Cricket

Shubman Gill's maiden victory as Gujarat Titans skipper marked a momentous occasion for the young cricketer. In their opening match of IPL 2024, the Titans emerged victorious over Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya. Gill's appointment as GT captain followed Pandya's departure to MI, making his first win against his former team even more significant.Gill's leadership was lauded by fans and experts alike. After the match, he shared an emotional moment with his father and sister at the team hotel, a video of which has gone viral on social media.Mumbai Indians' inexplicable batting strategy at the death proved costly, allowing Gill to make a successful debut as captain. Despite Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance with the ball, restricting Gujarat Titans to 168/6, batters like Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya failed to capitalize on his efforts.MI's inability to chase down the target of 169 runs with seven wickets in hand and just 43 runs required in the last five overs highlighted their batting woes. The team's opening game jinx continued, as their last IPL opener win came against Chennai Super Kings in 2012.Spinners Rashid Khan and R Sai Kishore kept the Mumbai batters in check, while veteran Mohit Sharma's variations proved decisive. Spencer Johnson and Umesh Yadav's brilliant bowling in the 19th and 20th overs sealed the victory for Gujarat Titans.Hardik Pandya's decision to bat at No. 7 raised eyebrows, as he could only manage a six and four in the final over. The Titans' victory was a testament to Gill's leadership and the team's collective effort, while Mumbai Indians will need to address their batting concerns to improve their chances in the tournament.

When the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Tuesday, it will be a battle of wits between two new captains, Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad.Both openers, renowned for their elegant shot-making, will face off in a tactical battle as CSK and GT aim to build on their recent victories. Gaikwad took over as captain after the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down on the eve of CSK's opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Gill had more time to prepare for his new role after Hardik Pandya left the Titans in November 2022.Gill, 24, is the IPL's youngest captain, but he showcased his leadership abilities against Mumbai Indians (MI). His position is aided by the presence of head coach Ashish Nehra, a tactically astute mind, the experienced David Miller, and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.Gaikwad, on the other hand, impressed on his captaincy debut under the mentorship of Dhoni as CSK cruised to a six-wicket victory over RCB. However, the bowling unit, particularly pacer Tushar Deshpande, will be looking to improve their performance. Despite Mustafizur Rahman's four-wicket haul, the CSK bowlers allowed Anuj Rawat and Dinesh Karthik to put together a 95-run stand, enabling RCB to post a respectable score.Deshpande was guilty of leaking runs and will be wary of another subpar performance with veteran Shardul Thakur, who is also a capable batsman, and the uncapped Mukesh Choudhary vying for a spot in the playing XI. Sri Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana has also been declared fit to play after recovering from a hamstring injury. Rachin Ravindra, who has bowled well in the nets recently, may also be employed as a spin option.CSK is unlikely to make any changes to their batting lineup. Ravindra, who impressed with a 15-ball 37 on his IPL debut against RCB, will aim to maintain his form. Young Sameer Rizvi, who made his debut in the last game, did not get a chance to bat and will be eager to showcase his abilities. Dhoni did not bat against Bengaluru, and his legion of fans will be hoping to witness some fireworks from him.The Titans, on the other hand, will be hoping for a stronger batting effort after a disappointing performance at home against MI. The GT batters failed to convert their starts, and the former champions will rely on Gill and veteran wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha to provide them with a solid start. The middle-order batters, including Azmatullah Omarzai, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatia, will also need to step up.Meanwhile, GT's Chennai-born cricketer Sai Sudarshan, who has been in excellent form with the bat recently, could attract some attention from the fans. In the absence of star pacer Mohammad Shami, the Titans bowlers combined to secure a six-run victory over Mumbai. Spinners Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore will be crucial for them on the slow Chepauk track.

Shubman Gill, the newly appointed captain of the Gujarat Titans, has embarked on a remarkable journey from sneaking into stadiums to watch IPL matches to leading a team. Reflecting on his path, Gill shared his admiration for iconic stars who will guide him as a leader.Gill's journey began in 2008 when he stealthily entered stadiums to witness the inaugural IPL season. He recalled jumping over gates and evading security guards to catch a glimpse of legendary players like Brett Lee, Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene.As a captain, Gill draws inspiration from MS Dhoni, India's World Cup-winning skipper. Dhoni's leadership qualities and ability to handle pressure have left an indelible mark on Gill. However, he also acknowledges the influence of Rohit Sharma, under whom he has played extensively at the international level."I have played most of my cricket under Rohit Sharma; there are a lot of qualities I will be picking up from him," said Gill.Gill's upcoming encounter with Hardik Pandya, his former captain and teammate, promises to be intriguing. "It is going to be exciting. Hopefully, the stadium will be fully packed, cheering for us," he said.Gill's focus remains on creating lasting memories with his team. "If we make some good memories, I would be able to sit back and tell myself that we had a great season," he concluded.Gill's journey from a young fan to a team leader is a testament to his passion and determination. As he embarks on this new chapter, he carries the wisdom of his mentors and the unwavering support of his team.

Hardik Pandya's return to Ahmedabad as Mumbai Indians face Gujarat Titans, the franchise he led for two seasons, has set the stage for an intriguing encounter. After Pandya's departure for Mumbai, Gujarat promoted Shubman Gill as their skipper. On Sunday, Gill and Pandya will reunite as MI travel to Ahmedabad for their opening game of the season against GT.Gill acknowledged the dynamic shift in IPL dynamics and expressed excitement about facing Pandya at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Before the match, Gill shared his admiration for some of India's finest captains. While he hasn't played under MS Dhoni's captaincy, he has been inspired by the wicket-keeper batter's leadership. "I haven't played under Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni) as such, but watching him as a kid go about things on the field, he is my inspiration," Gill said.Gill also looked up to Virat Kohli but has played most of his Team India career under Rohit Sharma. "I have played under Virat (Kohli) Bhai as well, but I have played most of my cricket under Rohit (Sharma) Bhai and there are a lot of qualities I will be picking personally from him," the 24-year-old added.Gill expressed confidence in Gujarat's home advantage against Mumbai Indians. "It is amazing to play against Mumbai Indians, who have won the title five times. But playing them in Ahmedabad, we haven't lost a match here against MI, so hopefully we are going to continue the streak," he explained.Regarding Pandya, under whom Gill has played both in the Indian team and Gujarat Titans, Gill anticipates an exciting challenge. "It is going to be exciting. Hardik (Pandya) bhai is someone, who I have played under in the Indian team as well as at GT. So it is going to be an exciting and fantastic dynamic," Gill asserted.Gill expressed his hope for a packed stadium and a thrilling atmosphere. "Hopefully it is going be a hundred and ten thousand people cheering for us and there is nothing better than that," he said.

Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder, will embark on a new chapter in his illustrious career as he takes over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The tournament, which commences on March 24, will mark Pandya's return to the Mumbai franchise after a successful stint with the Gujarat Titans, where he led the team to the title in 2022.Pandya's appointment as captain is a testament to his leadership qualities and the high regard in which he is held by the Mumbai Indians management. He will be tasked with continuing the legacy of Rohit Sharma, who led the team to five IPL titles during his tenure.The Mumbai Indians will face a stern test in their opening match against the Gujarat Titans, a team that Pandya himself marshaled over the last two seasons. The Titans, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, will be eager to prove that they are not a one-season wonder and will be looking to make a strong statement in their second IPL campaign.The Mumbai Indians have been grappling with fitness issues to some of their key players, including star batter Suryakumar Yadav. However, the return of India skipper Rohit Sharma, who will be turning up as a player this season, will provide a much-needed boost to the team.Another player whose performance will be closely scrutinized is Ishan Kishan, who will have a point to prove after losing his BCCI central contract for defying the Board's diktat on domestic cricket. The southpaw will be looking to cement his place in the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean.Besides Pandya, Mohammad Nabi and Romario Shepherd are the other quality all-round options Mumbai possess. Domestic players like Akash Madhwal and Nehal Wadhera will be looking to build on their performances of the previous season.On the Titans' front, Gill has been tasked with ensuring that the team maintains the remarkable consistency it showed in its first two seasons. Gill could be one of the future leaders for India, but for that to happen, he must prove himself on the IPL stage. He was the leading run-getter last season, and the franchise would be hoping that captaincy doesn't impact his batting in any way.The Titans will miss the services of Mohammed Shami, who recently underwent surgery to repair an Achilles tendon and will be back only in the second half of the year. However, the return of trump card Rashid Khan from a back surgery is a massive boost for Titans. The Afghanistan spinner made his comeback in the series against Ireland last week.Among the new joinees, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarazai will be looking to make a mark in the world's biggest T20 league.

Ed Sheeran, the renowned English singer-songwriter, recently embarked on a visit to India, where he engaged in a friendly cricket match with Indian cricket star Shubman Gill. The encounter, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, showcased Gill's bowling skills and Sheeran's playful spirit.In the video, Gill, shirtless and exuding confidence, bowls to Sheeran, who attempts to connect with the ball but fails. The match was played in a lighthearted atmosphere, with popular content creator Tanmay Bhat keeping the wickets.Gill's participation in the match comes ahead of his highly anticipated role as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The young cricketer has been in impressive form, having recently concluded a successful Test series against England, where he scored a century and played a pivotal role in India's victory.Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran's visit to India has been marked by his interactions with various celebrities, including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The singer's presence in the country has generated considerable excitement among his fans and the Indian public.

Indian cricket team batter Shubman Gill has revealed that he never considered returning to the opening position during his recent batting slump. Gill, who scored a magnificent century on Day 2 of the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala, had struggled for runs prior to the ongoing series.With Yashasvi Jaiswal partnering Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, Gill was assigned the No. 3 position, a role he initially found challenging. However, he has since bounced back in spectacular fashion, amassing over 400 runs in the five-match Test series against England."When you don't score, you tend to overthink, which I was doing. But going back to opening was not something that crossed my mind," Gill told broadcasters.Gill also discussed his superior batting average in the third and fourth innings compared to the first two innings in Test matches, explaining how he adjusts his approach based on the situation."When I go out to bat in the second innings, I have a clear target to chase. I know how to pace my innings and how to go about it," he said.Meanwhile, Gill's father and first coach, Lakhwinder, believes that his son's decision to step out to the bowlers more often has contributed to his resurgence in Test cricket. However, he disagrees with Gill's decision to bat at No. 3."He should have continued to open. It's not right at all. When you sit in the dressing room for longer, the pressure tends to increase. Number 3 is not opening, neither is it a middle-order spot," Lakhwinder said."Plus, his game is not like that. It suits the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, who has a defensive game. When the ball is new, you get more loose balls. When you come in after 5-7 overs, the ball is still shiny, and the bowler is settled with his length."

The fifth and final Test match between India and England in Dharamsala witnessed a remarkable display of batting prowess from the Indian team on the second day. Five Indian batters notched up half-centuries, propelling the hosts to a commanding 255-run lead over England.Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set the tone with centuries, but it was Sarfaraz Khan's aggressive knock that stole the show. In his fifth Test innings, Khan scored a blistering 56 off just 60 deliveries, including eight fours and a six. His Mumbai teammate, Suryakumar Yadav, aptly described Khan's performance as "Sher Bhuka Hai" (The Lion is Hungry).England attempted a comeback in the final session with some clinical bowling, but India's resilient tail-enders held firm. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah remained unbeaten on 27 and 19, respectively, as India posted a formidable total of 473/8 at the end of the day's play.Shoaib Bashir provided England with a glimmer of hope by dismissing Sarfaraz Khan with his off-spin, but Devdutt Padikkal responded with a maiden Test fifty, delighting the crowd with a maximum. India crossed the 400-run mark in the 91st over, but Bashir struck again to remove Padikkal.Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja formed a brief partnership, but Bashir and Jack Leach claimed their wickets in quick succession. However, Kuldeep and Bumrah's unbeaten stand of 45 runs ensured that India maintained their dominance heading into the third day.With India already leading the series 3-1, the Rohit Sharma-led side is poised to seal a 4-1 victory and complete a memorable home season.

Shubman Gill's recent resurgence in Test cricket has been attributed to his return to stepping out to bowlers, according to his father and first coach, Lakhwinder. Despite not agreeing with his son's decision to bat at number three, Lakhwinder believes that Gill's aggressive approach has been instrumental in his success.After a disappointing series opener against England, Gill faced mounting pressure to perform. He had failed to score a fifty in 12 innings and was criticized for not playing his natural attacking game. However, his maiden Test century in the second innings of the Vizag Test silenced his critics.Lakhwinder, who witnessed Gill's second hundred of the series on Friday, highlighted the importance of his son's aggressive approach. "Stepping out has made a big difference," he said. "He had stopped doing that and that created pressure. Since his U-16 days, he has been stepping out to spinners and pacers to cut the movement."Gill's willingness to take on both spinners and pacers was evident on Friday, as he charged down the track to hit James Anderson for a six. Lakhwinder also praised his son's square cut and cover drive, which were on display at the HPCA Stadium.Despite his admiration for Gill's aggressive style, Lakhwinder believes that he should have continued to open the batting. "He should have continued to open," he said. "It is not right at all I feel. When you sit in the dressing room for longer, the pressure tends to increase. Number 3 is not opening neither it is a middle-order spot."However, Lakhwinder respects his son's decisions and is proud of his achievements. He also lauded the BCCI's decision to make Ranji Trophy appearances mandatory for India players when they are not on national duty. "The calendar is so busy that he hardly trains for red ball," he said. "It is good that BCCI has taken this step."