Cricket

Team India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and head coach Gautam Gambhir have rekindled their bond from their days at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). During a pre-match press conference ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Gambhir expressed regret over not fully utilizing Suryakumar's potential during their time together at KKR.Gambhir acknowledged that team combinations at the time prevented Suryakumar from batting at the No. 3 spot, a decision he now regrets. "As a leader, you think about the other 10 players as well," Gambhir explained. "If Surya had batted at No. 3, he would have been a lot more effective."Suryakumar responded with humor, suggesting that his full potential could now be utilized under Gambhir's guidance as head coach. He praised Gambhir's understanding and shared insights into their strong relationship as coach and captain. "Even when I say nothing sometimes, he understands what I want," Suryakumar stated.Suryakumar, at 33, is currently leading the T20I team in Sri Lanka and has reunited with his former KKR captain. Since making his debut for India in 2021, Suryakumar has established himself as one of the top T20I batters in the world. In 68 matches, he has scored 2340 runs at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 167.74, with four hundreds and 19 fifties.Gambhir's regret over not fully utilizing Suryakumar's potential highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent. It also underscores the significance of a strong coach-captain relationship in bringing out the best in players. As Suryakumar and Gambhir embark on this new journey together, they aim to unlock Suryakumar's full potential and lead Team India to success.

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya's Camaraderie Unfazed by Leadership ChangeAhead of the first T20I match against Sri Lanka, Team India's training session in Kandy witnessed a heartwarming display of camaraderie between Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Despite Hardik losing out on the T20I captaincy to Surya, there were no signs of animosity between the two players.During a fielding exercise designed by T Dilip, Surya and Hardik engaged in friendly banter and laughter. The camaraderie between them remained unaffected by the change in leadership roles within the team.In a video posted by the BCCI, Suryakumar and Hardik were captured chuckling during the training session. Head coach Gautam Gambhir couldn't help but smile at the lighthearted moment.Suryakumar replaced Rohit Sharma as T20I captain after Rohit announced his retirement from the 20-over format. He pipped Hardik to the post due to concerns over Hardik's frequent injury absences.However, Suryakumar holds Hardik in great esteem and emphasized that his responsibilities within the team will remain unchanged. "Hardik's role has always been the same. He is a very important player for the team. The way he performed in the World Cup, I hope he will continue to do the same," he said.The camaraderie between Suryakumar and Hardik is a testament to the strong team spirit within the Indian squad. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, the players maintain a positive and supportive environment, which is crucial for their success on the field.

Hardik Pandya Snubbed as Suryakumar Yadav Takes Over as India's T20I CaptainIn a surprising turn of events, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been overlooked for the captaincy role in India's upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. Instead, the selectors have opted for Suryakumar Yadav, who will lead the team for the first time in his career.Pandya's exclusion from the captaincy has raised eyebrows, given his impressive performances and leadership qualities in recent times. He has captained India in the absence of Rohit Sharma and was also named vice-captain for the T20 World Cup, which India won under his leadership.However, India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has clarified that fitness and availability were the primary reasons for choosing Suryakumar over Pandya. Pandya has a history of injury concerns, which may have influenced the selectors' decision.The move has sparked a debate within the cricketing fraternity. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has criticized the selectors, claiming that fitness is merely an excuse for not appointing Pandya as captain. He believes that other players with fitness issues have still gone on to become successful captains.Meanwhile, Suryakumar has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead India. He has previously captained the team in T20I series against Australia and South Africa, where he impressed with his tactical acumen and leadership skills.The first T20I of the three-match series against Sri Lanka will be played on July 27 in Pallekele. India's squad includes a mix of experienced players and exciting young talents, with Suryakumar leading the charge as captain.

India's women's cricket team secured a commanding victory over Bangladesh in the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup, advancing to their ninth final appearance. Led by Renuka Singh's three-wicket haul and Smriti Mandhana's blistering half-century, India cruised to a 10-wicket triumph.Bangladesh, opting to bat first, faced an early setback as Renuka Singh dismissed Dilara Akter in the opening over. The Indian pacer continued her dominance, removing Ishma Tanjim and Murshida Khatun in quick succession, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 25 for three.Captain Nigar Sultana attempted to anchor the innings, but found limited support from her teammates. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav provided excellent support to Renuka, claiming three wickets of her own. Bangladesh's innings eventually folded for a meager 80 runs.In response, India's openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, made light work of the chase. Mandhana showcased her class with elegant drives and a towering six, while Shafali played with characteristic aggression. The duo remained unbeaten, guiding India to victory in just 11 overs.Mandhana's 55 not out off 39 deliveries included nine boundaries and a six, while Shafali contributed an unbeaten 26 off 28 balls. India's fielding was also impressive, with Shafali making a diving catch to dismiss Rabeya Khan.India will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday. The defending champions will be aiming to extend their dominance in the tournament, having won the previous six editions.

Team India is gearing up to face Sri Lanka in a white-ball series, commencing with three T20I matches from Saturday. The absence of former skipper Rohit Sharma from the shortest format has sparked discussions about his replacement. While all-rounder Hardik Pandya seemed like a potential candidate, the newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have surprisingly named batter Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for the T20Is against Sri Lanka.The decision has raised questions about star pacer Jasprit Bumrah's exclusion from the captaincy race. Bumrah, who played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, has expressed his views on the matter."I cannot approach the team and demand to be made captain. It's beyond my authority. I believe bowlers are the intelligent ones because we have to dismiss batters. We constantly face challenges due to shorter grounds and superior bats. I can't recall any technology or innovation that significantly enhances ball swing. People enjoy watching the ball being hit around and sixes being scored," Bumrah stated at the Indian Express Adda."Bowlers are doing the difficult work. They're not hiding behind a bat or a flat wicket. When a game is lost, bowlers are blamed. It's a demanding task. I take great pride in it. You face numerous obstacles. Bowlers develop innovative strategies to succeed because of these challenges. Facing adversity makes you more courageous, and leadership requires courage. We've seen Pat Cummins excel. I've witnessed Wasim Akram lead. Kapil Dev and Imran Khan have won World Cups. Bowlers are the intelligent ones. Sometimes, it's physically demanding, which is why batters often assume leadership roles. In my opinion, bowlers are the smart ones," he added.Traditionally, bowlers have not been considered for team captaincy. However, Bumrah cited the example of Australia's skipper Pat Cummins, who led his team to ODI World Cup and World Test Championship titles."Perception shifts with results. I faced the perception that my bowling action wouldn't work, but now people try to imitate it. You don't need to say anything; let your results speak for themselves. Pat Cummins is a prime example. I've achieved many positive outcomes. He won the World Cup and WTC. I don't believe it's a burden. When you play cricket, you want responsibility," said Bumrah."You don't want to hide and be a backbencher. You must have the mindset that if you give me the ball, I will make a difference. I believe there is no greater feeling than having responsibility. Injuries can happen to anyone," he added.

As the Indian cricket team embarks on a new era under the leadership of head coach Gautam Gambhir, former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has hailed the appointment as a significant turning point. During an event hosted by Sony Sports Network, Ojha emphasized the importance of this change, stating that it marks the beginning of a new chapter for Team India.Gambhir, who took over the reins from Rahul Dravid after India's triumph in the T20 World Cup, is set to make his debut as head coach on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. His tenure has already witnessed notable changes, including the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain, replacing Hardik Pandya.The tour, scheduled to commence on July 27, will feature a three-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series starting on August 2. Ojha expressed his support for the decision to include senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the ODI squad, despite earlier speculations that they would be rested."To call senior players for the ODI series is a good decision. You have to serve the nation, and every coach wants a good result from his starting tenure," he said.Ojha also praised the newly appointed T20I skipper, Suryakumar Yadav. "I am impressed with Suryakumar Yadav. He is one of the good players, and now it has to be seen how he leads the Indian side," Ojha remarked.The BCCI's recent directive requiring senior players to participate in Ranji Trophy matches has been met with mixed reactions. Ojha commented on this decision, saying, "It's so sad that the BCCI had to tell them to play Ranji, but you are whatever today; it's all because of Ranji games."As the Gambhir era unfolds, cricket fans eagerly anticipate the fresh strategies and dynamics that will emerge, setting the stage for an exciting series in Sri Lanka.

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.

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.

The upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka presents a challenging selection dilemma for Team India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir. The choice between wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson has become a crucial decision, as both players possess exceptional skills and a desire to prove their worth.Pant, a seasoned campaigner with 74 T20I appearances, has established himself as a formidable force in the shortest format. His aggressive batting style and ability to clear the boundary with ease have made him a valuable asset to the Indian team. In the recent T20 World Cup, Pant finished as India's third-highest run-scorer, amassing 171 runs at a strike rate of 126.67.Samson, on the other hand, has played 28 T20Is, scoring 633 runs at a strike rate of 133.14. Despite making his debut in 2015, Samson has only played 27 of those matches since 2020. His inconsistent selection has hindered his ability to establish himself as a regular member of the Indian team.Statistically, there is little to separate the two players. Pant holds a slight edge in terms of average (22.70 vs. 21.14) and strike rate (126.67 vs. 133.14). However, Samson has a higher number of fifties (3 vs. 2) and has displayed an impressive ability to hit boundaries against the fastest bowlers.The decision between Pant and Samson will ultimately depend on the team management's assessment of their current form and suitability for the role. Pant's experience and recent performances may give him the edge, but Samson's potential and ability to play match-winning innings cannot be ignored.