Cricket

Shubman Gill, the rising star of Indian cricket, has expressed his admiration for the newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and his clear and concise approach to the game. Gill, who has been named the vice-captain for both the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka, believes that Gambhir's guidance will be invaluable as the team prepares for the upcoming challenges.Gill has also set his sights on becoming a versatile batsman, capable of performing consistently across all formats and in various playing conditions. His ultimate aim is to contribute to the team's success, but he also recognizes the importance of solidifying his position as a reliable player in any situation.Despite being part of the Indian squad during the T20 World Cup as a travelling reserve, Gill was unable to secure a spot in the final 15-man roster. The young right-hander has identified this as an area that requires improvement and is determined to work on his skills to ensure he becomes an indispensable member of the team in the future.However, the 24-year-old is now focused on the upcoming five-match Test tour to Australia later this year, as well as the subsequent Champions Trophy. He believes that these matches will provide him with the opportunity to showcase his skills and cement his place in the team.Gill also mentioned that Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav, the current T20I captain, have quite similar thinking processes regarding their vision for the team. He expressed confidence that their partnership will be successful and that he will have a good understanding with his new opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal.Gill also praised Abhishek Nayar, the newly-appointed assistant coach of India, with whom he had previously worked at the Kolkata Knight Riders. He highlighted Nayar's dedication and commitment to helping players improve their skills.

Hardik Pandya's leadership role in India's T20I team has been revoked, with Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach, opting for Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain. This decision has raised eyebrows, given Pandya's successful stint as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.Ashish Nehra, who coached Pandya at Gujarat Titans, expressed no surprise at the move. He believes that Gambhir has a different vision for the team and that Pandya does not fit into his plans as captain or vice-captain."Every coach and every captain have different thoughts. At this time, his (Gambhir's) ideas are toward that direction," Nehra said.Nehra also agreed with the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, that Pandya's fitness was a factor in the decision. Pandya has been playing limited overs cricket and is not a regular in the Test team."Hardik Pandya, in white-ball cricket, will remain a very, very important player for Indian cricket. When you have him, you can have 4 fast bowlers, he brings in a different balance to the side," Nehra said.Nehra also praised the appointment of Shubman Gill as vice-captain, but acknowledged that he is still a "work in progress" as a leader."They have made Shubman Gill in not just one format, but in all three formats. That means you are looking ahead," Nehra said."Shubman Gill is a work in progress. He is 24-25 years old now. He will get better as we go ahead. He has the desire to play all 3 formats, he has the heart to learn," he added.

Shubman Gill, the prodigious Indian batter, has emerged as a formidable force in world cricket. Since his international debut in 2019, he has established himself as a cornerstone of India's batting lineup. Beyond his exceptional batting prowess, Gill has also showcased remarkable leadership qualities and an ability to thrive under pressure.As the captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gill led his team to victory in the 2022 season. His astute decision-making and calm demeanor on the field earned him widespread praise. Moreover, he recently captained a young Indian team to a 4-1 triumph in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.Gill's leadership potential has not gone unnoticed. He has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where India will play three T20Is and three ODIs. Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour believes that Gill has the potential to lead India across all formats in the future."He has shown terrific body language, which is a must if you are leading a side," Rathour said. "Now with the vice-captaincy, the BCCI has given him extra responsibility and I am sure he will thrive in this role."Rathour believes that captaincy can bring out the best in players, as it did for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He expects Gill to flourish in this leadership role and eventually lead India in all three formats.Gill's appointment as vice-captain is a testament to his growing stature within the Indian cricket team. His ability to handle pressure, make sound decisions, and inspire his teammates makes him a prime candidate for future leadership. As he continues to develop his skills and experience, Gill is poised to become one of the most influential players in Indian cricket.

India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has shed light on the rationale behind the recent leadership appointments in the Indian cricket team. Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the full-time T20I captain, while Shubman Gill has been handed the vice-captaincy in the limited-overs formats.Agarkar emphasized that the decision to appoint Yadav as captain was based on his exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities. He highlighted Yadav's consistent performance as one of the world's top T20 batters and his ability to lead the team effectively.Regarding the decision to not appoint Hardik Pandya as vice-captain, Agarkar explained that the team management wants to manage his workload better. Pandya's fitness has been a concern in recent years, and the selectors believe that giving him additional leadership responsibilities could exacerbate this issue.Agarkar also discussed the grooming of Shubman Gill as a potential future captain. Gill has shown promising leadership qualities and is seen as a three-format player with the potential to succeed in all formats of the game.The selection panel also addressed the absence of Sanju Samson from the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Agarkar explained that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were preferred as wicketkeepers due to their recent performances and experience.Agarkar clarified that Ravindra Jadeja was not dropped from the ODI set-up but was rested to give opportunities to Axar Patel. He also mentioned that some Test players are likely to participate in the first Duleep Trophy game to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

Star Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav is gearing up for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which commences on July 27. In preparation for the series, Yadav has been diligently practicing and shared a glimpse of his training regimen on Instagram. The 33-year-old posted a video of himself running on the field, showcasing his dedication to the sport.Yadav has been appointed as the captain of India's T20I team for the Sri Lanka tour, with Shubman Gill serving as the vice-captain for both the T20I and ODI sides. This decision marks a shift in leadership, as Hardik Pandya, who previously led the T20I team, has been removed from the role.Pandya's removal comes despite his impressive performance in the recent T20 World Cup, where he scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets. However, Yadav has also proven his leadership capabilities, having led India to five victories in seven matches during his previous stints as captain.India's tour of Sri Lanka will feature a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series. The T20I leg will be played at the Pallekele International Stadium, while the ODI matches will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium.Both teams will be led by new head coaches. Sanath Jayasuriya has been named as the interim head coach for Sri Lanka, while Gautam Gambhir will take over as India's head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid.India's last bilateral white-ball series in Sri Lanka was in July 2021, where they won the ODI series 2-1 and lost the T20I series by the same margin. The upcoming tour will provide both teams with an opportunity to test their skills and prepare for future challenges.

Vikram Rathour, India's former batting coach, has identified Shubman Gill as a future leader for the Indian cricket team across all formats. Rathour's endorsement stems from Gill's impressive recent performances and leadership qualities, which have positioned him as a potential captain.Rathour first noticed Gill's potential during net sessions, where he was immediately struck by the youngster's talent. Speaking to The Indian Express, he recalled his initial impression: "When I first saw him in the nets, my first impression was like everybody else’s. I saw exactly what a lot of people were talking about and spoke about his special talent. When I first saw him playing, the immediate thought that went into my mind was ‘wow, this kid is extremely talented’. He knew his game, he understood how he needs to bat in different situations and never shied away from challenges."At 24, Gill has established himself as a remarkable player across formats, especially noted for an outstanding run in ODIs in 2023. In 29 matches, he amassed 1584 runs, maintaining an average of 63.36.Rathour believes that taking on captaincy will enhance Gill's performance, similar to how it benefited Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He expressed confidence that leadership responsibilities could bring out the best in Gill: "I feel captaincy brought the best out of Virat and Rohit and I feel it will do the same for Shubman. Although he is not yet the captain, being in the leadership group will bring the best out of him as well. This, I am very sure of. When you are in that role, leading others, it gives you that extra bit of responsibility, which is good and I think is great for a young kid like Shubman, who one day might lead India in all three formats."Gill recently led India to a 4-1 T20I series victory against Zimbabwe, providing him with valuable captaincy experience. His leadership potential has also been recognized with his appointment as vice-captain for both T20Is and ODIs.As Shubman Gill continues to evolve as a cricketer, Rathour's confidence in his leadership abilities suggests that Gill could become a key figure in India's cricketing future, potentially leading the team across all formats.

Shubman Gill has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting from July 27. This decision marks a significant leadership change, as Hardik Pandya, who was India's vice-captain during the recent T20 and ODI World Cups, has been replaced by the Gujarat Titans skipper.In the T20I squad, Gill will serve as the deputy to the newly appointed captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who has been entrusted with leading the team. Gill's appointment as vice-captain comes after his successful stint as the captain of the second-string Indian side that secured a 4-1 T20 series victory in Zimbabwe.For the ODI squad, where Suryakumar Yadav is not included, Gill will assume the role of vice-captain under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup. Rohit will continue to captain the ODI team, which will play three matches against Sri Lanka in Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on August 2, 4, and 7.Virat Kohli will make his return to the ODI squad, while pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains absent from the tour after a demanding season. Rohit and Kohli had initially planned to take a break but decided to return for the ODI matches as India begin preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled for next year in Pakistan.The decision to appoint Gill as the vice-captain over Hardik Pandya, who was Rohit's deputy in the T20 World Cup, is attributed to Pandya's frequent injury setbacks. Pandya remains part of the T20 squad but has been excluded from the ODI series, which will also see the return of Shreyas Iyer, who had previously lost his contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

India's Squad for Sri Lanka Tour: Gambhir's Influence and Key TakeawaysWith Gautam Gambhir taking over as India's head coach, significant changes have been made to the squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Gambhir's influence is evident in the selection process, with several key takeaways emerging:1. Hardik Pandya's Omission from Leadership GroupDespite being the vice-captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Hardik Pandya has been surprisingly omitted from any leadership role in the current squad. Instead, Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain in both the ODI and T20I formats. This decision raises questions about Pandya's future in the captaincy pecking order, potentially due to his injury concerns or his disappointing stint as Mumbai Indians captain.2. Shubman Gill's Promotion as Future CaptainGambhir appears to be grooming Shubman Gill as India's future captain in all formats. Gill's appointment as vice-captain in both squads, ahead of Pandya, suggests that Gambhir is looking towards the 2027 World Cup and beyond.3. Kuldeep Yadav and Abhishek Sharma Dropped from T20I SquadDespite his impressive performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Kuldeep Yadav has been left out of the T20I squad. This decision may be related to workload management, as Yadav remains in the ODI squad. Abhishek Sharma, who scored a century against Zimbabwe, has also been dropped, while Riyan Parag has been preferred over him.4. Gambhir's Faith in KKR PlayersSeveral players who have performed well under Gambhir's leadership at Kolkata Knight Riders have been included in the India squad. Shreyas Iyer, Harshit Rana (ODIs), and Rinku Singh (T20Is) have all been rewarded for their contributions to KKR's success.

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.