Cricket

Shakib Al Hasan's Sarcastic Response to Virender Sehwag's CriticismBangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has made headlines with his sarcastic response to former India opener Virender Sehwag's criticism of his batting performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup.After Bangladesh's victory over the Netherlands, a video clip of Shakib's post-match press conference went viral. When asked about Sehwag's comments, Shakib interrupted the journalist and asked, "Who?" The clip, which ends abruptly, has sparked amusement and speculation.However, Shakib later completed his response, stating that players should focus on contributing to their team rather than responding to criticism. "A player doesn't play to answer (the critics). His job is to contribute to the team. If he is not able to do that, there will be a lot of talk. I think it's not such a bad thing," he said.Sehwag had criticized Shakib for his poor performance in Bangladesh's first two matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa. He had questioned Shakib's inclusion in the squad for his experience, saying that he had not shown it on the field.Shakib's response has been interpreted as a sarcastic dig at Sehwag, who is known for his outspoken and often controversial comments. It has also highlighted the growing rivalry between India and Bangladesh in cricket, with both teams vying for supremacy in the subcontinent.Despite Sehwag's criticism, Shakib has rediscovered his batting form in Bangladesh's recent matches. He scored an unbeaten 64 off 46 deliveries against the Netherlands, helping his team secure a 25-run victory.Bangladesh are now on the verge of qualifying for the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup, having won two of their three matches in Group D. Their remaining match is against South Africa on Sunday, which will determine their final standing in the group.

Legendary Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has launched a scathing attack on Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan following Bangladesh's disappointing loss to South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024.Chasing a modest target of 114, Bangladesh appeared in control before collapsing dramatically, losing the match by 4 runs. Shakib, who has been a key figure for Bangladesh in recent years, managed just 3 runs off 4 balls before being dismissed by Anrich Nortje.Sehwag, known for his outspoken nature, believes that Shakib should have retired from T20 cricket long ago. He criticized Shakib's recent performances in the shortest format, calling his numbers "shameful.""During the last World Cup, I thought he should no longer be picked for the T20 format. Time for retirement came a long time ago. You are such a senior player, you were the captain of this team. You should actually be ashamed of your recent numbers. You should come forward and announce yourself that enough is enough, I'm retiring from this format," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.Sehwag also questioned Shakib's batting approach, suggesting that he should adapt his style to suit his strengths."If you are picked in the World Cup squad for your experience, then show that it was actually worth it. You need to spend some time at the crease at least. You are not Adam Gilchrist or Mathew Hayden. Hooks and pulls are not your strengths. You are a Bangladeshi player. You play according to your strength."Bangladesh currently have 2 points from 2 matches after their loss to South Africa. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed disappointment with the result but praised the team's effort."We were bit nervous but we were confident we could get over the line but unfortunately it did not happen. (Tanzim Hasan) He worked really hard last couple of days, we wanted wickets with the new ball and he showed character today. This is the match we should have won, last couple of overs they bowled really well. It can happen in cricket."

Virat Kohli's batting has been under scrutiny despite his impressive run-scoring form in IPL 2024. However, the RCB batter silenced critics with a blistering 47 off 29 balls against Chennai Super Kings, propelling his team to the playoffs.Kohli's innings was a masterclass in pacing and execution. He started cautiously, building a solid foundation for RCB's chase. As the innings progressed, he accelerated his scoring rate, hitting boundaries at will. His strike rate of 162.07 was a testament to his aggressive intent.Legendary Indian batter Virender Sehwag lauded Kohli's performance, stating that it was a joy to witness him perform at his best. "He gave an amazing start to RCB," Sehwag said. "He has batted amazingly. Virat Kohli has done what he is known for. Today he has shown that he is a big player in big matches."Kohli's innings was not the only highlight for RCB. Young pacer Yash Dayal emerged as a key performer, dismissing MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja in quick succession to seal the victory. RCB captain Faf Du Plessis awarded Dayal the Man of the Match award, praising his exceptional bowling."The way he bowled was unbelievable," Du Plessis said. "For a man who's fairly new, he deserves it. [on what he told Dayal before the last over] Pace off is the best option on this pitch and trust your skills and enjoy, this is what you trained for."RCB's victory was a testament to their collective effort. Kohli's batting brilliance, Dayal's bowling prowess, and Du Plessis's astute captaincy combined to secure a crucial win and a berth in the playoffs.

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has been synonymous with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. However, a recent revelation by former India opener Virender Sehwag has shed light on an intriguing fact: Dhoni was not the initial choice to lead CSK.According to Sehwag, VB Chandrashekhar, who was responsible for assembling the CSK squad ahead of the inaugural IPL season, had approached him to join the franchise. Sehwag was offered the role of captain, but he ultimately decided to accept an offer from the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) to become their icon player."VB Chandrashekhar was selecting the players for CSK. He called me and said, 'We want you to play for CSK. Delhi Daredevils want you to be their icon. Don't accept the offer.' I was like, fine, we will see," Sehwag recalled."Finally, I received the offer from Delhi Daredevils to be their icon player and I accepted it. I didn't go into the auction. If I were a part of the auction, CSK would've bought me and made me the captain of the side. But then, they bought MS Dhoni and made him the captain," Sehwag added.Had Sehwag joined CSK, it is likely that he would have been the team's captain, given his stature and experience at the time. However, fate had other plans, and Dhoni went on to become one of the most successful captains in IPL history, leading CSK to five titles.Sehwag's revelation highlights the unpredictable nature of sports and the often-surprising decisions that shape the course of events. It also serves as a reminder of the immense respect and admiration that Dhoni has earned throughout his illustrious career.

Mumbai Indians Face Overhaul: Sehwag Calls for Release of Star PlayersFormer Indian opener Virender Sehwag has urged the Mumbai Indians (MI) to release several star players, including Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Ishan Kishan, ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Sehwag believes MI should prioritize retaining only Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav for the upcoming season.Despite boasting a star-studded lineup, MI has struggled in IPL 2024, languishing at the bottom of the points table with just four wins from 13 games. Hardik Pandya took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma before the season, but the results have been disappointing.Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag emphasized the importance of performance over star power. He compared MI's situation to a Bollywood film, stating that having big names alone does not guarantee success. "You need a good script. Similarly, all these big names will have to come together and perform on the ground," he said.Sehwag questioned the contributions of MI's star players, highlighting Rohit Sharma's solitary century and Ishan Kishan's struggles in the Powerplay. He believes only Bumrah and Yadav have consistently performed for the team.Another former Indian batter, Manoj Tiwary, echoed Sehwag's sentiments, suggesting that MI should retain only Bumrah and Yadav. He also recommended appointing one of them as captain for the next season. Tiwary advised against retaining any overseas players, including Tim David."I am also looking at Bumrah and SKY as the two players who will be retained by Mumbai Indians. No one beyond them, and no foreign players either. Tim David has not lived up to the hype," said Tiwary.Sehwag and Tiwary's comments highlight the need for MI to reassess its strategy and focus on building a team that can consistently perform. The upcoming mega auction provides an opportunity for the franchise to make significant changes and rebuild for the future.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has criticized Mumbai Indians' (MI) batting duo Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav for their slow starts and subsequent dismissals in the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).In a rain-affected encounter reduced to 16 overs, MI chased a target of 158. While Ishan Kishan provided a solid start with 40 off 22 balls, Rohit and Suryakumar struggled to get going. Rohit scored 19 off 24 deliveries, while Suryakumar managed only 11 off 14.Sehwag believes that the duo's inability to accelerate their innings cost MI the match. "Whoever bowls good, just play him out. If two wickets hadn't fallen, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav could've finished the match an over before," he said on Cricbuzz.He emphasized the importance of respecting the bowlers and playing out their good deliveries. "You can't have an ego when you come out to bat. You play them out or punish the loose deliveries," Sehwag added.Sehwag also pointed out that Rohit and Suryakumar's dismissals came on good deliveries. "The ball on which Rohit Sharma got out wasn't a weak ball. No doubt Rohit and Suryakumar are great players, but that doesn't mean you should hit the good deliveries, too," he said.KKR's bowlers, led by Venkatesh Iyer, restricted MI to 142/9, securing a 15-run victory. Sehwag believes that if Rohit and Suryakumar had been set, they could have easily chased down the target."If Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav were set at that time, they would've hit 5 balls for boundaries. You could be Rohit Sharma or Suryakumar Yadav, but at least respect the delivery if you can't respect the bowler," he concluded.

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener known for his outspoken nature, has cast doubt on Rohit Sharma's future with the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise. During a discussion with Cricbuzz, Sehwag suggested that only Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav are assured of retention ahead of the mega auction next season.Sehwag's comments raise questions about the status of other key players, including Rohit, Hardik Pandya, and Ishan Kishan. He emphasized that performance should be the primary factor in determining retention, regardless of reputation."If you get Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan for one movie, it doesn't mean it will be a hit film. You have to perform. There has to be something in the script," Sehwag said. "Look at these big names...they all have to perform. Rohit scored one hundred and it was in a losing cause. In the remaining matches, when did he perform? Ishan Kishan has not gone beyond the powerplay the entire season."Rohit's performance in this IPL season has been underwhelming, with only 330 runs in 12 matches, including one century. However, a video circulating on social media shows Rohit expressing his deep affection for the MI franchise, calling it a second home.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Rohit remains a respected figure in the MI dressing room. He has been the captain of the team since 2013 and has led them to five IPL titles. However, the franchise may need to make some tough decisions ahead of the mega auction if they want to rebuild and regain their dominance in the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) dismal performance continued on Friday as they succumbed to a 35-run defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. The loss marked CSK's sixth setback of the season, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the points table.GT's batting prowess was on full display as Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan notched up magnificent centuries. Gill's 112 off 57 deliveries and Sudharsan's unbeaten 100 off 56 balls propelled GT to a formidable total of 231/3.CSK's chase faltered from the outset, with the top order failing to provide a solid foundation. Despite a valiant effort from MS Dhoni, who smashed three towering sixes in the final over, CSK could only muster 196/8.Dhoni's batting position has been a subject of intense debate throughout IPL 2024. Former cricketer Virender Sehwag believes it's time to end the discussion, emphasizing that Dhoni knows his role and is capable of delivering when it matters most."We should end the debate around MS Dhoni's batting position. He knows what he wants to do. It's his wish. But if you want to win the match, the form he is in, and the strike rate that he's batting at... the other batters need to play at a similar level," Sehwag said.CSK head coach Stephen Fleming defended Dhoni's position, highlighting his influence on the team and the need to manage his workload."Don't underestimate his influence on the team just because he comes in at No. 9. There's a timing aspect, but we're very wary of what he can give us. And we'll max that out," Fleming asserted.Despite Dhoni's heroics, CSK's batting woes continue to haunt them. The team's inability to build partnerships and score consistently has been a major factor in their struggles.

India's quest for an ICC trophy has been elusive since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph. Despite coming close at the 2019 ODI World Cup, they fell short in the final against Australia. Former opener Virender Sehwag believes that India's lack of fearlessness contributed to their defeat.In the 2019 World Cup final, India's batting faltered after a promising start by Rohit Sharma. Sehwag emphasizes that India needs to adopt a fearless approach, especially between the 11th and 40th overs. He cites his own experience from 2007-08 to 2011, where India treated every match as a knockout game."We used to treat every match as a knockout match, a World Cup semifinal; if we lose, we are out (of the tournament)," Sehwag explains. "So from 2007-08 to 2011, we won a lot of tournaments and prepared for the World Cup."Sehwag believes that India should adopt this mindset and play every match as if it were a knockout game. "That mindset is needed in that (Indian) dressing room when you go into a knockout match, you play fearlessly, with bravery, play with some risk. That, I think is lacking."India's bowlers started well in the 2019 World Cup final, but Travis Head's match-winning century turned the tide in Australia's favor. Sehwag believes that India needs to be more aggressive in their approach and take calculated risks."I think that mindset is needed in that (Indian) dressing room when you go into a knockout match, you play fearlessly, with bravery, play with some risk. That, I think is lacking."