Cricket

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has returned home after leading the team to a series sweep over Sri Lanka. Yadav, who is not part of the ODI leg of the tour, expressed his excitement for the upcoming matches and anticipation for Rohit Sharma's signature one-liners."All the best for ODIs, I will watch the complete series and will wait for your one-liners," Yadav said in a video shared by the BCCI. "I know you will be standing near the stump mic, there are several new guys in the team. Hopefully, we will get to listen to several more one-liners."Yadav's appointment as India's full-time T20I skipper sparked debate before the BCCI announced the white-ball squads for the Sri Lanka tour. However, Yadav's performance in the T20I leg, where India whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0, silenced the critics.In the final match of the series, Yadav emerged as an unlikely bowling hero. With Sri Lanka needing just six runs to win in the last over, Yadav brought himself on to bowl and picked up two wickets, restricting Sri Lanka to five runs and forcing a 'Super Over' tie-breaker. Yadav's boundary in the 'Super Over' ultimately sealed India's victory.With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the squad for the ODIs, India will aim to maintain their winning momentum. The first ODI will be played on Friday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, followed by the second and third matches on July 4 and 7 at the same venue.

Rohit Sharma, the victorious captain of India's T20 World Cup triumph, has become a beacon of admiration and affection for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His recent decision to retire from T20Is has shifted his focus solely to 50-over internationals, with the upcoming ODI series in Sri Lanka marking his next assignment.As Rohit embarks on this new chapter, he continues to captivate fans wherever he goes. During his family vacation in the US and now on the Sri Lankan tour, he has been met with an outpouring of love and adoration. Fans have eagerly sought selfies and autographs, eager to express their gratitude for his contributions to Indian cricket.One such heartwarming moment occurred in Sri Lanka, where a fan's heartfelt rendition of a song caught Rohit's attention. As Rohit descended the stairs from the dressing room at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, a fan in the stands began singing, his voice carrying the words "Rohit Sharma."Rohit, hearing his name, paused and turned his head towards the fan. A smile spread across his face as he acknowledged the fan's admiration. The moment was captured on camera and shared widely on social media, showcasing the deep connection between Rohit and his supporters.Rohit and Virat Kohli, who both retired from T20Is after the World Cup triumph, have returned from a well-deserved break to join the Indian squad under the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The first ODI of the Sri Lanka series will be played on Friday in Colombo, followed by matches on July 4 and July 7 at the same venue.India, under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, emerged victorious in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, winning 3-0. Rohit's leadership and experience will be crucial as the team aims to continue its winning streak in the ODI format.

Team India's ODI captain Rohit Sharma is gearing up for the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka, set to commence on August 2. Sharma has been diligently practicing in the nets, honing his batting skills, as evident from the photographs he shared on social media.The Indian team's tour of Sri Lanka commenced on July 27 with the Twenty20 International (T20I) series. India made a strong start, winning the first T20I by 43 runs. The subsequent T20I saw India clinch a victory by seven wickets in a rain-shortened match. The T20I matches were hosted at the Pallekele International Stadium, while the ODI series will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with matches scheduled for August 2, August 4, and August 7.Sharma's return to the Indian squad marks his first appearance since leading the team to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup. In the tournament, Sharma played a pivotal role, amassing 257 runs across eight games, with an average of 36.71 and a strike rate exceeding 156. His highest score was 92, and he hit three half-centuries, making him the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament.Sharma's last ODI appearance was during the ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad in November last year, which resulted in a loss for India. Currently, Sharma is on the cusp of achieving significant milestones in his ODI career. He is 291 runs short of joining the elite group of Indian cricketers with over 11,000 ODI runs. Furthermore, he requires just 60 more runs to surpass former Indian batter and head coach Rahul Dravid as the fourth-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs. To date, Sharma has played 262 matches, scoring 10,709 runs at an average of 49.12. His record includes 31 centuries and 55 fifties, with a highest score of 264.

Former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel is set to join the Indian cricket team's coaching staff as their new bowling coach. The appointment, made under head coach Gautam Gambhir, comes at a crucial juncture as the team prepares for a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and the upcoming home series against Bangladesh in September.Morkel's addition to the coaching staff is part of an ongoing assessment by Gambhir and the management to refine the team's coaching framework ahead of future competitions. The strategic move casts uncertainty on the position of the interim bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, given Morkel's specialization in fast bowling.The decision on whether to maintain a dedicated spin bowling coach to work alongside Morkel remains pending. Should Bahutule continue in his role, the coaching staff would include two assistant coaches, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, a bowling coach (Morkel), a fielding coach (T Dilip), and potentially a spin bowling coach, under the direction of head coach Gambhir.Morkel's appointment is expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Indian team. The former Proteas pacer played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for South Africa, taking a total of 544 international wickets. He was known for his accuracy, pace, and ability to swing the ball both ways.The Indian team is currently in Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I series has already been won by India, with the ODIs set to commence on August 2.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of Team India, embarks on his tenure with the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. This marks a significant transition for the Indian cricket team, as Gambhir takes over the reins from Rahul Dravid, who guided the team to a successful ICC T20 World Cup campaign last month.Dravid, in an emotional audio message, extended his heartfelt wishes to Gambhir and shared his experiences as the head coach. He expressed his hope that Gambhir would have the luxury of a fully fit squad, something he often lacked during his tenure. Dravid also highlighted the importance of maintaining composure under pressure and seeking support from players, staff, and fans.Gambhir, in response, expressed his deep admiration for Dravid and acknowledged the emotional impact of his message. He described Dravid as the "most selfless player" he has worked with and committed to approaching his new role with honesty and transparency.The series against Sri Lanka will comprise three T20Is and three ODIs, with Shubman Gill serving as vice-captain to Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is and Rohit Sharma in ODIs. This tour will provide Gambhir with an opportunity to assess the team's strengths and weaknesses and implement his coaching philosophy.Gambhir's appointment as head coach has been met with mixed reactions. Some have questioned his experience at the international level, while others have praised his leadership qualities and his ability to work with younger players. As he begins his journey, the cricketing world will be keenly observing how he leads Team India through this new chapter.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed his support for newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who will lead the team on its upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Shastri believes that Suryakumar's experience and dynamic batting style will make him a successful leader.Suryakumar has captained India in T20I series against Australia and South Africa in the past, and has also led Mumbai domestically. Shastri believes that this experience will be invaluable in his new role."He is street smart... he is one of the best T20 players in the world at the moment," Shastri said. "He is a match-winner on his own, walks into the team day in, day out in that format of the game on his own steam, so I think it is not a bad idea at all."Shastri also stressed the importance of Suryakumar understanding and managing India's diverse bowling options."One thing that he (Suryakumar) will have to learn from his side is what are the strengths of his bowlers and what are their limitations," Shastri said. "I never say a bowler has a weakness, I say a limitation, and then there are strengths. And then focus on the right things and set fields accordingly. I think that is what he will have to learn."Shastri believes that Suryakumar's captaincy style will be similar to his playing style."I think it will [captaincy style] be much like his personality, the way he plays the game," Shastri said. "He will be thinking very quickly and the fact that he knows all these players, even the senior players, I think he will be in a great position to handle the team."

Gautam Gambhir's Appointment as Team India Head Coach: A Catalyst for Fresh Energy and PerformanceFormer Sri Lankan batter Russel Arnold has lauded the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of Team India, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Arnold believes that Gambhir's leadership will infuse the team with fresh energy and prevent complacency among players.Gambhir's debut as head coach will be in the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, commencing on Saturday. Arnold praised Gambhir's managerial skills and his ability to deliver results. "Gautam Gambhir has shown that he can get a message across and get others to perform," Arnold said in an interview with News 18.Arnold emphasized the importance of change in maintaining a competitive edge. He believes that Gambhir's distinct approach will positively jolt the team. "There'll be a bit of adjustment for people to come to terms with Gautam Gambhir, but I think the change is also good because then you become too familiar with one system and hence they'll be shaken up, maybe even woken up that you still need to get better and you still need to perform a lot more," Arnold explained.The India vs Sri Lanka series, beginning with the first T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, marks the start of a new era for Team India under Gambhir's guidance. Arnold expressed confidence in Gambhir's ability to bring about positive changes and inspire the team to greater heights.

As the Indian cricket team embarks on a new era under the leadership of head coach Gautam Gambhir, former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has hailed the appointment as a significant turning point. During an event hosted by Sony Sports Network, Ojha emphasized the importance of this change, stating that it marks the beginning of a new chapter for Team India.Gambhir, who took over the reins from Rahul Dravid after India's triumph in the T20 World Cup, is set to make his debut as head coach on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. His tenure has already witnessed notable changes, including the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain, replacing Hardik Pandya.The tour, scheduled to commence on July 27, will feature a three-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series starting on August 2. Ojha expressed his support for the decision to include senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the ODI squad, despite earlier speculations that they would be rested."To call senior players for the ODI series is a good decision. You have to serve the nation, and every coach wants a good result from his starting tenure," he said.Ojha also praised the newly appointed T20I skipper, Suryakumar Yadav. "I am impressed with Suryakumar Yadav. He is one of the good players, and now it has to be seen how he leads the Indian side," Ojha remarked.The BCCI's recent directive requiring senior players to participate in Ranji Trophy matches has been met with mixed reactions. Ojha commented on this decision, saying, "It's so sad that the BCCI had to tell them to play Ranji, but you are whatever today; it's all because of Ranji games."As the Gambhir era unfolds, cricket fans eagerly anticipate the fresh strategies and dynamics that will emerge, setting the stage for an exciting series in Sri Lanka.

Hardik Pandya's leadership aspirations have faced another setback after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. This decision has sparked speculation about the potential impact on the relationship between Pandya and Yadav.However, a heartwarming moment captured on video before the team's departure to Sri Lanka has eased concerns. In the video, Pandya and Yadav are seen shaking hands and embracing, indicating that there is no animosity between them.At a pre-departure press conference, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained the rationale behind the decision to appoint Yadav as captain. He cited Yadav's impressive performances, his cricketing acumen, and his status as one of the world's leading T20 batters.Agarkar also hinted that fitness played a role in the decision, as Yadav is more likely to be available for all matches. He emphasized that Pandya remains a crucial player for India, despite not being named captain."In regards to Hardik, he's still a very important player for us and that's what we want him to be, that player that he can be because those sorts of skill-sets are very difficult to find," said Agarkar.India's tour of Sri Lanka will commence with the first T20I on July 27. The three-match T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series.