Cricket

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, has made a triumphant return to the nets after recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined him from the T20 World Cup 2024. Shami, known for his exceptional swing bowling, was the highest wicket-taker at the ODI World Cup 2023, claiming 24 wickets in seven matches.In a recent podcast appearance, Shami shared amusing anecdotes about his camaraderie with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli. When asked who between Rohit and Virat was more challenging to face in the nets, Shami revealed that both batsmen were reluctant to face him."They (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) don't like facing me in the nets," Shami said. "I have said this in many interviews. It's like a very friendly bond with Virat. We keep on challenging each other. He tries to play different shots against me, while I try my best to dismiss him. This friendship keeps us motivated, which helps us giving our hundred per cent."Shami added that he had dismissed Kohli twice or thrice in the nets, much to the latter's annoyance. "I always set the field well and then ask Virat to come and bat against me. Rohit never agrees to face me in the nets. He straight away says no," Shami said.The 33-year-old pacer also disclosed that Ishant Sharma and Kohli were among his closest friends in the Indian team. "There is a group of close friends which has Ishant Sharma, Virat Kohli and a few former cricketers and we keep talking to each other on the phone. But it's not like we speak regularly to each other," Shami said.Shami's return to fitness is a major boost for the Indian team, who are eagerly awaiting his return to action. The pacer is a key component of India's bowling attack and his experience and skill will be invaluable in upcoming matches.

Mohammed Shami, India's veteran fast bowler, is on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery for an Achilles tendon injury sustained during the ODI World Cup last year. Currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Shami recently began bowling in the nets.In a recent podcast appearance, Shami shared some amusing insights into India's training sessions. With 24 wickets in just seven innings at the ODI World Cup, Shami played a crucial role in India's unbeaten run to the final.Speaking about the friendly rivalry between batsmen and bowlers during net sessions, Shami revealed that Virat Kohli enjoys the challenge, while captain Rohit Sharma outrightly refuses to face him."With Virat, we always challenge each other. He likes to hit good shots, and I like to get him out. It helps us focus and simulate real-match scenarios," said Shami.Regarding Rohit, Shami smiled and said, "Rohit says he doesn't like to face me. He refuses to bat against me."Shami missed the entire Indian Premier League and T20 World Cup seasons this year due to his injury. He will require clearance from the NCA medical team and the BCCI before returning to competitive cricket.Speculation suggests that Shami may play a role in the two-Test series against Bangladesh in September-October this year. His return would be a significant boost for the Indian team, as he remains one of the most experienced and effective fast bowlers in the country.

Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as India's new T20I captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma who retired from the format after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Yadav's first assignment will be the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on June 27, 28, and 30, which will also mark the debut of India's new coach, Gautam Gambhir.The decision to appoint Yadav as captain was made by the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar, who considered several factors, including fitness concerns and workload management. Hardik Pandya, who was Rohit Sharma's deputy at the T20 World Cup and has captained India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is, was initially considered for the role. However, his recent ankle injury and limited playing time in T20Is since 2022 may have influenced the decision.Yadav, on the other hand, has captained the Mumbai state team in domestic cricket and has led India to a 4-1 series win over Australia and a 1-1 draw against South Africa in recent T20I series. His experience and leadership qualities were key factors in his appointment as captain.The appointment of Yadav as captain is seen as the first step towards building for the next T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. The team will look to Yadav to provide stability and guidance as they prepare for the tournament.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most celebrated cricketers of the modern era, have received high praise from former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews. Mathews hailed them as "modern-day greats" and "legends of the game."Mathews recalled his experiences playing against Rohit Sharma from their Under-19 days, acknowledging Rohit's exceptional talent and potential from an early age. He also commended Virat Kohli for taking over the mantle from Rohit and delivering outstanding performances for India for over a decade and a half."I have played against Rohit from Under-19s. I have seen from those days what he is capable of. And Virat took over after Rohit from Under-19s. Virat has been amazing for India for over a decade and a half. Both of them are amazing players, modern-day greats, and legends of the game. And I wish them all the very best," Mathews said in an interaction on Star Sports.Another Sri Lankan veteran, Dinesh Chandimal, shared his perspective on Rohit and Kohli's retirement from T20I cricket after India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup."I think it was the right time to retire (from T20Is) after winning the World Cup. As a senior player, you wish to have that. So I think they made the right decision. It's going to take some time to fill their shoes because they have so much experience playing T20 cricket especially. India have so much young talent. So, I am sure they will take their hands up and do their performance," Chandimal stated.Thisara Perera, who had the opportunity to play alongside Rohit Sharma at the Mumbai Indians franchise, provided insights into Rohit's personality off the field."I played with Rohit when I played in Mumbai Indians. He is a really good guy. As a human being, he is really nice because he always shares his thoughts with local guys and even overseas players," Perera added.The 2024 T20 World Cup marked the culmination of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's illustrious T20I careers. Rohit led India's batting charge, amassing 257 runs and emerging as the team's highest scorer, while Kohli played a pivotal role with a match-winning knock of 76 runs in the final against South Africa, earning him the Player of the Match award.As India prepare to face Sri Lanka in an upcoming limited-overs series, there is speculation that Kohli and Rohit could potentially make a comeback for these matches.

Rohit Sharma, India's ODI captain, is set to return to action in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, according to a report by Hindustan Times. Earlier speculations suggested that Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, would miss the entire tour. However, the report claims that Sharma will be back in action, while Kohli and Bumrah will enjoy an extended leave after a grueling schedule.The series against Sri Lanka will be India's first assignment under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. It will also be a crucial preparation for the Champions Trophy 2025, with India playing only six ODIs before the tournament. Sharma's involvement in the series is seen as a significant step in India's preparations.Meanwhile, the T20I captaincy remains a topic of discussion. Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have emerged as strong contenders, but media reports suggest that Yadav has an advantage due to concerns over Pandya's fitness.Yadav has emerged as a dark horse to become India's T20 captain until the 2026 World Cup. He captained India in eight T20Is against Australia and South Africa last year and is reportedly the preferred choice of Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.Pandya, who was India's T20 vice-captain under Sharma, will take a break during the ODI series against Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. He is expected to lead the side in the T20Is, which will run from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele. The ODIs will follow from August 2 to 7 in Colombo.The squad for the series is expected to be announced in the next couple of days.

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 Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket. Kohli, who made his T20I debut in 2010, has been a prolific run-scorer in the format, amassing 4188 runs in 125 matches. Sharma, who made his T20I debut in 2007, has been even more successful, becoming the format's highest scorer with 4231 runs in 159 matches.Dev, who led India to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, believes that Kohli and Sharma have made an immense contribution to Indian cricket. "No one can take Virat and Rohit's place in the Indian team in any format," he said. "They have been a huge servant of Indian cricket and it was a happy farewell for them."Dev praised Kohli's relentless dedication and passion for the game, which has made him one of the most successful batsmen in the world. He also acknowledged Sharma's leadership qualities, which have helped India win several major tournaments, including the 2022 T20 World Cup."The stature that Virat has made of himself in all formats, he will surely be missed in T20Is," Dev said. "Both are as same as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. They are irreplaceable."Kohli and Sharma's retirements from T20I cricket will leave a void in the Indian team, but Dev is confident that the team will continue to be successful in the future. "We have a lot of young talent coming through," he said. "I am sure that they will step up and fill the void left by Virat and Rohit."

With the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, India has ended its 11-year ICC title drought. The team's next targets are the 2025 Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final. To prepare for these tournaments, the BCCI has mandated that players with national team aspirations participate in domestic competitions.BCCI secretary Jay Shah has emphasized that even star cricketers must make themselves available for domestic engagements when not on national duty. However, exceptions will be made for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah. The BCCI encourages other Test specialists to play in the Duleep Trophy in August as a precursor to the Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand.The Duleep Trophy will be selected by the national selection committee, and all Test team contenders will be included. Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah have the option to participate if they wish. These Test series will be the first two under Gautam Gambhir's coaching.Former South African pacer Dale Steyn has praised Gambhir's appointment as Team India's head coach. He believes Gambhir's aggression will positively impact the dressing room and inspire senior players.

With India's ODI series against Sri Lanka approaching, the availability of senior players remains uncertain. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have reportedly requested an extended break after the T20 World Cup, but new head coach Gautam Gambhir is opposed to this proposal.Hardik Pandya has also joined the list of unavailable players, citing personal reasons. However, Gambhir is keen on Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah participating in the ODI series. He has reportedly conveyed to the trio that the team will have a significant break after the Sri Lanka assignment, and he expects them to be available.The players have yet to respond to Gambhir's plea. Rohit and Kohli have already taken breaks and traveled abroad with their families. India's ODI series against Sri Lanka begins on August 2 and concludes on August 7. The team will then face England in an ODI series in February 2024.The gap between these series is five months, providing ample time for the senior players to rest and recover. After the England series, India will participate in the Champions Trophy, which is expected to be held in Pakistan, the UAE, or Sri Lanka.Gambhir's stance on the availability of senior players reflects his desire to build a strong and competitive ODI team. He believes that the experience and leadership of Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah are crucial for the team's success.The players' decision to prioritize personal commitments over national duty has sparked debate among fans and experts. Some argue that the players deserve a break after a grueling schedule, while others believe that they should make themselves available for the country whenever possible.Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to participate in the ODI series rests with the players. However, Gambhir's clear message to the trio indicates that he expects them to prioritize the team's needs.

India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2024 was a testament to their resilience and composure under pressure. Skipper Rohit Sharma recently shed light on the nerve-wracking moments of the final against South Africa, revealing that he had to clear his mind to navigate the tense situation.With South Africa needing just 30 runs from 30 deliveries and six wickets in hand, India faced an uphill battle. Heinrich Klaasen's blistering half-century off 23 balls had put the Proteas in a commanding position. However, Rohit emphasized the importance of staying present and executing their plans."I was completely blank," Rohit said. "It's very important for me to stay in the moment and focus on the job at hand. We had to stay calm and try to execute our plans."India's composure was evident in the final five overs, where they conceded only 29 runs. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh played pivotal roles in restricting South Africa's scoring. Bumrah's miserly six runs in the final over, including the crucial wicket of Marco Jansen, proved decisive.Arshdeep maintained the pressure in the penultimate over, giving away just four runs. Hardik's dismissal of Klaasen in the 17th over was a major turning point. He then took on the responsibility of bowling the final over and immediately dismissed David Miller on the first delivery, thanks to an unbelievable catch by Suryakumar Yadav.India's seven-run victory not only secured the T20 World Cup but also ended their 11-year-long ICC Trophy drought. Rohit's leadership and the team's ability to perform under pressure were key factors in their success.