Cricket

Virat Kohli's Attacking Mindset Draws Praise from Former India Spinner Laxman SivaramakrishnanFormer India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has lauded Virat Kohli's aggressive on-field approach, comparing it to the legendary Vivian Richards. In a recent interview on Sony Sport's Tamil Cricket Podcast - Cricket Petta, Sivaramakrishnan praised Kohli's ability to intimidate bowlers with his eyes and celebrate his emotions on the field."Kohli's attacking attitude is something that he himself enjoys and celebrates. You should show your emotions. You shouldn't be like a machine on the ground. You should have an attitude like Sir Vivian Richards who would intimidate bowlers with his eyes," Sivaramakrishnan said.Sivaramakrishnan also named Kohli and MS Dhoni as the best red and white ball captains respectively. "Kohli's attacking attitude and MS Dhoni's calm demeanour. For me, the red ball best captain is Virat and the white ball is Dhoni," he said.The veteran spinner also recalled his playing days under Sunil Gavaskar, whom he considers the best captain he played under. "Sunil Gavaskar was the best captain, I played under. He was very good with strategy and analytical in approach. Kapil Dev was a very instinctive captain. He will go with his gut instinct. He gave an extra over to Madan Lal in 1983, that's instinctive captaincy," Sivaramakrishnan said.Sivaramakrishnan further praised Gavaskar's ability to give players freedom and Venkataraghavan's excellent leadership skills. "With Sunil Gavaskar, you can ask for anything but you have to justify it, why you want to do it. If you do that he will give you the freedom to set your fields and plan your attack. Venkataraghavan was also an excellent captain, he was wonderful as captain," he added.

Two of the greatest batters in cricket history, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, have left an indelible mark on the sport with their record-breaking achievements. While Tendulkar holds the distinction of being the all-time leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs, Lara boasts the highest individual score in Test cricket (400) and First Class Cricket (501).Despite their own exceptional abilities, both Tendulkar and Lara have expressed admiration for the raw talent of former West Indies all-rounder Carl Hooper. In his recently published book, Lara wrote, "Carl was easily one of the best players I've ever seen. I would say that not even Tendulkar and myself would come close to that talent."Lara attributed Hooper's unfulfilled potential to his dual role as captain, which he believes hindered his batting performance. "Separate Carl's career from playing to captaining and his numbers are very different. As a captain, he averaged near to 50, so he enjoyed the responsibility. It's sad that only as a captain did he fulfill his true potential," Lara wrote.Lara also revealed that legendary West Indies batter Vivian Richards held Hooper in high regard, despite his reputation for being stern. "Viv Richards never cried down on a person because he didn't want them to be great like him. His sternness was who he was, but he never wanted you not to do well. It was just how he was. And look, Viv loved Carl. Much more than he loved me, that's for sure," Lara wrote.In a recent interview, Lara identified four players who he believes have the potential to break his record of 400 runs in a Test innings: Zak Crawley and Harry Brook from England, and Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill from India. "They were pretty much aggressive players," Lara said of the players in his era who challenged the 300-run mark. "How many aggressive players do you have playing today? Especially in the England team. Zak Crawley and Harry Brook. Maybe in the Indian team? Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill. If they find the right situation, the records could be broken - both of them," he added.

Batting legend Vivian Richards, a revered figure in the cricketing world, recently visited the Indian team's dressing room and expressed his unwavering support for Rohit Sharma and his men. Richards, who is known for his aggressive batting style and charismatic personality, shared his insights and offered words of encouragement to the Indian squad.During his visit, Richards witnessed India's impressive victory over Bangladesh in the Super Eights match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. After the match, he presented the fielding medal to Suryakumar Yadav for his brilliant catch in the outfield. Richards also took the opportunity to commend "pocket rocket" Rishabh Pant on his return to action after a challenging period.Richards' presence in the dressing room was met with great enthusiasm by the Indian players. He shared his admiration for the team's current form and expressed his belief that they have the potential to win the T20 World Cup. "If the guys in maroon don't get it done, I will be backing you," Richards declared, referring to the West Indies team.Richards' visit not only boosted the morale of the Indian team but also highlighted the strong bond between the two cricketing nations. The West Indian legend has always been a vocal supporter of Indian cricket, and his words of encouragement will undoubtedly inspire the team as they navigate the challenges of the tournament.India currently sits atop their group with 4 points from two games and a healthy net run rate. They will next face Australia in their final Super Eights clash, a match that will determine their fate in the tournament. With Richards' support behind them, the Indian team will be confident in their ability to overcome any obstacles and emerge victorious.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is actively pursuing the legendary Vivian Richards to serve as a mentor for the national team during the upcoming World T20 Cup in the Americas. Richards, a former West Indies captain and one of the greatest batsmen of all time, has a wealth of experience and expertise that could prove invaluable to the Pakistani squad.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly keen on bringing in a high-profile figure to guide the team, particularly given the importance of the World T20 Cup. Richards has a long-standing association with Pakistan, having served as a mentor for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League since 2016. His familiarity with the Pakistani players and his deep understanding of the game make him an ideal candidate for the role.Moreover, with several Super Eights matches scheduled to be played in the Caribbean, Richards' knowledge of the conditions in the region could be a significant advantage for Pakistan. The Caribbean pitches are known for their unique characteristics, and Richards' experience playing and coaching in those conditions would be invaluable to the team.PCB sources have indicated that Richards has some prior media commitments during the World Cup, but negotiations are underway to accommodate his schedule. The Pakistani players reportedly hold Richards in high regard, and his presence as a mentor would undoubtedly boost their morale and confidence.If the deal is finalized, Richards will assume the role of mentor for the World Cup, a position previously held by former Australian opener Matthew Hayden in the last two T20 World Cups. Hayden's guidance helped Pakistan reach the semi-final in 2021 and the final in 2022.In addition to Richards' potential appointment, the PCB is also considering hiring a foreign chief curator to improve the quality of pitches in the country. Australian curator Tony Hemmings is reportedly a strong candidate for the position. Hemmings has extensive experience in pitch preparation and management, having worked with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Western Australia Cricket Association.PCB Chairman Naqvi has prioritized improving the behavior of pitches in Pakistan before the start of the next domestic season. Hemmings' expertise in this area could be crucial in ensuring that Pakistani pitches meet international standards and provide fair and consistent playing conditions for both domestic and international matches.