Cricket

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli: A Candid ConversationAhead of the Test series against Bangladesh, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting icon Virat Kohli engaged in a lighthearted interview, revealing their camaraderie and mutual respect.Despite their past competitive rivalry on the field, Gambhir and Kohli have set aside their differences for the betterment of the Indian team. In the interview, they discussed the impact of on-field banter on their performance.Kohli, known for his fiery nature, admitted to having more altercations than Gambhir. He wondered if such confrontations could distract him or motivate him.Gambhir, with a chuckle, suggested that Kohli was better equipped to answer the question. Kohli, in turn, expressed his desire for someone to agree with his perspective."I am only looking for someone who agrees with what I have to say. Not saying that it is wrong. At least someone should say, yes this is what happens," Kohli said.The interview highlighted the evolution of their relationship, from fierce competitors to supportive colleagues. Both players were part of Team India's ODI World Cup victory in 2011, and their shared experiences have forged a bond between them.Gambhir praised Kohli's leadership qualities, saying, "Virat has been a fantastic leader. He has taken Indian cricket to new heights."Kohli, in turn, acknowledged Gambhir's contributions as a coach, saying, "Gautam has brought a lot of discipline and structure to the team. He has created a positive environment."The interview concluded with a humorous exchange, with Gambhir joking about the "spice" of their conversation.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the coaching style of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Speaking ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Sharma acknowledged the differences between Gambhir's approach and that of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid."Obviously, Rahul bhai, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey were a different team," Sharma said. "It is only acceptable that the new support staff will bring a different perspective."Despite the change in leadership, Sharma emphasized the importance of a good understanding between the captain and coach. "New coaching staff has a different style, but there is no problem," he said. "Good understanding is important, and I have that with Gambhir."Gambhir took over as head coach after Dravid's tenure ended following the T20 World Cup in June. The Chennai Test, beginning on September 19, will be India's first red-ball game under Gambhir's guidance.Sharma expressed optimism about the team's preparations for the series. "We have had a good camp in Bangalore," he said. "We have worked on our skills and strategies, and we are confident of putting up a good performance in Chennai."The Indian captain also praised the Bangladesh team, saying they have improved significantly in recent years. "Bangladesh is a very good team," Sharma said. "They have some quality players, and they will be a tough challenge for us."India will be looking to extend their dominance over Bangladesh in Test cricket. The two teams have met 12 times in the longest format, with India winning 10 matches and Bangladesh winning only one.

India's Miraculous Comeback After Adelaide Humiliation: Ashwin Recounts Dressing Room MoodIn the aftermath of India's humiliating 36 all out in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide in 2020, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on the somber mood in the dressing room.Despite holding a 53-run lead in the first innings, India collapsed to their lowest Test score, handing Australia a comfortable victory. The defeat left the team reeling and questioning their chances of winning the series.However, according to Ashwin, head coach Ravi Shastri played a pivotal role in lifting the team's spirits. "The mood in the dressing room was a bit down," Ashwin said. "But Ravi Bhai organized a team dinner and arranged for karaoke. He started singing old Hindi songs, and everybody joined in."With captain Virat Kohli preparing to leave for the birth of his child, the team set modest goals for the remaining Tests. "We were just focusing on doing well in the next Test in Melbourne," Ashwin said. "We kept small targets."What followed was a remarkable turnaround. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, India fought back with determination and resilience. They drew the second Test in Melbourne, won the third Test in Sydney, and triumphed in the fourth Test at the Gabba, where Australia had not lost in 32 years.Ashwin credits the team's unity and belief for their success. "We had a lot of belief in ourselves," he said. "We knew we could do it, and we just kept fighting."India's victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 remains one of the most inspiring stories in cricket history. It showcased the team's ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Faces Jasprit Bumrah's Test in Preparation for Bangladesh SeriesIndia's rising star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is gearing up for his second Test season with a stern challenge from pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the nets. During the ongoing camp, Jaiswal faced a barrage of deliveries from Bumrah, who repeatedly sent his off-stump flying.Jaiswal, who boasts an impressive record of over 1000 runs in his first nine Tests, has been touted as a future star. However, concerns have been raised about his form on bouncy tracks, particularly evident during India's tour of South Africa.In the nets on Monday, Bumrah tested Jaiswal's technique with pace, bounce, and swing. Jaiswal struggled to judge the deliveries, often mistiming his shots. Even net bowlers like Simarjeet Singh, Gurnoor Brar, and Gurjanpreet Singh managed to beat his bat repeatedly.Seasoned player Virat Kohli observed Jaiswal's struggles and offered guidance. Both players batted for about an hour, with Kohli showcasing his impeccable cover drive and on-drive. Jaiswal focused on leaving deliveries, particularly from Bumrah, on a pitch with significant bounce.As the session progressed, Jaiswal appeared more comfortable against spinners, while Rishabh Pant displayed his batting prowess against left-arm spinners.Jaiswal's preparation is crucial as he aims to maintain his reputation and perform well in the upcoming season. He will need to address his vulnerabilities before taking on international bowlers like those from Bangladesh and Australia.

India's Women's T20 World Cup Preparations Emphasize Mental StrengthAs the Indian women's cricket team prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has highlighted the crucial role of mental strength in executing their plans.Kaur, who has led India to numerous victories, believes that the last few overs of a T20 match are pivotal. "The last 3-4 overs are the most crucial. T20 cricket is not a small format; at the end of the day, you are playing 40 overs. In the last 4-5 overs, the team that is mentally strong wins the match," she said.The Indian team has been working diligently on their mental fortitude. "We have been focusing on this for a while. If we can remain mentally stable in those final 5 overs, we can execute what's best for us. We are working on those aspects, and hopefully, we will overcome this hurdle in the tournament," Kaur added.India's squad for the T20 World Cup includes experienced players like Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues. They will face tough competition in Group A, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, India reached the semi-finals but lost to eventual champions Australia. Kaur is determined to improve on that performance and lead her team to glory."We have a good team, and we are confident of doing well in the tournament. We have been working hard, and we are ready to give our best," she said.India will kickstart their campaign against New Zealand on October 4, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on October 6. The tournament promises to be an exciting spectacle of women's cricket, and India will be eager to make a mark on the global stage.

Captain Rohit Sharma will lead India in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, marking his return to the team after the ODI leg of the Sri Lanka tour in August. The Indian squad has been training in Chennai, preparing for the first Test starting on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.During a recent net session, Rohit was spotted practicing the reverse sweep, a shot he rarely attempts in match situations. This move is likely a strategy to counter the threat posed by Bangladesh's spinners, who have been in impressive form lately.Bangladesh recently made history by winning their first Test series in Pakistan, whitewashing the hosts 2-0. All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the top wicket-taker in the series with 10 wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan took five with his left-arm spin.India currently leads the World Test Championship table, while Bangladesh sits in fourth place. After the Chennai Test, the two teams will face off in the second Test in Kanpur from September 7. The series will be followed by three T20Is on October 6, 9, and 12.Rohit's return to the team is a significant boost for India, as he is one of the most experienced and successful batters in the world. His leadership and batting prowess will be crucial in India's quest to maintain their dominance in Test cricket.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their impressive form and challenge India on their home turf. The series promises to be a competitive and exciting affair, with both teams eager to prove their mettle.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's star spinner, has heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, calling him a "once-in-a-generation" bowler. Bumrah is set to make his return to Team India for the first time since his impressive performance at the T20 World Cup. The 30-year-old has been named in India's Test squad against Bangladesh, which will kick off in MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on September 19.Ashwin, speaking on Vimal Kumar's official YouTube channel, acknowledged that India has traditionally been a batsman-dominated country. However, he emphasized the importance of celebrating Bumrah's exceptional talent. "We should celebrate him even more," Ashwin said.The India spinner went on to state that Bumrah is currently the most valuable Indian cricketer. "He should be treated as a champion," Ashwin added.Bumrah has made a significant impact on Test cricket since his debut in 2018. In 36 Test appearances, he has claimed 159 wickets, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills.The second Test between India and Bangladesh will be held in Kanpur from September 27.

Virat Kohli, India's star batter, is intensifying his preparations for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh. After a brief hiatus from cricket, Kohli is determined to regain his form and contribute to India's success.During a practice session at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, Kohli showcased his exceptional batting skills. A video shared by Jio Cinema captured a moment when he unleashed a powerful six that shattered a wall near the Indian dressing room. The footage highlights Kohli's unwavering determination to excel in the upcoming series.Following his practice session, Kohli engaged in a lengthy discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir, seeking guidance and feedback on his batting technique. Kohli's return to the Test format marks his first appearance since India's tour of South Africa in January. He missed the home Test series against England due to the birth of his son.Kohli's recent performances in the T20 World Cup and the tour of Sri Lanka have been underwhelming. However, he remains a key player for India and will be eager to prove his worth in the upcoming series.India will face a formidable challenge against Bangladesh, who recently defeated Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series. With crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake, India is gearing up for a demanding 10-match Test season. This includes a three-Test home series against New Zealand and the five-match Border-Gavaskar series in Australia later this year.Currently, India leads the WTC table with 68.52 percentage points, closely followed by Australia at 62.50 percentage points. India's performance in the upcoming series will be crucial in maintaining their position at the top of the standings.

Indian cricketers have commenced rigorous training for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19 in Chennai. The second Test will take place in Kanpur on September 27.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a video on Saturday showcasing the intense practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The video features star players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul undergoing demanding batting drills.India's pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, also displayed their prowess during the practice session. The team is currently ranked seven places above Bangladesh in the official Test rankings published by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and leads the World Test Championship standings.After facing Bangladesh, India will host New Zealand for three Tests before embarking on a five-match Test series in Australia.Bangladesh, on the other hand, is brimming with confidence after defeating Pakistan in a Test series for the first time. They will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto in the upcoming series against India.