Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has faced criticism on social media following the team's recent series loss to New Zealand. However, Gambhir remains unfazed, emphasizing the prestigious nature of his position and the need for honesty.Ahead of the team's departure to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gambhir addressed the criticism during a press conference in Mumbai. "Social media makes no difference in my life or anyone's life," he stated. "When I took up this job, I knew it would be challenging and prestigious. I don't feel the heat because my job is to be absolutely honest."Gambhir highlighted the resilience and commitment of the Indian players. "There are incredibly tough people in that dressing room who have achieved great things for the country and will continue to do so," he said. "It's an absolute honor to coach them and coach India."Despite the recent setbacks, Gambhir remains focused on leading the team through challenges and achieving success on the global stage. India needs to win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final at Lord's in June 2025.Gambhir's unwavering determination and emphasis on honesty reflect his commitment to the team's growth and success. As the Indian team embarks on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gambhir's leadership and the players' resilience will be crucial in overcoming challenges and achieving their goals.

Pakistan's batting mainstay Babar Azam has come under fire on social media for his recent underwhelming performances in international cricket. In the recently concluded two-Test series against Bangladesh, Azam managed a meager 64 runs across four innings, continuing a string of poor batting displays that have failed to yield victories for Pakistan.Azam's struggles have sparked a barrage of criticism and false memes on social media, with some even resorting to spreading fake news about his retirement. Following his scores of 31 and 11 in the second Test in Rawalpindi, a fabricated retirement post gained traction on social media.Despite relinquishing his captaincy after the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, Azam was reinstated for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, his recent Test performances have been dismal, with only 190 runs in his last 10 innings at an average of 19. His average in the 50-over format has also declined to 34.In T20Is, Azam has maintained an average of 38 over the past year. Under his captaincy, Pakistan suffered a disappointing group-stage exit at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, losing to the USA and India.Azam's poor form has raised concerns among fans and experts alike, who are questioning his ability to lead Pakistan's batting lineup. The pressure on the 29-year-old is mounting, and he will need to find his form quickly to silence his critics and restore Pakistan's fortunes on the international stage.

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav faced intense criticism on social media following his underwhelming performance in India's T20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan in New York. Yadav's meager score of seven runs off eight balls contributed to India's dismal total of 119 at the Nassau County International Stadium. This lackluster display came on the heels of his equally disappointing two-run outing in India's tournament opener against Ireland.Yadav's failure against Pakistan sparked a torrent of criticism from fans, who took to social media to question his ability to perform in high-pressure matches. Many pointed to his impressive record in T20 cricket but argued that he consistently falters when it matters most."Suryakumar Yadav should only focus on Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Paytm series," tweeted one fan, highlighting Yadav's tendency to perform well against weaker opposition.Another fan drew comparisons between Yadav and South African batter Aiden Markram, known for his struggles under pressure. "Suryakumar Yadav is a carbon copy of Aiden Markram," the tweet read.The criticism extended to Yadav's batting technique, with some fans suggesting that he lacks the temperament and composure required to succeed at the international level."People judge you on your performances against your rivals," tweeted one fan. "Suryakumar Yadav, for all his greatness in T20 cricket, has not learned the art of performing under pressure."Despite the barrage of criticism, Yadav remains a key member of the Indian team. His ability to play unorthodox shots and score runs quickly makes him a valuable asset in the middle order. However, his recent performances have raised questions about his consistency and ability to handle the pressure of big matches.

Pakistan's wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan faced severe criticism on social media after being dismissed for a golden duck in the T20 World Cup 2024 match against the United States. Khan's poor form has been a subject of scrutiny, with fans and experts alike expressing their disappointment.During the T20I series against England, Khan's low scores and fielding errors drew criticism. In the T20 World Cup opener, he came to the crease with Pakistan under pressure and was trapped LBW by Nosthush Kenjige on the first ball.Social media users were quick to blast Khan for his performance, with some referring to the "nepotism" debate surrounding him. Khan is the son of former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, and some have questioned whether his selection is based on merit."If Nepotism & forced entry had a face..Azam Khan.. BUT PCB has no shame..," tweeted one user.Another user commented, "Azam Khan is a player whom cricket history will never forget."Despite the criticism, Pakistan captain Babar Azam defended Khan's selection, stating that he plays on merit."Azam Khan plays on merit," Azam tweeted.The United States, led by Monank Patel, won the toss and elected to bowl first. The US had a strong start to the tournament, having defeated Canada in their opening match.Pakistan, on the other hand, entered the tournament after a disappointing T20 series loss to England. The "Men in Green" were not in their best form but were determined to start their campaign on a positive note.Patel expressed his team's desire to play their best cricket, while Azam confirmed that Imad Wasim had suffered an injury and would not be playing against the US.