Cricket

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about Rohit Sharma's future as captain. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown his support behind Rishabh Pant as the ideal successor to Rohit in the longest format.Kaif believes that Pant possesses the qualities necessary to lead India in Test cricket. He highlighted Pant's impressive batting record, his ability to perform in all conditions, and his impact on the team's performance."From the current team, only Rishabh Pant is in contention to be Test captain," Kaif said. "He's worthy of it. Whenever he's played, he's put the Indian team in front. He's ready to play a match-winning knock no matter what number he comes in to bat."Kaif pointed to Pant's performance in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai as evidence of his leadership potential. "Till he was at the crease, New Zealand didn't breathe easy," Kaif said. "He's shown that already, his keeping has improved drastically."Kaif believes that Pant's experience and maturity have made him the ideal candidate to take over the captaincy from Rohit. "When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend," Kaif said. "He deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor especially in Test cricket."While Jasprit Bumrah is the designated vice-captain in India's Test side, Kaif's endorsement of Pant as the future captain is a significant development. It remains to be seen whether the selectors will agree with Kaif's assessment, but Pant's performances in recent years have certainly strengthened his case for the captaincy.

The India vs New Zealand Test series concluded with a resounding 3-0 sweep in favor of the visitors, largely due to the exceptional bowling performance of Ajaz Patel. The Kiwi spinner emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series, claiming an astonishing 15 wickets in three matches, including a remarkable 11-wicket haul at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Despite Patel's impressive tally, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has dismissed the spinner's quality, claiming that India has bowlers of his caliber in every club. Kaif criticized the Indian team for allowing Patel to take so many wickets, attributing it to poor batting rather than exceptional bowling."Ajaz Patel didn't bowl well," Kaif said in a social media video. "If you look at his pitch map, he bowled two full-tosses, two short balls, and two length deliveries but still managed to take wickets."Kaif also ridiculed New Zealand's part-time spinner Glenn Phillips, who claimed four wickets in the Mumbai Test. "Glenn Phillips is a part-timer and he doesn't know how to bowl good deliveries," Kaif said. "We lost to part-timers and not to quality spinners."The only New Zealand spinner who earned Kaif's praise was Mitchell Santner, who took 11 wickets in the Pune Test before being ruled out of the final match due to injury. "Santner did bowl well," Kaif said. "The bowling he produced in Pune was a classic Test match performance."Kaif's comments have sparked debate among cricket fans and experts. Some have questioned his assessment of Patel's bowling, while others have agreed with his criticism of the Indian batting. Regardless of the differing opinions, Patel's performance in the series has undoubtedly been a major factor in New Zealand's dominant victory.

Team India's dismal performance in the Test series against New Zealand has sparked a debate about Rohit Sharma's future as captain. With the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown his support behind Rishabh Pant as the ideal successor to Rohit in the longest format.Kaif believes Pant possesses the qualities necessary to lead the team, citing his match-winning performances and ability to perform in all conditions. He highlighted Pant's impact in the third Test against New Zealand, where he kept the Kiwis on edge throughout his innings."From the current team, only Rishabh Pant is in contention to be Test captain. He's worthy of it, whenever he's played, he's put the Indian team in front," Kaif said. "He's scored in all types of conditions, be it England, Australia, or South Africa. Be it seaming to turning tracks, he's a complete batter."Kaif also praised Pant's remarkable improvement in recent years, particularly in his wicket-keeping skills. He believes that Pant has the potential to become a legend of the game."When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend. He's shown that already, his keeping has improved drastically," Kaif added. "Hence, I believe from the current lot, if you're looking for a future captain, Rishabh Pant deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor, especially in Test cricket."While Pant has the credentials to lead the team, Jasprit Bumrah remains the frontrunner for the Test captaincy, according to the BCCI selection committee. However, Kaif's endorsement of Pant adds another dimension to the discussion and highlights the growing belief in the wicket-keeper batter's leadership abilities.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auctions are set to take place in November, and the franchises have announced their retentions. Among the notable retentions, MS Dhoni's return to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has garnered significant attention.CSK retained Dhoni for Rs 4 crore under the uncapped player category, along with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (INR 18 crore), Matheesha Pathirana (INR 13 crore), Shivam Dube (INR 12 crore), and Ravindra Jadeja (INR 18 crore). Dhoni's retention has sparked discussions about his potential role in the team.Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Dhoni should lead CSK in the upcoming season, stating that his captaincy would make the tournament more exciting. "Dhoni should become captain of CSK in IPL 2025. He played under Ruturaj Gaikwad last season. It was not so much fun to watch. Even if Dhoni doesn't bat, he can make more impact as captain and wicketkeeper alone for CSK," Manjrekar said.Mohammad Kaif, another former India star, praised CSK's retention strategy, highlighting the financial advantage it provides. "CSK have played really well. They have saved 10-15 crores. I feel that the way this rule was brought back because we were driven by emotions, and we all really wanted MS Dhoni to play another year...I feel CSK played very smartly there. Yes, he is taking less money, but it would allow CSK to buy big names players at the auction," Kaif said.Kaif also expressed his belief that players who continue to perform well in the IPL after being dropped from the Indian team should not be subject to the uncapped player rule. "I feel whichever player plays for India, I was 36 when I last played an international match for India... now if I get dropped from the team, but continue to have a good IPL run, then I should not have come under the uncapped player rule," he added.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has retained five key players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, including captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and the legendary MS Dhoni. Dhoni's retention at a modest price of INR 4 crore has sparked discussions among fans and experts.The new IPL rule classifies players who have not represented India in the past five years as "uncapped." This rule has drawn criticism from former India cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Sanjay Manjrekar.Kaif believes that CSK has cleverly exploited the rule to save money and acquire big-name players at the auction. He argues that Dhoni, despite his age and lack of recent international appearances, should not be considered uncapped due to his exceptional IPL performances.Manjrekar echoed Kaif's sentiments, stating that the rule has been reintroduced solely to accommodate Dhoni's return. He humorously pointed out that even Kaif and himself would now be considered uncapped players under this rule.The retention of Dhoni has been a major talking point, with fans and experts debating the value of his experience and leadership. Some argue that his presence is invaluable to CSK, while others question whether he can still perform at the highest level.Despite the controversy surrounding the uncapped rule, CSK's retention strategy has been praised by many. The team has managed to retain its core players while also freeing up funds to acquire new talent at the auction.The IPL 2025 auction is expected to be highly competitive, with several teams looking to strengthen their squads. CSK's shrewd retention strategy has positioned them well to compete for the title once again.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council's recent decision to reinstate the rule allowing franchises to register retired or inactive international players as "uncapped" has sparked a flurry of speculation. Many believe the move was specifically tailored to accommodate legendary cricketer MS Dhoni, enabling the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain him at a reduced cost of INR 4 crore.While CSK has denied any prior discussions with Dhoni, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif is convinced that the rule change was solely motivated by the desire to keep Dhoni in the game. "You will see MS Dhoni again. He's fit, batting at a strike rate of 200, and keeping well. That's why I believe the rules will keep changing until he wants to play," Kaif said on Star Sports.Kaif believes the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was justified in altering the rulebook, given Dhoni's exceptional status. "I believe the rule has been changed rightly. If he's fit and playing well, why not change the rule and let him play? Everyone knows the rule has been changed for Dhoni sahab, and why not? You would want to change the rule for a player like Dhoni," Kaif asserted.Dhoni has hinted that his IPL future hinges on the league's retention rules. Now that the rules are clear, the veteran wicket-keeper batter is expected to make his decision known soon.The IPL's decision to accommodate Dhoni has raised questions about the fairness of the competition. Some argue that it gives CSK an unfair advantage, while others believe it is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest players in the game.Regardless of the controversy, it is clear that Dhoni remains a pivotal figure in Indian cricket. His presence in the IPL would undoubtedly boost the league's popularity and provide fans with the opportunity to witness one of the most iconic players of all time.

MS Dhoni's IPL Future Secured with Rule Change, Says Mohammad KaifFormer Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has hailed a recent rule change in the Indian Premier League (IPL) that could extend MS Dhoni's illustrious career beyond 2024. The new rule classifies players who have not represented India for five years as "uncapped," regardless of their past achievements. This reclassification makes Dhoni eligible to play as an uncapped player in the 2025 IPL season, despite his retirement from international cricket in 2019.Kaif, speaking on Star Sports, expressed his support for the rule change, citing Dhoni's enduring impact on the game. "You will get the chance to see MS Dhoni again. He is fit, batting at a strike rate of 200, keeping well, and that is why I believe the rules will keep changing till he wishes to play. If he wants to play in the IPL, he will play. He is such a big player, such a big match-winner, and has been a leader for CSK," Kaif said.Kaif also dismissed concerns about Dhoni's financial status, noting that the former CSK captain is not motivated by money. "I believe the rule has been changed rightly. And Dhoni himself says, 'I don’t need money, I’ll adjust to whatever the team decides.' Even if he gets 4 crore as an uncapped player (Paise chahe 4 crore mil rahe ho as an uncapped player), it doesn't matter to him. It sounds strange to say because 4 crore isn't much for him. Everyone knows the rule has been changed for Dhoni sahab, and why not, you will want to change the rule for a player like Dhoni."The IPL governing council approved the rule change at its recent meeting in Bengaluru, allowing teams to retain up to six players before the auction. This move has generated excitement among fans, as it opens the door for Dhoni's potential return as an uncapped player. With the auction purse increased to Rs 120 crore, the new rule not only enhances teams' strategic options but also gives CSK a chance to retain their iconic leader.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) Player Regulations for 2025-27 announced, franchises are gearing up to make crucial decisions regarding player retention. Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has urged Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to seize the opportunity to acquire Rohit Sharma as their captain if the chance arises.Rohit Sharma, the former Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper, was replaced by Hardik Pandya ahead of the 2024 season. However, the move proved unsuccessful as MI failed to qualify for the playoffs. Kaif believes that Rohit's leadership skills could be the key to ending RCB's title drought."Rohit Sharma turns a player from an 18 to a 20," Kaif said in a video circulating on social media. "He knows how to get the best out of a player by putting an arm around him."Kaif highlighted Rohit's tactical acumen and ability to identify the right players for specific roles in the team. "He understands the tactical moves, knows which player to fit where in the playing eleven," Kaif added.According to the IPL Player Regulations, franchises can retain a maximum of six players, including five capped players and two uncapped players. RCB currently has Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Wanindu Hasaranga as their retained players.Kohli, who has been with RCB since the league's inception, has been the team's top scorer in recent seasons. However, he has yet to lead the franchise to an IPL title. Kaif believes that Rohit's experience and leadership qualities could make a significant difference for RCB."If RCB gets a chance, they should definitely take Rohit Sharma as captain," Kaif concluded.

The Indian cricket team's recent triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup has overshadowed the controversy surrounding the pitch used in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. However, former India star Mohammad Kaif's allegations that the pitch was deliberately made slow have reignited the debate.Kaif claimed that Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid inspected the pitch for three days before the final and requested a slow track to counter Australia's pace attack. Former batting coach Viram Rathour, who was present for both the T20 and ODI World Cups, has now refuted these allegations.Rathour insists that the pitch was similar to those used in previous matches and that it eased out as the day progressed. He also dismissed the notion that curators operate independently of team influence."When you are moving around the pitch, you have to say just two lines - please don't put water, just reduce the grass. This happens. That is truth. And it should be done. You are playing at home," Kaif had said.Rathour's comments contradict Kaif's claims and suggest that the pitch was not deliberately altered to favor India. However, the controversy highlights the ongoing debate about the role of pitch preparation in international cricket.