Cricket

Khaleel Ahmed: MS Dhoni, My 'Guru' and the Architect of My DreamsIndian pacer Khaleel Ahmed has expressed his profound admiration for legendary cricketer MS Dhoni, describing him as his "guru" and sharing anecdotes that illuminate their exceptional bond.In a candid conversation with Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel, Khaleel, who made his ODI debut in the 2018 Asia Cup, recalled a cherished moment when Dhoni, captaining the team in Rohit Sharma's absence, entrusted him with bowling the first over against Afghanistan."Mahi bhai is not my friend, not my elder brother, he is my guru," Khaleel emphasized, revealing a deep respect that transcends typical teammate dynamics. He explained how this gesture fulfilled a childhood dream, inspired by watching his idol Zaheer Khan open the bowling for India."Since my childhood, I wanted to become the bowler who took the first over from India since I had watched Zaheer Khan growing up. In the Asia Cup, Mahi bhai asked me to bowl the first over. I ran so hard, away from the huddle thinking that if I give it time he might change his mind," Khaleel confessed, stressing the significance of the moment and the immense trust Dhoni placed in him.Khaleel also shared the story behind a viral photo of him receiving flowers from Dhoni. The incident took place during India's tour of New Zealand, where Dhoni gifted him flowers he had received from fans."We were in New Zealand, Mahi bhai's fans had given him flowers, he passed it onto me and some fans took a photo, it was quite memorable for me," the pacer added.Dhoni, who last played in IPL 2024 for Chennai Super Kings, continues to be revered for his leadership qualities and his ability to nurture talent. While his future in IPL remains uncertain, his legacy as a captain and mentor continues to inspire a generation of cricketers.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has been a beacon of inspiration for millions worldwide. His aggressive batting style, exceptional leadership skills, and unwavering consistency have etched his name indelibly in the annals of cricket history.Kohli's passion for the game is unparalleled. His relentless pursuit of excellence has made him one of the most respected figures in the sport. From 2013 to 2022, he captained the Indian cricket team in all formats, leading them to the finals of several major tournaments and establishing India as a dominant force in Test cricket.Kohli's batting prowess is unmatched. He is among the top run-scorers in international cricket, with over 70 centuries across formats. He holds numerous records, including being the fastest to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 ODI runs.Despite his remarkable achievements, Kohli has faced periods of poor form, as is common with even the most elite athletes. One of the most notable slumps in his career occurred between 2020 and 2022. During this time, he went through a century drought in international cricket, which was highly unusual for a player of his caliber.However, Kohli's resilience and determination shone through. In a recent podcast, he shared his insights on overcoming tough times: "How you react to the times when you are not feeling great and how you ride that wave and accept things the way they are. It's a very delicate thing to do when you know you're not doing well and you feel like you don't want to work, you don't want to go to practice, you don't want to work hard in the gym. But you feel like as an individual, you're respecting all phases of life, and even in your worst times, you are committed to do the hard work, and it's not based on success."Kohli's words resonate with athletes and individuals from all walks of life. His ability to embrace challenges and remain committed to his craft, even during adversity, is a testament to his unwavering spirit.

Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed permanent T20I captain of the Indian cricket team, has embarked on a journey to become a true leader, inspiring and guiding his team beyond the responsibilities of a captain. In his first series as captain, Suryakumar showcased his exceptional skills, earning the prestigious 'Player of The Series' title with two outstanding performances in the initial matches.However, his contribution extended further when he claimed two crucial wickets with his off-spin bowling during a nail-biting Super Over victory, adding an extra layer of satisfaction to his achievements. "Like I said before the series, I don't want to be the captain, I want to be the leader," Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation ceremony.He expressed endless admiration for his fellow players, who demonstrated immense courage and determination while safeguarding a humble total of 137 runs. "The amount of skill they have, self-confidence, it makes my job easy. The positivity, the care for each other is unbelievable. After the last game, I told few boys will be rested and they were ready to sit out."The Indian skipper said that just as people enjoy high scores of 220 or 230, they should also start appreciating low-scoring games, as it brings balance to the sport. "More than the last over, I feel when we were around 30/4 and 48 for 5, how the boys showed character, 140 was a par score on that track. I told, if we put our heart in it, we could pull it off."Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka couldn't explain what went wrong with the middle-order in all three games. "Definitely, really disappointed, especially the middle-order and lower-middle order. Very bad shot selection. The thinking was spinners were bowling and that's why Wanindu Hasaranga came up the order and we gave him the license to hit one or two boundaries," Asalanka said."I think especially we played some wrong shots and when the ball gets old, the shot selection has to be spot on. We can't give excuses and we have to do more than this."I want to see good batting performance in ODIs and I think the boys will do better," the dejected Lankan skipper added.

Pakistan's star pace bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has declared that his unwavering priority lies in securing victories for his nation, rather than pursuing the coveted role of captaincy. During a recent media interaction in Karachi, Afridi emphasized that leadership positions are not within his control and do not align with his personal aspirations."Pakistan's success takes precedence over everything else, followed by the team's performance, and only then do I come into the picture," Afridi asserted. "Dwelling on the past serves no purpose. My focus remains firmly on the present, and I refrain from speculating about the future. By excelling in the present, we can lay a solid foundation for the future. Captaincy is not something I can control, and it has never been a driving force in my cricketing journey. My sole motivation is to represent Pakistan with honor and dignity."Afridi's appointment as Pakistan's T20I captain came in the wake of the team's disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. He led the side in a five-match series against New Zealand, which Pakistan lost 1-4. Despite the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership abilities, Afridi's tenure as T20I captain was short-lived, as Babar Azam was reinstated as Pakistan's white-ball captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.Afridi's candid remarks underscore his unwavering commitment to his role as a player, with an unwavering focus on contributing to the team's success rather than seeking personal accolades. His primary objective remains to help Pakistan achieve victories on the cricket field, regardless of his position or responsibilities.

India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has expressed his desire to be recognized as a leader rather than merely a captain. His astute captaincy skills were evident in the first T20I against Sri Lanka, where he guided India to a successful defense of their total.Faced with a daunting chase of 214, Sri Lanka's openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, threatened to spoil India's plans. However, Suryakumar's tactical brilliance came to the fore. He brought back Arshdeep Singh, who dismissed Mendis, and then introduced Axar Patel, whose spin wizardry removed Perera and Nissanka, effectively turning the tide in India's favor.Suryakumar's leadership qualities were lauded by former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. However, Suryakumar aspires to be more than just a captain. "I don't want to be a captain; I want to be a leader," he stated.One of the highlights of the match was Suryakumar's decision to hand the ball to Riyan Parag. Despite failing with the bat, Parag proved his worth with the ball, claiming three wickets for just five runs in 1.2 overs. Suryakumar explained his rationale for giving Parag the opportunity, citing his impressive bowling skills in the IPL and nets.India ultimately defended their total, restricting Sri Lanka to 170. With a 1-0 lead in the series, India secured an unassailable advantage in the second T20I.

India's newly appointed T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has expressed his excitement about working with head coach Gautam Gambhir, with whom he shares a special bond dating back to their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Yadav, who has previously led India in seven T20Is, emphasized the importance of leadership and the lessons he has learned from various captains. He believes that being a leader on the field, even without the official title, has helped him grow as a player.Speaking about his relationship with Gambhir, Yadav recalled their time together at KKR, where Gambhir's guidance played a pivotal role in his development. He expressed his belief that Gambhir's understanding of his work ethic and mindset will be invaluable in their new roles with the Indian team.Yadav also highlighted the importance of humility and balance in life, lessons he has learned from his experiences in cricket. He believes that it is crucial to separate on-field performance from personal life and to maintain a sense of perspective.India's tour of Sri Lanka marks the beginning of a new era for both teams, with Gambhir and Sanath Jayasuriya taking over as head coaches for India and Sri Lanka, respectively. The series will feature three T20Is and three ODIs, with the first T20I scheduled for Saturday in Pallekele.India's T20I squad for the series includes a mix of experienced players and rising stars, with Yadav leading the charge as captain. The team will be looking to build on their recent successes and continue their dominance in the shortest format of the game.

Jasprit Bumrah Praises Rohit Sharma's Leadership, Reflects on Growth as a BowlerIndian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma's leadership skills, highlighting the strong bond and understanding they have developed over the years.Bumrah, who has played under Rohit's captaincy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Indian national team, recalled his early days with the Mumbai Indians, where he relied heavily on Rohit to set the field placements for him. However, over time, he realized the importance of becoming more self-reliant and started learning the craft himself."When I came into cricket, I didn't know a lot - when I started playing IPL - I used to go and tell Rohit Sharma you set the field, I don't know. I am going to bowl this ball, you set the field & I trust you, whatever the field right you set the field' - then slowly I realised I can't be overly dependent on others then I started learning the craft," Bumrah told Indian Express.Bumrah's growth as a bowler has been remarkable, and he is now considered one of the best in all three formats of the game. His stellar performance at the T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament, further cemented his status.Bumrah's ability to adapt and learn has been a key factor in his success. He has worked tirelessly to improve his skills and has become a more complete bowler. His ability to bowl with pace, accuracy, and control makes him a formidable opponent for any batsman.Bumrah's admiration for Rohit's leadership is a testament to the strong relationship they have built over the years. Rohit's ability to inspire and motivate his players has been a key factor in India's success under his captaincy.

Brian Lara's autobiography, "LARA: The England Chronicles," has sparked controversy with its claims about former West Indies captain Viv Richards. Lara alleges that Richards was an intimidating and abusive leader, causing him and teammate Carl Hooper to cry.Richards and Hooper have vehemently denied these accusations, releasing a joint statement condemning Lara's "gross misrepresentations." They assert that Richards was never aggressive towards Hooper and instead acted as a supportive mentor.Lara's book claims that Richards' "intimidating tone of voice" could affect anyone who was "not strong." However, Richards and Hooper maintain that their relationship was built on mutual respect and camaraderie.The controversy stems from an excerpt in Lara's book where he writes, "Viv used to make me cry every three weeks, but he would make Carl cry once a week. Viv's tone of voice is intimidating and if you're not strong enough, you can take that personally and be affected by it."Richards and Hooper have demanded a public retraction and apology from Lara, stating that his claims have caused undue distress to them and their families.Lara and Richards were teammates in only one match for the West Indies, while Lara played under Hooper's captaincy and later led the team that included Hooper.The controversy has raised questions about the nature of leadership in sports and the impact of verbal abuse on players. It has also highlighted the importance of accurate and respectful representation in autobiographies and other public accounts.

Shubman Gill, the prodigious Indian batter, has emerged as a formidable force in world cricket. Since his international debut in 2019, he has established himself as a cornerstone of India's batting lineup. Beyond his exceptional batting prowess, Gill has also showcased remarkable leadership qualities and an ability to thrive under pressure.As the captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gill led his team to victory in the 2022 season. His astute decision-making and calm demeanor on the field earned him widespread praise. Moreover, he recently captained a young Indian team to a 4-1 triumph in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.Gill's leadership potential has not gone unnoticed. He has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where India will play three T20Is and three ODIs. Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour believes that Gill has the potential to lead India across all formats in the future."He has shown terrific body language, which is a must if you are leading a side," Rathour said. "Now with the vice-captaincy, the BCCI has given him extra responsibility and I am sure he will thrive in this role."Rathour believes that captaincy can bring out the best in players, as it did for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He expects Gill to flourish in this leadership role and eventually lead India in all three formats.Gill's appointment as vice-captain is a testament to his growing stature within the Indian cricket team. His ability to handle pressure, make sound decisions, and inspire his teammates makes him a prime candidate for future leadership. As he continues to develop his skills and experience, Gill is poised to become one of the most influential players in Indian cricket.