Cricket

India's T20 World Cup triumph in June 2023 was a thrilling affair, with the team overcoming a daunting challenge against South Africa in the final. However, a lesser-known story from that match, revealed by Rohit Sharma on 'The Great Indian Kapil Show,' sheds light on a clever tactic employed by wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant that played a crucial role in turning the game in India's favor.As South Africa chased India's challenging total of 176, Heinrich Klaasen's blistering knock of 52 from 27 balls brought them to the brink of victory. With South Africa needing 26 runs from 24 balls, the momentum seemed to be slipping away from India.However, Pant's quick thinking and strategic delay in proceedings proved to be a game-changer. Pretending to have a knee niggle, Pant called for the physio and had his knee taped, effectively halting the game's progress.Rohit Sharma believes this tactic worked in India's favor, as it disrupted Klaasen's rhythm and gave India a chance to regroup. "At that moment, the batter wants the ball to be bowled quickly because he is in flow. We needed to break the rhythm," Rohit explained.After the resumption of play, Hardik Pandya dismissed Klaasen with the very next ball, bringing India back into the contest. David Miller's dismissal soon after further boosted India's chances, and they eventually clinched the victory in the final over.While Rohit Sharma acknowledges that Pant's ploy may not have been the sole reason for India's triumph, he believes it played a significant role in breaking South Africa's momentum and giving India a fighting chance.

Former Indian cricketer and selector Jatin Paranjape has hailed skipper Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach in the recent Test series against Bangladesh, particularly in the Kanpur Test. Paranjape believes this match will be remembered as a turning point in Indian cricket history.Despite losing two days of play due to rain, India managed to secure a 2-0 series victory. In the Kanpur Test, Bangladesh was bowled out for 233 on day four, allowing India to post 285/9 and take two wickets. On the final day, India dismissed Bangladesh for 146 and chased down the target of 95 runs.Paranjape praised Rohit's leadership, stating that his attacking mindset has permeated the team. "Since Rohit has become the captain, the intent and DNA of the team have become attack-orientated," he said. "They have decided that their DNA is to attack, their natural instinct has become attacking, and they would not abandon it."Paranjape believes this aggressive approach will continue in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "I think this is just a trailer of what we will see in Australia later this year," he said. "They will play such a way, irrespective of the opposition."Paranjape also highlighted the talent of Mumbai batter Prithvi Shaw, calling him "the most talented player in India." He expressed confidence that Shaw will have a successful season in the upcoming Ranji Trophy.Regarding spin all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, Paranjape believes his best years are ahead of him. "Nothing short of fantastic (his performances against Bangladesh)," he said. "He is a legend. He writes his name into the list of legends of Indian cricket. I think his best five years are ahead of us."Ashwin won the 'Player of the Series' award against Bangladesh, scoring 114 runs and taking 11 wickets. He became the joint-most 'Player of the Series' winner in Test cricket, alongside Muttiah Muralitharan.

Team India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the second Test has sparked widespread praise for skipper Rohit Sharma's leadership. Under his guidance, the Indian team displayed an aggressive approach and unwavering determination to secure a positive outcome.Rohit's leadership has been lauded for its attacking mindset, which has instilled a sense of confidence and purpose within the team. India's dominant performance in Kanpur not only resulted in a resounding victory but also sent a clear message to the cricketing world.While Rohit's leadership has garnered significant attention, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has emphasized the legacy of Virat Kohli's captaincy. Harbhajan believes that Kohli's leadership style brought about a transformative shift in Indian cricket."Kohli's captaincy may not have yielded a World Cup victory, but that doesn't diminish his stature as a captain or player," Harbhajan stated. He highlighted Kohli's bold approach, exemplified by India's willingness to chase down a daunting target of 400 in the fourth innings of a Test in Australia.Harbhajan praised Kohli's ability to ignite a fire within the team, instilling a belief that they could overcome any challenge. He credited Kohli for fostering a mindset that has been evident in the performances of young players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant."The determination to fight till the end, which Shubman and Rishabh displayed to win the Test in Gabba, was a testament to the change in the team's thinking," Harbhajan concluded.Despite India's lack of ICC titles under Kohli's captaincy, Harbhajan remains positive about his leadership style. He believes that Kohli's legacy lies in the transformation he brought to the Indian team, which has been carried forward by Rohit Sharma and the current generation of players.

Team India's dominance continued as they secured a historic 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the two-match Test series. After a resounding 280-run victory in Chennai, Rohit Sharma's men maintained their momentum with a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph in the rain-hit second Test in Kanpur.Despite losing two and a half days of play due to inclement weather, Team India adopted an aggressive approach and forced a result within three days. Skipper Rohit Sharma, who guided his team to victory, is currently enjoying a well-deserved break with his family.During a recent trip to Abu Dhabi, Rohit and his wife Ritika Sajdeh attended the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, where they met social media sensation Abdu Rozik and legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The couple's interactions with these celebrities sparked viral moments on social media.Reflecting on the Test series triumph, Rohit emphasized the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. "We had to start working with different personnel. Gautam Gambhir's mindset allows players to express themselves. It's been a good start," he said.With the Test series victory, India's focus now shifts to the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, commencing on Sunday in Gwalior. Rohit, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, recently announced their retirement from the T20I format after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024.

Rohit Sharma, the enigmatic Indian captain, bid farewell to the T20I format after India's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. The historic victory marked the end of an era for the Indian cricket team, as three senior players, Virat Kohli, Rohit, and Ravindra Jadeja, retired from the shortest format.Rohit's decision to step down from T20Is signaled the beginning of a transition phase for Indian cricket. However, the veteran batsman remains a formidable force in Tests and ODIs, with his sights set on next year's ICC Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final.Despite his absence from T20Is, Rohit continues to be missed by fans. A recent video went viral on social media, capturing a fan expressing their longing for Rohit's presence in the format. Rohit's response, "Bas ho gaya yaar," hinted at his contentment with his decision to retire from T20Is.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh recently weighed in on the debate between MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma's captaincy styles. Harbhajan preferred Rohit's approach, citing his ability to connect with his teammates and empower them, particularly the bowlers."Rohit is people's captain. He goes up to the people and asks them what they want. His teammates connect with him very well," Harbhajan said.While Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest leaders in cricket history, Rohit has earned a reputation as a players' captain, known for his freedom and support for his team."The better captain is the one who makes you fight for victory. For me, what Dhoni has done as captain, Rohit has also done it. He is no lesser than anyone," Harbhajan added.Rohit's T20I career culminated with India's World Cup triumph in 2024. Suryakumar Yadav was subsequently appointed as the captain of the T20I side, while Rohit continues to lead India in ODIs and Tests.Recently, Rohit-led India registered a 2-0 clean sweep over Bangladesh in a two-match ODI series. The victories extended India's dominance in the format and further cemented Rohit's status as a successful captain.

India's seismic approach to the second Test against Bangladesh, which saw them lose two and a half days due to unpreparedness, has sent shockwaves through the cricket world. Despite the lost time, India's aggressive batting and exceptional bowling performance secured a resounding victory, highlighting the team's newfound mindset under Rohit Sharma's leadership.After Bangladesh were bowled out for 233, the popular belief was that the match would end in a tedious draw. However, Rohit's declaration of intent to "go hard at the bowling" set the tone for a remarkable turnaround. In just 34.4 overs, India amassed 285 runs for nine wickets, setting a new record for the fastest team milestones in Test cricket.Rohit's blistering 40-ball 60, which included three boundaries off the first over, ignited the Indian innings. The skipper's aggressive approach inspired his teammates, who followed suit with a relentless assault on the Bangladeshi bowlers. Shubman Gill (20), Cheteshwar Pujara (22), and Virat Kohli (24) all made significant contributions, while Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 86 off 68 balls sealed the victory.India's bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, was equally impressive. They dismissed Bangladesh for 233 and 170, respectively, in just 74.2 and 47 overs. Bumrah's 5/42 in the first innings and 3/30 in the second were instrumental in India's dominance.The victory not only secured 12 crucial World Test Championship points for India but also showcased the team's newfound attacking mindset. Rohit's leadership has instilled a belief that India can win matches even in challenging circumstances.The Kanpur Test has also highlighted the significance of the World Test Championship. India's aggressive approach was driven by the need to secure a place in the final for a third consecutive cycle. The victory has given them a significant advantage in the race for qualification.Beyond Rohit and Kohli, India's batting group is remarkably young and talented. The likes of Gill, Pujara, Iyer, and Rishabh Pant have already shown their potential, and their continued development bodes well for the future of Indian cricket.

MS Dhoni vs Rohit Sharma: Harbhajan Singh Reveals MI's Strategy to Dominate CSKIn the annals of the Indian Premier League (IPL), two legendary captains stand tall: MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. While Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to multiple titles, Rohit's Mumbai Indians (MI) have also enjoyed immense success. However, when it came to head-to-head battles, MI seemed to hold a distinct advantage.Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who played for both franchises, recently shed light on MI's dominance over CSK. Speaking on a podcast, Harbhajan revealed that MI meticulously studied Dhoni's tactics and devised counter-strategies."We were aware of the tricks Dhoni used as captain," Harbhajan said. "We worked on finding solutions to undo his tactics."Harbhajan emphasized that MI's success against CSK was not solely due to Dhoni's absence. "Even when I left MI to join CSK, I got a lot of love," he said. "I bowled well and won a championship, and got a runners-up medal as well."However, Harbhajan acknowledged that MI's superior planning and execution played a crucial role in their victories over CSK. "To overcome Dhoni, you have to think better, play your cards better," he said. "MI had better players and the planning was also good."Harbhajan also addressed the ongoing debate over who is the better captain between Dhoni and Rohit. "Why do you compare the two?" he asked. "Dhoni led the team and took it forward, Rohit is also doing the same.""The better captain is the one who inspires you to win," Harbhajan continued. "If we talk about achievements, Rohit is not lesser than Dhoni. Every cup you win, you put hope in others. That is important."Harbhajan's insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the strategies and dynamics that have shaped the rivalry between two of the most successful teams in IPL history.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has praised his team for embracing the risk of forcing a result in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, despite the match being heavily affected by rain. With only 35 overs bowled in the first three days, India managed to secure a 2-0 series sweep, extending their lead at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings.Rohit's aggressive approach was evident from the start, as he launched the first two balls he faced for sixes. This mindset was shared by the other batters, who were willing to take risks to achieve a result. "We had to take a little bit of risk to get a result," Rohit said. "I know the result could have gone either way, but I was okay with it."Rohit emphasized the importance of the team's collective effort, particularly the bowlers who dismissed Bangladesh for 233 in the post-lunch session on day four. "The bowlers came to the party first," he said. "They got the wickets that we needed."Under Rohit's leadership, India has adopted an aggressive approach across formats, including at World Cups. For Rohit, aggression is about actions, not reactions. "The kind of batting we do, the kind of field positioning we do, the kind of bowling we do; that to me is aggression," he explained.Rohit also highlighted the team's exceptional fielding, especially their slip catching. "We took 23 out of 24 catches that came our way," he said. "The guys who were standing behind were so sharp."Rohit's captaincy style is based on trusting his judgment and decisions. "When you are playing at such a high level, you need to have a bit of everything," he said. "You need to be calm, to think wisely. There are a lot of decisions that you have to take on the field."Rohit's aggressive approach and trust in his team's abilities have transformed India into a team that prioritizes winning over everything else.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, two legendary Indian cricketers, have both left an indelible mark on the game as captains. Dhoni, known for his astute leadership and tactical brilliance, led India to unprecedented success, winning the T20 World Cup (2007), ODI World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013). Rohit, on the other hand, has emerged as a charismatic and progressive leader, guiding India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title.While Dhoni's captaincy was characterized by his calm demeanor and strategic decision-making, Rohit's approach is more collaborative and empowering. According to former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, Rohit's ability to connect with his teammates and seek their input sets him apart."Rohit is people's captain. He goes up to the people and asks them what they want. His teammates connect with him very well," Singh said.In contrast, Dhoni's leadership style was more introspective and authoritative. "He didn't talk to anyone. He wanted to convey his thoughts through his silence. It was his way of communicating with others," Singh added.Despite their contrasting styles, both Dhoni and Rohit have been highly successful as captains. Dhoni's legacy as one of the greatest leaders in cricket history is secure, while Rohit has proven himself to be a worthy successor, leading India to new heights."The better captain is the one who makes you fight for victory. For me, what Dhoni has done as captain, Rohit has also done it. He is no lesser than anyone," Singh said.Rohit's decision to retire from T20I cricket after India's World Cup triumph in 2024 has paved the way for Suryakumar Yadav to take over the reins in the shortest format. However, Rohit continues to lead the Indian team in ODIs and Tests, where he has enjoyed considerable success.Recently, Rohit-led India registered a 2-0 clean sweep over Bangladesh in the ODI series, showcasing the team's dominance under his leadership.