Cricket

Pakistan cricket is navigating a period of upheaval, marked by coaching departures, leadership changes, and player dynamics. Amidst this turmoil, former captain Babar Azam has emerged as a beacon of hope, receiving a warm welcome upon his arrival in Australia for the upcoming white-ball series.Despite a recent dip in form, fans eagerly awaited Azam's arrival at the airport, eager to take selfies and offer words of encouragement. The viral video of his reception underscores his enduring popularity.Azam returns to international cricket after being rested for the final two Tests against England. Relieved of the captaincy burden, he can now focus solely on his batting. He will feature in three ODIs and three T20Is against Australia before sitting out the Zimbabwe series to prepare for future challenges.Off the field, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is grappling with turbulence following Gary Kirsten's abrupt resignation as white-ball coach. Kirsten, who signed a two-year deal in April, departed after just six months, citing internal disagreements. The PCB's decision to remove voting powers from coaches in team selection reportedly contributed to the friction.With Kirsten's departure, Test coach Jason Gillespie will guide the team on the Australia tour. Pakistan will begin training in Melbourne on November 1, with the first ODI scheduled for November 4.As the squad seeks stability under new captain Mohammad Rizwan, all eyes will be on Babar Azam to rediscover his form and anchor the team through these crucial matches. His batting prowess and leadership qualities will be vital as Pakistan navigates this challenging period.

The Mumbai Indians' dismal start to the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) has raised questions about the team's leadership dynamics, particularly the role of former captain Rohit Sharma. Despite Hardik Pandya being the designated skipper, Rohit has been observed actively involved in strategic decision-making, leading to speculation that some players may still view him as the true leader.During the match against Rajasthan Royals, commentator Irfan Pathan highlighted an incident involving pacer Akash Madhwal, who appeared to prioritize Rohit's tactical advice over Hardik's. This observation sparked concerns that Madhwal and potentially other players may not fully recognize Hardik's authority.Pathan emphasized the importance of establishing a clear leadership structure, stating that "this needs to change" and that Hardik Pandya is capable of asserting his authority. He suggested that the team's performance could suffer if players are not fully aligned with the designated captain.The Mumbai Indians' poor start to the season has been attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of consistency in batting and bowling. Despite a respectable total of 180 runs against Rajasthan Royals, the team's bowlers failed to contain the opposition's batsmen, allowing them to chase down the target with ease.Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as the star performer for Rajasthan Royals, scoring his second century in the IPL. His impressive innings helped his team secure a comfortable victory and extend Mumbai Indians' losing streak.The team's leadership issues and poor form have raised concerns among fans and analysts alike. It remains to be seen whether Hardik Pandya can effectively establish his authority and lead the Mumbai Indians to a turnaround in their fortunes.