Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to return for its 16th season, but the fate of the controversial 'Impact Player' rule remains uncertain. Despite calls for its removal, several players and experts have expressed their support for its retention.Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, believes the rule adds strategic value to the game. "It gives a little more value for strategy," he said. "The other side of that argument is it doesn't encourage all-rounders. But no one is stopping them."Former India pacer Zaheer Khan, now the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants, echoed Ashwin's sentiments. "I'm all for it," he said. "It has definitely given opportunities to a lot of uncapped Indian talents."Khan emphasized the rule's positive impact on young players. "That opportunity goes a long way with improving Indian cricket on the whole," he said. "The time spent in match time, it's something you cannot beat."However, not all players are convinced. Virat Kohli, the former India captain, has criticized the rule for disrupting the game's balance. Rohit Sharma, the current India skipper, has also expressed his reservations.The 'Impact Player' rule allows teams to substitute a player during the match, providing tactical flexibility. However, critics argue that it undermines the role of all-rounders and disrupts the flow of the game.As the IPL auction approaches, teams will be weighing the pros and cons of the rule. While some may see it as an opportunity to bolster their squads with versatile players, others may prefer to stick with traditional team compositions.The ultimate decision on the rule's future lies with the IPL Governing Council. With the tournament set to begin in March, the fate of the 'Impact Player' rule will be closely watched by fans and players alike.

Jay Shah, the newly appointed chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has expressed his gratitude to Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and other members of the Indian and international cricket fraternity for their congratulatory messages. Shah, who is currently the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will assume the role of ICC chairman from December onwards.As the only candidate nominated to succeed Greg Barclay, Shah's appointment marks a significant milestone in his career. At 35 years old, he becomes the youngest person to ever lead the apex cricket body. Shah's nomination was unanimously supported by all 15 members of the ICC Board.In his message to Kohli, Shah acknowledged the Indian batting legend's contributions to the sport and expressed his commitment to working together to elevate cricket to new heights. He also thanked Rohit Sharma for his leadership on and off the field, emphasizing the importance of inspiring the next generation of cricketers.Shah's experience as the Chair of the Asian Cricket Council since 2021 has equipped him with valuable insights into the complexities of international cricket administration. He has emphasized the need to balance the coexistence of multiple formats, promote technological advancements, and expand the reach of cricket to new global markets.Shah's appointment has been met with optimism and anticipation within the cricket community. His commitment to inclusivity and innovation is expected to drive the sport forward and attract a wider audience.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest Test rankings, with significant changes in both the batting and bowling categories.Batting:Virat Kohli has climbed two spots to eighth, while Rohit Sharma has dropped one place to sixth. Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a notable jump to seventh. England's Joe Root remains at the top, with Harry Brook moving up to fourth after his impressive performance against Sri Lanka.Pakistan's Babar Azam has slipped six places to ninth, while Mohammad Rizwan has risen to a career-best tied-10th. Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim has also achieved a career-high ranking of 17th.Bowling:India's Ravichandran Ashwin continues to dominate as the top-ranked bowler in Test cricket. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja maintain their positions at third and seventh, respectively.England's Chris Woakes has moved up four places to 16th, and Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando has climbed 10 spots to 17th. Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah and England's Gus Atkinson have both achieved career-best ratings.All-Rounders:Indian players continue to dominate the all-rounder rankings. Ravindra Jadeja remains at the top, followed by Ravichandran Ashwin. Axar Patel is ranked sixth.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter, is currently enjoying a well-deserved break from international cricket. Having last played in an ODI series against Sri Lanka, Kohli is now spending quality time with his family. His illustrious career, spanning nearly two decades, has cemented his status as one of the greatest batters of all time.Kohli's journey to the pinnacle of cricket began with the 2008 U-19 World Cup. Similarly, another promising young top-order batter, Shubman Gill, embarked on his international journey with the 2018 edition of the U-19 World Cup. Gill has been hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket, and together with Kohli, they form a formidable top order.However, a recent fake video has surfaced online, causing a stir among cricket fans. The video features Kohli allegedly blasting Gill, claiming that there's a "big gap between showing promise and becoming a legend." Kohli also reportedly compares himself to Sachin Tendulkar. The comments in the video appear to be lip-synced, and the video has gone viral, sparking concerns about the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI).Despite the fake video, Kohli remains a respected figure in Indian cricket. He recently moved up two rungs to eighth place in the latest ICC Test rankings, while his captain Rohit Sharma dropped a spot to sixth. Young Yashasvi Jaiswal also made a significant jump, moving up to seventh place.In the ICC Test rankings, England's Joe Root remains the top-ranked batter, followed by Harry Brook, who has made a massive jump to fourth place. Pakistan's Babar Azam has dropped to ninth place, while Mohammad Rizwan has achieved a new career-high rating by moving into the top 10.Among bowlers, India's Ravichandran Ashwin continues to hold the top spot, while Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja maintain their third and seventh positions, respectively. England's Chris Woakes and Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando have gained ground, while Pakistan's Naseem Shah and England's Gus Atkinson have attained career-best ratings.In the all-rounders' rankings, Jadeja and Ashwin continue to occupy the top two spots, with Axar Patel ranked sixth.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his opinion that star players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah should have been included in the first round of the Duleep Trophy. The tournament, which marks the beginning of India's domestic season, will commence on September 5 in Bengaluru and Anantapur.Manjrekar's suggestion stems from the fact that these players have had ample rest in recent times. He pointed out that Rohit Sharma has played only 59% of India's 249 international matches in the last five years, while Virat Kohli has played 61% and Jasprit Bumrah has played only 34%."I see them as well-rested India players. Could have been selected for the Duleep trophy," Manjrekar said on 'X'.The BCCI has announced that Ravindra Jadeja has been released from participation in the Duleep Trophy without providing a reason. Additionally, Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik will not feature as they are recovering from recent illness. Navdeep Saini and Gaurav Yadav have been named as replacements.The Duleep Trophy is crucial in identifying key players for India's packed Test calendar and their readiness for the World Test Championship final. India's home season will commence with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 in Chennai, followed by a second game in Kanpur beginning on September 27. Following this series, India will play three Test matches against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. Subsequently, the team will travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most celebrated cricketers of the modern era, have a massive fan following worldwide, including in Pakistan despite not playing even a single international match in the country. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal believes that Virat and Rohit, who have already bid adieu to T20Is, should visit Pakistan before retiring from international cricket."Virat and Rohit should visit Pakistan before they retire," Akmal said in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com. "These two are stars of world cricket, traveling across the globe to play the game. Every single fan loves them. They have a massive fan base due to their batting and match-winning performances."Akmal believes that the fan following Virat and Rohit will experience in Pakistan will surpass anything they've seen elsewhere. "The last series between India and Pakistan took place in 2012-13. Since then, the two teams have only clashed in multination tournaments like the Asia Cup and ICC events. The absence of regular bilateral series has left fans longing for the resumption of the thrilling India vs Pakistan contests," Akmal said."Virat is a role model for many around the world, Rohit is the World Cup-winning captain, and Bumrah is currently the best pacer in the world. When players like Virat, Rohit and Bumrah visit Pakistan, it will evoke unique feelings in every fan. Virat has been to Pakistan during his under-19 days, but he wasn't as popular then," Akmal said."If Virat visits Pakistan now, he will truly see his popularity here. He will receive a different kind of support in Pakistan. No cricketer is more popular than Virat in Pakistan; he has a bigger fan-following than any other cricketer in the world. Pakistani fans love Virat, Rohit and Bumrah more than any of their own cricket team players," the former wicketkeeper said.Virat and Rohit will be back in action in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test will begin on September 19 in Chennai, followed by the second Test at Green Park in Kanpur from September 27.

Virat Kohli's tenure as India's Test captain marked a transformative era for the team, characterized by dominance, historic victories, and an aggressive leadership style that inspired players.Kohli, alongside head coach Ravi Shastri, fostered an environment where India's pace attack flourished, becoming one of the most formidable in the world. Under their guidance, India achieved historic series wins in Australia and drew a series in England, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.Kohli's aggressive captaincy left an indelible mark on the players who played under him. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who made his Test debut under Kohli, lauded the former skipper's leadership style.In his first Test as captain, Kohli's unwavering determination to win was evident. Despite facing a daunting target of 363 in the fourth innings, Kohli instilled a belief in his team that they could chase it down. "We are going to chase it down," he declared, injecting positivity into the dressing room.Although India ultimately fell short by 48 runs, Kohli's flamboyant 141 off 175 balls demonstrated his unwavering belief in his team's abilities. "It was a different approach," said Karn. "His words sent a wonderful indication to the players in the dressing room, that your captain has different plans."Kohli's resilience was also evident in his ability to overcome poor form. Despite enduring a rough patch during India's tour to England in 2014, he put that behind him to heap runs in Australia."He always gave the impression that everything is fine," said Karn. "Through his preparations, fitness, mental approach, Kohli never appeared too bothered or was fretting over the fact that he had a bad Test series."Kohli's leadership style not only inspired his players but also left a lasting legacy on Indian cricket. His aggressive approach, unwavering determination, and ability to overcome adversity continue to serve as a model for future generations of cricketers.

Former Australian cricketer Geoff Lawson predicts a mixed reception for India's Virat Kohli from Australian crowds during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Lawson believes Kohli's fierce competitive nature could paint him as a "faux villain," contrasting with the more amiable Jasprit Bumrah.Lawson told Mid-day, "Virat Kohli will play the faux villain to Jasprit Bumrah's likeable nature." He added, "Bumrah, with the fast bowler's privilege of spending half a life at fine leg, has the perfect chance to interact with the crowd, winning smiles and hearts. Meanwhile, Kohli will lurk in the infield, appealing vociferously, fielding magnificently, and engaging verbally with any Australian player so inclined to conversation — and there will be one or two of those."Lawson commented on the complicated relationship Australian fans have with Kohli, noting they appreciate strong competition yet may react to his on-field demeanor. "They may give him some grief if he plays the antagonist, but you can guarantee that if he makes 50s and 100s, he will be loudly applauded by the fans. He has shown a liking for Australian conditions ever since his first tour 13 years ago. Bounce and pace suited his two-footed game, but the question in 2024 is whether he still has the razor sharpness to best Australia’s attack on their home surfaces. I wouldn't count him out."Despite Australia's overall superior record in Test cricket against India, recent years have seen the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remain intensely competitive. India have held onto the trophy through three successive series wins, including two victories on Australian soil. Nevertheless, Lawson believes it is time for the trophy to return to Australia."Pat Cummins may smile a lot, but his competitiveness is ingrained and powerful," Lawson noted. "Some Australian players have been quoted as having unfinished business. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been loaned to the BCCI for a decade; it's time to get it back on the trophy shelves in Jolimont [Cricket Australia's headquarters in Victoria]. Australia may hold the World Test Championship, but without a home series win against India, the crown sits unsteadily."Lawson, who represented Australia in 46 Tests and 79 ODIs between 1980 and 1989, emphasized the significance of reclaiming the trophy to reinforce Australia's dominance in Test cricket, particularly on home soil.

Despite his impressive performances for Team India, Rinku Singh was surprisingly omitted from the nation's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. However, the young batsman has revealed the encouraging words he received from captain Rohit Sharma after the setback."He (Rohit Sharma) came to me and said that it is okay, I'm still young, and there are many more tournaments to come. There is a World Cup every two years, so I shouldn't be disappointed by this but focus on my game instead," Rinku said in an interview.Despite winning the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rinku was left out as India opted for four spin options. However, he was included as a traveling reserve.Immediately after the tournament, Rinku was included in India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe, where he played in every game as a middle-order batter. He then starred in the T20I series in Sri Lanka, impressing with the ball by picking up two wickets in the penultimate over of the final T20I to turn the game in India's favor.Presently, Rinku boasts an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 174 in 17 T20I innings for India. Remarkably, he has remained not out in 10 of those innings.Rinku also acknowledged Virat Kohli's style of leadership. "I like Virat Kohli as well because aggression is very important while leading a team. So, his captaincy was also very good," he said.Rinku had recently expressed his desire to play for Kohli's franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) if he is not retained by KKR.Currently, Rinku is playing in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UP T20), where he is captaining Meerut Mavericks. He has not been included in any of the four squads for the Duleep Trophy to be held in September.