Cricket

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant's Animated Chat Sparks ConcernIndian cricket icons Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant have sparked a heated debate on social media after an animated conversation on the bench during India's match against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup.A video surfaced online showing Kohli and Sharma discussing Pant's dismissal, which came after he attempted a risky reverse sweep. Kohli appeared visibly displeased, and the conversation continued as Pant joined them in the dugout.Kohli, who has been a mentor to Pant, expressed his frustration over the young wicket-keeper batter's repeated mistakes. Pant has been a revelation for India at the No. 3 spot in this tournament, but his tendency to play reckless shots has raised concerns."If he commits the same mistake twice - right now it's fine - but in big matches he can face problems because big teams don't let these opportunities slip," said former India spinner Piyush Chawla.Commentators also weighed in on the conversation, suggesting that Kohli and Sharma were discussing Pant's dismissal. "Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in agreement there. Because they know what Pant is capable of," said Chawla."You could see Kohli talking to him now. He was playing really well, Rishabh. Was there a need to play such a shot in that situation?" said Deep Dasgupta.Sanjay Manjrekar added: "If you noticed Virat Kohli's reaction... when Rishabh Pant got out, Kohli didn't know that the camera was on him. He immediately reacted and then hid his face with a towel. The way fans would have reacted to his dismissal, Kohli did the same way."With India set to face Australia in their next match and potentially the semi-finals, the team will be hoping to address these concerns and improve their overall performance.

India's emphatic 50-run victory over Bangladesh has propelled them towards a semifinal berth in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The team's batting has finally found its rhythm, complementing the exceptional bowling unit led by Jasprit Bumrah.Skipper Rohit Sharma, despite a brief stay at the crease against Bangladesh, remains a key player for India. His 99 runs in five innings, including an unbeaten 52 against Ireland, highlight his dominance over Australia in T20Is. Virat Kohli, despite a slow start, has shown signs of improvement with 61 runs in the last two matches.Rishabh Pant, with 152 runs in five innings, has emerged as a reliable wicketkeeper-batter. Suryakumar Yadav's back-to-back fifties have solidified India's middle order, while Shivam Dube's inclusion has added depth to the batting lineup.Hardik Pandya's resurgence has been a major boost for India. His 89 runs and eight wickets have showcased his all-round abilities. Ravindra Jadeja, despite limited opportunities, remains a valuable asset with his all-round skills.Axar Patel's contributions with both bat and ball have been crucial, while Kuldeep Yadav's five wickets in two matches have strengthened India's spin attack. Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional economy rate and 10 wickets make him a formidable force, and Arshdeep Singh's 12 wickets have established him as a reliable wicket-taker.As India prepares to face Australia in their final Super Eight fixture, skipper Rohit Sharma faces a crucial decision regarding the team's composition. The overcast conditions and likelihood of rain in Antigua could influence his choices.

Rishabh Pant's struggles in the ongoing T20 World Cup continued on Saturday as he failed to capitalize on a promising start against Bangladesh. The left-handed batter has been dismissed cheaply in all five innings he has played so far, leaving India's batting lineup in a precarious position.In the Super Eight match against Bangladesh, Pant got off to a solid start, scoring 36 runs off 28 balls. However, he once again failed to convert his start into a substantial score, falling to a reverse sweep that was caught by Tanzim Hasan Sakib at short third man.Pant's dismissal drew a frustrated reaction from his teammate Virat Kohli, who was seen shaking his head and mouthing words of disappointment. The incident highlighted the growing concern over Pant's form, which has been a major talking point throughout the tournament.Despite Pant's struggles, India managed to secure a comfortable 50-run victory over Bangladesh, thanks to a clinical performance from their bowlers. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah were the standout performers, taking three and two wickets respectively.India's victory keeps them unbeaten in the tournament and moves them closer to a semi-final berth. However, Pant's continued failure to deliver is a major concern for the team, who will need him to find his form if they are to challenge for the title.

Former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith has high praise for Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, comparing him to Australian legend Adam Gilchrist. Smith believes that Pant has the potential to match Gilchrist's achievements if he maintains his current form.Pant has impressed Smith with his performances since returning from a car accident earlier this year. He has been in excellent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ongoing T20 World Cup."Rishabh Pant since his accident has come back very strong and he looks in terrific form. He is dynamic. He's aggressive, he's dangerous," Smith said.Like Gilchrist, Pant has shown his versatility by batting in various positions across different formats. Smith believes this makes him a valuable asset in white-ball cricket."He can compliment who's with him, whether he comes in to support Kohli or whether he comes in to support... Rohit Sharma, so three is a good spot for him because I firmly believe that in white-ball cricket your best players should have the opportunity to face the most deliveries. And so that's what makes him valuable.""He can hit the first ball he faces out of the ground and he's got other bailout options as well if it doesn't work out that way. I mean, you know, he's replaced a very good player in KL Rahul. KL Rahul is a world-class cricketer. That says it all for me," Smith added.Pant, 26, is seen as a similar type of cricketer to Gilchrist, who could bat down the order in Test cricket and up the order in white-ball formats. However, Smith cautions that Pant still has a long way to go to reach Gilchrist's records, who scored over 15,000 runs in international cricket and took over 800 catches behind the stumps."Ah yeah, well, he's got a bit to go. But yes, similar type of cricketer who can, in Test cricket, bat down the order. And in white-ball cricket can be back at the top of the order. So there's that similarity with Gilchrist there. But if he continues in the same vein for a few more years, then people will say Gilchrist and Pant, yeah, very close," Smith said.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, has lauded Rishabh Pant's performance in India's emphatic victory over Afghanistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. While acknowledging Pant's quickfire 20 runs off 11 balls, Gavaskar's praise extended beyond the immediate statistics, focusing on the wicketkeeper-batsman's improved fitness and growing maturity.Gavaskar's comments came after India secured a comfortable 47-run win, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav's blistering half-century and Jasprit Bumrah's three-wicket haul were instrumental in the victory, but it was Pant's overall contribution that caught Gavaskar's eye.Reflecting on Pant's journey back from a severe car accident, Gavaskar expressed relief and delight at the player's remarkable recovery. "It's a miracle, you know? I mean, we all were so concerned when we heard about the accident. We heard about the severity of the injuries and we were all praying for him just to be ok. But not only has he been ok, he's come back so strongly. He's lost a little bit of weight, which was probably needed and it looked at one stage that he was just maybe getting a little overweight. He's lost a bit of weight and he's looking so good, so fit," Gavaskar told Star Sports after the match.Gavaskar emphasized the significance of Pant's decision to prioritize wicketkeeping over relying on Rohit Sharma, despite the latter's renowned fielding prowess. "Look at his mobility. Those two catches that he took, he was. He ran about 20-30 yards. I know the ball was up in the air, but there was Rohit Sharma there, one of the safest pairs of hands in the game. But wicketkeeper's gloves are always much safer than ordinary hands, you know, plain hands. So he was there and again recognising the situation."Gavaskar drew parallels between Pant's development and Hardik Pandya's evolution as a cricketer, emphasizing the importance of maturity and situational awareness. "This is the maturity that is so important. We've seen it with Hardik Pandya, we are seeing it in Rishabh Pant's cricket. The maturity of understanding conditions. Yes, batting wise, he will still continue to play the game. That's exactly what you want because he's a naturally attacking player and he can upset the bowler totally. That's what he did. He didn't score too many runs. He got 20 in about 10 deliveries at a SR of 200 but that is exactly what you want at that stage," remarked the Indian batting icon.Unbeaten so far in the tournament, India next take on Bangladesh in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua on Saturday.

Wicket-Keeper Pant's Enthusiasm and Captain Rohit's Laidback Style Create Humorous Moment in India-Afghanistan MatchWicket-keepers are renowned for their energetic presence on the field, often tasked with boosting team morale during challenging moments. Rishabh Pant, India's wicket-keeper, is particularly known for his exuberant nature behind the stumps, frequently requesting reviews and enthusiastically pursuing catches.In contrast, captain Rohit Sharma exudes a more relaxed demeanor, approaching the game with a laidback attitude that translates into his elegant batting style. This contrast was evident during the India-Afghanistan Super 8 T20 World Cup match, which India won by 47 runs.During the 11th over of Afghanistan's run chase, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a delivery that Gulbadin Naib mishit high into the air over the covers. Pant immediately sprinted from behind the stumps, exclaiming "mine, mine." Rohit, who could have also attempted the catch, remained stationary at his position, barely moving an inch.To Pant's credit, he made the catch appear effortless, despite having to cover a significant distance while keeping his eyes fixed on the ball. Rohit, in his characteristic style, chose not to interfere with Pant's pursuit of the catch, seemingly saying, "All yours."As Pant completed the catch, he playfully tossed the ball to his skipper, who still refrained from catching it. The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a video of the amusing moment on their Instagram handle.The Indian cricket team will now travel to Antigua to face Bangladesh on Saturday.

Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has hailed India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback from a severe accident, calling it an inspiration for future generations.Akram, in an interview with Sportskeeda, expressed his admiration for Pant's resilience and determination. "The kind of performance Pant is giving after that accident, he is proving he is a super human," Akram said. "We were all worried in Pakistan [after the accident]. I was worried, actually."Pant's return to form has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he averaged 40 with a strike rate of 155. In the ongoing T20 World Cup, he is the leading run-scorer for Team India, with 96 runs in three innings.Akram also praised Pant's achievements in Test cricket, highlighting his significant innings against Australia and England. "The way he performed in Test cricket, scoring a hundred in Australia and then batting against England, reverse sweeping [James] Anderson and [Pat] Cummins, he is special," Akram said.Beyond his cricketing abilities, Akram believes Pant's story is a powerful example of resilience and mental strength. "Especially what he has been through in that horrific accident and then making a comeback, it shows how mentally strong he is," Akram said. "That's a story to be told for generations to generations to motivate young people of the world."Akram also echoed former India captain Sourav Ganguly's view of Pant as a natural leader. "I agree with Ganguly that Pant is a natural, instinctive captain who takes decisions according to the situation, which is very important in T20 cricket," Akram said. "You can't plan everything in advance, you have to adapt to the situation. That's where I think Pant is good at."Pant's remarkable comeback and his potential as a leader have made him a beacon of hope for Indian cricket. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human being and an inspiration for generations to come.

Lucknow Super Giants Owner's Outburst: Rishabh Pant Weighs InOver a month after Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka's angry outburst at skipper KL Rahul, Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Rishabh Pant has shared his perspective on the incident.Goenka's outburst, captured on camera, occurred after LSG suffered a humiliating defeat to SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a crucial match. SRH chased down a 166-run target in just 58 balls, marking the biggest loss in IPL history in terms of balls to spare.Pant, while acknowledging that he was unaware of the specific details of the exchange between Goenka and Rahul, emphasized that such conversations are common after heavy losses. He also revealed that he has experienced similar exchanges but handles them in his own way."I actually didn't understand what happened in that situation. It seemed so by looking at it, and although I'm not sure what happened, there was something there. When you lose a match, there are obviously a lot of conversations. But the way it was portrayed, I'm not sure. I didn't see the video in real-time; otherwise, I would have given you an answer. I get scolded every day, but I'm also stubborn," Pant said on 'Aap ki Adalat' on India TV.Goenka's attachment to LSG is evident, having bid over Rs 7000 crore to acquire the franchise in 2021. Under Rahul's captaincy, LSG reached the playoffs in its first two years. However, this year, the team finished outside the top four.The franchise underwent a significant management change, with Justin Langer replacing Andy Flower as head coach. Despite these changes, LSG failed to replicate its previous success.Pant's comments highlight the pressure and scrutiny that team owners and captains face in the high-stakes environment of the IPL. While such exchanges may be common, they underscore the importance of maintaining professionalism and finding constructive ways to address team performance.

Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep Singh, two contrasting players, have emerged as unsung heroes for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.Pant, a prodigious talent who miraculously survived a life-threatening accident, has played crucial knocks in India's three victories. Batting at No. 3, he has provided stability and momentum to the team. His 31-ball 42 against Pakistan was a masterclass on a challenging pitch.Captain Rohit Sharma's decision to promote Pant to No. 3 was a strategic move. It allows India to have a left-right combination in the middle order and utilize Pant's counter-attacking abilities. Rohit believes Pant's all-round game will be invaluable in the West Indies leg, where spin is expected to play a significant role.Arshdeep Singh, on the other hand, has impressed with his ability to swing the new ball and deliver accurate yorkers at the death. His left-arm angle provides variety to India's pace attack. After a strong performance against Ireland, Arshdeep was entrusted with the last over against Pakistan, where he successfully defended a low total.In the match against USA, Arshdeep claimed four wickets for just nine runs, earning him the Man of the Match award. His ability to bowl consistently at a good pace and execute variations makes him a valuable asset for India.Both Pant and Arshdeep have shown resilience and determination in their performances. Pant has overcome his physical and mental challenges to deliver for his team, while Arshdeep has worked tirelessly to improve his skills.As India enters the Super-8s, the contributions of Pant and Arshdeep will be crucial. Their ability to perform under pressure and provide match-winning moments will be key to India's success in the tournament.