Shreyas Iyer was on Sunday appointed as the captain of the 17-member Mumbai squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which will be played from November 23 to December 15. The squad features a mix of experienced campaigners and promising talents, with notable inclusions such as Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane, who have been key figures in Mumbai cricket. Shreyas Iyer, who has been in scintillating form during the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, will lead the team in the T20 competition to reclaim his spot in the Indian team. Iyer has been in imperious form, amassing 452 runs at an average of 90.40, including two centuries. Both of his centuries have been particularly dominant, with a blistering 233 (228 balls, 24 fours, 9 sixes) against Odisha followed by an elegant 142 (190 balls, 12 fours, 4 sixes) against Maharashtra. These performances have not only solidified his place as a key figure for Mumbai but also positioned him as one of the standout performers of the season. Ajinkya Rahane, who has been leading Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy following the first half of the competition, is another major presence in the squad. Rahane’s experience and leadership will be vital in the shorter format, offering valuable guidance to the younger players. Meanwhile, Siddhesh Lad makes a return to the squad after some impressive performances in the domestic circuit, having consistently contributed with the bat. His inclusion adds depth to Mumbai's middle order. Also Read: Prithvi Shaw plays the waiting game with a surprise base price at IPL auction Perhaps the most significant inclusion in the squad is that of Shaw, who was dropped from the Mumbai Ranji team earlier this season due to fitness and discipline-related issues. His return to the Mumbai squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy comes at a crucial juncture, as the 25-year-old will be eager to prove his fitness and form in the shortest format of the game. Shaw’s natural flair and aggressive batting style make him a key asset for Mumbai, and his presence will add a potent dimension to the team’s top order. In the bowling department, Mumbai will rely on the experience of veteran all-rounder Shardul Thakur, whose pace and ability to contribute with the bat will provide balance to the squad. Additionally, Tanush Kotian, the spin-bowling all-rounder who represented India A in their unofficial Tests in Australia, has earned his place in the squad following a series of strong performances. Kotian's skills with the ball will offer Mumbai a reliable spin option, complementing the pace attack spearheaded by Shardul. The Mumbai squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy also includes promising young players such as Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Jay Bista, and Suryansh Shedge, who will be looking to make an impact in the T20 format. The team’s wicketkeeping duties will be shared between Hardik Tamore and Aakash Anand, both of whom bring solid skills behind the stumps. Mumbai squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Jay Bista, Ajinkya Rahane, Siddhesh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Sairaj Patil, Hardik Tamore (wicketkeeper), Aakash Anand (wicketkeeper), Shams Mulani, Himanshu Singh, Tanush Kotian, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, Royston Dias, Juned Khan. (With PTI inputs)
17 November,2024 06:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPakistan captain Babar Azam found himself at the center of controversy during his side's disappointing T20I series loss to Australia, as fans openly criticised his poor form with the bat. The incident unfolded during the second T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Australia claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with a hard-fought 13-run victory. Babar’s struggles with the bat continued as he managed to score just three runs in both the first and second match of the series, raising questions over his place in Pakistan’s T20I lineup. His lack of runs has sparked growing concerns among fans and analysts, and the pressure on the captain is mounting. Also Read: Pakistan cricket just died a thousand deaths During the match in Sydney, Babar was fielding near the boundary when a group of fans began shouting insults at him. One fan, in particular, escalated the situation by taunting Babar and demanding that he face him. The exchange quickly became heated, with the fan telling Babar that he didn’t deserve to be part of Pakistan’s T20I team and should return to his hometown of Lahore. Despite the clear provocation, Babar appeared visibly frustrated but kept his composure, acknowledging the support from other fans who chanted his name in applause. Pakistani fans at SCG to Babar Azam:Have some shame, you have no place in T20s, go back to Pakistan.(Babar hears, gets angry and stares at them)Fans: Oh you got angry? Come on, stare once again...just drop catches and then clap for others.Ngl the Punjabi is epic 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Afe9ASiV0N — Johns (@JohnyBravo183) November 17, 2024 This ugly incident highlighted the increasing frustration among some sections of the Pakistani fanbase, who have been vocal about Babar's lack of form. The situation also drew attention to the broader pressures of international cricket, where players often find themselves under intense scrutiny from the public, especially when results do not go their way. Meanwhile, in the match, Australia secured a tense 13-run victory to clinch the series. Pakistan was set a modest target of 148 after a stellar bowling performance from Haris Rauf, who claimed 4-22 to keep the Australian total in check. However, despite a spirited 52 from Usman Khan, Pakistan’s batting faltered once again, and they were all out for 134 in the final over. Australia’s win was largely thanks to Spencer Johnson, who put in a match-winning performance with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 26 runs. Also Read: Coldplay over cricket? Pat Cummins caught at concert while Pakistan smashed Australia Johnson’s remarkable spell was a crucial factor in Australia’s victory, with his wickets coming at key moments to break Pakistan’s resistance. Australian captain Josh Inglis praised his team’s efforts, particularly Johnson’s consistent wicket-taking ability. The third and final T20I, which is now a dead rubber after Australia’s series victory, will be played on Monday at the Ninja Stadium in Hobart.
17 November,2024 06:38 PM IST | Hobart (Australia) | mid-day online correspondentThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), along with former cricketers and various media outlets, is in an uproar following India’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially communicated its position to the International Cricket Council (ICC), reiterating its stance on not traveling to Pakistan. However, the PCB is adamant that the ICC should provide a more thorough explanation, expressing its dissatisfaction with India's decision. Despite the hosts’ reluctance to adopt a hybrid model for the tournament, the ICC is engaged in discussions to find a viable middle ground for the event. In a twist of events, a Pakistani journalist raised the issue during the US State Department’s daily press briefing last Thursday. The question took principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel by surprise, as it was not related to typical diplomatic matters. A Pakistani Journalist complains in US Department of State press briefing of BCCI refusal to send the Indian Cricket team to Pakistan for #ChampionsTrophy2025.Visibly shocked Dy Spokesperson Vedang Patel replies it's for Indian govt to decide on this not US. #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/1xx7pATnP3 — Ganesh (@me_ganesh14) November 16, 2024 According to a report by Hindustan Times, the journalist began by bringing up the Champions Trophy, which is set to be held in Pakistan. “There’s a big cricket event in Pakistan,” the journalist began, prompting an unexpected response from Patel. “Cricket? Oh, I didn’t have that on my bingo card. Go ahead,” Patel replied, clearly caught off guard by the question. The journalist then elaborated on the situation, stating, “It’s the biggest event after the Cricket World Cup, and India was set to participate, but the Indian government has refused to send the team to Pakistan. The Indian team last visited Pakistan in 2008, but due to political tensions, India has not traveled there since. Do you believe mixing politics with sports is a good idea? What’s your opinion on this?” Also Read: ICC orders PCB to scrap Champions Trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: Report Patel responded diplomatically, reiterating that the matter is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, not something the United States is involved in. “As it relates to relations between India and Pakistan, that’s for them to address, whether through sports or other matters. I’ll leave it to them to speak about their bilateral relationship. It’s not something for us to get involved in, but sports is undoubtedly a powerful and unifying force,” Patel said, emphasising the importance of sports in fostering global unity. The Deputy Spokesperson went on to underline the significant role sports play in diplomacy, connecting people across borders. He noted that the US government has actively promoted sports diplomacy as a tool for fostering international relations. “You’ve seen this department really prioritise the role of sports diplomacy in connecting people. It’s something that our current Under Secretary for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy, Lee Satterfield, values deeply; and our former Under Secretary, Liz Allen, really championed. Ultimately, sports connect so many people and it’s a great way to build human-to-human and people-to-people ties, something this administration has strongly emphasised,” Patel said. The ongoing Champions Trophy dispute between India and Pakistan is far from settled, but it has certainly garnered attention at both the national and international levels, with the political overtones of the issue now reaching diplomatic forums beyond the cricketing world.
17 November,2024 04:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrithvi Shaw is set to be one of the most intriguing names in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega-auction. Once hailed as one of the brightest prospects in Indian cricket, Shaw’s career has faced several bumps in recent years. Despite his promising start, he has not played international cricket since 2021, and he has been out of the national squad since 2023. Although he made a brief return to the Indian team during the T20I series against New Zealand in 2023, Shaw did not get an opportunity to feature in a match. Recently, his struggles continued as he was dropped from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team due to fitness concerns. However, he is reportedly working diligently to regain peak fitness in hopes of making a strong comeback to both domestic and international cricket. The 2025 IPL mega-auction will be a significant moment for Shaw, as it will be the first time he enters the bidding process as a capped player. Prior to the 2022 auction, Shaw was retained by Delhi Capitals (DC) despite his inconsistency in performance. While he had been a part of the national team across all three formats, his IPL form has not lived up to the hype. His struggles in recent seasons have led many to believe that DC might release him ahead of the auction, making him available for other franchises. Also Read: After the Mumbai Ranji team omission, Prithvi Shaw begins to work on his fitness Interestingly, Shaw has set his base price for the 2025 auction at Rs 75 lakh, much lower than what many expected for a capped player with significant experience. Given his rapid rise through the ranks and his undeniable potential, it was anticipated that he might go into the auction at a higher price bracket, especially considering his past as a regular in the Indian squad. However, his base price reflects his recent dip in form and questions surrounding his consistency and fitness. Shaw’s IPL journey has been a mix of ups and downs. His debut season in 2018 with Delhi Capitals was promising, and he quickly gained attention for his fearless strokeplay and aggressive style. But the years that followed have been less consistent. Shaw endured a tough IPL 2020 season, managing just 228 runs at a modest average of 17.53. However, he made a remarkable recovery in 2021, scoring 479 runs in the season, which included several match-winning knocks. Despite this resurgence, his performance took another dip in the 2022 season, where he scored just 228 runs in 10 matches. The following seasons continued his struggle to hit top form. In IPL 2023, Shaw managed only 106 runs in 8 matches, and in IPL 2024, he improved slightly with 198 runs from the same number of matches. His inconsistency in the IPL has raised questions about his ability to sustain a high level of performance across seasons.
17 November,2024 04:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer cricketer Sourav Ganguly hoped India skipper Rohit Sharma would travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) very soon since his team needs him. Due to the birth of his second child, the Indian skipper did not travel with the team to Perth ahead of the Border Gavaskar series opener. With less than a week left in the commencement of the series, it is still unclear if Rohit will feature in the opening Test against Australia. Rohit's recent numbers are underwhelming. Across five Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand, he scored 133 runs in 10 innings, averaging only 13.30, with a best score of 52. His scores in the home season were: 6, 5, 23, 8, 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, and 11. Ganguly said that Rohit could leave for Australia as early as possible since he already had his second child. The former skipper heaped praise on Sharma and said that he is a "fantastic captain" and that the team team needs his leadership to start the prestigious BGT with. "I hope Rohit Sharma goes very soon. As a team, they need him. He has had a baby boy a couple of days ago. So, I am sure he can leave as early as possible and today is 16th. If I was in his position, he should be playing the Perth Test. It is on 22nd, which is still almost a week away. Because it is a big series and may be he will not go to Australia after this. He is a fantastic captain and the team needs his leadership to start with," Ganguly said while speaking to Revsportz. Also Read: Shubman Gill's injury woes could derail India’s top-order plans The much anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22, with the first Test at Perth. The second Test, scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format under the stadium's lights. After that, fans will turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, which will be held from December 14 to 18. The customary Boxing Day Test, set for December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, will bring the series to its penultimate stage. The fifth and final Test, to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, will serve as the series climax, promising a dramatic conclusion to an exciting contest. (With agency inputs)
17 November,2024 01:30 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentFormer India coach Ravi Shastri was uncertain about the cricketing future of Rishabh Pant when he visited him at the hospital a few days after that horrific car accident, and termed the wicketkeeper batter's recovery a "miracle." Pant made a comeback to white ball cricket during the IPL before returning to red-ball cricket through the Duleep Trophy and he was also part of India's recent home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. "Honestly, if you had seen him you would not have given him a hope in hell to play cricket again," Shastri was quoted as saying by news.com.au. "I will never forget it. He was in terrible shape. I went to see him in hospital a month after he was injured. He was battered and bruised, scarred all over. "He had a massive operation and had stitches all over the place. From there to simply recover and play cricket was a miracle. To then go on and play in a World Cup-winning team and be a part of the Test team is a truly remarkable achievement," he added. Pant averaged 62 on his two tours of Australia and has been in incredible form since his return to the game. "He returns to Australia for this tour in form and a man Australia fears, an unthinkable prospect when he was bailed up in hospital unable to walk," Shastri said. "When you speak to him now the respect he has for the game is even more. He was nowhere. Also Read: Mohinder Amarnath hits out in new book 'Fearless', next one set to be more explosive "Suddenly he is back and he values that. But I have seen him work really, really hard over the past few months to get in to the shape he is to play Test cricket." Pant had a horrific car accident in December 2022 while returning to his home town Roorkee from New Delhi. If not for some good Samaritans and his own presence of mind which prompted him to break the windshield of his car, the accident could have turned fatal for him. "First time in my life I had that feeling of letting it go. I felt my time in this world was over," Pant had told Star Sports. "When my accident happened I felt something spiritual saved me. I can't even imagine how much worse it could have been. Doctors even spoke to me about amputation." Pant was later airlifted to Mumbai where he underwent reconstruction in three knee ligaments. "I asked the doctor how long it would take for me to recover. He said it would take 16 to 18 months," Pant said. "I told the doctor that whatever timeline he gave me, I would reduce six months from it." 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
17 November,2024 01:07 PM IST | Melbourne | PTIGautam Gambhir's "prickly" coaching style may not bode well for the Indian team, and it could be a "long summer" if they fail to start strong in the Perth Test on November 22, warns former Australian captain Tim Paine. Jolted by an unprecedented 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand, the Gambhir-coached side now face the daunting task of defending the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a five-match series against Australia, starting with the Perth Test. "Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic. He created a great environment, the players were energised, they played with passion, he sold them the dream and motivated them in a really light-hearted enjoyable way," Paine said on SEN Radio. "They (India) have gone to a new coach now that is really prickly, really competitive -- and that not to say that's not a good thing and a good way to coach -- but my concern is that it's not a great fit for the Indian cricket team. Also Read: Mohinder Amarnath hits out in new book 'Fearless', next one set to be more explosive "If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India don't get off to a good start on Perth." Paine's comments stemmed from a recent media interaction where Gambhir took issue with Ricky Ponting's remarks on Virat Kohli's struggling form, saying that the Australian legend need not be concerned about Indian cricket. Ponting, in turn, described Gambhir "quite a prickly character". 'Gambhir, India's biggest concern' Paine felt Gambhir's barb was a sign that he may not be able to stay calm under pressure which would be India's "biggest concern" -- even more than the struggling form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. "I don't love it. It's not a good sign I think, because all he was asked was a very simple question. I think he's maybe looking at Ricky still as someone he's playing against," Paine said. "But Ricky is a commentator now -- he's paid to give an opinion, and his opinion was spot on. Virat has been sliding, it is a concern, absolutely."But for me now, the biggest concern for India right now isn't Rohit Sharma's batting, isn't Virat Kohli's batting, it's their coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure," he added. 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
17 November,2024 01:06 PM IST | Melbourne | PTIFor years, this writer kept hearing about Mohinder Amarnath’s yet-to-be-released-autobiography. So, when news filtered through last week of his memoirs being finally published, it was unsurprising yet surprising. Mohinder, Jimmy or Jumbo to friends, is all set to release Fearless - A Memoir, written in collaboration with his brother Rajender. Sunday mid-day got elder Mohinder and youngest Rajender (nicknamed Johnny) to talk about their new book, published by Harper Collins. Edited excerpts from an interview: What took you so long to come up with your autobiography? Mohinder Amarnath: I always believe there is a time for things to happen. I did try to work with various people, but somehow it didn’t happen. I’m lucky in a way that I got Rajinder to help me. It has come at the right time, the publisher also came at the right time. I’m also like thankful to Harper Collins — Udayan Mitra and his team. We worked together like a unit. It’s like a team game basically. When everybody puts in an effort, the end result is always good. Mohinder Amarnarth playing his favourite hook shot during his unbeaten 116 against Sri Lanka at Kandy in 1985. Pic/mid-day archives Do you remember when Jimmy first asked you to be his collaborator for the book? Did you feel like the chosen one? Rajender Amarnath: Well, I had been telling him for almost two decades [to do his book] because I didn’t want the same thing to happen what happened to my dad. We used to tell him to write his autobiography and he said okay, but it just didn’t materialise. So I wrote that [book on Lala Amarnath, published in 2004]. When Jimmy asked me finally about two-and-a-half to three years back whether I would be interested, I didn’t sleep that night. I was writing another book. Jimmy saw me involved in that book and asked me, “What about my book?” I said, “What about your book?” He asked, “Can you do it?” And I said, “Why not”. I had done my father’s book and my brother’s would be another feather in my cap. About feeling like the chosen one, maybe you can use that word, but I felt I had a duty. I had a duty towards my father as a son and now I felt I had a duty as a brother to bring out what people don't know about Jimmy. Also Read: Sunny side of the streets In the highs and lows of your cricketing career, did you share a lot of your feelings with Rajender which eventually helped in the book? Mohinder: Yeah, we used to discuss things. He was following my career. He was living in Delhi. I was playing for Delhi in those days and I was always there during the season. So we used to share our emotions and, being a cricketer too, he understood. He went through things in his first-class career and that made it easier to understand. So this [book] happened at the right time. I’ve always believed God always does what is best. Rajender did dad’s book wonderfully. It’s a great biography of dad. I think he knew how to go about it and what to write, how to put things together. I’m glad that you went through it and liked it. Mohinder Amarnath at Cricket Centre, Wankhede Stadium when he was a national selector in August 2012. Pic/mid-day archives Did you have to do a lot of research? Was there a scrapbook at home which you referred to often? Rajender: To be honest, I didn’t have to go to any library like I had to do with my dad’s book. Jimmy had everything written down, although it was a total mess, if I can use that word... Jimmy had been writing these notes over a period of time so that really came in handy. The only problem I faced was there were many repetitions. He had written one note and there were quite a few things brought into the second note so only thing was, it had to be streamlined. Beyond streamlining, I have done nothing. Everything was done by Jimmy. I simply put it in a form where people can enjoy it. It’s a book which brings out the emotion which Jimmy wanted to bring out. Not many people know what Jimmy actually is. He's a quiet person; doesn't speak much. And if this book had not been written, people would not have known what Jimmy was. As a child, he was short-tempered. Also Read: Two decades later Mohinder Amarnath still doesn't regret calling selectors a bunch of jokers Which aspects of your life did you find most challenging to open up on? Mohinder: I’ve never believed in speaking out unless I’m provoked. Right through my career, I could see people with very little talent representing India; getting a lot of chances. Whereas for me, the rules were totally different. Probably, it was something to do with the Amarnath name or my face. I believe that best thing was to perform and prove to people rather than talking big, shouting, screaming and saying things to others. I never used to speak out and bother about things to be very honest. Right from my childhood, I used to live for the day. That was my mindset. I would never dream of too many things in life. I would just want to give my best on that day. But it’s not all that easy to keep quiet do that when you are suffering deep inside… Mohinder: It hurts. Of course, it hurts. You are human. You would have tears in your eyes at times, but you don’t show that to people. Even on the field, if you get hit, you don't show your emotions although it’s not very comfortable. When you smile, I think people wonder whether you are affected. It's not that it doesn't affect you but you don't want to show to the world that it's affecting you. Did your eyes well up when Jimmy opened up on certain aspects? Rajender: I had spoken to Jimmy a number of times during his playing days and as a brother, you don’t realise your brother’s outside [world]. I was amazed I didn’t know so many things about Jimmy until he spoke to me about them for the book. I think he discussed more with Papaji than with anybody else because he could get out of a situation from the advice which Papaji would give him. If he was going through a bad patch, he talked to Papaji. When he was on high, he still talked to Papaji. He was playing in India, he talked to Papaji. When he was abroad, he talked to Papaji. So for him, the world revolved around Papaji. The 1988 Bangalore press conference, where you called the selectors a bunch of jokers is so vividly described. Did you have all that in your memory bank? Mohinder: I remember 99 per cent of each and every thing in my life. And of course, I used to keep notes — not lengthy jottings in my diary, but a few points. Having a chapter on Jimmy calling the selectors a bunch of jokers was a no-brainer for you? Rajender: Well, it is part of Jimmy’s life. I think the book would have been incomplete without and I put the part of Papaji saying to PTI journalist Rao [Jagannadha], “why limit the label to selectors? The entire BCCI is a pack of jokers.” I was there when this was said. People have to know about it. You had to go back into history, see the background why a player, who was going through good form, suddenly gets dropped for no rhyme or reason. And then, a statement comes from the [BCC] secretary that he's been dropped on cricketing grounds, which was rather unfair. Dad had taken the BCCI. He split the Board into two. He was banned in 1949 and [later] was allowed to play for India. This chapter [Bunch of jokers] had to come in. Some of your former teammates were selectors then. Did you feel comfortable with that? Mohinder: It had nothing to do with my teammates. They were selectors. They were not my friends at that time. They were doing a job. When I was playing against my brother, I was playing against a player, not my brother. It was the mindset I had; trained to us by our dad. It was not like I had any ill feeling about anybody. I thought they [then selectors] didn't do the right thing. I could see others were getting more opportunities. They were failing in a number of innings. But for my case, just one off-season, one bad match… It was like a sword hanging over your neck all the time. But it didn't bother me, actually. Once I’d step onto the field, I would forget everything. In the book, you elaborate on fitness. You also indicate that some of your teammates did not concentrate too much on fitness… Mohinder: I think it (fitness) helps. When you are young, you can get away with a lot of things. But after a certain age it helps if you are physically fit. It makes you stronger. In cricket, there comes a time when fatigue sets in. If you are physically strong, then it [fatigue] won’t come that quickly. When you are a little bit tired, your legs won’t move well, they get heavy. But some people are natural. Sunil [Gavaskar] for example. He was not a great fan of fitness, but his fitness pattern was different, which suited him. He wouldn’t run 10 rounds. He’d probably climb the Cricket Club of India steps 20 times which would make his legs a bit more stronger than the rest. Everybody has a different way of doing fitness, but I think as a unit, you have to do things together. The book has this bit about Jimmy training all alone at a Yorkshire football ground when he stayed behind to be with his family after the 1986 tour of England. Were you inspired by things like that? Rajender: Papaji used to wake us up at around five in the morning. Fitness became part of our daily routine. We heard stories of his regimental training schedule from my mom and from the servants who were there when my dad was playing cricket. Papa always professed that no matter whether you are playing or not, training should become part and parcel of life. You have not written anything about your post-playing career — being a candidate for the coach’s job when Greg Chappell got it in 2005, being a selector when there was a controversy over Dhoni being retained as captain after the 2011-12 Test debacles. Have you kept all that for another book? Mohinder: Yes, I have. (laughs). This is Rajendra’s suggestion. The book is about the 20 years I represented the country, my childhood, my first-class and other tours. It would then been too big a book. We wanted to include a lot more but we thought let’s keep something for the next one. Also Read: Sunny G turns funny G at book release function! Do you feel the same? Rajender: Absolutely. The post-playing days is another part of Jimmy and that could probably give an insight into how BCCI functions. The next one will be probably more explosive than this book. You have been candid without being disrespectful to people. It also provides a lot of inspiration to youngsters. If youngsters read this they can get a lot of inspiration. How much thought did you give to this aspect? Mohinder: It’s a simple. I was inspired by my dad. I wanted to emulate my dad because I heard so many stories from yesteryear cricketers like Chandu Borde and others. I never watched him play international cricket. I did watch him play some first-class matches and some charity games. I was too young, but I could see that even in his 60s, he was such a fantastic player. Even without practice for years, he would just go and bat as if he was playing regular cricket. I wanted to emulate him in some way or the other. I knew I was not as talented as him, as good a player as him. But if I could do a little bit to pay respect to him… that's the way I looked at it. Rajender, what do you think young cricketers can soak in through this book?Rajender: I think there are plenty of things they can take from this book especially if you are struggling. I am talking about cricketers at the top level. At the Test level, the scope is very limited. You have just got 14 players and the competition is limited to that. And being at the top of a pyramid, the only way you can come down is just lie down. And then going up becomes very difficult for you. So here, the cricketers can [learn] how to get back on the road, how to get out of that situation.
17 November,2024 09:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Clayton MurzelloIndia were dealt a telling blow on Saturday after star top-order batter Shubman Gill sustained a left thumb fracture which is likely to rule him out of the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium in Perth, starting November 22. Gill, one of the young heroes of India’s last Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph, is a batting mainstay and in case skipper Rohit Sharma opts out of the first Test, India’s top-order could look very thin. In considerable pain Gill got hurt while fielding on the second day of the intra-squad match simulation. He was seen in considerable pain and immediately left the field for further scans. According to a BCCI source privy to the development, Gill has indeed fractured his left thumb and with less than a week left for the Test to start, it will be near impossible for the stylish right-hander to get fit in time for the opening match. A thumb fracture generally takes around 14 days to heal after which one is expected to start his regular net sessions. Since the second Test in Adelaide starts from December 6, there remains a possibility that he will get fit in time for that match. Also Read: Mohinder hits out in new book 'Fearless', next one set to be more explosive Gill’s absence could be massive for the national team as he is not only a stable No. 3 batter, but in case of Rohit’s absence, he could be considered for opening the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. The other man in contention, KL Rahul, has a bruised elbow after getting hit by a Prasidh Krishna short ball on the opening day of the intra-squad match and was forced to leave the field. Rahul’s bruised area needed icing and he didn’t take the field on the second day of the match simulation on Saturday although it is being seen more as a precautionary measure. In case Gill is absent, Abhimanyu Easwaran could be in line for his Test debut as India do not have too many options left. Good news from Shami Bengal’s Mohammed Shami, who has bowled more than 43.2 overs, took seven wickets and scored 37 runs in the Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, is certainly going to join the team before the second Test. The last day of the match simulation will happen at the WACA on Sunday after which the India ‘A’ squad, barring reserve players, will be back to India and join their respective state teams for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. 259No. of runs scored by Shubman Gill in 3 Tests in Oz @ 51.80 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
17 November,2024 08:46 AM IST | New Delhi/Perth | PTIIndia captain Rohit Sharma has been blessed with a baby boy and there is a possibility that he will make it to the Perth Test against Australia starting November 22. His wife Ritika Sajdeh gave birth to a baby boy in Mumbai on Friday night. In an Instagram post, Rohit and Ritika shared the news with an animated picture of his four-member family after the addition of a new member. “FAMILY - the one where we are FOUR,” read the caption on the photo while the caption on the post marked the birth date - “15.11.2024”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rohit Sharma (@rohitsharma45) Rohit didn’t travel to Australia with the rest of the Indian squad as Ritika was expecting their second child. The couple have a daughter Samaira, born in 2018.With less than a week left for the first Test, it is not clear if Rohit, after just a couple of practice sessions, will play the match even if he decides to travel to Australia at the earliest, but nothing can be ruled out as of now. Also Read: India ‘A’ batter Devdutt Padikkal asked to extend stay in Australia There were doubts about Rohit’s participation in the first Test although head coach Gautam Gambhir was quite hopeful that the captain might just be available.The Indian team currently need its skipper and opening batter as the top order is looking way too brittle. While Rohit hasn’t exactly been in the best of form, but he would still any day be better than Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has looked out of depth against bounce and seam movement. 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
17 November,2024 08:28 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesWith Shubman Gill likely to miss the opening Test against Australia due to a left thumb fracture, the team management is expected to ask Devdutt Padikkal to stay on as cover. Padikkal, who is currently with the India ‘A’ squad in Perth, could be included in the playing XI if the star top-order batter is ruled out. The 24-year-old Padikkal scored 65 in his only Test against England earlier this year. Also Read: Mohinder Amarnath hits out in new book 'Fearless', next one set to be more explosive Team India are currently playing a three-day match simulation against India ‘A’, set to conclude today at the WACA.
17 November,2024 08:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Debasish DattaADVERTISEMENT
