Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has advised Pakistan's Babar Azam to prioritize domestic cricket and focus on improving his fitness and mental resilience. Sehwag's comments come after Azam's recent struggles in international cricket, which culminated in his omission from the final two Tests against England.Despite facing criticism, Azam displayed resilience in the second Test, scoring a gritty 118 against a formidable English bowling attack. However, Sehwag believes that Azam needs to address his mental and physical well-being."Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness, spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player," Sehwag said.Sehwag emphasized that Azam's mental state has been significantly affected by the pressure and expectations placed upon him. "With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong. He's a talented player, and players like him tend to bounce back quickly," he added.While Azam's absence from the Test team raised eyebrows, Pakistan's spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan proved their worth, taking all 20 wickets in the second Test. Sajid's 7/111 in the first innings and Noman's 8/46 in the second innings played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 125-run victory, leveling the series at 1-1.The series decider will be played in Rawalpindi from October 24, with both teams aiming to secure a series victory.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and a strong core of players as India prepares for a crucial two-year period. With major events like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, ICC Champions Trophy, and potentially the World Test Championship Final on the horizon, Doeschate aims to build a team that can withstand the pressure.Doeschate highlights the significance of a diverse pool of players who can fill multiple roles. He cites examples like Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Sanju Samson, who have demonstrated versatility in their batting positions. This flexibility allows India to adapt to different playing conditions and maintain a balanced team.However, Doeschate stresses that maintaining the right mindset is paramount. He encourages players to push their limits, take risks, and believe in their abilities. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space where players feel comfortable experimenting and expanding their game.Doeschate acknowledges Samson's recent struggles but expresses confidence in his potential. He hints that Samson will likely get another opportunity to showcase his skills in the third T20I. The coach also indicates that India will continue to explore the option of having frontline batsmen bowl a few overs to support the main bowlers.Despite focusing on long-term goals, Doeschate emphasizes the importance of winning each game. He believes that playing for one's country and putting oneself under pressure is crucial for the team's development. He also acknowledges the value of these less intense series in assessing fringe players and identifying their strengths and weaknesses.

Shane Watson, the former Australian all-rounder, has hailed Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as the most mentally resilient players he has encountered. Watson, who has had a distinguished career himself, highlighted Kohli's unwavering intensity and Dhoni's ability to simplify complex situations.Kohli, a right-handed batsman, recently topped the scoring charts in the IPL 2024, amassing 741 runs for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Watson praised Kohli's mental toughness and unparalleled intensity on the field. "There's only really a couple of other people that I've played with or played against who had that consistent intensity every moment of every game," said Watson. "That's why he's been able to sustain such high performances for such a long period of time."On the other hand, former Indian captain MS Dhoni is lauded for his contrasting approach to the game. Despite a lower intensity level compared to Kohli, Dhoni's ability to trust his intuition and simplify complex situations into manageable concepts stands out. Even at 42, Dhoni's strategic acumen and leadership qualities continue to shine. "He doesn't need to be like nine out of 10 with his intensity level; he needs to be at around six," said Watson. "Even at the ripe age of 42, he still knows how to be able to let his mind be free to be able to access his skills that are so deeply ingrained."Watson also discussed the mental preparation necessary for players transitioning from IPL conditions to international tournaments, such as the Men's T20 World Cup. He commented, "These are world-class cricketers who are going from an IPL, for example, and they're gonna have to make little adjustments to the conditions and pitches that they're gonna be facing. Also, whether it's temperature, and a new team environment as well. That's where by understanding these mental skills deeply and applying those into just who you are, you build a really strong, like a bulletproof cocoon around you."Furthermore, Watson commended Australian captain Pat Cummins for his leadership qualities, particularly his ability to foster an environment where players can express themselves freely and perform without fear of failure. "He gives you the right information to be able to clear your mind so you can, and are getting the best chance of executing your skills," said Cummins's compatriot. "The reason why in my mind, he's had so much success is that it's just natural, which is who he is, how he is and he's not trying to be someone else."