Cricket

Rohit Sharma's Test debut, which was long overdue, marked a significant moment in Indian cricket history. The highly talented batsman, who had already established himself in white-ball cricket, finally made his Test debut in November 2013 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.This debut coincided with the farewell series of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who was retiring after a record-breaking career spanning 24 years. The focus was on Tendulkar's farewell rather than individual performances, but Rohit made his delayed Test debut count by scoring a magnificent hundred (177).Rohit's 177 was one of the highest scores by an Indian on debut, and it underscored his potential to succeed in the longest format of the game. In the second Test, played at Tendulkar's home ground in Mumbai, Rohit again went on to hit a hundred - this time an unbeaten 111 as India won by an innings and 126 runs.Rohit's Test debut marked a symbolic transition in Indian cricket. While the country was bidding farewell to its greatest-ever batsman, Rohit's entry into Test cricket hinted at the emergence of another extraordinarily gifted player. Rohit, already successful in limited-overs cricket, showed his ability to adapt to Test cricket, and over the years, he would go on to become one of the key players for India in all formats.This moment in cricket history was significant, as it represented both the end of an era and the beginning of a new one for Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma's Test debut, delayed by a freak injury and overshadowed by Tendulkar's farewell, marked the arrival of a new star in Indian cricket.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has heaped praise on skipper Rohit Sharma, describing him as a "great guy" with immense respect in the dressing room. Gambhir's comments come ahead of India's upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai.Rohit Sharma has established himself as a formidable force in Test cricket since making his debut in 2013. In 59 Tests and 101 innings, he has amassed 4138 runs at an impressive average of 45.47. His leadership qualities have also been evident, guiding India to several notable victories.Gambhir, who played alongside Rohit Sharma during their playing days, spoke highly of their relationship. "We've had several conversations. I believe that the team ultimately belongs to the captain because he leads on the field. My role, along with the support staff, is to assist the captain in every way possible," Gambhir said.He emphasized the importance of Rohit Sharma's leadership and respect within the team. "Rohit's leadership and respect in the dressing room are crucial. So, he's a great guy and has got a lot of respect in that dressing room, and that is the first and foremost quality of a leader," Gambhir added.India will face a formidable challenge against Bangladesh, who recently whitewashed Pakistan 2-0 in their first Test series victory on Pakistani soil. The Bengal Tigers' impressive performance has put them in top form, making them a formidable opponent for India.The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh is crucial for India as they aim to maintain their lead in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India currently holds a point percentage of 68.52, with upcoming WTC series against New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has emphasized the significance of fostering a strong relationship with senior players like captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli. Gambhir, who played alongside these players during his playing days, believes that their shared history will facilitate effective communication and decision-making.Gambhir acknowledged that his recent appointment is still in its early stages, but he expressed confidence in building upon the existing relationships he has with the senior players. He emphasized the importance of maintaining open and honest communication to ensure that everyone is on the same page."When you have that kind of a relationship, sometimes it gets much easier than building a relationship," Gambhir said. "Obviously, now the roles are different. The relationship we can build over the next couple of years is going to be very important."Gambhir also addressed the media attention surrounding his past spat with Kohli during an IPL match. He dismissed the notion that there is any lingering tension between them, stating that his relationship with all the players in the dressing room has always been positive."Sometimes people have made a lot of hue and cry about these things," Gambhir said. "But that's not true. My relationship with everyone in the dressing room team has been really, really good."Regarding team selection, Gambhir emphasized the importance of clear communication and transparency. He explained that the team's best playing XI is selected based on merit and that players who are not selected should understand the reasons behind the decision."We don't drop anyone," Gambhir said. "We only select the best playing 11. We think and do the job for that particular Test match."Gambhir also clarified the situation regarding the team's wicket-keeper for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. He praised the performances of both Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan but indicated that Pant remains the first-choice keeper for the time being."I feel Jurel is a quality player," Gambhir said. "But sometimes people will have to wait. Someone like Sarfaraz has also done really well. But sometimes you just need to wait for the opportunity and keep working hard."

Rohit Sharma's Forgetfulness: A Quirky Trait Humored by TeammatesIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has become renowned for his amusing tendency to forget things, a trait that has been the subject of lighthearted banter among his teammates. Virat Kohli, in particular, has often poked fun at Rohit's forgetfulness, highlighting his habit of misplacing items.In a recent video chat shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Virat and Gautam Gambhir engaged in a humorous exchange ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh. Gambhir asked Virat, "So Virat, the next guest is Rohit. What do you want me to ask? What should be the first question?"Virat, with a mischievous grin, suggested, "I think it is a very simple question to Rohit. Ke subah bheege badam khate ho ki nahi (Do you eat soaked almonds in the morning?)."This prompted laughter from Gambhir, who added, "That will help Rohit remember to come in at 11 am, not at night." He continued, "Ke subah 11 bhaje ke jagah, raat ko 11 bhaje na aa jaye (So that he comes in at 11 am and not 11 pm).""So, Rohit, that's the first question for you," Virat quipped.Rohit's forgetfulness has become a running joke within the Indian cricket team, with teammates often teasing him about it. However, it is clear that this quirk is not taken seriously and is instead a source of amusement for the team.

Pakistan-born fast bowler Zahoor Khan, who represents the UAE cricket team, had a memorable stint with the Mumbai Indians (MI) as a net bowler in 2014. Despite not featuring in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Zahoor gained invaluable experience and insights from his interactions with some of the world's top cricketers.In a recent interview, Zahoor shared his experiences with MI, particularly his encounters with Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma. He revealed that Bumrah was so impressed by his slower deliveries that he sought advice on his grip."I spent three months with Mumbai Indians and had the opportunity to interact with Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah," Zahoor said. "Bumrah was particularly interested in my slower ball and asked me how I grip the ball. It was a huge honor for me, considering he's the world's No. 1 bowler."Zahoor also recalled bowling to Rohit Sharma in the nets and noted that the Indian skipper struggled to pick his slower delivery. "I bowled a slower ball to Rohit, and he couldn't believe how slow it was," Zahoor said. "He even commented that even if a batter picked it, it would never go for a six."Zahoor praised Rohit Sharma's leadership and humility, describing him as a legend who treats everyone with respect. He also commended Bumrah's resilience and determination, highlighting his impressive return to form after an injury layoff."Rohit is a true leader and a wonderful human being," Zahoor said. "Bumrah is a superstar, but he's also a great person. He's shown that he's back to his best after his injury."Zahoor's time with MI provided him with a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best in the game. His interactions with Bumrah and Sharma have undoubtedly enriched his cricketing knowledge and will serve him well in his future endeavors.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the coaching style of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Speaking ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Sharma acknowledged the differences between Gambhir's approach and that of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid."Obviously, Rahul bhai, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey were a different team," Sharma said. "It is only acceptable that the new support staff will bring a different perspective."Despite the change in leadership, Sharma emphasized the importance of a good understanding between the captain and coach. "New coaching staff has a different style, but there is no problem," he said. "Good understanding is important, and I have that with Gambhir."Gambhir took over as head coach after Dravid's tenure ended following the T20 World Cup in June. The Chennai Test, beginning on September 19, will be India's first red-ball game under Gambhir's guidance.Sharma expressed optimism about the team's preparations for the series. "We have had a good camp in Bangalore," he said. "We have worked on our skills and strategies, and we are confident of putting up a good performance in Chennai."The Indian captain also praised the Bangladesh team, saying they have improved significantly in recent years. "Bangladesh is a very good team," Sharma said. "They have some quality players, and they will be a tough challenge for us."India will be looking to extend their dominance over Bangladesh in Test cricket. The two teams have met 12 times in the longest format, with India winning 10 matches and Bangladesh winning only one.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has emphasized that his team remains unfazed by the fact that every team relishes the opportunity to defeat India. Ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Rohit stated that the Indian team is solely focused on executing their game plan."We understand that every team enjoys beating India, but we don't dwell on that," Rohit said at a press conference. "Our focus is on our own performance and achieving our objectives."Rohit acknowledged Bangladesh's recent Test series victory in Pakistan, but he expressed confidence in his team's preparation. "We've had a productive camp in Chennai and are well-prepared," he said.Regarding the potential inclusion of KL Rahul in the playing XI, Rohit expressed his belief in Rahul's abilities. "KL Rahul has the talent to succeed in Test cricket," Rohit said. "I have no doubt that he can be successful in this format."With the World Test Championship (WTC) final in sight, Rohit stressed the importance of every match. "Every game is crucial when playing for the country," he said. "We're not treating this series as a dress rehearsal for Australia. We need to start the season strongly and accumulate WTC points."India's upcoming schedule includes a five-Test series in Australia in November, following the two Tests against Bangladesh and three Tests against New Zealand at home.

The Indian cricket team's preparations for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh, commencing on September 19, reached a fever pitch during an intensive practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the entire 16-man squad participated in the rigorous training session.Virat Kohli, one of the team's batting stalwarts, was among the first to enter the nets, facing the pace of Jasprit Bumrah and the spin of R Ashwin, who is set to make his 101st Test appearance. Yashasvi Jaiswal, the left-handed opener, joined Kohli in the adjacent net.Following them, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan took their turns at the crease. Sarfaraz had recently arrived in Chennai after participating in the second round of the Duleep Trophy match in Anantapur. Rohit, known for his prowess against spin, focused on honing his skills against the Bangladeshi team's spin-heavy attack.Other team members, including all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, also had their share of batting practice against local bowlers and faced a significant number of throwdowns.The practice pitch on the main square provided a reasonable level of bounce, giving the batsmen a good workout. India has scheduled two additional practice sessions before the series opener against Bangladesh, who are brimming with confidence following their clean sweep in Pakistan.The playing eleven for the first Test is largely self-selecting. The Chennai pitch typically assists spinners, and there's a good chance India will field three spinners and two pacers for the match. Ashwin, Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are the likely spinners, while Bumrah and Siraj will handle the pace-bowling duties. Despite his impressive all-round performances across formats, Axar Patel may have to sit out this game.In the batting department, Pant is anticipated to make his Test comeback after a nearly two-year absence. In that case, Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in his debut series against England, will be on the bench.

Captain Rohit Sharma will lead India in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, marking his return to the team after the ODI leg of the Sri Lanka tour in August. The Indian squad has been training in Chennai, preparing for the first Test starting on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.During a recent net session, Rohit was spotted practicing the reverse sweep, a shot he rarely attempts in match situations. This move is likely a strategy to counter the threat posed by Bangladesh's spinners, who have been in impressive form lately.Bangladesh recently made history by winning their first Test series in Pakistan, whitewashing the hosts 2-0. All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the top wicket-taker in the series with 10 wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan took five with his left-arm spin.India currently leads the World Test Championship table, while Bangladesh sits in fourth place. After the Chennai Test, the two teams will face off in the second Test in Kanpur from September 7. The series will be followed by three T20Is on October 6, 9, and 12.Rohit's return to the team is a significant boost for India, as he is one of the most experienced and successful batters in the world. His leadership and batting prowess will be crucial in India's quest to maintain their dominance in Test cricket.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their impressive form and challenge India on their home turf. The series promises to be a competitive and exciting affair, with both teams eager to prove their mettle.