Cricket

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020. Despite his retirement, Dhoni's impact on the sport continues to resonate, particularly through his role in shaping the careers of numerous current Indian cricketers.Dhoni's leadership and cricketing acumen have earned him a legendary status in the sport. He has been instrumental in grooming players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shikhar Dhawan. Dhoni's belief in young players and his patience with them have allowed many to flourish under his guidance.Rohit Sharma, the current Indian captain, credits Dhoni for playing a pivotal role in his career. In a video shared by Star Sports, Rohit recalls Dhoni's ability to encourage and support young players, regardless of their performance. This unwavering support has been crucial in fostering a sense of confidence and security among the team members.Dhoni's deep understanding of the game and his ability to read match situations made him a master strategist. His field placements, bowling changes, and match tactics often caught the opposition off guard. His calmness allowed him to think ahead and plan for various scenarios.Dhoni's captaincy transformed the Indian team into a formidable unit, both at home and abroad. His leadership style has influenced a generation of cricketers, and he remains a role model for captains around the world. As one of India's most successful cricket captains, Dhoni led the team to victories in all three major ICC tournaments: the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.Dhoni's legacy as one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket is cemented by his success in international cricket and the IPL. His calm and composed approach, sharp decision-making, and ability to stay cool under pressure have earned him immense respect from his peers and fans alike.

After a well-deserved break following the Sri Lanka series, the Indian cricket team will reconvene next month for a two-Test series against Bangladesh. This extended break is a rarity for Indian cricketers, providing much-needed respite after a grueling schedule.However, according to reports, India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for the Bangladesh series. The decision stems from the team's hectic upcoming schedule and the spin-friendly conditions expected in Bangladesh. With Mohammed Shami likely to make a comeback, the BCCI selectors may opt to give Bumrah additional rest.Bumrah has a history of injury-related breaks, including a stress fracture surgery in March 2023. To ensure his fitness for the upcoming tour of Australia, the selectors may prioritize his recovery.Meanwhile, the BCCI has shifted one of the opening matches of the Duleep Trophy from Anantapur to Bengaluru to accommodate top players who are likely to feature in the Bangladesh series. Senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may be exempted from the tournament, while others like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and KL Rahul are expected to participate partially or fully.The Duleep Trophy, scheduled to begin on September 5, will provide an opportunity for players to prepare for the Bangladesh series. The two Tests will be played in Chennai (September 19) and Kanpur (September 27).

Former Indian cricket legend Harbhajan Singh believes that Virat Kohli's exceptional physical condition will allow him to continue playing international cricket for another five years. He also expressed his opinion that Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian team in both Test and ODI formats, can continue playing for at least two more years.Harbhajan emphasized Kohli's remarkable fitness, stating that he is "probably the fittest guy in the team." He believes that Kohli's fitness will enable him to withstand the rigors of international cricket for an extended period.Regarding Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan said, "Rohit can easily play for two more years." He highlighted the importance of experience in Test cricket, stating that both Kohli and Sharma are crucial players in this format.Harbhajan stressed the need for selectors to balance experience with performance. He said, "If someone is not performing well, they should be dropped, whether they are senior players or juniors." However, he emphasized that as long as players are fit and contributing, they should continue to be selected.Harbhajan also acknowledged the hunger and determination of younger players, saying, "Youngsters have much more hunger than the seniors." He praised the opportunities being given to Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill.Despite India's recent 0-2 defeat against Sri Lanka in the ODI series, Harbhajan downplayed its significance. He said, "It was one of those things. Sometimes you win it, sometimes you lose it. It's sports after all." He commended Sri Lanka for playing better than India.

India's Test Stalwarts Set to Grace Duleep Trophy in Preparation for Bangladesh SeriesIn anticipation of India's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, the Duleep Trophy, scheduled to commence on September 5 in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, is set to feature a star-studded lineup. India captain Rohit Sharma and former skipper Virat Kohli are expected to lead the charge, alongside a host of other prominent players.The tournament will serve as a crucial platform for the Indian selectors to assess the form and readiness of key players ahead of the Bangladesh series. The Indian Express reports that the Duleep Trophy will showcase the talents of Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kuldeep Yadav.However, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will not participate in the Duleep Trophy due to an extended rest period. The senior selection committee will deliberate on Bumrah's availability for the two-Test series against Bangladesh.With India facing a demanding schedule of 10 Test matches over the next four months, including five against Australia, the Duleep Trophy will provide invaluable match practice for the players. The tournament will run from September 5 to September 24, offering ample opportunity for the players to showcase their skills and prepare for the challenges ahead.The inclusion of top players is expected to enhance the competitiveness and appeal of the Duleep Trophy. The tournament will provide a glimpse of India's Test team in the making, as the players strive to prove their worth and secure their place in the squad for the Bangladesh series.The first Test between India and Bangladesh will commence in Chennai on September 19. The Duleep Trophy will serve as a crucial stepping stone for the Indian team as they gear up for this important series.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has weighed in on Virat Kohli's performance in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, which India lost 2-0. Karthik believes that there is no cause for concern about Kohli's form, considering the challenging conditions faced by all Indian batsmen on pitches that heavily favored spinners.The Indian batting lineup encountered significant difficulties while playing at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Sri Lankan spinners dominated the proceedings, exploiting the conducive conditions to their advantage. Out of the 30 Indian wickets that fell during the three-match series, an astonishing 27 were claimed by the hosts' spin bowlers, highlighting their effectiveness on the turning tracks.This series loss marks the first time in 27 years that India has been defeated by Sri Lanka in a bilateral ODI series. Karthik, however, believes that the team can take some positives from the experience."It's been a tough pitch to play spin in this series, let's admit that first. Be it Virat Kohli, be it Rohit Sharma, or be it anyone else. With the slightly semi-new ball between overs about 8 to 30, it's been hard work (for batters)," Karthik said in a video on Cricbuzz."It's nothing to worry about. Not too many pitches work that way, but it's been a tough pitch to play spinners. I'm not going to defend Virat Kohli here, but I can tell you that playing spin was very hard," he added.Karthik also emphasized the positives for India from the series, which they can leverage in the future, particularly in the lead-up to the 2025 Champions Trophy."The biggest positive is the fact that India played all-rounders and bravely attacked. So that is something I really like, that is one. Number two, Riyan Parag, in his limited opportunities, is showing what he can do with the ball, which is again a small plus for us," Karthik said."Other than that, I think Rohit's batting is itself. The way he starts in powerplay. He is making batting look too easy in the series. Batted beautifully. These were the positives for me from this series," he added.Karthik also discussed why Indian batters struggle when facing spin on slow pitches."When you first end up playing international cricket, you end up playing a lot more quality fast-bowling. But the truth is, when every team ends up playing three fast-bowlers, and at times, four of them with just one spinner or sometimes two, we play on slow turning pitches, which doesn't happen too often," Karthik said."So, when you come from domestic cricket and go into international cricket, you focus on playing fast-bowling and hence, it is understandable of players losing their quality to play spin bowling over a period of time," he added.Karthik concluded by suggesting changes to the IPL mega auction system ahead of the 2025 season."I feel four to five (retentions) is a good number, but one or two Right to Match is also a very good option. But one small change in the Right to Match option is, once the player is bid for and the right to match option is used, I think bidding can still go on," Karthik said."If the team which has won the first bid believe they have something in their kitty to bid for that player, in that way, the player will get fair money, and the bidding has to happen between the team which has used the Right to match, and the team which has bid for him until then to get that player," he added.

India's batting woes have put them on the brink of a series defeat against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ODI series. The onus is on the Indian batters, particularly Virat Kohli, to step up and counter the spin challenge posed by the Lankan bowlers.Kohli, who has been subdued in the first two matches, needs to rediscover his form to provide stability to the Indian middle order. His dismissals to leg-spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Jeffrey Vandersay have raised concerns about his ability to handle the turning ball.Other Indian batters have also struggled against the Lankan spinners. Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul have failed to rotate the strike effectively and have been trapped in front of the wicket.In contrast, Rohit Sharma has shown how to tackle the spin challenge. His well-calculated strokes have allowed him to score runs at a brisk pace. His colleagues need to take a cue from his approach and play with more confidence and planning.From a combination perspective, the Indian team management may consider replacing Dube with Riyan Parag. Parag's spin bowling could be more effective than Dube's medium pace on the turning tracks in Colombo.The Indian bowlers also need to improve their performance in the death overs. They have failed to apply finishing touches to the Lankan innings after reducing them to precarious positions.If India is to avoid their first ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years, they need to find a way to counter the spin challenge and improve their batting and bowling performances.

The recent ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka marked a significant transition for the Indian cricket team under the leadership of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. While the tour provided an opportunity to experiment with young talent, Gambhir's decision to include experienced veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has sparked debate among cricket experts.Former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra believes that the inclusion of Kohli and Sharma was not the optimal strategy. He argues that the series presented an ideal chance to give opportunities to emerging players, especially considering the extended break before India's next assignment."This was a good chance to give chances to young talents," Nehra said. "The presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma was not required for this series."Nehra acknowledges that Gambhir, as a new coach, may have wanted to spend time with experienced players. However, he believes that Gambhir is well-acquainted with Kohli and Sharma and could have afforded to give other players a chance."I know Gambhir is a new coach, and he wants to spend some time with the experienced players, but it isn't like he doesn't know the two of them," Nehra said. "He is not a foreign coach who wants to get his equation right with Kohli and Rohit."Nehra suggests that the series could have been an opportunity to experiment with new combinations and give young players valuable experience. He believes that Kohli and Sharma could have been rested for the Sri Lanka tour and brought back for the upcoming home season."It was a good opportunity for him to try out the new players, and Rohit and Kohli could play when the home season begins," Nehra said. "I'm not saying it is a wrong approach, but it could have been one of the strategies in this series."Gambhir's decision to include Kohli and Sharma has raised questions about his long-term vision for the Indian team. While the experienced duo remains vital to India's success, it is crucial to develop and nurture young talent to ensure a smooth transition in the future.

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli: A Bond Beyond CricketFormer Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has shed light on his enduring bond with Virat Kohli, one of India's most celebrated batsmen. Dhoni, who led India to victory in the 2011 World Cup, recently spoke about his close relationship with Kohli during an event in Hyderabad.Dhoni revealed that he and Kohli make a conscious effort to connect whenever they have the opportunity. "We have been colleagues who played for India for a very long time," Dhoni said. "He has been amongst the best when it comes to world cricket."The former skipper recalled their memorable partnerships during his playing days, particularly in the middle overs. "We used to take a lot of twos and threes in the game, so it was always fun," Dhoni said. "It is not like we meet very often, but whenever we get a chance, we make sure that we go on the side and chat for sometime."Dhoni's comments underscore the deep respect and camaraderie between these two cricketing icons. Kohli, who recently played a pivotal role in India's victory in the ICC T20 World Cup, is currently engaged in the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka.Meanwhile, Dhoni made a triumphant return to the IPL in 2024 after undergoing a successful knee surgery. Despite occasional physical challenges, he showcased his enduring brilliance, scoring 161 runs in 11 innings with an impressive average of 53.66 and a remarkable strike rate of 220.54.Dhoni's return to the IPL was a testament to his unwavering passion for the game and his desire to entertain the audience. His presence on the field continues to inspire and captivate cricket fans around the world.

Virat Kohli's Practice Session Interrupted by Fan's TauntIndian cricket star Virat Kohli was visibly annoyed during a practice session in Sri Lanka when a fan addressed him as "Chokli." The incident occurred as Kohli was practicing with his teammates in a room.As Kohli focused on his drills, the fan began shouting "Chokli-Chokli," a derogatory term used to mock the batsman. Kohli immediately turned to face the fan, his expression clearly displeased.Kohli arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday for a three-match ODI series against the host nation. Due to rain in Colombo, the initial practice session was canceled. However, Kohli participated in his first net session since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.The incident highlights the challenges faced by high-profile athletes who often encounter unwanted attention and disrespectful behavior from fans. Kohli, known for his intense focus and competitive spirit, was clearly disturbed by the fan's taunts.Despite the interruption, Kohli is expected to play a key role in India's upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. With the 2025 Champions Trophy just seven months away, Kohli will be eager to showcase his best performance and help India secure another ICC trophy.Kohli has an impressive record against Sri Lanka in ODIs, having scored 2594 runs in 53 matches at an average of 63.26. He has scored 10 centuries and 12 half-centuries against the island nation.