Cricket

Ruturaj Gaikwad's omission from India's T20I squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The Chennai Super Kings captain has been in impressive form, scoring 133 runs in three innings during India's recent T20 series against Zimbabwe.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Thursday, appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of Team India. Shubman Gill has been named as the vice-captain, following his leadership role in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. In a notable change from previous selections, Hardik Pandya, who has captained the team in the past, will not assume the captaincy role for this series.The squad will see the return of pacers Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, as well as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, all of whom were rested during India's tour of Zimbabwe.The T20I series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on July 27, consisting of three matches, with subsequent ODIs set to begin on August 1. The T20I matches will take place on July 27, 28, and 30, marking the beginning of the bilateral series.This series is also significant due to the introduction of new head coaches for both teams. Sanath Jayasuriya, the celebrated all-rounder, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the Sri Lankan team. For India, former opener Gautam Gambhir will take over as head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid, the T20 World Cup-winning coach. This marks Gambhir's first assignment in this role.The last bilateral white-ball series between India and Sri Lanka took place in July 2021, with India winning the ODI series 2-1 and Sri Lanka securing the T20I series by the same margin. Rahul Dravid coached the Indian team during this series, which featured Shikhar Dhawan as the captain.The upcoming series will be India's second T20I series following their victory at the T20 World Cup, where they defeated South Africa. Recently, India also clinched a 4-1 victory in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.Gaikwad's exclusion has sparked debates and discussions among fans, who believe his recent performances warranted a spot in the squad. Many experts have expressed surprise at the decision, given his impressive form and the fact that he was part of the team that won the T20 World Cup.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir recently held a virtual introductory meeting to discuss the vision for Team India. The meeting, which lasted for an hour, included members of Ajit Agarkar's selection committee, Gambhir, and BCCI secretary Jay Shah.One of the key topics discussed was the squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. With senior players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah expected to be rested, opportunities may arise for players like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who were not included in the T20 World Cup squad.It was also reported that although captain Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the series, there is a possibility that he may make himself available. With vice-captain Hardik Pandya unavailable for selection in the ODI series due to injury concerns, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav are potential candidates to lead the side.Gambhir, who attended the meeting from his home in New Delhi, outlined his vision for the team, emphasizing the importance of commitment and dedication. He also discussed the type of players he wants in the squad, focusing on those who are willing to give their all for the team.The India vs Sri Lanka white ball series will commence on July 27, featuring three One Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals. The series will provide an opportunity for the new-look Indian team to showcase their skills and prepare for future challenges.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of Team India, carries the weight of a nation's expectations on his shoulders. The 42-year-old, a former left-handed batsman with over 10,000 international runs, played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and ODI World Cup victory in 2011.As a mentor, Gambhir led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title this year. He succeeds Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after guiding India to their first global title since the 2013 Champions Trophy.Gambhir's tenure will commence with the upcoming away series against Sri Lanka, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs. Ahead of the series, Star Sports released a video of Gambhir discussing the importance of a balanced team composition."First, you need to identify players with a fearless approach," Gambhir said. "In a format like 50 overs, you need a mix of players. You should have anchors and match-winners. The change in rules has made a difference. We used to have only one new ball, but now we have two and five fielders inside, so the role of the part-timer has diminished.""You don't see enough reverse swing or purchase for finger spinners anymore," he added. "But I believe that when we talk about this new approach, you have to identify players who can adapt to those roles easily. Some players cannot adapt, so why push them to play in a way that doesn't come naturally to them?""For me, identifying players and getting the right mix is very important," Gambhir emphasized. "We shouldn't think that we have to play with a certain template and select all 15 players with a similar mindset."India has not won an ODI global title since the 2013 Champions Trophy, and Gambhir will be eager to change that in the upcoming year. He is the only Indian and one of four international cricketers to have scored centuries in five successive Test matches.

With India's ODI series against Sri Lanka approaching, the availability of senior players remains uncertain. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have reportedly requested an extended break after the T20 World Cup, but new head coach Gautam Gambhir is opposed to this proposal.Hardik Pandya has also joined the list of unavailable players, citing personal reasons. However, Gambhir is keen on Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah participating in the ODI series. He has reportedly conveyed to the trio that the team will have a significant break after the Sri Lanka assignment, and he expects them to be available.The players have yet to respond to Gambhir's plea. Rohit and Kohli have already taken breaks and traveled abroad with their families. India's ODI series against Sri Lanka begins on August 2 and concludes on August 7. The team will then face England in an ODI series in February 2024.The gap between these series is five months, providing ample time for the senior players to rest and recover. After the England series, India will participate in the Champions Trophy, which is expected to be held in Pakistan, the UAE, or Sri Lanka.Gambhir's stance on the availability of senior players reflects his desire to build a strong and competitive ODI team. He believes that the experience and leadership of Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah are crucial for the team's success.The players' decision to prioritize personal commitments over national duty has sparked debate among fans and experts. Some argue that the players deserve a break after a grueling schedule, while others believe that they should make themselves available for the country whenever possible.Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to participate in the ODI series rests with the players. However, Gambhir's clear message to the trio indicates that he expects them to prioritize the team's needs.

With Team India embarking on a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month, the debate over the team's new T20I captain has intensified. Former selector Saba Karim has weighed in on the discussion, suggesting Hardik Pandya as the natural replacement for Rohit Sharma, who retired from the format after the T20 World Cup triumph.Karim believes Pandya's experience as vice-captain during India's World Cup victory and his previous stints as captain make him the ideal candidate. "The first thing that needs to be decided is who will captain in T20Is. Rohit Sharma has retired, he won't play T20Is. So you will have a new captain. I feel there are two contenders. If we see logically, Hardik Pandya should become the captain because he was the vice-captain in the winning World Cup campaign. He also captained India in the past. I feel the preparation now should be for the next T20 World Cup which is going to happen after two years," Karim told Sony Sports.Karim also threw a surprise recommendation into the mix, suggesting Suryakumar Yadav as a potential captain. Yadav led India in a home T20I series against Australia last year, where India emerged victorious. "I feel the discussion should be about SKY because Suryakumar Yadav captained India in the home series against Australia. India defeated Australia there and he also batted well. So he can definitely come forward as an option. If the selectors feel Hardik Pandya has played a fantastic role and can do the same as a captain as well, he can definitely be the ideal candidate. So I feel these are the two contenders," he added.Meanwhile, Shubman Gill recently led a young Indian team in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which India won 4-1. Gill's performance as captain has also sparked discussions about his potential to lead the team in the future.As the BCCI prepares to announce the squad and captain(s) for the Sri Lanka tour, the debate over India's next T20I captain is likely to continue. Pandya, Yadav, and Gill are all strong contenders, and the selectors will have a tough decision to make.

India's recent T20I series triumph over Zimbabwe has brought to light the impressive performances of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Former chief selector Saba Karim has urged the team management to consider these two young batters as opening options for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.Karim believes that Gill and Jaiswal have demonstrated exceptional form and should be given the opportunity to lead the Indian batting lineup. He also suggests including Abhishek Sharma in the squad, considering the expected presence of Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav in the middle order."The most crucial positions are in the top order," Karim emphasized. "I believe the selectors should opt for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Abhishek Sharma deserves a place in the 15-man squad, given that Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav are likely to bat at No. 3 and No. 4."The selection of the opening pair will be a key decision for head coach Gautam Gambhir, who will be leading the team for the first time. The captaincy role is also yet to be determined, with Hardik Pandya not expected to be available."The captain's choice in T20Is will also influence the selection," Karim added. "Gambhir and the captain will need to determine their vision for the team and select players accordingly. Ruturaj Gaikwad is another player who has been performing well in the top order."India's victory in Zimbabwe was a testament to the depth of their squad, with only three players from the T20 World Cup-winning team featuring in the series. Captain Shubman Gill praised his team's adaptability and determination after losing the opening match."It was an excellent series," Gill said. "The hunger we showed after the first loss was phenomenal. Many players had long flights and were not accustomed to the conditions, but they adapted remarkably."

Brett Lee Lauds Gautam Gambhir's Appointment as Team India Head CoachAustralian bowling legend Brett Lee has expressed his admiration for the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. Lee believes that Gambhir's on-field aggression and game awareness will be invaluable assets for the Men in Blue.Gambhir, who guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title in 2024 as a mentor, has taken over the reins from Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India's T20 World Cup triumph. Gambhir's coaching tenure will commence with an away white-ball series against Sri Lanka, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs, starting on June 27.Lee, who played 76 Tests, 221 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for Australia between 1999 and 2012, praised Gambhir's leadership qualities and his ability to unite his players. "He's always been there, always at the top of his game. He finds a way to unite his players and graft his team together. He builds a solid structure," Lee said.Lee also commended India's T20 World Cup victory, highlighting the team's strong performance and Rohit Sharma's leadership. "India played the perfect style of cricket in the T20 World Cup. They looked like a strong side, to be very honest. Massive congratulations to Rohit Sharma and the Indian team," Lee said.Regarding Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch in the final, Lee remarked, "Catches win you matches, don't they? I mean, Surya plucked the ball out of the sky. It was a brilliant, title-winning catch."Lee emphasized the importance of fitness for fast bowlers and revealed that he is fitter now than he was during his playing days. "I'm probably fitter now than I was when I was playing, to be perfectly honest," he said.On the topic of Australia's performance in the T20 World Cup, Lee acknowledged the team's challenges but expressed optimism for the future. "We're at a bit of a crossroads now with the Australian cricket team. It's time for the next generation of young cricketers to come through and flourish," he said.

Gautam Gambhir and Shah Rukh Khan Reunite at Anant Ambani's Wedding, Showcasing KKR CamaraderieAt the grand wedding ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai, newly appointed Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan shared a heartwarming moment that highlighted their shared history with the KKR franchise.A video that went viral on social media captured the Bollywood superstar giving a warm embrace to the former KKR mentor. The gesture showcased the camaraderie and respect between the two prominent figures, who have played significant roles in the success of the KKR team.As a player, Gambhir led KKR to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, showcasing his exceptional leadership skills. He then transitioned into a coaching role, guiding the KKR team to another IPL title in 2024. His coaching credentials were evident in the team's impressive performance under his mentorship.However, Gambhir's pursuit of national objectives led him to step away from the KKR franchise. He replaced Rahul Dravid as India's head coach, whose tenure ended with India's triumph in the T20 World Cup in Barbados last month.Gambhir's appointment as head coach marks a new chapter in his illustrious career. He expressed his honor and excitement to serve his country in this capacity, stating, "It is an absolute honor to serve my tricolour, my people, my country."He acknowledged the exemplary run of Rahul Dravid and his support staff, and expressed his commitment to building on their success. Gambhir's tenure will commence with the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to begin on July 27.The reunion between Gambhir and Shah Rukh Khan at Anant Ambani's wedding serves as a testament to the enduring bonds forged within the KKR franchise. It also highlights the respect and admiration that exists between these two influential figures in the world of cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah's stellar performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 propelled India to an unprecedented triumph. The pacer's 15 wickets earned him the Player of the Tournament award, solidifying his status as one of the world's greatest fast bowlers.Bumrah's fiery pace and pinpoint yorkers proved instrumental in India's undefeated run throughout the tournament. His ability to extract wickets from seemingly impossible situations repeatedly rescued the team from the brink of defeat.Beyond T20Is, Bumrah's prowess extends to ODIs and Tests. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja hailed him as a "legend of all three formats," citing his exceptional skills and unwavering determination.Raja's praise echoes the sentiments of India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who advocates for all-format players. Gambhir believes that elite cricketers should strive to excel in all three formats, rather than being pigeonholed as specialists.In the wake of the World Cup, Team India is undergoing a transition in the T20I format. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja have retired, making way for a fresh-looking squad led by Shubman Gill.The new team features promising debutants such as Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Dhruv Jurel. As they face Zimbabwe in a five-match series, the young guns aim to prove their mettle and cement their place in the future of Indian cricket.