Cricket

South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter has acknowledged the team's recent struggles in bilateral T20I series, but emphasized the importance of balancing the need to field the best XI with exposing younger players to top-level competition.In the recently concluded series against India, South Africa's bowling attack, which lacked the experience of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi, conceded over 200 runs three times in four matches. Walter explained that this was a consequence of trying to deepen the player pool."To grow the net of players, there's times we have to play younger guys even in big series against good teams. And ultimately, that's where they're going to learn the most," Walter said.However, Walter acknowledged that the team's performance was not acceptable. "It's really a balancing act and there's no right or wrong. We're trying to get it right, we're trying to get rest right, we're trying to get rotation right, we're trying to get exposure right all at the same time. But it doesn't excuse the performance. We still need to be better and that starts with me as the head coach of the team."Walter also highlighted the discrepancy between South Africa's bilateral form and their success in major tournaments, such as the T20 World Cup. "The easy answer is that when we go to the world tournaments, we're picking our very best 15 players but we can't pick those same 15 players every single time we play. It's just not feasible. It's just too much cricket."Walter recognized the depth of India's squad, which allowed them to field a strong team even in the absence of key players. "Their fringe players are stepping up and creating pressure on the guys that are in main XI," he said.Walter also addressed the issue of players opting out of central contracts to play in franchise leagues. "A guy like Anrich, I certainly wouldn't doubt his want to play for South Africa and his commitment to do that. But he made a decision personally around contracting so that he could move away from playing Test cricket for a while. I think physically he was finding it a bit tough to do everything and I respect that," Walter said."At the end of the day, when it comes to the world tournaments, we want to pick our best side. And if he is one of those best players, we consider him. Shammo has done exactly the same thing. We need to be cognisant of what's happening in world cricket. It's not easy and the national side is competing with franchise cricket. The money lies in franchise cricket, not international cricket. That's the reality that we live in."Walter concluded by emphasizing the ongoing balancing act between fielding the best team and developing younger players. "And so, again, the balancing act continues."

The recent Test series defeat to New Zealand on home soil has prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to revive its 'A' programme, which aims to develop a strong bench of players for the Indian cricket team.The 'A' programme, which was a dynamic initiative under former NCA head Rahul Dravid, involved touring with developmental teams throughout the year. However, the programme suffered after the COVID-19 lockdown, as other countries refused to bear the expenses of hosting India's U-19 and 'A' teams.NCA head VVS Laxman is now working on a plan to create a player resource pool. The BCCI has tried to organize a couple of shadow 'A' tours, such as the one that preceded India's Test tour of Australia. Laxman is exploring ways to provide greater exposure to the next generation of cricketers.Other boards are reluctant to host 'A' series, which do not generate revenue for them. The expenses must be borne by the local board. The BCCI needs to find a way to make these tours affordable.Earlier this year, an 'A' series against England Lions was held just ahead of England's tour of India. The series provided the selectors with valuable insights into the players' abilities. The board also needs to ensure that Emerging tournaments and other series do not coincide with the Ranji Trophy, as this can impact the quality of the competition.The impact of the 'A' programme was evident during the last tour of Australia, where players like Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, and Washington Sundar stepped up in the absence of senior players.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and a strong core of players as India prepares for a crucial two-year period. With major events like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, ICC Champions Trophy, and potentially the World Test Championship Final on the horizon, Doeschate aims to build a team that can withstand the pressure.Doeschate highlights the significance of a diverse pool of players who can fill multiple roles. He cites examples like Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Sanju Samson, who have demonstrated versatility in their batting positions. This flexibility allows India to adapt to different playing conditions and maintain a balanced team.However, Doeschate stresses that maintaining the right mindset is paramount. He encourages players to push their limits, take risks, and believe in their abilities. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space where players feel comfortable experimenting and expanding their game.Doeschate acknowledges Samson's recent struggles but expresses confidence in his potential. He hints that Samson will likely get another opportunity to showcase his skills in the third T20I. The coach also indicates that India will continue to explore the option of having frontline batsmen bowl a few overs to support the main bowlers.Despite focusing on long-term goals, Doeschate emphasizes the importance of winning each game. He believes that playing for one's country and putting oneself under pressure is crucial for the team's development. He also acknowledges the value of these less intense series in assessing fringe players and identifying their strengths and weaknesses.

Gautam Gambhir's Post-Match Chat with Varun Chakravarthy: A Guardiola-esque Moment in Indian CricketIn a rare sight in Indian cricket, head coach Gautam Gambhir engaged in an intense post-match conversation with spinner Varun Chakravarthy after India's victory over Bangladesh in the series opener. The incident drew comparisons to renowned football coach Pep Guardiola's on-field chats with his players.Chakravarthy, making his return to the Indian team since the 2021 T20 World Cup, impressed with a three-wicket haul. However, Gambhir's post-match chat with the spinner raised eyebrows among fans.The visuals of Gambhir and Chakravarthy engaged in a deep discussion, with bowling coach Morne Morkel also present, reminded some of Guardiola's famous on-field chats with Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich.Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri weighed in on the incident, suggesting that Gambhir may have been discussing Chakravarthy's bowling pace or field placements. He also highlighted the tactical input that Morkel could provide to the spinner.Chakravarthy's performance in the match was a significant step in his career redemption. The veteran spinner, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, will be eager to cement his place in India's T20I team.Gambhir's post-match chat with Chakravarthy underscores the importance of player development and feedback in modern cricket. It also highlights the growing influence of football coaching techniques in other sports, as coaches seek to foster a culture of continuous improvement and tactical awareness.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed concern over the lack of depth in the national team, highlighting the absence of a robust feeder system to replace underperforming players.Naqvi's comments come after Pakistan's historic Test defeat to Bangladesh, a result that has raised questions about the team's overall strength. He acknowledged that the selection committee faces a shortage of viable options to replace struggling players."The problem is the selection committee has no pool to turn to from which to select players," Naqvi said. "We need to fix our problems, but we don't have any solid data or player pool to draw from."Naqvi believes that the newly created Champions Cup, a domestic one-day tournament, will provide a platform to identify and develop talented players. He emphasized the importance of data and records in making informed selection decisions."This Cup will make domestic cricket strong, we'll have a pool of 150 players, and then the selection committee will do the necessary surgery," Naqvi said. "We can't dump someone unless we have a better one to replace them."Naqvi also defended the selection committee's decision not to play a frontline spinner in the Rawalpindi Test against Bangladesh, stating that it was a tactical choice made by the captain, coach, and team management.However, Naqvi acknowledged the need for systemic improvements in the domestic structure, which has been plagued by neglect and frequent changes. He emphasized the importance of developing a sustainable pipeline of talented players to ensure the long-term success of the national team.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to unveil a state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, India. The new facility, nearing completion, will provide world-class training and development opportunities for current and future cricketers.The NCA boasts three world-class playing grounds, 45 practice pitches, and indoor cricket pitches. It also features an Olympic-size swimming pool, cutting-edge training facilities, and advanced recovery and sports science programs.The new NCA is an extension of the existing academy, which has been operating in Bengaluru since 2000. The current NCA, headed by former India cricketer VVS Laxman, is located near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and is primarily used for player rehabilitation.The BCCI is also planning to establish NCAs in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East. These regional academies will provide access to high-quality training and development programs for aspiring cricketers in these regions.The new NCA in Bengaluru is expected to play a pivotal role in the development of Indian cricket. It will provide a comprehensive platform for players to hone their skills, improve their fitness, and prepare for international competition.The BCCI's investment in the NCA reflects its commitment to fostering excellence in Indian cricket. The academy will serve as a hub for innovation, research, and development, ensuring that India remains a global powerhouse in the sport.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is considering significant changes to its player retention and auction policies ahead of the 2025 season. Franchises have proposed several suggestions to the IPL officials, including:* Mega Auction Frequency: Conduct mega auctions only once every five years instead of the current three-year cycle. This would allow teams to build continuity and develop young players.* Player Retention: Allow teams to retain between four and six players. This would provide stability and reward teams for investing in player development.* Right-to-Match (RTM) Options: Grant each franchise eight RTM options. This would give teams the flexibility to retain key players while allowing the market to determine their value.The proposed changes aim to address several concerns raised by franchises. A longer gap between mega auctions would incentivize teams to invest in youth development, as they would have more time to reap the benefits of their investments. It would also reduce the risk of losing players to rival franchises.The RTM option would allow teams to retain players without having to pay a premium. This would remove any monetary disappointment for players who are not retained before the auction. However, some franchises have expressed concerns that the RTM option could lead to disgruntlement among players if those bought back via RTM secure higher bids.Another suggestion is to have eight RTM options and no retentions. This would create a level playing field for all teams, but it could also put the biggest players in the auction. There is also the concern that rival teams could drive up prices to disrupt auction strategy.The IPL officials will meet with the franchises to discuss these proposals further. They will also discuss the Impact Player rule, the purse for the 2025 auction, and the salary cap deduction for retained players.

The United States' World Cup journey has come to an end, but the team's aspirations for improvement remain strong. After two decisive defeats in Barbados, USA allrounder Harmeet Singh has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced outdoor infrastructure to elevate the team's performance.Singh believes that the lack of adequate outdoor training facilities has hindered the team's progress. "We need the whole system in place," he said. "Trainers need to be able to work with us all year even if remotely. We need a lot more outdoor set-ups, need good training facilities."The absence of outdoor infrastructure has particularly affected batters, who have struggled to adjust to slower pitches after training indoors. Singh highlighted the need for grassroots development and a strong bench strength, which can only be achieved through improved training facilities.While franchise cricket can provide opportunities for a select few, Singh emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to foster a cricket-playing nation. "The cricketing community is large, especially in Texas, New Jersey, and Seattle," he said. "But we don't have enough turf practice facilities everywhere."Singh also acknowledged the need for a shift in mindset among players. "Kids when they practice indoor, they go outdoors straight away on turf pitches, and there's no feet, nothing," he said. "So all that needs to change."The team's recent performances have generated excitement among the Asian diaspora, but Singh believes it is crucial to capitalize on this momentum by providing the necessary infrastructure. "The work starts now," he said. "Not tomorrow, the work starts now in our heads. We need to think how we are going to be at the 2026 World Cup."USA Cricket must provide the team with ample games and training opportunities, while players must commit to personal development. By addressing the infrastructure deficit and fostering a culture of excellence, the United States can aspire to achieve greater success in the future.