Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, has revealed the invaluable lessons he has learned from his predecessor, Rohit Sharma. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance and composure, Yadav credits Sharma's leadership philosophy for shaping his own approach to captaincy.According to Yadav, Sharma's philosophy revolves around staying grounded and maintaining a level head, even in the face of adversity. He has taught Yadav that life balance is essential for players to handle losses and setbacks without becoming overly emotional.As India's T20I captain, Yadav has adopted Sharma's approach of dedicating substantial time with teammates away from the cricket field. He believes that this enhances their performance during matches by fostering strong interpersonal relationships and camaraderie."Winning and losing is part and parcel of sports," said Yadav. "I have learnt from him (Rohit) that in life, balance is important. After doing well, even if you lose, your character should not change. This is one quality a sportsman should have."Yadav views Sharma as a true leader who goes beyond the role of a captain. He has observed Sharma's calm demeanor, his ability to treat players with respect, and his keen understanding of their mental state."A leader is one who decides how his team plays a particular format," said Yadav. "I have been noticing him for nearly ten years. I know how he treats his players, what he wants from them. That route I have also taken as he has been successful."Yadav has customized Sharma's approach to align with his own leadership style and requirements. He believes that understanding players' mental state and emotional well-being is crucial for maximizing their potential performance."You have to understand what's happening around and what's going on in their minds," said Yadav. "There needs to be a comfort level as they have different types of skill sets. The freedom to express themselves is very important and I am trying to give them that."Yadav's adoption of Sharma's leadership principles has been evident in his own captaincy style. He has fostered a positive and supportive environment within the team, encouraging players to express themselves and perform to the best of their abilities.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to grant newly-appointed white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan a "decent run" to prove his leadership credentials. Rizwan took over the captaincy after Babar Azam stepped down following Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.Ponting expressed concern over Pakistan's frequent leadership changes, stating that it creates instability. He believes that Rizwan's performance during the ongoing tour of Australia will provide valuable insights into his leadership abilities."He's the sort of player that I love watching. Aggressive player that takes the game on, and wears his heart on his sleeve a little bit," Ponting said of Rizwan. "I reckon you can see he gets quite emotional out on the field, out on the ground as well, which I think is a good thing. It tends to show that you really care about what you're doing and what your team's trying to achieve."Ponting emphasized the importance of giving Rizwan a fair chance to demonstrate his leadership skills. "The proof will be in the pudding. I mean, we won't know (until they) give him a decent run at it," he said. "So I think in a few months time, or maybe in a few weeks time, even here in Australia with the one-dayers, the T20Is coming up, we might have a better idea in three or four weeks time."Pakistan's second ODI against Australia will be played in Adelaide on Friday, followed by the series finale in Perth on Sunday. The two teams will then face off in a three-match T20I series starting on November 14 in Brisbane.

David Warner, the enigmatic Australian opener, has been reinstated as captain of the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. This momentous decision comes after Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct Commission overturned his leadership ban, which stemmed from the infamous Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018.Warner's return to the captaincy marks a significant milestone in his career and a testament to his unwavering determination. The 36-year-old expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "Captaining the Thunder again this season means a lot to me. I was part of the team from the start, and now to be back with that 'C' next to my name feels fantastic."Warner's appointment as captain is not merely a symbolic gesture but a strategic move by the Thunder. His vast experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to a team that finished bottom of the table last season. Warner is eager to share his knowledge with the younger players, fostering their growth and preparing them for future leadership roles.Trent Copeland, the Thunder general manager, hailed Warner's return as a pivotal moment for the club. "This is a huge moment for David and for our club," he said. "It's not only about his career; it's about the legacy he's creating, especially for his family and the next generation of players."Warner's leadership ban was lifted after a thorough review process that considered his sincere remorse and acknowledgment of his past conduct. The review panel noted his "respectful and contrite tone" and his genuine desire to make amends.Since his CA ban, Warner has captained teams in various T20 leagues around the world, including the BPL, IPL, and ILT20. His last stint as captain of an Australian team was in 2018 when he led the T20I side against New Zealand.The Thunder will kick off their BBL campaign against the Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17. They will then face their arch-rivals, the Sydney Sixers, in the first derby clash at the Showground on December 21. With Warner at the helm, the Thunder will be hoping to make a strong statement and challenge for the BBL title.

Hardik Pandya's leadership of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been extended for the 2025 season, despite the team's dismal performance under his guidance in 2024.Pandya's reappointment was met with mixed reactions. Some fans and experts believe that he deserves another chance to prove himself as a captain, while others question his ability to lead a team to success.Pandya himself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue leading MI. "I have received a lot of love back, (it) means the world to me. My journey started here and you know everything that I have achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indians," he said.Referring to MI's five retained players, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, Pandya stated, "We are five fingers but one fist, that's how I look at it."However, the question remains whether Pandya can transform the five fingers into a cohesive unit on the field. In IPL 2024, MI finished at the bottom of the table, appearing disjointed and lacking direction.The upcoming season will be a crucial test for Pandya's leadership skills. With Rohit Sharma, India's Test and ODI captain, Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, and Jasprit Bumrah, India's Test vice-captain, in the team, Pandya will need to find a way to manage their egos and create a harmonious environment.MI owner Akash Ambani expressed confidence in his team's abilities. "We have always believed that the strength of a family lies in its core and this belief has been reinforced during the course of recent events," Ambani said."...This unified effort reinstates MI's commitment to building strong trust and ownership amongst our core group, our fans, and other stakeholders. We will strive to continue playing the passionate brand of cricket everyone expects from us."

Imran Khwaja has been reappointed as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) deputy chair, extending his tenure until December 1, 2024. This reappointment coincides with the commencement of BCCI secretary Jay Shah's term as ICC chair.Khwaja's association with the ICC Board began in 2008, and he has served as deputy chair since 2017. He has also held the position of interim chair, stepping in after Shashank Manohar's term ended in July 2020. In the subsequent leadership election, Khwaja contested against Greg Barclay, who ultimately won after two rounds of voting.At the ICC annual general meeting in Colombo in July 2023, Khwaja was re-elected as one of three Associate member directors to sit on the ICC Board. In August 2023, Shah was appointed chairperson unopposed, replacing Barclay, who had served two of his three terms. At 35, Shah became the youngest and fifth Indian to hold the position of ICC chair.The ICC has also voted on a recommendation that alters the tenure limits for the ICC chair and board directors. Previously, the maximum tenure was three terms of two years each. Under the new regulations, the maximum tenure will be two terms of three years each.Khwaja's reappointment as deputy chair ensures continuity and stability within the ICC leadership. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as the ICC navigates the evolving landscape of international cricket.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian cricket captain, is set to make a grand return as the skipper of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision comes after extensive discussions between Kohli and the RCB management, who believe that his leadership is crucial at a time when the team is facing a leadership vacuum.Faf du Plessis, who led RCB in the previous cycle (2022-24), is now 40 years old, and the franchise has decided to hand over the reins to Kohli, who is still considered one of the best batsmen in the world. Kohli led RCB from 2013 to 2021, guiding the team to the playoffs on four occasions. They came agonizingly close to winning the title in 2016, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.Kohli stepped down from RCB captaincy in 2021, but he has remained an integral part of the team. He has consistently been involved in the decision-making process and has provided valuable guidance to the younger players. RCB has never won an IPL trophy, and they hope that Kohli's return as captain will bring them the elusive title.The franchise has already begun preparations for the upcoming mega auction, which is less than a month away. They have identified Kohli as the leader and will now focus on filling the remaining gaps in the squad. Kohli has expressed his commitment to RCB, stating that he will play his last IPL game for the franchise.Even without the official captaincy, Kohli has been the de facto leader of RCB in recent years. He has always been fully engaged in the game, providing support and guidance to his teammates. RCB considered other captaincy options, including Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, but ultimately decided that Kohli was the best choice to lead the team forward.Kohli's return as RCB captain is a significant development for the franchise. He is a proven leader with a wealth of experience. His passion and commitment to the team are undeniable. With Kohli at the helm, RCB will be hoping to finally break their IPL title drought in 2025.

Shreyas Iyer's Future with Kolkata Knight Riders Uncertain Amidst Retention TalksAhead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retentions, the future of Shreyas Iyer with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remains uncertain. Despite leading KKR to the IPL 2024 title, media reports suggest a lack of communication between the player and the franchise.According to Times of India, KKR has finally initiated talks with Iyer but is not considering him as their top retention pick. Sources close to the developments express surprise at this decision, given Iyer's proven leadership abilities and success with Delhi Capitals.Multiple franchises have reportedly approached Iyer for a leadership role, indicating his high demand in the league. Sources believe that if he enters the auction pool, several teams will be eager to acquire his services.Meanwhile, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has suggested five possible retentions for KKR: Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, and Sunil Narine. He believes these players form the core of the team's success in the previous season.However, the final decision on retentions rests with the KKR management. It remains to be seen whether they will prioritize Iyer's leadership qualities or opt for a different strategy. The IPL 2025 retentions will provide clarity on the future of Shreyas Iyer and the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has hailed Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as an "extraordinary leader" at the NDTV World Summit. Cameron, a self-proclaimed cricket enthusiast, was asked to name his favorite Indian cricketer and heaped praise on both Rahul Dravid and Kohli.Cameron recalled watching legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi and witnessing Dravid's brilliant century in England. He then highlighted Kohli's exceptional leadership qualities, stating that he had witnessed "incredible captaincy and inspiration" from the Indian batter on the field."I think in Virat Kohli, you had an extraordinary leader. Sometimes, you can see, as we have done with Ben Stokes as our captain, just incredible captaincy on the field and inspiration. I think you had that with Virat Kohli," Cameron said.Cameron also expressed his admiration for the upcoming generation of British-Indian cricketers, predicting that they would soon challenge India and potentially emerge victorious.Kohli recently joined an elite group of cricketers by scoring his 9,000th run in Test matches during the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Batting at No. 3, Kohli turned the tables after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings.Alongside Sarfaraz Khan, Kohli forged a crucial partnership of 136 runs that revived India's innings. He reached his half-century off 70 balls and carefully accumulated the additional three runs needed to reach the milestone.Kohli became the 18th player to score 9,000 runs in Test cricket and joined Joe Root and Steve Smith as the only active players in this exclusive club. He also became the fourth Indian to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian cricketer, has always held Test cricket in the highest regard, considering it the ultimate test of a player's skill, character, and mental fortitude. Throughout his illustrious career, Kohli has consistently emphasized the unique challenges posed by the longest format of the game, which demands adaptability, resilience, and unwavering focus.Beyond his exceptional batting prowess, Kohli's on-field demeanor has become synonymous with his aggressive and passionate approach to the game. One of his signature gestures is the energetic crowd interaction, where he turns towards the stands and pumps up the spectators, urging them to amplify their support. This act of rallying the crowd is a testament to Kohli's deep connection with fans and his ability to harness their energy to fuel his own performance and that of the team.Kohli's crowd interaction is particularly evident during pivotal moments in matches, especially in high-pressure situations. Whether it's encouraging support during a crucial partnership, celebrating a key wicket, or raising the energy during tense periods, Kohli's ability to involve the fans plays a significant role in creating an intense atmosphere. His charisma and emotional expressions on the field not only lift the morale of the team but also amplify the excitement in the stadium.This crowd interaction is one of the many reasons Kohli has such a strong bond with Indian cricket fans, who see him as not just a player but a passionate leader who thrives on the collective energy of the team and the spectators. His ability to connect with the crowd and channel their support into his own performance is a testament to his exceptional leadership qualities and his deep understanding of the game.