Cricket

The Indian cricket team has commenced preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The team arrived at the venue on Thursday night and took to the field the following day under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel.The series marks the return of several key players to the Test fold. Virat Kohli, who last featured in the format during India's tour of South Africa in January, will be eager to regain his form after a disappointing T20 World Cup and Sri Lanka tour. KL Rahul, who missed the majority of the England Test series due to injury, has also made his comeback.The pace attack will be bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been out of action since the T20 World Cup final. He will be joined by Mohammed Siraj and debutant Yash Dayal. The spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will provide balance to the team.Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side, while Rishabh Pant returns to Test cricket for the first time since his life-threatening accident in December 2022. Pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal have received maiden call-ups, adding depth to the bowling department.The series against Bangladesh will be a crucial test for India as they prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The team will be looking to build momentum and find their rhythm ahead of the highly anticipated clash.

India's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh presents a dilemma for the team management: prioritize immediate success or prepare for the crucial tour of Australia later this year. The choice between Sarfaraz Khan's flamboyant batting and KL Rahul's experience has become a focal point.Khan's impressive performances in the home series against England showcased his fearless approach and technical prowess. His twin half-centuries in Rajkot and another fifty in Dharamsala highlighted his precise footwork and ability to handle both pace and spin. However, Rahul's decade-long experience in the national setup and his role as former Test captain give him an edge.A BCCI source emphasized Rahul's recent performances and fitness as key factors. Despite missing two previous Test tours of Australia due to injuries, Rahul scored a century in Sydney in 2014. His knack for scoring at significant overseas venues, combined with his extensive range of strokes, keeps him ahead in the pecking order.The same principle of continuity applies to the wicketkeeper position, where Rishabh Pant's exceptional Test credentials make him the preferred choice over Dhruv Jurel. Jurel's impressive performance in the England series is acknowledged, but Pant's exceptional Test record remains unmatched.One position with notable competition is the third spinner's spot, where Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are contenders. Axar's recent performances in the Duleep Trophy, where he showcased his all-round skills, have strengthened his case. However, Kuldeep's previous success against Bangladesh and his array of variations might give him an edge on favorable batting tracks.While Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel have proven their potential, the emphasis for now seems to be on experience and previously demonstrated success. India's team management is balancing immediate responsibilities with strategic preparations for the Australia tour, where continuity and experience will be crucial.

The Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India, has been a platform for the country's top players to showcase their skills and prepare for international assignments. However, a recent concern has emerged regarding the slow over-rates maintained by teams during the tournament.In the first-round match between India-A and India-B at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, key batters like Rishabh Pant and K.L. Rahul impressed with their performances. However, both teams struggled to maintain healthy over-rates, falling short by 11 overs on day one, 16 on day two, and 18 on day three.According to a seasoned umpire, one of the reasons for the slow over-rates is the increased use of the Decision Review System (DRS). Players often request reviews even when they have little chance of success. Additionally, strategizing mid-over and between successive balls has become more common, leading to delays.In international cricket, teams are penalized for slow over-rates. However, in the Duleep Trophy, there are only financial penalties and a maximum ban of one match for the skipper. This has led to a lack of strict enforcement, with teams taking the penalties lightly.The umpire emphasized that financial penalties are not sufficient to deter teams from maintaining slow over-rates. He suggested that stricter measures, such as point deductions, should be implemented.India has qualified for both World Test Championship finals so far, but it has not been immune to the problem of slow over-rates. While playing abroad, where pacers do the heavy lifting, the side has been penalized, most notably in the 2022 Edgbaston Test versus England and the 2023 Centurion game against South Africa.If India wants to avoid a repeat of these penalties, it is imperative that it addresses the issue of slow over-rates. The next two rounds of the Duleep Trophy provide an opportunity for the teams to improve their over-rates and ensure that they are ready for the upcoming international challenges.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season was marred by a controversial incident involving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjeev Goenka and skipper KL Rahul. Following LSG's humiliating 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Goenka was caught on camera having a heated confrontation with Rahul.LSG spinner Amit Mishra, in an interview with YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra, shed light on the incident. Mishra revealed that Goenka's anger stemmed from LSG's consecutive heavy defeats. "He was disappointed. We lost two back-to-back matches very badly," Mishra said. "It felt like we were bowling them during a net practice session."Mishra clarified that Goenka's criticism was directed at the team's lack of fight and poor bowling performance. "He said that the bowling was very bad and the team should have shown some fight," Mishra explained. "It looked like you have completely surrendered."However, Mishra downplayed the severity of the incident, attributing it to the media's sensationalism. "It was not a huge deal," he said. "But I later came to know that he said that the bowling was very bad and the team should have shown some fight. It looked like you have completely surrendered. But I feel people and media hyped it up a bit."Amidst rumors of Rahul's potential departure from LSG, Mishra expressed his belief that the team should prioritize a captain with a strong T20 mentality and a commitment to the team's success. "It does not matter if he is in the Indian team or not," Mishra said. "But a person who has the right mentality for T20s should be the captain. Someone who plays for the team should be captain. I am sure LSG will look for a better captain."

Following India's triumph at the ICC T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game. As a result, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is poised to take over the captaincy of the Men in Blue in T20Is. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is expected to lead the team in ODIs, according to sources.Pandya's appointment as T20I captain is a testament to his impressive performance at the World Cup. He amassed 144 runs in six innings, averaging 48.00 and striking at 151.57, including a half-century. With the ball, he claimed 11 wickets in eight games, averaging 17.36 and boasting an economy rate of 7.64.Pandya's resurgence is particularly noteworthy given the criticism he faced during the IPL 2024 season as captain of the Mumbai Indians. However, he has silenced his detractors with his exceptional performances at the World Cup.On the other hand, KL Rahul's omission from the T20 World Cup squad despite his strong showing in the ODI World Cup 2023 has raised eyebrows. However, he is now set to lead the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Rahul has a proven track record in ODIs, having scored 386 runs in nine innings at an average of 77.20 and a strike rate of 98.72.In a separate development, Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir, a former left-handed opener for India, has served as the team mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Under his guidance, KKR won their third IPL trophy in 2024.Gambhir's appointment is seen as a positive step by the BCCI, which believes he has the experience and vision to lead Indian cricket forward. He takes over from Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended after the T20 World Cup.

Lucknow Super Giants Owner's Outburst: Rishabh Pant Weighs InOver a month after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka's angry outburst at skipper KL Rahul, Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Rishabh Pant has shared his perspective on the incident.Goenka's outburst, captured on camera, occurred after LSG suffered a humiliating defeat to SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a crucial match. SRH chased down a 166-run target in just 58 balls, marking the biggest loss in IPL history in terms of balls to spare.Pant, while acknowledging that he was unaware of the specific details of the exchange between Goenka and Rahul, emphasized that such conversations are common after heavy losses. He also revealed that he has experienced similar exchanges but handles them in his own way."I actually didn't understand what happened in that situation. It seemed so by looking at it, and although I'm not sure what happened, there was something there. When you lose a match, there are obviously a lot of conversations. But the way it was portrayed, I'm not sure. I didn't see the video in real-time; otherwise, I would have given you an answer. I get scolded every day, but I'm also stubborn," Pant said on 'Aap ki Adalat' on India TV.Goenka's attachment to LSG is evident, having bid over Rs 7000 crore to acquire the franchise in 2021. Under Rahul's captaincy, LSG reached the playoffs in its first two years. However, this year, the team finished outside the top four.The franchise underwent a significant management change, with Justin Langer replacing Andy Flower as head coach. Despite these changes, LSG failed to replicate its previous success.Pant's comments highlight the pressure and scrutiny that team owners and captains face in the high-stakes environment of the IPL. While such exchanges may be common, they underscore the importance of maintaining professionalism and finding constructive ways to address team performance.

Former BCCI chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar believes India possesses one of the strongest teams heading into the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Despite the absence of key players like KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rinku Singh, Vengsarkar expressed confidence in the team's capabilities."The current Indian team is one of the best in the world," Vengsarkar stated. "If you could include Gill, Rahul, or Rinku Singh, it would be an even stronger team. I wish them all the success because they are among the best in the world right now."Vengsarkar acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the T20 format, emphasizing that any player can emerge as a match-winner on any given day. "It's difficult to say who the key players are in this format," he said. "Everybody is important. The first six overs are crucial, but anything can happen in this format."India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA. Virat Kohli was absent from team training this week but is expected to join the squad before their warm-up match against Bangladesh on Saturday.Vengsarkar's comments highlight India's potential as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. The team boasts a balanced squad with experienced players and rising stars. While the absence of Rahul, Gill, and Singh may be a concern, Vengsarkar's confidence in the team's strength is a positive sign for Indian cricket fans.

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.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul expressed his disappointment with the team's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 despite their victory against Mumbai Indians in their final fixture. LSG ended the season with 14 points from 14 games, failing to qualify for the playoffs.Rahul acknowledged the team's strong start but attributed their struggles to injuries and a lack of collective performance. He praised the development of LSG's Indian pacers, highlighting the franchise's investment in their training.Reflecting on his own performance, Rahul admitted to learning valuable lessons about his batting and expressed a willingness to adjust his role in the team. He also discussed the team's batting order strategy, explaining the decision to have senior international players bat in positions where they could absorb pressure.Despite the disappointing season, Rahul remained optimistic about the future. He emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and looked forward to future opportunities in his cricketing career.