Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah Retained by Mumbai Indians as Top Pick for IPL 2025Amidst the flurry of player retentions ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as the top retention pick for five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI). The ace speedster, who has been retained for a whopping Rs 18 crore, expressed his delight at continuing his journey with the franchise for another three years."It feels good. I came here as a 19-year-old teenager. Now I'm going to turn 31 and have a son, so it's been a complete journey. I'm happy that the journey is continuing and no better feeling," said Bumrah in a video released by the franchise on Thursday.Bumrah, who has been an integral part of MI's success over the years, reflected on his growth within the team. "When I came, all the legends of the game were here, and I used to ask a lot of questions. So now, slowly the role is changing, and a lot of youngsters are coming into our team who are eight-nine years younger than me," he said."So, I always feel happy to help, because I got a lot of help when I started. So, always willing to help, and always trying my best to contribute in whatever way I can, and whenever I can," he added.MI had a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign, finishing at the bottom of the league under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, who replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain after being traded in from Gujarat Titans. However, Bumrah remains optimistic about the team's future."We have been successful in the past, and we know how to win championships. So, instead of looking at championships now, look at yourself, rectify the mistakes, and try to take on the positives. So that is what has always worked for us, and I think that is something that we will focus on, and hopefully with a positive stride, we'll get good results," he said.Bumrah also spoke about the special atmosphere at Wankhede Stadium, MI's home ground. "It feels good whenever the crowd is behind you, that experience of playing in Wankhede is always great. That energy, and vibe is a sight to see if you've never experienced it before. It's an interesting atmosphere to experience, as you'll not get that in most places," he said.The ace fast-bowler, who was named Player of the Tournament in India's triumph at the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, has taken 165 wickets for MI in 133 games since 2013. He is currently their second-highest wicket-taker after Lasith Malinga, who is now the bowling coach.Bumrah concluded by emphasizing the importance of a winning mentality. "The winning mentality is always there, because you're playing the sport to win. If you are just there to participate, it doesn't really land up well, according to me. So for me, I have a lot of belief in my ability, and that's always been the case since the time I was a child," he said."I didn't want to be just any cricketer, I wanted to contribute more and do special things. So I don't look at my overs as gold, I look at them as a responsibility. So you have to accept good with the bad, and whenever you win, you accept and start from zero. Whenever you lose, you start from zero, that's the beauty of this sport," he added.

India's Transformation: From Romantic Failure to Pragmatic TriumphIn the realm of international cricket, Australia has long been known for its aggressive sledging and unwavering belief in their own superiority. However, ahead of the upcoming series in Australia, a shift in the Indian team's mindset has emerged, signaling a departure from the traditional approach of glorifying failure.Historically, Indian cricket was characterized by a romantic notion of failure, where heroic efforts in defeat were celebrated. This attitude stemmed from the influence of British colonialism, which instilled a sense of inferiority in Indian players. However, in recent years, a pragmatic shift has taken hold, driven by a desire to win at all costs.This transformation can be traced back to the 2002 Headingley Test, where captain Sourav Ganguly's decision to bat first on a bowler-friendly pitch defied conventional wisdom. India's subsequent victory marked a turning point, demonstrating the importance of prioritizing results over aesthetics.Another pivotal moment came in 2014, when Virat Kohli led India to a historic Test series win in Australia. Kohli's aggressive captaincy and unwavering belief in his team's ability to win instilled a new mindset in the Indian players. They realized that they could compete with the best in the world and that winning was not just a possibility but an expectation.This shift in attitude has been accompanied by a focus on team success over individual milestones. Kohli's famous declaration in the 2014 Adelaide Test, where he prioritized the team's victory over his own century, exemplified this new approach.The Indian team's transformation has not been without its challenges. The traditional emphasis on romantic failure still lingers in some quarters, but the pragmatic approach has gradually gained acceptance. As India prepares to face Australia once again, their newfound belief in their own abilities and their willingness to embrace the "hard but fair" approach will be put to the test.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current head coach of Team India, has often been perceived as arrogant due to his intense desire to win. However, his childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, believes this perception is a misunderstanding.Bharadwaj, who has known Gambhir for over three decades, describes him as a "kid" with an innocent and pure heart. He emphasizes that Gambhir's competitive spirit and determination to succeed are often mistaken for arrogance."People think he is arrogant, but that is his attitude towards winning," Bharadwaj said. "He has always been a fierce competitor, even as a young boy. He would cry after losing matches because he hated defeat."Bharadwaj credits Gambhir for his unwavering commitment to developing young players. He cites the example of pacer Navdeep Saini, who was given a chance in the Indian team thanks to Gambhir's insistence."Gambhir is not just about winning," Bharadwaj said. "He is also about shaping the careers of young players. He is polite and has a good heart."As Team India head coach, Gambhir has focused on developing the team's tactical approach. He has been praised for his innovative strategies, such as handing the ball to Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav in the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka."Gambhir is not a technical coach," Bharadwaj said. "He is a tactical coach. His job is to boost morale and inject confidence into players who may not be sure of themselves."Bharadwaj believes that Gambhir's passion for winning and his commitment to developing young players make him an ideal coach for Team India. He is confident that Gambhir will lead the team to success in the upcoming tournaments.

West Indies Maintain Winning Mentality in T20 World Cup OpenerWest Indies all-rounder Roston Chase has emphasized the team's unwavering commitment to maintaining a winning mentality regardless of the opponent, following their hard-fought five-wicket victory against Papua New Guinea in their opening match of the 2024 T20 World Cup.Chase played a pivotal role in salvaging the win for the co-hosts, rescuing them from a precarious position with a match-winning unbeaten knock of 42 runs. Papua New Guinea, despite not being considered a top-tier team, posed a significant challenge while defending their total of 137 with disciplined bowling and fielding.The West Indies struggled to rotate the strike throughout their innings, relying heavily on boundaries to keep up with the required run rate. Recognizing the need for a shift in approach, Chase emphasized the team's commitment to treating every opponent with the same level of respect and intensity."They're not an A-List team but we don't want to take any team lightly in the World Cup. We came out with the mentality that we were playing Australia or India," Chase stated in the post-match presentation.He further explained that the team had a crucial discussion at the halfway stage, recognizing the need to elevate their performance and secure the victory. This led to a more aggressive approach in the latter half of the innings, with Chase and Andre Russell combining to unleash a flurry of boundaries and steer the team home.Chase, reflecting on his match-winning performance, credited his preparation and the confidence gained from a recent training camp in Antigua. He acknowledged the challenging batting conditions, stating, "I knew that it was hard for the batters coming in, gave myself time and backed my skills."He further elaborated on his observations of the Papua New Guinea batsmen, noting, "I watched the PNG batters, they took their time and once they got in it was easy to score."This unwavering commitment to a winning mentality will be crucial for the co-hosts as they navigate the challenges of the tournament and strive for World Cup glory. While the Windies play Uganda on June 9, PNG will look to turn the tides against the same opposition on June 6.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener and current mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has sparked controversy with his recent comments on his demeanor during matches. Gambhir, known for his stern expression and aggressive approach, has faced criticism for not smiling or showing emotion on the field.In a candid conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Gambhir defended his serious demeanor, stating that his primary focus is on winning matches and creating a winning environment in the dressing room. He emphasized that fans attend matches to witness victories, not to see him smile."I don't understand why people talk about me not smiling or laughing," Gambhir said. "People come to watch me win. That's the kind of profession we guys are in. I can't help it."Gambhir further clarified that he is not in the entertainment industry and that his role as a cricketer is to perform to the best of his ability. He admitted to being obsessed with winning and that his intense demeanor helps him achieve his goals."I'm not a Bollywood actor," Gambhir said. "My job is to come back in a winning dressing room. And fortunately, unfortunately, a winning dressing room is a happy dressing room."Gambhir's comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans and analysts. Some have praised his unwavering focus on winning, while others have questioned whether his intensity is necessary or beneficial to the team.Meanwhile, KKR, under Gambhir's mentorship, will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday. A victory for KKR would secure them a spot in the final.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have emerged as the frontrunners in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, dominating the points table with 16 points from 12 matches. The resurgence of KKR has been largely attributed to the astute guidance of mentor and former captain Gautam Gambhir.Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, returned to the franchise as a mentor prior to the ongoing season. His presence has instilled a winning mentality within the team, which is now on the cusp of securing a playoff berth.During a recent interaction, a KKR fan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Gambhir, who was visibly moved by the gesture. The fan, overcome with emotion, implored Gambhir to remain with the franchise indefinitely."Please don't leave us again. We can't express how heartbroken we were when you left KKR," the fan said. "You are our heart. We keep you close to our heart. Please don't leave us ever, again."Since his return, Gambhir has been actively involved in the dugout, providing tactical advice to captain Shreyas Iyer. His decision to promote Sunil Narine as an opener alongside Phil Salt has proven to be a masterstroke.The duo has been instrumental in providing KKR with solid starts, laying the foundation for the team's impressive run-scoring. Narine, in particular, has been a revelation, emerging as the second-highest six-hitter in the tournament with 32 maximums.With one century and three fifties, Narine has also been KKR's leading run-getter, amassing 461 runs at a strike rate of 183.66. Salt, the World No.2 T20I batter, has contributed 429 runs at a strike rate of 183.33.Gambhir's influence has extended beyond the opening partnership. He has fostered a positive and cohesive team environment, which has been evident in KKR's consistent performances. The team's ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has been a testament to Gambhir's leadership and tactical acumen.As KKR continues its pursuit of a third IPL title, Gambhir's presence will undoubtedly be a key factor in their success. His experience, tactical brilliance, and unwavering commitment have made him an indispensable asset to the franchise.