Cricket

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed his support for Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's decision to miss the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to the birth of his second child.Clarke, who is known for his unwavering commitment to cricket, believes that family should always come first. He recalled the birth of his daughter as the most special moment of his life, emphasizing that he would have prioritized his family over any cricket match."To be honest, the greatest day of my life over any cricket event, over any Test match victory, over captaining Australia. The greatest day of my life was the day when my daughter was born, and being there for that moment was the most special moment of my life," Clarke said.Clarke acknowledged Rohit's passion for playing for India, but he believes that the Indian skipper's decision to be present for the birth of his child is a testament to his priorities."I have no doubt that in an ideal world, it would have been great if his second child came a week early or two weeks early so he could play every Test match. Rohit loves playing for India as much as I love playing for Australia. He is a great player and a wonderful captain. He will be missed. But every single person must respect that decision of any man," Clarke noted.Clarke's comments echo the sentiments of many cricket fans and experts who have come out in support of Rohit's decision. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, however, had suggested that Rohit should feature in the opening Test, sparking a debate on social media.Despite the absence of Rohit, Clarke believes that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a fiercely contested series. He praised the quality of both teams and predicted that the matches would be close and exciting."I think it's going to be a great series. India is a very good team, and Australia is a very good team. I think it's going to be a very close series. I think it's going to be a very exciting series," Clarke said.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli's ability to perform well in the upcoming Test series against Australia. Clarke highlighted Kohli's impressive record in Australia, where he has scored six centuries in 13 Tests.Clarke believes that the media hype and build-up surrounding Kohli will motivate him to perform. He also emphasized that Kohli's familiarity with the Australian conditions will be an advantage."Virat Kohli has had a lot of success in Australia. He still has the game and will be hungry. The conditions will suit him. I am very sure he will score the maximum runs for India," Clarke said.Kohli's recent form has been a cause for concern, with the batter averaging just 20.33 in 19 international matches this year. However, Clarke believes that Kohli can turn things around in Australia."If he gets runs in the first game, he will get runs all series. He loves the fight and getting into the action. All of this will pump him up for sure," Clarke added.Kohli's struggles in Tests have been particularly noticeable since 2020. In 34 Tests since then, he has averaged just 31.68, with only two centuries.However, Kohli's record in Australia remains impressive. In 13 Tests, he has scored 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08, with six centuries and four fifties.The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia begins on November 22 in Perth. The series will be a major test for Kohli, who is facing increasing pressure to deliver.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed concerns about the Indian cricket team's recent performances against New Zealand, attributing their struggles to a demanding schedule. Clarke believes that the team's mental fatigue is evident in their shot selection, bowling choices, and captain Rohit Sharma's admission of not being at his best.Despite these observations, Clarke remains optimistic about India's prospects in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. He believes that key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, once well-rested, will lead the team to a strong performance.Meanwhile, former Australian captain Aaron Finch has disagreed with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar's views on India's captaincy. Gavaskar had suggested that in Rohit Sharma's absence, the team's vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, should captain India for the entire series to maintain continuity.Finch, however, believes that Rohit Sharma should remain the captain even if he misses the first Test or two due to personal reasons. He emphasized the importance of family moments and the need for Rohit to take the necessary time off.The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series, consisting of five Test matches between India and Australia, is scheduled to commence on November 22. The series is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams boasting talented players and a rich history of rivalry.

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024. The tournament will be held from July 1 to 21, featuring five franchises competing across three iconic venues in Colombo, Dambulla, and Kandy.Clarke, a legendary cricketer with an illustrious international career, expressed his excitement about returning to Sri Lanka for the LPL. "It's an honor to be in Sri Lanka for the LPL," he said. "I have very fond memories here, as one of my first Australian tours was an Under-19 World Cup in this country."The 43-year-old Clarke believes that the LPL will play a crucial role in developing Sri Lankan cricket. "This tournament is very important as it will help grow Sri Lankan cricket as well," he said. "I'm excited to see some young faces who can be the face of Sri Lankan cricket in the coming time."Clarke joins a prestigious list of LPL brand ambassadors, including cricket icons Vivian Richards, Wasim Akram, and Sanath Jayasuriya. His appointment is expected to further enhance the tournament's profile and attract global attention.The LPL 2024 will feature a total of 24 matches, with each franchise playing each other twice in the league stage. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, culminating in the final on July 21.The tournament is expected to showcase some of the best cricketing talent from Sri Lanka and around the world. It will provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience.

Former Australian cricket captains Michael Clarke and Aaron Finch have expressed concerns over the timing of David Warner's recent remarks regarding the impact of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Warner, who is nearing the end of his international career, stated that he has faced the brunt of criticism since the incident.Clarke believes that Warner's comments are fair but poorly timed. He argues that other players, such as Cameron Bancroft, have also faced significant consequences. Clarke suggests that Warner's remarks may have been more appropriate after the World Cup rather than during the tournament.Finch echoed Clarke's sentiments, expressing surprise at Warner's timing. He believes that Warner's comments could potentially distract the team during a crucial stage of the competition.Warner's remarks have sparked a debate about the lasting impact of the ball-tampering scandal. Clarke acknowledges that the incident will always be part of Warner's legacy, but he believes that his brilliance as a cricketer will ultimately overshadow it.Warner's close friend, Usman Khawaja, has previously suggested that some of Warner's behavior before the ban was influenced by team instructions. Khawaja believes that Warner has changed his approach since his return to the team in 2019.Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, Warner remains a key player for Australia in the T20 World Cup. If the team wins the tournament, he could become one of only four players to have played in three finals across all three formats.

India's decision to field four spinners in their T20 World Cup squad has sparked debate, with skipper Rohit Sharma defending the strategy as part of a well-thought-out plan. The inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal as wrist-spinners, along with Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel as left-arm spinners, has raised questions about the team's balance.Former Australian captain Michael Clarke believes India's spin-heavy approach could be a game-changer. "I think India have taken a risk with the squad they have picked, but in the conditions I have played in the Caribbean, how you play spin is going to be a huge part of whether you succeed or not," Clarke said on ESPN.Clarke also highlighted India's status as favorites due to their extensive match preparation. "If you look at the favorites for the World Cup, it's got to be India just because of the amount of cricket they have played," he added.The decision to prioritize spin reflects India's belief in the effectiveness of slow bowling in the Caribbean conditions. The pitches in the region are typically slow and low, providing assistance to spinners. Additionally, the presence of four spinners allows India to rotate their bowlers and maintain pressure on the opposition.However, some critics argue that the inclusion of four spinners could leave India vulnerable to pace-heavy attacks. The absence of a genuine fast bowler in the squad could be a concern, especially against teams with strong batting lineups.Despite the differing opinions, India's decision to field four spinners is a bold move that could pay dividends in the Caribbean conditions. The team's success will ultimately depend on the ability of their spinners to control the opposition's scoring rate and create wicket-taking opportunities.

The Mumbai Indians' disappointing exit from the IPL 2024 playoffs has sparked speculation about the dynamics between former captain Rohit Sharma and current skipper Hardik Pandya. Amidst the turmoil, former Australian captain Michael Clarke has offered his insights into the situation, shedding light on the relationship between the two players.Clarke believes that despite the team's struggles, Rohit Sharma remains a strong leader who will support Pandya during challenging times. "Knowing Rohit Sharma, he will wrap his arms around Hardik Pandya," Clarke said on the Around the Wicket podcast. "That shows the character that Rohit is. He is the Indian captain and trust me… he wants to win that World Cup."Clarke also highlighted Sharma's influence in team selection, suggesting that Pandya's inclusion in India's T20I World Cup squad is a testament to Sharma's support. "If the beef between Rohit and Hardik was as strong as people think, Hardik wouldn't be in that World Cup campaign," Clarke emphasized. "The Indian captain has that much power."While acknowledging the potential division within the Mumbai Indians camp, Clarke recognized Pandya's talent and Sharma's belief in him. Despite Pandya's subdued performance in the IPL, Clarke underscored his potential to excel on the international stage, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching."I think while there are obviously issues with how Rohit was released from his duties as captain of Mumbai Indians, I don't think that will affect their friendship, selection or Rohit Sharma," Clarke added. "He will make sure Hardik is as focused as possible. As long as Hardik is performing, Rohit knows how important he is for that Indian team."Clarke's observations provide a nuanced perspective on the situation, highlighting the complex relationship between Sharma and Pandya. Despite the challenges faced by the Mumbai Indians, Clarke believes that Sharma's leadership and support will be crucial for Pandya's success on the international stage.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed concern over Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's recent string of low scores, suggesting that the fatigued batter may benefit from a break before leading India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.Rohit, who is set to captain India in the global tournament next month, has struggled with four single-digit scores in his last five matches for Mumbai Indians in the current IPL season. The 37-year-old has endured a demanding season, including a rigorous five-Test series preceding the IPL, with Mumbai Indians now almost out of contention for the playoffs.Clarke believes that Rohit may be feeling the effects of fatigue and that a break could do wonders for him. However, as the Indian captain and a key player for Mumbai Indians, Rohit is unlikely to get a break."Rohit, being the wise judge of his own performances, will undoubtedly be disappointed, especially considering his strong start. In my view, he might be feeling a bit fatigued as well," Clarke told Star Sports."A break to freshen up could do wonders for him, but as the Indian captain and a key player for Mumbai Indians, you're not getting a break. He's going to have to find form," Clarke continued.Clarke expressed confidence that it's only a matter of time before Rohit returns to his usual form as a batter."He was in a great mood. He's happy, which is a really good sign. He doesn't seem to be struggling with his timing; it's just a matter of getting out," he said."With someone like Rohit, it's only a matter of time before he finds his form again. Hopefully, he stresses less and focuses on his game because he's too talented to keep missing out. He's at his best when he's timing the ball, rather than trying to force it," he added.Clarke also had praise in store for Rohit's deputy for the World Cup and MI skipper Hardik Pandya, who returned with 4-0-31-3 in their seven-wicket win over SRH on Monday."In the last couple of games, he's been taking wickets with his bowling, making some adjustments along the way. For an all-rounder, success in one department boosts confidence across the board," Clarke said."This aspect is crucial for Hardik Pandya's cricket in any format - he needs to contribute with the ball. Initially, he didn't bowl as much as expected or desired in the first half of this tournament. However, in the last three or four games, he's returned to form."Clarke also said Pandya used his bouncers effectively which is an essential weapon in his armoury."He used his bouncer effectively, which I love seeing because it is a strong weapon in his arsenal. He executed the basics flawlessly, which is not only beneficial for Mumbai but also for Indian cricket as a whole, as it will enhance his overall performance," said Clarke.

Mumbai Indians' Struggles Stem from Internal Divisions, Says Michael ClarkeFormer Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed his doubts about the Mumbai Indians' chances of reaching the playoffs in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Clarke believes that the team's inconsistent performances are a result of internal divisions and a lack of teamwork."I think there's a lot more going on than what we are seeing on the outside," Clarke said on Star Sports Cricket Live. "You can't have that many good players and perform this inconsistently."Clarke's comments come after the Mumbai Indians suffered a disappointing start to the season, winning only three of their first nine matches. The team has been plagued by injuries and a lack of form from key players, including captain Rohit Sharma.Clarke believes that the abrupt change in captaincy, with Hardik Pandya replacing Sharma, has further disrupted the team's chemistry. "Something is not working, they are not gelling together, they are not playing as a team," he said.Despite having match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah and Romario Shepherd in their squad, the Mumbai Indians have struggled to find consistency. Clarke acknowledged that individual brilliance can sometimes carry a team over the line, but he emphasized the importance of teamwork in winning big tournaments."I think to win big tournaments you need to be a team and not just have individual performances," Clarke said. "Unfortunately, they haven't played well as a team so I hope they turn it around, but I can't see them winning this game."The Mumbai Indians are currently second-to-last on the points table and face an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs. They will need to win all of their remaining five matches and hope that other results go their way.