Cricket

Indian Cricket Legends Retire from T20Is with Limited White-Ball SuccessFormer England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his disappointment over the limited success of Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja in winning white-ball trophies. Despite their immense contributions to the team, the trio has only secured one ICC trophy, the 2024 T20 World Cup, in the last decade.Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 Internationals following India's victory in the World Cup final. Vaughan believes that their underwhelming record in recent ICC tournaments is a cause for concern."They'll all agree that it is a perfect way to go, but they should have won more white-ball trophies amongst them," Vaughan said. "To think that he (Rohit) has taken another seventeen years to get another one in his hand, I think he will be the first one to admit that they should have won one or two more."Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja have been integral to Indian cricket for many years. Kohli is the former captain of the team and one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Rohit is the current captain and a prolific run-scorer. Jadeja is a versatile all-rounder who has made significant contributions with both bat and ball.Despite their individual brilliance, the trio has failed to replicate their success in the white-ball format at the international level. India has not won an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.Vaughan acknowledged that the trio retired at an opportune time, allowing them to focus on other formats and the Indian Premier League. However, he believes that their legacy will be tarnished by their lack of white-ball success."What a way to go out with a win in Barbados and a trophy in your hand. Now they can sit back and play Test cricket, a bit of one-day cricket, and in the IPL like MS Dhoni, play on forever. In Indian cricket, they will be replaced as there's plenty of talent in that team," Vaughan added.Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja's departure from T20Is marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. Their contributions, both individually and collectively, have left an indelible mark on the sport. As they transition to focus on Test and ODI formats, as well as the IPL, their legacy will inspire the next generation of Indian cricketers.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering resting captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August. This decision is driven by the duo's hectic schedule over the past three months, which included the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup.Sources within the BCCI have indicated that both Rohit and Kohli have requested an extended break to recuperate and prepare for the upcoming international assignments. For Rohit, this break will be his first in nearly six months, having played in every series since the South Africa Test series in December-January.In the absence of Rohit and Kohli, the captaincy responsibilities are likely to fall on either Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul. Pandya, who has captained the Indian team in the past, appears to be the frontrunner for the role. However, Rahul, who recently led the ODI team in South Africa, remains a strong contender.The decision to rest Rohit and Kohli is part of a broader strategy to manage the workload of senior players. India has a packed schedule ahead, including two Tests against Bangladesh, three Tests against New Zealand, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.The BCCI is keen on ensuring that its key players are fresh and ready for these demanding fixtures. The Champions Trophy, scheduled for mid-February, is also a major priority, and the selectors believe that Rohit and Kohli can benefit from a break before that tournament.With Rohit unavailable, Pandya is the most likely candidate to lead the team in Sri Lanka. However, Rahul's recent experience as captain and his strong performances in the ODI format make him a viable option as well. The final decision will be made by the selectors in consultation with the team management.

Rohit Sharma's iconic gesture of hoisting the Indian tricolour on the field in Barbados after India's thrilling T20 World Cup triumph has become a symbol of the team's historic achievement. The image of the Indian skipper planting the flag at the Kensington Oval has captured the hearts of the nation and has become his profile picture on his social media account.Rohit's decision to step down from T20 cricket after leading India to their second T20 World Cup title is a testament to his remarkable leadership. Under his captaincy, India has showcased their dominance by winning 10 consecutive matches, propelling them to the finals of both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup in the previous year.Despite their impressive streak, India fell short in the ultimate showdown of each tournament. However, Rohit's legacy as a captain will be defined by his ability to inspire his team to achieve greatness.Rohit's decision to dance his way to the dais to collect the World Cup trophy during the team's interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a moment of pure joy and celebration. The idea, suggested by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, perfectly captured the team's spirit and the magnitude of their achievement.As Rohit continues to lead India in the ODI and Test formats, the nation will be eagerly anticipating more iconic moments and historic triumphs under his leadership.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Rohit Sharma as a "people's captain" after leading India to victory in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. Gavaskar drew parallels between Rohit and former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev, who also led the team to World Cup triumphs.Rohit, who had been a part of India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy victories, finally achieved his dream of captaining India to a World Cup title. India's unbeaten run in the tournament culminated in a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa at Kensington Oval.Shortly after announcing his retirement from T20Is, Rohit described the 2024 T20 World Cup win as the greatest achievement of his playing career. Gavaskar echoed this sentiment, writing in his column for mid-day, "Rohit Sharma joins those other two cricketing giants, Kapil Dev and Dhoni in captaining India to a World Cup trophy. Like the duo were, Rohit is also a people's captain."Gavaskar praised Rohit's leadership style, noting his popularity among his teammates and the Indian cricketing community. He also highlighted Rohit's tactical acumen, stating that his surprising moves often led to positive outcomes for the team.In the tournament, Rohit led from the front with the bat, amassing 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70. His crucial fifties against Australia and England provided India with solid starts."He led from the front, showing a complete disregard for personal milestones and instead looked to get the team off to a flying start every time. India are blessed to have him as their captain," added Gavaskar.Gavaskar also lauded the captain-coach combination of Rohit and Rahul Dravid, crediting them for India's elusive trophy glory. He described the duo as "totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India."

Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium erupted in a symphony of voices as thousands of jubilant fans gathered to witness Team India's triumphant victory parade following their T20 World Cup triumph. The stadium reverberated with the stirring strains of "Vande Mataram" as the Indian cricket team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, embarked on a victory lap to express their gratitude to the unwavering support of their loyal fans.The atmosphere at Wankhede Stadium was reminiscent of the iconic 2011 ODI World Cup final, where chants of "Vande Mataram" accompanied MS Dhoni's match-winning six against Sri Lanka. The victory parade, which commenced from Nariman Point and culminated at Wankhede Stadium, brought traffic to a standstill as thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes.For Rohit Sharma, who made his debut as the youngest member of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's historic 2007 squad, leading his own T20 World Champion Indian cricket team on a victory lap at age 37 was a surreal experience. Prior to the victory lap, a viral video on social media captured Virat Kohli instructing Team India players to join in singing "Vande Mataram" with the crowd, sparking speculation about whether it was Kohli's initiative to include the anthem during the victory celebrations.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honored the Men in Blue with a prize money of Rs 125 crore for their victorious campaign in the T20 World Cup. Following their monumental contributions to India's second T20 World Cup triumph, skipper Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli announced their retirements from T20 Internationals. Kohli, awarded player of the match for his sublime 76 in the final against South Africa, was the first to announce his decision, followed shortly by Rohit, who stated that having achieved his goals, it was time to step aside.

The Indian cricket team emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024, claiming the title without suffering a single defeat. The Rohit Sharma-led side showcased exceptional performances throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling victory over South Africa in the final.However, the triumph was not without controversy. Several players voiced their concerns over the scheduling of the competition and the seeding system employed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Critics argued that India's knowledge of the venue for their semifinal match before any other team provided an unfair advantage.Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar dismissed these allegations as "laughable." He emphasized that the scheduling of major tournaments is often tailored to accommodate the Indian audience, which generates a significant portion of the ICC's revenue."The comments about the scheduling from former cricketers from the old powers were laughable," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar. "They seem to forget that India is the major source of sponsorship for the ICC. It's understandable that the timing for the telecast will be at a time that is good for Indian viewers."Gavaskar drew parallels to the United States' purchase of broadcasting rights for the Olympics, noting that no one questions any favoritism in that situation. He accused the "old powers" of jealousy and frustration over India's growing influence in the sport."American TV buys broadcast rights for the Olympics for billions of dollars and has all the marquee events at a time that is good for its viewers," Gavaskar added. "We haven't heard a squeak from anybody from the old powers that this favors the U.S. athletes. But then, with them being poodles of USA that would be unwise."Despite the controversies, India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a testament to their dominance in the shortest format of the game. The team's unwavering determination and exceptional skills proved too much for their opponents, leading to an unforgettable triumph.

Rohit Sharma to Lead India in Champions Trophy and World Test ChampionshipBCCI Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rohit Sharma will continue as India's captain for two major tournaments in 2024: the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the World Test Championship (WTC) final in London.Shah expressed confidence in Sharma's leadership, stating, "I am confident that under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, we will win the WTC Final and Champions Trophy."Sharma, who recently retired from T20Is after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup, will turn 38 in April 2024. Despite his age, Shah believes he is the right man to lead India to success.In a video message, Shah congratulated the Indian team on their T20 World Cup triumph and dedicated the victory to Sharma, Virat Kohli, outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid, and Ravindra Jadeja.Shah highlighted the importance of the final five overs of South Africa's innings, crediting Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya for their contributions."Now, our next target is the WTC final and the Champions Trophy," Shah declared.It was Shah who had previously announced in February that Sharma would lead India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, predicting that India would win the championship.

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India's victorious 2024 Men's T20 World Cup team, has been hailed as a "people's captain" by legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar drew parallels between Rohit and former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev, who also led India to World Cup triumphs.Rohit's journey to World Cup glory has been marked by both success and setbacks. As a member of the Indian team, he won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. However, he narrowly missed out on the 2023 World Test Championship and ODI World Cup titles as captain.The T20 World Cup victory in South Africa last month was a defining moment for Rohit. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, showcasing their dominance and Rohit's astute leadership.Gavaskar praised Rohit's ability to connect with his team and the Indian cricketing community. He described Rohit as "well-liked" and "laconic," with a sharp tactical mind."Some of his moves can surprise you and make you scratch your head as to the reason, but the end result is more often than not exactly what the team needed at that moment," Gavaskar wrote.Rohit's contributions on the field were equally impressive. He scored 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70, providing India with crucial early runs. His fifties against Australia and England were particularly significant.Gavaskar also acknowledged the role of coach Rahul Dravid in India's World Cup triumph. He described the duo of Rohit and Dravid as "totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India."Rohit's victory as captain has cemented his legacy as one of India's greatest cricketers. His leadership style and tactical acumen have earned him the respect and admiration of fans and experts alike.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Eye Olympic Glory as Cricket Returns to Games in 2028Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have bid farewell to international T20 cricket, but their journey is far from over. The duo, along with head coach Rahul Dravid, recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where a surprising revelation emerged.Dravid hinted that Kohli and Sharma could represent India in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where cricket will make its much-anticipated return after a 128-year absence. The shortest format of the game will be featured in the Olympics.Kohli's reaction to Dravid's suggestion was priceless, as he couldn't help but laugh. However, Dravid remained confident, stating, "I am confident that the BCCI and the players and the coaches at that time will be prepared. I am confident that from this team, a lot of people will be part of the team."Dravid emphasized the significance of winning an Olympic gold medal, saying, "Winning a gold in the Olympics is a great matter of pride and happiness. We need to fully prepare for that."Kohli and Sharma, who will continue playing T20 cricket in the Indian Premier League, have shifted their focus to ODI and Test cricket on the international stage. However, the prospect of representing India in the Olympics has undoubtedly sparked their interest.The return of cricket to the Olympics is a major development for the sport, and it will provide a unique opportunity for cricketers to showcase their skills on a global stage. Kohli and Sharma, with their immense experience and talent, could play a pivotal role in India's quest for Olympic glory.