Rohit Sharma's 'Naughty' Side Revealed by Jonty Rhodes

Rohit Sharma’s ‘Naughty’ Side Revealed by Jonty Rhodes

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma’s witty one-liners and candid comments have become a staple of the sport. His interactions with reporters and teammates have garnered widespread attention, showcasing his playful and charismatic nature.

South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes, who worked with Rohit as the Mumbai Indians fielding coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has shed light on the India skipper’s “naughty” side. Rhodes revealed that Rohit’s interactions with his teammates are often filled with humor and banter.

“The way that he interacts with his teammates, he’s quite a character. He’s quite a naughty boy, almost. He says a few things on the stump mic and you go ‘Oh! Do you know people are listening, Ro?’ I don’t understand all of it but it’s always broadcast and translated for us,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes also praised Rohit’s growth as a captain, highlighting his ability to connect with his teammates and foster a positive environment.

“From a captaincy point of view, he has been superb. I was with him at MI for a quite few seasons. He grew as a captain there and that’s the best thing about him,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes emphasized the importance of constant evolution for cricketers, noting that Rohit’s success stems from his willingness to adapt and improve.

“Cricketers have to keep reinventing themselves. You are found out easily at the international level. I was dropped for two years from Test cricket because I had a technical issue.”

“If you look at Rohit, so much cricket has been played that if you don’t evolve, you are going to be stuck. People are going to figure you out,” he added.

India will face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting September 19, where Rohit’s leadership and witty remarks will undoubtedly be on display.

Brendon McCullum Appointed England Head Coach Across All Formats

Brendon McCullum Appointed England Head Coach Across All Formats

Brendon McCullum’s transformative impact on England’s Test team has earned him an expanded role as head coach across all formats. The former New Zealand captain has been credited with instilling a fearless, attacking brand of cricket, dubbed “Bazball,” leading England to a remarkable turnaround in Test cricket.

Since taking over a struggling Test side in May 2022, McCullum has guided England to 19 victories in 28 matches, a stark contrast to the team’s previous struggles. His appointment as head coach across all formats signals England’s commitment to his leadership and their belief in his ability to replicate the Test team’s success in limited-overs cricket.

McCullum’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for England’s white-ball teams, who have experienced recent setbacks, including surrendering both the 50-over and 20-over World Cup titles in the past year. The hope is that his positive influence and aggressive approach can revitalize these teams and propel them back to the top of the international game.

Stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope praised McCullum’s impact, highlighting his ability to inspire confidence and encourage players to perform at their best. “We’ve seen the impact he’s had on us as a Test team and as individuals, which I think he can then transfer into the white-ball stuff as well,” Pope said.

England’s decision to hand Josh Hull his Test debut in the final match against Sri Lanka further underlines their commitment to nurturing young talent and maintaining the winning momentum established under McCullum’s guidance. A series victory would mark the first time since 2004 that England has achieved a clean sweep of home Test wins, a testament to the team’s remarkable transformation and a positive sign for the future of English cricket under McCullum’s leadership.

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Denies Rift with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Denies Rift with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan Captain Shan Masood Dismisses Rift Rumors with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan cricket captain Shan Masood has vehemently denied rumors of a rift between him and star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. The speculations arose after Afridi was omitted from the playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh.

The rumors intensified when a video clip from the first Test emerged, showing Afridi seemingly brushing off Masood’s hand from his shoulder. However, Masood has clarified that there was no disagreement between the two.

“There are no issues between us,” Masood said. “Shaheen had his arms around my back, but he politely removed my hand from his shoulder because it was sore after being hit by a ball during our innings.”

Masood also refuted claims that Afridi was dropped for the second Test due to the incident. “We had a good discussion with Shaheen,” Masood explained. “We told him he remains our best bowler and needs to work on finding his best rhythm and form.”

The Pakistan captain also dismissed suggestions that he was concerned about his future as Test captain. “I don’t think about these things,” Masood said. “Being made captain is a privilege, and until I am captain, my only focus is to take the team forward.”

Masood acknowledged the team’s disappointing performance in the Bangladesh series, which they lost 2-0. “Losing to Bangladesh is totally unacceptable for us,” he said. “We need to improve our performance and work hard to regain our winning ways.”

Bollipalli and Kadhe Advance in Shanghai Challenger Doubles

Bollipalli and Kadhe Advance in Shanghai Challenger Doubles

Indian tennis duo Rithvik Bollipalli and Arjun Kadhe secured a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 victory over David Pel and Bart Stevens of the Netherlands in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the $133,250 Challenger tournament in Shanghai, China. The win propelled them into the last eight of the competition.

In the women’s $25,000 ITF event in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, Vaidehi Chaudhari cruised past Vaishnavi Adkar, dropping only three games in the first round. Her dominant performance sets her up for a promising run in the tournament.

Meanwhile, in the $133,250 Challenger in Shanghai, Siddhant Banthia and Bruno Navarro of Spain defeated Fabien Salle of France and Adria Barrera of Colombia 6-4, 6-4 in the doubles pre-quarterfinals.

The $82,000 Challenger in Istanbul, Turkey, witnessed several exciting doubles matches. Michael Geerts of Belgium and Divij Sharan of India overcame Cezar Cretu and Bogdan Pavel of Romania 6-4, 6-7(6), [10-5]. Egor Agafonov and Ilia Simakin of Russia cruised past Joshua Paris of Great Britain and Ramkumar Ramanathan of India 6-1, 6-2.

In the $25,000 ITF men’s event in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, S Mukund, Dheeraj Srinivasan, and Xu Weitao of China all secured first-round victories.

The $15,000 ITF men’s tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, saw Sidharth Rawat, Vishnu Vardhan, and Seydina Andre advance to the second round. In the doubles pre-quarterfinals, Dev Javia and Rishi Reddy of India defeated Daniil Golubev and EVgenii Tiurnev 6-2, 7-6(4).

The $25,000 ITF women’s event in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, featured a thrilling doubles pre-quarterfinal match where Margaux Maquet of Belgium and Maria Vaquero of Spain edged out Maria Gonzalez of Colombia and Sahaja Yamalapalli 3-6, 6-2, [10-7].

In the $25,000 ITF women’s tournament in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, Vaidehi Chaudhari continued her impressive form with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Vaishnavi Adkar in the first round.

The $15,000 ITF women’s event in Monastir, Tunisia, saw Zeel Desai and Zou Ruirui of China secure first-round wins.

Kumble, Dravid Guide Match Referees in Bengaluru Seminar

Kumble, Dravid Guide Match Referees in Bengaluru Seminar

Former Indian Captains Kumble and Dravid Share Insights at Match Referee Seminar

In a significant event at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, former Indian captains and head coaches Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid participated in a seminar on Wednesday, sharing their expertise on match management with match referees.

The seminar delved into various aspects of managing a game on the field, with Kumble and Dravid providing valuable insights based on their extensive experience as players and coaches. Other notable figures in the cricketing world also contributed to the discussions, including ICC match referee and former India pacer Javagal Srinath, Elite Panel umpire Nitin Menon, and NCA Education Head Sujith Somasundar.

The seminar attracted the participation of several domestic match referees, including the seasoned Manu Nayyar. The attendees engaged in discussions and deliberations on topics related to match management, exchanging their experiences and ideas to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field.

Srinath, a match referee since 2006, and Nitin, who recently officiated in the T20 World Cup, shared their experiences from the prestigious tournament. Srinath, a former Indian fast bowler, has officiated in more than 250 ODIs, making him one of the few referees to achieve this milestone.

Earlier this year, the ICC Elite Panel of referees and umpires retained both Srinath and Nitin for their exceptional performance and dedication to the sport. The seminar provided a platform for these experienced individuals to share their knowledge and insights with the match referees in attendance, contributing to the overall development of match management in cricket.

Bangladesh Skipper Shanto Sleeps Beside Trophy After Historic Test Sweep

Bangladesh Skipper Shanto Sleeps Beside Trophy After Historic Test Sweep

Bangladesh’s historic Test series sweep over Pakistan has been celebrated with a heartwarming gesture by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. Following in the footsteps of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, Shanto shared a photo on social media of himself asleep beside the series trophy, accompanied by the caption “Good morning.”

This light-hearted moment has drawn comparisons to Rohit Sharma’s iconic post after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, where he was seen sleeping next to the trophy in a hotel room in Barbados. Both posts symbolize the immense joy and relief after hard-fought victories.

Bangladesh’s 2-0 triumph over Pakistan marks their first-ever Test series win against their South Asian rivals. It also ends a 12-match winless streak against Pakistan and is only their fourth-ever series whitewash in Test history. More significantly, it is their first against a top-tier cricketing nation like Pakistan, making them only the second team after England to achieve a clean sweep in a Test series in Pakistan.

The Bangladesh team’s victory was hard-earned, especially after being reduced to 26/6 in the second Test. However, led by centurion Litton Das and all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was instrumental with both bat and ball, Bangladesh staged an incredible comeback. Miraz’s five-wicket haul in the second Test was pivotal in dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup, paving the way for this momentous win.

Bangladesh’s success is a testament to their growing strength in Test cricket. They have now won four of their last six Test series, including victories over New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. This series sweep over Pakistan is a major milestone for Bangladesh cricket and will undoubtedly boost their confidence going forward.

Scotland Host Australia in First T20I of Three-Match Series

Scotland Host Australia in First T20I of Three-Match Series

Scotland vs Australia: T20I Series Preview and Team News

Scotland will host Australia in a three-match T20I series, with the first match taking place at the Grange in Edinburgh. This will be the first time that Australia and Scotland have played a bilateral T20I series.

Australia will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record against Scotland in T20Is. The two teams have met twice before, with Australia winning both matches.

Australia will be without several key players for this series, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. This will give an opportunity for some of Australia’s younger players to shine, such as Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Sean Abbott, and Riley Meredith.

Scotland, on the other hand, will be relying on their star trio of captain Richie Berrington, Michael Leask, and George Munsey.

Team News

Australia:

* Travis Head
* Jake Fraser-McGurk
* Mitchell Marsh (capt)
* Josh Inglis (wk)
* Marcus Stoinis
* Tim David
* Cameron Green
* Sean Abbott
* Xavier Bartlett
* Adam Zampa
* Riley Meredith

Scotland:

* George Munsey
* Ollie Hairs
* Brandon McMullen
* Richie Berrington (capt)
* Matthew Cross (wk)
* Michael Leask
* Mark Watt
* Jack Jarvis
* Charlie Cassell
* Jasper Davidson
* Brad Wheal

Preview

The first T20I between Scotland and Australia is expected to be a close contest. Scotland will be looking to make the most of their home advantage, while Australia will be keen to maintain their unbeaten record against them.

The key battle in this match will be between Scotland’s batting lineup and Australia’s bowling attack. Scotland will need to score runs quickly and consistently, while Australia will need to take wickets regularly.

The match is scheduled to start at 6pm BST on Wednesday, June 22.

Australia Bowls First in T20I Opener Against Scotland

Australia Bowls First in T20I Opener Against Scotland

Australia, under the leadership of Mitchell Marsh, opted to field first after winning the toss against Scotland in the opening match of their T20I series. The decision was influenced by the expected high-scoring conditions and the absence of experienced pace bowler Nathan Ellis, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Jake Fraser-McGurk made his T20I debut for Australia, while Scotland handed out two new caps to Charlie Cassell and Jasper Davidson. Michael Jones, who played in the T20 Blast quarter-final for Durham, missed the match due to scheduling conflicts.

Australia’s inexperienced pace attack included Riley Meredith, who returned to the T20I side after a year’s absence. Josh Inglis replaced Matthew Wade as the wicket-keeper and was slated to bat at No. 4, with Cameron Green coming in as a finisher at No. 7.

Scotland’s captain, Richie Berrington, also expressed his preference for bowling first. He acknowledged the significance of the match for Scottish cricket and praised the team’s preparation.

Meanwhile, Ellis’s recovery from a hamstring injury is being closely monitored by Cricket Australia’s medical staff. His availability for the remaining matches of the series will depend on his progress through rehabilitation.

SFA Championships 2024-25: Over 150,000 Athletes to Compete in 10 Indian Cities

SFA Championships 2024-25: Over 150,000 Athletes to Compete in 10 Indian Cities

Sports For All (SFA) is revolutionizing grassroots sports in India with the launch of the SFA Championships 2024-25. This grand event will span 10 cities across the country, engaging over 150,000 participants from 7000 of India’s leading sporting schools. The championships will feature a staggering 31 sports, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents.

For the first time in its nine-year history, the SFA Championships will venture into Nagaland (Dimapur). Registrations are now open for this highly anticipated event.

Since its inception in 2015, the SFA Championships have witnessed remarkable growth. Starting with Mumbai as the inaugural host, the championships have graced Hyderabad, Uttarakhand, Pune, Delhi, Bengaluru, Indore, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. The 2024 edition will commence on October 4 in Uttarakhand, culminating in the grand finale from December 6-16 in Jaipur.

SFA’s mission is to transform India into a nation that values and invests in sports culture. Rajas Joshi, Founding Member and Chief Operating Officer of SFA, emphasized, “Our commitment extends beyond organizing championships; it’s about elevating grassroots and participative sports across India. By prioritizing athletes’ needs and leveraging technology, we have created a unified platform to discover talent across multiple sports.”

The SFA Championships have ignited a passion for sports among over 350,000 young athletes from nearly 7000 schools. This initiative aims to foster a resilient and resurgent sporting nation by placing school sports in the spotlight.

The championships will return to the national capital for the second time, taking place from October 5-15 in Delhi. Prestigious venues like Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Indira Gandhi Stadium will host the event. In the inaugural Delhi edition, over 6200 athletes from 500 schools participated, bringing glory to their institutions.

SFA offers a wide range of sports for athletes aged 3-18, including basketball, football, volleyball, swimming, athletics, and many more. To enhance the experience and benefits for competing athletes, SFA has integrated technology into the championships. AI-powered match videos and tech-enabled fitness assessments provide athletes and coaches with detailed performance analytics, enabling them to make data-driven training decisions.

The SFA Championships will also be showcased in a series on grassroots and participative sports on JioCinema, one of India’s largest OTT platforms.

Shubman Gill's Defensive Focus Transforms Test Fortunes

Shubman Gill’s Defensive Focus Transforms Test Fortunes

Shubman Gill’s remarkable turnaround in Test cricket against England earlier this year can be attributed to his meticulous focus on improving his defensive game, particularly against spinners. Prior to the series, Gill’s Test average stood at a modest 30.59. However, batting at the crucial No. 3 position, he amassed 452 runs in nine innings, averaging an impressive 56.50. This included two centuries and two half-centuries, effectively silencing his critics who had questioned his ability to succeed in the longest format.

Gill’s defensive prowess was evident in his ability to negotiate the turning tracks in India. He acknowledged that playing on such surfaces requires a strong defensive foundation to counter the threat of spin. He also recognized that his involvement in T20 cricket, with its emphasis on aggressive batting, had inadvertently weakened his defensive skills. Thus, he made a conscious effort to rectify this during the England series.

After scoring a crucial 104 in the second innings of the second Test in Visakhapatnam, Gill revealed that he had requested the team management to shift him down to No. 3 instead of opening the batting. This move allowed him to settle into the innings and build a solid foundation.

Despite his impressive performances against England, Gill remains humble and acknowledges that he has yet to fully establish himself as a Test player. He is determined to make amends in the upcoming series, with India scheduled to play ten Tests over the next four months.

In addition to his batting prowess, Gill has also embraced leadership responsibilities. He captained Gujarat Titans in the IPL and led India in five T20Is against Zimbabwe. He believes that captaincy enhances his understanding of his teammates and allows him to connect with them on a deeper level.

Gill emphasizes that his role as a batsman remains unchanged, regardless of his leadership position. His primary goal is to contribute runs and lead his team to victory. However, he recognizes the importance of understanding his players’ strengths and weaknesses as a captain.

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