Falcon Risers Hyderabad have kicked off their Season 2 preparations for the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) with a week-long high-performance training at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru. With the aim to build cohesion and strong synergy in the team, rigorous training sessions are underway to prepare the team for a strong campaign ahead of Season 2. Led by Head Coach Chetan Padiyar, Batting Coach Yogesh Pawar, and Head of Cricket Anant Tambavekar, who also happens to be the personal batting coach of Indian star cricketer Smriti Mandhana and the Maharashtra State Under-19 team, Falcon Risers Hyderabad have crafted a squad including left-arm pacer Irfan Umair, a Mumbai probable for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, acquired for INR 16.5 lacs, and Aryan Kharkar, an emerging talent in tennis-ball cricket, who comes from Thal, a small village in Alibaug. Also Read: Striking the Gong in support of landmark 20th edition of Mumbai Marathon Commenting on the team’s focus on a high performance, Tambavekar said , "Our squad-building strategy focused on blending experience with emerging talent to ensure adaptability and resilience across formats. Retaining Krishna Satpute was an obvious choice, while players like Irfan Umair and Aryan Kharkar stood out for their ability to perform under pressure. Preparations in Bengaluru are in full swing, with high-intensity training sessions aimed at refining skills and building team cohesion. We’re confident this well-balanced squad is ready to deliver strong, consistent performances throughout the season." Central to the team’s strategy is the retention of star player Krishna Satpute, whose legendary reputation as the “God of Tennis Ball Cricket” and proven performance under pressure make him vital. The Falcon Risers also retained their core performing team from the first season of the ISPL, with Vishwajit Thakur, Shreyash Kadam, Vicky Bhoir, and Varun Kumar, all returning. Furthermore, strengthening the squad further are new signings, including powerful batter Bablu Patil and rising Under-19 talent Prabhjot Singh, adding fresh energy and potential to the lineup. On the sidelines of this training camp, the team also organised a meet-and-greet event of the players with the franchise’s owners, the Razack Family from the Prestige Group, Mr Irfan Razack (Chairman & Managing Director, Prestige Group), Mr Rezwan Razack (Joint Managing Director, Prestige Group) & Mr Noaman Razack (Whole-time Director, Prestige Group). The event featured a cap ceremony to officially unveil the squad and an exhibition tennis-ball match that brought together players, owners, and the performance staff, fostering a strong sense of community. With a solid strategy, an enhanced team, and a refreshed emphasis on preparation and fitness, the Falcon Risers are poised for the tournament starting on January 26. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
15 January,2025 02:12 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondentFormer Team India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on his retirement and getting a farewell game by saying that he did not want a farewell match if he did not deserve to play in the team. Ravichandran Ashwin delivered one of the most heartbreaking moments in cricket last year when he decided to draw curtains on his international career after the third Test match against Australia. His last international appearance was during the pink-ball game at Adelaide. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said that what difference would it make if people clapped for him when he came out with a ball? "What difference will this make if I came out with the ball and people are clapping? How long will people talk about it? When social media was not there, people talked about it and forgot after one week. There is no need for a farewell. The game has given us a lot and we have played with a lot of happiness," said Ashwin. Also Read: "Given the number of matches they play, Ireland have done well against us": Deepti Sharma He also said that he did not want his farewell match if he did not deserve a place in the team on the basis of performance and was there in the team just because he had to be given a nice send-off. "I want to play more cricket. Where is the place? Obviously not in the Indian dressing room but from somewhere else. I want to be honest with the game. Imagine if I want to play farewell Test but I do not deserve a place. Imagine, I am only in the team because it is my farewell Test. I do not want that. I felt there was more strength in my cricket. I could have played more but it is always better to finish when people ask 'why not' than why," Ashwin concluded. India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3, succumbing to a six-wicket defeat in the fifth and final Test at Sydney after setting Australia a target of 162 runs. With this loss, India is officially out of contention for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's in June next year, as Australia and South Africa have sealed their places. In 106 Tests for India, the legendary all-rounder took 537 wickets at an average of 24.00, with best figures of 7/59. He claimed 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket match hauls in his Test career. He is the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Tests overall and the second-highest for India, behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). Ashwin also holds the record for the second-most five-wicket hauls in Tests, trailing only Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (67). With the bat, Ravichandran Ashwin scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75, including six centuries and 14 fifties in 151 innings, with a highest score of 124. In 116 ODIs, Ashwin took 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also scored 707 runs at an average of 16.44, including one fifty, a knock of 65 in 63 innings. He is the 13th-highest wicket-taker for India in the format. Across all formats, Ashwin took 765 wickets in 287 matches, making him India's second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble (953 wickets). Ravichandran Ashwin was also a key member of the Indian teams that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. (With ANI Inputs)
15 January,2025 12:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India all-rounder Deepti Sharma refused to read much into the uneven nature of the players against Ireland in the ODI series. She said that Ireland's team has done quite well considering their inexperience and lack of exposure. Team India will look to clean sweep against Ireland in the third ODI, having won the previous two matches. India won by six wickets in the series opener and then broke a slew of records to post their highest-ever total of 370/5 in the second game, which the hosts won by 116 runs. "See, firstly, there is no small or big team in cricket. It depends on how you look at it. Obviously, they have not played as many matches as the other teams. They have a different experience," Deepti Sharma said on the eve of the third match. "They are also doing good. Because, in the two matches they have played, it has been good. And, as a team, we have also done well. "They come from a different place, and, they are not able to play as many matches too. That also matters," the senior India player added. Also Read: Rohit Sharma shows up for Mumbai Ranji team's practice session after horrendous Australia tour Pratika Rawal has been a stunning performer at the top of the order, forming a fine partnership with stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana. Deepti Sharma was very pleased with Pratika's performances in the first few matches at the highest level of the game. "As a team, whenever we get a good start, it always gets easier for the middle order, for the upcoming batters. It helps us a lot. "I think, Pratik is a very good player. And, in the two matches, she has shown a lot of confidence." The big totals in the series may have given the impression that the matches are being played on a flat deck, but Deepti Sharma said the bowlers have also got help from the pitches. "It is a very good wicket. It is said that a flat track mostly helps the batters. But, I have seen in the two matches, that it was also very good from the bowling point of view. We have worked as a bowling unit," she said. Deepti thanked bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi for her consistent show with the ball. Regarding the Women's Premier League (WPL), she called it a great platform and thanked the BCCI for the "good initiative". Deepti, who has just completed 100 ODIs, said, "I think, obviously, it feels good. Because, I have represented my country 100 times... I have worn that blue jersey so many times. So, I feel very proud. "The family also feels good when you play 100 games. Even when you play 50 games, it feels good. More than that, it is important for me that I win as many matches as possible. I always keep that in mind." (With PTI Inputs)
15 January,2025 12:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSeeking a break in IPL after going unsold in mega auction, Karnataka skipper Mayank Agarwal will look to extend his incredible run of form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy when he leads his team out in their semi-final against defending champions Haryana here on Wednesday. Also Read: It's Gambhir v Superstars? If four-time winners Karnataka have the likes of Agarwal, Shreyas Gopal and Vijaykumar Vyshak in their ranks, Haryana will be banking on in-form players such as Nishant Sindhu, Anshul Kamboj and Ankit Kumar to get the job done for their side. Apart from the sensational Karun Nair, Agarwal is the only other batter to have aggregated over 600 runs in the season so far. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2025 08:03 AM IST | Vadodara | PTIGautam Gambhir’s position as head coach will be “revaluated” on the basis of India’s Champions Trophy performance next month amid concerns that there is discontent in the dressing room due to his push to end the long-prevalent “superstar culture” in the team. Since Gambhir took over in July last year, the Indian team has lost six out of 10 Tests and also a bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka. The results have left Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s international future in significant disarray thanks to their own poor form. But Gambhir’s position has also become slightly shaky. Adding to the drama is his speculated rift with prominent players during the Border-Gavaskar Test series in Australia which India lost 1-3. “If India doesn’t do well in the Champions Trophy, the head coach’s position could become untenable. Yes, his contract runs till the 2027 World Cup but the process of evaluation continues. ‘Sport is result-oriented’ “Sport is result-oriented and till now, Gambhir hasn’t given any tangible results,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. Also Read: Team India eye clean sweep against Ireland in the third ODI There has already been a review of the team’s performance in Australia by the BCCI. It is understood that Gambhir and senior players aren’t on the same page on the issue of team culture. “Gambhir wants to end the superstar culture that has been prevalent for so many years now. As captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, he had dropped Brendon McCullum from the playing XI for the IPL final against CSK. “He has come here to dismantle the superstar culture and that’s what has caused discomfort for some playing members,” a source, who has seen Gambhir’s functioning closely, said. Amid this ongoing tussle is the view of the national selection committee, which does not want the head coach to have too much of a say in selection matters. A former selector said Gambhir has shown shades of mercurial former coach Greg Chappell in his approach. The Australian, who came amid much fanfare, left in chaos after developing differences with senior players over his training methods. “Either you be like a Ravi Shastri, who would be media-friendly, give those sound bites propping up players making them look like alpha males,” said the former selector, who toured a lot during Shastri’s tenure as coach. “Or be like Rahul Dravid, Gary Kirsten or John Wright, who would remain aloof, letting the players hog the limelight. “The ‘Chappell Way’ doesn’t work in India. Gambhirs or Shastris or Dravids will go but players will stay,” he added. Personal assistant issues The BCCI brass is also upset with how Gambhir’s personal assistant shadowed the team everywhere in Australia. “Why was his PA sitting in the car specified for national selectors? They can’t even discuss things in private with an unknown third person in the car. Why was he allotted space in the BCCI’s hospitality box in Adelaide?,” an irritated BCCI official said. “How did he have breakfast in the cordoned off area of a five-star facility which is just earmarked for the team members?” he asked. With the drama picking pace with every passing day, it would not be wrong to say that it is a very uneasy Indian dressing room that is heading into the Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2025 08:00 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesA dominant India will fancy their chances of completing a clean sweep of the women’s ODI series against Ireland in the third and final match here on Wednesday, having recorded two convincing wins in the preceding games. Also Read: BCCI likely to set limits to players' wives on tours along with other new measures With another power-packed batting performance, the Indian team will be aiming to continue their impressive run and finish on a high note. Pratika Rawal, after scoring her third half-century in just four innings, will be eager to translate her start into a maiden hundred. Her blistering opening partnerships with skipper Smriti Mandhana have been the biggest takeaway of the series. The duo added 156 runs for the first wicket in their previous outing. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2025 07:56 AM IST | Rajkot | PTI1 Managers of players and coaches not to be allowed on team busThe issue of managers of players and coaches was highlighted when the personal manager of a senior coaching staff member was allowed on the team bus on the recent tour that ended with India losing 1-3. “Personal managers travelling on the team bus also raises a red flag with the anti-corruption unit. It should be avoided going forward,” a Board official told PTI on condition of anonymity. Also Read: Rohit Sharma shows up for Mumbai Ranji team's practice session after horrendous Australia tour 2 Wives’ presence on tours The steps which could be taken moving forward will limit the presence of wives and other family members on assignments to a maximum of two weeks if the tour is 45 days or more. If the duration is less than that, the presence of wives could be limited to a week. “As far as the presence of wives on tours is concerned, it is being discussed in the board and a call would be taken on it soon,” a Board official told PTI on condition of anonymity.The disciplinary diktat comes after it came to light that the spouse of a travelling reserve in Australia made content for her own youtube channel and that included behind the scenes footage of the couples and the team travels. 3 Players must travel by team busIn addition, all players might have to use the team bus and not any other vehicle when on assignments. Majority of the players follow this norm but at times, some of them and the support staff use other modes of transportation as well. “Players and coaches should only travel by team bus. It was always supposed to be the case but of late, players use other modes of transportation. That should be avoided,” he added. 4 Luggage may be limited to 150 kilosAnother rule that could come into effect covers the luggage of the players on tours. If the players luggage is more than 150kg, the BCCI will not pay extra luggage charges. Players will have to pay that, added the source. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2025 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIIndia captain Rohit Sharma, who dropped himself due to poor form against Australia in Sydney recently, had his first post-tour red-ball practice session with the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. Rohit, 37, who managed just 31 runs in three Tests against the Pat Cummins-led Australian team recently, according to onlookers, batted for more than an hour, pairing up with in-form Mumbai Ranji skipper Ajinkya Rahane as part of a match simulation exercise. Rohit’s sensible batting Rohit, who started batting at 9.30 am on a slightly damp pitch, got out just once — on the second or third ball he faced — when pacer Shardul Thakur disturbed his furniture with an away going delivery. Also Read: India leave Brazil behind, push forward in Kho Kho World Cup 2025 race However, later on, the right-handed batter showcased a determined approach, mixing it with defensive as well as attacking shots while facing right and left-arm pacers, left-arm spinners and off-spinners. He even dispatched an off-spinner’s delivery to the mid-wicket fence with a well-timed reverse sweep. Test batsman Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Shivam Dube also attended a simulation session along with other Mumbai players, which lasted till 4.30 pm. Selection on Monday Mumbai’s senior selection committee led by Sanjay Patil will pick the team on Monday for the upcoming Ranji game against Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) to be played at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Bandra-Kurla Complex ground starting on January 23. Though Rohit is likely to attend a few more practice sessions, it is learnt that he is yet to confirm his availability for the J&K game. He last figured in a Ranji Trophy game for Mumbai in 2015-16 (against Uttar Pradesh).The resumption of red-ball cricket for the 2024-25 season opens up an exciting fare. Defending champions Mumbai are in third place with 22 points in the Elite Group ‘A’. Table-toppers Baroda and J&K have 27 and 23 points respectively. Mumbai’s last Ranji Trophy match of the current season was against Services in November at Delhi, where Mumbai won by nine wickets.
15 January,2025 07:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureIndia wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has made himself available for Delhi's next Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra beginning in Rajkot from January 23, DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma said on Tuesday. Pant last played a Ranji Trophy match back in the 2017-2018 season. However, there is no clarity over the participation of superstar Virat Kohli, who last featured in Ranji Trophy for Delhi back in 2012. Both the India players have been named in Delhi's probables for the remainder of the season. "Yes Pant has confirmed his availability for next Ranji game and will join the squad in Rajkot directly. About Virat Kohli we want him to play but we haven't heard from him while Harshit Rana is selected in the T20 squad and hence is unavailable," Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI. Former India players Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are among many who want the current crop of players, especially the struggling Rohit Sharma and Kohli, to play red-ball cricket following the series loss in Australia. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are also expected to play for their respective state teams. Rohit's training with the Mumbai team on Tuesday piqued plenty of interest but it remains to be seen if he would make himself available for the next round of Ranji Trophy matches beginning January 23. There has also been intense debate around Kohli returning to Ranji Trophy to regain red ball form alongside Rohit. DDCA naming its star players in the list of probables is the norm but their inclusion in the final squad is subject to their availability. While Rohit had rested himself from the final Test in Australia due to poor form, Kohli's struggles outside the off-stump worsened as his tally of being caught in the slips swelled to eight over the course of five Tests. Besides Kohli, Pant and Harshit Rana, Delhi have named 38 probables for the remaining two games. In Group D, Delhi are fourth in the standings with 14 points from five games. (With agency inputs)
14 January,2025 10:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIndian stars Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant feature among Delhi's probables for the remainder of Ranji Trophy but their participation in the premier domestic red-ball tournament remains in doubt. Former India veterans Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are among many who want the current crop of players, especially the struggling Rohit Sharma and Kohli, to play red-ball cricket. Rohit's training with the Mumbai team on Tuesday piqued plenty of interest but it remains to be seen if he would make himself available for the next round of Ranji Trophy matches beginning January 23. There has also been intense debate around Kohli returning to Ranji Trophy to regain red ball form alongside Rohit. Kohli last played in Ranji Trophy in 2012 while Pant featured in the event last in 2017-18. Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) naming its star players in the list of probables is the norm but their inclusion in the final squad is subject to their availability. "They were in the probables before the start of the season as well. But till now there is no clarity on whether they would be available for the next round," a DDCA official told PTI. "Also, it doesn't make a lot of sense for them to play red ball cricket as India's next Test is only in June. It would be good for the Delhi team but I don't know how playing now will help Kohli and Pant when there is no Test cricket on the horizon," the official added. While Rohit had rested himself from the final Test in Australia due to poor form, Kohli's struggles outside the off-stump worsened as his tally of being caught in the slips swelled to eight over the course of five Tests. Besides Kohli, Pant and Harshit Rana, Delhi have named 38 probables for the remaining two games. Delhi play Saurashtra in Rajkot from January 23. (With inputs from agencies)
14 January,2025 08:27 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentGautam Gambhir's position as head coach will be 'revaluated' on the basis of India's Champions Trophy performance next month amid concerns that there is discontent in the dressing room due to his push to end the long-prevalent 'superstar culture' in the team. Since Gambhir took over in July last year, the Indian team has lost six out of 10 Tests and also a bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka. The results have left Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's international future in significant disarray thanks to their own poor form. But Gambhir's position has also become slightly shaky. Adding to the drama is his speculated rift with prominent players during the Border-Gavaskar Test series in Australia which India lost 1-3. "If India doesn't do well in the Champions Trophy, the head coach's position could become untenable. Yes, his contract runs till the 2027 World Cup but the process of evaluation continues. "Sport is result-oriented and till now, Gambhir hasn't given any tangible results," a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. There has already been a review of the team's performance in Australia by the BCCI. It is understood that Gambhir and senior players aren't on the same page on the issue of team culture. "Gambhir wants to end the superstar culture that has been prevalent for so many years now. As captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, he had dropped Brendon McCullum from the playing XI for the IPL final against CSK. "He has come here to dismantle the superstar culture and that's what has caused discomfort for some playing members," a source, who has seen Gambhir's functioning closely, said. He cited another instance from his Delhi playing days to explain Gambhir's mindset. "Once, as Delhi Ranji captain, Gambhir decided that they will play home matches at the Roshanara Ground in Delhi North-West where the pitches were green-top. "But one huge superstar, who was also out of the Indian team, wanted to play the games at the Jamia Milia Islamia ground, which was closer to his south Delhi residence. Gambhir turned him down. Similarly, in the Indian team, he doesn't want star culture to breed," the person added. It is learnt that the head coach was not pleased with how some star players gave specific demands about hotels and practice timings during the tour of Australia. But, on the other side, senior players have felt a lack of communication from his end. Selection committee's take Amid this ongoing tussle is the view of the national selection committee, which does not want the head coach to have too much of a say in selection matters. A former selector said Gambhir has shown shades of mercurial former coach Greg Chappell in his approach. The Australian, who came amid much fanfare, left in chaos after developing differences with senior players over his training methods. "Either you be like a Ravi Shastri, who would be media-friendly, give those sound bites propping up players making them look like alpha males," said the former selector, who toured a lot during Shastri's tenure as coach. "Or be like Rahul Dravid, Gary Kirsten or John Wright, who would remain aloof, letting the players hog the limelight. "The 'Chappell Way' doesn't work in India. Gambhirs or Shastris or Dravids will go but players will stay," he added. The BCCI brass is also upset with how Gambhir's personal assistant shadowed the team everywhere in Australia. "Why was his PA sitting in the car specified for national selectors? They can't even discuss things in private with an unknown third person in the car. Why was he allotted space in the BCCI's hospitality box in Adelaide?," an irritated BCCI official said. "How did he have breakfast in the cordoned off area of a five-star facility which is just earmarked for the team members?" he asked. With the drama picking pace with every passing day, it would not be wrong to say that it is a very uneasy Indian dressing room that is heading into the Champions Trophy from February 19 to March 9. (With agency inputs)
14 January,2025 06:41 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
