Cricket

India's dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) continues unabated as they secured a comprehensive innings and 64-run victory over England in Dharamsala. This emphatic win sealed a resounding 4-1 series triumph, further solidifying their position at the summit of the WTC rankings.India's impressive performance in the ongoing WTC cycle has seen them accumulate 68.51 percentage points from nine matches, with six wins, two losses, and one draw. Their latest victory propelled them from 64.58 to their current standing.Captain Rohit Sharma celebrated the series triumph by acknowledging the contributions of promising young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel. In a social media post, Sharma referred to them as "garden mein ghoomne wale bande," a phrase he had used during the Vizag Test to describe players who were not performing up to expectations.Sharma's post drew attention from India's T20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav, who singled out Jaiswal and Gill for praise. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh clarified that the post specifically referred to Shubman.Rohit Sharma himself had an exceptional series with the bat, amassing 400 runs in five matches at an average of 44.44. He notched up two centuries and one fifty, showcasing his class and consistency.India's victory in Dharamsala was a testament to their all-round strength. The bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami, wreaked havoc on the English batting lineup, while the batsmen, including Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, provided valuable contributions.The series win against England has further boosted India's confidence as they prepare for the upcoming WTC final against New Zealand. With their impressive record and a formidable squad, India will be aiming to secure the inaugural WTC title and cement their status as the world's leading Test team.

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain has praised India skipper Rohit Sharma for his exceptional performance in the recently concluded Test series against England. Hussain believes that Sharma's calm and composed demeanor on the field belies his immense skill and brilliance as a batsman.Sharma amassed 400 runs in the five-match series, including two centuries, at a strike rate of 64.21. Hussain noted that Sharma's ability to adapt his captaincy style to suit the team's needs was evident throughout the series."I think sometimes people confuse Rohit as a laidback cricketer who just lets the game drift," Hussain said. "There is a lot of skill, thought, and brilliance about his batting. And I thought he had an excellent series as captain."Hussain cautioned against comparing Sharma's captaincy style to that of his predecessor, Virat Kohli. "Don't confuse (Rohit with Virat's captaincy) because he has come off the back of Virat Kohli. In your face, aggressive captain. In the huddle at Lord's, saying let's unleash hell on the England batting lineup. Rohit is not quite the same sort of person. He has that fire burning within."Despite England's early 1-0 lead in the series, India fought back to win four consecutive matches and seal a 4-1 victory. Hussain attributed India's success to their ability to capitalize on England's mistakes and their resilience in the face of adversity."England had their chances, notably in Rajkot and Ranchi, but India came back strong on both occasions to win," Hussain said. "India showed great character and determination to come back from behind and win the series."Hussain concluded by highlighting the importance of Sharma's leadership in India's triumph. "Rohit has been a calming influence on the team," he said. "He has created a positive and supportive environment, which has allowed the players to perform to their full potential."

Ravichandran Ashwin's 500th Test wicket milestone was overshadowed by a family medical emergency that forced him to leave the Indian squad immediately. The incident occurred hours after Ashwin achieved the historic feat, becoming only the ninth bowler worldwide to reach the landmark.According to reports, Ashwin's mother, Chitra, suffered a medical emergency. Ashwin revealed the details of the traumatic experience in a video on his YouTube channel. He stated that he realized something was amiss when he couldn't reach his parents or wife after the match."I called my wife around 7 PM, asking why my parents weren't answering my call. Her voice was a bit shaky. She asked me to come separately from the crowd and told me that my mother collapsed after a headache," Ashwin said.Overwhelmed with emotion, Ashwin blanked out and struggled to process the news. He was comforted by team physio and captain Rohit Sharma, who advised him to prioritize his family."I am part of the playing XI, and the game is in the balance. If I leave, the squad will be left with 10 people fighting against a full-strength England squad when they had the upper hand. If I go, they will be a bowler short," Ashwin said, expressing his concerns about the team.However, Ashwin's primary focus was on his mother's well-being. He was informed that she was not conscious and could not be seen. "I lost it," he said.Coach Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma stepped in to assist Ashwin. They arranged a charter flight for him to Chennai and ensured that physio Kamlesh accompanied him."Rohit did something else - he asked Kamlesh, our physio, to fly with me to Chennai and be with me. He was one of the two physios for the team. During our ride to the airport, Rohit kept calling and asking him to be with me during this challenging time," Ashwin added.Ashwin expressed his gratitude to Cheteshwar Pujara for finding flights in Ahmedabad and making it to Rajkot for him to travel. He also thanked Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid for their support and understanding.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season brings a significant change for the Mumbai Indians franchise: the appointment of Hardik Pandya as captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. This move has sparked debates and raised questions about Pandya's ability to lead the five-time champions.Former Indian cricketer Praveen Kumar expressed his concerns about the decision in a recent video. He questioned whether Mumbai Indians made a hasty choice, considering Pandya's recent injury history and lack of playing time for India and his state team.Kumar emphasized the importance of prioritizing international cricket over the IPL, urging young players to strike a balance between the two. He believes that players should not neglect domestic and international commitments for financial gain."You don't play two months before, you get injured two months before the IPL, you don't play for the country, you don't play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL. That's not how things work," Kumar said.He added, "It's okay to earn money, who is stopping you? There's nothing wrong with that. But you have to play for state and country and now people only give importance to the IPL."Kumar's comments highlight the growing concern among former players and fans about the potential impact of the IPL on the development of Indian cricket. They argue that the lucrative franchise league may be distracting players from their international and domestic responsibilities.Despite the concerns, Hardik Pandya remains a talented and experienced player. He has captained the Indian team in limited-overs formats and has led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022. However, his ability to lead Mumbai Indians to success remains to be seen.The IPL 2024 season will provide a crucial test for Pandya's leadership skills and the Mumbai Indians' decision to appoint him as captain. The franchise will be hoping that he can guide them to another championship while also balancing the demands of the IPL with his international commitments.

Ravichandran Ashwin's profound admiration for Rohit Sharma extends beyond his exceptional leadership skills to his compassionate and humane qualities. This became evident during the third Test in Rajkot when Ashwin's mother, Chitra, was hospitalized.In a society where self-interest often prevails, Rohit's leadership shines through with his empathy and generosity. Ashwin believes these qualities inspire teammates to give their all for him. This sentiment is particularly poignant for Ashwin, who had to hastily return to Chennai shortly after achieving his 500th Test wicket.Recalling the harrowing 48 hours, Ashwin described the emotional turmoil he experienced. "I was crying in my room and couldn't think clearly," he said. "I was torn between my duty to the team and my desire to be with my mother."Rohit's response was extraordinary. He urged Ashwin to leave the squad and be with his family, even arranging a charter flight for him. Ashwin also expressed gratitude to Cheteshwar Pujara, who accompanied him to Chennai.However, it was Rohit's request to team physio Kamlesh Jain to accompany Ashwin that left him overwhelmed. "Rohit asked Kamlesh to travel with me and check on me during this tough time," Ashwin said. "It was 9:30 pm, and I was gobsmacked. I couldn't even think about it."Ashwin acknowledged that he would have allowed a player to return home in a similar situation but questioned whether he would have gone to such lengths to arrange a charter flight or ask a support staff member to check on him. "I saw an outstanding leader in Rohit that day," he said.Ashwin believes that Rohit's IPL achievements are on par with MS Dhoni's, but he believes that God has bigger plans for him. "He's won five IPL titles and is on par with Dhoni, but he should get something bigger than all that," he said.Ashwin's respect for Rohit grew immensely after the gesture. "In a selfish society, thinking for someone else's wellbeing is a rarity," he said. "My respect for him grew tremendously after that."Ashwin concluded by emphasizing the bond between Rohit and his teammates. "He takes 10 steps for a player, and a player can give his life for him," he said.

Shreyas Iyer's impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha has reignited hopes of a strong comeback for the talented batter. Despite recent setbacks, including his omission from the BCCI's central contracts list and a disappointing Ranji Trophy campaign for Mumbai, Iyer showcased his resilience and determination on Tuesday.With Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma in attendance, Iyer played a crucial role in Mumbai's innings, scoring a gritty 95 off 111 balls. His celebration, which went viral on social media, reflected his relief and satisfaction at finding form at a critical juncture.Iyer's performance has prompted Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid to address the issue of his and Ishan Kishan's absence from the central contracts. Dravid emphasized that both players remain in contention for selection, stating, "They are always in the mix. Everyone who is playing cricket and domestic cricket is in the mix."Dravid clarified that the decision-making process for central contracts lies with the BCCI and selectors, not the coaching staff. He added, "I don't even know what the criteria is. People ask my opinion on the 15, me and Rohit pick the XI. We never discuss whether a player has a contract or not, whether he is going to be picked."Dravid's comments suggest that Iyer and Kishan's omission from the central contracts does not necessarily reflect their current form or potential. He urged them to regain fitness, perform consistently, and force the selectors to reconsider their decisions.Iyer's performance in the Ranji Trophy final is a testament to his ability to bounce back from adversity. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaching, he will have another opportunity to showcase his skills and prove his worth to the national selectors.

Rohit Sharma's Inspiring Gesture: Supporting Domestic Cricket at Ranji Trophy FinalIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to domestic cricket by visiting the Wankhede Stadium to support the Mumbai team in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Despite being unavailable to play due to India's upcoming Test match against England, Rohit made a special appearance in the dressing room to offer encouragement and support to his teammates.Rohit's presence at the Ranji Trophy final underscores his belief in the importance of domestic cricket as the foundation of Indian cricket. He has repeatedly emphasized that players should prioritize playing for their state teams when fit, as it provides invaluable experience and helps develop their skills."It is important that we give importance to domestic cricket, which is the core of Indian cricket," Rohit said recently. "When games like that happen, you see the quality and everything coming into display for everyone to watch."Rohit's gesture has been widely praised by fans and commentators alike. His support for domestic cricket sends a strong message to young players about the value of representing their states and contributing to the development of the sport.The Mumbai team, led by Prithvi Shaw, will be looking to secure their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in the final against Vidarbha. Rohit's presence in the dressing room will undoubtedly provide an extra boost of motivation to the players as they strive to achieve their goal.Rohit's commitment to domestic cricket extends beyond his words. He has consistently made time to follow the progress of the Ranji Trophy, including watching the semi-finals involving Mumbai. His dedication to supporting the domestic game is a testament to his passion for Indian cricket and his desire to see it thrive at all levels.

Rohit Sharma's India has silenced critics and extinguished the "Bazball" hype with a resounding 4-1 Test series victory over England. The Indian skipper, who faced criticism for his perceived lack of Test credentials, has silenced his detractors with two centuries, including a match-winning ton in the final Test at Dharamsala.Rohit's appointment as captain in 2022 raised eyebrows, but he has proven his mettle both as a leader and a batsman. Despite missing the England series due to the birth of his second child, Virat Kohli's absence has allowed Rohit to establish his own style of captaincy.Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Rohit's approach, which he believes is often misconstrued as "laidback." Hussain highlighted Rohit's tactical acumen, particularly his decision to use Ravichandran Ashwin with the new ball to counter England's aggressive batting."Rohit has had to learn and adapt his own style of captaincy," Hussain said. "He's not the same as Virat Kohli, who was very aggressive. But Rohit has that fire burning within."India's loss in the first Test in Hyderabad was a setback, but they rallied to win the next three and seal the series. The final Test in Dharamsala was a fitting end to a dominant performance, with Rohit leading from the front with a century.Rohit's success has not only silenced his critics but also put an end to the "Bazball" phenomenon. England's aggressive batting approach, which had been successful in recent months, was unable to match India's skill and determination.

Rohit Sharma and David Warner: The Art of Opening the BattingIn the realm of cricket, the opening batsmen play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the team's performance. Two of the most formidable openers in the modern era are Rohit Sharma and David Warner, who have forged a reputation for their swashbuckling approach and ability to dominate the new ball.In a recent interview on Aaj Tak, Rohit and Warner shared their insights on the challenges and rewards of opening the batting. Warner emphasized the importance of taking the shine off the ball, allowing the middle-order batsmen to capitalize on the easier conditions."We're no Smith and Kohli," Warner said, referring to the legendary Test openers. "But we make Smith and Kohli because we take the shine off the ball."Rohit concurred, acknowledging the unique pressures faced by openers. "It's the hardest job in the world," he said. "It's like being President or Prime Minister. You're like guinea pigs."Despite the challenges, both Rohit and Warner have enjoyed remarkable success as openers. Rohit has scored 15 Test centuries and 40 ODI centuries, while Warner has amassed 25 Test centuries and 18 ODI centuries.Rohit attributed his success to the ability to handle the tough conditions and face the fastest bowlers. "When the conditions are tough, when you face all these guys who bowl 150 plus," he said.Warner, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of mental toughness and the ability to adapt to different situations. "You've got to be mentally strong," he said. "You've got to be able to adapt to different conditions and different bowlers."The conversation between Rohit and Warner provides a glimpse into the mindset and strategies of two of the world's best openers. Their insights underscore the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the ability to take on the toughest challenges in the game.