Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has lauded the Indian cricket team's emphatic series victory over Zimbabwe in the five-match T20I series. The young Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, clinched the series with a dominant 10-wicket win in the fourth T20I at the Harare Sports Club.Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were the stars of the show for India, smashing unbeaten fifties to guide their team to a comfortable victory. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 93, while Gill scored 58 not out as India chased down the target of 156 in just 15.2 overs.The Indian team had a disappointing start to the series, losing the first T20I by 14 runs. However, they bounced back strongly in the second T20I, winning by 100 runs thanks to a century from opener Abhishek Sharma. India then took a 2-1 lead in the third T20I, riding on a superb bowling performance by Washington Sundar.The fourth T20I was a one-sided affair, with India dominating from the start. The Indian bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 152/7 in 20 overs, with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav picking up two wickets each. In reply, Jaiswal and Gill put on an unbeaten 156-run partnership to seal the series victory for India.BCCI secretary Jay Shah congratulated the Indian team on their impressive performance. "What a way to clinch the T20I series! Top stuff from our young guns! @ybj_19 (Yashasvi) and @ShubmanGill were spectacular with the bat in the run chase. Congratulations to the entire team and support staff on a fantastic series win. @BCCI #ZIMvIND," Shah wrote on Twitter.The Indian team, which is missing several key players who helped India win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, has shown great promise in the Zimbabwe series. The young players have stepped up and performed admirably, giving the Indian cricket fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

India's new opening pair in cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, are rising stars who are embracing the challenge of replacing legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20 Internationals. Jaiswal, who scored an unbeaten 93 in India's 10-wicket victory against Zimbabwe on Saturday, believes that focusing on the process and taking it one game at a time is crucial."We (him and Gill) are trying to take it match-by-match and one day at a time, focusing on the process," Jaiswal said. "I think what they (Kohli and Sharma) have done for Indian cricket is just incredible and being a part of that dressing room is a blessing."Jaiswal, who has scored 631 runs at a strike rate of over 161 in 19 T20Is, attributes his success to hard work and a determined mindset. "I think it's not easy and I work hard on my practice, try to prepare a lot, and try to execute and express myself and enjoy the game," he said.Gill, who has scored 1,326 runs at a strike rate of over 145 in 31 T20Is, is also a product of India's domestic cricket system. He made his international debut in 2019 and has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young batsmen in the world.Both Jaiswal and Gill are excited about the opportunity to lead India's batting in the post-Kohli and Sharma era. They are confident that they can build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors and help India continue to be a force in T20 cricket.

After leading Team India to a historic T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, skipper Rohit Sharma has embarked on a well-deserved vacation with his family in London. The victory marked an end to India's 11-year ICC title drought, with the team defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling summit clash.Following the triumph, Rohit, along with star batter Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, announced their retirements from T20 cricket. The India skipper is now enjoying his time off in London, where he was spotted attending the Wimbledon men's singles semi-final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.Rohit's presence at Wimbledon was met with admiration and excitement. The official Wimbledon Twitter account welcomed him, while cricket fans shared images of the World Cup-winning captain soaking up the atmosphere.Meanwhile, former India cricketer and National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman expressed his belief that Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja will continue to make significant contributions to Indian cricket in the longer formats."I'm sure that they will continue to prepare the way they did so far in their career and continue to bring laurels to the country," Laxman said. "So big congratulations for excellent T20I career, but I'm sure that they're going to contribute in the longer version of the game and the 50-year format of the game."Rohit's vacation in London is a testament to the team's hard work and dedication that led to their T20 World Cup victory. The skipper's presence at Wimbledon further highlights the growing popularity of cricket and its global reach.

Avesh Khan, the promising Indian pacer, has lauded the coaching style of Gautam Gambhir, who is set to take over as Team India's head coach. Khan, who has worked under Gambhir's guidance at Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, shared his insights into Gambhir's approach, emphasizing his focus on winning and extracting the best from his players."Whatever I have learned from him is about the mindset that you should always look to get the better of your opponent and give your 100 per cent," Khan said in a press conference ahead of India's fourth T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare.Gambhir's coaching style is characterized by clear communication and a strong emphasis on teamwork. "In team meetings, as well as one-on-ones, he would speak less but would convey his point as to what is to be done," Khan explained. "He would assign tasks and roles to players and he has always been a 'team coach', he always wants to win and everyone to give their 100 per cent."Khan has been impressed with Gambhir's ability to motivate and inspire his players. "He has a way of making you believe in yourself and your abilities," Khan said. "He always pushes you to go the extra mile and never gives up on you."Khan's performance in the ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe has been commendable, with the pacer taking six wickets in three matches. He attributed his success to the varying conditions at the Harare Sports Club, which have allowed him to showcase his versatility."We have played on different wickets here," Khan said. "We played the first two matches on the same deck, there was good bounce in the first match but in the second it had flattened out. The conditions are good, since it is an open ground the ball also swings a bit."Khan also highlighted the importance of adaptability as a bowler. "As a bowler, I always think of providing that as an option, bring in new elements such as developing a slow bouncer or a leg-cutter from outside off-stump or near the wide line," he said.Khan expressed his admiration for Jasprit Bumrah's clarity of thought and execution as a bowler. "Like Virat bhai said, he is once in a generation bowler, it is true and we all believe so," Khan said. "His style of bowling and his mindset are different, but main (thing) is his execution, for which we all practice."Khan is eager to emulate Bumrah's approach and believes that Gambhir's guidance will help him achieve his goals. "Whenever I speak with him, he tells me to focus on the execution," Khan said. "If you are thinking of sending down a yorker, then it has to be a yorker; it cannot be a full toss or a half volley, a bouncer has to be on the shoulders; a length ball has to be (aimed at) the top of off (stump)."

India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign was a testament to the exceptional leadership of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, according to physio Kamlesh Jain. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Jain praised the duo for their humility, respect, and unwavering commitment to improvement.Jain highlighted Rohit and Dravid's ability to foster a sense of unity and value within the team. "Team' is at the heart of every conversation and meeting that they are involved with," he wrote. "These individuals have hearts of gold and a mind of wisdom and spent countless memorable hours discussing how to continually improve our team."Despite the team's impressive unbeaten run, Rohit and Dravid remained focused on areas for improvement. "Even after significant victories, their focus remains on what we could have done better," Jain noted.Jain expressed his gratitude for the duo's contributions to Indian cricket. "Every member of our fraternity owes them immense gratitude for this triumph," he said. "Every Indian dreams of seeing their country win the prestigious ICC trophy. Personally, and on behalf of every Indian, this victory, this hard work and these memories will be cherished for years to come."Rohit and Dravid's leadership extended beyond the field. They created an environment where every individual felt valued and respected. "Their cricketing achievements are impressive, but what truly sets them apart is their respect for everyone's opinions and their ability to make each person feel valued," Jain wrote.The T20 World Cup marked the end of Dravid's tenure as head coach. He will be succeeded by Gautam Gambhir, while Rohit has retired from T20 internationals. However, their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Indian cricketers.

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has highlighted the crucial task facing newly appointed Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir: ensuring a seamless transition after the 2025 Champions Trophy. With Indian captain Rohit Sharma and batting stalwart Virat Kohli approaching the twilight of their careers, Chopra believes Gambhir must determine their future roles in the ODI setup leading up to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.Gambhir, who officially took over from Rahul Dravid after India's triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup, inherits a legacy of success left by his predecessor. Chopra emphasized the importance of maintaining and building upon this legacy, particularly in the 50-over format."ODI cricket will be a 50-50 situation," Chopra said. "What happens after the Champions Trophy? The next World Cup is in 2027, so the transition will start after the Champions Trophy itself. He will have to figure it out."Chopra acknowledged the delicate balance Gambhir must strike between phasing out the experienced players and nurturing the next generation. However, he noted that the retirements of Kohli, Rohit, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20I cricket have eased some of the pressure on Gambhir in the shortest format."India have reached the finals of the last three ICC events," Chopra said. "Dravid has left behind a fantastic legacy. Rohit Sharma also wrote a huge post about that legacy. Maintaining and taking the legacy forward will be a challenging task (for Gambhir)."Gambhir's first assignment as India coach will be a white-ball series against Sri Lanka in late July. The series will provide an early indication of his approach and the direction he intends to take the team.

Avesh Khan Lauds Shubman Gill's Leadership as "Bowler's Captain"India's fast bowler Avesh Khan has heaped praise on captain Shubman Gill, describing him as a "bowler's captain" who provides immense support and freedom to his bowlers. Khan's comments come after India's 23-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third T20I match in Harare, where he played a crucial role with figures of 2 for 39.Gill's leadership style has been instrumental in Khan's success in the series, with the captain granting him the autonomy to set his own fields and execute his plans. "Shubman Gill is a bowler's captain. He gives a lot of freedom to the bowlers. He gives them a chance to set their own fields. He always backs you if you are executing your plans," Khan said in a post-match interview with Sony Sports.Khan also highlighted Gill's ability to intervene with his own plans when necessary, providing valuable guidance and support. "If things go slightly awry and you get hit, he brings his own plan and tells you what needs to be done. That always helps a lot. He has contributed to me getting one or two wickets," Khan added.Khan's praise for Gill's leadership is a testament to the positive and supportive environment he has created within the team. This has allowed Khan to thrive and showcase his skills, contributing significantly to India's success in the series.In addition to his leadership qualities, Gill has also impressed with his batting performances. In the third T20I, he top-scored with a 49-ball 66, setting a challenging target of 183 for Zimbabwe. His innings laid the foundation for India's victory and helped them take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.Khan's own performances have been equally impressive, with the fast bowler securing six wickets at an economy rate of 7.54 in the first three games. His best performance came in the second game, where he achieved figures of 3/15, contributing significantly to India's 100-run victory.With two more matches remaining in the series, India will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory. Khan's bowling and Gill's leadership will be crucial to their success, as they aim to continue their dominance over Zimbabwe.

Rahul Dravid's Legacy: A Tribute from Rohit Sharma and FamilyRahul Dravid's tenure as head coach of the Indian men's cricket team came to an end with the appointment of Gautam Gambhir. Dravid's departure marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, as he led the team to triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 after disappointments in the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.Dravid's impact on the Indian team extended beyond the field. He fostered a culture of respect, humility, and hard work, earning the admiration of players and fans alike. His bond with Rohit Sharma's family, particularly his daughter Samaira, was particularly touching.In a heartfelt tribute on social media, Rohit Sharma's wife Ritika Sajdeh expressed the family's gratitude for Dravid's guidance and support. "So many emotions, you mean so much to our entire family. You will be missed so much. I think Sammy will miss you the most," she wrote.Rohit Sharma himself paid an emotional tribute to Dravid, calling him his "work wife." "My wife refers to you as my work wife and I am lucky to get to call you that too," Rohit wrote on Instagram. "You are an absolute stalwart of this game but you left all of your accolades and achievements at the door and walked in as our coach and came on a level where we all felt comfortable enough to say just about anything to you."Dravid's legacy as a coach will be defined by his ability to connect with players on a personal level while maintaining high standards of performance. His departure leaves a void in Indian cricket, but his influence will continue to shape the team for years to come.

Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji Emerge as Contenders for Team India Bowling Coach RoleFormer Indian fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji have emerged as potential candidates for the bowling coach position in Team India's coaching staff under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering their names to replace Paras Mhambrey, whose tenure has reportedly ended.Zaheer Khan, widely regarded as one of India's greatest left-arm pacers, boasts an impressive record of 311 Test wickets in 92 matches and a total of 610 scalps in 309 international matches across all formats. His experience and expertise would be invaluable to the Indian bowling unit.Lakshmipathy Balaji, on the other hand, has represented India in eight Test matches, claiming 27 wickets at an average of 37.18. He has also taken 34 wickets in 30 ODIs. While his international experience is limited compared to Zaheer, Balaji's knowledge of Indian conditions and his ability to mentor young bowlers could make him a suitable candidate.The appointment of a new bowling coach is part of a broader overhaul of the Indian team's support staff following the departure of Rahul Dravid as head coach. Gambhir, a former India opener and winner of both T20 and ODI World Cups, was named as Dravid's successor on Tuesday.Gambhir, who also served as the team mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2024, has a proven track record of success in coaching. Under his guidance, KKR secured their third IPL trophy this season. He was also captain of the KKR team that won the IPL in 2012 and 2014.The BCCI is expected to make a decision on the bowling coach position soon. The appointment of Zaheer Khan or Lakshmipathy Balaji would be a significant step in shaping the future of Indian cricket.