Cricket

Justin Langer Warns Against Underestimating India in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Australian cricketer and head coach Justin Langer has cautioned against underestimating the Indian team ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, despite their recent series loss to New Zealand. Langer emphasized the strength and resilience of the Indian team, highlighting their past successes in Australia."One thing you never do is write off champions, and that's in every sport, because they are a champion for a reason," Langer told The West Australian. "In India, there are one and a half billion cricket-loving people, and then count all the rest around the world, they expect nothing but excellence, and the team will be under intense pressure, so how they fight back will be important."Langer acknowledged the pressure on the Indian team but expressed his belief in their ability to bounce back. He also highlighted the star power within the Indian lineup, urging fans to savor their presence."And they'll be getting written off for being too old, but people say that all the time, and I just can't wait to see them play. I just hope, if this is the last time (Kohli) is out here, people enjoy it because he is a superstar, so is Rohit Sharma, so is (Ravi) Ashwin, so is (Ravi) Jadeja, so is (Jasprit) Bumrah."Langer drew parallels between the Australian and Indian teams, both boasting experienced bowling attacks, and encouraged fans to appreciate these players while they are still active."It's the same with the Australians; the bowling attack is a very senior attack now... so really enjoy it while you can; they are not going to be around forever,"To secure a spot in the World Test Championship final at Lord's next year, India needs to win at least four matches in the series. Langer believes India's recent loss to New Zealand might fuel their determination, making them a formidable opponent for Australia."India losing to New Zealand is a bit like North Melbourne beating Brisbane in the grand final at the moment. And not for one millisecond is that disrespect for New Zealand, because they are the great overachievers; they are brilliant."He acknowledged New Zealand's achievement in winning the series 3-0, emphasizing the pressure India will face to make amends for their performance."I think they'd won two Test matches (in India), and to win the series 3-0, that's an amazing achievement. They've just been beaten three-nil by New Zealand, so India will be humbled by that and equally determined to remedy it because the pressure on them will be intense."

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting and his former teammate Justin Langer may miss the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India due to their involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The match is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.Ponting and Langer are currently coaches for IPL franchises Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively. Their coaching commitments may necessitate their presence at the IPL auction, which is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.According to a report by The Age, Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori might also leave the Australian team early to attend the IPL auction. Vettori serves as the head coach for the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL franchise.Vettori's potential departure presents a challenge for Australia, as his presence as assistant coach is considered crucial during the Test series against India.Channel Seven secured a seven-year, AUD 1.5 billion broadcasting deal with Foxtel. However, despite this significant investment, the network may lose two of its prominent commentators, Ponting and Langer, to the IPL auction. The report suggests that Indian cricket authorities hold considerable influence in this matter.Last year, Ricky Ponting also departed from the Perth Test match early to attend the IPL auction, while Justin Langer remained with the Australian team until the match's conclusion.As of Wednesday, no decision had been made regarding whether Vettori would stay with the team through the entire Test or leave early for the auction, The Age reported.This situation presents a dilemma for prominent figures like Ponting, Langer, and Vettori, who must navigate the balance between their international cricket commitments and their franchise obligations.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, has set its sights on retaining a strong core of players from last year's squad in the upcoming mega auction. Head coach Justin Langer revealed that the team's objective is to bring back as many players as possible who contributed to their success in the previous season.LSG has already retained five players, including four Indians and two uncapped players. The retained Indian players are Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan. West Indian batter Nicholas Pooran is the only overseas player retained by the franchise."We are really pleased with announcing the four of the most talented Indian players in the country at the moment," Langer said. "We are setting a base for those strong Indian players... I'm excited about that."Pooran, known for his explosive batting, is a valuable addition to the LSG lineup. "Nicholas Pooran is a dynamic player in world cricket and we can't wait to see him in action again," Langer said.LSG released former captain KL Rahul before the retention deadline, leaving the team with a purse of Rs 69 crore for the mega auction. Rahul, who led LSG for three seasons, will now enter the auction pool."The retention for next year's IPL was really tough," Langer admitted. "There were lots of very careful deliberations, strong considerations to come up with the list of retentions."Pooran was retained for a whopping Rs 21 crore, making him one of the highest-paid players in the IPL. Bishnoi, Mayank, Mohsin, and Badoni were retained for Rs 11 crore each.LSG's focus on retaining a strong core of Indian players aligns with the franchise's long-term strategy. By building a solid foundation of talented domestic players, LSG aims to establish a competitive team that can challenge for the IPL title in the years to come.

Test Cricket: Time for a Rethink?Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has sparked a debate about the future of Test cricket, suggesting that it should be restricted to a select group of nations while T20 cricket takes on the responsibility of spreading the game globally.Shastri's comments come amid concerns about the declining appeal of Test cricket, particularly among younger audiences. The rise of T20 leagues worldwide has captured the attention of fans with its fast-paced and action-packed format."When you don't have quality, that's when the ratings drop," Shastri said. "You have 12 Test match teams. Bring it down to six or seven and have a promotion and relegation system."Shastri believes that reducing the number of Test-playing nations would ensure higher quality matches and sustain interest in the format. He also advocates for using T20 cricket to promote the game in developing countries.MCC President Mark Nicholas echoed Shastri's sentiments, emphasizing the financial benefits of T20 cricket. "T20 cricket is the behemoth that everybody wants," Nicholas said. "It's where the new market is, where the fans are, and where the money is."However, former Australia opener and head coach Justin Langer stressed the importance of protecting international cricket, citing its impact on young players. He pointed to the recent Test debut of West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph in Australia as an example of the transformative power of international cricket."It had Australia enthralled and it brought the Caribbean to life," Langer said. "That's bilateral cricket and international cricket."The upcoming England-West Indies Test series at Lord's is expected to draw significant attention, particularly as it marks the farewell match of veteran pacer James Anderson. Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies, expressed the importance of the series for the development of the team."It's probably the pinnacle Test series that we play," Grave said. "We're coming off a high, and for a number of the players, this will be the first time they've ever played at Lord's."The debate over the future of Test cricket is likely to continue, with different perspectives on how to preserve the traditional format while adapting to the changing landscape of the sport.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) recently hosted a symposium to discuss the future of Test cricket and the potential role of the 20-overs format in expanding the sport's reach. One of the key suggestions was to limit Test cricket to a smaller number of teams, such as six or seven, to maintain a competitive landscape.The appeal of Test cricket has declined in recent years outside of traditional strongholds like India, England, and Australia. This decline has coincided with the rapid growth of lucrative T20 leagues worldwide. While Test cricket still offers thrilling moments, the shorter and more action-packed nature of T20 cricket has become increasingly popular with new fans.Former Indian player and coach Ravi Shastri emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive Test cricket landscape. He believes that restricting participation to stronger teams is the only way to achieve this. "When you don't have quality, that is when the ratings drop, there are fewer people in the crowd, its meaningless cricket, which is the last thing sport wants," Shastri said.Shastri proposed a two-tier system, with the top six or seven teams playing in a promotion and relegation format. This would ensure that only the strongest teams compete in Test cricket, maintaining its quality and appeal.Justin Langer, the former Australian batsman and coach, expressed his support for T20 leagues but emphasized the importance of safeguarding international cricket. He believes that international cricket has a significant impact on the younger generation, as evidenced by the recent performances of West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph.MCC President Mark Nicholas summarized the key points discussed, emphasizing that the opinions expressed were not intended to imply that Test cricket was unjustified. He acknowledged that cricket, like any other sport, requires financial resources to sustain its existence."T20 cricket is the behemoth that everybody wants," Nicholas said. "It is where the new market is, where the fans are and where the money is."The symposium highlighted the challenges facing Test cricket in the modern era. While T20 cricket continues to grow in popularity, it is essential to find ways to maintain the quality and appeal of Test cricket. Limiting participation to a smaller number of teams and implementing a promotion and relegation system could be potential solutions to ensure the future of the longest format of the game.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a global cricketing extravaganza that attracts the world's top players and coaches. Among them is Justin Langer, former coach of the Lucknow Super Giants. Langer's experience in India has left him awestruck by the unparalleled hero worship surrounding MS Dhoni."It's extraordinary," Langer exclaimed on BBC Sport's cricket podcast. "I've heard about it, but when you witness it firsthand, it's unbelievable. In Lucknow, our stadium was packed with 50,000 fans, and 48,000 of them were wearing Dhoni's number seven jersey."Langer's observations extend beyond Dhoni's popularity. He notes that the hero worship in India is a double-edged sword. "I saw the flip side with Rohit Sharma," he said. "He's a huge hero, but when he stepped down as Mumbai Indians captain, he was booed every game. It's sad to see, but it's a reflection of the intense passion and expectations of Indian cricket fans."Despite the occasional negativity, Langer remains impressed by Dhoni's humility and leadership style. "When he walks onto the ground, he's so calm and composed," Langer said. "It's a quality that's becoming more prevalent in captains around the world."Langer's insights offer a glimpse into the unique cricketing culture of India. The hero worship of players like Dhoni is a testament to the sport's deep-rooted significance in the country. However, it also highlights the challenges that come with such intense scrutiny and the need for players to maintain their composure amidst the whirlwind of adulation and criticism.

MS Dhoni's Enduring Legacy: A Force to Reckon With in the IPLDespite relinquishing the captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni remains an indomitable force in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His presence on the field continues to inspire awe and admiration, both from opponents and fans alike.Dhoni's influence is palpable in the unwavering support he commands from CSK fans. Playing against CSK in Chennai has become a daunting task for opponents, with the crowd overwhelmingly clad in Dhoni jerseys. Even during away games, CSK fans turn out in droves, proudly displaying their allegiance to the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman.Justin Langer, coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, has witnessed firsthand the extraordinary fandom surrounding Dhoni. He compares Dhoni's following to that of cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. "It's unbelievable. The hero worship in India is unbelievable," Langer remarked.Langer notes that Dhoni's popularity can overshadow other players, as evidenced by the challenges faced by Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma. However, he emphasizes the importance of embracing the hero worship rather than being disheartened by it.Dhoni's enduring legacy in the IPL is a testament to his exceptional leadership, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination. His presence on the field continues to captivate fans and inspire his teammates. As the IPL progresses, Dhoni's influence will undoubtedly remain a significant factor in the fortunes of the Chennai Super Kings.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied reports that former Australian cricketers Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer were approached for the position of head coach of the Indian senior men's team. BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that the board has not contacted any former Australian cricketer for the coaching role.Shah emphasized the significance of the head coach position for Team India, which boasts a massive global fan base and a rich cricketing history. He stressed the need for a highly professional coach who can nurture the team's talented players and elevate Indian cricket to new heights.Shah clarified that the BCCI is focused on identifying candidates with a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and who have risen through the ranks. He believes that an in-depth knowledge of the domestic cricket framework is crucial for the coach to effectively guide Team India.Ponting had previously revealed that he was contacted about the head coach position but declined due to lifestyle considerations. He expressed his desire to coach a national team but acknowledged that the time commitment and conflict with his IPL involvement made it unsuitable for him at present.Langer, who was reportedly interested in the role, also withdrew his candidacy after receiving advice from Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul. Rahul cautioned Langer about the immense pressure and political dynamics involved in coaching Team India, which he described as significantly more challenging than managing an IPL franchise.The BCCI has set a deadline of May 27 for applications for the head coach position. The board is expected to conduct a thorough selection process to identify the most suitable candidate to lead Team India into the future.

Justin Langer Withdraws from India Head Coach Race After KL Rahul's AdviceFormer Australian head coach Justin Langer has withdrawn his name from contention for the India head coach position, citing the immense pressure and commitment involved. Langer's decision came after a conversation with Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul, who advised him that coaching Team India is a far more demanding task than managing an IPL franchise."It would be an amazing job, [but] I have [put myself out of contention]," Langer said on BBC's Stumped podcast. "I also know that it's an all-encompassing role, and having done it for four years with the Australian team, honestly, it's exhausting. And that's the Australian job!"Rahul's words resonated with Langer, who acknowledged the intense scrutiny and political dynamics that come with coaching the Indian team. "I was talking to KL Rahul and he said, 'You know, if you think there's pressure and politics in an IPL team, multiply that by a thousand, [that's] coaching India. That was a good bit of advice, I guess," Langer said.Langer's withdrawal follows similar decisions by other high-profile candidates, including Australian legend Ricky Ponting and New Zealand great Stephen Fleming. The deadline for applications for the India head coach job closes on May 27, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the successful candidate soon after.Langer's decision highlights the demanding nature of coaching international cricket teams, particularly in high-pressure environments like India. The Indian team is one of the most followed and scrutinized in the world, and the head coach is expected to navigate a complex landscape of expectations, media attention, and political interference.While Langer may have withdrawn from the race, his experience and insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring coaches. The importance of understanding the unique challenges and pressures of coaching at the international level cannot be overstated.