Cricket

Piyush Chawla, a seasoned Indian spinner, has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma's exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering commitment to the Mumbai Indians franchise. Chawla, who played alongside Rohit in the 2023 IPL season, witnessed firsthand the impact of his captaincy on the team's success.Chawla highlighted Rohit's unwavering loyalty and tireless efforts for the Mumbai Indians. He emphasized how Rohit's leadership played a crucial role in guiding the team to numerous victories. In the 2023 IPL season, Chawla himself showcased his prowess on the field, securing 22 wickets across 16 matches, making him the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.Chawla shared an anecdote from the season, revealing an instance when Rohit summoned him to his room at the unusual hour of 2:30 AM. "I've played so much cricket with him that we've reached a comfort level. We sit off-the-field as well. Once, at 2:30 in the night, he texted me and asked, 'you up?' He drew a field on paper and discussed with me about potentially dismissing Warner. Even at that time, he was thinking about how he could get the best out of me," Chawla told Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube.Chawla stressed that Rohit's influence extends beyond his role as a captain, highlighting his leadership qualities. He referred to instances from the ODI World Cup held last year and the recent T20 World Cup to support his point. "There's a captain, then there's a leader. He isn't a captain, he is a leader. Whether it was 2023 ODI WC, or the 2024 T20 WC, the way he batted, he sets the tone in such a way that he made it easy for next batters. He's a true leader. He gives you a free hand," said Chawla.Rohit-led Indian team ended the decade-long ICC title drought after beating South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 to lift their second title in the format. In 2023, the Men in Blue failed to win the World Test Championship and 2023 ODI World Cup under Rohit's leadership after losing to Australia in the finals.

On September 14, 2023, Rohit Sharma etched his name into the annals of cricket history by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record for the fastest player to reach 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The Indian captain achieved this remarkable feat in just 241 innings, 18 fewer than the legendary Tendulkar.Sharma's record-breaking moment came during an Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. The "Hitman" reached the milestone in style, smashing a towering six off the bowling of Kasun Rajitha. The crowd erupted in thunderous applause as Sharma celebrated his historic achievement.Despite Sharma's impressive 48-ball 53, India was bowled out for a modest 213 in 49.1 overs. However, the Indian bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav, put in a spirited performance to secure a 41-run victory. Yadav claimed four wickets for 43 runs, while Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with two wickets each.Sharma's journey to 10,000 ODI runs has been marked by his exceptional batting prowess. Known for his aggressive style and ability to hit big shots, Sharma has scored three double centuries in ODIs, including a career-best 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014.In the match against Sri Lanka, Sharma's opening partnership with Shubman Gill (19 off 25 balls) gave India a solid start. However, the Sri Lankan spinners, Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka, tightened their grip on the game, taking five and four wickets respectively.Despite the setback, India's bowlers rallied on the spin-friendly Colombo pitch. Yadav's four-wicket haul proved decisive, while Jadeja and Bumrah also made valuable contributions. Ultimately, India dismissed Sri Lanka for 172, securing a crucial win by 41 runs.Sharma's record-breaking achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has established himself as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers to come.

Nathan Lyon, the seasoned Australian spin wizard, has identified Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant as the pivotal Indian wickets to capture in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.Lyon, speaking to Star Sports, acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by India's batting lineup. "Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant are probably going to be the three really big ones," he said. "But then you have still got Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and who else will come out--another five, I am not sure. But it is a pretty amazing line-up they have got, so it is going to be a massive challenge."Lyon emphasized the importance of sustained bowling pressure to overcome India's formidable batting. "As I said, if we, as a bowling group, are good enough for long periods, hopefully, we can challenge their defense," he said.Kohli, India's batting mainstay, has a remarkable record in Australia, having amassed 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08. Sharma, the Indian captain, has also performed well in Australia, scoring 408 runs in seven Tests at an average of 31.38. Pant, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, has been in scintillating form in Australia, scoring 624 runs in seven matches at an average of over 62.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, commencing on November 22 in Perth, promises to be a fiercely contested affair. Lyon, with his impressive record against India, will be a key figure in Australia's bowling attack. The series will feature four Tests, including a day-night Test in Adelaide and the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaches, the future of Mumbai Indians (MI) stalwart Rohit Sharma remains uncertain. After being removed as captain ahead of the previous season, reports suggest a strained relationship between Rohit and the franchise, leading to speculation about his departure.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Rohit may be traded to a new team during the trade window. "I feel he will not stay. Whoever is retained will be with the thinking that he will remain with you for three years, unless your name is MS Dhoni," Chopra said. "Rohit Sharma at MI, I feel he might himself leave or MI might leave him."Chopra also discussed the future of Suryakumar Yadav, who has also been linked with a move away from MI. However, Chopra believes Surya is unlikely to leave the franchise at this stage of his career. "I don't think Suryakumar Yadav will be traded. The Mumbai Indians won't leave Suryakumar Yadav and I feel Surya also won't leave either," he said.Rohit Sharma's departure would mark a significant change for MI, who have been led by the Indian opener since 2013. Under his captaincy, MI won five IPL titles, making them the most successful franchise in the tournament's history.If Rohit does leave, MI will need to find a new captain and a replacement for his opening batting position. Potential candidates for the captaincy include Hardik Pandya, who led the team in 2022, and Ishan Kishan, who has impressed as an opener for India.The IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to be held in December 2024. All teams will have the opportunity to retain a maximum of four players, with the remaining players entering the auction pool.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is gearing up for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19 in Chennai. The 37-year-old Sharma has been sharing his intense fitness workouts on Instagram, giving fans a look at his rigorous training routine. Known for both his leadership and consistent performance, Sharma is focusing on staying in top shape ahead of the critical Test season.Rohit Sharma recently retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. This win ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought for India. Following this remarkable achievement, Sharma announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game, leaving on a high note.As the Test series against Bangladesh approaches, Sharma has been dedicating his efforts to maintaining peak physical condition. Sharma's recent Instagram video showed not only his demanding fitness regimen but also some fun moments shared with friends during training. This balance of intense preparation and light-hearted moments captures Sharma's approach to both his career and personal life.Sharma's fitness routine includes a variety of exercises, including weightlifting, cardio, and agility drills. He also emphasizes proper nutrition and rest to ensure his body is fully recovered and ready for the challenges ahead.The Indian team, under Sharma's leadership, is aiming to continue their dominance in Test cricket. They are currently ranked number one in the ICC Test rankings and will be looking to extend their lead over the other top teams.Sharma's focus on fitness and preparation is a testament to his commitment to the team and his desire to succeed at the highest level. With his experience, leadership, and unwavering determination, Sharma is poised to lead India to another successful Test series.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's unique communication style and forgetfulness have become legendary among players and fans alike. His words, often captured by stump microphones, have gone viral on social media, with memorable quotes like "agar koi garden mei ghoomta hua nazar aaya toh..." (if I find anyone roaming around like in a garden).Rohit's forgetfulness has also been a source of amusement. From leaving his passport and iPad behind to forgetting the playing eleven at the toss, his absent-mindedness has become a running joke.In a recent chat with YouTuber Tamnay Bhatt, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant shed light on Rohit's communication style. "Bhai depend karta hai. Ground ke context mei toh mai samajh jaata hu, off the field kum aata hai samajh mei (I understand what Rohit says on the ground, but off the field I don't)," Pant quipped.Pant also shared an incident where he tried to distract Virat Kohli during an IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. "It was one of the most important matches of the season for us and we needed to perform well. I couldn't play that match and was thinking what could I do from the outside," Pant explained.Rohit's forgetfulness and communication style have become an integral part of his persona. While it may sometimes lead to confusion, it also adds a touch of humor to the game.

Virender Sehwag's 'This or That' Challenge: Rohit Sharma Emerges as the Chosen OneFormer Indian opener Virender Sehwag recently ignited a firestorm of debate among cricket enthusiasts with his 'this or that' challenge at the Delhi Premier League T20. Sehwag's choices, which pitted current Indian captain Rohit Sharma against cricketing legends, revealed his unwavering belief in Rohit's exceptional talent and leadership abilities.In the challenge, Sehwag first selected MS Dhoni over Ben Stokes, acknowledging his loyalty to his former captain. However, when faced with the choice between Dhoni and AB de Villiers, Sehwag opted for the South African star, citing his unparalleled batting prowess. The challenge continued with Sehwag choosing Virat Kohli over ABD and Pat Cummins, highlighting Kohli's consistency and match-winning capabilities.However, the pivotal moment came when Sehwag was asked to choose between Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Without hesitation, Sehwag declared Rohit as his preferred choice, emphasizing his belief in the current Indian captain's superior leadership qualities and all-around abilities.Sehwag's selection of Rohit over David Warner and Dale Steyn further underlined his conviction in the Indian opener's exceptional talent. Rohit's aggressive yet calculated style of play has revolutionized the Indian team's approach, leading them to numerous victories across all formats.Rohit's leadership was instrumental in India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending an 11-year drought for a major ICC trophy. His consistent performances as an opener have consistently placed him among the world's best, making him a formidable force in international cricket.Sehwag's challenge has sparked lively debates among fans, showcasing a wide range of opinions on his selections. However, it is clear that Rohit Sharma has emerged as a dominant figure in Indian cricket, earning the admiration and respect of both his peers and the cricketing world at large.

Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has suggested Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as potential successors to Rohit Sharma as India's all-format captain. Karthik believes that both players have the potential and experience to lead the team across all formats.Karthik's choice of Gill and Pant stems from their impressive performances and leadership qualities. Gill, the 23-year-old opener, has captained the Gujarat Titans to victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has also led India A. Pant, the 25-year-old wicket-keeper batter, has captained the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and has led India in Tests and T20Is.Karthik's decision to overlook Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul is based on their injury concerns and limited experience as captains. Bumrah, the star fast bowler, has been plagued by injuries in recent months, while Rahul, the vice-captain, has not captained India in any format.Meanwhile, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has emphasized the importance of domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy in his development as a cricketer. Jaiswal, who has already made his mark on the international stage, believes that these tournaments provide him with valuable experience and help him hone his skills.As India prepares for the upcoming red-ball season, Jaiswal is aware of the stakes involved, especially with the World Test Championship (WTC) in sight. He stressed the importance of every match and the need to perform consistently to ensure India remains competitive on the global stage.India will be playing a two-match Test and three-game T20I series against Bangladesh at home from September 19 to October 12. The series will provide India with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the WTC and the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2023.

India's T20 World Cup Triumph: Nida Dar's Delayed Congratulatory Message Sparks ControversyOn June 29, 2024, India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. The triumph marked the end of a 13-year wait for an ICC title for the Indian team. However, over two months later, a post by former Pakistan women's cricket team captain Nida Dar has sparked controversy.In her post, Dar congratulated the Indian men's cricket team on their victory and praised star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, the timing of the post raised eyebrows, as it came more than two months after the final.Dar later clarified that she had initially made the post on June 30, 2024, but due to restrictions on Twitter in Pakistan, it was posted on August 11 instead. Despite her explanation, Indian fans were not impressed and proceeded to troll the former Pakistan captain.The controversy surrounding Dar's post highlights the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket. The two nations have a long history of political and sporting tensions, and any interaction between them is often met with scrutiny and criticism.Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to return to action in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The series opener will take place at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on September 19, followed by the second Test at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium on September 27.