Cricket

The inaugural Global Super League, a groundbreaking T20 competition, is set to kick off on November 26, featuring a diverse lineup of teams from around the world. The opening match will pit the Guyana Amazon Warriors (Caribbean Premier League) against the Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League).The five-team tournament also includes Hampshire Hawks (T20 Blast), Rangpur Riders (BPL), and Victoria (Australia state team). Eleven matches, culminating in the final on December 7, will be played across as many days. Each team will face each other once, with the top two advancing to the championship match.The Global Super League aims to showcase the best of international club cricket and establish Guyana as a global sporting destination. The tournament has received the sanction of Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the full support of the Guyanese government.However, the scheduling of the Global Super League coincides with other major cricket events, potentially affecting player availability. The West Indies will be hosting Bangladesh for two Tests during the same period, which could impact the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who have several players in the West Indies Test squad.Similarly, the Pakistan tour of South Africa, starting with T20Is on December 10, may affect the availability of players from the Lahore Qalandars, including captain Shaheen Afridi and star batsman Babar Azam.Despite these potential scheduling conflicts, the Global Super League is expected to attract top talent and provide a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans worldwide. The tournament offers a unique opportunity for teams from different leagues and countries to compete against each other, showcasing the diversity and depth of T20 cricket.

Sanju Samson's century in the third T20I against Bangladesh has reignited hopes of a permanent spot in the Indian team. After a disappointing start to the series, Samson's blistering knock sent a strong message to the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir.Samson's struggles in the first two matches had left him feeling hesitant to even make eye contact with Gambhir. However, the wicket-keeper batter was determined to prove his worth in Hyderabad."I was a bit hesitant to make eye contact with him [Gambhir] but I told myself that apna time aayega (my time will come)," Samson said in an interview.Samson's century was a testament to his talent and resilience. He opened the batting and played with aggression, hitting 12 fours and 5 sixes. His innings helped India chase down Bangladesh's total of 145 with ease.Samson's performance has also earned him praise from India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav."Me and Surya go a long way since we have played a lot of junior cricket together," Samson said. "We have spent a lot of time together discussing cricket."Samson's century has put him in contention for a place in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20 internationals, there is a big opportunity for Samson to establish himself as a key player in the team.

Under the leadership of head coach Gautam Gambhir, the Indian cricket team has adopted an aggressive approach, prioritizing fearless play and strategic decision-making for the team's success. Gambhir believes that the advent of T20 cricket will reduce the frequency of draws in Test matches."Draws are boring. With T20 cricket around, I don't think we will see a lot of draws in Tests," Gambhir stated at a press conference ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune.The Indian team has kept its playing XI for the second Test under wraps, as is customary for the home team. "In any Test match, picking up a playing XI is always tough. It is always good to have competition," Gambhir said.New Zealand currently holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after their eight-wicket victory in Bengaluru. The defeat was a humbling experience for India, who had previously swept Bangladesh 2-0, including a rain-affected victory in Kanpur."Cricket, sports are a big leveller. If we have enjoyed days like Kanpur we had to endure what happened in Bengaluru. We didn't show any intention to bat out the remainder of the two and a half days," Gambhir said of the Bengaluru loss, where India was dismissed for 46 in the first innings, their lowest-ever total at home.Winning the remaining two Tests is now the top priority for Rohit Sharma and his team before they embark on a five-Test series in Australia.

India's disappointing exit from the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup has raised concerns about the team's ability to compete at the highest level in the shortest format. Despite boasting a talented squad, India failed to live up to expectations, losing their opening match to New Zealand and ultimately failing to qualify for the knockout stages.Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes that the team's struggles stem from a lack of understanding of how to play T20 cricket effectively. "They still haven't been able to crack that code individually and collectively," she said. "Certain players, starting with Harmanpreet Kaur, know how to pace the innings, but I can't say the same for everyone else."Chopra also criticized the team's preparation for the tournament, suggesting that they were underprepared for the intensity of the competition. "When they played their first match against New Zealand, I thought they were a little underprepared and possibly they didn't expect New Zealand to come hard at them," she said.India's lack of a winning mentality was also a factor in their downfall, according to Chopra. "They never had the feel of a team who were there in the UAE to win the tournament," she said. "You can expect that also to happen because you've just lost the first game."Despite playing a series of T20 matches in the lead-up to the World Cup, India failed to address the mistakes that have plagued them in previous tournaments. "The same mistakes cannot happen again and again," said Chopra. "If the same mistake is happening, then definitely there is a miss in either the skill level or preparation or adaptation."Chopra believes that the team needs to identify and address these issues if they want to be successful in future T20 events. "Changing people and setups is not going to just solve it," she said. "We have everything in our country. BCCI provides us with everything in our country from preparation to games to whatever a player requires to become a world champion."

Sanju Samson's scintillating century in the third T20I against Bangladesh has not only earned him accolades but also the admiration of his teammate, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. Despite not featuring in the series, Jitesh expressed his joy for Samson's achievement, highlighting the camaraderie within the Indian team.Jitesh, who is also vying for a spot in the Playing XI, acknowledged Samson's struggles in the first two games but remained confident in his abilities. "I understand how his first two innings didn’t go well, but I was hoping he would score because I’ve seen Sanju’s hard work, and he had a good IPL season too," said Jitesh.The Indian team's persistence with Samson at the top of the order gave Jitesh hope, even though he was warming the bench. "It was good to see the Indian team back Sanju and give him opportunities to play. Seeing that gives hope to those who are not in the playing XI, knowing that when their time comes, they will receive the same kind of support," he said.Jitesh emphasized the importance of focusing on individual growth rather than comparisons with others. "I don’t see myself comparing with others because all wicket keepers focus on their own performance and growth, rather than competing against each other. Everyone has a different role, a different playing style—each of us is unique," he explained.Instead, he is concentrating on improving his batting, keeping, and fitness. "I believe it’s better to focus on myself rather than on others. We are all doing our best. When I put myself in their shoes and imagine failing, it feels bad. Everyone feels that way, so I don’t compare myself to others. Instead, I focus on my process—my batting, keeping, and fitness," he added.Head coach Gautam Gambhir's recent emphasis on supporting players has resonated with Jitesh, who is seeking to establish himself in the squad. "Those are important things to remember because anyone playing for India has earned that place. Everyone deals with pressure differently. Some players become comfortable quickly, while others take more time. I think these words carry meaning for anyone new to the team. They offer comfort, as every player is nervous in their early stages. If the coach gives that kind of reassurance, it allows the player to play freely, knowing they won’t be judged by one or two innings. The team knows that the player has performed well before and will receive their backing," he concluded.

Suryakumar Yadav, the charismatic Indian cricketer, has emerged as a beacon of leadership and sportsmanship. Since assuming the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, Surya has instilled a fresh and dynamic approach to the team's play.In the recently concluded T20I series against Bangladesh, Surya's leadership qualities shone brightly. After India's emphatic 3-0 series victory, Surya displayed a heartwarming gesture towards retiring Bangladesh star Mahmudullah. As Mahmudullah walked off the field after his final dismissal, Surya approached him, shook his hand, and embraced him, acknowledging his illustrious career.This act of sportsmanship resonated deeply with fans, showcasing Surya's humility and respect for his opponents. The video of Surya's gesture went viral on social media, earning widespread praise.Beyond his leadership, Surya has also emphasized the importance of versatility in T20 cricket. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he stressed the need for batters to be adaptable and flexible."We have to be flexible when it comes to batting and bowling. Bowlers who can have to chip in. Batters have to be flexible and their performances were commendable," Surya said.Surya's words reflect his own versatility as a player. He is renowned for his ability to play a wide range of shots and adapt to different situations. This adaptability has been crucial to India's success under his captaincy.As India continues to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Surya's leadership and vision will be vital. His ability to inspire his teammates, foster a positive team culture, and promote versatility will be key to India's chances of success on the global stage.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a surprising decision to eliminate the Impact Player rule from the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, despite its continuation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next three seasons.The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on an experimental basis, allows teams to substitute a player during the match. However, it has faced criticism from players and coaches, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who argue that it hinders the development of all-rounders and disadvantages bowlers.According to sources, the rule's removal from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is due to concerns about its impact on the competition. With teams fielding specialists, the game becomes a "12 vs 11" contest, reducing the opportunities for all-rounders.The BCCI's decision to retain the Impact Player rule in the IPL is reportedly influenced by pressure from broadcasters. The rule has been credited with adding excitement to the tournament, particularly in the last two editions, which witnessed high-scoring matches.However, the rule's critics argue that it undermines the traditional balance of T20 cricket, where teams rely on a combination of batting, bowling, and fielding skills. They contend that it favors specialist batsmen and makes it more difficult for bowlers to defend their totals.The BCCI's decision to remove the Impact Player rule from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a significant development that could have implications for the future of T20 cricket in India. It remains to be seen whether the rule will be reintroduced in future editions of the tournament or if it will be permanently discontinued.

Sanju Samson's Linguistic Flair Enlivens India's Triumph Over BangladeshIn a moment of light-hearted camaraderie amidst India's resounding victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson showcased his linguistic prowess, bringing a touch of humor to the field.As India secured the series with an emphatic 86-run win, Samson's playful encouragement stood out. During the 11th over of Bangladesh's run chase, with Riyan Parag on the mound, Samson, who had been conversing in Tamil with Varun Chakravarthy, seamlessly switched to Bengali to motivate Parag."Khub bhalo!" (meaning "very good" in Bengali) echoed from behind the stumps after Mahmudullah took a single, allowing Mehidy Hasan Miraz to take the crease. Commentator Sunil Gavaskar, amused by Samson's linguistic adaptability, chuckled in the commentary box, acknowledging the keeper's Bengali skills.The strategy proved effective, as Miraz, who understands Bengali due to its widespread use in Bangladesh, misjudged Parag's subsequent delivery. Coming down the pitch, he attempted to reach a wide ball but ended up hitting it directly to Ravi Bishnoi at long-off, leading to his dismissal.In the same over, Parag's experimental delivery was called a no-ball for an unusual reason. Attempting to change his bowling style on the fourth ball, Parag tried a peculiar sling action, reminiscent of former India batter Kedar Jadhav's wide action. However, this attempt backfired as Parag stepped outside the pitch tramlines, resulting in the ball being rightfully signaled as a no-ball.Samson's linguistic flair and Parag's unconventional delivery added a touch of entertainment to India's dominant performance. The series victory further solidifies India's position as a formidable force in T20 cricket.

Bangladesh's recent T20I defeats against India have sparked a debate within the team and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) about the need for better pitches at home. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and pacer Taskin Ahmed have both emphasized the importance of playing on high-quality surfaces to improve their batting and overall performance in the shortest format.After the 86-run loss in Delhi, Taskin stressed that Bangladesh's players need to get used to posting high totals on better pitches. He admitted that the team has "a lot of room for improvement" and that they rely heavily on a few key players to contribute to the total."We have informed the board, so I am sure they are thinking about [better pitches]," Taskin said. "They gave us hope that they will make things better. It is up to them how they will improve conditions back home."Taskin also pointed out the contrast between Bangladesh's batting performance and India's, who despite losing early wickets, managed to score 222 runs. He attributed this to India's experience playing on good batting pitches in the Indian Premier League (IPL)."Most matches in IPL are high-scoring. They know how to chase big targets, and build high scores," Taskin said. "What [scores like] 130-150 is for us, is 180-200 for them. We need to grow this habit [of scoring big], but I hope we have better home conditions so that we develop the ability to score and chase big targets."The lack of quality pitches in Bangladesh has also affected the team's bowling, particularly the spinners. Taskin expressed concern that the spinners had a bad day in Delhi, which cost Bangladesh the game. He also acknowledged that the team is not adapting quickly enough to better batting conditions."We haven't improved in T20s. It is our failure," he said. "Regardless of wickets back home, we are not doing well in better conditions. We are trying hard to improve, and we are hoping we can improve. That's all we can do."The BCB has taken note of the players' concerns and is considering the future of the Shere Bangla National Stadium's curator. The board is also exploring ways to improve the quality of pitches at home to help the team develop the skills necessary to compete against top teams like India.