Cricket

Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden IPL captaincy stint has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. After taking over the reins from MS Dhoni, Gaikwad led CSK to a promising start with four wins in their first six games. However, consecutive defeats to Lucknow Super Giants have cast a shadow over his leadership.CSK's recent loss at home to LSG exposed their bowling frailties and Gaikwad's tactical decisions. Former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu reportedly criticized Gaikwad's field placements in the death overs, highlighting his lack of experience as captain.However, Rayudu has since denied making such comments, slamming the publication that attributed them to him. He clarified that he was not even commentating on the day in question and was instead picking mangoes at his farm.Despite Rayudu's denial, the criticism of Gaikwad's captaincy has continued. Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu argued that if Dhoni is credited for CSK's wins, he should also be held accountable for their losses.The back-to-back defeats to LSG have pushed CSK out of the playoff places, leaving Gaikwad under immense pressure. The team will face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday in a crucial match that could determine their playoff hopes.

The Virat Kohli no-ball controversy has sparked a heated debate within the cricketing community. While some experts support the umpire's decision to dismiss Kohli, others believe the call was incorrect.Former Indian all-rounder Navjot Singh Sidhu has emerged as a vocal critic of the decision. In a detailed video analysis, Sidhu outlined three key reasons why he believes Kohli should not have been given out.Firstly, Sidhu argues that the rule regarding the height of the delivery is flawed. He questions why batters are not given a 7-inch allowance, considering the 6-inch height restriction for bowlers.Secondly, Sidhu contends that the umpire's decision has effectively legalized beamers in cricket. He points out that a waist-high delivery would traditionally be considered a beamer, but the umpire's call in Kohli's case has changed this perception.Finally, Sidhu disputes the technology used to determine the trajectory of the ball. He believes the ball would not have dipped as significantly as suggested by the on-screen simulation.Sidhu concludes by emphasizing the need for rule changes to improve the game. He argues that the benefit of the doubt should always go to the batter and that the current law regarding no-balls needs to be carefully reviewed and amended.

Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former Indian opener, has sparked a debate about the leadership dynamics within the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team. Sidhu believes that despite Ruturaj Gaikwad's official captaincy, it is still the legendary MS Dhoni who is effectively leading the team.Sidhu's observation underscores Dhoni's enduring influence and leadership prowess. Widely regarded as one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history, Dhoni's presence continues to shape CSK's strategy and decision-making.Sidhu emphasized that Dhoni's leadership extends beyond his official title. "You can say as many times that Dhoni is not captaining, but ultimately he is leading the side," Sidhu said. "When Dhoni leaves, there might be no shadow of him."Sidhu also praised Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson for his maturity and skillful resource management. However, he named Australian skipper Pat Cummins, currently leading Sunrisers Hyderabad, as the best captain.Dhoni's tenure as CSK captain has been marked by remarkable achievements, including five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles. His shrewd tactics and astute leadership have solidified his reputation as a cricketing mastermind.While Ruturaj Gaikwad has assumed the formal captaincy position, he may still be in the process of growing into his leadership role. Dhoni's experience, tactical acumen, and ability to mentor younger players likely play a crucial role in guiding Gaikwad and the rest of the team.Sidhu's remarks highlight the intricate dynamics of leadership within cricket teams. The presence of a seasoned veteran like Dhoni can continue to shape the team's performance and direction, even as newer leaders emerge. Dhoni's leadership legacy at CSK remains a cornerstone of the team's identity, with his influence extending far beyond his official title.

Hardik Pandya's return to the Mumbai Indians (MI) as captain in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has been met with mixed results. Despite being touted as India's future leader, Pandya's MI side has struggled, currently languishing at eighth place in the points table with only one win in four matches.Pandya, who led the Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in their debut season, faces the challenge of rebuilding MI's momentum. His IPL captaincy is seen as a crucial step in his development as a leader, with former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu labeling him "the future" of Indian cricket.Sidhu believes Pandya's experience as India's T20I vice-captain makes him a natural choice for leadership roles. He also backs pacer Jasprit Bumrah for Test cricket captaincy, citing his performance and resilience.MI's upcoming fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be a crucial test for Pandya's captaincy. A win could revive their IPL 2024 campaign and boost Pandya's credentials as a future leader.

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has weighed in on the recent captaincy change in the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise, where Rohit Sharma has been replaced by Hardik Pandya ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.Sidhu believes that the change in captaincy does not diminish the stature of Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni, who has also passed on the captaincy baton in the past. He emphasized that great players remain great regardless of their position in a team."I have played in an Indian team where five captains used to play together. There were no issues because they were playing for their nation. The motivation was to play for your country. So, playing under Hardik does not make Rohit smaller," Sidhu said.He further stated that franchise teams make decisions based on performance, and the change in captaincy at MI was a result of the team's struggles in recent seasons."But this is a franchise and they look at the performances. They gave it three years and when it did not work, they got a new person for the job. You need to accept it. But Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni are great players. A dwarf is a dwarf even if he is standing at the top of a mountain and a God is a God even if they are standing at the bottom of a well," Sidhu added.Meanwhile, MI's batting coach Kieron Pollard has defended the team's decision to open the bowling with Hardik Pandya instead of Jasprit Bumrah in their IPL opener against Gujarat Titans. He explained that it was a collective decision based on Pandya's recent success with the new ball for Gujarat Titans."You have to plan and decide what you want to do as a team. Hardik (Pandya) has also bowled with the new ball for Gujarat over the last couple of years. He swung the new ball and bowled it well, which was nothing new to us," Pollard said.Despite the change in captaincy and bowling strategy, MI lost their opening match of the IPL 2024 season by six runs to Gujarat Titans.

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has heaped praise on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer, comparing him to the legendary Shahid Afridi with the added advantage of brains. Sidhu believes Iyer has the potential to excel in the upcoming IPL 2024, especially after being overlooked for the BCCI central contracts.Sidhu lauded Iyer's ability to adapt to different situations while batting, saying, "He reminds me of a better Shahid Afridi. An Afridi with better brains. He adapts to the situation." Sidhu also praised Iyer's tenacity and determination, particularly after recovering from a serious injury.Meanwhile, KKR's former captain Gautam Gambhir has returned as a mentor for the team. Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles and five playoffs during his tenure, has been tasked with guiding the team to success once again.KKR has made a significant signing in Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who will be expected to play a crucial role in the power-play and death overs. The team also boasts a strong batting lineup, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Phil Salt, Venkatesh Iyer, and Shreyas Iyer.However, KKR's success will depend on the performance of their spinners, such as Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Suyash Sharma. The team will need to utilize the home conditions to provide assistance to their spin bowlers.