Cricket

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, has expressed his support for the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach. Shastri believes that Gambhir's contemporary approach, fresh ideas, and experience make him the ideal candidate for the role.Gambhir, who recently led the Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL), brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Indian team. Shastri highlighted Gambhir's understanding of the current players, especially in the white-ball format, as a key advantage."He's contemporary, he just had a great season in the IPL," Shastri said. "I think he's the right age where he's young, he'll come with fresh ideas. He knows most of the players, especially in the white-ball format, having been part of teams in the IPL."Shastri also emphasized the importance of player management in the role of a coach. He believes that Gambhir's ability to understand his players as individuals will be crucial for success."Obviously, player management becomes the key as a coach," Shastri said. "So it'll be interesting to see how he goes. I think he's got the tools, he's got the goods for the job and he's got the experience."Gambhir's first assignment as head coach will be the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, starting with the three T20Is on Saturday in Pallekele. He will then take over in all formats, with major assignments including the five home Tests starting in September and the ICC trophies in 2025 and 2026.Shastri believes that India needs to find the right mix for the T20I format, especially with the departure of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. However, he is confident that Gambhir has the talent and experience to guide the team to success."I think a lot of the players that won this T20 World Cup will still be around two years later," he said. "So I don't think there's much to be done there. In fact, you will get a problem on your hands because you'll have to choose from the new lot that's coming and there's some real exciting talent there."

Test Cricket: Time for a Rethink?Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has sparked a debate about the future of Test cricket, suggesting that it should be restricted to a select group of nations while T20 cricket takes on the responsibility of spreading the game globally.Shastri's comments come amid concerns about the declining appeal of Test cricket, particularly among younger audiences. The rise of T20 leagues worldwide has captured the attention of fans with its fast-paced and action-packed format."When you don't have quality, that's when the ratings drop," Shastri said. "You have 12 Test match teams. Bring it down to six or seven and have a promotion and relegation system."Shastri believes that reducing the number of Test-playing nations would ensure higher quality matches and sustain interest in the format. He also advocates for using T20 cricket to promote the game in developing countries.MCC President Mark Nicholas echoed Shastri's sentiments, emphasizing the financial benefits of T20 cricket. "T20 cricket is the behemoth that everybody wants," Nicholas said. "It's where the new market is, where the fans are, and where the money is."However, former Australia opener and head coach Justin Langer stressed the importance of protecting international cricket, citing its impact on young players. He pointed to the recent Test debut of West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph in Australia as an example of the transformative power of international cricket."It had Australia enthralled and it brought the Caribbean to life," Langer said. "That's bilateral cricket and international cricket."The upcoming England-West Indies Test series at Lord's is expected to draw significant attention, particularly as it marks the farewell match of veteran pacer James Anderson. Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies, expressed the importance of the series for the development of the team."It's probably the pinnacle Test series that we play," Grave said. "We're coming off a high, and for a number of the players, this will be the first time they've ever played at Lord's."The debate over the future of Test cricket is likely to continue, with different perspectives on how to preserve the traditional format while adapting to the changing landscape of the sport.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) recently hosted a symposium to discuss the future of Test cricket and the potential role of the 20-overs format in expanding the sport's reach. One of the key suggestions was to limit Test cricket to a smaller number of teams, such as six or seven, to maintain a competitive landscape.The appeal of Test cricket has declined in recent years outside of traditional strongholds like India, England, and Australia. This decline has coincided with the rapid growth of lucrative T20 leagues worldwide. While Test cricket still offers thrilling moments, the shorter and more action-packed nature of T20 cricket has become increasingly popular with new fans.Former Indian player and coach Ravi Shastri emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive Test cricket landscape. He believes that restricting participation to stronger teams is the only way to achieve this. "When you don't have quality, that is when the ratings drop, there are fewer people in the crowd, its meaningless cricket, which is the last thing sport wants," Shastri said.Shastri proposed a two-tier system, with the top six or seven teams playing in a promotion and relegation format. This would ensure that only the strongest teams compete in Test cricket, maintaining its quality and appeal.Justin Langer, the former Australian batsman and coach, expressed his support for T20 leagues but emphasized the importance of safeguarding international cricket. He believes that international cricket has a significant impact on the younger generation, as evidenced by the recent performances of West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph.MCC President Mark Nicholas summarized the key points discussed, emphasizing that the opinions expressed were not intended to imply that Test cricket was unjustified. He acknowledged that cricket, like any other sport, requires financial resources to sustain its existence."T20 cricket is the behemoth that everybody wants," Nicholas said. "It is where the new market is, where the fans are and where the money is."The symposium highlighted the challenges facing Test cricket in the modern era. While T20 cricket continues to grow in popularity, it is essential to find ways to maintain the quality and appeal of Test cricket. Limiting participation to a smaller number of teams and implementing a promotion and relegation system could be potential solutions to ensure the future of the longest format of the game.

India's triumph in the T20 World Cup has sparked controversy, with former England captain Michael Vaughan accusing the organizers of favoritism towards the Indian team. Vaughan highlighted the flight delay faced by Afghanistan players traveling to Trinidad for the semi-final, alleging a lack of respect and an India-centric scheduling.However, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has dismissed Vaughan's claims, questioning his credentials and India's proven track record of lifting World Cups. Shastri pointed out that India has won the T20 World Cup four times, while England has won it twice.Shastri also addressed the controversial catch taken by Suryakumar Yadav in the final, silencing critics who questioned its legitimacy. He emphasized that India's victory will be etched in the record books, regardless of any sour grapes.Vaughan's allegations have been met with mixed reactions. Some have supported his claims, citing the scheduling issues faced by Afghanistan. Others have defended the organizers, arguing that the tournament was fair and well-organized.The controversy has raised questions about the fairness of international sporting events and the potential for bias towards certain teams. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in tournament scheduling and decision-making.

Ravi Shastri's electrifying commentary at the toss of the India vs South Africa T20 World Cup final in Barbados left the crowd in stitches. Known for his passionate monologues, Shastri delivered a roaring introduction that had Rohit Sharma, Aiden Markram, and even match referee Richie Richardson in splits.Shastri referred to Markram as a "potential punching bag" in the green corner, ready to land an uppercut for the first time. He then introduced Rohit Sharma as the one "punching all the way through the tournament."Shastri's humor extended to match referee Richie Richardson, who he described as "West Indies' very own, the one there to keep things calm and be the potential punching bag."The toss proceedings were held in bright sunshine and with a gusty wind blowing across the 28,000-capacity Kensington Oval, which was expected to be sold out for the game.India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. Both Rohit and his South African counterpart Markram named unchanged line-ups from the teams that won their respective semi-finals.

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has emphasized the importance of focusing on each match individually for Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He urged the players to avoid getting carried away by thoughts of lifting the trophy and instead concentrate on playing fearless cricket one game at a time.Shastri also heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, declaring him the best bowler across all formats in the world. He highlighted Bumrah's ability to read situations, adapt to different pitches, and execute a wide range of deliveries. Shastri cited Bumrah's impressive performance against Afghanistan, where he took three wickets and conceded only seven runs in four overs, as an example of his exceptional skills.According to Shastri, Bumrah's ability to quickly assess the batsman's intentions and adjust his bowling strategy sets him apart from other bowlers. He emphasized that Bumrah's versatility, including his mastery of the new ball, makes him a formidable competitor in all formats of the game.Shastri's advice to the Indian team aligns with the approach of playing one match at a time, which has been adopted by successful teams in the past. He believes that by focusing on the present task and not getting distracted by the ultimate goal, the team can perform at their best and increase their chances of reaching the final.

Ravi Shastri's Luggage Mishap at T20 World Cup: A Humorous TaleFormer India head coach and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri encountered an unexpected challenge during the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup when his luggage went astray, landing on a different island. Despite the inconvenience, Shastri's witty and optimistic nature shone through as he shared his experience on social media.Shastri, known for his sharp commentary and infectious enthusiasm, found himself in a peculiar situation when he arrived at the breakfast table in Antigua wearing a robe. The reason? His luggage had somehow ended up on another island, leaving him without his usual attire.Undeterred, Shastri took to Twitter to share his predicament with his followers. "Feeling like a drug lord at breakfast in this outfit here in beautiful Antigua, even though my luggage is still on another island. Can't wait for it to arrive soon!" he wrote, accompanied by a picture of himself in his makeshift attire.Shastri's humorous take on the situation resonated with fans, who praised his ability to stay positive and entertain even in less-than-ideal circumstances. His optimistic nature and resilience were evident in his light-hearted caption, which highlighted his ability to find humor in adversity.The luggage mishap is not an uncommon occurrence in the West Indies, with several players having faced similar issues in the past. However, Shastri's ability to turn the inconvenience into a moment of amusement has been widely appreciated.Shastri's last on-field appearance was at the toss of India's match against Afghanistan in Barbados. For the upcoming Super 8 game against Bangladesh at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, he traveled with the Indian team from Barbados to Antigua.Despite the luggage mishap, Shastri remains focused on his commentary duties, providing insightful analysis and entertaining anecdotes to viewers around the world. His ability to connect with fans and bring a unique perspective to the game has made him one of the most popular commentators in cricket today.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was overcome with emotion as he presented Rishabh Pant with the best fielder award following India's thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup. Shastri had been deeply affected by the news of Pant's potentially fatal car accident in December 2022.Despite being dropped four times and struggling for timing early on, Pant played a crucial role in India's victory with a vital 42 off 31 balls. He also took three excellent catches behind the stumps, showcasing his exceptional wicketkeeping skills."I had tears in my eyes when I heard about his accident," Shastri said in a video posted on bcci.tv. "When I saw him in hospital, it was even worse. Then for him to come back from there and be back in the A-zone playing one of the biggest games of all time, India vs Pakistan, is heartwarming."Shastri praised Pant's determination and hard work, noting that his recovery from the accident was an inspiration to millions. "Not just for yourself, it's an inspiration to millions around the globe that from adversity, from the jaws of death, you can snatch a win as well," he said.Fielding coach T Dilip also lauded the Indian players for their exceptional fielding performance on a sluggish outfield. "One thing which stood out was sheer commitment towards excellence in fielding, which led to greatness today," Dilip said. "In high pressure situations, being proactive is extremely important and this game was a great example."India's victory over Pakistan was their second in the tournament, following their opening win against the Netherlands. They will next face co-hosts USA on Wednesday in New York.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and former head coach Ravi Shastri engaged in a friendly baseball game during a fan event in New York City ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan.The event, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and DP World, saw thousands of fans gather at the fan zone to witness the iconic duo interact and play baseball. Shastri took on the role of pitcher, while Tendulkar showcased his batting skills.After the baseball game, Tendulkar and Shastri interacted with local children and distributed cricket kits to them. Tendulkar expressed his excitement for the upcoming India-Pakistan match, noting that their previous encounters in World Cups have always been thrilling and exhilarating."India versus Pakistan has always been a big match and exhilarating. My first World Cup clash against them was in Australia. The number of WC matches we have played against them are all exciting and have tight finishes which people have enjoyed. Coming to the T20 WC from 2007 to 2022, all these matches have been tight and exhilarating as well. I would like to wish both of the teams the best of luck, though my best wishes will be slightly more towards India," Tendulkar said.The event served as a prelude to the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match, which is expected to draw a massive global audience. Tendulkar's presence and interaction with fans added to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the clash between the two cricketing giants.