Cricket

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, is reportedly in negotiations with former Indian pace bowler Zaheer Khan for the role of mentor. This move comes after the departure of Gautam Gambhir, who left the franchise in 2023 to join the Kolkata Knight Riders.Zaheer, 45, is a highly respected figure in Indian cricket, having played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20Is for the national team. He was known for his exceptional bowling skills and his ability to mentor young fast bowlers.If the negotiations are successful, Zaheer will fill the void created by the departures of Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel, who has joined Team India in the same capacity. Sources within the IPL indicate that Zaheer is being considered for the role previously held by Gambhir.Zaheer was initially considered for the bowling coach position under Gambhir's new set-up in Team India, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly preferred Morkel on Gambhir's recommendation.During his playing career, Zaheer was recognized for his role in mentoring young fast bowlers within the Indian team. If he joins LSG, he will be collaborating with head coach Justin Langer and a robust coaching team, including Adam Voges, Lance Klusener, and Jonty Rhodes.The report also indicates that another notable coach may be added to the Sanjiv Goenka-owned franchise, though details are not yet clear.LSG, which came into existence in 2022, reached the play-offs in their first two seasons. However, they missed out on a top-four spot in the 2023 edition due to an inferior Net Run Rate (NRR).Meanwhile, the BCCI is expected to announce the retention rules by the month's end. Teams are projected to be allowed around six retentions, including the Right to Match (RTM) option. Despite calls from some franchises to discontinue the Big Auction, the BCCI plans to retain it for now.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively seeking new support staff for the senior men's team, following the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as head coach. Gambhir has expressed his eagerness to finalize his coaching team promptly, but his proposed candidates have reportedly faced resistance from the board.Gambhir had suggested R Vinay Kumar, Morne Morkel, Abhishek Nayar, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Jonty Rhodes, and Laxmipathy Balaji for various roles. However, the BCCI has reportedly rejected all of these suggestions except for Abhishek Nayar, who currently serves as assistant coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders.The board's reluctance to accept Gambhir's recommendations stems from a departure from past practices. Previously, Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid were granted autonomy in selecting their coaching staff. However, the BCCI appears to be taking a more hands-on approach with Gambhir.Sources indicate that the BCCI is keen on appointing Zaheer Khan as the next bowling coach. Khan, a legendary left-arm pacer, boasts an impressive record of 311 Test wickets and 610 international wickets across all formats. His vast experience and expertise make him a highly sought-after candidate.Balaji's name was also reportedly considered, but the board ultimately decided against his appointment. The former Indian pacer has represented the country in eight Test matches and 30 ODIs, claiming 27 and 34 wickets respectively.Paras Mahambrey's tenure as bowling coach under Rahul Dravid has concluded. As for the fielding coach position, T Dilip's contract may be extended.The BCCI's decision to reject Gambhir's proposed coaching staff has raised questions about the level of autonomy granted to the new head coach. It remains to be seen how this will impact Gambhir's ability to shape the team's future and achieve success on the international stage.

Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji Emerge as Contenders for Team India Bowling Coach RoleFormer Indian fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji have emerged as potential candidates for the bowling coach position in Team India's coaching staff under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering their names to replace Paras Mhambrey, whose tenure has reportedly ended.Zaheer Khan, widely regarded as one of India's greatest left-arm pacers, boasts an impressive record of 311 Test wickets in 92 matches and a total of 610 scalps in 309 international matches across all formats. His experience and expertise would be invaluable to the Indian bowling unit.Lakshmipathy Balaji, on the other hand, has represented India in eight Test matches, claiming 27 wickets at an average of 37.18. He has also taken 34 wickets in 30 ODIs. While his international experience is limited compared to Zaheer, Balaji's knowledge of Indian conditions and his ability to mentor young bowlers could make him a suitable candidate.The appointment of a new bowling coach is part of a broader overhaul of the Indian team's support staff following the departure of Rahul Dravid as head coach. Gambhir, a former India opener and winner of both T20 and ODI World Cups, was named as Dravid's successor on Tuesday.Gambhir, who also served as the team mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2024, has a proven track record of success in coaching. Under his guidance, KKR secured their third IPL trophy this season. He was also captain of the KKR team that won the IPL in 2012 and 2014.The BCCI is expected to make a decision on the bowling coach position soon. The appointment of Zaheer Khan or Lakshmipathy Balaji would be a significant step in shaping the future of Indian cricket.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have staged a remarkable turnaround in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, securing five consecutive wins after a dismal start that saw them lose six matches in a row. This resurgence has reignited their playoff hopes and made them a formidable threat to other teams vying for the third and fourth spots.Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has lauded RCB's impressive turnaround, attributing it to their passion and determination. He emphasized that such drastic changes in fortunes are rare and that the franchise deserves full credit for bouncing back from a horrid start.On Sunday, RCB continued their winning streak with a convincing 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals at their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This victory further solidified their position in the playoff race."They lost six in a row and have now picked up five consecutive wins. This does not happen without passion, so you have to appreciate that," said Zaheer on Jio Cinema. "We do not usually see a team revive its season like this after so many losses, so RCB gets full marks."RCB's resurgence has been fueled by a combination of factors, including improved batting performances from Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Dinesh Karthik. The bowling unit, led by Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel, has also been in excellent form, providing consistent breakthroughs and restricting opposition batters.With one match remaining in the league stage, RCB is currently fifth in the points table with 12 points. They have a potential to reach 14 points when they play Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league game. CSK currently has 14 points, and a win in this game could offer RCB a chance to enter the playoffs due to their superior run rate.However, RCB's playoff hopes also depend on other results. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are also on 12 points, have two games left and can reach 16 points. Therefore, RCB will need to rely on favorable results from other matches to secure a top-four finish.

Former Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has unveiled his squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, featuring some surprising selections and omissions.Wicketkeeper:Zaheer has opted for Rishabh Pant as the sole wicketkeeper in his team, overlooking other contenders like Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan. He believes Pant's all-around abilities and experience make him the best choice.Pace Bowlers:Zaheer has included four pace bowlers in his squad, with the notable addition of left-arm seamer Yash Dayal. Dayal has impressed in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, and Zaheer sees him as a valuable option to add variety to the attack. Mohammed Shami's injury layoff has also influenced this selection.All-Rounders:Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are the two all-rounders in Zaheer's squad. Dube provides a power-hitting option in the middle order, while Pandya offers a versatile skillset with his batting, bowling, and fielding.Spinners:Ravindra Jadeja is the lone spinner in the squad. His all-around abilities, including his exceptional fielding and batting, make him an indispensable asset.Batters:Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli form the core of Zaheer's batting lineup. Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are competing for the opening slot, while Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh provide depth in the middle order.Key Omissions:Zaheer's squad notably omits KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, who are all considered strong contenders for the wicketkeeper role. He also overlooks Dinesh Karthik, who has been in impressive form in recent times.Zaheer's Rationale:Zaheer believes that his squad provides the best balance and flexibility for the T20 World Cup. He emphasizes the importance of having four pace bowlers to exploit the conditions in Australia. He also values the all-around abilities of his players, who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has urged Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya to ignore the criticism he has faced from fans and let his performances speak for themselves. Khan believes that Pandya's struggles are a reflection of the evolving nature of franchise cricket, where fans are more vocal in expressing their opinions."When the individual represents the country, it will again go back to the normal," said Khan. "Every athlete should understand that it's ultimately the trophies you win, the performances you put out, putting your body on the line, showing dedication, determination, and you will be able to win their hearts."Khan also discussed the upcoming T20 World Cup and expressed his confidence in Rishabh Pant's selection. "I'm happy with how he is progressing," said Khan. "He has quickly got into the groove and has shown that he hasn't lost his touch."Regarding the Indian bowling attack, Khan believes that Mohammed Siraj should be included in the World Cup squad alongside Jasprit Bumrah, despite his recent struggles in the IPL. He also praised Arshdeep Singh's performances and acknowledged the potential of other left-arm pacers like Mohsin Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.Khan also commented on the impact of the 'Impact Player' rule on the development of Indian allrounders. He agrees with Rohit Sharma's concerns that the rule may hinder the progress of players who can contribute with both bat and ball."It will affect the find or the progress when you are looking at the half allrounders," said Khan. "You can have a specialist bowler to create that balance."Khan emphasized the importance of valuing the ability to bowl quickly and urged young pacers like Mayank Yadav and Umran Malik to work on their overall skills to sustain their success.

Rajasthan Royals' Puzzling Decision to Open with Tanush Kotian Raises EyebrowsIn a surprising move that left cricket experts baffled, Rajasthan Royals sent off-spinning all-rounder Tanush Kotian to open the batting against Punjab Kings in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter. The decision drew widespread criticism and raised questions about the team's strategy.Former India batsman Robin Uthappa expressed his astonishment, stating, "I was dumbfounded when I saw Kotian walking out to open. What's the logic? Putting a kid who's playing his first IPL match in a situation he's never been in."Echoing Uthappa's sentiments, former India pacer Zaheer Khan highlighted the risks involved, remarking, "They showed exactly what not to do in a run chase. They sent a No.10 batter to open the innings. He was playing his first game. This could have cost them two points."Despite the initial skepticism, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson defended the move, explaining, "He came in as an all-rounder. He had a fabulous Ranji Trophy season and has been impressing everyone in the nets. We had a settled batting order, so we didn't want to unsettle it. Jos is almost ready for the next game, and we wanted to try him (Kotian) up the order."However, Kotian's performance at the crease left much to be desired. He struggled to find momentum, playing the slowest knock by a batter facing more than 25 balls this season. His innings raised concerns about the team's decision-making and the lack of clarity in their batting strategy.Fortunately for Rajasthan Royals, an explosive innings by Shimron Hetmyer rescued them from potential disaster, securing a narrow three-wicket victory. The win averted a potential crisis, but the decision to open with Kotian remains a puzzling one that has left cricket pundits scratching their heads.