Cricket

Harry Brook's meteoric rise in international cricket has been met with scrutiny after a series win against Sri Lanka where he averaged 30. However, Brook remains unfazed, acknowledging that he has been trying to avoid overanalyzing his approach.Brook's scores in the final Test against Sri Lanka (19 and 3) were underwhelming, but it was his manner at the crease that drew attention. He appeared frustrated when Sri Lanka bowled wide outside his off stump, leading to criticism from former England captain Michael Vaughan.Despite a long season that included the T20 World Cup, six home Tests, and the Hundred, Brook remains relaxed ahead of his England captaincy debut at Trent Bridge. He admits that his Test summer did not go as planned but dismisses suggestions of mental fatigue."I probably was [feeling] a little bit [tired]," Brook said. "But if I'd have gone out and got two hundreds against Sri Lanka then I'd have been like, 'I'll just carry on'. But no, not really. I love playing cricket: I want to play as much as I possibly can."Brook's captaincy experience is limited to England Under-19s and sporadic 50-over cricket. However, he aims to keep things simple against Australia, batting at No. 4. "I'm just going to go out there and watch the ball as closely as possible," he said.Brook is standing in as captain for Jos Buttler, who is recovering from a calf injury. Buttler has encouraged Brook to identify game-changing moments in the field, something he has struggled with in ODIs.This ODI series is one of only three for England before the Champions Trophy in February. It also marks the beginning of a "strategic restructure" under new limited-overs coach Brendon McCullum. Brook believes this will lead to greater convergence between formats."We want to go out there and entertain the crowd, take the game on, try to take wickets and put the pressure on their bowlers," Brook said.After a disappointing end to the Test summer, Brook hopes that this new challenge will reinvigorate him. "The way the lads have gone about their business in training just seems so chilled at the minute," he said. "We're all looking forward to going out there and having some fun."

England's preparations for the upcoming three-Test series against Sri Lanka have been thrown into disarray following the withdrawal of all-rounder Chris Woakes from The Hundred tournament due to injury. The news comes just days after captain Ben Stokes was assisted off the field during a Hundred match with a suspected hamstring injury.Woakes, 35, was a key member of England's Test squad and was expected to play a significant role in the series against Sri Lanka. However, his withdrawal from The Hundred has raised concerns about his fitness ahead of the first Test, which begins on August 21 at Old Trafford."Chris Woakes has withdrawn from the competition with injury. The England bowling all-rounder will no longer be a part of this year's competition," Birmingham Phoenix announced on their Instagram account late Monday.The injury to Woakes is a major blow to England, who are already without Stokes. The Test skipper sustained a suspected hamstring injury while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. If both all-rounders are ruled out of the Sri Lanka series, England's squad depth will be severely tested.England's preparations for the series are now under scrutiny as they await further assessments on the fitness of Woakes and Stokes. The team management will be hoping that both players can recover in time for the first Test, but their absence would be a significant setback.

With India embarking on a new era in T20 cricket, the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as captain for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka has generated immense anticipation. Former India fielding coach R Sridhar, who witnessed Suryakumar's T20I debut in 2021, believes the batsman possesses the qualities to lead by example.Sridhar highlights Suryakumar's maturity and composure, noting that he has evolved from the aggressive and upbeat player he was in his early days. He believes that Suryakumar's ability to remain calm under pressure and think strategically will serve him well as captain.Sridhar emphasizes that captaincy extends beyond on-field leadership, requiring the ability to maintain a positive team environment off the field. He commends Suryakumar's communication skills and his focus on ensuring the well-being of all squad members.Sridhar also acknowledges Suryakumar's previous experience as captain of Mumbai in domestic cricket. While his initial stint was marked by challenges, he has since matured and led Mumbai to success in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Sridhar believes Suryakumar has the potential to lead India effectively, but stresses the importance of selecting the right playing eleven and communicating clearly. He notes that Suryakumar's experience playing under Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as well as his vice-captaincy under Gautam Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders, will be invaluable.The India vs. Sri Lanka series marks a new chapter in Indian cricket, with both teams featuring new captains and coaches. Sridhar believes this series will lay the foundation for the team's future in the T20 format, providing a platform for young players to establish themselves and develop a distinct playing style.

Ravindra Jadeja's absence from India's squads for the upcoming Sri Lanka series has sparked speculation about his future in the team. However, ESPNCricinfo reports that Jadeja has been rested, not dropped.The decision to rest Jadeja is part of a strategic move by the selectors and new head coach Gautam Gambhir. They aim to test Axar Patel's ability to replicate his T20I performance in ODIs and keep Jadeja fresh for the ten Test matches scheduled from September 2023 to January 2024.Jadeja's absence also reflects the importance of managing player workloads. Ensuring top performers like Jadeja are in peak condition for crucial upcoming fixtures highlights the necessity of resting certain players.As Team India embarks on this new phase under Gambhir's leadership, the focus remains on both immediate and long-term goals. The decision-making process appears to be well thought out to address current needs while planning for future challenges.

Former Indian leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as Team India's bowling coach for the upcoming six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Bahutule, who has served as a bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the past three years, will join the Indian team in Colombo on Monday.Bahutule, who played two Tests and eight ODIs for India between 1997 and 2003, has a wealth of experience in domestic cricket. He has played 188 first-class matches, taking 630 wickets at an average of 26.00 and scoring 6176 runs at an average of 31.83.Bahutule's appointment is seen as a positive move for India's young spinners. He has a proven track record of working with young players and has been credited with helping to develop some of India's most promising spinners, including Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar.Bahutule's presence in the Indian team is expected to be particularly beneficial for the team's spinners in the T20I series. India's spin attack in the T20Is will be led by Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar, all of whom have worked with Bahutule in the past.Bahutule's appointment is also seen as a sign of the BCCI's commitment to developing young players. The BCCI has been criticized in the past for not giving enough opportunities to young players, but the appointment of Bahutule suggests that the board is now taking a more proactive approach to player development.Bahutule's appointment is a temporary one, as the BCCI is still in the process of finalizing a permanent bowling coach for the Indian team. However, Bahutule's experience and expertise make him a valuable addition to the Indian team for the Sri Lanka series.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian batter renowned for his aggressive leadership and tactical acumen, has been appointed as the new head coach of Team India. This marks a new era for the Indian cricket team, which recently triumphed at the T20 World Cup 2024 under the guidance of Rahul Dravid.Gambhir's appointment has been met with anticipation and excitement. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has praised Gambhir's leadership qualities, stating that he is a "complete players' man" who will protect his players and bring a "clever tactical angle" to the team.Gambhir's coaching tenure will commence with an upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the skipper for the T20Is, while Rohit Sharma will lead the team in the ODIs. Notably, young batter Shubman Gill has been appointed as the vice-captain for both series.Gambhir's coaching credentials include two IPL trophies as a player with Kolkata Knight Riders and a successful stint as a mentor for the same franchise in 2024. His experience and tactical nous are expected to guide Team India towards continued success.The Sri Lanka series will provide an early glimpse of Gambhir's coaching philosophy and the team's performance under his leadership. The T20Is will begin on July 27, followed by the ODIs.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's Exclusion Raises Questions as India Announces Squads for Sri Lanka SeriesFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed astonishment over the omission of Ruturaj Gaikwad from India's squads for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Gaikwad, who has been in impressive form in recent months, was not selected for either the T20I or ODI teams.Chopra questioned the selectors' decision, highlighting Gaikwad's recent performances and leadership qualities. "Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out in both formats. What did he do that his name hasn't come?" Chopra said. "Six months ago, you were worthy of becoming the captain of a team, a team that had Shubman Gill who wasn't playing, but Shubman has become the vice-captain now and Ruturaj is not even part of the team, neither in T20Is nor in ODIs. Is that right?"Chopra also raised concerns about the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja from the entire tour lineup. "Yuzi Chahal also comes to mind. You were just now part of the World Cup. After that, you are nowhere," Chopra said. "Ravindra Jadeja is also not part of ODI cricket. What's happening there? He has himself retired from T20Is but would have been available in ODIs. If he is available and is not being played despite that, have Team India started looking in some other direction?"The selectors' decisions have sparked speculation about their vision for the future of the Indian team. Chopra urged the selectors to communicate their plans clearly to players like Gaikwad, who may feel aggrieved by their exclusion. "I really hope that it's being communicated that he is being looked at for T20Is and will be considered for ODIs because, otherwise, Ruturaj Gaikwad, like Sanju Samson, will be very aggrieved. He might be feeling that he has been wronged," Chopra said.The upcoming series against Sri Lanka will provide an opportunity for India to test their squad and prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The selectors' decisions will be closely scrutinized as they attempt to strike a balance between experience and youth.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's newly appointed T20I captain, has expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support and affection he has received from fans and well-wishers. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Yadav acknowledged the immense responsibility that comes with the captaincy but also expressed his excitement and enthusiasm for the role."Thank you so much for the outpouring of love, support, and best wishes from you all," Yadav wrote. "The last few weeks have been nothing short of a dream, and I am truly grateful. Playing for the country is the most special feeling that I will never be able to describe in words."Yadav's appointment as T20I captain follows Rohit Sharma's decision to step down from the role after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup last month. The 33-year-old Yadav has been selected to lead a 15-member Indian T20 team for a three-match series in Sri Lanka, starting on July 27 in Pallekele.According to reports, Yadav's aggressive batting style in the middle order and his reliability in the T20 format made him the primary choice for new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Yadav, who previously captained Mumbai in domestic cricket, led India to a 4-1 T20 series win over Australia last year and followed it up with a 1-1 result in South Africa.Yadav's appointment has been met with widespread praise from the cricketing fraternity. Former India captain Virat Kohli hailed Yadav as a "fearless and aggressive" player who will bring a "fresh perspective" to the team. Head coach Gambhir expressed confidence in Yadav's leadership abilities, saying that he is "a natural leader who leads by example."As India prepares for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, Yadav will be keen to make a strong start to his captaincy tenure. The series will provide him with an opportunity to establish his authority and set the tone for the team's future. With his proven ability and the support of his teammates and fans, Yadav is well-positioned to lead India to success in the shortest format of the game.

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).