Cricket

Hardik Pandya's Resurgence: Aakash Chopra Lauds All-Rounder's Performance in India's T20I Series TriumphFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has hailed Hardik Pandya's remarkable comeback in India's T20I series victory against Bangladesh. Pandya's stellar performances, both with bat and ball, played a pivotal role in India's 3-0 series sweep.In the third and final T20I in Hyderabad, Pandya was instrumental in India's record-breaking 133-run victory. He smashed a blistering 47 off just 18 deliveries, helping India post a mammoth 297/6. His aggressive batting display set the tone for India's dominant performance.Chopra, in his YouTube analysis, praised Pandya's resilience and determination. "Hardik Pandya was the Player of the Series," Chopra said. "He has seen the lows of lows in his personal and professional life, getting booed - everything has happened."Throughout the series, Pandya consistently delivered quick runs, maintaining a strike rate above 200 in most matches. His aggressive batting style, characterized by audacious shots and fearless strokeplay, left a lasting impression on Chopra."His batting in all three matches, he has played few balls but always with a strike rate above 200," Chopra remarked. "I thought he was absolutely sensational."In the series opener in Gwalior, Pandya scored an unbeaten 39 off 16 balls, while in Delhi, he followed up with 32 runs off 19 deliveries. Chopra highlighted Pandya's confidence and flair in his performances."His swag is different. It was like hooliganism," Chopra said. "He hit a six over cover and a no-look one-handed six on the leg side... He is batting differently."Chopra concluded by noting the rare nature of such confident batting, saying, "It was almost like insulting the bowlers, as though they don’t have any status at all."Pandya's resurgence has been a major boost for India's T20I team. His all-round abilities, coupled with his aggressive batting and leadership qualities, make him a valuable asset for the side.

Team India's Bold Move: Nitish Kumar Reddy's Rise in the T20I SeriesFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has lauded Team India's decision to promote Nitish Kumar Reddy in the batting order ahead of Hardik Pandya in the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh. Reddy, a promising young all-rounder, has impressed with his aggressive batting and has been given the opportunity to showcase his skills at the highest level.Chopra believes that the management's decision to fast-track Reddy into the squad is a testament to his potential. "Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya - this is a fantastic thing the Indian team is trying to do at the moment... Nitish Reddy has been fast-tracked with the thinking that he should be played as much as possible," Chopra stated.While acknowledging Reddy's batting prowess, Chopra also highlighted the need for him to improve his bowling abilities. "He has been made to bat at No. 4 and given full overs... I would still say he is slightly underprepared in bowling because if you see his and Hardik's bowling, Hardik is a much-refined version," Chopra noted.Despite his bowling limitations, Chopra praised Reddy's aggressive batting style and his ability to hit sixes with ease. "However, Nitish Kumar Reddy has the ability with the bat. There is no doubt about that as he hits sixes while standing in his position... He batted well once he got a chance to open his arms," Chopra said, referring to Reddy's performance in Delhi.Chopra expressed optimism about Reddy's future performances, particularly in the upcoming Hyderabad match, where the player will be familiar with the venue from his IPL experience. "His bowling will also suit here as the side boundaries are big. So, Nitish Kumar Reddy is that shining bright prospect for Team India," Chopra concluded.Reddy's inclusion in the team alongside Pandya is a bold move by the Indian management, but it is a move that could pay dividends in the long run. If Reddy can continue to develop his bowling skills and maintain his aggressive batting approach, he has the potential to become a valuable asset to the Indian team in the future.

Mayank Yadav's impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 earned him a call-up to the Indian cricket team for the T20I series against Bangladesh. The fast bowler made an immediate impact, consistently bowling at speeds above 150kmph and maintaining exceptional accuracy.In his debut match against Bangladesh in Gwalior, Yadav bowled a maiden over and claimed his first international wicket in Mahmudullah. However, he has yet to reach 150kmph in international cricket, despite exceeding 149 kmph in the first T20I and clocking 146-147 on a few occasions in the second T20I.Yadav's performance has sparked a debate among fans about India's pace setup ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia. Former Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal commented that Yadav had not touched 150kmph in the series, to which Murali Kartik replied, "Neither has Bangladesh."Yadav's recovery from an abdominal strain at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru has been crucial to his return to form. He spent time at the NCA bowling eight to ten overs daily to regain match fitness.As the BGT series approaches, Yadav's performance will be closely watched as India seeks to strengthen its pace attack. His ability to bowl at high speeds and maintain accuracy could prove invaluable in the upcoming Test matches against Australia.

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach has witnessed a contrasting start, with a resounding T20I series triumph in Sri Lanka followed by a disappointing ODI series loss. However, former South African fielding legend Jonty Rhodes believes that these early results should not raise concerns among Indian fans and administrators.Rhodes emphasizes that any transition in leadership requires time for adjustment. He notes that India possesses the talent and depth to support Gambhir's coaching journey, allowing him to quickly establish his authority and achieve success.Rhodes' experience working with Gambhir at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has given him insights into the former India opener's character. He describes Gambhir as a passionate individual who strives for excellence both on and off the field."He doesn't expect players to do something that he never did or he won't do," Rhodes said. "He's somebody who's not gonna be lenient with anybody unless it's required because he's expecting."Rhodes believes that Gambhir's unwavering pursuit of excellence and winning attitude will ultimately benefit the Indian team. He emphasizes that Gambhir's focus is not on personal glory but on the team's success.India's next assignment under Gambhir will be the two-Test series against Bangladesh later this month. Rhodes is confident that Gambhir will continue to learn and adapt as a coach, and that the team will eventually find its rhythm under his guidance.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, commenced his tenure on Tuesday as the team initiated their first practice session in Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The session marked the beginning of preparations for the upcoming three-match T20I series against the host nation.Gambhir, who succeeded the esteemed Rahul Dravid, led the team onto the field and oversaw the training session. The session encompassed fielding drills, running exercises, and one-on-one interactions with the players. Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed T20I captain, also actively engaged with the team members.During the session, Gambhir was observed providing batting guidance to Sanju Samson and engaging in discussions with all-rounder Shivam Dube. Gambhir's coaching staff for the Sri Lanka tour includes former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar and Dutch batter Ryan ten Doeschate. The trio recently collaborated to guide the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to victory in the IPL 2024.Their maiden assignment with the national team will commence on July 27 with the T20I series, followed by three ODIs. T Dilip, who was part of Dravid's support staff, will continue as the fielding coach. Sairaj Bahutule, affiliated with the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, will serve as the interim bowling coach.Gambhir's appointment as head coach has generated significant anticipation among fans and experts alike. His proven track record as a successful player and his recent coaching success with KKR have raised expectations for the Indian team's performance under his leadership.The upcoming series against Sri Lanka will provide an early indication of Gambhir's coaching philosophy and the team's progress under his guidance. The series will also serve as a crucial preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup later this year.

The Indian men's cricket team, led by newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, embarked on their tour of Sri Lanka with a warm welcome in Pallekele. The team, comprising 15 members and support staff, arrived via Colombo after a pre-departure press conference in Mumbai.India will engage in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, who are yet to announce their squad. The first T20I will be played on July 27, followed by matches on July 28 and 30. The team will then proceed to Colombo for three One-day Internationals scheduled for August 2, 4, and 7.The Suryakumar-led side features several young players, including vice-captain Shubman Gill. However, it lacks the experience of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, who retired from T20Is after India's triumph in the T20 World Cup.Suryakumar's appointment as T20 captain over Hardik Pandya was based on his fitness and feedback from the dressing room. The team also boasts experienced players such as Sanju Samson, Pandya, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh.Gambhir, who took over from Rahul Dravid as national coach, expressed his excitement about the tour. "We are looking forward to the challenge of playing in Sri Lanka," he said. "We have a young and talented team, and we are confident that we can perform well."Yadav, the newly appointed captain, echoed Gambhir's sentiments. "It is an honor to lead the Indian team," he said. "We have a great team, and we are ready to give our best."The Indian team's arrival in Sri Lanka has generated significant buzz among fans. The players were greeted with enthusiasm and warmth, and they took the opportunity to interact with their supporters.

Shubman Gill's leadership debut with the Indian cricket team in the recent T20I series against Zimbabwe proved to be a transformative experience for the young batsman. Gill, who had previously captained India A and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, relished the opportunity to lead the national side and believes it brought out the best in him."It is something that I definitely enjoy," Gill said about captaincy. "I think it brings out the best in me when I am out there because I look to be involved in the game. It is something that really brings out the side of me which I enjoy being on the field."Despite the initial setback in the opening game of the series, Gill quickly found his footing as captain, guiding India to four consecutive victories. He acknowledged the pressure that came with the role but emphasized the immense satisfaction of overcoming it and helping the team succeed."There was pressure, I wouldn't say extra pressure but obviously even when you are playing just as a batsman when you don't perform there is a certain kind of pressure that comes along with it," he said. "But I think that's the fun part of it. You kind of feel so many different emotions. Pressure is one of them. And when you get out of that, the satisfaction that you feel is immense."Gill's leadership style was characterized by his understanding of the players and their abilities. Having played with or against many of his teammates at various levels, he felt comfortable in his role and was able to effectively communicate with them."To be able to lead such phenomenal talented players, who I have had the pleasure to play with or against at some stage in age-group cricket or Under-19 or at the India level, it just feels very amazing," Gill said. "When you have played against or with so many of the players... I think almost with everyone I have played against or with at some age-group level, it definitely makes my job easier because I understand them at a player level and I understand them as a person as well."Reflecting on the team's performance in the series, Gill identified the first T20I as a learning experience. He admitted that India failed to assess the conditions properly, leading to their defeat."I think that is the mistake we did in the first T20, the score wasn't that big but I think we didn't assess the conditions as early and we lost too many wickets in the powerplay and then once you are under pressure, then you are always behind in the game," he said.While Gill did not name any specific captain as his idol, he expressed admiration for Rohit Sharma's leadership qualities."You can take qualities from Rohit bhai or even Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai, Virat (Kohli) bhai, Hardik (Pandya) bhai, all of them," he said. "All of them have great qualities. I have played the most under Rohit bhai, so he is someone who I look up to and really enjoy playing under."

India vs Zimbabwe 4th T20I: Team India Eyes Series Win, Shubman Gill Aims for Maiden Captaincy TriumphTeam India stands on the cusp of clinching the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe as they prepare for the fourth T20I encounter on Saturday, July 13. The young Indian squad, led by Shubman Gill, has bounced back from their opening game defeat to establish a 2-1 lead in the series.Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Washington Sundar have emerged as key performers for India, showcasing their talent and contributing to the team's success. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be determined to pull off another upset and level the series.The match will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, and will commence at 4:30 PM IST. Fans can catch the live telecast on the Sony Sports Network, while the live streaming will be available on the SonyLiv app and website.Team India has a golden opportunity to secure the series victory and give Shubman Gill his first series win as captain. The young opener has shown maturity and leadership qualities throughout the series, and a series win would be a significant achievement for him.Zimbabwe, despite their underdog status, has proven to be a formidable opponent. They stunned India in the first T20I and will be eager to repeat that performance and force a decider in the fifth match.The upcoming encounter promises to be an exciting contest between two determined teams. India will be aiming to maintain their momentum and seal the series, while Zimbabwe will be looking to upset the odds and extend the series.

In a historic triumph, the United States cricket team has secured their maiden T20I series victory against Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey. The Americans sealed the series with a thrilling six-run win in the second match at the Prairie View Cricket Complex.Chasing a modest target of 144, Bangladesh's batters struggled to find their rhythm on an unfamiliar surface. Left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar struck early, dismissing Soumya Sarkar for a golden duck. Tanzid Hasan followed suit, falling to Jessy Singh for 19.Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy provided some stability with a 48-run partnership, but their progress was halted by a moment of brilliance from Corey Anderson. The former New Zealand international charged towards the stumps after a mix-up between the batters, resulting in Shanto's dismissal for 36.Anderson's impact continued as he rattled Hridoy's stumps an over later, triggering a collapse that saw Bangladesh lose wickets at regular intervals. Shakib Al Hasan led the fight, but the wickets kept falling at the other end.With 21 runs needed off the final three overs, Rishad Hossain raised hopes of a comeback with a boundary. However, Ali Khan maintained his composure and removed Hossain to bundle out Bangladesh for 138.Earlier, USA skipper Monank Patel led the charge with a 42-run knock. Steven Taylor and Aaron Jones also made valuable contributions with scores of 31 and 35, respectively, propelling USA to a competitive total of 144/7.This victory marks a significant achievement for USA cricket, demonstrating their growing strength and potential on the international stage. The series win is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and the support of their passionate fans.