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The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Moneyball in IPL 2025 edition
Moneyball: IPL 2025 edition Champions of the 2025 Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bengaluru made their biggest splash by acquiring Josh Hazlewood for ₹12.5 crore – and he proved worth every rupee. The Australian pacer delivered a stellar season, claiming 22 wickets at an economy rate of 8.77 and a blistering strike rate of 12. The team's most expensive retention, Virat Kohli, came at ₹21 crore, and he paid back handsomely—scoring 657 runs at an outstanding average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71. Down the table, the returns were far less convincing. Seventh-placed Lucknow Super Giants spent ₹27 crore on Rishabh Pant, who managed just 269 runs – century included – at an underwhelming average of 24.45 and strike rate of 133.16. Eighth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders shelled out ₹23.75 crore to retain Venkatesh Iyer, who could only muster 142 runs with equally modest returns in average and strike rate. All of which begs the question: who was truly worth their buck in the 2025 edition? It's not a straightforward call. T20 is a game of roles and moments – players might not top the run or wicket charts, yet deliver in clutch situations that turn matches and seasons. Value, in this format, is as much about impact as it is about stats. To figure out who delivered the most – and who didn't – we analysed every ball of the 2025 IPL season using ball-by-ball data. But instead of just looking at who scored the most runs or took the most wickets, we compared each player's performance to a three-year average (from 2023–2025) to get a more comprehensive picture of their impact.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Gill's leadership qualities promising, must stick to No.3, say experts
MUMBAI: Since his junior cricket days, Shubman Gill has been accustomed to the spotlight. Still, nothing would have prepared him for the hype he is going to deal with as India's Test captain. It only gets bigger when your first series is in England. Every move Gill makes in the five-Test series starting on Friday will be scrutinised. It starts with what number he will bat at – 3 or 4? Given the importance of his batting, India need their new captain to be at his best, and the think tank thus needs to get this absolutely right. Having runs behind him will boost confidence, gain his teammates' respect, and help win over the dressing room. Having started his Test career as an opener, Gill has settled down at No.3 but the retirement of long-time No.4 Virat Kohli has led to speculation whether the Punjab batter must take up that role. The Indian team management hasn't announced the No.4 for the first Test at Leeds, but making Gill shift may not be a wise move. For someone who already has so much on his plate, one more challenge is best avoided. His game is more suited to No.3. A naturally attacking player, he is more in the Ricky Ponting mould, who excelled at No.3 with a dominating approach. Having batted at No.3 in 30 of his 59 innings, scoring 1,019 runs at a strike rate of 61.53, Gill has understood the requirements of the role better. 'There is going to be a lot of responsibility. It's not easy. It's going to be tough – a 5-Test series straight up. He should first focus on his batting. If he scores runs, captaincy will come easy,' says Kiran More, former India chief selector and wicketkeeper. LEADERSHIP ACUMEN Every time a new India Test skipper is appointed, it creates a buzz. In an interview to the official broadcaster in the build-up to the series, former India captain and chief selector, Dilip Vengsarkar, hailed Gill's appointment as a brave decision. Former India coach Gary Kirsten, who has worked with Gill at Gujarat Titans, says he is a nice person as well. The former South Africa opener has always emphasised that one can't be a good leader without being considerate. Everyone has nice things to say about the stylish batter. He was earmarked for the leadership role quite early. It was only a case of when would be the right time. Blooding him in India would have been ideal but chief selector Ajit Agarkar has shown the confidence to thrust him into the hot seat immediately. So, what are his qualities that gave BCCI's selection committee confidence? 'I am a huge Gill fan. I have reflected on that – his journey as a cricketer, when you see that grow and resonate with you, the one thing that stood out for me from Day 1 was his character,' says Abhishek Nayar, who has worked with Gill at Kolkata Knight Riders for a long time and was the India team assistant coach in chief coach Gautam Gambhir's support staff. 'His work ethic is that of a top cricketer, which is one of the most important attributes for a cricketer. Everyone knows Gill the cricketer but the ethics of Gill the cricketer is not something a lot of people know. He is someone who is driven, constantly looking to evolve. He is as driven as the top most cricketers to be the best in the world,' says Nayar. Gill's progress at GT is what convinced the selectors about his leadership ability. Though it's a different format, IPL captaincy is a high pressure job and Gill has impressed for the last two seasons. Mithun Manhas, who was GT's assistant coach for their first three seasons, has seen Gill's progress. Manhas says Gill's calm demeanour is no sign of meekness. 'He is a level-headed person. He is authoritative, it's not that around (GT coach) Ashish Nehra he will get bogged down. If Ashish has to say something he will listen and whatever he has on his mind Gill will communicate (as well). That confidence is there,' says the former Delhi Ranji team captain. 'The best thing is he speaks to his players one-on-one, which is very important as a captain. He is open, accessible to all his players at all times.' Still, Gill is untested in English conditions and the decision-makers in BCCI have their fingers crossed if their captaincy gamble will work. Though this will be his first full series in England, he has played three Tests there and is yet to get a half-century. 'All I can say is – does he have what it takes to do well there? He does. He possesses all the attributes, what happens after that is his journey, where he bats, etc.,' says Nayar. A leader is ultimately judged on the team's success. Representing the world's richest board means one gets everything on a platter, but it comes with extra demands. Kohli had the most dominating run in bilateral series but couldn't win an ICC trophy and was replaced by Rohit Sharma. 'The one thing that is really special about him is that he wants to win championships. As an individual he wants to, and as a leader I am sure he will be the same,' Nayar says. More urged patience with Gill's captaincy. 'It is a great call by the selectors, he should go one Test at a time. You are not going to make a captain for one series, you can't judge anybody from one series. You need to be given enough time to develop into a top captain.'
NDTV
3 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Dinesh Karthik's Big Warning To Shubman Gill Ahead Of England Tests: "Must Score Runs..."
Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik believes Shubman Gill is yet to grasp the full weight of responsibility that comes with leading the Indian Test side and has urged the young skipper to focus on his batting to gain respect within the dressing room. India, entering a new era in Test cricket without stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin, will begin a five-match series in England under the leadership of 25-year-old Gill, his first assignment as captain in the longest format. "First bit of information I want to give Shubman Gill is to put your captaincy hat on only while fielding. Focus on your batting. "It is imperative for Gill to score to have respect in that dressing room. In SENA countries, as an Indian batter, his average is not something he is going to be proud of," Karthik said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. Gill, who has played 32 Tests, has struggled to convert starts in overseas conditions, particularly in SENA countries. In cricket, SENA refers to South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. India last won a Test series in England in 2007 and Gill faces a formidable challenge in attempting to repeat that feat as a first-time captain. "I don't think he has realised the enormity of what it means to be a Test captain for India as of now. He is walking into a lion's den. Coming to England as a cricketing nation is not easy," said Karthik who interviewed Gill recently. "Luckily for Shubman Gill, the England bowling attack is very vulnerable. That is the only positive I see. England's batting will put India under pressure, but the bowling is an area that is still work under progress for England and that could play into India's hands." Karthik believes Gautam Gambhir's tactical acumen as a coach is top-notch but feels his aggressive approach might need fine-tuning in a coaching role. Karthik has shared both dressing rooms and leadership spaces with Gambhir -- first as an India teammate and later under his mentorship at Kolkata Knight Riders. "Tactically, Gauti (Gambhir) is a very good coach. Man management is the area that I am sure he would be looking at. But one thing about him is that he is looking out for his players which is massive." However, Karthik noted that Gambhir's intensity, which served him well as a captain, might not always translate smoothly to coaching. "What I feel at times is that the way he is aggressive as a captain, you can't be as a coach. You are managing different individuals. Once you let them out in the park, you trust them to do the job. That is the challenge," Karthik said.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Kuldeep hopeful spin will matter in the England Tests
New Delhi: As India go into their five-Test series in England that starts at Leeds on June 20, there is a sense of anticipation around the relatively inexperienced side. They have not won a series in England since 2007, but this feels like the start of a new era. Fast bowlers will be expected to lead the bowling attack, but wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav is hopeful there will be enough assistance in the pitches for spin to play a key role. India are playing an intra-squad four-day match in Beckenham in the final build-up. This will be India's first series without several seniors – Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin. The left-arm wrist spinner, who has played only one Test in England – that too as a strange selection for a rain-hit Lord's Test in 2018 which India lost by an innings and all wickets, barring Cheteshwar Pujara's run out, fell to pacers. This time though he is expected to play a crucial role in a team entering an era of transition. 'There is always excitement when you are playing overseas as a spinner. I go in with an attacking mindset and if the wicket and conditions are good, it is helpful,' Kuldeep told a media conference at Beckenham on Day 3. 'Although I don't worry too much about the conditions, if there is a little assistance, it feels good to bowl.' The Shubman Gill-led team is largely young, but he has the experienced KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja to rely on. 'Playing alongside Jadeja is an honour. Jadeja and Ashwin have been brilliant. When I made my debut, they helped me even then. We still chat a lot about how to bowl to certain batters and the way the English batters play. 'I am spending a lot of time with him (Jadeja). Not only on the field, but outside as well. It actually helped me a lot in terms of tactics and field placements, which we've been talking about. He has given some tips as well.' Having played alongside Gill at Kolkata Knight Riders, Kuldeep is familiar with Gill's thinking. 'Shubman has played under many seniors. He used to be actively involved in discussions with Rohit Sharma, not just in Test cricket but even in ODIs in the last year. I am sure he has learnt a lot.' He added: 'As a leader, he looks motivated. He was highly involved in lifting the spirits of the team in the last 3-4 sessions (in the India vs India A game). He looks ready to lead.' Secure environment Yadav acknowledged that the absence of seniors has left a void but sees it is an opportunity for the youngsters to perform and settle in the team. However, as players jostle to make a mark, the dressing room can become a competitive and daunting place. Gill, in an interview to Sky Sports Cricket on Sunday, said he is focused on building a relaxed atmosphere. 'Apart from the silverware and the trophies, I would ideally like to build a culture where everyone is very secure and happy. I know it can be a very difficult environment, especially with all the competition and the number of matches that we play, but if I'm able to do that…that would be my goal,' he said. 'They (management) are not expecting me to do something that I'm not capable of. But you definitely have some expectations from yourself as a leader and as a player.' In the last two IPL seasons, Gill as Gujarat Titans skipper has worked with coach Ashish Nehra, who is known to be totally involved at every point. Gill outlined the difference between him and India head coach Gautam Gambhir. 'Ashu pa is very hands on, very animated and very expressive in terms of his personality, and your personality kind of reflects on your coaching style as well. Gautam bhai is very determined, committed and also very clear in his communication, what he wants from the players and what kind of mindset he would want the players to have.' There seems to be promise and confidence in the words of the players and Gill and Gambhir. The first test of the transition will be how effectively the team performs at the start of a challenging series.
News18
5 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Shubman Keen To Learn From Last India Captain: 'Even If Rohit Bhai Is Swearing'
Gill, in a recent interview, acknowledged the clear guidance he has received from Rohit, who retired from Test cricket ahead of the series. 'It can seem like he is not aggressive, but Rohit is very aggressive in terms of his tactics. He is someone who is very clear with his communication prior to the matches, during the series and even after the series, what he wants from the players," Shubman Gill told SkySports. Gill expressed his desire to emulate Rohit's team-first approach. 'The kind of environment Rohit bhai kept, even if Rohit bhai is swearing at you, you would not take it to your heart. That's just kind of his personality. I think that's a great trait to have. 'He's firm, but even if he's being hard on you, you know that it's not coming from his heart. It's coming from a team perspective," added Gill. Gill revealed he discussed the team's future direction with Rohit. 'This is a conversation that I've had with Rohit bhai a couple of times that ideally in the next 5, 7 or 10 or 15 years, where would we want the Indian cricket team culture to be?" Gill also said that he has learned a lot from the 'proactive" leadership of Virat Kohli. 'When I played under Virat, I think his proactiveness in Test matches with the field or with the ideas or with his thinking was something that I liked and that I picked up. If he thinks that, okay, this plan is not working, he would immediately have another plan, communicate to the bowler what he wants from them," he said. Having experienced Gambhir's coaching style at Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, Gill feels confident adapting to him in the national setup. 'Gautam bhai is very determined, very committed. And he's also very clear with his communication, what he wants from the players and what kind of mindset that he would want the players to have." Shubman said.
