Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken a proactive step towards preparing for the 2025 Champions Trophy by appointing five legendary cricketers as mentors for domestic and international players. This move aims to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket and identify and nurture future stars.The Champions One-Day Cup, scheduled to commence on September 12, will serve as a platform for domestic players to showcase their skills alongside senior team members. To ensure the tournament's success, the PCB has enlisted the expertise of Waqar Younis, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Saqlain Mushtaq as mentors.These former stalwarts will provide guidance and support to the teams, focusing on strategic planning, team-building, leadership development, and personal growth. Their vast experience and knowledge will be invaluable in shaping the next generation of Pakistani cricketers.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the importance of these mentors, stating, "They will play a pivotal role in the development and progression of our emerging cricketers. Their expertise will help us identify, develop, and nurture the next generation of cricketers across all formats."The Champions One-Day Cup will be held at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, marking the return of One-Day cricket to the venue after a two-year hiatus. The tournament will provide a competitive environment for domestic players to impress the selectors and earn a spot in the national team.The PCB's decision to appoint these mentors reflects its commitment to improving the quality of domestic cricket and preparing for the upcoming Champions Trophy. With their combined experience of over 32,000 runs and 1,500 wickets in international cricket, these mentors will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the development of Pakistani cricket.

Punjab Kings and Railways batter Ashutosh Sharma's maiden First Class century on his Ranji Trophy debut was made possible by a bat gifted to him by Shikhar Dhawan, who had been impressed by his batting during the pre-season camp for the 2024 Indian Premier League in Mumbai.Sharma, who smashed eight sixes and twelve fours in his 84-ball 123 against Gujarat in January, revealed that Dhawan's gesture had a profound impact on his performance. "The best thing was when I met him for the first time for the (IPL 2024) pre-season camp. The first time he watched my batting, he gave me a bat. I made my maiden First Class hundred with that bat!" Sharma exclaimed.Dhawan's support extended beyond the gift of a bat. Before Sharma's first IPL game against Gujarat Titans, Dhawan offered words of encouragement. "I know you will do it for the team. This cricket is the same as domestic cricket. Just calm your nerves," Dhawan advised.Sharma's composure under pressure was evident in his 17-ball 31 (3x4, 1x6) in the final overs of that match, helping PBKS chase down 200 with three wickets and a ball to spare.Sharma's admiration for Dhawan extends beyond his batting prowess. "I've spoken a lot with Shikhar Paaji (at PBKS). He taught me about visualization and manifestation, to always think positively," Sharma said. "I learnt how a legend like him and a foreign player like Sam Curran perform in tough situations. The main thing is that I learnt how to handle pressure."Sharma's journey from a promising young cricketer to a First Class centurion is a testament to the power of mentorship and self-belief. The bat gifted by Dhawan served as a physical reminder of his potential, while Dhawan's guidance provided the emotional support and technical insights that helped him unlock his talent.

Zaheer Khan, the former Indian fast bowler, is reportedly in talks with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise for a mentorship role. LSG is keen on bringing in a seasoned Indian player with extensive T20 experience to bolster their coaching setup following the departure of Gautam Gambhir.Zaheer, who recently stepped down as Mumbai Indians' head of global development, has been approached by two other franchises as well. Prior to his role at MI, he served as the franchise's director of cricket from 2018 to 2022.LSG has been without a mentor since Gambhir's departure late last year. Gambhir, who played a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders' third IPL title triumph in 2024, has since taken over as India's head coach. Morne Morkel, the former South African pacer who was LSG's bowling coach, has joined Gambhir's team as the bowling coach.In addition to the mentorship role, LSG is also considering giving Zaheer a broader profile that would involve scouting and player development during the off-season. The franchise's backroom staff is currently led by Justin Langer, who replaced Andy Flower as head coach ahead of IPL 2024. Lance Klusener and Adam Voges serve as his assistants.After securing playoff berths in their first two seasons, LSG narrowly missed out on a top-four finish in 2024 due to net run rate. Zaheer's potential return to the IPL comes at a time when teams are preparing for a mega auction. The IPL is expected to announce the retention rules by early September.Zaheer represented three franchises during his playing career: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils. He played 100 matches across ten seasons, claiming 102 wickets at an economy rate of 7.59. His last IPL appearance was in 2017, when he led the Daredevils before retiring from all forms of cricket.Meanwhile, Punjab Kings is also searching for an Indian head coach to replace Trevor Bayliss. They were reportedly interested in VVS Laxman, but that option is no longer available as Laxman has extended his tenure as head of the BCCI's National Cricket Academy. Sanjay Bangar currently serves as Punjab Kings' head of cricket development.

Ajay Jadeja's selfless mentorship played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's remarkable performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup. The former Indian star declined all financial compensation from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), prioritizing the team's success over personal gain."We repeatedly offered compensation, but Jadeja refused, stating that our success was his reward," said ACB CEO Naseeb Khan.Jadeja's guidance proved invaluable as Afghanistan stunned former champions England and Pakistan, along with a formidable Bangladesh side. Their journey ended at the hands of Glenn Maxwell's double century.Jadeja's illustrious career included 196 ODIs for India, amassing 5,359 runs with six centuries and 30 half-centuries. He also played 15 Tests, scoring 576 runs.Afghanistan's head coach, Jonathan Trott, hailed Jadeja's contribution, crediting him for transforming the team from "minnows" to a respected force.Jadeja's selfless act underscores his unwavering commitment to the sport and his belief in the potential of Afghanistan's cricketers. His mentorship has left an enduring legacy, inspiring the team to strive for greater heights.

Gautam Gambhir's return to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has proven to be a catalyst for the team's resurgence, leading them to their third IPL title in 2023. Beyond his tactical acumen, Gambhir's mentorship and unwavering belief in his players have played a pivotal role in KKR's success.Gambhir's connection with KKR runs deep, having captained the team to two previous titles in 2012 and 2014. His return in 2023, after a brief stint with Lucknow Super Giants, was met with both excitement and anticipation.Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR has undergone a transformation. He has instilled a positive and confident atmosphere in the dressing room, empowering players to perform at their best. One of his key decisions was to promote Sunil Narine as an opener, a move that has paid dividends. Narine's explosive batting has provided KKR with a solid foundation in the powerplay.Gambhir's unwavering support has also been instrumental in Mitchell Starc's resurgence. Despite initial struggles, Gambhir backed the Australian pacer, recognizing his potential. Starc's match-winning performance in the knockout stages, including a crucial wicket in the final, vindicated Gambhir's faith.Beyond his tactical prowess, Gambhir's mentorship has extended to young players like Nitish Rana. Rana credits Gambhir for his positive influence and the team's improved body language.Gambhir's return to KKR has not only brought success but has also rekindled his emotional connection with the franchise. His passion and dedication have inspired the team and the city of Kolkata.

Virat Kohli's remarkable consistency across all formats of cricket has established him as a modern-day legend. His ability to adapt to diverse playing conditions and his insatiable hunger for runs have made him a formidable opponent for any bowling attack. However, behind Kohli's success lies the invaluable guidance of former Indian captain MS Dhoni.According to legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar, Dhoni played a pivotal role in shaping Kohli into the exceptional player he is today. "When Virat Kohli started his career, it was a stop-start career. The fact that MS Dhoni gave him that little extra momentum is why he is the Kohli we see today," Gavaskar stated on Star Sports.Gavaskar's comments highlight the importance of mentorship in the development of young talent. Dhoni's belief in Kohli's abilities and his willingness to provide support and guidance proved instrumental in unlocking Kohli's full potential.However, Gavaskar's praise for Dhoni's role in Kohli's success has not been without controversy. In the past, Gavaskar had criticized Kohli's slow strike rate in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This led to a war of words between the two, with Kohli defending his approach and questioning Gavaskar's expertise as a commentator.Despite their differences, Gavaskar remains adamant that his comments were not intended as a personal attack on Kohli. "We all played a bit of cricket, not a lot of cricket. We don't have agendas. We speak about what we see. We don't necessarily have any likes and dislikes," Gavaskar explained.Gavaskar's belief in the value of constructive criticism is evident in his comments. He believes that former cricketers, with their experience and knowledge of the game, have a responsibility to provide insights and analysis that can help improve the performance of current players.The relationship between Kohli and Gavaskar is a complex one, marked by both admiration and occasional disagreement. However, it is a testament to the passion and intensity that both men bring to the game of cricket.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, renowned for his mastery of the pull shot, recently shared his expertise with uncapped Indian batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The encounter occurred after the IPL 2024 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.Ponting, now the head coach of DC, took time out to guide Raghuvanshi on the intricacies of playing the pull shot. The video of their interaction, shared by the IPL on social media, has garnered widespread attention."Making the most out of the opportunities. Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi receives some valuable post-match lessons from the @DelhiCapitals Head Coach @RickyPonting," the IPL captioned the video.Raghuvanshi has made a significant impact in this year's IPL, earning a place in the playing XI after an injury to Nitish Rana. In five innings, he has played crucial knocks of 54, 24, and 30.On Monday, he did not get the chance to bat as an impact substitute, as KKR secured an easy victory.After DC opted to bat, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy led KKR's disciplined bowling attack, restricting the hosts to 153-9. In reply, Phil Salt led the chase with an opening stand of 79 with Sunil Narine, guiding the two-time champions to victory with 3.3 overs to spare.Ponting's guidance to Raghuvanshi highlights the importance of mentorship and knowledge sharing in sports. The former Australian captain's insights can help the young Indian batter refine his technique and improve his performance.