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NDTV
an hour ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Sanjay Manjrekar Makes Big 'Pressure' Statement On Shubman Gill, Says: "Nothing To..."
Shubman Gill is all set to become India's youngest captain in the 21st century in the first Test against England, beginning from June 20. Gill, at the age of 25, has been viewed as the long-term captaincy prospect following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from Test cricket. While it is impossible to not carry the weight of expectation on your shoulders, former India cricketer and reputed pundit Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Gill won't feel the pressure. He also suggested that head coach Gautam Gambhir will share a better relationship with Gill than he did with Rohit. "The advantage that Shubman Gill has is that they have nothing to lose. The big names have gone, Jasprit Bumrah is not the captain, it's almost like he had to do the job. So he's not going to feel the pressure," Manjrekar said, speaking on ESPNcricinfo. "Because the selectors have made such a big call, they'll back him and be supportive," Manjrekar added. Manjrekar also explained why he feels Gambhir will enjoy working with Gill. "Gautam Gambhir, as coach, will enjoy a young captain with him. You can see him as coach when he's with Suryakumar Yadav as India captain versus him with Rohit Sharma. There is going to be a better relationship between the captain and the coach," Manjrekar reasoned. Shubman Gill is embracing the challenge of England's ever-changing weather as he prepares to lead India for the first time in a Test series, while senior batter KL Rahul is equally enthusiastic about playing in English conditions. The five-Test series starting at Headingley on Friday marks a generational shift in Indian cricket, with Gill taking over as the new red-ball captain. Veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin are no longer part of the Test setup, having announced their retirements. From the old guard, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul, Rishabh Pant, who is the vice-captain, remain, providing a blend of experience alongside the new leadership group. In a video shared by the BCCI on 'X', several Indian players, including skipper Gill, shared what comes to mind when they think of playing in England. "Dukes ball, that's number one. The weather, which is always changing, that's exciting and tough. And just the atmosphere of the crowd," Gill said. Rahul added: "Playing Test cricket here excites me. The English summer here is different from what we get back home, it's something that I enjoy playing cricket in. When the sun is out it's great to play cricket. The third thing is the options for restaurants and food."
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Former Test captain Tim Paine named Australia A coach for three series
Canberra [Australia], June 20 (ANI): Former Baggy Greens Test captain and current Adelaide Strikers coach Tim Paine has been appointed Australia A coach for three series in the second half of this year, according to ESPNcricinfo. The former wicketkeeper batter has been hired in a consultancy role, including working across the Australia A men's series, supporting the Australia women's team, and balancing his Strikers coaching duties in the Big Bash League. Paine will sit at the helm when Australia A engages in three 50-over matches and two four-day games in Darwin against Sri Lanka A in July. He will also lead an Australia A squad on a tour of India in September and October for all-format matches. Paine is also expected to coach in a one-off four-day game against the England Lions, which is expected to take place in late October or early November. In recent years, the 40-year-old has been an assistant coach with Australia A and various development teams. Paine worked under Adam Voges when the Perth Scorchers and Western Australia coach led Australia A during a multi-format home series against New Zealand in 2023. Paine also served as an assistant coach under CA's national development coach Lachlan Stevens last season when Australia A hosted India A. He took up the mantle of head coach of the Prime Minister's XI when they faced India in Canberra. According to ESPNcricinfo, Stevens has left his role with Cricket Australia, and Paine will come in to fill his place to coach Australia A against Sri Lanka A with support from new national pace bowling coach Adam Griffith, Australian women's team assistant coach Scott Prestwidge and Northern Territory Cricket's Pathway and Development coach Trent Keep. Griffith has been sent to the Caribbean to serve as the stand-in bowling coach for the first two Tests against the West Indies because Daniel Vettori is set to miss the whole tour due to family reasons. Former wicketkeeper Matthew Wade will join Australia's coaching staff as an assistant for the T20Is in the Caribbean. He previously worked as a consultant coach for Australia's white-ball series against Pakistan. (ANI)
India.com
11 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Not Virat Kohli or Joe Root, Pujara picks this Pakistan batter who plays spin better than him
New Delhi: Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara picks former Pakistan batter Younis Khan as the only player who better plays spin than him surpassing contemporary stars such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson in the Test. In one of the videos uploaded on social media by ESPNcricinfo, Pujara was asked to select those players who were more capable than him against spin. In response to Pujara after referring to the name of Joe Root of England, he replied with a simple word Maybe. Pujara was then challenged with the name of Virat Kohli, to which he responded, 'I would say par, in terms of stats, his numbers suggest that he is a good player of spin.' Names of players like Steve Smith and Kane Williamson's names were not enough to change Pujara's mind and said, 'They have scored runs against India; the numbers are good. It is hard to compare myself when it comes to spin, but they are good players.' When Younis Khan's name came up, Pujara finally admitted. 'I would have to say he is better than me.' Younis Khan owned red ball format over spinners as he always used to demonstrate his perfect stroke play technique and aggression. He has made an incredible 4449 runs in 151 innings with an amazing average of 75.40 being dismissed only 59 times. Virat Kohli has registered 3938 runs in 151 innings against spin, at an average and a strike rate of 55.46 and 57.03 respectively. Still active nowadays, his compatriot Steve Smith made 4083 runs in the 161 innings with the average proportion of 60.94 after being removed 67 times. Kane Williamson, on the other hand, made 3784 runs averaging 65.24 being dismissed in 58 instances in 134 innings. In the meantime, Joe Root, the top run getter in Test for England, has 4957 runs in 209 innings at average of 60.45 with 82 wickets lost.
India.com
a day ago
- Sport
- India.com
Shubman Gill- Gautam Gambhir Era Begins: Sanjay Manjrekar Sees Bright Future For India's New Test Leadership
As India embarks on a fresh journey in red-ball cricket, Shubman Gill takes over as Test captain, ushering in a new era alongside newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. Their first major assignment begins on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, where India faces England in the opening match of a five-Test series that also kicks off the team's campaign in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship. Gambhir-Gill: A Promising Partnership in the Making Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes the pairing of Gambhir and Gill could be the start of a dynamic and fruitful partnership. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar noted that Gambhir is likely to thrive as a coach working alongside a young and evolving leader like Gill. 'Gautam Gambhir, as coach, will enjoy having a young captain like Shubman with him,' Manjrekar said. 'He'll find the partnership more natural and effective than with an experienced figure like Rohit Sharma. The coach-captain chemistry could mirror what we may soon see in T20Is between Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav.' Parallels to Azharuddin's Unexpected Rise Manjrekar also drew historical parallels between Gill's ascension and Mohammed Azharuddin's surprise appointment as captain in 1989 after Krishnamachari Srikkanth's exit. He pointed out the similarities in how both captains inherited their roles amid transitions, with minimal expectations and ample freedom to build something new. 'This team reminds me of the one in the early '90s,' Manjrekar said. 'Back then, Azharuddin was made captain out of the blue and went to New Zealand with little pressure. Gill finds himself in a similar space, a clean slate, a young team, and nothing to lose.' A Generation Bows Out, a New One Steps In The retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket in May 2025 marked the end of an era for Indian red-ball cricket. With Jasprit Bumrah reportedly opting out of captaincy responsibilities due to injury concerns, the mantle naturally passed to Gill, a decision that Manjrekar feels was inevitable given the circumstances. 'With the senior icons stepping away and Bumrah not taking up the role, Gill almost had to step in,' Manjrekar noted. 'But that could work in his favor. There's no immense pressure or expectation right now. The selectors have made a bold call, and I believe they'll back him fully.' Gill's Track Record and the Road Ahead At just 25, Shubman Gill already boasts an impressive Test record, 1,893 runs in 32 Tests, including five centuries. He's also led the Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2025 playoffs, demonstrating poise and maturity in high-stakes situations. Now, he faces his biggest challenge yet, captaining a young Indian team in tough English conditions. While the road won't be easy, the support of Gambhir and a clear runway to shape the team's identity could help Gill establish himself as a long-term leader.
Hans India
a day ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Gambhir will enjoy young captain Gill with him, says Manjrekar
New Delhi: As India begin a new chapter in red-ball cricket under the leadership of Shubman Gill, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the team's head coach Gautam Gambhir is set for an exciting partnership with the young Test captain. The five-match Test series against England, beginning June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, will also mark the start of India's campaign in the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle — and the first major challenge of the Gill-Gambhir era. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar highlighted the potential harmony between Gambhir and Gill, drawing parallels with the T20I setup where Gambhir is also expected to work with another young captain, Suryakumar Yadav, following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the shortest format. 'Gautam Gambhir, as coach, will enjoy a young captain with him,' said Manjrekar. 'You can see him as a coach when he's playing with Suryakumar Yadav as the Indian captain versus, you know, Rohit Sharma. He'll enjoy that job. So there's going to be a better kind of relationship between the captain and the coach.' Manjrekar further compared Gill's appointment to the time when Mohammed Azharuddin was unexpectedly made captain in 1989 after Krishnamachari Srikkanth was removed. He believes the situation Gill walks into bears a similar sense of freedom. 'The advantage that Shubman Gill has, this team has, it was a bit like the team in the 90s when we went to New Zealand, where Mohammed Azharuddin, out of the blue as a young cricketer, was made the captain. You go with the feeling that you've got nothing to lose.' With the sudden retirements of senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket last month, India found itself in the midst of a generational transition. Jasprit Bumrah, the other logical contender for the role, reportedly opted out of leadership due to his injury history - a decision that, according to Manjrekar, may have left Gill as the natural, if not inevitable, choice. 'The big names have gone, Bumrah is not the captain, Gill, it's almost like Gill had to do the job,' Manjrekar explained. 'So you're not going to feel the pressure. And I think, because India and the selectors made such a big call, they'll back him and be supportive.' Gill, who has played 32 Tests and scored 1,893 runs including five centuries, will lead a largely youthful side into hostile English conditions. While still early in his career, Gill already has leadership experience, having captained the Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2025 playoffs.
