Cricket

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicket-keeper batter, is poised to make a triumphant return to international red-ball cricket after being named in the Indian squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, commencing on September 19. This marks Pant's comeback after an extended absence of approximately 20 months, following severe injuries sustained in a car accident in 2022.Pant's return has been met with widespread anticipation, as he is widely regarded as a key member of the Indian cricket team. He played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign and recently made his ODI comeback against Sri Lanka.WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff has expressed his admiration for Pant's resilience and dedication, commenting on his comeback with the words, "Discipline and commitment. Deadly combination."Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has also hailed Pant's potential, stating that he is on track to become an all-time great in Test cricket. However, Ganguly emphasized the need for Pant to improve his performance in shorter formats.The Indian selectors have opted to give Mohammed Shami additional time to recover from ankle surgery, while including uncapped left-arm pacers Yash Dayal and Akash Deep in the squad. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will serve as the frontline pacers.Ganguly expressed confidence in the Indian bowling attack, despite Shami's absence, stating that it remains a formidable unit. He also highlighted the importance of spin in Indian conditions, with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav forming a formidable quartet.Pant's return to the Indian Test team is a testament to his unwavering determination and the high regard in which he is held by the cricketing fraternity. As he embarks on this new chapter, he will be eager to prove his worth and contribute to India's success on the international stage.

Pakistan's cricket team has faced intense scrutiny after their humiliating Test series defeat against Bangladesh, marking a historic low for the side. Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed concern over Pakistan's decline, attributing it to a lack of star players.Ganguly highlighted the absence of legendary players like Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, and others, who once defined Pakistan's cricketing prowess. He emphasized the need for Pakistan to produce exceptional talent to compete in modern cricket."I see a genuine dearth of talent in the country," Ganguly said. "Every time we think of Pakistan, we remember Miandad, Wasim, Waqar, Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Yousuf, and Younis Khan. That's the memory of Pakistan for us, but that doesn't win matches in the modern generation of cricket."Ganguly urged Pakistani cricket authorities to address the issue, stating that the current squad lacks the caliber of past greats. He believes that Pakistan's decline is a matter of concern for the sport.Meanwhile, Ganguly praised Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who is set to return to the Test side against Bangladesh. Ganguly believes Pant has the potential to become an all-time great in Test cricket but needs to improve his performance in shorter formats."I consider Rishabh Pant one of India's best Test batsmen," Ganguly said. "I'm not surprised that he's back in the side, and he will continue to play for India in Tests."

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's unique communication style and forgetfulness have become legendary among players and fans alike. His words, often captured by stump microphones, have gone viral on social media, with memorable quotes like "agar koi garden mei ghoomta hua nazar aaya toh..." (if I find anyone roaming around like in a garden).Rohit's forgetfulness has also been a source of amusement. From leaving his passport and iPad behind to forgetting the playing eleven at the toss, his absent-mindedness has become a running joke.In a recent chat with YouTuber Tamnay Bhatt, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant shed light on Rohit's communication style. "Bhai depend karta hai. Ground ke context mei toh mai samajh jaata hu, off the field kum aata hai samajh mei (I understand what Rohit says on the ground, but off the field I don't)," Pant quipped.Pant also shared an incident where he tried to distract Virat Kohli during an IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. "It was one of the most important matches of the season for us and we needed to perform well. I couldn't play that match and was thinking what could I do from the outside," Pant explained.Rohit's forgetfulness and communication style have become an integral part of his persona. While it may sometimes lead to confusion, it also adds a touch of humor to the game.

In a hilarious collaboration between sports and entertainment, Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant joined popular comedian and YouTuber Tanmay Bhat on his channel to react to cricket memes. One particular meme featuring India pacer Mohammed Siraj has gone viral, leaving Pant and Bhat in stitches.The meme, which has been circulating for some time, shows Siraj addressing his fans and clarifying his official Instagram account. "Mohammmed Siraj Official is the account I use, that's my only account. The rest are all fake IDs," Siraj says in the video.Pant, Bhat, and the others in the video could not contain their laughter as they watched Siraj's earnest declaration. The video, posted on Bhat's YouTube channel 'Tanmay Bhat,' has garnered over 1.5 million views and 120,000 likes within a day of being uploaded.Pant and Siraj were teammates during India's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies and USA. They are now set to reunite for India's upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home.Bangladesh, fresh from their stunning 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan, will pose a formidable challenge to India. The series will also mark the debut of new India head coach Gautam Gambhir in red-ball cricket.Despite the presence of experienced players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah in the squad, Gambhir and the BCCI have surprisingly not named a designated vice-captain for the tour.

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant injected a dose of humor into the Duleep Trophy encounter between India A and India B in Bengaluru. During the pre-match huddle of the India A team, Pant stealthily joined the group, listening intently to skipper Shubman Gill's speech.The incident, captured on video and shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), drew mixed reactions on social media. While some found it amusing, others expressed concern that such actions could undermine the seriousness of the tournament.Pant's prank came amidst his return to the Test side after a 20-month absence. He was named in India's 16-man squad for the opening match of the two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19.The squad also marked the comeback of Virat Kohli, who missed the five-Test series against England earlier this year due to the birth of his second child. Uncapped left-arm fast bowler Yash Dayal received his maiden Test call-up, while fast bowler Mohammed Shami remains on a comeback trail.India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah returned to the squad after the T20 World Cup. He is expected to play a couple of more Tests against New Zealand in October-November before the team's tour of Australia for a five-Test series.Pant's return to the national side comes after a challenging period. He met with a road accident in December 2022, which sidelined him from top-flight cricket until the IPL this year. The 26-year-old made his international comeback in the T20 World Cup, where India emerged victorious.Despite chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar's earlier indication that Shami was targeting a return in the first Test against Bangladesh, the right-arm seamer failed to make the cut. Dayal, who had a remarkable redemption with his India call-up, was once smashed for five consecutive sixes by Rinku Singh in an IPL match.

Rishabh Pant's Test prowess has earned him high praise from former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who believes the wicketkeeper-batter is destined for greatness in the format. However, Ganguly also urged Pant to improve his performances in shorter formats.Pant's return to the Test side after his horrific car accident in December 2022 has been met with anticipation. He is expected to feature in the opening Test against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 in Chennai."I consider Rishabh Pant one of India's best Test batsmen," Ganguly said at a promotional event in Kolkata. "He will be an all-time great in Tests if he keeps performing like this."Ganguly acknowledged Pant's impressive performances in T20 and ODI cricket since his return from injury earlier this year. However, he emphasized the need for Pant to enhance his skills in the shorter formats."For me, he needs to get better in the shorter formats," Ganguly said. "With the talent he has, I'm sure with time, he will become one of the best."The Indian selectors have included uncapped left-arm pacers Yash Dayal and Akash Deep in the squad, while Mohammed Shami has been given more time to recover from ankle surgery."It's still a very good attack," Ganguly said. "In India, you will see a lot more spin. Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, and Kuldeep are the four best spinners in the world at the moment."Ganguly also praised Akash Deep, calling him a player to watch out for. "He runs in, bowls quick, and will bowl for long periods," Ganguly said. "He will be as quick as Siraj and Shami, hitting high 140s."Bangladesh, fresh from their historic Test series win over Pakistan, will face a tough challenge in India. Ganguly believes India will be too strong for Bangladesh, but he expects a competitive series."India will be a different kettle of fish; India, whether at home or away, are a fantastic side with a very strong batting unit," Ganguly said. "I don't see Bangladesh winning; India will win the series."Ganguly expressed concern about the lack of talent in Pakistan cricket, which he believes has contributed to their recent struggles."I see a genuine dearth of talent in the country," Ganguly said. "Every generation has to produce outstanding players to win, and when I look at Pakistan in world cricket, there is a dearth of talent in that country."

Rishabh Pant Recounts Suryakumar Yadav's Game-Changing Catch in 2024 T20 World Cup FinalIndia's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has shared his light-hearted perspective on Suryakumar Yadav's extraordinary catch in the dying moments of the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. The catch proved pivotal in securing India's thrilling seven-run victory, preventing South Africa from snatching the game from their grasp.Speaking on Tanmoy Bhat's YouTube channel, Pant recalled the tense moment when South Africa's big-hitting finisher, David Miller, almost turned the tide in his team's favor. Pant admitted that he initially believed Miller's shot would sail over the boundary for a six."When the ball was in the air, it felt like everything was gone. When it hit the bat, it seemed like a sure-shot six. The ball didn't cross the boundary line because of the Indian fans' prayers," Pant joked.The catch swung the momentum back in India's favor, ultimately leading to their victory. Reflecting on the team's achievement, Pant expressed his joy at winning the World Cup, a cherished dream for any cricketer. However, he also emphasized the importance of focusing on future challenges."I am not thinking much about it now because I feel in India, people forget after 10-15 days what you have done. So, it is important for you to forget these things as well. That moment will always be there with me, but now we have to move on and focus on what's next," Pant said.After being sidelined from Test cricket for nearly 20 months, Pant is set to make his return for India in the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19.

The Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India, has been a platform for the country's top players to showcase their skills and prepare for international assignments. However, a recent concern has emerged regarding the slow over-rates maintained by teams during the tournament.In the first-round match between India-A and India-B at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, key batters like Rishabh Pant and K.L. Rahul impressed with their performances. However, both teams struggled to maintain healthy over-rates, falling short by 11 overs on day one, 16 on day two, and 18 on day three.According to a seasoned umpire, one of the reasons for the slow over-rates is the increased use of the Decision Review System (DRS). Players often request reviews even when they have little chance of success. Additionally, strategizing mid-over and between successive balls has become more common, leading to delays.In international cricket, teams are penalized for slow over-rates. However, in the Duleep Trophy, there are only financial penalties and a maximum ban of one match for the skipper. This has led to a lack of strict enforcement, with teams taking the penalties lightly.The umpire emphasized that financial penalties are not sufficient to deter teams from maintaining slow over-rates. He suggested that stricter measures, such as point deductions, should be implemented.India has qualified for both World Test Championship finals so far, but it has not been immune to the problem of slow over-rates. While playing abroad, where pacers do the heavy lifting, the side has been penalized, most notably in the 2022 Edgbaston Test versus England and the 2023 Centurion game against South Africa.If India wants to avoid a repeat of these penalties, it is imperative that it addresses the issue of slow over-rates. The next two rounds of the Duleep Trophy provide an opportunity for the teams to improve their over-rates and ensure that they are ready for the upcoming international challenges.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian Test squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on September 19 in Chennai. The squad features the return of star wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant and the maiden call-up of left-arm pacer Yash Dayal.Pant, who last played a Test match in December 2022, makes a comeback after recovering from a road accident that sidelined him for several months. The 26-year-old has been in impressive form since his return to cricket, playing a key role in India's T20 World Cup triumph.Another notable inclusion is pacer Akash Deep, who has impressed with his performances in the Duleep Trophy. Virat Kohli also returns to the Test side after missing the five-match series against England earlier this year.The squad is led by Rohit Sharma, with Dhruv Jurel serving as the second wicket-keeper batter. India and Bangladesh have a long history in Test cricket, with India holding a dominant 11-2 win-loss record.The second Test of the series will be played at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1. Bangladesh will enter the series with confidence after their historic 2-0 win over Pakistan in Pakistan. India, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their impressive home record, having defeated England 4-1 earlier this year.