Cricket

David Warner, the veteran Australian opener, has passed the torch to 22-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk, expressing confidence in his ability to fill Warner's shoes in both white-ball formats and potentially even the Test team.Warner has taken Fraser-McGurk under his wing, mentoring him during their time together at the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and at the recent T20 World Cup, where Fraser-McGurk served as a traveling reserve. With Warner's international career coming to an end, a new era is dawning at the top of the order for Australia in limited-overs cricket."All yours now champion," Warner captioned an Instagram post of himself and Fraser-McGurk sharing a drink.Speaking to reporters after Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup, Warner endorsed Fraser-McGurk's credentials as an opener in T20s and ODIs."Every time I put something out there I become a selector [but] I think he's definitely got the ability to definitely do that," Warner said. "He can lock it in. And a bit like myself, you [have to learn] how to play…50-over cricket. That's one thing that I learnt from Twenty20. I got dropped after seven games because I didn't really understand how to play the game of one-day cricket."Fraser-McGurk, who has played two ODIs for Australia and scored a world-record 29-ball one-day century in the Marsh Cup earlier this season, is likely to be included in Australia's upcoming tours of Scotland and England.However, Fraser-McGurk has downplayed the prospect of following Warner as a red-ball opener, having found an experiment at the top of the order for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield unsuited to his style.Warner acknowledged the competing demands that Fraser-McGurk will face from the franchise scene but expressed encouragement at his desire to pursue first-class cricket."Will he play Test cricket? I think he'll have to have a breakout year in the next 12-18 months to prove himself," Warner said. "I think we've all had to score hundreds to get your name up there [to] warrant that.""Hopefully when it comes to Shield cricket this year, he sticks at that. There's going to be a lot of money thrown around to him for these Twenty20 leagues and it's upon him and his management to keep him focused and aligned with what he wants to do. But I hope he does - I know he's thinking like that. He wants to play red-ball cricket."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has revolutionized cricket, transforming it from a sport into a lucrative business venture. Former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi highlights the profound impact of the IPL on the evolution of cricket, particularly in white-ball cricket.The IPL has paved the way for numerous other leagues worldwide, signifying the immense financial potential associated with shorter formats. "Money has come in, things have changed. Cricket has become a business; it used to be a sport," Afridi said. "There's a lot of commercialization, leagues are happening everywhere in the world. Honestly, the IPL has opened the eyes of all leagues with the way money is involved in white-ball cricket."The influx of money has attracted players and opened doors for those previously overlooked. "Previously, there was money in county cricket as well, but it was for a long season of 6 months, and the red ball was involved. I think money is present in every league now because it has become commercialized," Afridi added.While playing for one's national team remains the ultimate achievement, the emergence of these leagues has provided alternative avenues for cricketers who may not have had the opportunity to represent their countries. "However, playing for the country is a significant achievement. It has its own unique satisfaction. Cricketers who don't get a chance to play for their national teams find opportunities in different leagues, which also brings financial benefits and support for their families," Afridi concluded.The IPL's commercialization has demonstrated the potential for substantial financial gains in white-ball cricket, leading to the proliferation of leagues across various countries. This has not only attracted players but has also opened doors for those who were previously overlooked, providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents and earn a living through cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has been a force to reckon with in the longest format of the game. However, former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes that the nation has missed out on witnessing Ashwin's true potential with the bat in white-ball cricket.In the domestic circuit, Ashwin has established himself as a genuine all-rounder, showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball. However, for India, he has primarily been utilized as a bowler, leaving his batting abilities largely untapped.Gambhir expressed his disappointment over this missed opportunity, stating that Ashwin's batting potential has not been fully realized at the international level. "A bit disappointed, this country hasn't seen the potential which you had with the bat, especially in white-ball cricket," Gambhir said in an episode of Ashwin's Kutti Stories.Ashwin's first-class record is a testament to his batting prowess. In 156 matches, he has accumulated 5,221 runs at an average of 28.06. In List A cricket, he has amassed 1,346 runs at a strike rate of 77.35.At the international level, Ashwin has shown glimpses of his batting ability. In 19 T20I innings, he has scored 184 runs, while in 63 ODI innings, he has amassed 707 runs.One of Ashwin's most memorable batting performances came in 2011 against the West Indies in Mumbai. Chasing a mammoth total of 590, Ashwin played a pivotal role in India's fightback, scoring a brilliant 103.While Ashwin's bowling prowess has earned him widespread recognition, Gambhir believes that India has missed out on a valuable opportunity to utilize his batting skills in white-ball cricket.

World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has been appointed as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team for a two-year term. Pakistan will participate in two T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026) and one Champions Trophy during Kirsten's tenure.Upon assuming his role, Kirsten outlined his vision for the team's future, emphasizing the importance of winning major ICC tournaments. "If you can win one of those three ICC Events, that will be an amazing achievement on its own," he said. "My job is to make sure that the team operates at its best, and if the team is operating at its best, we will always have a good chance of winning a trophy."However, former Pakistan player Ahmed Shehzad criticized Kirsten's statements, questioning his understanding of the team's dynamics. "Gary Kirsten is a renowned coach, but he will be fed information by those who will select the team," Shehzad said. "He does not have a base in Lahore nor has he grown up in Pakistan to understand the nature of different players."Shehzad also expressed concern over Kirsten's cautious approach, stating that "he is keeping himself in a safe position" by suggesting that Pakistan may not win the upcoming T20 World Cup but could perform better in the future. "This is not how a winner talks," Shehzad added.Despite Shehzad's criticism, Kirsten remains confident in his ability to guide Pakistan to success. He has a proven track record of success, having coached India to the 2011 World Cup title and South Africa to the top of the ICC Test rankings.Kirsten's appointment is part of a broader restructuring of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has also seen the appointment of former captain Shahid Afridi as the chief selector. The PCB is hoping that these changes will help Pakistan regain its status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Gary Kirsten, the former South African cricketer and renowned coach, has been appointed as the head coach of Pakistan's white-ball team. However, his virtual interaction with the players has sparked controversy among fans.Kirsten, who is currently in India as the batting coach of Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), conducted a virtual meeting with the Pakistani players. This move has drawn criticism from fans, who question the effectiveness of online coaching."How do players learn from a coach through a laptop screen?" one fan asked. "Like Mickey Arthur, he will also do online coaching. PCB, is this cricket or is it a joke?" another fan commented.Despite the criticism, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has defended Kirsten's virtual coaching. A PCB official stated that if Gujarat Titans fail to qualify for the IPL playoffs, Kirsten will be available from the start of the T20 series against England.Until Kirsten joins the team, Azhar Mahmood, the former Test all-rounder, will lead Pakistan on its tour of Ireland and England. Mahmood, who has been appointed as the assistant coach to Kirsten, will act as head coach in the interim.The PCB has also appointed Muhammad Yousuf, the former Test batsman, as the batting coach, and Saeed Ajmal, the legendary spinner, as the spin bowling coach.Kirsten's appointment has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans believe that his experience and expertise will benefit the Pakistani team, while others are skeptical about the effectiveness of virtual coaching.

Tanveer Sangha, the promising Australian spinner, remains steadfast in his aspiration to become a three-format bowler for his country. Despite having played more white-ball matches for Australia than red-ball matches at first-class level, Sangha believes that red-ball cricket can still be a priority for him.Sangha is set to make his first Sheffield Shield appearance in almost two years when he turns out for New South Wales against Queensland on Monday. The legspinner has been sidelined from Shield action due to overseas commitments and injuries.Despite his limited red-ball experience, Sangha is confident that he can still achieve his goal of adding a Baggy Green to his limited-overs playing caps. "I definitely think all three formats is definitely up for play," Sangha said. "There's plenty of time still. Everyone says I'm young. I'm 22. You're not going to peak until late 20s."Sangha acknowledges the challenges of being a multi-format bowler, but he is determined to find a balance that allows him to maintain his skills in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. "It's the most difficult skill in cricket. I'm still learning, trying to pull leggies, wrong'uns, toppies, sliders and executing all these different variations. I'm just trying to think long term rather than short. It's a long career if I do make it and I do get through all of it."Sangha is aware of the impact that white-ball cricket has had on Test hopefuls, with players like Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell having limited opportunities in the Shield in recent seasons. However, he is determined to find a way to maintain his red-ball skills while on white-ball tours."That's what I'm learning now while I was away," Sangha said. "What can I still do while on a white-ball tour to make sure I'm maintaining my red ball-skills, shapes and bowling style?"For now, Sangha is focused on his upcoming Shield match and the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean later this year. He believes that his red-ball experience will benefit his white-ball cricket, as it will allow him to develop his skills in planning and executing dismissals.