Cricket

With India's Test captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first one or two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the team is faced with the task of finding a suitable replacement. While Jasprit Bumrah is the frontrunner for the captaincy role, the search for an opening batter is still ongoing.Shubman Gill is a strong contender for the opening spot, but former Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble believes KL Rahul is a more versatile choice. Kumble praised Gill's talent and skills, but emphasized the need for a batter who can adapt to different roles, like Rahul."Rahul has played for India in various roles, from opening the batting to acting as a finisher at No. 6," Kumble said. "In the past, Cheteshwar Pujara has also batted at the top of the order when India needed someone to hold one end together. Rahul can do the same."Kumble highlighted the importance of having a batter who can control the first session and see off the new ball. "The Kookaburra Ball after the first 25 hours is best to bat between the 30th and 60th overs," he explained. "Rahul and Pujara have consistently done this throughout their careers, ensuring that the team is safe and the middle-order batters can come in later and score runs."While Gill is a talented young player, Kumble believes Rahul's experience and versatility make him a better choice to replace Rohit Sharma in the first Test. Rahul's ability to adapt to different roles and his proven track record at the top of the order make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma's poor form continued on Day 2 of the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday. Sharma was dismissed for just 2 runs, failing to cross the 30-run mark in both Test matches against Bangladesh and the ongoing series against New Zealand.Sharma's dismissal came after he was completely beaten by the swing of a delivery from New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee. The ball crashed into the stumps, ending Sharma's short stay at the crease.Sharma's poor form has led to a lot of criticism on social media, with many calling for him to retire. However, Sharma has the backing of the team management, who believe that he is still the best batsman in the world.In the absence of Shubman Gill, who is not 100% fit due to neck stiffness, Sarfaraz Khan came into India's playing eleven. Kuldeep Yadav was also included in the team as the third spinner alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.New Zealand skipper Tom Latham said Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are the spin-bowling allrounders for the visitors alongside left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel. They will be complemented by three pacers in Matt Henry, Tim Southee, and William O'Rourke.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's popularity extends beyond the boundaries of the field, as evidenced by a recent heartwarming incident. A video circulating on social media captures a fan's unwavering admiration for the skipper.The fan, adorned with tricolour paint and "Rohit" emblazoned on his back, was spotted running behind Sharma's car. His enthusiastic cries of "Rohit sir!" reached the captain's ears.In a display of genuine humility, Sharma instructed his driver to halt the vehicle and rolled down the window. The fan's joy was palpable as Sharma graciously signed an autograph for him.The exact date and location of the incident remain unknown, but Sharma is currently leading India in the first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand in Bengaluru. The opening day of the Test was marred by torrential rain, forcing a washout.The remaining two Tests of the series will be played in Pune and Mumbai, respectively. Following the conclusion of the New Zealand series, India will embark on a highly anticipated tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This edition of the prestigious series will feature five Tests for the first time.Sharma's gesture not only highlights his immense popularity but also underscores his genuine connection with his fans. His willingness to pause his journey and acknowledge the fan's admiration is a testament to his humility and approachability.

Rohit Sharma, India's prolific opening batsman, stands on the cusp of a remarkable milestone as he prepares to face New Zealand in the first Test match in Bengaluru. With 87 sixes to his name in Test cricket, Rohit is just three shy of surpassing Virender Sehwag's record of 90 sixes for India in the longest format of the game.Rohit's explosive batting has been a cornerstone of India's success in recent years. His ability to clear the boundary with ease has made him a formidable force in Test cricket. If he manages to surpass Sehwag's record, it will be a testament to his exceptional power-hitting prowess.Beyond his individual achievements, Rohit is also focused on building a strong and reliable bench strength for India's fast-bowling department. As the team prepares for a three-match Test series against New Zealand, Rohit has emphasized the importance of having a pool of eight or nine fast bowlers who can step into the playing XI at any moment."We want to create a bench strength where tomorrow, if anything happens to anyone, we are not worried or too heavily reliant on a few individuals," Rohit said. "That's not the right thing to do."Rohit's goal is to ensure that there are enough ready replacements, especially in the event of injuries, to keep the team competitive and prepared. "We want to create guys where even if there are injuries, we have got someone to quickly step in and take that role," he said."It's not about three or four options. We want to try and do that like, you know, when it comes to batting, there are a lot of options. We want to create the same with the bowlers as well."With Rohit Sharma leading the charge, India is poised to make a strong statement in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. His pursuit of Sehwag's record and his focus on building a deep bench strength are clear indications of his commitment to the team's long-term success.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team's captain, has emphasized the importance of expanding the team's bench strength, particularly in the fast-bowling department. He believes that having eight or nine players ready to step into the first XI at any given moment will help injury-proof the team."We want to create a bench strength where tomorrow if anything happens to anyone, we are not worried, and we don't want to be worried or too heavily reliant on a few individuals," Rohit said. "We want to look at the future at the same time, try and make sure that we get the right guys in as well."Along with the 15-member squad for the three-match series against New Zealand, India are also carrying Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Nitish Kumar Reddy as traveling reserves. Mayank and Reddy recently made their international debuts in the T20Is against Bangladesh, while Rana was an unused member of that squad.Rohit explained that the reason for keeping these players close to the team is to assess their potential for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. "We just want to monitor them and see their workload. We have seen some talent in them. I understand that they have not played a lot of red-ball cricket, but when you see a talent, you want to try and groom them."Mayank Yadav, in particular, has impressed Rohit with his pace and accuracy. "Mayank obviously has shown what he can do, but we just want to be very careful with him, he has had a lot of injuries in the past," Rohit said. "So, we want to progress him, not rapidly, we want to just see every day how he feels."The most important cog in India's fast-bowling line-up is Jasprit Bumrah, who has been named vice-captain for the series against New Zealand. Rohit believes that Bumrah has the potential to step in as captain in the early Tests against Australia next month."He's always been part of that leadership group and one of the experienced players as well," Rohit said of Bumrah. "He's played a lot of cricket and I've played a lot of cricket with him. He understands the game pretty well. He's got a good head on his shoulders."Rohit remained tight-lipped about the India XI for the opening Test against New Zealand, stating that they will take a call once they reach the venue on match day.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has expressed his admiration for the remarkable performances of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Since his debut in mid-2023, Jaiswal has amassed 1217 runs in 11 Tests, including three centuries, at an impressive average of 64.05.Rohit attributes Jaiswal's success to his insatiable hunger for learning and his determination to excel at the highest level. "I am not surprised at all because the guy has got real talent," Rohit said. "He has got the game to play in all sorts of conditions."Jaiswal's breakout series came against England earlier this year, where he scored over 700 runs across five Tests. Rohit believes that Jaiswal has all the ingredients for success at the international level. "He is somebody who wants to learn the game, learn about batsmanship," Rohit said. "When a youngster comes into the team, his mindset is quite critical."Rohit also highlighted the importance of Jaiswal's left-handedness, which provides India with a different option in the batting lineup. "He has played a lot of domestic cricket, under-19 cricket. He has succeeded as well, and that is why he is playing for India," Rohit said. "It does obviously well for our team as well him being a left-hander, being an aggressive batter."While Rohit is impressed with Jaiswal's early performances, he also cautioned him about the challenges that lie ahead. "It is just about how he manages himself in the next couple of years," Rohit said. "But what he has shown us in this brief period of time, you can bet on him to do wonders for the team."

Rohit Sharma Lauds Yashasvi Jaiswal's Rapid Adaptation to International CricketAhead of the highly anticipated Test series against New Zealand, India's skipper Rohit Sharma has heaped praise on young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal for his impressive transition to international cricket.Sharma, who leads India in both Tests and ODIs, expressed his admiration for Jaiswal's quick adjustment to the rigors of international competition. "I'm not surprised by how Yashasvi has adapted to international cricket," Sharma said. "He has immense talent and the ability to perform in all conditions. Despite his young age, he has shown remarkable composure and adaptability in different situations."The Indian captain highlighted Jaiswal's potential for greatness, stating, "It's crucial how he manages himself in the next couple of years. He has the potential to become a game-changer for the team. His success in domestic and Under-19 cricket, where he has consistently excelled, is a testament to his abilities. He has already showcased his capabilities in his short international career and has done exceptionally well."Sharma also emphasized the advantage of having a left-handed batter in the team. "Being a left-hander is a valuable asset for the team," he said. "He's an aggressive batsman who is always eager to learn and improve his game. His mindset is commendable, always striving to enhance his skills and not resting on his laurels. This attitude is a great foundation for him, and we have found a valuable player in Yashasvi."Expressing his optimism for Jaiswal's continued success, Sharma said, "Hopefully, he can continue to build on his impressive form and maintain his consistency. We have high hopes for him, and we believe he has the potential to make a significant contribution to Indian cricket."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Jasprit Bumrah as the official vice-captain of the Indian Test team, a testament to his growing stature within the squad. While Rohit Sharma remains the captain, Bumrah's elevation to the vice-captaincy is a significant recognition of his leadership qualities and his importance to the team.Despite his limited captaincy experience, Bumrah has been an integral part of India's leadership group for some time. His tactical acumen and understanding of the game have impressed his teammates and coaches alike. Rohit Sharma, in particular, has praised Bumrah's contributions to the team's decision-making process."Bumrah has played a lot of cricket. He understands the game pretty well. He's got a good head on his shoulder. When you talk to him, he understands the game," said Rohit.In addition to his leadership abilities, Bumrah is also expected to mentor the younger pacers in the team. As the most experienced fast bowler, he will provide guidance and support to the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna."Whether it is speaking to the bowlers who have just come into the squad, whether it is getting internally with the team to discuss about how to move forward as a team, he's always been part of that leadership group," said Rohit.While Bumrah's vice-captaincy is a positive development for the Indian team, there are concerns about the fitness of Mohammed Shami. The veteran pacer has been struggling with a knee injury and is unlikely to be fit for the upcoming tour of Australia."To be honest, right now, it's pretty difficult for us to make a call on him, whether he'll be fit for this series or the Australia series. He recently had swelling on his knee, which was quite unusual," said Rohit.Despite the injury concerns, the Indian team remains confident ahead of the Test series against New Zealand. With Rohit Sharma at the helm and Jasprit Bumrah as his deputy, the team will be looking to continue their dominance in the longest format of the game.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction looming, the future of India captain Rohit Sharma at Mumbai Indians (MI) remains uncertain. Rohit was surprisingly removed as captain by MI last season, with the franchise handing over the leadership duties to Hardik Pandya, who was traded from Gujarat Titans (GT).All 10 IPL teams can retain up to six players ahead of the auction. However, there is no clarity whether MI will retain Rohit, or will the six-time IPL winner enter the auction for the first time in 13 years.According to recent reports, multiple franchises are interested in acquiring Rohit, including the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). During a recent interaction with India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, a fan expressed his excitement over the possibility of having Virat Kohli and Rohit in the same team.Reacting to the fan's wish, Ashwin said that RCB would have to keep at least Rs 20 crore aside for Rohit at the auction table. "Agar Rohit Sharma ke liye aap jaa rahe hai to 20 crore rakhna padega (You need to keep 20 crores with yourself if you want to sign up Rohit Sharma)," Ashwin said during a discussion on his YouTube channel.MI had traded Hardik from GT ahead of IPL 2024. However, the decision to sack Rohit as captain wasn't welcomed by the fans. In the end, MI finished last in the 10-team points table.With as many as 6 players allowed by the BCCI, including Right-To-Match, some tough decisions are expected to unfold in the coming months. It is the discretion of the franchise to choose its combination for Retentions and RTMs. The 6 retention/RTMs can have a maximum of 5 capped players (Indian & Overseas) and a maximum of 2 uncapped players.Rohit, who joined MI ahead of IPL 2011, led the franchise to five IPL titles. His departure would mark a significant change for MI, who have been one of the most successful teams in IPL history.