Cricket

Sunil Gavaskar Raises Concerns Over Bowlers' Drink Breaks at Boundary LineLegendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his dissatisfaction with the modern practice of bowlers taking drink breaks at the boundary line after each over. He believes this habit provides an unfair advantage to bowlers compared to batters, who do not get the same opportunity to hydrate themselves during the game.In a column for Sportstar, Gavaskar pointed out that the current practice goes against the established rule of drinks intervals. He argued that if bowlers are allowed to hydrate themselves after every over, there is no need for the designated drinks interval."Why have the drinks interval then if bowlers are going to get themselves hydrated after going flat out for six deliveries?" Gavaskar questioned. "Mind you, the batter doesn't get the chance to have a drink after an over where they may have taken eight runs or so, which are all runs."Gavaskar believes that the ideal interval for drink breaks should be one hour of play. If there is a necessity for additional breaks, the umpire and the opposing team's captain should be consulted for their approval."Cricket is also a game where stamina and endurance matter no matter what the format is," he added. "So frankly, it should go back to the days when drinks were taken only after every hour of play and before that only with the permission of the opposition captain and umpires."Gavaskar also criticized the practice of reserve players stepping onto the field to offer drinks to their teammates. He believes this should be prohibited and that the reserve player should remain outside the boundary line."The third umpire and match referee should also ensure that the reserve player does not step onto the field to offer a drink to his teammate but stays outside the boundary line," he said.Gavaskar's concerns highlight the need for a fair and consistent approach to hydration breaks in cricket. By addressing this issue, the authorities can ensure that both bowlers and batters have equal opportunities to perform at their best.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, turns 75 today. Known for his unwavering determination and impeccable technique, Gavaskar has left an indelible mark on the sport.As a batsman, Gavaskar was a master of the straight bat. He possessed an uncanny ability to counter both pace and spin, making him a formidable opponent for bowlers worldwide. His signature floppy hat and broad bat became synonymous with his unwavering presence at the crease.Gavaskar's Test career spanned 16 years, during which he amassed a staggering 10,122 runs, including 34 centuries. His record-breaking 29th Test century in 1983 against the West Indies cemented his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.Beyond his batting prowess, Gavaskar was also a respected captain and a shrewd tactician. He led India to several memorable victories, including the historic 1983 World Cup triumph.After retiring from playing, Gavaskar transitioned seamlessly into a successful career as a commentator. His insightful analysis and witty observations have made him a beloved figure in the cricketing world.Off the field, Gavaskar is known for his philanthropy and his passion for badminton. He is a patron of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy and has been instrumental in promoting the sport in India.As Gavaskar celebrates his 75th birthday, the cricketing fraternity and fans alike pay tribute to his extraordinary contributions to the game. His legacy as a batsman, captain, and commentator will continue to inspire generations to come.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Rohit Sharma as a "people's captain" after leading India to victory in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. Gavaskar drew parallels between Rohit and former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev, who also led the team to World Cup triumphs.Rohit, who had been a part of India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy victories, finally achieved his dream of captaining India to a World Cup title. India's unbeaten run in the tournament culminated in a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa at Kensington Oval.Shortly after announcing his retirement from T20Is, Rohit described the 2024 T20 World Cup win as the greatest achievement of his playing career. Gavaskar echoed this sentiment, writing in his column for mid-day, "Rohit Sharma joins those other two cricketing giants, Kapil Dev and Dhoni in captaining India to a World Cup trophy. Like the duo were, Rohit is also a people's captain."Gavaskar praised Rohit's leadership style, noting his popularity among his teammates and the Indian cricketing community. He also highlighted Rohit's tactical acumen, stating that his surprising moves often led to positive outcomes for the team.In the tournament, Rohit led from the front with the bat, amassing 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70. His crucial fifties against Australia and England provided India with solid starts."He led from the front, showing a complete disregard for personal milestones and instead looked to get the team off to a flying start every time. India are blessed to have him as their captain," added Gavaskar.Gavaskar also lauded the captain-coach combination of Rohit and Rahul Dravid, crediting them for India's elusive trophy glory. He described the duo as "totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India."

The Indian cricket team emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024, claiming the title without suffering a single defeat. The Rohit Sharma-led side showcased exceptional performances throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling victory over South Africa in the final.However, the triumph was not without controversy. Several players voiced their concerns over the scheduling of the competition and the seeding system employed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Critics argued that India's knowledge of the venue for their semifinal match before any other team provided an unfair advantage.Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar dismissed these allegations as "laughable." He emphasized that the scheduling of major tournaments is often tailored to accommodate the Indian audience, which generates a significant portion of the ICC's revenue."The comments about the scheduling from former cricketers from the old powers were laughable," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar. "They seem to forget that India is the major source of sponsorship for the ICC. It's understandable that the timing for the telecast will be at a time that is good for Indian viewers."Gavaskar drew parallels to the United States' purchase of broadcasting rights for the Olympics, noting that no one questions any favoritism in that situation. He accused the "old powers" of jealousy and frustration over India's growing influence in the sport."American TV buys broadcast rights for the Olympics for billions of dollars and has all the marquee events at a time that is good for its viewers," Gavaskar added. "We haven't heard a squeak from anybody from the old powers that this favors the U.S. athletes. But then, with them being poodles of USA that would be unwise."Despite the controversies, India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a testament to their dominance in the shortest format of the game. The team's unwavering determination and exceptional skills proved too much for their opponents, leading to an unforgettable triumph.

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India's victorious 2024 Men's T20 World Cup team, has been hailed as a "people's captain" by legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar drew parallels between Rohit and former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev, who also led India to World Cup triumphs.Rohit's journey to World Cup glory has been marked by both success and setbacks. As a member of the Indian team, he won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. However, he narrowly missed out on the 2023 World Test Championship and ODI World Cup titles as captain.The T20 World Cup victory in South Africa last month was a defining moment for Rohit. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, showcasing their dominance and Rohit's astute leadership.Gavaskar praised Rohit's ability to connect with his team and the Indian cricketing community. He described Rohit as "well-liked" and "laconic," with a sharp tactical mind."Some of his moves can surprise you and make you scratch your head as to the reason, but the end result is more often than not exactly what the team needed at that moment," Gavaskar wrote.Rohit's contributions on the field were equally impressive. He scored 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70, providing India with crucial early runs. His fifties against Australia and England were particularly significant.Gavaskar also acknowledged the role of coach Rahul Dravid in India's World Cup triumph. He described the duo of Rohit and Dravid as "totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India."Rohit's victory as captain has cemented his legacy as one of India's greatest cricketers. His leadership style and tactical acumen have earned him the respect and admiration of fans and experts alike.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has proposed that Rahul Dravid be honored with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, for his exceptional contributions to Indian cricket. Dravid's tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team culminated in a triumphant victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies.During his coaching stint, India achieved remarkable milestones, including finishing as runners-up in both the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship final. The team also emerged victorious in the Asia Cup in the same year.Prior to his role as head coach, Dravid had already made significant contributions to Indian cricket. He served as the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and led the Indian U19 team to victory in the 2018 U19 World Cup as their head coach.With an impressive tally of 24,177 runs in international cricket during his playing career, Dravid's impact on Indian cricket has been immense both on and off the field. Gavaskar believes that Dravid's achievements deserve the highest recognition that the country can bestow.Gavaskar praised Dravid's unwavering commitment and selflessness throughout his career, both as a player and now as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. He highlighted Dravid's willingness to put the team's needs above his own, recalling instances from his playing days."Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn't play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so? When asked to keep wickets, he would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition," Gavaskar wrote.Gavaskar believes that Dravid's team-oriented attitude has been instilled in the team, contributing to their success in close games and their overall calmness under pressure. He concluded by expressing the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation for Dravid's exceptional contributions.

India's Historic T20 World Cup Triumph: Gavaskar Slams Accusations Against Suryakumar Yadav's CatchIndia's emphatic victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 has been marred by allegations surrounding Suryakumar Yadav's crucial catch in the final over against South Africa. However, legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has vehemently defended Yadav, slamming an Australian newspaper for questioning the legitimacy of the catch.Yadav's acrobatic effort to dismiss David Miller in the final over was initially hailed as a brilliant piece of fielding. However, videos emerged on social media suggesting that Yadav may have touched the boundary line with his leg while completing the catch. These claims were amplified by some foreign media outlets, prompting Gavaskar to voice his disapproval.In a column for Sportstar, Gavaskar wrote, "There was also a question raised in an Australian paper about the fairness of the catch that Suryakumar Yadav took to dismiss David Miller in the final. All the replays were quite clear that SKY had done a marvellous balancing act as he took the catch and flicked the ball up in the air before he crossed the boundary rope and then jumped in the air and caught the ball within the boundary to complete a fabulous catch."Gavaskar went on to criticize Australian journalists for their hypocrisy, stating, "Nobody questioned the catch, but the writer of the article did. He may be interested to see the video floating around of the 10 most blatant cheating acts done by the Aussies before trying to point a finger at SKY. Pot calling the kettle black indeed."Gavaskar's comments highlight the importance of fair play and the need to respect the decisions made by umpires. India's T20 World Cup triumph was a testament to their skill and determination, and it should not be overshadowed by unfounded accusations.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma's captaincy after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup. Rohit's leadership has earned him a place among the elite group of Indian captains to lift a World Cup, joining Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.Gavaskar believes that Rohit's captaincy was the standout performance for India in the tournament. He highlighted Rohit's composure and body language, even in tense situations. "Rohit's captaincy is something that has to be admired because never once during tense situations did his body language go down," Gavaskar said.The former India captain pointed to Rohit's handling of the team when India faced adversity. "The way he handled the situation when it was not looking good for India, that is deserving of the highest praise," Gavaskar added.Rohit's leadership was instrumental in India's success. He guided the team to victory in the final against Pakistan, a match in which Virat Kohli played a starring role with the bat. Jasprit Bumrah, who was named Player of the Tournament, was also a key contributor with his exceptional bowling performances.At the felicitation event in Mumbai, Rohit expressed his gratitude to the fans and dedicated the trophy to the entire nation. "This trophy is for the entire nation. Along with all the players who have represented the country, we want to dedicate it to our fans, who have waited for 11 years," Rohit said.Gavaskar's praise for Rohit's captaincy is a testament to the impact he has had on the Indian team. Rohit's leadership has helped India achieve success on the international stage and has cemented his place as one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, has expressed his displeasure with broadcaster Star Sports for displaying a graphic highlighting Rohit Sharma's weakness against left-arm seamers during India's Super 8 match against Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup.Despite Rohit's well-known vulnerability against left-arm pacers, he showcased his prowess by smashing 29 runs off Mitchell Starc's over, contributing to his impressive 41-ball 92. However, after Starc dismissed Rohit, Star Sports displayed a graphic showcasing Rohit's dismissals against left-arm pacers, which irked Gavaskar."Thinking about Rohit Sharma once again, he got out to a left-hander (left-arm seamer). So before the next match, are we going to do another segment about his weakness to left-handers?" questioned a perplexed Gavaskar.Aaron Finch, who shared the commentary box with Gavaskar, attempted to justify the graphic by pointing out the increasing number of left-arm pacers in the game, including Starc, Trent Boult (New Zealand), and Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)."There are more left-armers playing now, and they are genuine swing bowlers. So that poses a challenge to the opening batter," said Finch.Gavaskar countered Finch's argument, stating that it was not a significant issue to highlight. "I don't think you should be looking much into that. If you're playing attacking shots when the ball is swinging in, you will be out LBW, you will be out bowled," said Gavaskar.While Rohit Sharma played one of the most remarkable innings of the 2024 T20 World Cup, his opening partner Virat Kohli suffered his second duck of the tournament. Gavaskar has recently faced criticism on social media for his perceived biased analysis towards the dismissals of the two batters."Commentators create divide between players and the fans," one user tweeted, after Gavaskar criticized Kohli's shot selection against Bangladesh while praising Rohit's approach as selfless.