Cricket

Gurjapneet Singh, a 25-year-old pacer from Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a rising star in Indian cricket. Despite facing setbacks in his early career, Gurjapneet has persevered and is now making a significant impact in the Ranji Trophy.Born and raised in Ambala, Gurjapneet initially struggled to break into the Punjab age-group team. Undeterred, he relocated to Chennai in search of better opportunities. After initial challenges, he has become a key player for Tamil Nadu, helping them win crucial matches.In a recent Elite Group D match against Saurashtra, Gurjapneet claimed a six-wicket haul, including the prized scalps of Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson. His impressive figures of 14-5-22-6 showcased his exceptional bowling skills.Gurjapneet's journey has been marked by memorable encounters with some of India's top cricketers. During a recent net session with the Indian team, he famously castled Virat Kohli, an incident that left the star batter visibly frustrated. However, Kohli's subsequent advice proved invaluable to Gurjapneet."He told me, when there is no movement, change the angle and try bowling around the wicket. Because with that angle, even if you manage to get slight movement, it will end up troubling most batsmen," Gurjapneet recalled.Gurjapneet also shared his strategy for dismissing Pujara, a renowned batsman. "When you bowl to a legendary batsman like him, you have to be accurate from the word go. So the plan was to push him on the backfoot and then send in a good front foot ball that would make him uncomfortable," he explained.Gurjapneet's success is a testament to his determination and hard work. He has overcome challenges and embraced opportunities, proving that with perseverance and the right guidance, anything is possible.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a show-cause notice to opening batsman Fakhar Zaman for expressing support for former captain Babar Azam, who was dropped from the Test squad after a string of poor performances.Zaman's comments, in which he compared Azam's situation to that of Virat Kohli, who was not dropped by India despite a lean patch, have been praised by former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali. However, Ali has also cautioned Zaman about the potential consequences he may face."Fakhar Zaman has been served a show-cause notice, which means that coming days are not going to be good for him because of the mafia that sits in the PCB," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Ali advised Zaman to speak to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to avoid further problems. "I think Fakhar should talk to chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Otherwise, these guys will create problems for him," he said.Zaman's comments have sparked a debate about the treatment of senior players in the Pakistan team. Some believe that Azam should have been given more time to regain his form, while others argue that the team needs to move on from underperforming players.The PCB has not yet commented on the show-cause notice issued to Zaman. However, it is clear that the board is not happy with his public criticism of the team's decision-making.Zaman has been instructed to respond to the show-cause notice by October 21. His comments are considered a breach of his player contract with the PCB.

Pakistan's women's cricket team suffered a humiliating defeat on Monday, crashing out of the T20 World Cup semifinals race after being bowled out for a mere 56 against New Zealand. The team's dismal performance, which included a series of dropped catches and poor shot selection, has sparked outrage among former players and cricket experts.After restricting New Zealand to a manageable 110 for 6, Pakistan's batting lineup collapsed like a house of cards. The team lost five wickets for just 28 runs, and despite a brief rally, they were eventually dismissed for 56 all out in 11.4 overs. The defeat not only ended Pakistan's hopes of reaching the semifinals but also raised serious questions about the team's preparation and strategy.Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, stating that they "seemed like they were playing badminton, not cricket." He criticized the team's chairperson, Tania Mallick, a former national badminton champion, for her lack of cricket experience.Ali also highlighted the team's poor fielding, pointing out that they dropped several easy catches. "I haven't seen such a team," he said. "You may lose 10 out of 10 matches, but I haven't seen a team dropping catches like that."Despite the team's struggles, Ali praised captain Fatima Sana for her resilience. Sana, who had lost her father a few days ago, contributed the most runs (21) to Pakistan's total. Ali criticized the team's shot selection and the drastic changes in the batting order, which he believed contributed to their downfall."Who got out on a good ball? Muneeba (Ali) played a cross-batted shot. They were getting run-out, playing bad shots," he said. "Sana Fatima lost her father recently; she played the best knock."Ali also extended his sarcasm to Pakistan's men's team, which had recently lost the first Test against England despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings. He suggested that the men's team's defeat may have had a negative impact on the women's team."I think the way Pakistan lost the first Test, it shocked the women's team as well and they too couldn't play...We know our team is weak, everybody knows that. But to lose like that...56 all out in 11.4 overs. It hurt me, personally," he said.

Baroda's historic victory over Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy has sparked a wave of jubilation within the team and its supporters. The last time Baroda defeated Mumbai in this prestigious tournament was in 1998-99, a match that featured a remarkable nine-wicket haul by Yogendra Wakaskar.Wakaskar, now a member of the senior selection panel, was present at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium on Monday morning, witnessing the triumph that brought back fond memories. He was joined by chief selector Prayan Dave and Umang Patel, who were equally thrilled with the team's performance under the leadership of Krunal Pandya.The celebrations extended to the Baroda dressing room, where head coach Mukund Parmar expressed his delight at being involved in his first win against Mumbai. Parmar, a former Gujarat stalwart, refrained from viewing the victory as revenge for last year's quarterfinal exit in Mumbai."It's not revenge and all. What's past is past," Parmar said. "It obviously gives a huge fillip to the confidence of the bunch to have started the season by beating the defending Ranji and Irani champion and the domestic giant in a convincing manner. Our skill-sets have never been in question. I am delighted with the manner in which the boys bounced back when put under pressure."Mumbai had opportunities to tighten their grip on the match in both of Baroda's batting innings. Baroda managed to post a respectable 290 on a turner after being reduced to 90 for five in the first innings. In the second innings, they rallied from 41 for six to add 144 runs for the last four wickets, effectively taking the game away from Mumbai."We created opportunities but the 130-run partnership in the first innings (between Mitesh Patel and Atit Sheth) turned out to be decisive. Baroda obviously played better cricket than us overall. I just hope it's a learning lesson for our spinners. I am confident we will continue to improve as a team," said Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane.Baroda's victory is a testament to their resilience and determination. They have shown that they can compete with the best in Indian domestic cricket and will be a force to reckon with in the upcoming season.

New Zealand's emphatic 54-run victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Monday has sent shockwaves through the Women's T20 World Cup, eliminating India from the tournament and securing the White Ferns a spot in the semifinals for the first time since 2016.India's hopes of reaching the last four rested solely on Pakistan pulling off an upset against New Zealand, given their inferior net run rate. However, despite Pakistan's valiant efforts to restrict New Zealand to a modest 110 for six in 20 overs, their batting lineup crumbled under pressure, collapsing to a mere 56 all out in just 11.4 overs.Australia emerged as the dominant force in Group A, topping the standings with eight points, while New Zealand finished second with six points. India's fate was ultimately sealed by their loss to New Zealand in their tournament opener, a result that proved costly in the end.New Zealand's victory was orchestrated by a stellar bowling performance, with spinner Amelia Kerr claiming three wickets. However, it was the seamers, Lea Tahuhu (1/8) and Eden Carson (2/7), who set the tone for the White Ferns, opening the floodgates for a Pakistani batting collapse.Pakistan's pursuit of the target was hampered by a slow start, as they needed to reach the target in less than 12 overs to qualify. However, the pressure proved too much, and they were dismissed well before the allotted time.Earlier in the match, Pakistan's spinners, Omaima Sohail (1/14 in 4 overs) and Nashra Sandhu (3/18 in 4 overs), applied relentless pressure on the New Zealand batters, delivering 21 dot balls and taking four wickets between them for only 29 runs. Despite the efforts of openers Suzie Bates (28) and Georgia Plimmer (17), who added 41 runs for the opening stand, the Pakistani spinners managed to restrict New Zealand to a modest total.

Suryakumar Yadav, the charismatic Indian cricketer, has emerged as a beacon of leadership and sportsmanship. Since assuming the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, Surya has instilled a fresh and dynamic approach to the team's play.In the recently concluded T20I series against Bangladesh, Surya's leadership qualities shone brightly. After India's emphatic 3-0 series victory, Surya displayed a heartwarming gesture towards retiring Bangladesh star Mahmudullah. As Mahmudullah walked off the field after his final dismissal, Surya approached him, shook his hand, and embraced him, acknowledging his illustrious career.This act of sportsmanship resonated deeply with fans, showcasing Surya's humility and respect for his opponents. The video of Surya's gesture went viral on social media, earning widespread praise.Beyond his leadership, Surya has also emphasized the importance of versatility in T20 cricket. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he stressed the need for batters to be adaptable and flexible."We have to be flexible when it comes to batting and bowling. Bowlers who can have to chip in. Batters have to be flexible and their performances were commendable," Surya said.Surya's words reflect his own versatility as a player. He is renowned for his ability to play a wide range of shots and adapt to different situations. This adaptability has been crucial to India's success under his captaincy.As India continues to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Surya's leadership and vision will be vital. His ability to inspire his teammates, foster a positive team culture, and promote versatility will be key to India's chances of success on the global stage.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has provided an encouraging update on his recovery from injury, sharing photos on social media of himself lifting weights in the gym. Shami has not played since the World Cup final loss to Australia last November, but he is eyeing a return in the highly-anticipated Australia series later this year.Shami's omission from India's 15-member squad for the New Zealand Test series is believed to be part of a longer recovery plan. He underwent surgery following an injury in the World Cup and is gradually working his way back to full fitness.In Shami's absence, the pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. The three Tests will take place across Bengaluru (October 16-20), Pune (October 24-28), and Mumbai (November 1-5).The selectors have also included young talents like Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna in the reserves to provide additional pace options. India are currently leading the World Test Championship (WTC) standings and will aim to consolidate their top spot. The New Zealand series is crucial preparation for India as they gear up for a challenging five-Test tour against Australia.With India aiming to reach their third consecutive WTC final, every series seems vital — and so is Shami's eventual return to full fitness. The 32-year-old is one of India's most experienced and successful fast bowlers, and his return will be a major boost to the team's chances of success.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a surprising decision to eliminate the Impact Player rule from the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, despite its continuation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next three seasons.The Impact Player rule, introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on an experimental basis, allows teams to substitute a player during the match. However, it has faced criticism from players and coaches, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who argue that it hinders the development of all-rounders and disadvantages bowlers.According to sources, the rule's removal from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is due to concerns about its impact on the competition. With teams fielding specialists, the game becomes a "12 vs 11" contest, reducing the opportunities for all-rounders.The BCCI's decision to retain the Impact Player rule in the IPL is reportedly influenced by pressure from broadcasters. The rule has been credited with adding excitement to the tournament, particularly in the last two editions, which witnessed high-scoring matches.However, the rule's critics argue that it undermines the traditional balance of T20 cricket, where teams rely on a combination of batting, bowling, and fielding skills. They contend that it favors specialist batsmen and makes it more difficult for bowlers to defend their totals.The BCCI's decision to remove the Impact Player rule from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a significant development that could have implications for the future of T20 cricket in India. It remains to be seen whether the rule will be reintroduced in future editions of the tournament or if it will be permanently discontinued.

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has declared his unwavering support for an aggressive "high risk, high reward" approach in Test cricket, even if it occasionally leads to low scores. This philosophy was evident in India's recent victory over Bangladesh in Kanpur, where they chased down a target in a rain-affected match.Gambhir believes that this approach allows batters to maximize their potential and score quickly, potentially leading to match-winning performances. He acknowledges that there will be setbacks, but he is willing to accept them as part of the pursuit of success.However, Gambhir emphasizes that adaptability remains crucial. He wants his team to be able to adjust their strategy based on the situation, whether it's pushing for a win or securing a draw. He believes that this flexibility is essential for growth and success in Test cricket.Gambhir is confident in his team's ability to handle any challenge, including the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand. He acknowledges the Kiwis' strength but insists that India will play "hard cricket" to achieve their desired results.Despite the upcoming challenges, including a five-Test series against Australia, Gambhir remains focused on the immediate task at hand. He believes that the team's primary goal is to win the World Test Championship in June 2025, and that the upcoming matches are crucial steps towards that objective.