Cricket

Pakistan's star pace bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has declared that his unwavering priority lies in securing victories for his nation, rather than pursuing the coveted role of captaincy. During a recent media interaction in Karachi, Afridi emphasized that leadership positions are not within his control and do not align with his personal aspirations."Pakistan's success takes precedence over everything else, followed by the team's performance, and only then do I come into the picture," Afridi asserted. "Dwelling on the past serves no purpose. My focus remains firmly on the present, and I refrain from speculating about the future. By excelling in the present, we can lay a solid foundation for the future. Captaincy is not something I can control, and it has never been a driving force in my cricketing journey. My sole motivation is to represent Pakistan with honor and dignity."Afridi's appointment as Pakistan's T20I captain came in the wake of the team's disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. He led the side in a five-match series against New Zealand, which Pakistan lost 1-4. Despite the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership abilities, Afridi's tenure as T20I captain was short-lived, as Babar Azam was reinstated as Pakistan's white-ball captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.Afridi's candid remarks underscore his unwavering commitment to his role as a player, with an unwavering focus on contributing to the team's success rather than seeking personal accolades. His primary objective remains to help Pakistan achieve victories on the cricket field, regardless of his position or responsibilities.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has shared his insights on his journey as an international cricketer and captain, offering a glimpse into his future with the national team.During an interview on Dubai Eye 103.8 Radio Station while participating in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians (MI), Rohit reflected on his career trajectory. Expressing his aspirations, he mentioned his intent to continue playing for several more years, aspiring to leave a lasting impact on the global cricketing stage."The journey has been wonderful; to make it to the highest level is not easy, especially in the country from where I come from; it has been 17 years; I still hope to play a few more years as well and make an impact in world cricket," Rohit said.The Indian skipper also reflected on the trials and tribulations he has faced throughout his cricketing journey, noting that he has experienced more setbacks than triumphs, particularly during the early stages of his career. These challenges took a toll on him, leading him to question his place within the national team."I have seen more downs than ups in my life, the human and person I am today is because of what I have seen in the past, and in the downs. When I started my career, I did not have a lot of positives. I did not have a lot of positive impact on the team. I was questioning whether I belonged here or not. It was about what I could do as a person or want in this life as a person and player," said Rohit.Discussing his role as the captain of the Indian team, Rohit emphasised that leading one's country is the ultimate honour for any cricketer. He further delved into his leadership philosophy, highlighting his vision as a skipper, which revolves around prioritising the team's success over individual milestones."Captaining your country is the biggest honour that you can have, and for me, I have never thought that this would arrive where I will be captaining one day. But yeah, people say good things happen to good people," said Rohit."I was very fortunate to get that opportunity (to be a captain), and I knew the past captains who have had an impact in Indian cricket and the kind of legacy they have left as well. We have had so many great captains, so yeah, just taking from where these guys left, making sure that the team heads in the right direction.""When I took over as India captain, I just wanted everyone to drive in one direction, that is how the team sport should be played, it is not about personal milestones, stats and goals, it is about what all 11 of us can bring to the table and win the trophy," Rohit concluded his point.Addressing the pressure inherent in being a cricketer and a role model in India, Rohit acknowledged its significant influence on his life. He emphasised his approach to handling pressure, viewing it as a constructive force that drives him to excel."I believe unless you are put under pressure, the real you does not come out so much. Sometimes you do not realise what kind of strengths you have as an individual, so when you are under pressure you try and bring out that strength," he added.Rohit will be in action for India in the ICC T20 World Cup from June 1 onwards in the West Indies and USA.

Shubman Gill, the captain of the Gujarat Titans, has emerged as one of the most promising young cricketers in India. Despite his impressive performances, Gill remains focused on his team's success rather than his own aspirations for national selection.Gill believes that prioritizing his team's goals is essential for his personal growth and the team's overall performance. He understands that allowing thoughts of national selection to distract him would be unfair to both himself and his teammates. Instead, he views any potential selection as an opportunity to represent his country and pursue glory on the international stage.However, Gill acknowledges that if he is not chosen for the T20 World Cup, he will wholeheartedly support the selected players. His dedication to his team's success and his humility in accepting outcomes reflect his maturity and professionalism as a cricketer.Gill's leadership role with the Gujarat Titans has also been a valuable learning experience for him. He has gained a deeper understanding of the importance of trust and vulnerability in building a strong team. As a captain, he recognizes the need to earn the trust of his players and create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their vulnerabilities.Despite the high expectations placed on the Gujarat Titans after their successful first two seasons, Gill is not focused on creating his own legacy. Instead, he credits head coach Ashish Nehra for playing a significant role in the team's success. Gill believes that the team's focus should be on qualifying for the playoffs and performing well in pressure situations.Gill's rise to stardom has been marked by both success and setbacks. He acknowledges that success can boost one's ego, but it is failures that provide the most valuable lessons. He believes that embracing failures is essential for personal growth and development.