Cricket

Samit Dravid, the son of legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid, has taken a significant step towards emulating his father's illustrious career by earning a spot in India's Under-19 squad for the upcoming series against Australia.Samit's selection is a testament to his impressive performances in the domestic circuit. The 18-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder has been in fine form, contributing both with bat and ball. In the recently concluded Cooch Behar Trophy, he played a pivotal role in Karnataka's maiden title triumph, scoring 362 runs and claiming 16 wickets.Samit's selection has been met with excitement and anticipation. He is seen as a promising talent with the potential to follow in his father's footsteps. Rahul Dravid, known for his exceptional technique and unwavering determination, is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.The India Under-19 squad will face Australia in a multi-format series, comprising three one-day matches and two four-day matches. The one-day series will be held in Puducherry from September 21-26, while the four-day matches will take place in Chennai from September 30 to October 7.Samit's inclusion in the squad is a proud moment for his family and a testament to his hard work and dedication. He will be eager to make the most of this opportunity and showcase his skills on the international stage.

India's T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his unwavering determination to continue winning major trophies for his country. Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Awards, Rohit emphasized the team's commitment to pushing themselves and striving for excellence."There is a reason I won five IPL trophies. I am not going to stop, because once you get the taste of winning games, and winning Cups, you do not want to stop and we will keep pushing as a team. We will keep striving for better things in the future," Rohit declared.Rohit acknowledged the team's upcoming challenges, including the tour to Australia, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the ICC World Test Championship final. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome these obstacles."We have got a couple of solid tours coming up, very challenging ones as well. For us, it never stops. Once you achieve something you always look forward to achieving more. That is what I will be doing. I am pretty sure my teammates will be thinking on the same line," he said.Rohit attributed his success as captain to the support of his "three pillars": former head coach Rahul Dravid, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. He emphasized the importance of creating an environment where players can play freely without excessive focus on statistics and milestones."It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats, the results, to make sure that we create that environment where people can go out there and play freely without thinking too much. That is what was required. I got a lot of help from my three pillars, who are Mr Jay Shah, Mr Rahul Dravid (and the) chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar," Rohit said.The Indian skipper also praised the contributions of his players, particularly Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, who played pivotal roles in the T20 World Cup victory. He thanked the nation for celebrating the team's triumph.

Luck Plays a Pivotal Role in Major Cricket Matches, Says Rahul DravidLegendary cricketer and former India head coach Rahul Dravid has emphasized the significant role that luck plays in determining the outcomes of major cricket matches. Reflecting on India's recent ICC campaigns, Dravid highlighted the team's defeat in the ODI World Cup final against Australia and their subsequent victory in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa as examples of how fortune can influence even the most well-prepared teams.India entered the ODI World Cup final with an unblemished record, having won 10 consecutive matches. However, in the final against Australia, things did not go according to plan, and Australia emerged victorious, leaving Indian fans disappointed. Six months later, Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma had another opportunity for glory in the T20 World Cup final against a formidable South African team. On this occasion, luck favored India.Speaking at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards, where Dravid received the Lifetime Achievement Award, he discussed the fine margins that often separate victory from defeat in high-stakes matches. "I've had time to reflect on it. I've had time to reflect on a lot of things we've done. You do realize, sometimes, you have to do a lot of these things, you have to do the process, you have to do everything right. Sometimes at the end of the day, you need a little bit of luck," Dravid said.Dravid recounted the intense moments in the T20 World Cup final, where India defended 30 runs from the last 30 balls. He credited the team's execution and Rohit's calmness under pressure but also highlighted a pivotal moment when Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch at the boundary dismissed David Miller, changing the course of the game in India's favor."Sometimes, it's the skill, but you also need someone who can keep their foot within one inch of a line," Dravid said, referring to Yadav's game-changing catch.In contrast, Dravid recalled how Australia's Travis Head rode his luck to score a match-winning century in the ODI World Cup final, despite India's bowlers frequently beating his bat. "I remember whatever it was, we beat Travis Head's bat 15 times — he didn't touch a single ball. You know, things can go your way sometimes," Dravid noted, underscoring the unpredictable nature of sports.As he steps down from his coaching role, Dravid expressed optimism about the future of Indian cricket. He believes that under the leadership of players like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, the team will continue to achieve great success on the global stage.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and former head coach, has hinted at a possible Bollywood debut during an awards function. With his characteristic wit, Dravid suggested that he might play himself in his biopic if the financial compensation is attractive.During a Q&A session following India's long-awaited ICC T20 World Cup victory over South Africa, Dravid was asked who would portray him in a biopic. With a broad smile, he replied, "If the money is good enough, I will play the role."Dravid's humorous response has sparked interest in the possibility of seeing him on the silver screen. Known for his calm demeanor and strategic brilliance, Dravid recounted the team's journey to T20 World Cup success. He attributed their unbeaten run to consistent preparation and strategy."Honestly, I did not want to do anything different," Dravid said. "We ran a fantastic campaign in the one-day World Cup. The common consensus among the team was that we needed to create the same energy, vibe, and team atmosphere that we had before, and then just hope for a bit of luck."Dravid also shared his unique experience of participating in a World Cup campaign in India as a coach rather than a player. He highlighted the enthusiasm of fans across the country:"To travel all over this country and to experience the joy and passion of the fans was phenomenal. It was incredible to see what this game means to the people of this country."Dravid's witty comment about his potential Bollywood debut has added to his charm and sparked interest in the idea of seeing him on the silver screen.

Rahul Dravid, India's former head coach, has shed light on the team's strategy to maintain a positive team dynamic throughout the 2023 ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup campaigns. Dravid emphasized the importance of consistency in approach, which he believes played a pivotal role in India's success in the T20 World Cup."We ran a fantastic campaign in the one-day World Cup," Dravid said. "We dominated, won the games we needed to, and played the way we wanted to."Despite the heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the ODI World Cup final, Dravid maintained that the team had done everything they could in terms of preparation and execution."We didn't want to change anything," Dravid said. "We wanted to create the same energy, the same vibe, and the same team atmosphere that we had in the ODI World Cup."Dravid also acknowledged the passion and support of the Indian fans during the World Cup."To travel all over this country and experience the joy and passion of the fans was phenomenal," he said. "I've never been a part of a World Cup as a player in India, but just the experience as a coach to go from city to city and see what this game meant to the people of this country was incredible."While Dravid acknowledged that Australia were the better team in the ODI World Cup final, he praised the team's overall performance in the tournament."We came unstuck in the final, but that can happen in sport," he said. "Australia played better cricket than us on the day, and congratulations to them."Dravid's strategic leadership and focus on maintaining a positive team environment were key factors in India's success in the T20 World Cup. His approach serves as a valuable lesson for teams looking to achieve success in major tournaments.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has been crowned the 'Men's International Cricketer of the Year' at the prestigious Ceat Cricket Rating Awards 2023-24. This accolade recognizes his exceptional leadership and outstanding performances on the international stage.Former head coach Rahul Dravid, a legendary figure in Indian cricket, received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for his remarkable contributions to the sport. His guidance and mentorship have played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous cricketers.Virat Kohli, India's batting mainstay, was named the 'Men's ODI Batter of the Year' for his consistent and prolific performances in the 50-over format. His ability to score runs consistently and anchor the innings has been instrumental in India's success.Mohammed Shami, the highest wicket-taker during the 2023 ODI World Cup with 24 scalps, was deservedly named the 'ODI Bowler of the Year'. His ability to swing the ball and maintain an impeccable line and length has made him a formidable force in the Indian bowling attack.Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young batting sensation, was named the 'Men's Test Batter of the Year' for his remarkable performance against England earlier this year, where he amassed 712 runs in the five-Test series. His talent and composure at such a young age have earned him widespread acclaim.Veteran off-spinner R. Ashwin was honored as the 'Men's Test Bowler of the Year' for his consistent wicket-taking abilities and his ability to outfox batters with his guile and variations.BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who received an award for excellence in sports administration, expressed his confidence in the Indian teams' ability to clinch more trophies in the future. He emphasized the support of 1.4 billion people and the determination to succeed in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy, World Test Championship final, and the Women's T20 World Cup.Tamil Nadu captain R Sai Kishore, who led his team to the Ranji Trophy final last season, was named the 'Domestic Cricketer of the Year' for his outstanding leadership and performances in domestic cricket.New Zealand's Tim Southee was awarded the 'Men's T20I Bowler of the Year' for his impressive performances in the shortest format, while England's Phil Salt was adjudged the 'Best Batter of the Year' in T20Is.India women's team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was presented with a memento for leading the country in the most T20I matches, while her deputy and opening batter Smriti Mandhana was adjudged the 'Women's Indian Batter of the Year'.Deepti Sharma, known for her all-round abilities, was named the 'Indian Bowler of the Year' for her consistent performances with the ball.Opening batter Shafali Verma was honored with a memento for scoring the fastest double century in women's Test cricket, a remarkable feat achieved off 194 balls against South Africa in the Chennai Test earlier this year.Shreyas Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title, was presented with a memento for 'outstanding leadership' in guiding his team to success in the prestigious tournament.

Rohit Sharma, the former captain of India's T20 team, has expressed his gratitude towards Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar, and Jay Shah for their unwavering support during his tenure. He acknowledged their backing in his endeavor to bring out the best in his players without being overly concerned about the outcomes. This approach ultimately led to India's triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup.India's journey in the ICC tournament culminated in a resounding victory against South Africa in the final, held in Barbados. This marked their second T20 world title, with the first being clinched in 2007. Rohit, who spearheaded the team's success, also announced his retirement from the shortest format following this remarkable achievement."It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats, the results, to make sure that we create that environment where people can go out there and play freely without thinking too much," Rohit said, as quoted by PTI, after being named the men's international cricketer of the year at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards."That is what was required. I got a lot of help from my three pillars, who are actually Mr Jay Shah, Mr Rahul Dravid (and the) chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar," he said."That was very critical for me to do what I did and obviously not to forget the players, who came in at different points in time and helped the team to achieve what we achieved," he said.Rohit expressed that the feeling of winning the World Cup, which ended India's decade-long drought in global tournaments, was beyond words to describe."(It was) a feeling that cannot come everyday. It was something that we were really hoping for. When we won the World Cup, it was important for all of us to enjoy the moment which we did pretty well and thanks to our nation as well for celebrating with us," he said."As much as it meant for us, it meant a whole lot to the entire nation as well. It felt really great to bring it (trophy) back home here and celebrate with everyone here.""(It is a) fantastic feeling that can never be put out in words. I don't think it's a feeling that can be expressed. It won't do justice to our effect when all that happened," Rohit said.The Mumbaikar mentioned that he doesn't worry about the exact weight of a bat, instead preferring to go by how it feels in his hands."The guys who spend time with me in the changing room where I put my stickers and I put the bat tape and all that, will tell you (that) whichever bat I pick up, I go and play with that," he said."The balance of the bat for me is very important. I have seen a lot of guys who are pretty much into 'how many grains the bat has', 'what is the weight of the bat' and 'how does it look from outside', but I am not that kind of a person. I will pick up the bat and if I feel this is the right bat, I will go and play with that," he said.Despite leading the Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles as captain, Rohit's hunger to add more trophies to his collection remains insatiable."There is a reason I won five IPL trophies. I'm not going to stop, because once you get the taste of winning games, winning Cups, you don't want to stop and we'll keep pushing as a team. We'll keep striving for better things in the future," he said.As an extension, he wanted more success with India too as their ODI and Test leader."We've got a couple of solid tours coming up, very challenging ones as well. For us, it never stops. Once you achieve something you always look forward to achieving more.""That is what I will be doing. I'm pretty sure my teammates will be thinking on the same line. What I've seen in the last two years in Indian cricket, there's some real excitement, some real good cricket is being played," he added.

Samit Dravid, the son of legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid, has showcased his impressive power-hitting abilities in the ongoing KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy. Playing for Mysuru Warriors, the 18-year-old smashed a six in the 10th over of the innings against Gulbarga Mystics, sending the ball soaring over the deep-cover region.Samit's six, which came off the bowling of Praveen Dubey, has garnered significant attention on social media, with many fans drawing comparisons to his father's elegant strokeplay. The video of the shot has gone viral, highlighting the young batsman's potential.Samit's performance in the Maharaja Trophy is a continuation of his impressive form in age-group tournaments. He was part of the Karnataka under-19 side that won the Cooch Behar Trophy this season and has also represented KSCA XI against the visiting Lancashire side earlier this year.Mysuru Warriors acquired Samit's services for Rs 50,000, recognizing his talent and promise. A team official praised Samit's contributions, stating, "It's good to have him in our side as he has shown a lot of promise in various age-group tournaments for KSCA."In the match against Gulbarga Mystics, Samit scored 33 runs off 24 balls, including four boundaries and a six. His innings helped Mysuru Warriors post a strong total of 196/8 in their 20 overs. However, the Mystics emerged victorious, thanks to an unbeaten century from K Smaran.Despite the loss, Samit's performance has generated excitement among cricket fans, who believe he has the potential to follow in his father's footsteps and become a successful cricketer.

Rahul Dravid's Son Samit Impresses with Stunning Six in Domestic T20 MatchFormer Indian batting legend Rahul Dravid's son, Samit, is making waves in domestic cricket with his impressive performances. The right-handed batsman has inherited his father's cricketing skills and has been showcasing his talent in junior cricket.Samit recently caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts with a stunning six he hit during the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2024 match between Mysore Warriors and Bengaluru Blasters. Facing Naveen MG in the seventh over, Samit unleashed a powerful shot that sailed between long-on and deep mid-wicket and landed in the stands.The shot was a testament to Samit's timing and power, and it drew applause from his teammates in the dugout. Although he was dismissed for just 7 runs in the same over, the six he hit was a clear indication of his potential.Samit has been making a name for himself in Karnataka's age-group teams and has participated in several notable tournaments. His performances have earned him recognition as a rising star in Indian cricket.Like his father, Samit is a right-handed batsman who possesses a solid technique and a keen eye for the ball. He has shown the ability to play both attacking and defensive shots, and his temperament on the field is reminiscent of his father's calm and composed demeanor.While Samit is still in the early stages of his cricketing journey, his talent and potential are undeniable. He has the potential to follow in his father's footsteps and become a successful cricketer in the future.