Cricket

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his admiration for two batters who have impressed him with their performances: Zak Crawley of England and Steve Smith of Australia.Crawley, a 26-year-old opener, has caught Sharma's attention with his impressive performances in Test cricket. In 44 Test matches, Crawley has scored 2,611 runs at an average of 32.63, including four centuries and 14 fifties. His highest score is an impressive 267.Sharma praised Crawley's ability to play with freedom and aggression. "I watched Zak Crawley very closely this season and enjoyed watching him bat," Sharma said. "He has a good technique and a positive mindset."Smith, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran who has established himself as one of the greatest batters of his generation. In 334 international matches for Australia, Smith has amassed 16,225 runs, including 44 centuries and 79 half-centuries.Sharma highlighted Smith's unique approach to batting and his ability to adapt to different situations. "Steve Smith is different from the rest," Sharma said. "He has his own way of doing things, but he is successful."Smith's dominance is particularly evident in Test cricket, where he has scored 9,685 runs at an average of 56.97, with 32 centuries and 41 half-centuries. He has played a key role in Australia's triumphs in two ICC Cricket World Cups, one ICC T20 World Cup, and one ICC World Test Championship.Sharma's admiration for Crawley and Smith reflects his appreciation for batters who possess both technical skill and mental toughness. These qualities are essential for success at the highest level of cricket, and Sharma believes that both Crawley and Smith have the potential to achieve great things in the game.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has shared his insights on his journey as an international cricketer and captain, offering a glimpse into his future with the national team.During an interview on Dubai Eye 103.8 Radio Station while participating in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians (MI), Rohit reflected on his career trajectory. Expressing his aspirations, he mentioned his intent to continue playing for several more years, aspiring to leave a lasting impact on the global cricketing stage."The journey has been wonderful; to make it to the highest level is not easy, especially in the country from where I come from; it has been 17 years; I still hope to play a few more years as well and make an impact in world cricket," Rohit said.The Indian skipper also reflected on the trials and tribulations he has faced throughout his cricketing journey, noting that he has experienced more setbacks than triumphs, particularly during the early stages of his career. These challenges took a toll on him, leading him to question his place within the national team."I have seen more downs than ups in my life, the human and person I am today is because of what I have seen in the past, and in the downs. When I started my career, I did not have a lot of positives. I did not have a lot of positive impact on the team. I was questioning whether I belonged here or not. It was about what I could do as a person or want in this life as a person and player," said Rohit.Discussing his role as the captain of the Indian team, Rohit emphasised that leading one's country is the ultimate honour for any cricketer. He further delved into his leadership philosophy, highlighting his vision as a skipper, which revolves around prioritising the team's success over individual milestones."Captaining your country is the biggest honour that you can have, and for me, I have never thought that this would arrive where I will be captaining one day. But yeah, people say good things happen to good people," said Rohit."I was very fortunate to get that opportunity (to be a captain), and I knew the past captains who have had an impact in Indian cricket and the kind of legacy they have left as well. We have had so many great captains, so yeah, just taking from where these guys left, making sure that the team heads in the right direction.""When I took over as India captain, I just wanted everyone to drive in one direction, that is how the team sport should be played, it is not about personal milestones, stats and goals, it is about what all 11 of us can bring to the table and win the trophy," Rohit concluded his point.Addressing the pressure inherent in being a cricketer and a role model in India, Rohit acknowledged its significant influence on his life. He emphasised his approach to handling pressure, viewing it as a constructive force that drives him to excel."I believe unless you are put under pressure, the real you does not come out so much. Sometimes you do not realise what kind of strengths you have as an individual, so when you are under pressure you try and bring out that strength," he added.Rohit will be in action for India in the ICC T20 World Cup from June 1 onwards in the West Indies and USA.

Rohit Sharma's underwhelming IPL 2024 campaign has raised concerns among fans and experts alike. The Indian skipper has struggled to find his form, averaging just over 29 with a strike rate of around 145 in 13 matches. This has contributed to Mumbai Indians' dismal performance, with the team winning only 4 out of 13 matches and being the first to be eliminated from the playoffs race.However, former India captain Sourav Ganguly remains unfazed by Rohit's recent form. Ganguly believes that the veteran batter has a proven track record in big tournaments and will deliver for the national side in the upcoming T20 World Cup. "India is a very good team. Rohit will play well in the World Cup. He plays well in big tournaments. At the big stage, he will be fine," Ganguly said at a recent event.Rohit's loss of captaincy to Hardik Pandya at Mumbai Indians has also been a topic of discussion. There have been reports of a possible rift between the two Indian cricket team stars. Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram even predicted that Rohit may not be at Mumbai Indians next season. "I have a feeling, he won't be at Mumbai Indians next season. I would love to see him at KKR. Imagine him open there, Gauti as a mentor, Iyer as a captain. They will have a very strong batting, at that wicket (Eden Gardens). He bats very well on any wicket, he is that great a player. But it will be good to see him at KKR," Akram said.Despite the concerns surrounding Rohit's form and the rumors of a rift with Pandya, Ganguly remains confident in the Indian skipper's ability to lead the team to success in the T20 World Cup. Rohit's experience and big-match temperament will be crucial for India's chances of lifting the trophy.

Mumbai Indians' disastrous IPL 2024 campaign has reached a new low, with the five-time champions becoming the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention. Their dismal performance, with only 4 wins in 13 matches, has drawn widespread criticism from fans and experts alike.At the heart of the criticism lies all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was appointed MI captain at the start of the season. Pandya's trade from Gujarat Titans ended Rohit Sharma's decade-long tenure as skipper, a decision that sparked controversy among some fans.As MI's struggles continued, rumors of a rift between Pandya and Sharma began to circulate. Pandya was booed by a section of the crowd at home matches, while former cricketers criticized Sharma for not publicly defending his captain.According to a report in Dainik Jagran, two factions have emerged within the Mumbai Indians dressing room, one supporting Pandya and the other backing Sharma. The report suggests that domestic players favor Sharma, while overseas stars align with Pandya.These divisions are believed to have contributed to MI's poor performance. Earlier reports indicated that senior players were unhappy with Pandya's captaincy, leading to a meeting between Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah to address the issue.South African legend AB De Villiers has also weighed in on MI's struggles. "MI have been very disappointing," he said. "I backed them to qualify for the knockout stages, but that will not happen. What has gone wrong? Last four seasons - 5th in 2021, 10th in 2022, 4th in 2023, and 9th."Sharma has remained diplomatic amidst the criticism, stating, "I have played under a lot of captains. It's nothing new. You do what you are required to do, and I have been doing that for the last one month."As MI's season draws to a close, the team faces an uncertain future. The divisions within the dressing room and the poor performances on the field raise questions about the team's direction and the leadership of Hardik Pandya.

KKR CEO Dismisses Rohit Sharma's Exit Rumors, Calls Conversation with Nayar 'Mischief'Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore has downplayed the significance of a conversation between Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar that sparked speculation about the former Mumbai Indians captain's potential departure from the franchise.In a podcast with RevSportz, Mysore clarified that the conversation was taken out of context and was an attempt to create mischief. "I didn't even know about it, I think it's just a storm in a teacup," he said. "They have been good friends since god knows how long and someone has done something there just to create some mischief."KKR initially posted the video of the conversation on their social media channels but later removed it, further fueling speculation among fans. However, Mysore confirmed that both Rohit and Nayar were discussing something else and that the video was taken down due to the noise in the background."Some people just have too much time on their hands," Mysore added.The conversation between Rohit and Nayar, which took place during MI's match against KKR on May 9, was not clearly audible due to the crowd noise. However, Rohit can be heard saying, "Ek ek cheez change ho raha hai...Woh unke upar hai...Jo bhi hai woh mera ghar hai bhai, woh temple jo hai na maine banwaya hai." The last audible line in the chat is "Bhai mera kya mera to ye last hai".Fans quickly reacted to the video, speculating that Rohit was talking about the MI captaincy and his potential departure from the franchise. However, Mysore's clarification has put those rumors to rest.Rohit and Nayar have a long-standing friendship dating back to their Mumbai domestic cricket days. Nayar is also credited with playing a significant role in Rohit's comeback into the Indian team after the 2011 ODI World Cup snub.

As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the spotlight has fallen on India captain Rohit Sharma's form and future in the team. Despite his recent struggles in the IPL, Rohit will lead India in the tournament, but questions linger about his longevity in international cricket.Age has become a significant factor in retirement decisions, with Rohit now 37 years old. However, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh's father, Yograj Singh, believes that age should not be a determining factor.In an interview with Sports 18, Yograj emphasized that fitness and form should be the primary criteria for player selection, regardless of age. "This talk about age, that someone is these many years old... I have never understood it. What is wrong if you are fit at 40, 42 or even 45, and if you are performing?" he said.Yograj pointed out that players like Mohinder Amarnath and Virender Sehwag have excelled despite not prioritizing fitness. He believes that if Rohit Sharma were to focus on his fitness, he could potentially extend his career until he is 50 years old."Rohit Sharma and Viru [Virender Sehwag] are two such great players who have never thought about fitness and training. If he does, he can play till he is 50," Yograj explained.Yograj's comments highlight the ongoing debate about the role of age in sports. While some argue that older players may lack the physical capabilities of their younger counterparts, others maintain that experience and maturity can compensate for any decline in athleticism.As the T20 World Cup draws near, the Indian team management will have to carefully consider Rohit Sharma's form and fitness. If he is able to regain his peak performance, he could lead India to another World Cup triumph. However, if his struggles continue, the team may need to explore alternative leadership options.

The Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise has been plagued by internal turmoil during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, with the captaincy change from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya creating significant rifts within the team.Reports have emerged that Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are not even practicing together in the middle. A recent incident witnessed Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma leaving the nets as Hardik Pandya arrived to bat.According to Dainik Jagaran, Hardik and Rohit have rarely practiced together this season. Before the match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rohit was seen batting first, while Hardik was absent. As Rohit sat on the sidelines with Suryakumar and Tilak, Hardik came out to bat. Upon seeing the skipper, all three players reportedly got up and moved to the other side of the ground.The tension between Rohit and Hardik was further fueled by Rohit's conversation with KKR's assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, before the match. Rohit was overheard discussing the changes that had occurred at MI since Hardik took over as captain. He also hinted that this could be his last season with the franchise.With the IPL set to undergo a mega auction next season, it is unlikely that Rohit will be retained by MI. The franchise has invested in Hardik as their future captain. However, Rohit, who is still keen on playing for a few more seasons, may find opportunities with other IPL teams.The internal strife within the MI camp has had a detrimental impact on the team's performance. The once-dominant franchise has struggled to find consistency and has lost several matches. The captaincy change has created a divide between the players, and the team's morale appears to be low.

The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023, has sparked mixed reactions among players and coaches. While some, like India captain Rohit Sharma, believe it hinders the development of all-rounders, others, including former India coach Ravi Shastri, see its benefits.Shastri believes the rule has contributed to thrilling finishes in the IPL. "It's got tighter finishes. You have to evolve with the times and I think it's a good rule," he said. He cited the example of Dhruv Jurel, who made his Test debut for India after starting his IPL career as an Impact Player.BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated that the rule is not permanent and will be reviewed after the 2024 T20 World Cup. "We will consult with the players, franchises, broadcasters [and take a call]. This is not permanent [but] I am not saying that it will go," he said.Rohit Sharma was the first high-profile Indian player to criticize the rule, which allows teams to bring in a 12th player at any point in a match to replace a player from the original XI. Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar of Delhi Capitals (DC) also expressed their disapproval.DC head coach Ricky Ponting, however, acknowledged the rule's potential to enhance the tournament's spectacle. "But from my perspective as a coach, he admitted he wasn't too keen on the rule, calling it a "nightmare," he said.Despite the differing opinions, the Impact Player rule has undoubtedly added a new dimension to the IPL. It remains to be seen whether it will become a permanent fixture in the tournament or be phased out after further evaluation.

Mumbai Indians' IPL 2024 campaign has come to an abrupt end, making them the first team to be eliminated from the tournament. The Hardik Pandya-led side has struggled throughout the season, with a lack of consistency and a series of setbacks.Before the tournament began, the Mumbai Indians camp was already facing turmoil with the removal of Rohit Sharma as captain. The team's performance has not improved since then, with the side failing to find a winning formula.Adding to the team's woes, four of its key players - Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah - are currently representing India in the 2024 T20 World Cup. This has further depleted the Mumbai Indians' squad and made it difficult for them to compete.According to reports, the Mumbai Indians camp was expected to settle down over time, but this has not been the case. Sources have claimed that skipper Rohit Sharma and some BCCI selectors, including Ajit Agarkar, were not in favor of Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the 15-member T20 World Cup squad.Pandya's performance in the IPL 2024 has been inconsistent. In 13 games, he has scored 200 runs at a strike rate of 144.93 and taken 11 wickets at an economy of 10.59. However, most of his good bowling performances have come in the latter half of the tournament.The report also suggests that Pandya's selection for the T20 World Cup was made "under pressure." It further claims that Rohit Sharma may consider retiring from the T20 format after the World Cup.When Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar were asked about Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad despite his poor form, Agarkar explained that the selection committee had no choice as there was no suitable replacement available.The Mumbai Indians' elimination from the IPL 2024 is a major disappointment for the team and its fans. The side will now have to regroup and rebuild for the next season.