Cricket

Ruturaj Gaikwad's omission from India's T20I squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The Chennai Super Kings captain has been in impressive form, scoring 133 runs in three innings during India's recent T20 series against Zimbabwe.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Thursday, appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of Team India. Shubman Gill has been named as the vice-captain, following his leadership role in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. In a notable change from previous selections, Hardik Pandya, who has captained the team in the past, will not assume the captaincy role for this series.The squad will see the return of pacers Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, as well as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, all of whom were rested during India's tour of Zimbabwe.The T20I series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on July 27, consisting of three matches, with subsequent ODIs set to begin on August 1. The T20I matches will take place on July 27, 28, and 30, marking the beginning of the bilateral series.This series is also significant due to the introduction of new head coaches for both teams. Sanath Jayasuriya, the celebrated all-rounder, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the Sri Lankan team. For India, former opener Gautam Gambhir will take over as head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid, the T20 World Cup-winning coach. This marks Gambhir's first assignment in this role.The last bilateral white-ball series between India and Sri Lanka took place in July 2021, with India winning the ODI series 2-1 and Sri Lanka securing the T20I series by the same margin. Rahul Dravid coached the Indian team during this series, which featured Shikhar Dhawan as the captain.The upcoming series will be India's second T20I series following their victory at the T20 World Cup, where they defeated South Africa. Recently, India also clinched a 4-1 victory in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.Gaikwad's exclusion has sparked debates and discussions among fans, who believe his recent performances warranted a spot in the squad. Many experts have expressed surprise at the decision, given his impressive form and the fact that he was part of the team that won the T20 World Cup.

Former Indian spinner Amit Mishra has expressed his reservations about the appointment of Shubman Gill as India's T20I captain for the Zimbabwe series. Mishra believes that Ruturaj Gaikwad would have been a more suitable choice.Mishra, who played 22 Tests, 36 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for India, admitted that the decision to appoint Gill as captain was surprising. He stated that Gill lacks the necessary captaincy skills and experience."I would not have made him the captain. You saw the IPL this season, Gill doesn't know how to captain the side, he is clueless," Mishra said.Mishra also questioned the rationale behind appointing Gill as captain simply because he is a part of the Indian team. He argued that Gill's performance in the IPL and with the Indian team does not justify his elevation to the captaincy."Just because he is a part of the Indian team, he shouldn't be made the captain. Gill has done well in the IPL over the last few seasons, he did fine in the Indian team as well. The Indian team made him the captain as they want to give him leadership experience, which wasn't visible when he led Gujarat Titans in IPL," he added.Mishra suggested that Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, or Ruturaj Gaikwad would be more suitable candidates for the India T20I captaincy. He praised Gaikwad's ability to perform under pressure and his calm demeanor."There's Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Ruturaj Gaikwad who can lead India in T20Is. Right now, the BCCI is only looking to assess all options," Mishra said.Mishra also hinted that Rahul Dravid's favoritism may have played a role in Gill's appointment as captain. He suggested that Gaikwad is a more deserving candidate based on his performances."Everyone has some liking. I am not a Shubman Gill hater, I also like him. But, I feel Ruturaj is a better option because he has scored runs in tougher situations, be it for Chennai Super Kings or during the Asian Games. He is a good option, should be kept with the team, the way Yashasvi Jaiswal was with the Indian side at the T20 World Cup," he further explained.

India vs Zimbabwe 4th T20I: Team India Eyes Series Win, Shubman Gill Aims for Maiden Captaincy TriumphTeam India stands on the cusp of clinching the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe as they prepare for the fourth T20I encounter on Saturday, July 13. The young Indian squad, led by Shubman Gill, has bounced back from their opening game defeat to establish a 2-1 lead in the series.Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Washington Sundar have emerged as key performers for India, showcasing their talent and contributing to the team's success. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be determined to pull off another upset and level the series.The match will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, and will commence at 4:30 PM IST. Fans can catch the live telecast on the Sony Sports Network, while the live streaming will be available on the SonyLiv app and website.Team India has a golden opportunity to secure the series victory and give Shubman Gill his first series win as captain. The young opener has shown maturity and leadership qualities throughout the series, and a series win would be a significant achievement for him.Zimbabwe, despite their underdog status, has proven to be a formidable opponent. They stunned India in the first T20I and will be eager to repeat that performance and force a decider in the fifth match.The upcoming encounter promises to be an exciting contest between two determined teams. India will be aiming to maintain their momentum and seal the series, while Zimbabwe will be looking to upset the odds and extend the series.

Suryakumar Yadav maintains his second position in the ICC Men's T20I batting rankings, while Ruturaj Gaikwad makes significant progress to climb to seventh place. The rankings reflect the performances of players in the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, where India's backup players have showcased their talent.Gaikwad's impressive 77 not out in the second T20I against Zimbabwe has propelled him up 13 places in the rankings. Other Indian batters who have made gains include Rinku Singh (up four places to 39th) and Abhishek Sharma (debuts at 75th).In the bowlers' rankings, Axar Patel remains the lone Indian in the top 10 at ninth position, despite dropping two places. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah have also slipped down the rankings.However, there have been some notable movements in the top 10 of the bowling rankings, with Adam Zampa, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Maheesh Theekshana gaining positions. India's Ravi Bishnoi has jumped eight places to 14th after taking six wickets in the first two games against Zimbabwe.In the T20I all-rounders' rankings, Hardik Pandya has dropped a place to second, while Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka has moved to pole position. India's Washington Sundar has entered the top 50, while Axar Patel is placed 12th.The Zimbabwe tour has provided an opportunity for India's backup players to stake their claim for a regular place in the side, especially with the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. The performances of Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, and Abhishek Sharma have been particularly encouraging.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the rising star of Indian cricket, acknowledges the daunting task of filling the void left by Virat Kohli's retirement from the number three position in T20Is. Recognizing the immense legacy of the legendary batsman, Gaikwad emphasizes the importance of focusing on his own contributions rather than attempting to replicate Kohli's achievements.Despite the departure of experienced players like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja from the T20 format, Gaikwad remains unfazed. He believes that this transition presents opportunities for emerging talents like himself to step up and make a mark. With his impressive batting skills, Gaikwad has the potential to secure the number three spot in the batting order.However, Gaikwad is not fixated on a specific batting position. He is willing to adapt to any role that the team management assigns him. His primary focus is on making significant contributions to the team's success, regardless of where he bats.In the initial two T20Is against Zimbabwe, Gaikwad has been entrusted with the crucial number three spot. However, he clarifies that he has no specific preference regarding his batting position. He believes that there is not much difference between opening and batting at number three, as both roles require facing the new ball.Gaikwad's experience as captain of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has enhanced his involvement in the game. He feels more responsible and engaged, but emphasizes that this added responsibility has not impacted his batting performance.Abhishek Sharma, a young opening batsman, recently praised Gaikwad's guidance and support during his explosive century in the second T20I match against Zimbabwe. Gaikwad highlights the importance of communication and sharing insights with batting partners to maintain a balanced outlook and make informed decisions during matches.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's leadership qualities have been a revelation for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Despite the presence of seasoned veterans like MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ajinkya Rahane, Gaikwad has seamlessly taken the reins and guided the team with aplomb.Prior to the tournament, CSK announced a captaincy change, with Dhoni handing over the baton to Gaikwad. The decision raised eyebrows, given the young player's relative inexperience. However, Gaikwad has proven to be a natural leader, earning the respect and admiration of his teammates."I felt good right from the start," Gaikwad said of his captaincy challenge. "I am very approachable for all teammates whenever needed, and they always support the team in whatever way the team requires."Gaikwad's leadership style is characterized by calmness and composure, reminiscent of Dhoni's own approach. He credits Dhoni for teaching him the importance of remaining neutral in the face of adversity."Being neutral is something that I have learned from Mahi bhai," Gaikwad said. "Not getting too excited about anything or being down by anything is the right approach that I have picked up."Gaikwad's on-field demeanor has also impressed observers. He maintains a level-headed approach, whether the team is winning or losing."While batting, irrespective of being captain or not, my approach is always the same," Gaikwad explained. "You cannot plan to become leaders, so being good team players and putting the team first will always stand a good chance to be one."Gaikwad's leadership has been instrumental in CSK's success in IPL 2024. The team has displayed a newfound unity and determination under his guidance, proving that age and experience are not the only factors that determine a successful captain.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden captaincy stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2024 was a testament to his leadership potential and unwavering determination. Despite the daunting task of succeeding the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Gaikwad embraced the responsibility with aplomb.With Dhoni's guidance as a mentor, Gaikwad navigated the challenges of captaincy with composure. He maintained a balanced approach, seamlessly transitioning between batting and leadership roles. On the field, he exuded calmness and made astute decisions, earning the respect of his teammates.Gaikwad's batting prowess remained unaffected by his captaincy duties. He emerged as CSK's top run-scorer, amassing 583 runs in 14 matches with an impressive average of 53.00. His strike rate of 141.16 and tally of one century and four half-centuries showcased his exceptional batting skills.Instructing senior players like Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ajinkya Rahane was a potential hurdle, but Gaikwad handled it with maturity. He fostered an approachable and supportive environment, valuing the experience and insights of his teammates.Despite CSK's failure to reach the playoffs, Gaikwad's debut as captain earned him widespread admiration. He demonstrated a promising leadership style that bodes well for the future. His ability to remain neutral, avoid emotional extremes, and prioritize team success aligns with Dhoni's legacy.Gaikwad's partnership with Amrutanjan Healthcare for Electro+ Rehydrate highlights the importance of hydration and energy maintenance for athletes and individuals alike. His endorsement reflects his commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting the well-being of his fans.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a significant decision ahead of the IPL 2024 season by appointing Ruturaj Gaikwad as their new captain, replacing the legendary MS Dhoni. This move was met with widespread approval from CSK fans, who were confident in Gaikwad's leadership abilities.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan explained the rationale behind the decision, stating that Gaikwad had been identified as a potential captain for several years. Both head coach Stephen Fleming and Dhoni had recognized his leadership qualities and had been grooming him for the role.Viswanathan praised Gaikwad's performance as captain, noting that he had led the side comfortably and had not allowed the pressure to affect his batting. He also highlighted the support provided by the senior players, which had helped Gaikwad settle into his new role.The CSK CEO emphasized the importance of fan acceptance in Gaikwad's success. He pointed out that Dhoni's endorsement of Gaikwad had played a crucial role in the fans' willingness to embrace him as their new leader.Viswanathan also credited the CSK management's hands-off approach to cricketing matters for facilitating the smooth transition. He stated that the management had given Gaikwad the freedom to make decisions and had not interfered with his captaincy.In conclusion, the decision to appoint Ruturaj Gaikwad as CSK captain was a well-thought-out move that was supported by the team management, senior players, and fans. Gaikwad's leadership skills and the support he received from all quarters enabled him to make a successful transition into the role.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) rollercoaster ride in IPL 2024 has taken a disappointing turn, with their playoff hopes dashed after a crucial loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Despite a promising start, CSK's campaign has been marred by injuries, a new captain, and the absence of their legendary leader, MS Dhoni.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns over CSK's leadership, suggesting that Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy could face a similar fate to Ravindra Jadeja's in 2022. Pathan emphasized the team's pedigree in winning crucial moments but highlighted their current struggles."CSK has a lot of issues at the moment," Pathan said. "Injury issues, new captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is no longer leading them. You might have seen him occasionally setting the field, but he is not the captain. You might have remembered what happened when [Ravindra] Jadeja led the side and it didn't end well, the same can happen again."Pathan also weighed in on Dhoni's future in the IPL, speculating that the CSK vs RCB match could be his last. However, he acknowledged that it remains uncertain.Ahead of the match, Pathan had predicted an advantage for RCB, which proved accurate as they emerged victorious by 27 runs. He emphasized the importance of momentum in the tournament."Nothing is easy. It's not going to be easy for both teams. RCB has the momentum, a solid momentum. And if they win as there is no more dangerous side than the one in strong momentum," Pathan concluded.