Cricket

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma will be deeply affected by India's Test series loss to New Zealand. This marks the first time India has lost a home Test series since 2012, with Rohit at the helm.Despite Rohit's post-match comments downplaying the defeat, Shastri believes that the Indian captain will be hurting. "Rohit Sharma is a proud man. He will not take it lightly. Let me assure you of that," Shastri said during commentary.Shastri emphasized that every player in the Indian dressing room will be eager to rectify the situation. "His body language might suggest that he's very relaxed. But deep down, he'll be hurting and hurting big. Not just with him but with every Indian player in that dressing room," Shastri added.Rohit's captaincy has been under scrutiny throughout the New Zealand series, particularly his decision to bat first after a day's washout in the first Test. His batting form has also been questioned, with the Indian captain managing only 62 runs in four innings.Despite the series defeat, which ended India's record-breaking run of 18 consecutive home Test series wins, Rohit downplayed its significance in the post-match press conference. "Just because we have lost a series, I don't think there is anything that we need to talk differently or do differently. But yeah, we need to find ways to come out of those situations," Rohit said."You don't need to overreact. But you need to have a quiet chat with certain individuals and let them know where they are at and what, as a team, we require from them," Rohit added.India will face New Zealand in the final Test of the series starting on Friday, November 1.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed support for current coach Gautam Gambhir despite India's Test series loss to New Zealand. This marks India's first home Test series defeat in 12 years.Shastri emphasized that Gambhir is still in the early stages of his coaching tenure and has ample time to improve. He acknowledged that the Indian batters were outplayed by New Zealand's spin attack, led by Mitchell Santner, who claimed 13 wickets in the match.In the first Test, New Zealand posted a competitive 259 thanks to half-centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. Washington Sundar then took seven wickets to dismiss the visitors. India, in response, were bowled out for 156, with Santner claiming seven wickets.In the second innings, New Zealand extended their lead to 358 runs, with Tom Latham scoring 86. India's chase of 359 began well, but after Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal, the hosts collapsed, losing by 113 runs. Santner once again starred with six wickets, taking his match tally to 13.Shastri believes that Gambhir will learn from this experience and improve as a coach. He urged patience and support for the new coach.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has criticized captain Rohit Sharma's tactics on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Pune. India were bowled out for 156 in the first innings, conceding a lead of 103 runs to the Kiwis, who consolidated their position by reaching 85/2 at tea in the second innings.Shastri, who was on commentary duty, felt Rohit didn't make aggressive field placements, especially with India already chasing New Zealand in the match after conceding a big lead. During the second session on Day 2, Shastri and former India spinner Murali Kartik had a detailed discussion on Rohit's tactics."New Zealand have managed to scatter away all the men around the bat," Kartik pointed out. "Also tells you, tactically how you should be thinking. India should be thinking how to bowl out New Zealand for 120. For that to happen, you need to think wickets, you need people in attacking positions. Yes, if the side gets to 60 for no loss, you can start to think differently. It also makes the bowl think that he wants wickets, not with a spread out field like this," Shastri responded.Tom Latham and Will Young batted with confidence in the second innings as New Zealand consolidated their position in the second Test, reaching 85/2 at tea to take an overall lead of 188 runs. Latham (37 not out) and Young (23) overcame the early hiccup of losing Devon Conway by stitching together a 42-run partnership after Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner had demolished the Indian batting line-up for 156 in the first innings with career-best figures of 7/53 in 19.3 overs.New Zealand had made 259 in the first innings. India started the day on a positive note with Shubman Gill (30) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) adding 49 for the second wicket before six wickets fell for the addition of 53 runs as the hosts were left tottering at 107 for 7 at lunch. Virat Kohli played the most forgettable shot of the morning to be clean bowled for 1. Santner then returned in the post-lunch session to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah cheaply.

Ravi Shastri's Witty Commentary Steals the Show in India-New Zealand TestFormer Indian coach Ravi Shastri's trademark humor took center stage during the third day of the India-New Zealand first Test in Bengaluru. Shastri's witty observation of a fan enjoying an ice cream in the stands sparked a flurry of reactions on social media.As the match unfolded under the scorching sun, Shastri's keen eye spotted a bulky man attempting to conceal his ice cream from the stadium's big screen. With his signature larger-than-life style, Shastri quipped, "This is hot. You need that ice cream but someone hiding behind. He is a big unit - The Ice Cream boy!"Shastri's commentary didn't end there. As the fan continued to indulge in his frozen treat, Shastri remarked, "Oh! there he goes. Out comes that cone. The ice cream disappeared and it's only the cone left. That's going through pretty quickly too. He is a big bloke. He is tucking into it. It's hot."The off-the-cuff remark instantly became a viral sensation, showcasing Shastri's ability to inject fun and flavor into the game with his inimitable commentary. Social media erupted with mixed reactions, with some fans relishing the lighthearted moment while others questioned its appropriateness during the intense cricketing action.Shastri's witty observation not only provided a moment of comic relief but also highlighted the unique bond between fans and commentators in the world of cricket. His ability to connect with the audience through his humorous remarks has made him one of the most beloved commentators in the sport.

India's dominance in Test cricket continued as they registered a resounding 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the recently concluded two-match series. The second Test in Kanpur, despite being rain-hit, witnessed a stellar performance from Team India, who chased down a target of 95 with seven wickets in hand on Day 5.The victory marked India's 18th consecutive Test series win at home, a testament to their unwavering dominance on home soil. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team has scaled new heights, with Sharma himself attributing his success to the support of former head coach Ravi Shastri and star batter Virat Kohli.In a recent interview with renowned commentator Jatin Sapru, Sharma revealed that Shastri and Kohli played a pivotal role in his transformation as an opening batter in Test cricket. He described it as his "second birth" in the format."In the second innings, I was very grateful to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli for giving me the opportunity to bat up the order," Sharma said. "It wasn't an easy decision to promote me in Tests. They trusted me. They asked me to play one practice match, which I did. I got out on the very first ball, but I realized that I didn't have any other choice. It felt like a second birth in Test cricket. I knew I had to grab this opportunity."Sharma's gratitude towards Shastri and Kohli stems from their unwavering belief in his abilities. Despite his initial struggles as an opener, they encouraged him to play his natural game and not succumb to the pressure of survival."My response to them was clear: I'll play my natural game and won't take the pressure of trying to survive. I'm going to play freely. If the ball is there, whether it's the first ball of the Test or not, I'm going to hit it. They gave me the freedom to do what I wanted," Sharma added.Shastri's eagerness for Sharma to open in Tests dates back to 2015, but the decision ultimately rested with the team management. However, with the support of Shastri and Kohli, Sharma has flourished in his new role, becoming one of the most prolific openers in Test cricket.Following the successful completion of the Test series, India will face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, commencing on October 6 in Gwalior.

Mushfiqur Rahim's Sweep Shot Mastery Stuns Ravi Shastri, Murali Kartik Highlights MS Dhoni's Unique ApproachAs India sought to dismantle Bangladesh's batting lineup on the final day of the Kanpur Test, Mushfiqur Rahim emerged as a formidable obstacle. The Bangladesh wicket-keeper batter wielded the sweep shot as a potent weapon against the spin threat posed by India's Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.Rahim's exceptional handling of the spin twins sparked a lively discussion in the commentary box, involving Ravi Shastri and Atahr Ali Khan. When Ali praised Rahim's proficiency in using sweep shots against spinners, Shastri challenged him to name a wicket-keeper who doesn't employ this technique.However, former India cricketer Murali Kartik, who was also present in the commentary box, interjected and answered Shastri's question by mentioning MS Dhoni. Ali emphasized how Mushfiqur's performance exemplified the effectiveness of sweep shots in neutralizing spin threats.Shastri, taken aback by Kartik's response, expressed surprise that Dhoni, a bottom-handed player, rarely attempted sweep shots against spinners. Instead, Dhoni relied on his footwork to advance down the track and tackle tricky spinners.Despite not possessing a sweep shot in his arsenal, Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the finest batters against spinners. His unique approach, which involved using his feet to create angles and disrupt the bowler's rhythm, proved highly effective.Rahim's resistance was eventually broken by pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who delivered an off-cutter that uprooted the Bangladesh wicket-keeper batter's middle stump. India secured a 7-wicket victory against Bangladesh, completing a 2-0 series sweep.The Kanpur Test victory was particularly significant considering the limited play possible due to rain interruptions. India had earlier won the first Test by a commanding margin of 280 runs.

Ravi Shastri, the former India coach and renowned commentator, recently shared a heartwarming post on social media, highlighting the unsung hero of the Indian cricket team: Raghuvendra Dwivedi, affectionately known as 'Raghu.'Dwivedi, a throwdown specialist, has been an indispensable member of Team India's backroom staff since 2011. His exceptional skills and dedication have earned him the admiration of players, coaches, and fans alike.Shastri, in his post, described Raghu as the "heartbeat of the Indian Cricket team," a testament to his unwavering support and contributions. Dwivedi's role extends beyond his technical expertise; he is a constant source of motivation and encouragement for the team.Virat Kohli, the former India captain, has also acknowledged Raghu's invaluable contributions. In a 2020 live session, Kohli praised Raghu's understanding of footwork and bat movement, crediting him for the team's improvement in playing fast bowling.Dwivedi's ability to hurl balls at speeds of up to 155 kmph from a sidearm position has made him an indispensable asset in training sessions. His unwavering commitment to the team's success has earned him the respect and admiration of all who work with him.As India prepares for the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Raghu will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the team's preparations. His expertise and dedication will be instrumental in helping India secure a 2-0 sweep and further strengthen their position at the top of the World Test Championship standings.

KL Rahul, India's prodigious batsman, has reached the coveted milestone of 8000 international runs. However, despite this achievement, former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Rahul needs to undergo a mindset shift to fully unlock his potential and deliver consistent performances.Rahul's milestone came during the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. After a modest first innings, he played a brief but unbeaten knock in the second, helping India extend their lead. This achievement places him among the elite Indian cricketers who have surpassed 8000 international runs.While acknowledging Rahul's talent, Shastri emphasized the need for a change in mindset. "KL Rahul needs to realize the immense talent he possesses. When he does that and approaches the game with a different mindset, he will become a formidable player," Shastri said.Rahul's inconsistency, particularly in Test cricket, has been a concern. Despite match-winning performances and crucial knocks in limited-overs cricket, his Test average remains a modest 34.12 after 50 matches. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar attributes this inconsistency to a temperamental issue rather than technical deficiencies."Rahul's performances have been erratic. He plays a brilliant innings in one Test and then seems disinterested in the next two or three," Manjrekar commented. "He has some brilliant hundreds, but an average of 34 tells you about his temperament."Reaching 8000 international runs is a testament to Rahul's capabilities across formats. With 8017 runs in 200 matches, including 17 hundreds and 54 half-centuries, he has already achieved what many cricketers aspire to. His versatility as a batter is evident in his performances in both Tests and limited-overs cricket.However, Shastri and other experts believe that Rahul's true potential lies in his ability to perform consistently and reach new heights. This requires a mental shift that will allow him to approach the game with a different mindset and unlock the full extent of his talent.

Bangladesh's star cricketer Tamim Iqbal has ventured into the world of commentary during the ongoing India-Bangladesh Test series. On Day 3 of the first Test, Tamim engaged in a lighthearted banter with renowned Indian commentator Ravi Shastri.The conversation centered around the importance of power in hitting sixes. Tamim emphasized the role of physical strength, while Shastri highlighted the significance of technique. Shastri playfully pointed out that Tamim, despite his lean physique, has hit the most sixes for Bangladesh in both Tests and ODIs."Why are you complaining? You are not Arnold Schwarzenegger, and you hit the most sixes for Bangladesh! 41 sixes," Shastri quipped.Tamim's record speaks for itself. He has smashed 41 sixes in Test cricket, five more than his compatriot Mushfiqur Rahim. In ODIs, he has hit 103 maximums, three more than Rahim.Meanwhile, on the field, India's Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant slammed four sixes each as they notched up impressive centuries in the first innings. Their six-hitting prowess prompted the discussion between Tamim and Shastri.Bangladesh ended Day 3 on 158/4, still trailing India's massive target of 515 by 357 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed before the end of play.Earlier, Gill and Pant's centuries helped India declare at 287/4 in their second innings. Bangladesh's poor first innings performance left them with a daunting task to chase down.Bangladesh's openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam, provided a solid start with a 50-run partnership, but both fell shortly after. R Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming three wickets, including those of Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim.Bangladesh enter this series on the back of a historic 2-0 away series win over Pakistan. India, on the other hand, are playing their first red-ball match since their 4-1 victory over England in March.