Cricket

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar held a press conference ahead of the team's departure to Sri Lanka for a white-ball series. Here are the key takeaways:Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ODI Future:Gambhir did not rule out the possibility of selecting Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup, but emphasized the importance of fitness. He stated that both players could be part of the side if they maintain their fitness levels.Suryakumar Yadav's T20I Captaincy and ODI Future:Agarkar confirmed that Hardik Pandya's fitness issues led to Suryakumar Yadav being appointed as T20I captain. However, Yadav is not currently in the ODI squad due to competition from Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer.Ravindra Jadeja's Absence From Sri Lanka ODIs:Agarkar clarified that Jadeja was not dropped from the team but rested due to the upcoming Test schedule.Shubman Gill As Vice-Captain:Gill has been elevated as vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, reflecting the BCCI's long-term plans for him as a player in all three formats.Hardik Pandya's Fitness:Agarkar admitted that Pandya's fitness is a concern for the selectors. With Pandya no longer captain, the team management hopes to manage his workload and skillset better.Mohammed Shami's Return:Agarkar revealed that Shami has resumed bowling in the nets and could be available for the Bangladesh Test series.Relationship With Virat Kohli:Gambhir dismissed rumors of a rift with Kohli, stating that they are both committed to representing India. He declined to comment on their personal relationship.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, has addressed the future of veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players have recently retired from T20Is, but remain in the ODI squad. Gambhir believes that the decision of how long they continue playing is up to them, but he believes they have "a lot of cricket left in them."Gambhir highlighted the impressive performances of Sharma and Kohli on the big stage, including the T20 and 50-over World Cups. He emphasized that both players are still world-class and any team would want to have them for as long as possible.However, Gambhir acknowledged that the decision of when to retire is a personal one. He stated that it is up to the players to determine how much they can contribute to the team's success. He also mentioned the upcoming Champions Trophy and tour of Australia as potential motivations for the players to continue playing.Gambhir expressed his belief that Sharma and Kohli could potentially play until the 2027 ODI World Cup if they maintain their fitness. He emphasized that the team's success is paramount and that the players' contributions will be crucial in achieving that goal.

Rohit Sharma Confirms Availability for Sri Lanka ODI Series, Joins Kohli in SquadIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed his availability for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, putting an end to speculation that he might skip the tour. Sharma, who recently retired from T20 Internationals, will join former captain Virat Kohli in the 15-man squad for the three-match series.Following India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Sharma announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game. Kohli had also retired from T20Is after the tournament. The ODI series against Sri Lanka will mark their return to the 50-over format.With only six ODIs remaining before next year's Champions Trophy, the series is crucial for both Sharma and Kohli. It will provide them with an opportunity to fine-tune their skills and help new coach Gautam Gambhir assess tactical combinations.Sharma's confirmation of his availability is a significant boost for the Indian team. The veteran opener is one of the most experienced and successful batters in the world, and his presence will add stability to the top order.Kohli, who has been in excellent form in recent months, will also be eager to make a mark in the ODI series. The former captain is India's all-time leading run-scorer in the format and will be looking to add to his tally.The ODI series against Sri Lanka will be played from July 18 to 23. The first match will be held in Colombo, followed by the second and third matches in Pallekele.

India's squad announcements for the Sri Lanka tour have raised several questions beyond the headlines of Suryakumar Yadav's T20I captaincy and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ODI participation.Ravindra Jadeja's Status:Despite his T20I retirement, Jadeja remains India's primary spin-bowling allrounder in ODIs. He has been rested for the Sri Lanka series to give Axar Patel an opportunity and preserve Jadeja for the upcoming Test matches.Mohammed Shami's Return:Shami is recovering from Achilles surgery and is expected to return for the home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. He could be considered for the 2025 Champions Trophy if he remains fit.Kuldeep Yadav's T20I Break:Kuldeep has been rested from T20Is to give Ravi Bishnoi more experience. He remains India's frontline spinner in that format.Yuzvendra Chahal's Future:Chahal is still considered a backup spinner, but his limited utility as a bowler only may hinder his chances of regular selection.Hardik Pandya's ODI Absence:Pandya has requested a break from ODIs due to concerns over his bowling workload. The selectors are focusing on developing other seam-bowling allrounders in his absence.KL Rahul's All-Format Status:Rahul remains a key player in Tests and ODIs, despite his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad. He is expected to return as a wicketkeeper in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan's Injuries:Mayank Yadav has suffered a side injury and a separate injury while bowling at the NCA. Mohsin Khan has a lower-back injury. Both players are expected to prove their fitness in domestic cricket before being considered for international selection.Tilak Varma's Absence:Varma has missed out on the T20I squad due to a hand injury. He is expected to return to action once he recovers.

Mohammed Shami Opens Up About Hardik Pandya's Outburst, Expresses Shock Over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's T20I RetirementsIndian pacer Mohammed Shami has shed light on an incident during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season, where then-Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya shouted at him. Shami revealed that Pandya lost his cool after the senior bowler failed to catch a ball while fielding at third man."I usually don't respond to such things, but when things get too bad, then I do speak up," Shami said on Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube channel. "We have a good connection and are friends. He didn't realize it at that moment. We've known each other for almost 10 years. He told me, 'I swear, I don't know what I've said.'"Shami emphasized the importance of controlling emotions on the field, especially with millions of viewers watching. "Crores of people watch us on screen, we need to control our emotions," he said.In a separate interview, Shami expressed his surprise over the T20I retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. "Filling their places in the team is going to be a tough task," he said.Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is after India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2022, while Rohit followed suit shortly after. Kohli ended his T20I career as India's second-highest run-scorer in the format, while Rohit holds the record for the most centuries in men's T20Is.Shami's comments highlight the importance of maintaining composure on the field and the impact of senior players' retirements on the Indian cricket team.

Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant Credit MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid for Their SuccessIndian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant have expressed their gratitude for the mentorship and guidance they have received from former captains MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid. In a recent video released by Star Sports, the duo shared how these legendary figures have played a pivotal role in shaping their careers.Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, hailed Rahul Dravid's influence on his growth as a cricketer. He credited Dravid's guidance as instrumental in his success, particularly during the recent T20 World Cup in the Americas where Dravid served as head coach."Rahul Dravid has been a tremendous role model for us all," said Rohit. "We've seen what he's achieved both personally and for the team, often pulling us out of tough situations. His determination throughout his career was something I wanted to learn from when he came in as a coach. It has been incredibly beneficial, and besides the World Cup, we've won several major tournaments and series under his guidance."Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant echoed similar sentiments about MS Dhoni, who was his first international captain. Pant highlighted how Dhoni's wisdom and experience have been crucial to his development as a player."Not just on the field, but off the field as well, MS Dhoni is always there to support and guide me," said Pant. "He's my go-to person whenever I'm unsure, and he encourages me to develop my own thought process."Dhoni's mentorship has extended beyond the field, with Pant crediting him for helping him navigate the challenges of international cricket. "He's taught me how to handle pressure, how to stay calm in difficult situations, and how to make the right decisions under pressure," said Pant.Under Dravid's leadership, India has enjoyed a period of success, winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados, dominating England in a five-match Test series at home, and reaching the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev has hailed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as "irreplaceable" in the Indian team across all formats, comparing them to legendary players Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni.Kohli and Sharma recently announced their retirements from T20I cricket, prompting Dev to express his admiration for their contributions to the game. "No one can take Virat and Rohit's place in the Indian team in any format," Dev said. "They have been a huge servant of Indian cricket and it was a happy farewell for them."Dev praised Kohli's stature in all formats, noting that his absence in T20Is will be felt. "The stature that Virat has made of himself in all formats, he will surely be missed in T20Is," he said.Dev also drew parallels between Kohli and Sharma with Tendulkar and Dhoni, two of India's most iconic cricketers. "Both are as same as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. They are irreplaceable," he said.Kohli's T20I career spanned over 14 years, during which he amassed 4188 runs in 125 matches. Sharma, on the other hand, became the format's highest scorer with 4231 runs in 159 matches. He also holds the record for the most centuries in T20 internationals, with five to his name.Dev's comments highlight the immense respect and admiration that Kohli and Sharma have earned within the Indian cricket fraternity. Their retirements from T20Is mark the end of an era for Indian cricket, but their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players.

Abhishek Nayar, a former Indian cricketer and renowned domestic and franchise coach, is poised to join the Indian team in Sri Lanka as an assistant coach for the upcoming white-ball tour. This appointment marks a significant step in the team's new era under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir.Nayar's extensive experience in developing and mentoring players has earned him a reputation as a sharp cricket mind and a skilled motivator. He has played a pivotal role in the success of several Indian stars, including Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, and Rinku Singh.Nayar's close friendship with Rohit Sharma dates back to their early days in Mumbai cricket. He played a crucial role in helping Rohit overcome a challenging period in his career, guiding him through a rigorous training regimen that transformed his fitness and performance.Nayar also played a significant role in Dinesh Karthik's transformation into a successful finisher in the latter stages of his career. He convinced Karthik to embrace the challenging role and provided him with the necessary guidance and support.Among the younger generation of Indian cricketers, Nayar has a special bond with KKR star Rinku Singh. He recognized Rinku's potential early on and worked closely with him to develop his skills and mindset. Nayar's unwavering belief in Rinku's talent played a key role in his emergence as a match-winning finisher.Nayar's appointment to the Indian team is a testament to his reputation as a highly respected coach and mentor. His expertise in player development, combined with his close relationships with several key players, is expected to make a significant contribution to the team's success in the upcoming tour and beyond.

Arshdeep Singh Hails Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Legacy in T20I CricketIndia's young pacer Arshdeep Singh has paid glowing tribute to the legacy left behind by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following their retirements from T20I cricket. The duo ended their illustrious careers in the shortest format with a T20 World Cup triumph against South Africa in Barbados last month.Arshdeep, who was part of the victorious World Cup squad, hailed the immense contributions of Sharma and Kohli in the batting department, which have inspired cricketers worldwide. He highlighted Sharma's explosive batting at the top and sharp captaincy, while praising Kohli's consistent performances and relentless pursuit of excellence."Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have left an indelible mark on T20I cricket. Their contributions have been immense, and their legacy will be remembered for generations," Arshdeep told IANS. "Their passion, dedication, and ability to perform under pressure have inspired many young cricketers, including myself."Arshdeep, who made his white-ball debut under Sharma's captaincy, lauded the opener's tactical prowess and described him as a "bowler's captain." He praised Sharma for giving bowlers the freedom to express themselves on the field and for maintaining a positive atmosphere in the dressing room."Playing under Rohit Sharma's captaincy has been an incredible experience. He allows every bowler full freedom of executing what they want to do on the field. He has a unique way of keeping the dressing room atmosphere light and positive, which really helps in high-pressure situations," Arshdeep said.The 25-year-old also highlighted Sharma's strategic thinking and ability to read the game, which he believes has been a valuable learning experience for him.After being rested for the Zimbabwe T20Is, Arshdeep will travel to Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I and ODI series, starting on July 27.