Cricket

Despite his impressive performances for Team India, Rinku Singh was surprisingly omitted from the nation's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. However, the young batsman has revealed the encouraging words he received from captain Rohit Sharma after the setback."He (Rohit Sharma) came to me and said that it is okay, I'm still young, and there are many more tournaments to come. There is a World Cup every two years, so I shouldn't be disappointed by this but focus on my game instead," Rinku said in an interview.Despite winning the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rinku was left out as India opted for four spin options. However, he was included as a traveling reserve.Immediately after the tournament, Rinku was included in India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe, where he played in every game as a middle-order batter. He then starred in the T20I series in Sri Lanka, impressing with the ball by picking up two wickets in the penultimate over of the final T20I to turn the game in India's favor.Presently, Rinku boasts an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 174 in 17 T20I innings for India. Remarkably, he has remained not out in 10 of those innings.Rinku also acknowledged Virat Kohli's style of leadership. "I like Virat Kohli as well because aggression is very important while leading a team. So, his captaincy was also very good," he said.Rinku had recently expressed his desire to play for Kohli's franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) if he is not retained by KKR.Currently, Rinku is playing in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UP T20), where he is captaining Meerut Mavericks. He has not been included in any of the four squads for the Duleep Trophy to be held in September.

MS Dhoni Captures Rohit Sharma's Hilarious Bodyguard Act for Kedar JadhavIn a lighthearted moment captured on camera, former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni filmed a comical scene involving Rohit Sharma and Kedar Jadhav. The video, which has gone viral on social media, showcases the playful camaraderie among the Indian cricket team members.The incident occurred during a team stay at a hotel. Dhoni, armed with his phone, began recording as Kedar Jadhav walked down a corridor. Rohit Sharma, standing nearby, instructed a team support staff member to pretend to be a fan. Another support staff member positioned himself to the right of Jadhav, acting as his bodyguard.As the trio walked down the corridor, Dhoni's voice can be heard saying, "Start kar diya hai" (It has started). Suddenly, the "fan" approached Jadhav for a selfie, but Rohit swiftly intervened, pushing him aside with a nonchalant gesture. The entire scene erupted in laughter, with Jadhav collapsing on the floor in amusement.The video highlights the close bond and playful nature of the Indian cricket team. It also showcases the lighter side of the players, who often engage in fun activities to relieve the pressure of international cricket.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: Longevity in Cricket's Modern EraFormer India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have the potential to surpass the illustrious careers of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. This optimistic outlook stems from the evolving landscape of modern cricket, which emphasizes workload management and player longevity.Bangar, speaking on The Rao Podcast, highlighted the advancements in fitness regimes and support systems that are enabling players to extend their playing years. He noted that Rohit Sharma, who is currently 35 years old, could continue playing for several more years if his fitness permits."Sachin played till 40, and even Rahul played till 40," Bangar said. "With better fitness standards and more professionals looking after players, including nutritionists, careers are going to get longer."Bangar also emphasized Kohli's unwavering commitment to Test cricket, suggesting that it would be the last format he would give up. "Even with Virat, it depends on his body," Bangar said. "The last format that he would give away will be Test cricket. So, I am sure that you will see Virat playing Test cricket for another five years."The pursuit of major trophies, such as the World Cup and World Test Championship, could further motivate Kohli and Sharma to prolong their careers. "India winning the World Cup doesn't mean that Rohit is going to walk away," Bangar explained. "Rohit has tasted success now, and India still wants to win the World Test Championship—there is something to look forward to."Bangar's predictions are based on the changing dynamics of modern cricket, where players are increasingly prioritizing their health and longevity. With the support of advanced fitness and recovery techniques, Kohli and Sharma have the potential to continue their dominance in the game for years to come.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is poised to be a blockbuster event, with several high-profile players potentially switching franchises. Among the most sought-after names is Rohit Sharma, the former Mumbai Indians captain.Rohit's departure from the Mumbai Indians has been widely anticipated since his removal as captain ahead of the 2024 season. The move, which saw Hardik Pandya take over the reins, drew criticism from fans and former cricketers alike.Given his immense brand value, Rohit is expected to attract significant interest if he enters the auction pool. With the BCCI likely to limit teams to retaining only six players, the chances of Rohit playing for a new franchise next season are high.One team that has openly expressed interest in Rohit is the Punjab Kings, who are yet to win an IPL title. Sanjay Bangar, the team's Director of Cricket Operations, acknowledged their desire to acquire Rohit but emphasized that it would depend on their financial situation."It all depends on whether we have the money in our pockets. If Rohit comes in the auction, I certainly believe he is going to go for a high price," Bangar said in an interview.With Shikhar Dhawan retiring from all forms of cricket, the Punjab Kings are in need of a new captain. Rohit, with his experience and leadership qualities, would be an ideal candidate for the role.Despite being 37 years old, Rohit's performances in the recent T20 World Cup demonstrated that he still possesses the skills and determination to excel at the highest level. His presence in the Punjab Kings lineup would undoubtedly boost their chances of success in the upcoming IPL season.

Rinku Singh, India's promising batter, was surprisingly omitted from the main squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, despite his impressive performances. However, he was named as a reserve player, sparking discussions among fans and analysts.Following the squad announcement, Singh revealed insights from his conversation with India's skipper, Rohit Sharma, who offered him words of encouragement. In an interview with News24, Singh shared Sharma's advice, emphasizing perseverance and the opportunities that the future holds."He came to me and made me understand that it was okay; you are still very young. There will be many World Cups in the future. Keep working hard. There is a World Cup every two years, so focus on that. Don’t be disappointed," Singh quoted Rohit.Sharma's message appears to have given Rinku a positive perspective on his future career. According to the young cricketer, Sharma stressed that age is on Rinku's side and that his chance to shine at the global level would come with ongoing effort and dedication.Even though he was not part of the main squad, Rinku expressed his admiration for Rohit’s style of leadership and his respect for Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach to captaincy. "I like Rohit Sharma's captaincy. I like Virat Kohli as well because aggression is very important while leading a team. So, his captaincy was also very good," Rinku stated.The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team successfully ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, further demonstrating the effectiveness of Sharma's leadership and the team's cohesion. Despite his exclusion from the main squad, Rinku Singh's positive attitude and respect for his leaders underline his maturity and potential as a future star in Indian cricket.

The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a busy Test season, with a two-match series against Bangladesh in September, followed by a three-match series against New Zealand and a five-match series against Australia.Captain Rohit Sharma has already begun his preparations for the upcoming challenges. Videos on social media show Sharma engaged in intense training sessions with India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. The sessions include rigorous cardio exercises in a park.Nayar, who joined the Indian support staff last month, has been working closely with Sharma. The skipper's last Test appearance for India was in March 2024 against England, where he scored a century in the first innings.The Bangladesh series will be a good warm-up for India before they face New Zealand and Australia. Bangladesh has improved significantly in recent years and will pose a tough challenge.The New Zealand series will be a stern test for India. The Kiwis are one of the top Test teams in the world and will be looking to avenge their defeat in the World Test Championship final last year.The Australia series will be the ultimate challenge for India. The Aussies are the current World Test champions and have a formidable record at home. India will need to be at their best to win the series.The upcoming Test season will be a crucial one for India. They will be looking to build on their success in the World Test Championship and establish themselves as the best Test team in the world.

India's 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign was a tale of both triumph and disappointment. The team, led by Virat Kohli, entered the tournament as one of the favorites and lived up to expectations in the group stages, winning seven out of nine matches. However, their journey came to an abrupt end in the semi-final against New Zealand, leaving Indian fans heartbroken.India's dominance in the group stages was evident from their consistent performances. They defeated South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, while their match against New Zealand was washed out due to rain. Rohit Sharma emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 648 runs at an average of 81.00, including five centuries. Virat Kohli also contributed significantly with 442 runs, while Jasprit Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker with 18 scalps.The semi-final against New Zealand proved to be a turning point for India. Chasing a modest target of 240, India's top order collapsed, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul all departing early. Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni, who stitched together a gritty partnership, India fell short by 18 runs.The defeat was a bitter pill for Indian fans to swallow, as the team had been strong contenders throughout the tournament. Rohit Sharma later expressed his belief that MS Dhoni should have batted at number four, a position that would have allowed him to play a more influential role in the chase.Despite the disappointment of the World Cup exit, India has since won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. The team remains one of the strongest in the world and will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet in the years to come.

The CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2024 celebrated the exceptional achievements of Indian cricketers, both men and women. Amidst the accolades bestowed upon stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rahul Dravid, a heartwarming moment between two India stalwarts captured the hearts of fans.During the event, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain and India's ODI middle-order pillar Shreyas Iyer displayed a remarkable gesture of respect towards India's Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma. As the venue filled with stars, Rohit Sharma found himself without a seat. Without hesitation, Shreyas Iyer rose from his seat and offered it to Rohit, who gratefully accepted.The heartwarming moment was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, eliciting praise from fans and commentators alike. Whether Shreyas Iyer proactively offered the seat or Rohit Sharma requested it remains unclear, but the exchange of smiles between the two players spoke volumes about their mutual respect and camaraderie.Rohit Sharma was honored with the prestigious 'International Cricketer of the Year' award at the ceremony. As CEAT's brand ambassador, Rohit played a pivotal role in India's historic triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup, emerging as the nation's leading run-scorer.Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to a dominant IPL 2024 title victory, received the 'T20 Leadership' award. His astute captaincy and exceptional batting performances throughout the tournament earned him widespread recognition.The CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2024 also recognized the outstanding contributions of other Indian cricketers. Yashasvi Jaiswal was named 'Test Batter of the Year,' while R Ashwin claimed the 'Test Bowler of the Year' award. Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami were honored as 'ODI Batter of the Year' and 'ODI Bowler of the Year,' respectively.In the T20I category, Phil Salt and Tim Southee were recognized as 'T20I Batter of the Year' and 'T20I Bowler of the Year,' respectively. Rahul Dravid, the former India captain and current head coach, received the 'Lifetime Achievement' award for his immense contributions to Indian cricket.The awards ceremony also celebrated the achievements of women cricketers. Harmanpreet Kaur was recognized for her record-breaking feat as the player with the most matches as captain in women's T20I history. Deepti Sharma was named 'Women's Indian Bowler of the Year,' while Shafali Verma received the award for the 'Fastest Double-Century in Women's Test.'

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been rocked by a series of captaincy changes, with the latest rumors swirling around Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After a disappointing season that saw MI finish at the bottom of the points table, the franchise replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain. This move sparked speculation of a rift between Rohit and Hardik, which was reportedly resolved during the T20 World Cup.However, the drama surrounding MI's captaincy continues. Reports have emerged that Suryakumar Yadav, who was recently appointed captain of India's T20I side, has been approached by KKR to become their skipper. According to journalist Rohit Juglan, KKR has made an unofficial offer to Suryakumar and is willing to trade Shreyas Iyer, last year's title-winning captain, to MI in exchange.This potential move could be facilitated by the mega auction scheduled for next year. However, KKR has not officially commented on the matter. Meanwhile, both Suryakumar and Iyer are currently playing for Mumbai in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament.The Buchi Babu Tournament provides a platform for both players to showcase their skills ahead of the upcoming international season. The BCCI has encouraged India internationals to participate in domestic tournaments to maintain peak performance.The captaincy changes and trade rumors surrounding MI and KKR have added an element of intrigue to the IPL. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the teams' fortunes in the upcoming season.