Cricket

Rohit Sharma, India's captain, has expressed confidence in his decision-making abilities, as evidenced by his team's recent Test match victory against Bangladesh. Despite losing over 220 overs due to weather, India secured a seven-wicket win by adopting an aggressive approach.Sharma believes that his experience has equipped him to trust his instincts. "I have been out there enough to trust my judgments on what I do," he stated. While open to suggestions, he emphasizes that the final call is his.Sharma acknowledges that not all decisions will be successful, but experience and knowledge are crucial. "At the highest level, you need to have a bit of everything," he said. "You need to be calm to take decisions wisely, and you need to back it with your experience."Sharma admits that India's aggressive approach could have backfired, but he was prepared for the consequences. "We had to take risks to get a result," he explained. "I know the result could have gone either way, but I was okay with it."He praised his team's fielding performance, highlighting the 23 catches they took out of 24 opportunities. "The catches are hard to take as reaction time is very less," he said.Sharma emphasized that his style of aggression is not about body language but rather about actions on the field. "The kind of batting we do, the kind of field positioning we do, the kind of bowling we do, that to me is aggression," he said.However, he does not object to players like Mohammed Siraj engaging in verbal exchanges with batters, as it can unsettle them. "Siraj, superb athlete, he gives everything on the field he has," Sharma said. "He wants to do something -- talk to the batter, make him uncomfortable so that the team gets into the game."

India's World Cup-winning spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his concerns about the challenges that the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women's cricket team will face in the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The tournament, which begins on Thursday in the UAE, will see India placed in Group A alongside Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand.Harbhajan believes that Australia will pose the biggest threat to India's title hopes. "Australia is a good team, even though these matches are being played in Dubai, on subcontinent pitches that might not suit them as much as their home conditions," he said. "But Australia, no matter where they play, are hard to beat."India's recent record against Australia in T20Is is not encouraging, with the Aussies winning 23 of the 32 matches played between the two teams. However, Harbhajan also warned India of the potential threat posed by Sri Lanka, who recently defeated India in the Asia Cup final."Sri Lanka, too, after their recent series win against India, will be confident when they play against India," Harbhajan said. "So, that will also be a good contest."Despite the challenges, Harbhajan believes that India has the potential to win their maiden ICC title. "Team India will be the team to beat in this tournament," he said. "They have both experience and youth. Harman is in good form, Smriti is in good form, and Deepti is an unbelievable spinner.""They are a very capable team and have been playing very good cricket," Harbhajan added. "The unit looks solid. If India plays good cricket overall, I believe they will win this tournament."Harbhajan also advised the Indian team to take it one match at a time and not succumb to the pressure of the big occasion. "You have to try to give your best and not take pressure," he said. "At this stage, the only thing that matters is to know yourself and play as a unit. Results will follow."

India's dominance in Test cricket continued as they registered a resounding 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the recently concluded two-match series. The second Test in Kanpur, despite being rain-hit, witnessed a stellar performance from Team India, who chased down a target of 95 with seven wickets in hand on Day 5.The victory marked India's 18th consecutive Test series win at home, a testament to their unwavering dominance on home soil. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team has scaled new heights, with Sharma himself attributing his success to the support of former head coach Ravi Shastri and star batter Virat Kohli.In a recent interview with renowned commentator Jatin Sapru, Sharma revealed that Shastri and Kohli played a pivotal role in his transformation as an opening batter in Test cricket. He described it as his "second birth" in the format."In the second innings, I was very grateful to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli for giving me the opportunity to bat up the order," Sharma said. "It wasn't an easy decision to promote me in Tests. They trusted me. They asked me to play one practice match, which I did. I got out on the very first ball, but I realized that I didn't have any other choice. It felt like a second birth in Test cricket. I knew I had to grab this opportunity."Sharma's gratitude towards Shastri and Kohli stems from their unwavering belief in his abilities. Despite his initial struggles as an opener, they encouraged him to play his natural game and not succumb to the pressure of survival."My response to them was clear: I'll play my natural game and won't take the pressure of trying to survive. I'm going to play freely. If the ball is there, whether it's the first ball of the Test or not, I'm going to hit it. They gave me the freedom to do what I wanted," Sharma added.Shastri's eagerness for Sharma to open in Tests dates back to 2015, but the decision ultimately rested with the team management. However, with the support of Shastri and Kohli, Sharma has flourished in his new role, becoming one of the most prolific openers in Test cricket.Following the successful completion of the Test series, India will face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, commencing on October 6 in Gwalior.

Mohammed Shami's Comeback Hopes Dented by Knee InjuryTeam India's hopes of a swift return for premier pacer Mohammed Shami have been dealt a blow as he has developed "swollen knees" during rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The injury could sideline Shami for an additional six to eight weeks, jeopardizing his availability for the upcoming five-Test series in Australia.Shami has been undergoing rehab at the NCA since February after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery. He was expected to join the Bengal Ranji Trophy team and participate in the first-class tournament starting October 11. However, the knee injury has flared up, casting doubt on his immediate return."Shami had resumed bowling and was on track to make a comeback soon. But this knee injury has flared up recently. The BCCI's medical team is assessing the injury, but it may require significant time," said a BCCI source.Shami's last competitive appearance was in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. He was selected for India's two-Test tour of South Africa in December 2023, subject to fitness. However, he was ruled out after the BCCI medical team withheld clearance.The injury is a setback for the NCA medical team, which has been working with Shami for over a year. The team has implemented a comprehensive workload management system, but the knee injury has emerged as an unexpected hurdle.The Indian team management has been cautious about the workload of its premier fast bowlers, including Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. They were expected to lead the attack in Australia, but neither has played five consecutive Test matches recently.The selectors will face a dilemma when selecting the squad for the three-Test home series against New Zealand starting October 16. They will hope that Shami recovers in time for the Australia tour, but his availability remains uncertain.

Jemimah Rodrigues, a key member of the Indian women's cricket team, believes that adaptability and a team-first mentality will be crucial for India's success at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. India, who finished runners-up in the 2020 edition, will begin their campaign against New Zealand on October 4.Rodrigues, who scored a half-century in India's first warm-up match against West Indies, emphasized the importance of assessing conditions and playing to the situation. "I just want to keep it simple and do whatever it takes to help the team win," she said. "When I put things in that perspective, it gets the best out of me and motivates me."The 24-year-old also highlighted the need to play to the situation, regardless of the bowler. "It's not about specific bowlers but about playing to the situation," she said. "Bowlers can have off days, and as a batter, I need to assess which bowler to attack and when to hold back."Rodrigues praised the team's blend of youth and experience, with players like Richa Ghosh and Shafali Verma having already played in World Cups. "This team is special," she said. "There's something in this team, a fire to win, and at the same time, an energy and bond that's very special."Speaking about New Zealand legend Sophie Devine, Rodrigues said, "I've always admired her game. We've prepared well to bowl against her, and now it's just about executing our plans."India will also face Australia in the group stage, and Rodrigues believes execution will be key against the former champions. "We've prepared well and put in the work," she said. "Now it's time to execute our plans."Rodrigues also praised senior teammates Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. "Smriti is young, but she understands the game and her role so well," she said. "Harman di is a big-match player. We want to win it for India and for her."

The Indian cricket team displayed unwavering determination in the second Test against Bangladesh, overcoming significant weather disruptions to emerge victorious. Despite losing over two and a half days to rain and a wet outfield, Rohit Sharma's men refused to settle for a draw and instead opted for an aggressive approach.After bowling out Bangladesh on Day 4, India's batting lineup, led by Rohit Sharma, launched an all-out assault on the Green Park Stadium. KL Rahul later revealed that Rohit's clear message to the team was to "find a way to play for the win."Inspired by their captain's words, India set a blistering pace, breaking records for the fastest team 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250. Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal also etched their names in history by registering the fastest 50-run partnership in Test history."The message was very clear from the start," said Rahul. "We lost a couple of days due to rain, but we wanted to see what we could do in the time that was left. The plan was simple: find a way to play for the win."India's attacking intent continued in the second innings, with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja claiming three wickets each to dismiss Bangladesh for 146. Despite the weather setbacks, India had put themselves in a commanding position, needing just 95 runs to seal the series 2-0.The hosts eventually secured a seven-wicket victory, further bolstering their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final. India's resilience and determination in the face of adversity showcased their unwavering commitment to success.

The Indian cricket team showcased an exceptional batting performance on Day 4 of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, breaking five records and establishing a commanding lead. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the Indian batters dominated the proceedings, with several notable contributions.Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal all played quickfire knocks, setting the tone for India's aggressive approach. However, it was pacer Akash Deep who stole the spotlight with his audacious sixes off Shakib Al Hasan's bowling. Using the bat gifted to him by Virat Kohli, Deep smashed two consecutive sixes, sending the Indian dressing room into a frenzy.Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin then took control of the Bangladesh innings, claiming two quick wickets to reduce the visitors to 26 for two. Ashwin's two-wicket haul (2/14) gave India complete command of the rain-hit Test match.Earlier, aggressive fifties by Yashasvi Jaiswal (71 off 52 balls) and KL Rahul (68 off 43 balls) had placed India in a strong position. The duo helped India declare their first innings at 285 for nine, securing a lead of 52 runs. Virat Kohli also contributed with a fluent 47 off 35 balls.For Bangladesh, veteran left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan picked up four wickets (4/78), while off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed four wickets (4/41) to restrict India's free-flowing batters.

The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, displayed a remarkable shift in mindset on the fourth day of the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Despite rain interruptions limiting play to just 35 overs in the first three days, the hosts seized the initiative on Monday.After dismissing Bangladesh for 233, India's batsmen took an aggressive approach. Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the innings with a hat-trick of fours, while Rohit Sharma sent a six over the boundary on the first ball he faced.Former India cricketer Saba Karim praised Rohit's captaincy and his clear vision for the team. "Rohit's intentions have always been very clear," Karim said. "The decision-making has been very precise, and he leads by example."Karim noted that Rohit's aggressive approach has inspired his teammates. "When he wants to impose as a team that you need to win this encounter, this is the way you have to take the game forward," Karim said. "And I think that's what Rohit and company have done so far."In contrast to previous captains who often adopted a cautious approach, Rohit has emphasized the importance of making an immediate impact. "There are no half measures whatsoever," Karim said. "From the first ball, you need to make your intent very clear."Rohit's leadership has been instrumental in India's dominant performance in the match. The hosts have taken control of the game and are well-positioned to secure a victory.

Mayank Yadav, the rising pace sensation, has earned his maiden India call-up for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. The 21-year-old right-arm pacer has overcome a recurring abdominal strain that sidelined him for months, and his coach, Devender Sharma, believes he is eager to make a strong impact on his India debut.Yadav's selection comes after an impressive performance in the 2024 IPL season, where he played four matches for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and made a huge impression with his raw pace, regularly clocking speeds of 155 kph. In his debut match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), he took 3 for 27, with an overall tournament economy rate of 6.99.However, an abdominal injury forced him out of the IPL, cutting short what could have been a breakthrough season. Yadav underwent surgery and a slow and careful recovery process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru."It was a slow process as the abdomen injury needed surgery, and coming out of that took time," said Sharma. "When he started practicing again, his speed dropped a bit, but now he's back to full fitness and bowling with the same speed and accuracy."The national selectors included Yadav in a special camp at the NCA ahead of the Bangladesh series, alongside players like Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, and Abhishek Sharma.Sharma believes this marks the beginning of a bright international career for Yadav, but urges caution regarding the pacer's workload. "He is still very young, so his body hasn't fully developed like other pacers," said Sharma. "A selective approach should be taken, allowing him to grow into the international scene gradually. Pace can be generated by many, but the accuracy he has is rare."Earlier, former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes hailed Yadav, comparing him to legendary fast bowler Allan Donald. "Morne Morkel, our bowling coach, called Mayank the 'Rolls Royce' of bowlers, just like we used to call Allan Donald," said Rhodes.Looking ahead, Sharma hinted at the possibility of Yadav being part of the squad as a net bowler for India's tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year. "Why not? He must go if BCCI wants him to," said Sharma. "His pace is purely natural. I have never seen any natural pacer like him."