Cricket

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer, has expressed his unwavering support for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games. During a panel discussion in Paris, Dravid revealed that current players are eagerly anticipating the prospect of competing in the global sporting spectacle.Dravid's presence in Paris was part of a discussion titled 'Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era.' The event celebrated the momentous decision to include cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a significant milestone for the sport."I've already heard conversations in the dressing room. People are talking about the 2026 T20 World Cup, the 2027 ODI World Cup, and the Olympics in 2028," Dravid said. "Players are determined to win that gold medal and be a part of the Games Village."Dravid expressed his desire for India to dominate both the men's and women's cricket competitions in Los Angeles. "The dream for me is to have Indian men and women winning the gold," he said. "But more than that, I want Indian fans to come to LA and support cricket, showing the world how great a sport it is."Dravid also defended the 10:30am start time for T20 World Cup matches in the United States. "I don't think starting at 10:30am was a problem," he said. "We are in the entertainment business, and we need to cater to people who want to watch the sport."Geoff Allardice, the CEO of the ICC, echoed Dravid's sentiments, stating that cricket will be one of the "star attractions" in Los Angeles. "Cricket is starting to dawn on the global sporting community," he said. "We are going to be very, very strong come 2028."Dravid also praised the progress of women's cricket, noting the increasing participation of young girls. "Women's cricket is already going forward," he said. "It's fantastic to have it going on concurrently with the men's competition. Cricket is becoming a lot more inclusive and attractive."

Rohit Sharma's Forgetful Nature: A Quirky Trait of the Indian CaptainRohit Sharma, India's Test and ODI captain, has gained notoriety for his peculiar tendency to forget things. This endearing quirk has been observed by fellow cricketers, including Virat Kohli, who has often commented on Rohit's absent-mindedness and propensity to misplace items.A recent video circulating on social media further illustrates this characteristic. Upon arriving at the airport, Rohit appears perplexed about the number of bags he is carrying. Initially, he states, "There should be 7 bags." However, moments later, while traveling with his wife and daughter, he corrects himself, saying, "There should be 8 bags."This amusing incident highlights that despite his superstar status, Rohit remains grounded and retains his endearing quirks. Kohli has humorously remarked about Rohit's forgetfulness on a television show, stating, "The number of things Rohit Sharma forgets, I have never seen anyone else being this forgetful. iPad, wallet, phone—he forgets not just small things but essentials for daily use. He has even forgotten his passport two or three times, which was very hard to retrieve."Despite his forgetfulness, Rohit has had a remarkable career. He became the second Indian captain after Mahendra Singh Dhoni to lead India to a T20 World Cup title in 2007. Under Rohit's leadership, India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final.Having retired from T20 Internationals following India's T20 World Cup triumph, Rohit is now preparing to lead the Indian team in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. His forgetful nature may provide some lighthearted moments, but it does not diminish his exceptional abilities as a cricketer and leader.

Hardik Pandya's significance in Indian cricket cannot be overstated. As a premier fast-bowling all-rounder, he brings a rare skillset to the team. His presence in the lineup provides exceptional balance, as witnessed during the T20 World Cup. Pandya's crucial late overs in the final against South Africa played a pivotal role in India's victory.However, Pandya's absence as captain or vice-captain for the Sri Lanka T20I series has raised questions about his fitness. Former Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore, who has experience coaching Indian domestic teams, has shed light on this issue.Whatmore emphasizes the importance of a robust domestic setup for the health of the national team. He highlights the extensive participation in India's domestic circuit and the role of the IPL in developing talent. However, he also points out that some players, including Pandya, have not been actively involved in white-ball cricket at the domestic level."In my last few years in Baroda, Hardik Pandya wouldn't ever play white-ball cricket," Whatmore said. "It always amuses me that he's termed as the all-rounder from Baroda but he hasn't played for Baroda for years!"Whatmore acknowledges that the BCCI has recently taken steps to encourage players to participate in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy. He believes that this will ultimately benefit the national team by providing a stronger foundation for players to develop their skills.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's star pacer, has opened up about the profound impact his father's untimely demise had on his bond with his sister, Juhika Bumrah. The tragic event, which occurred when Bumrah was in second grade and his sister in fourth, brought them closer as a family unit, forging an unbreakable connection that has only strengthened over the years."As I told you, my father passed away when I was in second grade and my sister in fourth grade. Then we became really close as a family because life suddenly changed. We had some financial issues as well. So my mother started working. We became very close as a family because we went through a lot of ups and downs. But since then, that bond has become stronger and stronger. And that has only grown over the years," Bumrah told Indian Express.While Juhika Bumrah pursued a career in the makeup industry, her connection with her brother's cricketing endeavours has deepened. "Obviously, she (Bumrah's sister) is now in the makeup industry. She now does my makeup when we do shoots. But we, as a family, are very close as we discuss good days and bad days. We don't want to change ourselves too much because we have seen ups and downs both. We want to be as normal as we can, live a normal life, and get happy with the small achievements that we get," he added.Interestingly, Bumrah revealed that his sister's knowledge of cricket rules is limited, but her enthusiasm for his success is unwavering. "She is not a sports fan. But she is very happy as she started watching the sport because of me, and she still doesn't understand everything, but she gets very happy when I do well, and people congratulate her that your brother is doing really well," the pacer admitted.Bumrah's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he claimed 15 wickets in eight matches with an impressive economy rate of 4.17, not only captivated the nation but also earned him the coveted Player of the Tournament award.Following India's triumphant World Cup victory, three of the team's stalwarts – captain Rohit Sharma, batting icon Virat Kohli, and versatile all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja – announced their retirement from T20I cricket. However, Bumrah has made it clear that he has no intentions of stepping away from the shortest format anytime soon, indicating his commitment to continuing his successful T20I career.While Kohli and Rohit will return to ODI action in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, Bumrah has been rested for both the ODI and T20I matches, allowing him to recharge and prepare for future challenges.

Shubman Gill, India's vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, has set his sights on improving his performance in the shortest format as the team embarks on its journey towards defending their T20 World Cup title in 2026.Gill, who was a reserve player during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in 2024, acknowledged that his performance in the lead-up to the tournament fell short of expectations. "My performance in T20Is before the World Cup this year wasn't how I had expected it to be," he said.With senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli now retired from T20Is, Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have emerged as India's first-choice opening pair. Gill expressed his excitement about batting alongside Jaiswal, highlighting their complementary styles and strong understanding."We really enjoy batting with each other. Especially the kind of shots we play, we kind of complement each other," Gill said. "Being a right-left combination, we have had good partnerships in whatever T20Is we have played before; two partnerships have been 150-plus [too]. So we have a great understanding and communication between us, and I have fun batting with him."Gill's impressive performances in the T20Is against Zimbabwe after the World Cup, where he top-scored with 170 runs at a strike rate of 125.92, earned him the vice-captaincy for the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka.The series in Sri Lanka marks the first assignment for Gautam Gambhir as India's coach. Gill praised Gambhir's clear communication and intent, saying, "He knows what he wants from which player, and what he thinks will work for each player."India will play three T20Is against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on July 27, 28, and 30, followed by three ODIs in Colombo on August 2, 4, and 7.

Pakistan's dismal performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The Babar Azam-led side crashed out of the competition in the group stages, suffering humiliating defeats against the United States and India. Despite victories against Canada and Ireland, it was too little too late for Pakistan.The result has sparked a massive backlash from fans and prompted significant changes within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq have been sacked as selectors, while Babar Azam's future as captain remains uncertain.Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has criticized the PCB's constant changes, arguing that they have negatively impacted the team's performance. Afridi emphasized the need for stability and consistency, stating that teams require time to adapt to new systems."When you change or bring in any new structure, you must give the system time. Every year, a new chairman comes, and a new system is introduced. Things don't work this way," Afridi told Sports24.Afridi called for a collaborative approach, involving senior board members and players, to develop a long-term plan for the team. He believes that frequent changes create confusion and hinder progress.Meanwhile, the PCB has denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi to participate in the Global T20 League. The board cited Pakistan's busy international schedule as the reason for the decision.The PCB's decision has raised concerns about the availability of key players for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The PSL is a major domestic tournament that attracts top players from around the world.Pakistan's poor performance at the T20 World Cup and the subsequent changes within the PCB have raised questions about the team's future. The PCB must address the concerns raised by Afridi and other former players to ensure that Pakistan regains its status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Following India's triumphant victory at the T20 World Cup, captain Rohit Sharma returned to a hero's welcome in New Delhi on Thursday. Upon his arrival at the airport, he was greeted by a throng of enthusiastic fans eager to catch a glimpse of their cricketing hero.The crowd was so overwhelming that one fan even requested Rohit for a photograph, addressing him as "Rohit sir" and pleading, "Rohit sir ek photo dedo na" (Rohit sir, please have a selfie with me).Accompanying Rohit were his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, and their daughter, Samaira, adding to the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the superstar cricketer's homecoming. The craze and adulation from fans were palpable, reflecting the immense pride and joy that Rohit's leadership and the team's triumph had brought to the nation.Rohit's recent vacation in the United States, followed by a visit to London for Wimbledon, was well-documented across social media platforms, showcasing his activities after the World Cup victory.However, the captain's decision to retire from T20 Internationals following India's win against South Africa in the T20 World Cup final marked the end of an illustrious chapter in his T20I career.Looking ahead, Rohit Sharma's focus shifts to the 50-over format, with a series of One Day International (ODI) matches scheduled against Sri Lanka. These matches are of particular importance as they serve as preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.India's cricket itinerary includes three T20 Internationals and three ODIs against Sri Lanka, spanning from July 27 to August 7. Apart from being newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir's first assignment in Indian colours, this series is crucial for Team India to fine-tune their strategies and for players like Rohit Sharma to prove their mettle in the shorter formats of the game.

Suryakumar Yadav, the enigmatic T20 batter, has been appointed as the new captain of India's T20I team, marking a significant shift in leadership following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the format. This decision, made under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, has sparked considerable discussion and analysis.Initially, Hardik Pandya, who served as vice-captain during India's T20 World Cup triumph, was considered the frontrunner for the captaincy. However, concerns over his fitness led the team management to opt for Suryakumar, widely regarded as the most consistent and impactful T20 batter in the lineup.The idea of promoting Suryakumar to captaincy was first considered during outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure, according to former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. The new management, led by Gambhir, decided to implement this vision when the opportunity presented itself."We felt that here's a guy who's gonna have a long future in the T20 format. He has mastered that skill. One of the best in this format. He and Klaasen are maybe one or two in T20Is now based on their current form. Just the pure impact he has on winning games for India is phenomenal," Mhambrey told Hindustan Times.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the importance of inputs from within the dressing room in making this decision. Mhambrey also pointed to Suryakumar's positive relationship with team members, particularly the younger players."He's been with the team. I've seen him interact with the young guys. On one hand, we had Rohit and Virat, guys who are stalwarts, and then we have Surya, who is experienced but probably even closer to the youngsters. He is very friendly with everyone. He has that respect from the younger lot. The youngsters need to interact with him, he's good at it. So, he has a good bond with everyone in the team," Mhambrey said.At 33, Suryakumar Yadav still has several years ahead in his cricketing career, potentially leading India in the next two T20 World Cups."He has a lot of cricket left in him. He has a good four-five years of cricket left in him. With all this, I think he is a great choice," Mhambrey added.This decision marks a pivotal moment in India's T20 cricket as it transitions to new leadership under a new coach and a captain who has shown remarkable talent and rapport within the team.

Arshdeep Singh's Stellar T20 World Cup Performance Earns Him Test Team ConsiderationIndian selectors are contemplating the inclusion of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Despite his limited experience in red-ball cricket, Singh's impressive showing in the recent T20 World Cup has caught the attention of the selectors.During India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, Singh emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker, alongside Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi, with 17 scalps. His ability to swing the ball effectively in white-ball matches has prompted the selectors to consider him as a potential trump card alongside Jasprit Bumrah in the Test arena.To enhance his chances of selection, Singh may be asked to participate in domestic red-ball matches, beginning with the Duleep Trophy on September 5. The selectors are also keen on adding another left-arm pace option to the white-ball side, which is why Khaleel Ahmed was included in the squads for the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka.Meanwhile, Riyan Parag's selection for the Sri Lanka tour was facilitated by an injury to middle-order batsman Tilak Varma. Parag has shown significant improvement in his attitude and is now focused on staying at the wicket. His ability to bowl decently and field exceptionally makes him a valuable asset to the team.The selectors are also nurturing pacer Harshit Rana for a specific role in white-ball cricket. Rana's ability to bowl yorkers, slower balls, and other variations at the death makes him a suitable option for limited-overs matches.