Cricket

Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam's frustration with former pacer Wahab Riaz has become a viral sensation on social media. The incident occurred during a six-hitting challenge between Pakistan's senior men's cricket team and its support staff.Riaz, who is the chief selector of the Pakistan men's cricket team but not part of the support staff, requested Babar to allow him to bat during the contest. However, the skipper visibly displayed his annoyance. Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan's head coach for the recently-concluded New Zealand T20I series, intervened and pushed Riaz away.The video of the incident, shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on April 25, has sparked discussions about the dynamics within the team. Some have speculated that Babar's frustration may stem from Riaz's role as chief selector, while others have suggested that it could be a reflection of the competitive nature of the challenge.Meanwhile, Pakistan's T20I squad has been in impressive form, with skipper Babar Azam leading the charge. In the recently concluded fifth and final T20I against New Zealand, Azam scored a solid half-century (69 off 44 balls), while spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed four wickets (4-30). Pakistan ultimately emerged victorious by nine runs, squaring the series at 2-2.The series provided both teams with valuable preparation for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, which will be held in the United States and the West Indies in June. While Pakistan may be disappointed not to have secured a series win against a depleted New Zealand side, the visitors gained confidence from their bench strength.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer, has shed light on his relationship with Virat Kohli and the complexities of on-field conduct. Gambhir believes that the media often sensationalizes narratives for the sake of ratings, which can shape public perceptions. He emphasized that the media should also focus on creating positive hype.Gambhir echoed Kohli's sentiments that the media's focus on their relationship is unwarranted. He believes that mature individuals should be allowed to handle their personal relationships without interference.On a lighter note, Gambhir acknowledged Kohli's dance prowess, saying that he would like to learn some moves from him. This highlights the camaraderie between the two cricketers.Regarding Kohli's strike rate, Gambhir emphasized that every player has a different game and that strike rate should be evaluated in the context of match dynamics. He pointed out that a strike rate of 100 can be good in a winning situation, while a strike rate of 180 may not be as impressive in a losing situation.Earlier, Kohli had responded to criticisms about his changed on-field demeanor. He dismissed detractors' disappointment over his recent displays of sportsmanship, saying that they are now booing because they don't have anything juicy to talk about.Gambhir's perspectives provide insights into the complexities of player relationships, the role of the media, and the nuances of performance evaluation in cricket.

India's T20 World Cup Squad: Experts Weigh In on Bowler SelectionAs the May 1 deadline for squad announcement looms, former cricketers and experts have shared their insights on the optimal bowling combination for India's T20 World Cup campaign.Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan emphasizes the need for five specialist bowlers, including two wrist-spinners. He suggests Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav as his preferred options, citing their impressive performances. However, he cautions against including Yuzvendra Chahal due to fielding concerns.Pathan acknowledges Jasprit Bumrah as the only automatic choice among the bowlers. He recommends Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh as potential fast bowlers, but expresses reservations about Siraj's consistency.Former India batter K Srikkanth advocates for Avesh Khan as the third pacer, citing his death-over prowess and international experience. He believes Siraj's erratic performances make him unsuitable for the World Cup.Former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody defends Siraj, attributing his recent struggles to fatigue and the poor performance of his IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore. He believes Siraj has the potential to step up in the World Cup based on his past performances.The experts agree on the importance of a balanced bowling attack, with a mix of pace and spin. They emphasize the need for wicket-taking options and the ability to control the game in different phases.

Pakistan Appoints Jason Gillespie as Test Coach, Gary Kirsten as White-Ball CoachPakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as the new Test coach and former South African batter Gary Kirsten as the white-ball coach. Azhar Mahmood, who served as the interim assistant coach for the New Zealand series, will continue in that role across all formats.The position of head coach had been vacant since Grant Bradburn, who succeeded Saqlain Mushtaq last year, resigned in January to join Glamorgan as head coach. The PCB had considered several high-profile candidates, including Shane Watson, but he withdrew from the running.Gillespie, 52, is a highly respected figure in the cricketing world. He played 71 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, taking 408 and 142 wickets respectively. After retiring from playing, he coached Yorkshire and Sussex in England, and most recently served as the head coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.Kirsten, 55, is another renowned coach. He led India to the 2011 Cricket World Cup title and South Africa to the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He has also coached the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.The appointments of Gillespie and Kirsten are seen as a significant step forward for Pakistan cricket. The team has struggled in recent years, but the new coaches are expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help them improve their performances.PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja expressed his confidence in the new coaching team. "We are delighted to welcome Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten to the Pakistan cricket family," he said. "They are both world-class coaches with a proven track record of success. We believe they will help our team reach new heights."Gillespie and Kirsten are expected to join the Pakistan team in time for their upcoming Test series against England, which begins on July 16.

The T20 World Cup 2024 is fast approaching, and the Indian cricket team is still grappling with the question of who will open the batting alongside captain Rohit Sharma. While Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the frontrunners, Virat Kohli has emerged as a surprise contender.Gill has been in impressive form for Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2024, scoring 304 runs in 9 matches. Jaiswal, on the other hand, has had a slower start for Rajasthan Royals but has recently hit a sensational century against Mumbai Indians.According to a poll conducted by NDTV Sports, fans have picked Jaiswal as Rohit's ideal opening partner for the T20 World Cup, with Kohli coming in at No. 3. This suggests that fans believe Jaiswal's left-handedness and aggressive style would complement Rohit's right-handedness and experience.However, Kohli's inclusion as an opener is an intriguing prospect. The star batter has been criticized for his strike rate in recent times, but some experts believe that opening the batting would allow him to play his natural game and maximize his impact.Gill, for his part, is eager to make the T20 World Cup squad. "If I am able to make it to this year's T20 World Cup, it would be nothing short of a dream coming true," he said in an interview with Hindustan Times. "Last year's World Cup experience would help me as we try to win the World Cup."The Indian team management has a tough decision to make, but they will be buoyed by the fact that they have several talented options to choose from. The T20 World Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in cricket, and India will be determined to lift the trophy for the second time.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set for an exciting clash between the resurgent Delhi Capitals (DC) and the struggling Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 29 in Kolkata. DC, led by Rishabh Pant, has won four of their last five matches and is gradually finding their rhythm. On the other hand, KKR, under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, has endured three defeats in their last five outings, with their bowling proving to be a major concern.DC's resurgence has been largely due to the arrival of Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has replaced Lungi Ngidi. The 22-year-old has been a revelation at the top of the order, scoring 247 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 237.50. His brutal treatment of Jasprit Bumrah, smashing a slower ball for a six in the first over, is a testament to his skill.Another key contributor for DC has been South African Tristian Stubbs, who has impressed with his astonishing power-hitting. In the match against Mumbai Indians, Stubbs scored a 25-ball 48 not out. Pant himself is also making rapid progress, with the DC top-five of Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel, Shai Hope, Pant, and Stubbs posing a significant threat to KKR's bowling.KKR, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency. Their bowling has been particularly disappointing, with none of their bowlers, except spinner Sunil Narine, making any significant impact. The absence of injured Mitchell Starc has been a major blow, and the Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera has failed to inspire confidence in his debut for KKR.However, KKR has some positives to look forward to. Narine's sensational form with the bat, scoring 357 runs from eight matches with two fifties and one century, has given a boost to their batting. Narine and Phil Salt have scored the bulk of their runs at the top, but the likes of Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Ramandeep Singh will need to contribute more.The match between DC and KKR is crucial for both teams. DC will be eager to consolidate their position in the top four, while KKR will be desperate to register a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Eden Gardens pitch is expected to favor batting, which could lead to a high-scoring encounter.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some exceptional performances from wicketkeepers this season, intensifying the competition for the second wicketkeeper's slot in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Former South African captain Graeme Smith believes that Sanju Samson and KL Rahul have emerged as strong contenders.Samson's unbeaten 71 off 33 balls for Rajasthan Royals and Rahul's 76 off 48 balls for Lucknow Super Giants have showcased their class. Smith praised Samson's partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who contributed an unbeaten 52 off 34 balls, saying, "They had an incredible partnership to get them over the line."Former Australian pacer Brett Lee lauded Jurel's contribution, describing him as a "quality batter" with "proper cricket shots." Lee noted Jurel's ability to "play all formats of the game" and his "classy" shots.Smith also highlighted the strength of Rajasthan Royals' squad, stating, "They had (Shimron) Hetmyer still to bat, so there was a lot in the tank, lots of match-winners with the bat and ball."The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup is expected to be announced soon, with Rishabh Pant likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. However, the performances of Samson and Rahul have put pressure on the selectors to consider them for the second wicketkeeper's role.

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has sparked a debate with his proposed India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, excluding Sanju Samson despite his impressive performances for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024.Doull's selection dilemma mirrors the challenge facing the Ajit Agarkar-led selectors, particularly regarding the two wicket-keeping positions. While Rishabh Pant remains the frontrunner, the backup role has become a contentious issue, with Samson, KL Rahul, and Dinesh Karthik all vying for the spot.Speaking to Cricbuzz, Doull unveiled his preferred combination, with Pant as the first-choice keeper and Rahul as the backup. However, he made a surprising move by assigning Pant the No. 3 batting position, aiming to accommodate other players in the lineup."I have flipped and flopped a lot about this, but I want Rishabh Pant at No. 3 because I can't see fitting the other players in without my keeper batting at No. 3. Also, I wanted a left-hander followed by two righties," Doull explained.Despite Pant's struggles in T20Is, Doull expressed confidence in his evolution and highlighted his improved fitness during IPL 2024.Another intriguing decision by Doull was his preference for Shivam Dube over Hardik Pandya, based on Dube's impressive batting displays for Chennai Super Kings.Doull's starting XI for India features Virat Kohli as the opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal as the backup. The squad includes Ravindra Jadeja as the lone all-rounder, with expectations for Dube to contribute with his bowling skills. Arshdeep Singh is the third seamer, with Avesh Khan serving as the backup option in the pace department.

IPL Live Score RCB vs GT: Gujarat Titans' Top Order Relies Heavily on Shubman GillThe Gujarat Titans (GT) have had an inconsistent campaign in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, with their top order heavily reliant on captain Shubman Gill. Gill has been the cornerstone of GT's batting, consistently delivering crucial knocks. However, the team's inability to integrate Kane Williamson into the lineup due to overseas player restrictions has put additional pressure on Gill.Gill's importance to GT cannot be overstated. He has scored 450 runs in 10 matches, averaging 45.00 and striking at 132.35. His contributions have been instrumental in GT's victories, particularly in the absence of Williamson. However, the team's over-reliance on Gill has also exposed their vulnerability.In the absence of a reliable second opener, GT has struggled to provide Gill with adequate support. Matthew Wade, who opened with Gill in the early matches, has been inconsistent, while Wriddhiman Saha has failed to make a significant impact. This has resulted in GT's top order often being dismissed cheaply, leaving the middle order with a daunting task.The onus is on Gill to deliver almost every game, especially considering GT's overseas conundrum. Williamson, a world-class batsman, has been restricted to just two appearances due to the team's four-overseas player limit. This has deprived GT of a potential match-winner and further increased the pressure on Gill.To address their top-order woes, GT may consider promoting David Miller or Rahul Tewatia to the opening slot. Both players have shown glimpses of their batting prowess and could provide Gill with the support he needs. Additionally, the team could explore the option of playing an extra overseas batsman, sacrificing a bowling option, to accommodate Williamson.