Cricket

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin has lauded Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for his astute leadership in guiding India to a remarkable victory in the rain-affected Kanpur Test against Bangladesh. Haddin believes that India's aggressive approach and unwavering determination to win, even in challenging conditions, bodes well for their upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia.Despite losing two days of play due to rain and a wet outfield, India managed to pull off a stunning victory by dismissing Bangladesh for 146 in their second innings and chasing down a modest target of 95. Haddin praised India's attacking mindset, which allowed them to create opportunities to bowl out Bangladesh within the remaining time."They gave themselves a chance to win the game," Haddin said. "It was not about 'How many runs I score', it is about finding enough time to bowl Bangladesh out. They played a great brand of cricket, but it was all about giving them enough time."Haddin highlighted Rohit Sharma's leadership as a key factor in India's success. "Rohit had nothing to lose," he said. "How good was it to watch! It's a wonderful way to win Test cricket."Haddin believes that India's performance in Kanpur is a testament to their ability to adapt and overcome adversity. "The mindset of Rohit Sharma to find a way to manipulate a result... teams are scared to go 10 runs/over in 20 overs cricket! So, I take my hats off to India," he concluded.As India prepares for the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, Haddin is optimistic that they can replicate their aggressive and determined approach. "I actually do (If India will play same cricket in Australia). Because if you look at this result... the worst result for India would have been a draw. There was no way India would have lost it," he said.The Border-Gavaskar series kicks off on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. India will be aiming to retain the trophy they won in 2018-19, while Australia will be eager to reclaim it on home soil.

Rohit Sharma's Hilarious Moment on The Great Indian Kapil ShowIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently graced the popular comedy show The Great Indian Kapil Show, along with teammates Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube. The episode was filled with laughter and entertainment, including a hilarious mimicry segment.During the segment, Rohit was tasked with guessing a famous cricketer's identity based on Axar Patel's imitation. However, Axar's attempt to mimic MS Dhoni's signature shot left Rohit clueless. It was only when Suryakumar Yadav stepped in and recreated Dhoni's iconic helicopter shot that Rohit finally recognized the impersonation.Rohit's response was filled with humor as he playfully scolded Axar for not thinking of the helicopter shot earlier. The moment was captured on camera and shared on social media, much to the delight of fans.Speaking at an event in Rashin, Maharashtra, Rohit shared how winning the 2024 T20 World Cup had transformed his life. He expressed his joy and satisfaction, stating that after India's long-awaited triumph, "Our big goal was to win the World Cup, after winning the World Cup, my life has come to life."The victory ended an 11-year drought for India in ICC tournaments, with Rohit leading the team to glory after several near misses. The triumph brought immense joy to the Indian cricket fraternity and solidified Rohit's legacy as one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif has suggested that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) should consider acquiring Rohit Sharma as their captain ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Kaif's proposal stems from the recent announcement of IPL's retention and auction rules, as well as rumors surrounding Rohit's future with Mumbai Indians (MI).Rohit, the current Indian skipper, has led MI to five IPL titles. However, MI's disappointing performance in the 2024 season, where they finished last with only four wins, has raised questions about his future with the franchise.Kaif believes that RCB, despite boasting star players like Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, has never won an IPL trophy due to a lack of effective leadership. He argues that Rohit's exceptional captaincy skills, evident in his recent ICC T20 World Cup victory, could transform RCB's fortunes."RCB should take this chance. Somehow convince Rohit and make him the captain. He might not score that much as a batter, he scores forties and fifties, but I believe Rohit knows how to build a playing eleven very well," Kaif said.Kaif emphasized that Rohit should focus solely on captaincy in the IPL, given his proven track record as a leader. "Rohit Sharma should play as a captain only in the IPL because he is such a great captain. He has come after winning the T20 World Cup. He would have offers. We know people would have been calling him and asking him to play for them. I feel he should take the role of a captain only, whichever franchise is offering it," he said.Rohit's impressive IPL record, with 6,628 runs at an average of 29.72 and a strike rate of 131.14, further supports Kaif's suggestion. His ability to build a cohesive team and inspire players to perform at their best could be the key to RCB's long-awaited IPL triumph.

Indian cricket legend Rohit Sharma's recent remarks in Marathi have ignited excitement among fans. Speaking at an event in Rashin, Maharashtra, Rohit expressed how winning the 2024 T20 World Cup has profoundly impacted his life."Our big goal was to win the World Cup, after winning the World Cup, my life has come to life," he said, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.Rohit's heartfelt words resonated with fans, as India's 11-year wait for an ICC trophy culminated in an emotional victory over South Africa in the final in Barbados. The triumph marked a significant milestone in Rohit's career, fulfilling a long-held dream.Over the years, Rohit had endured several heart-wrenching defeats, including the semi-final loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup final loss to Australia in 2023. However, his unwavering determination and persistence paid off in 2024 when he led India to the coveted title.Beyond the team's success, Rohit also achieved personal milestones during the tournament. He became the first player to hit 200 sixes in T20 Internationals, a record set during a high-pressure Super 8 match against Australia in St. Lucia. This achievement cemented his legacy as one of the greatest T20 players of all time.Following India's victory, Rohit made an emotional announcement, declaring the final his last T20I match. "No better time to say goodbye to this format," he said, marking the occasion with his 50th win as Indian T20 captain.Rohit's remarks have sparked a wave of excitement among fans, who are eager to witness his continued success in other formats of the game. His leadership and determination have inspired a new generation of cricketers and cemented his place as one of the most iconic figures in Indian cricket history.

Rohit Sharma, India's captain, has expressed confidence in his decision-making abilities, as evidenced by his team's recent Test match victory against Bangladesh. Despite losing over 220 overs due to weather, India secured a seven-wicket win by adopting an aggressive approach.Sharma believes that his experience has equipped him to trust his instincts. "I have been out there enough to trust my judgments on what I do," he stated. While open to suggestions, he emphasizes that the final call is his.Sharma acknowledges that not all decisions will be successful, but experience and knowledge are crucial. "At the highest level, you need to have a bit of everything," he said. "You need to be calm to take decisions wisely, and you need to back it with your experience."Sharma admits that India's aggressive approach could have backfired, but he was prepared for the consequences. "We had to take risks to get a result," he explained. "I know the result could have gone either way, but I was okay with it."He praised his team's fielding performance, highlighting the 23 catches they took out of 24 opportunities. "The catches are hard to take as reaction time is very less," he said.Sharma emphasized that his style of aggression is not about body language but rather about actions on the field. "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 said.However, he does not object to players like Mohammed Siraj engaging in verbal exchanges with batters, as it can unsettle them. "Siraj, superb athlete, he gives everything on the field he has," Sharma said. "He wants to do something -- talk to the batter, make him uncomfortable so that the team gets into the game."

India's dominance in Test cricket under Rohit Sharma's leadership has once again been showcased in their emphatic 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh. Despite rain washing out two days of the Kanpur Test, the Indian team displayed their resilience and unwavering determination to secure a comprehensive victory.Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has hailed India's dominance, particularly their ability to maintain their position at the top of the Test rankings. He attributes this success to the team's exceptional skills and their ability to win matches overseas.Raja singled out Ravichandran Ashwin for special praise, recognizing his all-round abilities. Ashwin's century in the first Test and his six wickets in Bangladesh's second innings were crucial in India's victory. Raja believes that Ashwin is an underrated all-rounder whose contributions often go unnoticed.Similarly, Ravindra Jadeja's ability to perform under pressure was also highlighted by Raja. He noted that both Ashwin and Jadeja have shown a remarkable ability to improve their game over time, unlike many Pakistani players who tend to plateau after reaching their peak.Raja attributed India's continued success to the intense competition within the team. He believes that the presence of talented players on the bench keeps the established players motivated and prevents them from becoming complacent.In contrast, Raja expressed concern about the performance of Pakistani players, who often experience a decline in their performance after reaching their peak. He believes that Indian players have a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the team, which contributes to their longevity and success.

Virat Kohli's tenure as Test captain marked a shift in Indian cricket, with "intent" becoming the driving force. The team's potent pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami, became a formidable weapon.When Rohit Sharma took over the reins, he brought a subtle but significant change. "For me, aggression is all about your actions, not the reactions," he emphasized. Rohit's approach is characterized by a relentless pursuit of victory, coupled with a clear communication of his gameplan to his teammates.Rohit's leadership style was evident in India's recent Test victory over Bangladesh in Kanpur. The team's ability to push the game forward at all times, even against the clock, showcased his influence. His informal and colloquial language creates a sense of camaraderie on the field, fostering a "big brother" vibe.Despite his reputation as the "Hitman" of Indian cricket, Rohit is far from being a larger-than-life superstar. His leadership extends beyond his own performances. In the absence of key players during the Gabba heist in 2021 and the five-Test series against England earlier this year, Rohit handed Test caps to four players who responded with exceptional performances.Rohit's ability to inspire his team is crucial to India's recent dominance in limited-overs cricket. His belief in uninhibited cricket has been a cornerstone of their success in the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup.Rohit's leadership style is characterized by a calm and calculated approach. "When you are playing at such a high level, you have to be calm to think wisely," he stated. "I use my experience and knowledge to trust myself."As Rohit approaches the twilight of his career, he remains focused on leading India to further glory. His unwavering determination and ability to inspire his teammates will undoubtedly guide them towards another exciting dash to the finish line.

India's dominance in Test cricket continued as they secured a resounding 2-0 series sweep against Bangladesh, despite rain interruptions in the second Test in Kanpur. The victory solidified India's position at the summit of the World Test Championship points table, with 8 wins from 11 matches.After rain washed out two days of play, a draw seemed inevitable. However, India's bold approach and decisive decision-making forced the game into a result. The bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for 227 in the first innings, and India responded with an aggressive batting display to gain a slender lead.In the second innings, India's bowlers once again showcased their brilliance, coupled with astute captaincy from Rohit Sharma. The Indian fielders were exceptional, grabbing 23 out of 24 catches, including Mohammed Siraj's stunning one-handed effort.Rohit acknowledged the risks involved in their aggressive approach but emphasized the team's unwavering commitment to securing a result. "We had to take a little bit of risk to get a result," he said. "I was okay with it. So was the coach and the other players as well. Because you have to be brave enough to take those decisions and go and play that way."Rohit praised the team's fielding efforts, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the players and the support of the backroom staff. "It may go unnoticed, but out of the 24 catches that came our way, we took 23 of them," he said. "The guys who were standing behind were so sharp and to take those catches, it may look easy on television, but it is not."India's next challenge will be a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, followed by a three-Test series against New Zealand at home.

India's dominance in Test cricket continued as they registered a resounding 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the recently concluded two-match series. The second Test in Kanpur, despite being rain-hit, witnessed a stellar performance from Team India, who chased down a target of 95 with seven wickets in hand on Day 5.The victory marked India's 18th consecutive Test series win at home, a testament to their unwavering dominance on home soil. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team has scaled new heights, with Sharma himself attributing his success to the support of former head coach Ravi Shastri and star batter Virat Kohli.In a recent interview with renowned commentator Jatin Sapru, Sharma revealed that Shastri and Kohli played a pivotal role in his transformation as an opening batter in Test cricket. He described it as his "second birth" in the format."In the second innings, I was very grateful to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli for giving me the opportunity to bat up the order," Sharma said. "It wasn't an easy decision to promote me in Tests. They trusted me. They asked me to play one practice match, which I did. I got out on the very first ball, but I realized that I didn't have any other choice. It felt like a second birth in Test cricket. I knew I had to grab this opportunity."Sharma's gratitude towards Shastri and Kohli stems from their unwavering belief in his abilities. Despite his initial struggles as an opener, they encouraged him to play his natural game and not succumb to the pressure of survival."My response to them was clear: I'll play my natural game and won't take the pressure of trying to survive. I'm going to play freely. If the ball is there, whether it's the first ball of the Test or not, I'm going to hit it. They gave me the freedom to do what I wanted," Sharma added.Shastri's eagerness for Sharma to open in Tests dates back to 2015, but the decision ultimately rested with the team management. However, with the support of Shastri and Kohli, Sharma has flourished in his new role, becoming one of the most prolific openers in Test cricket.Following the successful completion of the Test series, India will face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, commencing on October 6 in Gwalior.