VVS Laxman

Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo Source: Twitter

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Jay Shah Trying To Onboard Sachin Tendulkar For A Role In Indian Cricket

Published on January 11, 2022

The BCCI secretary Jay Shah is trying to convince the legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to take a role in Indian cricket. Notable that Sachin Tendulkar was retired from all forms of cricket hasn’t taken any big coaching assignments, barring a mentorship role with Mumbai Indians.

Though there are lots of reports circulating that BCCI tried to convince to take a key role in Indian cricket. In an interview, the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly also told the same that he is trying hard to convince his former opening partner to take a coaching role for the betterment of Indian cricket.

Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar [Image Courtesy: Twitter]

Sachin Tendulkar had few stints with Mumbai Indians as mentor

Recently VVS Laxman has taken charge of NCA head. Former India batter moved from Hyderabad to Bengaluru for the job. Notable that the position was vacant that Rahul Dravid, who was earlier head of NCA, took the job of India head coach. So BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah convinced Laxman to take up the role. Laxman has given up all his media commitments and also resigned from the role of SRH mentor to avoid any conflict of interest scenario.

Jay Shah Trying To Onboard Sachin Tendulkar For A Role In Indian Cricket 1

“He’s (Shah) been off the media radar but absolutely clear about what is the right thing to do. Little things that matter. For instance, appointing Rahul Dravid as head coach, ensuring someone of the stature of VVS Laxman gets associated with the National Cricket Academy (NCA). We’re told he’s now trying to convince Sachin Tendulkar to get into some role in the near future,” as told by some BCCI officials.

Sachin Tendulkar’s stature as a player is not a secret for anyone. As the legendary cricketer holds almost every batting record to his name. Sachin scored 15921 runs in 200 Test matches with an average of 53.78 which includes 51 hundreds while in ODIs he scored 18426 runs in 463 matches with 49 hundreds.

Though his resume doesn’t include any big coaching role. 48-year old had some stints with Mumbai Indians as a mentor for which he played in 6 seasons. If he takes a coaching role in NCA or Indian cricket, he will have to give up his mentoring role for Mumbai Indians.

Also read IPL Governing Council Meets Today To Decide Roadmap of IPL 2022

Indian cricketers Rishabh Pant (L) and Shubman Gill (R) (Photo by Indranil MUKHERJEE / AFP)

Cricket/News

Ravi Shastri Reveals Rishabh Pant And Shubman Gill Were Having A Chat Before India Chased 328 On 5th Day To Breach Gabba Fortress

Published on January 1, 2022

Ravi Shastri, the coach of the Indian team during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2021/21 recalled an interesting occurring during the tea interval on Day 5, which confirmed his belief that India was going to go for the jugular. India’s three wicket-win against Australia at The Gabba in January of 2021 will go down as arguably their greatest Test victory of all time.

With most major stars missing, chasing a stiff odd target of 328 on the final day at a venue where Australia had not lost a Test match since 1988, Rishabh Pant led India to a memorable win that will go down in history and perhaps be talked about in the same breath as VVS Laxman’s 281 and Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick from the famous Eden Gardens Test at Kolkata in 2001.

Ravi Shastri Image Source : AP — Ravi Shastri Image Source: AP

Ravi Shastri Said Rishabh Pant And Shubman Gill Were Having A Chat Before Their Respective Innings Of 91 And Unbeaten 89 Saw India Breach The Gabba Fortress

A documentary about the famous series might well be on its way, but there is nothing more fascinating than hearing the inside stories of the events that transpired from the horse’s mouth. Coach of the Indian team during the series, Ravi Shastri recalled an interesting occurring during the tea interval on Day 5 of the Brisbane Test, which confirmed his belief that India was going to go for the jugular.

“I thought that was unbelievable, especially on that last day. I always knew at tea time, when we were three down, that it’s pointless telling Rishabh anything. I can’t tell you what the conversation was. From upstairs I went to the loo. These 2 young boys were having a chat – Gill, and Pant. Gill had batted magnificently to set it up with a brilliant 90,” Ravi Shastri said on the ‘Bold & Brave The Ravi Shastri Way’ show on Star Sports.

“I stopped and listened and walked straight past, and I said ‘keep going’. Did not say a word. I knew in my mind they were going for it. I endorse that kind of cricket. In trying to do that you might lose, but if you pull it off, that’s the ultimate heist. That’s what we did there.”

India’s win at ‘The Gabba fortress’ earned them a second consecutive Test series win in Australia, having won the earlier Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 in 2018/19. Shubman Gill’s 91, Rishabh Pant’s 89*, Cheteshwar Pujara’s 56 handed Australia their first defeat at Gabba in 32 years

Rishabh Pant’s Unbeaten 89 Saw India Win At The Gabba To Win Series 2-1

After putting a fine stand with half-centurion Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant batted brilliantly with the tail and remained unbeaten on 89 en route to giving Indian cricket one of its most cherished moments under the sun.

Rishabh Pant’s match-winning unbeaten knock took India home with three overs to spare on the final day. With fickle weather predicted for Brisbane and a cracked-up Day 5 pitch on offer, conventional wisdom suggested that either a draw or a defeat were the only two possible scenarios for Team India. 324 runs from 98 overs in the final day’s play at the Gabba looked like a mountain to climb. India managed 4/0 in 1.5 overs on Day 4.

Shubman Gill and a defiant Cheteshwar Pujara took India to lunch at 83/1. Rishabh Pant, the wicket-keeper batsman walked in at No.5 ahead of Mayank Agarwal at the fall of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane’s wicket and scored an unbeaten 89.

With India needing 49 runs from 42 balls, Washington Sundar (22 off 29) played his part as India won in the 97th over of their innings. A bruised and heavily depleted Indian team recovered from being shot out for 36 in an embarrassing defeat in the opening Test to win the series 2-1 in Australia.

India 329 for 7 (Gill 91, Pant 89*, Pujara 56, Cummins 4-55) and 336 beat Australia 369 and 294 by three wickets

News

VVS Laxman Wanted To Work With Indian Team, Reveals Sourav Ganguly

Published on December 18, 2021

The BCCI president Sourav Ganguly revealed that VVS Laxman was more interested to work with the senior Indian team. But things couldn’t work out. However, the former captain assured that he would that chance (to coach the Indian team) sooner rather than later. Currently, the Hyderabadi batsman has been working as NCA director in Bengaluru.

“Rahul Dravid wasn’t agreeing because of the time away from the home”

In an interview with the journalist Boria Majumdar for ‘Backstage with Boria’ he also revealed the difficulties to rope in Rahul Dravid as Indian head coach as the latter wasn’t interested in the job, citing that he has a young family and this job (as Indian coach) means that he would spend 8-9 months away from his family. But Ganguly managed to convince him for the job.

“We had Rahul in mind for a long period of time, both me and Jay, but he wasn’t agreeing because of the time away from home because doing a national team’s job is (about being) on the road for about 8-9 months in a year and he has two young children,” Ganguly told Boria Majumdar.

Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid has been involved in coaching from the very beginning of his post-retirement career. In IPL he had been involved with Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals. Since 2015, he has been involved with BCCI, firstly as a coach of India A and U-19 sides, later as NCA director at Bengaluru.

VVS Laxman worked with Sunrisers Hyderabad as a mentor since its inception in 2013. To avoid any kind of conflict of interest he has given up all his media commitments and also resigned from his role in Sunrisers Hyderabad. For the job of NCA director, he had to move to Bengaluru.

Also Read: Cricket Won’t Be The Winner In This Tussle Between Virat Kohli And BCCI, Believes Aakash Chopra

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“At Some Stage Sachin Will Also Find A Way To Be Involved In Indian Cricket”- Believes Sourav Ganguly

Published on December 17, 2021

The BCCI President Sourav Ganguly believes that there can’t be better news for Indian cricket if Sachin Tendulkar finds a way to be involved in it. Notable that Ganguly roped in Rahul Dravid as Indian head coach, despite the latter being more interested to work at the junior level. Also, Sourav Ganguly brought in VVS Laxman for the job of NCA head.

Though the former captain pointed out the hurdles to bring Sachin Tendulkar in some role with Indian Cricket. Talking to the journalist Boria Majumdar in ‘Backstage With Boria’, Ganguly stated that he is very keen to involve Sachin in some role but he needs to take care of the ‘conflict of interest’ case.

“Sachin is obviously a bit different. He doesn’t want to be involved in all this. I’m sure with Sachin’s involvement in Indian cricket in someway, it can’t be a better news than that. In what way that obviously needs to be worked out. Because there is too much of conflict all around. Rightly or wrongly, anything and everything you do you have the word ‘conflict’ keeps jumping out of the window, some of which I find really really unrealistic. So you have to see the best way to keep the best talent involved in the game. And at some stage Sachin will also find a way to be involved in Indian cricket,” Ganguly stated.

Notable that Sachin Tendulkar hadn’t been involved in any coaching role since his retirement, barring a few stints with his IPL franchise Mumbai Indians for which he played for 6 seasons. In the second leg of IPL 2021 which was held in UAE, Sachin Tendulkar was appointed as a mentor for Mumbai Indians.

Earlier in this week VVS Laxman joined the NCA, replacing the position of Rahul Dravid.

First day in office at the NCA! An exciting new challenge in store, look forward to the future and to working with the future of Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/gPe7nTyGN0

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 13, 2021

Rahul Dravid also had a fine start to his coaching stint as India clean swept New Zealand by 3-0 and won the Test series by 1-0. Though the real test will begin when India starts their South Africa Tour on December 26.

Also read “No Comments To Make, The BCCI Will Deal With It Appropriately”- Sourav Ganguly On Virat Kohli’s Comments

Cricket/IPL 2022/News

Dale Steyn In Line To Be Roped In As Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Bowling Coach In IPL 2022

Published on December 16, 2021

Dale Steyn is set for a new inning in the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have approached him to be their bowling coach. Unless the talks fall through at the last minute, the franchise is expected to make an announcement next week. Dale Steyn, who has played 95 IPL games for several franchises, had announced retirement from all forms of cricket, including franchise competitions, earlier in August.

Regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time with 439 wickets in 93 Tests at an average of 22.95, the South African will be working alongside Tom Moody, who is going to take over as the head coach of the SRH franchise.

Dale Steyn has returned 97 wickets in the IPL. © BCCI

Dale Steyn Approached By Sunrisers Hyderabad To Be Their Bowling Coach

Dale Steyn, who also played 125 ODIs (196 wickets) and 47 T20Is (64 wickets), has represented Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Lions, and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and has returned 97 wickets in the league. Dale Steyn, a veteran of 95 IPL matches and 97 wickets, has been a part of the league since its inaugural year. Dale Steyn’s last IPL appearance came in 2020.

Dale Steyn did not respond to a message but an IPL official, in the knowledge of the developments, confirmed negotiations. It is also likely that Hemang Badani, a former India and Tamil Nadu all-rounder, will join the coaching staff of the Hyderabad team. Hemang Badani represented India in four Tests and 40 ODIs between 2000 to 2004.

The franchise needed new personnel in the coaching staff after head coach Trevor Bayliss and batting coach Brad Haddin quit after the 2021 season. The franchise has also had to part ways with long-standing mentor VVS Laxman, who took up an assignment with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Tom Moody, SRH’s director of cricket last year, has been re-designated as head coach.

Sunrisers Hyderabad had a forgettable IPL 2021 season as they finished at the bottom of the tally to break their unbeaten playoff qualification streak running since 2016. The upcoming edition of the league is set to have ten teams as two new franchises – Lucknow and Ahmedabad – have been added to the existing eight.

The edition will be preceded by a mega auction, likely to be held in late December or early January. Ahead of the same, SRH has retained only three players, skipper Kane Williamson and uncapped Jammu Kashmir talents, Abdul Samad and Umran Malik.

BCCI Authorities Silent On CVC Capitals Buying Ahmedabad Team As CVC Capitals Endorses Betting

Meanwhile, the wait on the Ahmedabad franchise, bought by CVC Sports, continues. Although there is an air of optimism for a possible settlement soon, the BCCI authorities have been inexplicably silent on the matter. It is learned that a retired judge of the Supreme Court has been consulted and his advice is being awaited.

One notable development that has come to light recently is that the expert advice has gone against awarding the franchise to the second-highest bidder, should the BCCI decide to cancel the allocation of the franchise to the American investment firm.

The BCCI, apparently, will have to go for rebidding, which may offset a lot of the IPL planning. In a case where the BCCI cancels CVC Capitals‘ association with the league over their investments in betting businesses, the board would need to roll out a fresh tender to invite new bids. In such a case, the plans of the 2022 edition of the league could also take a hit.

Cricket/News

India’s Famed Batting Line-Up Should Not Repeat Same Mistakes In South Africa, Says VVS Laxman

Published on December 8, 2021December 9, 2021

VVS Laxman cautioned India’s batting line-up while pointing out a major area of concern for Virat Kohli’s men ahead of the anticipated tour of South Africa which begins with the three-Test series from December 26 onwards.

Ajinkya Rahane in the first innings in the 1st Test in Kanpur and Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Shubman Gill in the second innings in the 2nd Test in Mumbai – all have one thing in common – something which VVS Laxman pointed out while speaking on the Star Sports show Follow the Blues.

Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara (AFP Photo)

VVS Laxman: It’s Very Important Not To Repeat The Same Mistakes

All four threw away their wicket after getting set during the recently-concluded home 2 match Test series against New Zealand and VVS Laxman has expressed concern over his pattern which is developing.

“It’s very important not to repeat the same mistakes. If we saw the way Ajinkya Rahane got out in Kanpur, Pujara got out in Kanpur as well as in Mumbai, it’s almost like a pattern which is developing. Even Shubman Gill, after settling down and throwing away his wicket. So I just believe it is about converting that start into a big score, which is very critical,” he said.

The veteran former cricketer, who was a middle-order batsman explained that with India playing with five specialist batters overseas along with the all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja, the team will need their batting line-up to play patiently and convert the starts into big figures.

“As it is, India plays with five genuine batters, then you have an all-rounder in the form of Jadeja, you then have a wicketkeeper-batter, so it is important for the top five batters to make it count once they get their eye in, once they spend time on the crease,” he added.

Ajinkya Rahane has had a horror run with the bat over the last year, which has seen his average dip to under 40(39.3). In fact, he averages a mere 19.57 in 12 Tests in 2021, his lowest average in a year since debuting in 2013.

While Ajinkya Rahane has not scored a century since December 2020- a memorable 112 against Australia, Cheteshwar Pujara hasn’t scored a ton since he made 193 against Australia in January 2019. Cheteshwar Pujara has done slightly better at 29.83 from the same number of games in 2021. He also averaged a mere 20.38 in 2020 as against his Test career average of 44.82.

VVS Laxman Feels India’s Batting Needs To Fire To Win Test Series In South Africa

VVS Laxman warned the Indian team that if they want to win in the tough conditions in South Africa, their final frontier, the batters need to fire.

“Somewhere or the other I feel they are repeating the mistakes and throwing away their wickets after getting set, which you cannot do if you want to perform well against good teams and especially if you want to win the series in South Africa, as a batting unit you will have to fire.”

Shubman Gill (Express photo: Jasbir Malhi)

Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel-the 2 spinners, batsman Shubman Gill, and pacer Ishant Sharma – are doubtful about the next South Africa trip as they will take some months to be completely fit after sustaining injuries which have prompted the BCCI senior selection committee to delay naming the squad for the tour of South Africa.

Ravindra Jadeja’s ligament tear will take months to heal and if he undergoes surgery, he will only get fit before the Indian Premier League 2022 next year. Shubman Gill’s shin injury has resurfaced. The youngster had missed the Test series in England due to the same problem after the WTC Final and suffered pain again while fielding during the Mumbai Test. Ishant Sharma has a side strain while Axar Patel has a stress fracture.

Cricket/News

Hardik Pandya Decides To Skip Vijay Hazare Trophy For Rehabilitation

Published on December 8, 2021

Hardik Pandya, the out of favour India all-rounder, has decided to skip Vijay Hazare Trophy (National One Dayers) starting across the country from Wednesday as he is undergoing an extensive rehabilitation program in order to regain his bowling fitness.

According to reports, Hardik Pandya is all set to announce his retirement from Test cricket due to his back injuries that have kept him out of bowling action in recent years. Recently, it was reported that Hardik Pandya had asked the selectors to not consider him for the India tour of South Africa.

Hardik Pandya last played a Test match for India in 2018| Courtesy - Twitter — Hardik Pandya last played a Test match for India in 2018| Courtesy – Twitter

Hardik Pandya Is Currently Doing Rehabilitation To Regain Bowling Fitness And Decides To Skip Vijay Hazare Trophy

The back injury also kept him away from the Test team since 2018. Hardik Pandya has scored 532 runs and has scalped 17 wickets from 11 Test matches for India. Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will continue to work on his fitness as the 28-year-old is set to skip the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 tournament. The Indian international represents Baroda in the domestic competition.

“The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) had sent an e-mail to Hardik enquiring about his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He has rarely played for Baroda in the last three years. However he gave a one-line reply that he is currently doing rehab in Mumbai,” a senior official privy to developments in BCA said on conditions of anonymity.

Asked what is the injury he is carrying at the moment, the official said: “Even the BCA doesn’t know. It is understood that he is trying to do some strength and conditioning module for his back which is no longer in best of shape post-surgery in 2019,” the source revealed.

The BCCI official informed that Hardik Pandya’s elder brother Krunal Pandya had joined Baroda’s pre-Hazare camp for a week after he was instructed by the state board that attending the camp is mandatory for being part of the final squad. Baroda Cricket Association had told the senior Pandya to be a part of camp and he adhered to the rules.

“BCA told Krunal that he can’t just land up during tournaments and he has to be a part of the camp. Then he came and trained with the team for a week,” the source said.

If Hardik Pandya doesn’t play the domestic tournaments, he will not be considered for a comeback in the Indian side for the white-ball tournaments.

“The current national selection committee has told all the players that all those who are not in the India squad should go back and play domestic cricket — Hazare and Ranji Trophy,” the source added.

The junior Pandya is understandably not keen on playing Test cricket anymore in order to prolong his career and will concentrate primarily on T20s and ODIs and for that, he needs to start bowling regularly. While he is doing his rehab in Mumbai, he would ultimately need to go to the NCA and prove his fitness in front of the coaches over there before he is considered for national selection.

Venkatesh Iyer May Be Considered In ODIs In South Africa Tour

There was a time when Indian players used to procure fitness certificates from NCA but that culture was changed after the erstwhile Director of Cricket Rahul Dravid took charge.

Rahul Dravid made it mandatory for every player to come to NCA, appear for all the necessary fitness tests in front of the coaches, trainers, and physios, after which only they are given the go-ahead to play matches. Rahul Dravid is currently the Indian team’s head coach and VVS Laxman may be roped as NCA head.

Venkatesh Iyer scored 4 off 2 balls during a short stay at the crease on debut. (Getty)

A case in point was Shreyas Iyer, who had to be in NCA for a week to get the green light to play in the IPL 2021. India will be playing three ODIs in South Africa from January 19 and even if the team is selected at a later date (allowing the white ball specialists to enter the bubble later), Hardik Pandya will not be picked if he doesn’t bowl.

It is understood that BCCI usually for overseas tours procures visas for more than 35 to 40 players for the sake of convenience. Venkatesh Iyer, who is being seen as Hardik Pandya’s potential future replacement, could be picked for the ODIs in order to add variety and also have that sixth bowler option.

Venkatesh Iyer’s IPL salary has shot up 40 times. In the 2021 auction, Kolkata Knight Riders bought the allrounder for his base price of INR 20 lakh. On Tuesday, Venkatesh Iyer, who made his India debut in November, was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 8 crore for IPL 2022. The all-rounder played all 3 T20Is at home against 2021 T20I WC runners up New Zealand and scored 36 runs and picked a solitary scalp.

India's Mohammed Siraj celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow. (Reuters)

Cricket/New Zealand tour of India 2021/News

Mohammed Siraj Is The Number 3 Pacer After Mohammed Shami And Jasprit Bumrah: VVS Laxman

Published on December 6, 2021

VVS Laxman, former Indian batsman has insisted that the bowler Mohammed Siraj needs to be in the XI in the South Africa Tests. Team India produced an emphatic performance on Day 2 of the Mumbai Test as the side inches closer to a series victory. After scoring 325 in the first innings, India bowled New Zealand out on merely 62 – the lowest Test score on Indian soil.

The Kiwi batters were caught in a web of spin as the trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel and Jayant Yadav grabbed seven wickets in New Zealand’s innings. Pacer Mohammed Siraj gave India a strong start with the ball, picking the first three wickets. VVS Laxman reckoned that pace bowler, Mohammed Siraj, has done more than enough to warrant a place in the playing XI of the Indian team when they go to visit South Africa this month.

VVS Laxman: Pacer Mohammed Siraj Is The Number 3 After Mohammed Shami And Jasprit Bumrah And Should Be A Certainty For South Africa Tour

Mohammed Siraj dismissed openers Will Young, Tom Latham as well as veteran batter Ross Taylor early to put New Zealand in trouble, and the visitors could never recover from the setback. The pacer had missed the first Test of the series as Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav were the only two-seamers in Kanpur but made a return to the XI after the former picked an injury.

However, former India batter VVS Laxman believes that Mohammed Siraj needs to be among the top-3 bowlers for India when the side tours South Africa next month. India is scheduled to play three Tests against the Proteas. VVS Laxman believes that Mohammed Siraj is India’s third-best pacer after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami.

“This would be a difficult decision for Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli. It depends on how many fast bowlers will you play. You know that Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are your first and second choices as far as Test cricket is concerned in overseas conditions. So, will Mohammed Siraj be number 3 or 4? The way he bowled in Australia and England, and even in the second Test.. for me, he is the number 3,” VVS Laxman said on Star Sports.

Mohammed Siraj ended as India’s highest wicket-taker in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, with 13 dismissals to his name in three Tests. He continued on his impressive performances on the Test tour of England, where he picked 14 wickets in four games.

Mohammed Siraj Debuted In The Successful Australian Tour In 2020/21 And Was The Highest Wicket Taker For India

Mohammed Siraj has played 10 Tests for India, claiming 33 wickets at an average of 27.3. He played a key role in India’s wins in the Melbourne and Brisbane Tests in the Australian tour picking up a maximum of 13 Test wickets.

The 25-year-old pacer made his debut in the second Test in Melbourne and immediately made his mark in international cricket. Eventually, he ended up as the highest wicket-taker for India with 13 wickets in the Border- Gavaskar Trophy 2020/21. What makes his performance even more praise-worthy was that Mohammed Siraj had lost his father when he was touring Australia for the series.

Mohammed Siraj was retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore before IPL 2022 mega auctions. RCB retained Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj in the IPL retention. Virat Kohli is the first player retained by the franchise. He will fetch Rs 15 crore as opposed to Rs 17 Crore, which he was earning earlier. Glenn Maxwell is the second player to be retained for an annual retainer of Rs 11 crore.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj is the third pick at a sum of Rs 7 crore. As a result, the total purse remaining for the Bangalore franchise is Rs 57 Crore. Mohammed Siraj has picked 11 wickets each time in the last two seasons. He has picked up 50 scalps in as many matches and 40 has come for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 44 games.

Cricket/New Zealand tour of India 2021/News

New T20I Skipper Rohit Sharma Doesn’t Panic And Absorb Pressure: Sachin Tendulkar

Published on December 5, 2021December 5, 2021

Sachin Tendulkar spoke about Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, and the 2nd India-New Zealand Test besides other important topics.

Friday’s delayed start to the second Test between India and New Zealand brought back memories of the 2004 Test against Australia for Sachin Tendulkar who had battled excruciating elbow pain to score a fighting 55 in a match India went on to win by just 13 runs.

Sachin Tendulkar Recalled The 2004 Test Against Australia Praising Mayank Agarwal And Shubman Gill For Starting Well

In an interview, Sachin Tendulkar talks about that 2004 Test, Mayank Agarwal’s brilliant century on Day 1 against New Zealand, and the current India pace attack.

“It takes me back to the 2004 Test against Australia at the Wankhede. It had rained before that match as well and the surface was covered. When the surface is covered there is a bit of sweating, a bit of moisture. So was the case on Day 1 against New Zealand as well,” said Sachin Tendulkar on bringing back memories of the 2004 Test vs Aussies.

“I felt it was a lovely start. Both Mayank and Shubman gave us a very good start. There was a bit of help for New Zealand bowlers and the openers were able to negotiate that. From New Zealand’s point of view, Ajaz Patel was their best bowler, ” said Sachin Tendulkar on Indian openers doing well.

Opener Shubman Gill scored 52 and 1 in the 1st Kanpur Test and was bowled by Kyle Jamieson both times. In Mumbai, he looked unperturbed on 44 before he got out to left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who finished with a historic 10 for 119 in the 1st innings. Shubman Gill scored 47 in the 2nd innings and batted at No. 3 before being dismissed by Rachin Ravindra.

Sachin Tendulkar Praises Mayank Agarwal For Capitalizing On His Start And Scoring A Magnificient Ton

The Karnataka star batsman Mayank Agarwal followed up his 150 in the first innings with 62 runs in the second.

“The way he capitalized on his start was magnificent because initially, it took him some time to get into a rhythm. He stayed there and when the time was right he attacked spinners quite consistently. On the whole, it was a magnificent hundred,” said Sachin Tendulkar on Mayank Agarwal’s ton.

“The 2004 wicket was slightly drier than this. When it started it had a bit of moisture but it wasn’t the same surface as this one. As the game progressed, it had more purchases for spinners. I think even this surface is going to help our spinners quite a bit as the game progresses.” said Sachin Tendulkar on the surface.

New Zealand was placed at 140 for 5 at stumps on day three, chasing a mammoth 540 after Ajaz Patel’s 14 wicket-haul. In the 1st innings, New Zealand was bundled for a mere 62 as India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin scalped four wickets for eight runs while young right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj registered the figures of 3 for 19. Ravichandran Ashwin picked 3/27 in the 2nd innings as well.

“In the third innings of the match, I was batting with VVS Laxman in Mumbai on Day 3 morning. I had just started my innings and my elbow started hurting again. So I had to ask for couple of pain killers which I chewed so that it could get quickly absorbed in my system,” said Sachin Tendulkar about the 2004 Test

“Laxman and I had a crucial partnership and we were able to give some runs for our bowlers to bowl with. Not too many, it was 100-odd runs and we got them out for 93. On the whole, it was a superb Test match. Those are the kind of matches that stay in your head, ” aid Sachin Tendlkar recalling the 2004 Test.

“All the batters, once they get a start, they would like to go on and on and that is exactly what our seniors also told us,” said Sachin Tendulkar on building innings.

“Depends on the kind of bowling you are facing. Sometimes, you face bowlers who don’t give you enough time in the air and then there are bowlers who give you time in the air so against those bowlers you can step out and play those short.” said Sachin Tendulkar on batsmen trying to play from crease against spinners.

“Whatever my interaction with Rohit has been, he has a very smart cricketing brain. He doesn’t panic. He is able to absorb pressure is what I saw. That is important when you are leading the side, ” said Sachin Tendulkar on association with new T20I skipper Rohit Sharma in Mumbai Indians camp.

Rohit Sharma is the most successful captain in IPL with five IPL titles for Mumbai Indians. Rohit Sharma, 34, has led India 10 times in ODIs and led them to victories on eight occasions. In T20Is, he has captained them 22 times, of which they have won 18 and lost four, after whitewashing New Zealand 3-0 at home in T20Is after T20I WC.

” felt the biggest change that happened in Indian cricket was from IPL onwards. Players, especially domestic cricketers, got lot of time to spend with international world-class cricketers. They think differently now which is so critical because if you are going to rub shoulders with top international stars, it make a big difference. “

“That is what I have seen happening from the start of IPL. That started a new phase in Indian cricket, the seeds were sown then. All these guys who are representing India now have, as kids, been watching all those guys and that inspired them.” said Sachin Tendulkar on IPL making a difference.

In the 2004 Test against Australia in Mumbai, India scored 104 in the 1st and 204 in the 2nd innings. Australia had scored 205 in the 1st but managed only 93 in the 2nd innings. India won by 13 runs as India defended the target of 107. MOM Murali Karthik picked 7 wickets overall in the two innings. VVS Laxman (69) and Sachin Tendulkar (55) turned the match in India’s favour with a 3rd wicket partnership of 91 runs.

New Zealand 62 and 140 for 5 (Mitchell 60, Nicholls 36*, Ashwin 3-27) need another 400 runs to beat India 325 and 276 for 7 declared (Agarwal 62, Pujara 47, Ajaz 4-106)

Cricket/New Zealand tour of India 2021/News

VVS Laxman Shocked At Sudden Announcement That The Trio Of Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja And Ishant Sharma Are Injured Before 2nd Test

Published on December 3, 2021

VVS Laxman expressed surprise over the news that the trio of batsman Ajinkya Rahane, spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and pacer Ishant Sharma have been injured and will take no part in the second Test between India and New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman feels the development has to have taken place on the morning of the first day of the 2nd day since captain Virat Kohli, who rested in the 1st drawn Test said nothing about it during the press conference on the eve of the Test match.

VVS Laxman Shocked At Sudden Announcement That The Trio Of Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, And Ishant Sharma Are Injured

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman was completely caught off-guard by the three sudden injuries in the Indian camp ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. Ishant Sharma dislocated his little finger on Day 5 of the first Test match. Ravindra Jadeja too hurt his forearm, which after scans, showed a decent amount of swelling. Ajinkya Rahane, meanwhile, injured his hamstring while fielding on the last day of the first Test.

“Did something happen this morning? But Virat Kohli said nothing about in the press conference yesterday. It is obviously a big blow. Jadeja was injured in that England series and Axar Patel came in and he was named Player of the Series,” VVS Laxman said.

“The way he bowled was just fantastic to see. And then you saw Shreyas Iyer, who came in place of Virat Kohli. He straightaway stamped his authority under tremendous pressure. So I guess India have got very good players who can replace players who are missing due to injuries,” VVS Laxman said.

There will be no Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja or Ajinkya Rahane for India. (BCCI) — There will be no Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, or Ajinkya Rahane for India. (BCCI)

The former India batter feels the injury woes make things easier for captain Virat Kohli, for whom picking India’s XI shall become easier. VVS Laxman named replacements for Ajinkya Rahane and Ishant Sharma but he feels it remains to be seen as to who replaces all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja with a stacked squad of 15 to pick from.

“It goes without saying that Mayank Agarwal might continue to play. There is no reason to change the batting line-up. Virat Kohli will come in place of Ajinkya Rahane. Obviously Siraj will come in place of Ishant Sharma but who will replace Ravindra Jadeja? Will it be an extra spinner because we know Jayant Yadav is in the squad, or will it be a fast bowler to a batter to strengthen the batting. We will have to wait and see,” informed VVS Laxman.

Eventually, Jayant Yadav replaced Ravindra Jadeja. Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill are batting at the moment as India opted to bat first in the 2nd Test. VVS Laxman correctly predicted as Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj came in place of Ajinkya Rahane and Ishant Sharma. The first session was wiped out as the poor outfield conditions ensured no play was possible. There will be two sessions on the first day of the Mumbai Test.

Jayant Yadav Returned To Indian Team Playing XI After A Gap Of 4 Years

Jayant Yadav returned to the team after 4 years, as he played his last Test against Australia in 2017. Jayant Yadav made his Test debut against England in Vizag in 2016. So far he has taken 11 wickets in 4 Tests. He picked 9 wickets in 3 Tests against England and 2 scalps in a solitary Test against Australia way back in 2017.

Jayant Yadav has not played any ODI since 2017. A few days after debuting in ODI, he made his debut in Tests too in India’s home Tests against England– a five-Test series. The Haryana all-rounder impressed straight away by making notable contributions with both bat and ball in hand in the Tests. In his debut Test, he scored 35 and unbeaten 27 runs in addition to picking up 4 wickets.

Jayant Yadav made his maiden Test century in the company of Virat Kohli, becoming the first Indian batsman to score a Test hundred from No. 9 AFP.

It was followed by his maiden fifty-55 and four wickets in the following game. In his third Test, Jayant Yadav became the first Indian batsman to score a Test century at No.9. In February, he played one more Test which was against Australia before being dropped. He has 228 runs averaging 45.6 in 4 Tests besides picking 11 scalps averaging 33.36.

Sachin Tendulkar had few stints with Mumbai Indians as mentor

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