Cricket

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has launched a scathing critique of England skipper Ben Stokes' captaincy, attributing India's series-sealing victory in the fourth Test to a critical lapse in strategy at a pivotal juncture.Chappell's criticism stems from Stokes' decision to utilize part-time spinner Joe Root instead of deploying the experienced Jimmy Anderson on the third evening of the Test. According to Chappell, this allowed India to gain momentum, ultimately shifting the balance of the match in their favor."On the third evening, Stokes desperately needed to start India's chase with his best two bowlers and try to claim at least one wicket," Chappell said. "Incredibly, he gave the ball to a part-timer, Joe Root, and ignored the experienced, probing bowling of Jimmy Anderson."Chappell also criticized Stokes' approach on the final day, suggesting that his cautious field placings allowed India's batsmen to accumulate easy singles, thereby making the chase more manageable for the hosts."The second innings should have been a time to force the Indian batters into taking a risk, but by allowing easy singles, Stokes gave his opponents the upper hand," Chappell remarked.Chappell emphasized the need for instinctive decision-making in captaincy, suggesting that Stokes could benefit from studying the leadership style of seasoned captains like Pakistan's Javed Miandad in demanding situations."Effective captaincy often relies on gut instincts rather than rigid adherence to statistical analysis or theoretical frameworks," Chappell said. "Stokes needs to develop that intuitive sense of leadership."Chappell's critique highlights the importance of bold and decisive captaincy, particularly in high-pressure situations. Stokes' failure to make the right calls at crucial moments ultimately cost England the series.

Queensland's Rain-Soaked Resistance Thwarts New South Wales' Sheffield Shield HopesBrisbane's relentless rain has cast a shadow over New South Wales' already slim chances of reaching the Sheffield Shield final. The fourth-placed Blues, in order to secure a spot in next week's decider, must convincingly defeat Queensland and accumulate bonus points. However, the inclement weather at Allan Border Field has severely hampered their progress.On Monday, only 12 overs were possible, dealing a significant blow to NSW's hopes of forcing a result. Quick bowler Chris Tremain emerged as the standout performer for the visitors, claiming two early wickets to reduce Queensland to 3 for 2. Opener Angus Lovell was caught in the slips, while Jack Clayton was adjudged leg before wicket, both without scoring.The rain then took hold, forcing a lengthy delay of over six hours. Play resumed briefly for less than two overs before another downpour halted proceedings. The persistent rain has left NSW with an uphill battle to achieve their target.To qualify for the final, NSW must not only defeat Queensland but also rely on Western Australia to draw their match against Victoria in Melbourne. Additionally, they need Victoria to limit their bonus point accumulation.Queensland, currently languishing at the bottom of the ladder, has shown resilience in the face of adversity. Despite their struggles throughout the season, they have put up a spirited fight against NSW, making the most of the rain-affected conditions.As the weather forecast remains uncertain, the fate of the Sheffield Shield final hangs in the balance. NSW's hopes are fading with each passing hour, while Queensland's chances of causing an upset are growing.

Nathan McSweeney's masterful century propelled South Australia to a competitive total of 271 against ladder-leading Tasmania on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash at Blundstone Arena.McSweeney, a player on the radar of national selectors, anchored the Redbacks' innings with a gritty 117 from 174 deliveries. Despite being dropped early on, he seized the opportunity to punish the Tasmanian bowlers, particularly after the Redbacks found themselves in a precarious position at 195 for 8.McSweeney's partnership with Brendan Doggett, who contributed just one run, proved crucial in rescuing South Australia from the brink. The 25-year-old reached his fifth Shield century with a boundary off Beau Webster, showcasing his resilience and determination.Tasmania's bowlers, led by Nathan McAndrew, made early inroads into the Redbacks' batting lineup. McAndrew's three wickets, including the dismissals of Jake Weatherald and Henry Hunt, left South Australia reeling at 27 for 3.In reply, Tasmania's openers, Matthew Wade and Gabe Bell, managed to weather the storm and remain unbeaten at stumps. However, the hosts still trail by a significant 244 runs, putting them on the back foot heading into day two.South Australia, currently fifth on the ladder, may not be in contention for the Shield final, but a victory could deny Tasmania the chance to host the decider next week. The Redbacks will be looking to build on McSweeney's heroics and continue their momentum, while Tasmania will need to find a way to contain the South Australian batsmen and make inroads into their batting lineup.

Rohit Sharma and David Warner: The Art of Opening the BattingIn the realm of cricket, the opening batsmen play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the team's performance. Two of the most formidable openers in the modern era are Rohit Sharma and David Warner, who have forged a reputation for their swashbuckling approach and ability to dominate the new ball.In a recent interview on Aaj Tak, Rohit and Warner shared their insights on the challenges and rewards of opening the batting. Warner emphasized the importance of taking the shine off the ball, allowing the middle-order batsmen to capitalize on the easier conditions."We're no Smith and Kohli," Warner said, referring to the legendary Test openers. "But we make Smith and Kohli because we take the shine off the ball."Rohit concurred, acknowledging the unique pressures faced by openers. "It's the hardest job in the world," he said. "It's like being President or Prime Minister. You're like guinea pigs."Despite the challenges, both Rohit and Warner have enjoyed remarkable success as openers. Rohit has scored 15 Test centuries and 40 ODI centuries, while Warner has amassed 25 Test centuries and 18 ODI centuries.Rohit attributed his success to the ability to handle the tough conditions and face the fastest bowlers. "When the conditions are tough, when you face all these guys who bowl 150 plus," he said.Warner, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of mental toughness and the ability to adapt to different situations. "You've got to be mentally strong," he said. "You've got to be able to adapt to different conditions and different bowlers."The conversation between Rohit and Warner provides a glimpse into the mindset and strategies of two of the world's best openers. Their insights underscore the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the ability to take on the toughest challenges in the game.

England's 'Bazball' Approach Faces Scrutiny After India Test Series DefeatEngland's cricket coach Brendon McCullum has acknowledged the need for adjustments to the team's aggressive 'Bazball' approach following their 4-1 Test series defeat against India.McCullum admitted that the team's high-risk strategy, which emphasizes attacking play and scoring runs quickly, requires refinement after being exposed by India's skilled bowling attack. "Sometimes, you can get away with things," McCullum said. "But when you're exposed the way we have been in the back end of this series in particular, it does require some pretty deep thinking and some adjustment to make sure we're staying true to what we believe in."The Indian team's relentless pressure, led by spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, forced England to adopt a more cautious approach as the series progressed. "If anything, we got more timid as the series went on, and that was because of the pressure that was applied to us by the Indian lineup," McCullum noted.The series loss marked the first setback for England under McCullum's leadership, raising questions about the team's one-dimensional approach. "There are some things where you can get a little bit of luck on your side and you paper over a couple of the cracks," McCullum said. "When you are exposed in the way we have been here, you know that you have to get better in some areas."McCullum emphasized the importance of refining England's approach to ensure they are better prepared for future challenges. "The next couple of months will be us working out that and making sure when we come to the summer we are a more refined version of what we are at the minute," he said.The series also highlighted the emergence of promising Indian youngsters, such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan, who made significant contributions in the absence of key players like Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami.

Tim Southee's captaincy and New Zealand's winless streak against Australia were under scrutiny after a heartbreaking three-wicket loss in Christchurch. Southee admitted that his position as captain is vulnerable, especially considering the team's upcoming tour to the subcontinent.Southee's form has been a concern, with the pacer taking only four wickets in the series. He acknowledged that the team's spin-friendly conditions in Asia could lead to a change in the side's composition.Southee's captaincy decisions were also questioned, particularly his reluctance to introduce spinner Glenn Phillips earlier in the fourth day. Phillips had dismissed both Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh in the series, but Southee opted to stick with pace bowlers.The selection of Scott Kuggeleijn, who bowled only three overs in the second innings, was also criticized. However, Southee defended Kuggeleijn's inclusion, citing his valuable batting contribution.Southee refused to blame fielding errors for the loss, despite several critical drops. He also denied that the team had a mental block against Australia, but acknowledged that they had struggled in crunch moments.The loss extended New Zealand's 13-year winless streak in Tests against Australia and their 31-year drought at home against their neighbor. Southee expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the team's future.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off its 17th season on March 22, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai. Ahead of the tournament, former India and CSK batsman Ambati Rayudu has shared his thoughts on the upcoming extravaganza.Rayudu, who has played for both Mumbai Indians and CSK, believes that it will be a challenging task for Hardik Pandya to lead Mumbai Indians, given the different setups of Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. He suggests that Pandya should have played for Mumbai Indians for a year before taking over the captaincy, especially considering Rohit Sharma's continued role as India's captain.Rayudu also expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma, stating that he believes Sharma can continue playing in the IPL for the next 5-6 years. He added that if Sharma desires to captain a team, he has ample opportunities available to him.Rayudu went on to express his desire to see Rohit Sharma play for CSK in the future. He said, "I want Rohit Sharma to play for CSK in 2025. If MS (Dhoni) retires, then Rohit can lead as well."Rohit Sharma is the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL history, with 6211 runs from 243 matches. Mumbai Indians will begin their IPL campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 24.

Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur has expressed confidence in Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer's ability to regain their form, despite their recent struggles. Rahane and Iyer both failed to score in Mumbai's first innings against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy final, but Thakur believes they will bounce back."Ajinkya is not scoring runs throughout the season. He is not in the greatest of the forms. We cannot blame him as it is just a phase for him where he is not getting runs," Thakur said. "It's just a rough patch for them. That's what I would say (about) Shreyas (and) Ajinkya. These guys have been absolute match-winners for Mumbai and India."Thakur urged everyone to support the seasoned pros in their down phase. "Right now, it's not their time; it's time to support them rather than criticising them because it's easy to criticise," Thakur said.Rahane has so far made just 141 runs from eight matches at an average of 12.81 with a solitary fifty. Shreyas, on the other hand, has not been regular for Mumbai this season owing to his national commitments but his return to the domestic circuit has been far from impressive -- 58 runs from three games at an average of 19.33 with a highest of 48.However, Thakur said both Rahane and Shreyas have shown the right attitude on the field, something he believed should work as a pointer to the younger Mumbai players. "Ajinkya has not scored runs but his attitude on the fielding is top notch. A lot of youngsters coming from U-23 and U-19 cricket in Mumbai don't have the attitude that he has. You see him in the slips, even if he is fielded for 80 overs, he will sprint (to) save (those) four runs," Thakur said."Shreyas moves around the field like a tiger. He absolutely gives everything that he has on the field. Both of them are role models when they are in the dressing room," Thakur added.Thakur was disappointed that some of the upcoming batters failed to rise to the occasion as significant as a Ranji Trophy final. "The other batters...we collectively felt that they should have shown a better approach. Starting from Bhupen Lalwani because he survived the first two or three balls in that over (in which he was dismissed) and still chasing that wide one on the fourth delivery, is not on," he said.Thakur minced no words when he said that players will have to put the team first. "They have to learn quickly because (the) Mumbai dressing room is not about (your) own self. When you play here, you play for the team. You have to keep your individual scores, your own game aside."When you score 20-25 or 30 runs, the next runs are for the team. They have to learn about it."The 32-year-old said the Mumbai batting unit will have to regroup in the second innings. "We just need to regroup as a batting unit. There are going to be tough days as a batting unit. Probably, we will just have a meeting and decide collectively how are you going to put a big score on the board from the first three or four wickets," he noted.Thakur rescued Mumbai from a wobbly 111 for six with a counter-punching 75 off 69 balls, an innings that bore similarity to his hundred against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semifinals a few days back. "I love to play in tough situations and tough conditions. The kind of life that I have lived travelling far from Palghar to Mumbai with the kit bag on the train, you know it was not easy. That has toughened me up," he said.Veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who will retire after the final, replaced injured Mohit Avasthi in the 11 for the title clash, and Thakur said it was emotional to see his old mate turning up for Mumbai one last time. "Today morning it was confirmed that he is playing. It was going to be his last game. It was an extremely emotional moment for him."It's an emotional moment for me also because I have watched him since childhood. When I did not have money to buy shoes, he gave me a few pairs of shoes," Thakur recalled.Vidarbha's Harsh Dubey, whose three-wicket haul included Rahane, said he had dreamt of dismissing the experienced batter. "I enjoyed dismissing Rahane. I had thought before the game that I would dismiss him. I was determined to do it and it was one of my best dismissals in Ranji Trophy," Dubey said."I tried to get him to drive since the ball was coming off slower at that length and I was successful in what I had planned," he added.

Veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who had announced his retirement from first-class cricket at the end of the season, was unexpectedly called upon to play his 96th and final match for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha.Kulkarni, who had played only three matches and taken seven wickets this season, had been primarily serving as a mentor to the team's other seamers. However, with Mohit Avasthi ruled out due to injury, Kulkarni was given a chance to lead Mumbai's bowling attack.On the first day of the final, Kulkarni made an immediate impact, dismissing Aman Mokhade and Karun Nair in an incisive spell. He continued his impressive performance on Day 2, taking the wicket of Atharva Taide to give Mumbai their first breakthrough.Kulkarni's performance was a testament to his experience and skill, and he was given a guard of honor by his Mumbai teammates on the first day of the final. The Indian cricket board's domestic handle shared a video of the moment on Twitter.Kulkarni's final first-class match was a fitting end to a successful career. He has been a key member of the Mumbai team for many years, and his contributions have helped them win numerous titles. He will be remembered as one of the most successful bowlers in Indian domestic cricket.