Cricket

Hardik Pandya's Test return prospects have been downplayed by former India coach Ravi Shastri, despite the all-rounder's recent social media post showcasing his bowling practice. Pandya was removed as Team India's vice-captain in white-ball cricket after Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach, and his Test comeback has been a subject of speculation.Shastri, who coached Pandya during his tenure with the Indian team, believes that Pandya's return to the Test setup depends on his physical and mental readiness. "If he feels he is strong enough to take the load, then why not? Don't want it to be a case where he comes in too early, plays and gets injured and then you miss him for the white-ball as well," Shastri said during commentary of the India-Bangladesh first Test.Shastri emphasized that Pandya's mindset and approach to the situation will be crucial. "Depends on how his mindset is. That would be ideal from India's point of view. I think he is someone who knows his body better than anyone," Shastri added.However, Shastri also suggested that Pandya may need to prioritize certain formats if he is not confident about his fitness and workload. "Got to see where he is most suited, in which format of the game. And stick to that," he said.Pandya played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph as vice-captain, contributing with both bat and ball. However, he was replaced by Shubman Gill as India's vice-captain in T20Is and ODIs after Gambhir's appointment.Pandya's Test chances appear slim, as he did not participate in the Duleep Trophy 2024. The all-rounder's last Test appearance was in 2018, and his return to the Test setup remains uncertain.

India's Miraculous Comeback After Adelaide Humiliation: Ashwin Recounts Dressing Room MoodIn the aftermath of India's humiliating 36 all out in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide in 2020, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on the somber mood in the dressing room.Despite holding a 53-run lead in the first innings, India collapsed to their lowest Test score, handing Australia a comfortable victory. The defeat left the team reeling and questioning their chances of winning the series.However, according to Ashwin, head coach Ravi Shastri played a pivotal role in lifting the team's spirits. "The mood in the dressing room was a bit down," Ashwin said. "But Ravi Bhai organized a team dinner and arranged for karaoke. He started singing old Hindi songs, and everybody joined in."With captain Virat Kohli preparing to leave for the birth of his child, the team set modest goals for the remaining Tests. "We were just focusing on doing well in the next Test in Melbourne," Ashwin said. "We kept small targets."What followed was a remarkable turnaround. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, India fought back with determination and resilience. They drew the second Test in Melbourne, won the third Test in Sydney, and triumphed in the fourth Test at the Gabba, where Australia had not lost in 32 years.Ashwin credits the team's unity and belief for their success. "We had a lot of belief in ourselves," he said. "We knew we could do it, and we just kept fighting."India's victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 remains one of the most inspiring stories in cricket history. It showcased the team's ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

Virat Kohli's tenure as India's Test captain marked a transformative era for the team, characterized by dominance, historic victories, and an aggressive leadership style that inspired players.Kohli, alongside head coach Ravi Shastri, fostered an environment where India's pace attack flourished, becoming one of the most formidable in the world. Under their guidance, India achieved historic series wins in Australia and drew a series in England, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.Kohli's aggressive captaincy left an indelible mark on the players who played under him. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who made his Test debut under Kohli, lauded the former skipper's leadership style.In his first Test as captain, Kohli's unwavering determination to win was evident. Despite facing a daunting target of 363 in the fourth innings, Kohli instilled a belief in his team that they could chase it down. "We are going to chase it down," he declared, injecting positivity into the dressing room.Although India ultimately fell short by 48 runs, Kohli's flamboyant 141 off 175 balls demonstrated his unwavering belief in his team's abilities. "It was a different approach," said Karn. "His words sent a wonderful indication to the players in the dressing room, that your captain has different plans."Kohli's resilience was also evident in his ability to overcome poor form. Despite enduring a rough patch during India's tour to England in 2014, he put that behind him to heap runs in Australia."He always gave the impression that everything is fine," said Karn. "Through his preparations, fitness, mental approach, Kohli never appeared too bothered or was fretting over the fact that he had a bad Test series."Kohli's leadership style not only inspired his players but also left a lasting legacy on Indian cricket. His aggressive approach, unwavering determination, and ability to overcome adversity continue to serve as a model for future generations of cricketers.

Shikhar Dhawan, the swashbuckling Indian opener, has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a glittering career that spanned over a decade. Former Indian cricket team head coach and director Ravi Shastri paid a heartfelt tribute to Dhawan, expressing his gratitude and admiration for the cricketer's impactful career.Dhawan, fondly known as "Shiki Boy," made his international debut in 2010 and quickly established himself as a formidable force in the Indian batting lineup. Known for his aggressive style of play and ability to score runs at a rapid pace, Dhawan played a pivotal role in India's success in various ICC tournaments and Asia Cups.One of Dhawan's most memorable performances came in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where he was the leading run-scorer and played a crucial role in India's triumph. He also played a key role in India's victory in the 2016 Asia Cup, scoring a match-winning century in the final against Bangladesh.In addition to his international exploits, Dhawan was also a prolific run-scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is the second-highest run-getter of all time in the IPL, with over 6,700 runs to his name. He won the IPL title with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016 and was a key member of the Delhi Capitals team that reached the final in 2020.Dhawan's retirement marks the end of an era in Indian cricket. He was a beloved figure among fans and teammates alike, known for his infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude. His contributions to Indian cricket will be remembered for years to come.

India's formidable bowling attack and exceptional batting lineup have positioned them as strong contenders for a third consecutive Test series victory in Australia, according to former head coach Ravi Shastri.With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja leading the bowling charge, India possesses a potent arsenal capable of dismantling Australia's batting order. Shastri believes that if the Indian batsmen, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, can rise to the occasion, India has every chance of completing a hat-trick of series wins Down Under.Despite Ricky Ponting's prediction of a 3-1 series win for Australia, Shastri remains confident in India's ability to overcome the challenge. He emphasizes that the Indian bowlers have the experience and skill to deliver success, provided the batsmen provide adequate support.The upcoming five-match series in Australia, commencing in Perth in November, is highly anticipated. India has emerged victorious in the previous two Test series in Australia, retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2015.Shastri acknowledges that Australia, boasting a potent bowling lineup of their own, will be eager for revenge after suffering back-to-back series defeats. However, he believes that India's batting prowess and bowling strength will prove too formidable for the hosts.The clash between India's batting and Australia's fast bowlers is expected to be a key factor in determining the outcome of the series. Shastri highlights that the Indian bowling attack will also be under scrutiny, as they aim to replicate their success in previous tours of Australia.

Ravi Shastri, the former Indian cricketer and head coach, has hailed Rohit Sharma as one of the greatest Indian captains in history, predicting that his legacy will be cemented after the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.Since taking over the captaincy in 2021, Sharma has transformed India's fortunes, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and the World Test Championship. His aggressive playing style and strategic prowess have earned him widespread acclaim.Shastri believes that Sharma's tactical acumen is on par with MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian captain. "As a tactician, he's been an outstanding guy. He'll go down as one of the best captains ever alongside Dhoni," Shastri said.Sharma's exceptional leadership extends to the Indian Premier League, where he has guided the Mumbai Indians to five titles since 2013. His ability to handle pressure and make crucial decisions was evident in India's comeback victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa."Rohit is not far behind and I thought tactically he was just outstanding in this year's (T20) World Cup. Just the calmness, the ability to get a (Jasprit) Bumrah or a (Hardik) Pandya, or even an Axar Patel at just the right time when needed was great to see," Shastri added.Sharma's batting prowess has also flourished under his captaincy, making him a formidable all-rounder. His partnership with head coach Rahul Dravid has been instrumental in India's resurgence, creating a cohesive and successful team environment.As India gears up for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Shastri believes that Sharma's leadership will be crucial in securing the coveted trophy. "If India wins the World Cup, Rohit will be considered one of the greatest Indian captains ever," Shastri concluded.

After being overlooked for the T20I captaincy, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has advised star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize playing time and draw inspiration from his ICC T20 World Cup heroics to maintain peak fitness.Pandya, who served as Rohit Sharma's deputy during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, was considered a frontrunner to succeed Rohit as captain. However, he was named only as a player for the ongoing Sri Lanka tour, with Suryakumar Yadav appointed as T20I captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain.Shastri attributed Pandya's fitness concerns as the primary reason for his exclusion from the captaincy. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the need for a consistently available player, which tipped the scales against Pandya.In an interview with The ICC Review, Shastri urged Pandya to play as much as possible to regain match fitness. He advised Pandya to participate in all available T20I matches and consider playing in one-day games if he feels fit enough.However, Shastri stressed the importance of bowling consistently for Pandya to be considered for one-day cricket. He noted that a player who can only bowl three overs in a one-day game would disrupt the team's balance.Pandya has a history of major injuries dating back to 2018, including a stress fracture and back surgery. He also sustained an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023.Despite these setbacks, Pandya showcased his exceptional talent in the T20 World Cup, scoring crucial runs and taking important wickets. He played a pivotal role in India's victory in the final, taking the wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the last over.Shastri believes that Pandya's recent performances should motivate him to regain full fitness. He emphasized that Pandya understands his body better than anyone and should be inspired by his World Cup heroics to prioritize his fitness.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has advised star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize fitness and play as much cricket as possible to regain his peak performance. Shastri's comments come after Pandya was overlooked for the T20I captaincy in favor of Suryakumar Yadav.Pandya's fitness issues have been a recurring concern, dating back to a stress fracture in 2018. Despite recovering from surgery, his back problems resurfaced, necessitating another surgery. More recently, he sustained an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023.Shastri believes that Pandya's recent performances in the T20 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India's victory, should inspire him to regain his fitness. He emphasized the importance of match fitness, especially for all-rounders who need to bowl consistently."If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well," Shastri said.Shastri also acknowledged Pandya's understanding of his body and expressed confidence that he would be motivated to get back to full fitness. He urged Pandya to play as much T20I cricket as possible to maintain his match sharpness."I think it is up to him really, more than anything else," Shastri added. "He understands his body better than anyone. And I am sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going."Pandya's fitness will be crucial for India's upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka and the World Cup later this year. If he can overcome his injury concerns and regain his peak form, he will be a valuable asset to the team.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed his support for newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who will lead the team on its upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Shastri believes that Suryakumar's experience and dynamic batting style will make him a successful leader.Suryakumar has captained India in T20I series against Australia and South Africa in the past, and has also led Mumbai domestically. Shastri believes that this experience will be invaluable in his new role."He is street smart... he is one of the best T20 players in the world at the moment," Shastri said. "He is a match-winner on his own, walks into the team day in, day out in that format of the game on his own steam, so I think it is not a bad idea at all."Shastri also stressed the importance of Suryakumar understanding and managing India's diverse bowling options."One thing that he (Suryakumar) will have to learn from his side is what are the strengths of his bowlers and what are their limitations," Shastri said. "I never say a bowler has a weakness, I say a limitation, and then there are strengths. And then focus on the right things and set fields accordingly. I think that is what he will have to learn."Shastri believes that Suryakumar's captaincy style will be similar to his playing style."I think it will [captaincy style] be much like his personality, the way he plays the game," Shastri said. "He will be thinking very quickly and the fact that he knows all these players, even the senior players, I think he will be in a great position to handle the team."