Cricket

RCB's Retention Strategy: RP Singh Advises Prioritizing Virat KohliFormer Indian pacer RP Singh has urged Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to prioritize retaining Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. With the announcement of IPL retention rules allowing franchises to retain up to six players or re-acquire players through RTMs (Right to Match), Singh believes Kohli should remain a cornerstone of the team.Singh suggests that RCB release all other players and utilize the RTM to reacquire valuable players like Mohammed Siraj and Rajat Patidar. He argues that these players can be acquired for less than their potential auction value, allowing RCB to build a strong team around Kohli."I feel they don't have any problem. They will just retain Virat Kohli, release everyone else, and use the RTM. If we see the value taking Rajat Patidar as an example, will we get him for more or less than 11 crores at the auction?" Singh said."I feel you will get Rajat Patidar for fewer. So you get him back at the auction. Even if he reaches close to 11 crores, you have the RTM which you can use there," he added.Singh believes that Siraj's performance may also warrant the use of the RTM, but he does not anticipate the pacer reaching a value close to 14 crores."Siraj, performance-wise, you will have to again judge whether you will get him close to 11 crores. I don't think Siraj will reach close to 14 crores. They will always have the option that if he reaches there, you can use the RTM," he said.Singh emphasizes that RCB should enter the auction with a fresh approach, focusing on building the team around Kohli. He believes that Kohli's contributions and value to the franchise make him an indispensable asset."So they should go with a new mindset. They need Virat, he has contributed a lot to the franchise, and Virat is the most important player as well. So they should think about building the team around him, or with a new thought. I don't see anyone else apart from Virat Kohli having a value of 18 or 14 crores in this team," Singh opined.

Indian batter Shubman Gill's hilarious mockery of teammate Mohammed Siraj during the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai has become a viral sensation. During the 22nd over of Bangladesh's second innings, Gill was caught on stump mic mimicking an old video of Siraj flagging fake Instagram accounts."Mohammad Siraj official hi official ID hai, baaki sab fake hain," Gill said, mocking Siraj's viral video. Even wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant couldn't help but chuckle at Gill's antics.Gill's lighthearted moment came after he bounced back from a duck in the first innings with a century in the second. His unbeaten 119, along with Pant's 109, helped India declare their second innings at 287-4 on day three.The Test marked Virat Kohli's return to the Indian team after the birth of his second child. However, the former captain managed only six and 17 runs in the match.India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, dominated the first innings, bundling out Bangladesh for 149. Bangladesh pace bowler Hasan Mahmud claimed five wickets in the first innings and reduced India to 34-3 in the first hour of play.Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain admitted that his team needs to improve their first innings batting ahead of the second Test in Kanpur. "Top of the order we have to be careful and put some runs, that is one learning from this match," he said.The two teams will now head to Kanpur for the second Test starting on Friday.

Bad Light Halts Play in India-Bangladesh Test, Siraj's Spin Suggestion AmusesCHENNAI, India - Bad light once again disrupted the flow of Test cricket, forcing an early end to the third day's play in the first India-Bangladesh Test in Chennai.As dark clouds rolled in from the beach side, reducing visibility on the ground, umpires Rod Tucker and Nitin Menon suspended play in the 38th over. The decision came as a disappointment to fans and players alike, who had witnessed an intriguing contest up to that point.In response to the situation, India captain Rohit Sharma approached the umpires to inquire about the possibility of continuing the game with spinners. However, it was Mohammed Siraj who came up with an unexpected suggestion that left his teammates and the umpires in stitches.Siraj, known primarily for his fast bowling, had been honing his spin skills during the break. With a mischievous grin, he approached Rohit and proposed using his newfound ability to combat the fading light."He can't bowl spin," Rohit chuckled, dismissing Siraj's suggestion. The response drew laughter from both the players and the match officials.Earlier in the month, England pacer Chris Woakes had been forced to bowl off-spin due to bad light during the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval. However, Siraj's suggestion was met with amusement rather than serious consideration.Bangladesh had started their chase of India's 515-run target briskly, reaching 158-4 before the bad light intervened. The visitors still need 357 runs for victory, and the weather conditions could play a crucial role in the outcome of the match.The early end to the day's play was a reminder of the challenges that bad light can pose to cricket matches, particularly in the later stages of the day. Umpires are tasked with making difficult decisions based on visibility and player safety, and their judgment can sometimes lead to frustration among fans and players.

India's wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant's wicket-keeping skills continue to be a subject of scrutiny, despite his exceptional batting abilities. During the first Test against Bangladesh, Pant's costly DRS blunder left pacer Mohammed Siraj visibly frustrated.On Day 2, Siraj appealed for an LBW against Bangladesh's Zakir Hasan, but the umpire turned down the appeal. Skipper Rohit Sharma consulted with Pant, who advised against taking a review, claiming the ball would miss the leg stump. However, replays revealed that the ball would have hit the leg stump, indicating that India could have gained an advantage by using the DRS.Siraj's disappointment was evident, and Pant apologized to the pacer. The incident highlighted Pant's ongoing struggles behind the stumps, despite his impressive batting performances.Meanwhile, India's bowlers dominated the Bangladesh batting lineup, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. Bumrah claimed three wickets in his 6.5 overs, while Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with two wickets each.Bangladesh's confidence was visibly shaken after allowing India to build a substantial total in their first innings. The visitors lost three wickets before lunch for a mere 26 runs, and their approach reflected a lack of cricketing smarts. They lost a further five wickets while adding 85 runs in the second passage, leaving them reeling at 112 for eight at tea.

Marnus Labuschagne, the prolific Australian batsman, is eagerly anticipating his upcoming duels with the formidable Indian pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year. However, one particular battle that Labuschagne is especially looking forward to is against the fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj.Labuschagne and Siraj have a shared history that dates back to their time at the MRF Academy in 2015-16. "We played against each other, and that's when I first met him," Labuschagne recalled in a recent interview with Star Sports.The Australian batsman, who has now reached the milestone of 50 Tests, praised Siraj for his infectious energy and passion for the game. "He has got great passion, great energy, and a great love for the game," Labuschagne said. "It's been nice to see our careers moving almost together from such experiences."Siraj, who is also 30 years old, has made a significant impact in his 27 Tests for India, claiming 74 wickets. He will next be in action in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 in Chennai.After Bangladesh's visit, India will host New Zealand for a three-Test series before embarking on their tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This year's edition of the prestigious series will be contested over five Tests for the first time.All 10 Tests that India will play in the coming months are part of the World Test Championship (WTC). The results of these matches will determine whether India can retain their current No. 1 spot in the WTC table or remain in the top two to qualify for their third consecutive WTC final in June next year.Labuschagne's anticipation for the upcoming battles against Siraj and the Indian pace attack is palpable. The Australian batsman is known for his resilience and determination, and he will undoubtedly be looking to make a significant contribution to his team's success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In a hilarious collaboration between sports and entertainment, Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant joined popular comedian and YouTuber Tanmay Bhat on his channel to react to cricket memes. One particular meme featuring India pacer Mohammed Siraj has gone viral, leaving Pant and Bhat in stitches.The meme, which has been circulating for some time, shows Siraj addressing his fans and clarifying his official Instagram account. "Mohammmed Siraj Official is the account I use, that's my only account. The rest are all fake IDs," Siraj says in the video.Pant, Bhat, and the others in the video could not contain their laughter as they watched Siraj's earnest declaration. The video, posted on Bhat's YouTube channel 'Tanmay Bhat,' has garnered over 1.5 million views and 120,000 likes within a day of being uploaded.Pant and Siraj were teammates during India's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies and USA. They are now set to reunite for India's upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home.Bangladesh, fresh from their stunning 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan, will pose a formidable challenge to India. The series will also mark the debut of new India head coach Gautam Gambhir in red-ball cricket.Despite the presence of experienced players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah in the squad, Gambhir and the BCCI have surprisingly not named a designated vice-captain for the tour.

India's Bowling Arsenal: Identifying and Nurturing Talent for the Border-Gavaskar TrophyWith the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy just around the corner, the Indian cricket team is meticulously preparing its bowling lineup to face the formidable Australian challenge. While the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj are already established stars, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun believes it's crucial to identify and nurture emerging talents from the Indian Premier League (IPL).Arun emphasizes the need to provide these promising bowlers with ample opportunities in red-ball cricket. "It's about identifying the right ones and giving them opportunities to be ready for the Australian trip," he said. "There are lots of bowlers who hit 140-150 kph in the IPL. So it is about nurturing and giving them the right exposure."Arun acknowledges that the transition from IPL to Test cricket requires time and experience. "Red ball cricket is something these bowlers must get used to," he said. "We have time but we need to prepare by giving them enough overs under their belt."Among the potential candidates, Arun singled out Mohammed Siraj for special praise. "Bowling in first-class cricket, you bowl on unresponsive pitches," he said. "You have to come out with some guile or you would need to learn how to reverse the ball because of the conditions that exist in our country.""I think it helped Siraj and Shami a great deal," Arun added. "That's why when the conditions are right and the ball is reversing, Siraj is probably one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket."As the Indian team finalizes its squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the focus will be on selecting a balanced bowling attack that can adapt to the challenging conditions in Australia. By identifying and nurturing emerging talents, India can bolster its bowling depth and increase its chances of success against the formidable Aussies.

Fast Bowlers Siraj, Malik Ruled Out of Duleep Trophy OpenerFast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik have been ruled out of the first round of the Duleep Trophy due to illness. Navdeep Saini will replace Siraj in the India B squad, while Gaurav Yadav will take Malik's place in the India C squad.All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also been released from the India B squad, but no replacement has been named. Nitish Kumar Reddy's participation remains subject to fitness as he recovers from sports hernia surgery.The first round of the Duleep Trophy will be played simultaneously in Anantapur and Bengaluru from September 5. The tournament, which was originally a zonal competition featuring six teams, will have only four teams this year.The second round of the Duleep Trophy will clash with the home Tests against Bangladesh starting September 19. As a result, players selected for the Test series will be replaced in the Duleep Trophy.Revised Duleep Trophy Squads:India A: Shubman Gill (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, Shaswat RawatIndia B: Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, N Jagadeesan (wk)India C: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Gaurav Yadav, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (wk), Sandeep WarrierIndia D: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (wk), Saurabh Kumar

Team India's triumphant return from Barbados with the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy sparked a nationwide celebration. The world champions were greeted with a warm reception from the Prime Minister to a victory parade and felicitation ceremony in Mumbai.Upon arriving at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, pacer Mohammed Siraj received a grand welcome from his hometown fans. The heartwarming moment came when Siraj shared a picture of his mother proudly wearing his T20 World Cup medal on Instagram."We had to wait 11 years for this moment so I am really happy," Siraj expressed to reporters.In Mumbai, the Rohit Sharma-led team embarked on an open-top bus parade from Marine Drive. Fans lined the streets, dancing and cheering as the players held the coveted trophy aloft. The parade culminated at the Wankhede Stadium, where the team danced to the rhythm of 'dhol' amidst thunderous applause.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) presented the team with a cheque of Rs 125 crores at the Wankhede Stadium. The victory celebration was a testament to the unwavering support of Indian cricket fans and the team's remarkable achievement.