Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a surprising decision to eliminate the Impact Player rule from the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, despite its continuation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next three seasons.The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on an experimental basis, allows teams to substitute a player during the match. However, it has faced criticism from players and coaches, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who argue that it hinders the development of all-rounders and disadvantages bowlers.According to sources, the rule's removal from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is due to concerns about its impact on the competition. With teams fielding specialists, the game becomes a "12 vs 11" contest, reducing the opportunities for all-rounders.The BCCI's decision to retain the Impact Player rule in the IPL is reportedly influenced by pressure from broadcasters. The rule has been credited with adding excitement to the tournament, particularly in the last two editions, which witnessed high-scoring matches.However, the rule's critics argue that it undermines the traditional balance of T20 cricket, where teams rely on a combination of batting, bowling, and fielding skills. They contend that it favors specialist batsmen and makes it more difficult for bowlers to defend their totals.The BCCI's decision to remove the Impact Player rule from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a significant development that could have implications for the future of T20 cricket in India. It remains to be seen whether the rule will be reintroduced in future editions of the tournament or if it will be permanently discontinued.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has begun preparations for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting October 18. Rohit, who recently led India to a 2-0 Test series sweep over Bangladesh, was seen hitting the nets on Friday.In a hilarious interaction, Rohit responded to a question about whether he would start his practice session with a six. "Pagal hogaya hai kya? (Are you mad or what?)" Rohit quipped, leaving fans in splits.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the Indian squad for the New Zealand series. However, reports suggest that Rohit may miss one of the first two Tests in Australia due to personal reasons.The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will commence on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test will be a day-night affair at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.Rohit's participation in the Australia series remains uncertain, with the BCCI yet to issue an official statement on his status.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Past Their Prime for Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Says Sanjay ManjrekarFormer Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concerns about the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. Manjrekar believes that both players are past their prime in Test cricket and that India will need other players to step up in their absence."Virat and Rohit, both are not in their prime, they are not at the peak of their powers to be fair," Manjrekar said on SportifyWithPRG. "Others like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubhman Gill have to rise to the occasion."Kohli and Sharma have both struggled for form in recent Test matches. Kohli managed just 99 runs in four innings in the recent two-match series against Bangladesh, while Sharma scored only 42 runs in two innings.Manjrekar also praised India's bowling attack, but expressed concerns about Australia's current form."India is sorted... As for the Australians, the aura and ability they had in the past, where every game they played, they were like champions, is not there anymore," Manjrekar said.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on November 22 in Perth. India has won the last four series against Australia, including two victories in Australia.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma may miss one of the first two matches of the upcoming five-Test series in Australia due to personal reasons. The BCCI has been informed of Rohit's situation, and a decision on his availability will be made closer to the start of the series.If Rohit is unavailable, Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to replace him as the opener. Easwaran is currently leading the India A team on a tour of Australia. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are also options to open the batting in Rohit's absence.The vice-captaincy of the Test team is also up for grabs, as Rohit did not have an official deputy during the recent home series against Bangladesh. Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant are all candidates for the role.The Indian team will embark on a tough five-Test series in Australia starting November 22 in Perth. The series will be a major test for India, who have not won a Test series in Australia since 2018-19.

India's Test squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand remains unchanged from the one that faced Bangladesh in September, indicating that Mohammed Shami's recovery from injury is still ongoing. This series will serve as India's final red-ball preparation before the crucial five-Test tour of Australia later this year.Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, has been appointed vice-captain for the three-match series against New Zealand. This is a significant recognition of his leadership qualities and his growing stature within the team.The squad features a blend of experienced and emerging players. Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side, while Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant remain key figures in the batting lineup. Shubman Gill, who has impressed in recent outings, will be looking to cement his place in the Test team.The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Axar Patel. R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, two of India's most experienced spinners, will also be crucial to the team's success. Kuldeep Yadav, who has been in impressive form in white-ball cricket, has been included as a potential spin option.The series against New Zealand will provide India with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the Australia tour. The conditions in New Zealand are expected to be similar to those in Australia, making it an ideal test for the Indian team.India will be aiming to continue their impressive home record in Test cricket. They have not lost a Test series at home since 2012 and will be confident of extending that streak against New Zealand.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction is fast approaching, and the future of Mumbai Indians (MI) legend Rohit Sharma with the franchise remains uncertain. With the BCCI allowing teams to retain up to six players, including Right-To-Match (RTM), tough decisions lie ahead for MI.Rohit's retention status is unclear, with speculation rife that the six-time IPL winner could enter the upcoming mega auction. Last season, MI sacked Rohit as captain, appointing Hardik Pandya in his place. The decision to remove Rohit as captain was met with criticism from fans, and MI ultimately finished last in the 10-team points table.Amid the ongoing discussions, former India and MI spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on the possibility of Rohit entering the IPL auction. Harbhajan believes it would be "fascinating" to see how many teams bid for Rohit if he does enter the auction."It will be interesting to see whether he will be retained or not. If he goes into the auction pool, it will be fascinating to see which team bids for him. I'm sure many teams must be thinking along those lines," Harbhajan said.Harbhajan also praised Rohit's leadership qualities and batting prowess, emphasizing that the 37-year-old can still command a lucrative contract if he enters the auction."Rohit Sharma, as a leader and a player, is amazing. He's a top-quality player, top-quality captain, and leader. He's a proven match-winner. Even at 37, he still has a lot of cricket left in him. If Rohit enters the auction, he will fetch big bucks. It will be exciting to see the auction unfold," he added.IPL franchises can now retain six players from their existing squad, either through retention or RTM. The combination of retentions and RTMs can include a maximum of five capped players (Indian and overseas) and two uncapped players.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently displayed his playful side as he engaged in a comical chase with enthusiastic fans. After a training session, Rohit attempted to evade the adoring crowd by sprinting towards his blue Lamborghini. The incident highlighted the skipper's ability to maintain his privacy while interacting with his fans.Rohit's playful antics come amidst preparations for the upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand, starting on October 16. The Indian team is riding high on a 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the recently concluded Test series.However, speculation is rife that Rohit may miss one of the first two Test matches in Australia's upcoming five-match series due to personal reasons. The series kicks off on November 22 in Perth, and there is a chance Rohit could skip either the first game or the second Test in Adelaide, scheduled from December 6-10."There isn't any complete clarity about the situation. It is understood that Rohit has intimated to the BCCI that there is a possibility that due to a pressing personal matter, he might have to skip one of the two Tests at the beginning of the series," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his availability, Rohit remains a key figure in the Indian team. His leadership and batting prowess have been instrumental in India's recent successes. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his availability for the Australia series, which is expected to be a highly competitive affair.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma may miss one of the first two matches of the upcoming five-Test series in Australia due to personal reasons. The BCCI has been informed of the situation, and a decision on Rohit's availability will be made in the coming days.If Rohit is unavailable, Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to replace him as the opener. Easwaran is currently leading the India A team on a tour of Australia. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are also options for the opening slot, but Easwaran is considered the frontrunner.The absence of Rohit would be a significant blow to India's chances in Australia. The 37-year-old is one of the world's best batsmen and has been in excellent form in recent months. He scored a century in each of the two Tests against Bangladesh and was named Player of the Series.In the event that Rohit misses a Test, the vice-captaincy will be up for grabs. There are three main candidates for the role: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant. Gill is Rohit's deputy in white-ball cricket, while Bumrah has led India in a Test match in England. Pant is another experienced player who has captained his IPL team, the Delhi Capitals.The decision on who will be vice-captain will be made by the team management, led by head coach Rahul Dravid. Dravid will also have to decide on the playing XI for the first Test, which begins on November 22 in Perth.India's tour of Australia is one of the most challenging in world cricket. The Aussies are the reigning World Test Champions and have a strong record at home. India will need to be at their best to win the series, and the absence of Rohit would be a major setback.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its 2025 mega auction, and all eyes are on Mumbai Indians (MI) as they finalize their retentions. Former MI captain Rohit Sharma's future with the franchise is uncertain, and his potential availability in the auction pool has sparked speculation.Harbhajan Singh, Rohit's former India and MI teammate, believes that the veteran opener would command a hefty price if he enters the auction. "Rohit Sharma is a top-quality player and leader. He's a proven match-winner, and even at 37, he still has a lot of cricket left in him," said Harbhajan. "If he goes into the auction, he will fetch big bucks."Harbhajan also praised Rohit's off-field qualities, describing him as a "yaaro ka yaar" (friend of friends). "Rohit respects his elders, and that's one of his best qualities," he added.Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed confidence that the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan, with all teams, including India, participating. However, Harbhajan has raised safety concerns, stating that Indian players should not travel to Pakistan."There are significant safety concerns in Pakistan," said Harbhajan. "I've always said, and I still believe, that if there's no guarantee of safety, our players shouldn't travel to Pakistan."Harbhajan also commended Jay Shah for his contributions to Indian cricket. "Having an Indian representative at the ICC level, especially as the chairman, is a huge achievement," he said. "Under Jay Shah's leadership, there have been many changes in Team India. Women's cricket, in particular, has received a financial boost thanks to his efforts."