Cricket

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, has lauded Sarfaraz Khan's attacking 150 in the recent first Test match against New Zealand. Gavaskar believes that Khan's batting performances are even more impressive than his waistline.Khan, who was dropped for the first innings after scoring a duck, led India to 462 in the second innings with an explosive 150, his first Test century. His innings included 18 fours and three sixes.Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar on Monday, "Sarfaraz Khan has been denied a place in the Indian team for some years now, despite scoring runs by the hundreds in domestic cricket. This was largely because those in a position to make decisions believed he didn't have the slim waist they deemed necessary for international cricket."Gavaskar also gave the example of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who, despite not having a particularly trim waist, excelled in Test cricket, making a brilliant 99 in Bengaluru and sharing a vital 177-run partnership with Sarfaraz in the second innings."Rishabh Pant is another player who doesn't possess the slim waist that these fitness purists seem to want, but what an impact player he is," wrote Gavaskar. "Let's not forget that he also keeps wickets all day, which not only requires getting up and down for around six hours of play but also running to the stumps to gather the throws."Gavaskar questioned whether India's eight-wicket loss in Bengaluru could cause them to worry ahead of a crucial trip to Australia later this year given Rohit Sharma's team's inability to handle bounce."That their heroics went in vain, as the batters who followed them simply didn't have the technique or temperament to deal with a pitch that was different from the low-bounce ones where they dominate, only added to the frustration," wrote Gavaskar."If anything, the way the Indian batting has struggled in Chennai - where again there was some bounce - and now in Bengaluru, does make one anxious about what lies in store in Australia."

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, left an indelible mark on the Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic cricket competition. Playing for Bombay (now Mumbai), Gavaskar was a pivotal figure in their dominance during the 1970s and 1980s.Gavaskar's prowess in the Ranji Trophy was evident in his consistent run-scoring. His ability to accumulate runs in the domestic circuit mirrored his success on the international stage. He was one of the leading scorers in the tournament, amassing numerous centuries and providing Mumbai with solid starts.However, one particular match stands out in Gavaskar's Ranji Trophy career. In the 1981-82 semi-final against Karnataka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Gavaskar surprised everyone by batting left-handed. The pitch was turning square, and Karnataka's spinner Raghuram Bhatt was posing a significant threat.In an interview with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Gavaskar revealed the reason behind his unconventional decision. He explained that he had been dismissed by Bhatt in the first innings while batting right-handed. Facing defeat in the semi-final, Gavaskar decided to take a tactical gamble."I said to the manager, 'I am going to bat left-handed.' He said 'no no you can't do that.' I said look if I bat right-handed, I have no chance, he (Raghuram Bhatt) is going to get me in a few deliveries," Gavaskar recalled.As captain, Gavaskar had the authority to make the decision. He believed that batting left-handed would allow him to play the ball where it landed, reducing the chances of getting out to Bhatt's spin."As a left-hander, which I had never ever done even in the nets before, or even in my house before, I said let me go and try that. And that's exactly what happened I was playing where the ball was pitching, ball was turning and hitting me in the side or hitting me on the thigh pad. And that's it, that's how I survived playing Raghuram Bhatt and there was another leg-spinner, that's how I batted," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar's tactical move proved successful. He survived Bhatt's spin and helped Mumbai avoid an innings defeat. While some criticized his decision as a sign of pique, Gavaskar maintained that it was a purely tactical move."Having said that, let me tell you, if it was playing for India, I wouldn't have done that for sure. But here the match was gone, we had no chance, it was a matter of just trying to survive an innings defeat and that's what we did," he said.Gavaskar's legacy in the Ranji Trophy is as significant as his international career. He set an example for domestic players with his dedication and skill. His success in both domestic and international cricket established him as one of India's most celebrated cricketers.

Joe Root Surpasses Sunil Gavaskar's Test Century RecordFormer England captain Joe Root has etched his name into the annals of cricket history by surpassing Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar's record of 34 Test centuries. Root achieved this remarkable feat on the third day of the first Test match against Pakistan in Multan on Wednesday.Root's 35th Test century came in the second session of the day with a single off Abrar Ahmed. The milestone marked a significant moment in the career of the 31-year-old batsman, who has established himself as one of the most prolific run-scorers in modern cricket.Known for his exceptional technique against both spin and pace, Root has been a consistent performer in all conditions. His adaptability and ability to score runs at a high rate have earned him a place among the "Fab Four" (alongside Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith).Root's achievement is particularly noteworthy considering the stature of Sunil Gavaskar, who was regarded as one of the greatest openers in cricket history. Gavaskar's record of 34 Test centuries stood for nearly two decades until Sachin Tendulkar surpassed it.By scoring his 35th Test hundred, Root also surpassed Mahela Jayawardene, Brian Lara, and Younis Khan, all of whom had scored 34 Test centuries. This achievement further cements Root's status as one of the most prolific batsmen of his generation.Root's record-breaking century is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. It is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Sunil Gavaskar and a reminder of the enduring power of cricket's greatest batsmen.

India's aggressive batting approach in the second Test against Bangladesh has garnered widespread praise, but former England captain Michael Vaughan's comparison to England's "Bazball" has sparked controversy.Despite rain washing out two and a half days of play, India secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory on the final day. Vaughan's comment, posted on social media, suggested that India was adopting England's ultra-aggressive approach under coach Brendon McCullum.However, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has taken a sharp dig at certain former experts, without naming anyone, for trying to claim credit for India's current approach. Gavaskar argues that the Indian team has been playing in this manner for the past couple of years, led by captain Rohit Sharma.Gavaskar praised Sharma for his transformative impact on the team's playing style, noting that he has been batting aggressively and encouraging his teammates to do the same. He dismissed the suggestion that India's approach is due to the influence of coach Gautam Gambhir, who has only been in the role for a few months.Gavaskar emphasized that the credit for India's aggressive batting belongs solely to Sharma. He also criticized the tendency to label new approaches with names derived from scandals or other events, such as "this-ball" or "that-ball."

India's Aggressive Batting Forces Bangladesh to Surrender in Kanpur TestOn the final day of the rain-hit India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test in Kanpur, India's aggressive batting approach turned the tide of the match, leading to a comprehensive victory.After losing eight sessions to persistent rain, the game seemed destined for a draw. However, India's bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for 233, setting up a 52-run lead. India then unleashed an attacking batting display, scoring 286 in just 34.4 overs, leaving Bangladesh with a daunting target of 299.Bangladesh's batting crumbled under pressure, as they were bowled out for a mere 146 in their second innings. India chased down the target in 17.2 overs, securing a 95-run victory.Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar criticized Bangladesh's batting, questioning their shot selection and lack of patience. Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe admitted that his team was overwhelmed by India's aggressive approach, which they had not encountered before.Hathurusinghe acknowledged the disappointment of the defeat, especially after Bangladesh's series win over Pakistan. He emphasized the need for improvement in their batting, which has been underperforming in recent series.Despite the defeat, Hathurusinghe praised the quality of the opposition and the lessons learned from the series. He believes that playing against India has highlighted the areas where Bangladesh needs to improve.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young Indian opener, has emerged as a shining star in the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh. His exceptional performances in the second Test at Green Park in Kanpur earned him the coveted 'player of the match' award.In the first innings, Jaiswal displayed his aggressive batting style, smashing a quickfire 72 off just 51 deliveries. His innings was a testament to his ability to score runs at a rapid pace. In the second innings, he continued his impressive form, scoring a brisk 51 off 45 balls. His contributions proved crucial in India's seven-wicket victory.Jaiswal's exploits in Kanpur extended beyond his individual performances. He surpassed the legendary Sunil Gavaskar's long-standing record for the highest runs scored by an Indian batter in a calendar year before turning 23. Gavaskar had amassed 918 runs in 1971, a mark that had stood for over five decades.At the age of 22 years and 278 days, Jaiswal has now accumulated an impressive 929 runs in 2024. With more matches still to come this year, he has the opportunity to further extend his record and cement his place in Indian cricket history.Jaiswal's remarkable year has seen him play eight Tests, scoring 929 runs at an astonishing average of 66.35. His tally includes two centuries and six fifties, highlighting his consistency and ability to score runs in all conditions.During the second Test in Kanpur, Jaiswal also became only the second Indian batter to hit twin fifties with strike rates at or over 100. He joined the elite company of Virender Sehwag, who achieved this feat against West Indies in Delhi in 2011.Jaiswal's ability to score briskly in the traditional format has impressed experts and fans alike. His performances have been a major boost for Indian cricket, providing a glimpse of the team's future. As India prepares for upcoming matches, Jaiswal's spectacular form bodes well for the team's chances of success.

Sachin Tendulkar to Grace Cricket Field Again in International Masters LeagueLegendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is set to return to the cricket field as he will participate in the inaugural International Masters League (IML), a six-team T20 competition scheduled to take place later this year across three venues in India. The IML will feature players from India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, England, and Sri Lanka, and will be played in Mumbai, Lucknow, and Raipur.The T20 tournament, which will be held annually, is the brainchild of Tendulkar and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who will also serve as the league commissioner. Tendulkar and Gavaskar have collaborated with PMG Sports and SPORTFIVE, a sports marketing company, to establish a new company in India to organize the league.The IML aims to provide a platform for retired cricketers to showcase their skills once again and rekindle the memories of their illustrious careers. The league will also offer fans an opportunity to witness their cricketing heroes in action once more."In the last decade, T20 cricket has accelerated its adoption and has drawn new fans into the game," said Tendulkar. "There is now a strong desire among fans across ages to re-witness age-old battles in newer formats."Gavaskar added, "The International Masters League will bring fans closer to the legends they've admired for years, offering another golden chance to watch their heroes live in action."Parties interested in participating in the league through ownership of one of the franchise teams have been invited to submit expressions of interest. The IML is expected to generate significant interest among cricket enthusiasts and provide a unique opportunity for fans to relive the golden era of cricket.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has launched a scathing attack on a section of the English media for their persistent criticism of Indian pitches prior to a Test series. Gavaskar, while commentating on the first day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur, labeled the English media as "moaners" and "crybabies" for their incessant complaints about Indian pitches that provide spin.Gavaskar's outburst came in the wake of the English media's criticism of the Chepauk pitch during the first Test between India and England earlier this year. The English media had labeled the pitch as "unfair" and "unplayable," despite India's victory in the match.Gavaskar, however, defended the Chepauk pitch, saying that it was a "good cricket pitch" that provided a fair contest between bat and ball. He also pointed out that Indian batsmen had scored runs on the pitch, including Ashwin's century in the first Test."He (Ashwin) actually said in the press conference that you can get a hundred if you apply yourself. So he walked the talk when the moaners were going on saying 'you can't bat here'. Saying and doing all the things like crybabies, typical English media stuff, where they only talk about Indian pitches," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar's comments have sparked a debate on the role of the media in cricket. Some have argued that the media has a right to criticize pitches that they believe are unfair, while others have accused the media of bias against India.The debate is likely to continue in the lead-up to the upcoming Test series between India and England. The English media has already begun to criticize the pitches that have been prepared for the series, but Gavaskar has warned them that they should be prepared for a backlash from the Indian team.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, believes that even at the age of 75, he still requires an introduction at events celebrating his life and achievements. Despite retiring from the game 40 years ago, Gavaskar appreciates being introduced, as it allows him to hear positive things said about him.During the official release of a book titled 'Sunny G', which compiles anecdotal accounts about Gavaskar from his friends, family, and fellow cricketers, the Little Master shared a few amusing incidents related to introductions.He recounted a story about his uncle Madhav Mantri, who played Test cricket for India, and how a school principal introduced him based on the students' favorite cricketer. "This takes me back to an incident which concerned my uncle. Mantri, as those of you who follow the game know, played four Test matches for India and he was called for a school sports day presentation. And the principal of the school asked him how do I introduce you?""And he said 'look, none of these boys know me. I played many years ago, I retired many years ago. So you just ask all these people, all the boys, who is your favourite cricketer is and then say I'm his uncle.""The principal said, it's a very good idea. So, at the assembly where all the boys were there, he asked the boys, 'before I introduce the chief guest here today who's come to distribute the prizes, I want to ask all of you who is your favorite cricketer?""And in one voice they all said Kapil Dev. So, you can imagine what happened with the introduction," said Gavaskar while extracting pearls of laughter from the gathering.Gavaskar also shared his own experiences from his early days in the Indian team. In his debut series against the West Indies, he was fortunate enough to be dropped by Garfield Sobers twice, which allowed him to score crucial runs and contribute to India's first-ever Test victory against the West Indies.However, during the celebrations, the master of ceremonies introduced Gavaskar as "the person who Gary Sobers dropped three, four times" instead of using his name. Similarly, after India's first series victory against England, Gavaskar was introduced as "the man who John Snow shoved to the ground" due to an on-field incident involving the England fast bowler.Throughout his early career, Gavaskar was often introduced as Madhav Mantri's nephew, and later, after a lean period, as Gundappa Vishwanath's brother-in-law.Gavaskar advised readers to take some of the incidents mentioned in the book with a pinch of salt, as people tend to exaggerate things a little. Nonetheless, the book offers a fresh perspective on the life of one of cricket's greatest legends through the eyes of those who have known him for decades.