide an opportunity for players to prepare for the Bangladesh series. The two Tests will be played in Chennai (September 19) and Kanpur (September 27).

Ravi Shastri, India's former head coach, has hailed Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup, describing him as a "magician with the ball." Shastri highlighted two pivotal moments in India's triumph: their victory over Pakistan in the group stage and their unexpected win against South Africa in the final.In the India-Pakistan clash, Bumrah's dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan turned the tide in India's favor, as Pakistan was comfortably placed at 80/3. In the final against South Africa, Bumrah's game-changing spell in the 16th over, conceding only four runs and dismissing Marco Jansen, put the Proteas on the defensive.Shastri praised Bumrah's ability to control the flow of the game, comparing him to legendary bowlers like Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. He noted that Bumrah's wicket of Rizwan in the final was crucial, as it shifted the momentum in India's favor.Shastri also lauded Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular boundary catch that dismissed David Miller, bringing South Africa down to 161/7 with five deliveries remaining. He emphasized that Miller's dismissal was a game-changer, as he is known for his big-hitting abilities.Furthermore, Shastri expressed admiration for Rishabh Pant's resilience in returning to top-level cricket after a near-fatal car accident. He praised Pant's exceptional keeping skills, noting that he hardly missed a catch despite the pressure of the tournament.

Jasprit Bumrah: MS Dhoni's Current Favorite BowlerIndia's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as a formidable force in the world of cricket, earning the admiration of legendary players like MS Dhoni. At the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the Americas, Bumrah showcased his exceptional skills, leading India to their second T20 World Cup title and earning the prestigious Player of the Tournament award.Bumrah's performance at the tournament was nothing short of remarkable. He finished as the tournament's third highest wicket-taker, claiming 15 wickets in just 8 matches. His economy rate of 4.17 RPO was a testament to his ability to control the flow of runs and put pressure on the opposition.Dhoni, a two-time World Cup winning skipper, has been vocal in his praise for Bumrah. At a recent event, when asked to choose his favorite India batter and bowler, Dhoni毫不犹豫地选择了Bumrah。"Picking a current favorite bowler is easy. Bumrah is there," Dhoni said. "Picking a current favorite batter is tough because there are quite a lot of terrific batters in our side at the moment. I don't want to pick a batsman. Hopefully they will keep scoring runs."Bumrah's success at the T20 World Cup was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. He has consistently been one of India's most reliable bowlers, and his ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a nightmare for batsmen.After the T20 World Cup triumph, Bumrah was rested from the tour of Sri Lanka to manage his workload. However, he is expected to return to action soon and continue his impressive run of form.With Bumrah leading the charge, India will be confident of continuing their success in the upcoming ICC tournaments. His exceptional skills and unwavering determination make him a key asset for the team, and he is sure to play a pivotal role in India's future triumphs.

With the Tokyo Olympics captivating global attention, the upcoming India-Sri Lanka limited-overs series may have flown under the radar for some fans. However, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's interim head coach, emphasizes the "massive importance" of this series for young players from both sides.Jayasuriya, a legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, believes that the series provides a crucial platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience. He acknowledges the strength of the Indian team, which has been performing exceptionally well in recent tournaments. Despite the challenge, Jayasuriya expresses confidence in his team's ability to compete and potentially emerge victorious.Reflecting on Sri Lanka's recent performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the T20 World Cup, Jayasuriya identifies areas for improvement. He highlights the need for batters to convert their starts into substantial scores and for the team to address minor deficiencies. He emphasizes the importance of bowlers performing consistently to secure victories.Jayasuriya praises Yashasvi Jaiswal, a promising left-handed Indian batsman, for his aggressive style and dedication. He believes that Jaiswal's hard work and sacrifices have contributed to his success.When asked about countering a formidable bowler like Jasprit Bumrah, Jayasuriya acknowledges his exceptional skills. He advises respecting Bumrah's abilities but also capitalizing on his occasional off days. He emphasizes the importance of clear thinking and execution for bowlers to succeed at the highest level.Jayasuriya also discusses the unique bowling talents produced by Sri Lanka, including Pathirana, Theekshana, and Hasaranga. He attributes their success to maintaining their natural bowling styles while learning from their mistakes. He credits the IPL and Sri Lanka Cricket for providing these bowlers with opportunities to develop and gain confidence.The article concludes by mentioning the recent changes in the Indian team management, including the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as head coach and the elevation of Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill to leadership roles. Jayasuriya views these changes as a positive step towards the future, providing players with opportunities and responsibilities to foster their growth.

Team India is gearing up to face Sri Lanka in a white-ball series, commencing with three T20I matches from Saturday. The absence of former skipper Rohit Sharma from the shortest format has sparked discussions about his replacement. While all-rounder Hardik Pandya seemed like a potential candidate, the newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have surprisingly named batter Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for the T20Is against Sri Lanka.The decision has raised questions about star pacer Jasprit Bumrah's exclusion from the captaincy race. Bumrah, who played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, has expressed his views on the matter."I cannot approach the team and demand to be made captain. It's beyond my authority. I believe bowlers are the intelligent ones because we have to dismiss batters. We constantly face challenges due to shorter grounds and superior bats. I can't recall any technology or innovation that significantly enhances ball swing. People enjoy watching the ball being hit around and sixes being scored," Bumrah stated at the Indian Express Adda."Bowlers are doing the difficult work. They're not hiding behind a bat or a flat wicket. When a game is lost, bowlers are blamed. It's a demanding task. I take great pride in it. You face numerous obstacles. Bowlers develop innovative strategies to succeed because of these challenges. Facing adversity makes you more courageous, and leadership requires courage. We've seen Pat Cummins excel. I've witnessed Wasim Akram lead. Kapil Dev and Imran Khan have won World Cups. Bowlers are the intelligent ones. Sometimes, it's physically demanding, which is why batters often assume leadership roles. In my opinion, bowlers are the smart ones," he added.Traditionally, bowlers have not been considered for team captaincy. However, Bumrah cited the example of Australia's skipper Pat Cummins, who led his team to ODI World Cup and World Test Championship titles."Perception shifts with results. I faced the perception that my bowling action wouldn't work, but now people try to imitate it. You don't need to say anything; let your results speak for themselves. Pat Cummins is a prime example. I've achieved many positive outcomes. He won the World Cup and WTC. I don't believe it's a burden. When you play cricket, you want responsibility," said Bumrah."You don't want to hide and be a backbencher. You must have the mindset that if you give me the ball, I will make a difference. I believe there is no greater feeling than having responsibility. Injuries can happen to anyone," he added.

Jasprit Bumrah Offers Insights on Hardik Pandya's Challenges as Mumbai Indians SkipperIndia's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has shed light on the challenges faced by Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya during the 2024 IPL season. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Bumrah discussed the difficulties Pandya encountered and the importance of mental resilience in dealing with criticism and adversity.Pandya, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, faced intense scrutiny and frequent booing from fans, particularly at the Wankhede Stadium. The team's poor performance, finishing last in the IPL standings with only four wins in 14 matches, further exacerbated the situation.Bumrah emphasized the importance of blocking out negative thoughts, a strategy Pandya employed during the challenging period. He acknowledged the impact of fan reactions on players, especially when playing in front of a home crowd."It's not that simple saying 'just don't focus on it.' They're screaming, and you can hear it, but then, the inner circle helps you. We, as a team, don't encourage that, we don't promote that, we don't think that is warranted," Bumrah said.Bumrah highlighted the significance of team support and family during such times. "Now, the world can think what they want to. We as a team were talking to him, if he needed support, his family will always be there. Certain things are beyond your control. If it happens, it happens."The Indian pacer also pointed out the dramatic shift in public perception of Pandya following his outstanding performances in the T20 World Cup. However, he cautioned that the narrative could quickly change again with just one loss.Reflecting on the nature of sports and its emotional highs and lows, Bumrah remarked, "You understand it now, because we play a sport that is so popular, every sportsman will go through these things. In football, you see fans booing the best players in the world. This is a part of the sportsman's journey, things will happen that are not great, sometimes, it might not be fair also, but it is the way it is."Bumrah concluded by encouraging Pandya and others to take challenges in stride. "We have had a great life, we're doing good things in our sport and for ourselves. All these challenges will come, but it will be better if you take it in the right manner."