Cricket

Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam Meets Indian Legend Sunil Gavaskar in DallasIn a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam recently met with legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in Dallas, USA. The encounter took place as the Pakistan team arrived in Dallas to begin preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Gavaskar was also present in Dallas as a commentator for the tournament's broadcast team.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video on its official Twitter handle, providing fans with a glimpse of the meeting between the two cricketing icons. The video shows Babar and Gavaskar shaking hands and engaging in a friendly conversation, demonstrating the mutual respect and sportsmanship between players from the two rival nations.The interaction between Babar and Gavaskar is seen as a positive moment for the Pakistan team as they gear up for the World Cup. Despite a disappointing T20I series against England, the meeting with Gavaskar has provided a boost to the team's morale.Pakistan will open their T20 World Cup campaign against co-hosts USA on June 6 in Dallas. This will be followed by a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India in New York on June 9, a match that promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament. The Pakistan team and their fans are hopeful for a strong performance, looking to make a significant impact in the global cricketing event.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, has endorsed Rishabh Pant as India's starting wicketkeeper for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Gavaskar's endorsement stems from Pant's superior glove work and recent impressive form.Pant's performance in India's lone warm-up game against Bangladesh, where he scored a blistering 53 off 32 balls, further solidified his case. In contrast, his competitor, Sanju Samson, failed to make an impact in the same match, managing only one run off six balls.While both players had impressive IPL 2024 seasons, Pant's edge in wicketkeeping abilities gives him an advantage over Samson. Gavaskar emphasized this point, stating, "If you compare the wicketkeeping abilities, then Rishabh Pant is a better wicket-keeper than Samson."Despite Samson's impressive run-scoring in the IPL 2024, amassing 531 runs at an average of over 48, Pant's recent form has been equally impressive. After a 15-month layoff, Pant showed no signs of rust, scoring 446 runs at an average of 40.54 in 13 matches.Gavaskar also pointed out that Samson's inability to score big runs in the latter part of the IPL 2024 and the warm-up game against Bangladesh could tip the scales in Pant's favor.Both players have had underwhelming T20I careers, with Samson averaging under 19 and Pant averaging 22.43. However, Pant's recent form and superior wicketkeeping skills make him the more likely choice for the T20 World Cup.India, who haven't won an ICC trophy since 2013, will be hoping that Pant's inclusion in the playing XI will strengthen their chances. Having secured a convincing 60-run win against Bangladesh in their warm-up game, India are set to face Ireland in their opening match on Wednesday.

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has set a new challenge for Virat Kohli ahead of the T20 World Cup and India's upcoming Test series in Australia. Gavaskar, who has been critical of Kohli's batting approach in the past, believes the star batter has the potential to join an elite club of overseas players who have scored a Test century at all Australian venues.Kohli, who ended the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) season as the highest run-getter with an impressive average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, has scored six Test centuries in Australia, the joint-highest by an Indian alongside Sachin Tendulkar. However, he has never scored a century at the Gabba in Brisbane."On an individual level, [my wish] maybe for Virat Kohli is that he becomes the third overseas player who's scored a Test century in all the Australian venues. I think he doesn't have one at the Gabba, so if he gets a century at The Gabba, that means he joins me and Alastair Cook," Gavaskar said at an event, as quoted by Hindustan Times.Gavaskar, who is the only Indian to have scored a Test century at all Australian venues, believes Kohli has the ability to achieve this feat. "He's got the ability, he's got the class, he's got the technique, he's got the temperament. So, I think he can do it," Gavaskar added.Kohli will have the opportunity to add to his tally of Test centuries in Australia when India tours the country later this year for a five-match Test series. India will be aiming to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they won in 2020-21.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment over Rajasthan Royals (RR) youngster Riyan Parag's reckless dismissal in the crucial IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Parag's dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as SRH went on to win by 36 runs and advance to the final.Chasing 176, RR struggled to score boundaries, and Parag's dismissal in the 13th over was a major setback. Parag scored just six runs off 10 balls before being dismissed by SRH's impact substitute Shahbaz Ahmed.Gavaskar, who was on commentary duties, was critical of Parag's approach, saying, "Seriously, seriously? What's the use of all the talent if you are not going to think? What kind of shot is that, seriously? So much talent. If you don't have the temperament, it won't work. So what if you had a few dot balls? You can still make up for it."Parag's dismissal sparked an RR collapse, as SRH took three wickets in the space of 15 balls. RR could not recover from the setbacks and eventually lost by a significant margin.Shahbaz was the star of the show for SRH, scoring 18 runs and taking 3-23. He was named player of the match, and SRH skipper Pat Cummins credited coach Daniel Vettori for the decision to bring Ahmed in as an impact substitute.Earlier, Sunrisers, who had racked up record IPL totals of 277 and 287 this season, lacked firepower in their batting until Heinrich Klaasen boosted the score with his fourth fifty of the season.Rajasthan's Trent Boult made early inroads, but Avesh Khan's two wickets in two balls put Hyderabad in a difficult position. However, Klaasen's 50 off 34 balls helped SRH reach a respectable total of 175/6.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs commenced on Tuesday with Qualifier 1 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad. However, KKR faced a setback with the absence of their explosive opener Phil Salt, who hails from England.Salt's absence is not an isolated case. Other teams like Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings are also missing key England players in the playoff stage. The reason behind this exodus is the departure of English players to join the national side ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.The decision has drawn criticism from former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan has defended the move."If you are going back to represent your country, which England players have done, I think that's fair enough. They are playing a series against Pakistan. The England players wouldn't have gone back if it wasn't for the Pakistan series," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.Vaughan emphasized the importance of the Pakistan series for England's preparation for the 50-over World Cup. He believes that the five-match series will provide the team with an opportunity to build chemistry and work on their roles.Punjab Kings' all-rounder Liam Livingstone has also returned to England for knee rehabilitation ahead of the T20 World Cup. Other England players who have left the IPL include Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals), Will Jacks, and Reece Topley (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).The departures of these players have left a void in their respective IPL teams. KKR, in particular, will miss Salt's aggressive batting at the top of the order. Rajasthan Royals will be without their captain and star batsman Buttler, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be deprived of the services of Jacks and Topley.Despite the absence of these England players, the IPL playoffs promise to be an exciting affair. The remaining teams will be eager to seize the opportunity and secure a berth in the final.

The evolution of Indian cricket is evident in the contrasting styles of Sunil Gavaskar and Abhishek Sharma. Gavaskar, a stalwart of the 1970s and 1980s, epitomized the cautious approach of a bygone era. His focus on survival and accumulation of runs in a risk-averse batting order defined the game for a generation.In contrast, Abhishek Sharma, a rising star of the Indian Premier League (IPL), represents a new breed of batter. His aggressive style, characterized by a high strike rate and a willingness to take risks, reflects the changing landscape of cricket.The shift from Gavaskar's defensive approach to Sharma's attacking mindset highlights the evolution of the game. The advent of T20 cricket, with its emphasis on quick scoring and entertainment, has transformed the way batters approach the game.Gavaskar's era was marked by a focus on saving the game and avoiding defeat. His batting style was tailored to this defensive mindset, with a high emphasis on technique and patience. In contrast, Sharma's approach is geared towards maximizing runs and putting pressure on the opposition.The difference in batting styles also reflects the changing expectations of fans. In Gavaskar's time, fans were content with a drawn game or a narrow defeat if the team had played with honor. Today, fans demand excitement and entertainment, and batters like Sharma cater to this demand.The success of Sharma and other young Indian batters in the IPL has raised questions about the selection criteria for the national team. While Gavaskar was selected for the national team at a young age, Sharma and his contemporaries have yet to break into the side.This discrepancy highlights the changing nature of cricket selection. In the past, selectors favored experienced players with a proven track record. Today, they are more willing to take risks on young players who have shown promise in the IPL.The evolution of Indian cricket from Gavaskar to Sharma is a testament to the changing nature of the game. The shift from a defensive to an attacking mindset, the rise of T20 cricket, and the changing expectations of fans have all contributed to this transformation.

England Players' Early IPL Exit Sparks DebateLegendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and all-rounder Irfan Pathan have criticized England players for leaving the Indian Premier League (IPL) early this season. With the T20 World Cup approaching, England captain Jos Buttler and several other players returned home to prepare for the tournament.Gavaskar has called for penalties against the players, while Pathan believes they should either commit to the full season or not participate at all. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan has defended the players, stating that representing their country takes precedence.Vaughan pointed out that the England players left to play a five-match series against Pakistan, which was scheduled on the calendar. He believes that the players' absence from the IPL will give them a better chance to prepare for the T20 World Cup.This year's IPL schedule has been criticized for not having enough double-headers on Saturdays, which has led to the season being stretched. Vaughan believes that if the schedule had been more compact, the England players would not have left early.Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Will Jacks, and Reece Topley are among the England players who have left the IPL to join the national squad. Their departure has raised questions about the commitment of foreign players to the tournament.The debate over the England players' early exit highlights the tension between national and franchise cricket. While players have a responsibility to represent their countries, they also have contractual obligations to their IPL teams. Finding a balance between these commitments is crucial for the long-term health of both international and domestic cricket.

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian batsman, has always responded to criticism with his bat, channeling his anger into aggressive performances on the field. However, ahead of a crucial IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, Kohli opened up about a recent criticism that sparked a war of words with batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.During the initial phase of the ongoing IPL season, Kohli faced criticism for his T20 strike rate. Gavaskar further criticized Kohli's outburst against experts and analysts who raised these concerns before the Indian team's selection for the T20 World Cup.Despite the criticism, Kohli not only made the T20 World Cup squad but also emerged as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024. He currently holds the Orange Cap with 661 runs in 13 innings.In a recent interview on JioCinema, Kohli addressed the "noise from the external atmosphere," a reference to the Gavaskar vs Kohli controversy. He stated, "I don't have to react at all. I know what I can do on the ground. I don't need to tell that to anyone, that what kind of player I am, what are my abilities."Kohli emphasized that he has learned through experience and failure, not by seeking advice from others. He added, "This doesn't happen by chance. Okay, you won one match for the team, or two. But if you are standing there and winning it repeatedly, then it can't happen by chance."Kohli's response highlights his unwavering self-belief and determination to prove his critics wrong. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, leading his team to numerous victories.

Virat Kohli's remarkable consistency across all formats of cricket has established him as a modern-day legend. His ability to adapt to diverse playing conditions and his insatiable hunger for runs have made him a formidable opponent for any bowling attack. However, behind Kohli's success lies the invaluable guidance of former Indian captain MS Dhoni.According to legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar, Dhoni played a pivotal role in shaping Kohli into the exceptional player he is today. "When Virat Kohli started his career, it was a stop-start career. The fact that MS Dhoni gave him that little extra momentum is why he is the Kohli we see today," Gavaskar stated on Star Sports.Gavaskar's comments highlight the importance of mentorship in the development of young talent. Dhoni's belief in Kohli's abilities and his willingness to provide support and guidance proved instrumental in unlocking Kohli's full potential.However, Gavaskar's praise for Dhoni's role in Kohli's success has not been without controversy. In the past, Gavaskar had criticized Kohli's slow strike rate in the Indian Premier League (IPL). This led to a war of words between the two, with Kohli defending his approach and questioning Gavaskar's expertise as a commentator.Despite their differences, Gavaskar remains adamant that his comments were not intended as a personal attack on Kohli. "We all played a bit of cricket, not a lot of cricket. We don't have agendas. We speak about what we see. We don't necessarily have any likes and dislikes," Gavaskar explained.Gavaskar's belief in the value of constructive criticism is evident in his comments. He believes that former cricketers, with their experience and knowledge of the game, have a responsibility to provide insights and analysis that can help improve the performance of current players.The relationship between Kohli and Gavaskar is a complex one, marked by both admiration and occasional disagreement. However, it is a testament to the passion and intensity that both men bring to the game of cricket.