Latest news with #WorldT20
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'What was Rohit Sharma? He struggled when he played Test cricket': Shubman Gill's fresh challenge ahead of England Tests
Immense pressure is expected to be on Shubman Gill, when he leads his team out to face opposition skipper Ben Stokes at toss in the first Test at Headingley on Friday. The upcoming five-match Test series in England will see Gill make his captaincy debut, having taken over from Rohit Sharma, who recently announced his retirement. There have been question marks surrounding the 25-year-old's Test captaincy appointment, with many feeling that it was more circumstantial, rather than well-planned. His batting average in 32 Tests is 35.05, which is the lowest among top-order batters to have played for India in the past decade. Gill's batting brilliance can never be ignored in other formats, and to a certain extent, even in Test cricket, but many feel that he needed more time to develop before being given the reins of the team. Also Read: BCCI told to hold Vaibhav Suryavanshi's India call-up: 'Sachin Tendulkar hit 100s on Ranji, Duleep, Irani Trophy debut' Speaking to Hindustan Times, former India cricketer and ex-BCCI selector Venkatapathy Raju weighed in on Gill's appointment, saying the load of captaincy wouldn't negatively affect his Test career or development. Comparing the GT captain to Rohit, he said, "Not really, not really. You see, what was Rohit Sharma? Rohit Sharma struggled when he played Test cricket, right? But then, when they gave him captaincy for Mumbai Indians, he won trophies. Then suddenly his style of cricket changed. Then he became Indian captain, right? After he became Indian captain, he did well." During his Test career, which spanned 67 matches and 116 innings, Rohit averaged 40.57. His start in that format wasn't up to the mark, needing time to settle in. Raju, who was a selector during India's victorous campaign at the 2007 World T20, also went on to compare Gill to South African legend Graeme Smith, who was appointed skipper at a very early age. "So Gill has been part of this Indian team in all formats, right? And then probably, you know, I want to see the example of Graeme Smith. When Graeme Smith was very young for South Africa. He was just 19 when he was made the captain. He made a lot of difference," he said. "So now the selectors have decided to give the chance to Gill. It's up to the senior members in the team, all the players in the team to support him, right? Because it is a team game. It might change his style also. He might be more responsible. Initially, he might look little nervous, but then that's what cricket is all about. It is a challenge. He has to accept the challenge. He has got five Test matches, hopefully he learns quickly in those games and plays the way he knows," he further added. In SENA nations, Gill has yet to register a century, averaging 25.70. Meanwhile, in the three Tests he has played in England, Gill has only managed scores of 28, 15, 1, 0, 17 and 4. The spotlight will be on him when India face England in the first Test. A defeat could just increase the pressure, whereas a win in the first Test could see a strong start for India's new generation of cricketers.
United News of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Time to step aside for new talent: Angelo Mathews
Galle, June 16 (UNI) Angelo Mathews, one of Sri Lanka's modern Test greats, brought his 16-year-long red-ball career to a poignant close at the same venue where it all began — the Galle International Stadium, choosing to step aside not for personal reasons, but to open the door for the next generation. "We all come and go. Many greats came before us, and we came in as youngsters. Now it's time for us to leave as seniors," said Mathews, speaking on the eve of the first Test against Bangladesh. "We've got so many youngsters knocking on the door. I felt this was the right time to step aside." The 37-year-old, who debuted in 2009 at this very ground, said he made the decision after assessing both his own recent form and Sri Lanka's future schedule. "My performances in the last 7-8 games weren't what I expected of myself. I didn't want to be a burden to the team," Mathews said. "Also, we don't have any Test games for over a year after this series. It would be unfair for the youngster replacing me to wait that long for another opportunity." He confirmed he would not play in the second Test of the ongoing series, allowing his successor a chance to gain valuable experience. Reflecting on his career, Mathews cited several highlights: the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne (2010), the historic Test series win in England in 2014, Sri Lanka's ICC World T20 title in 2014, and back-to-back Asia Cup wins in 2014 and 2016 — the triumphing over Australia in Bangladesh. "Winning in Bangladesh was special," he added, acknowledging his fondness for the country and the camaraderie he shares with most of its players. When asked about his equation with Shakib Al Hasan following the controversial timed-out incident during the 2023 World Cup, Mathews responded with dignity: "It was an unfortunate incident. I hope it never happens again. But I hold no grudges. Everyone's a good friend, and I wish them well." Looking ahead, Mathews expressed confidence in the current setup under selectors like Sanath Jayasuriya and the leadership of retired Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis. "Communication has been excellent. Whether you're a junior or senior, they keep you in the loop. That sort of clarity creates a healthy environment, and performance follows. We've seen that across formats in the past two years." Ending where he began, Mathews reflected on the symbolism of Galle. "It's poetic. I made my debut here, played my 100th Test here, and now I say goodbye here. It feels right." As Sri Lanka embarks on a transitional phase, Mathews' exit marks the end of an era — not with fanfare, but with humility and foresight. UNI BDN SSP
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Aiden Markram: ‘Thought a lot about T20 World Cup final vs India… didn't want to sit on the side feeling helpless again'
Aiden Markram spent a lot of time thinking back to the Barbados World T20 final that South Africa lost to India, on the eve of the final WTC day. With 69 runs still to get, the horror memory reel of going down in yet another run chase, and the precise feeling of helplessness, gave him daytime nightmares. He didn't want to feel like that again. Speaking at the press conference after the ICC title was won, he said, 'I thought a lot about the T20 World Cup last night. And how helpless I felt sitting on the side after getting out and I was like I don't want to sit there again. That gave me a bit of motivation to stay on the crease if I could,' he said, recalling the time when he edged to the Indian keeper Pant, and watched the chase not reach fruition. What appeared to be a composed chase was actually an intense tightrope he walked in trying to take his team home. 'But never once thought about the achievements and what would come with it. It was always about trying to get the job done and trying to win,' he added. Like it happens with every issue in South African cricket, he was asked directly if the Proteas could finally get rid of the 'choke' tag. The ridicule that cricket team faces for years, can be quite visceral, and Markram said the only way to get the monkey off the back, was to yank it off and throw it away, by calmly setting up the chase that he did with a century. 'It will be great to not hear it (insults of choking) again, that's for sure,' Markram said. 'In terms of motivating you, there will always be external things to motivate you. But that's not your sole purpose for playing,' he said, of approaching the problem by knowing what the real goal was. 'So to have got the job done. Literally, to have got the job done and to get rid of that is a big thing for this team,' he said. Things did settle down eventually in his mind, and he led the roar at the team huddle and chants, that echoed through an empty Lord's well after everyone had left. But before that he was lured into sipping some beer, as he met a fan and hugged him and his guzzle was cheered by an entire stand. 'Yeah that was cool. That was one of my mates from school. He wanted me to come over, I was like 'flip man' it's too busy, it is chaos. He was like, oh 'here's a beer'. I was like Ok,' he said to loud chuckles from the press. 'So I've had my first one for the day and I'm pretty sure there will be few more,' he said.
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Virat Kohli has gotten 'softer' since Anushka Sharma, doesn't 'care' about his image: 'Opposite to Shah Rukh Khan'
Virat Kohli is aggressive, nice and loud, but at the same time, is also a softie, a family man and a loving husband. His body language depicts a lot of things. Kohli, like anyone, has made a natural progression in his life, evolving with time. Leave aside his batting, captaincy and other cricketing traits, it's the overhaul in his off-the-field behaviour that has turned upside down. During the 2016 World T20, Kohli, very famously, had questioned one of the journalists 'Do I look the pooja-paath types to you?' From there to visiting shrines with his wife and kids, Kohli has become a changed man, much more disciplined, focussed and sensitive. "Opposite to Shah Rukh Khan, whose body language has remained the same throughout, Kohli's body language has changed a lot. In his initial videos, Kohli's posture while sitting used to be a lot more restricted. Today, he sits with his arms up, which is a total change," Body Language expert Kanan Tandi told YouTube Raj Shamani on his show. Kohli is box office. There is no two ways about it. Be it batting, fielding, or barely sitting in the dugout, the cameras love Kohli. He loves to have a word or two with players of the opposition camp. But despite all the colour that he brings to the game, one can't help but consider just how much he's mellowed over the years. On the field, he has. Deep down, Kohli is a very playful person. On camera, he does not want to show it. When the camera is not on him, he is someone who likes to chit-chat, but the moment the camera comes on, he becomes conscious. Kohli has an inner child, which comes out when he's either with Anushka Sharma or his teammates – his boys – Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. He is always seen joking around them and having fun. He is as involved on the ground as he is in the dressing room. When he is with his people, Kohli is truly the boy whom millions of Indians relate to. Then again, he has an aggressive side, albeit it is strictly competitive. And then, there is the Anushka effect. It is believed that Kohli was always a star, but he became an icon since Anushka. It's after 2013, when they first met, that Kohli went on this journey from being an amazing player to a wonderful, idealistic man. He gives his family time. He knows where and when he needs his privacy. Kohli doesn't shy away from mentioning his better half and the role she has played in his life. He openly addressed the person he was before and now. In all ways, Kohli is setting the perfect example for this country's youth. "He's become softer, gentler since Anushka entered his life," says Tandi. "It makes a difference when a girl comes into your life. You have to scan another area altogether – relationship, marriage, kids. This explains another perspective of Virat, that he is very open to learning. There's a famous saying that the best apology is a changed behaviour. He doesn't have to apologise or anything, but that just shows that he has kept changing with time. "I saw a video where he was telling a journalist that he needs his privacy. He understands that value. Even when he was saying it, he was doing so politely. Kohli's aggression is not the same which it once was."
News18
10-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Hands Faster Than Of A Pickpocket': Ravi Shastri's Hilarious Tribute To MS Dhoni
Last Updated: India legend MS Dhoni has become the 11th Indian to have been inducted into ICC Hall of Fame. MS Dhoni has become the latest former India cricketer to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Cricket's global governing body made the announcement on Monday, with the legendary wicketkeeper-batter the 11th from his country to receive the honour. Dhoni arrived on the scene as a big-hitting batter capable of hitting sixes at will. He was then made India captain ahead of the inaugural World T20 in 2007, which the team went on to win, thus beginning the journey of Dhoni the captain. He went on to win all three major white-ball trophies, including the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy, and remains the only captain to have done so. One of Dhoni's most striking features was his ice-cool temperament; he rarely lost his composure on the field. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri says he has never encountered a player comparable to Dhoni in terms of calmness. 'I have never really seen anyone with his temperament," Shastri said during the ICC event revealing the latest Hall of Fame inductees. 'Nothing changes. He gets out for zero, he wins the World Cup, he gets a hundred, it's the same; two hundred, the same. There is absolutely no difference. That's something I have not seen with any player, at least from India, and that includes the great Sachin Tendulkar, who could get angry at times." Dhoni's lightning glovework often caught the attention, leaving batters bewildered. 'He (Dhoni) had hands faster than a pickpocket. If you're ever in India, going for a big game, especially in Ahmedabad, you don't want MS behind you; watch that back. The wallet will disappear," Shastri quipped, leaving host Ian Bishop in stitches. 'It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world. To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever," he said. First Published: June 10, 2025, 09:10 IST
