Rahul Dravid, the former Indian head coach, reflects on his tenure, emphasizing his commitment to continuity and fostering a supportive environment for the team. He discusses the challenges of the pandemic era, the rise of young talent, and his close working relationships with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Dravid highlights his belief in the process over quick results, emphasizing the importance of strong fundamentals and player development.
The Indian cricket team, including star players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, is stranded in Barbados following the landfall of Hurricane Beryl, a powerful storm that has disrupted travel and caused damage in the Caribbean region. Their return home after winning the T20 World Cup has been delayed by at least a day due to the severe weather conditions.
Amidst persistent rumors of divorce, Hardik Pandya’s wife, Natasha Stankovic, has broken her silence. In a video circulating on Reddit, Natasha responds ambiguously to questions about the status of her marriage. She simply states, “Thank you very much,” leaving netizens speculating about the nature of their relationship. There are indications that Natasha may seek a significant portion of Pandya’s assets in a potential legal settlement. Notably, Pandya was conspicuously absent in recent footage of the Indian cricket team’s departure for the USA ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
Gautam Gambhir has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next head coach of the Indian cricket team, according to reports. The former India opener is highly regarded by the BCCI for his success as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the demanding nature of the role could pose a challenge for Gambhir, who will also be serving as mentor to KKR. The BCCI is expected to initiate talks with Gambhir during KKR’s stay in Ahmedabad for the IPL playoffs.
Abhishek Sharma, the Sunrisers Hyderabad opener, has emerged as a top prospect for the Indian cricket team. With a fearless batting approach and exceptional technical skills, Sharma has amassed 467 runs in 13 IPL matches, including 41 sixes. Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Sharma has the potential to represent India across all three formats, comparing his swing of the bat to legends like Brian Lara and Yuvraj Singh. Vaughan suggests that Sharma could follow in the footsteps of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who quickly made his mark in international cricket. With his impressive performance this season, Sharma is poised to make an immediate impact for the Indian team.
Legendary Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram has heaped praise on Indian seamer Sandeep Sharma for his ability to swing the ball and deliver match-winning performances. Despite having flat surfaces in this season of IPL, Sharma has been in great form and is making the most of the opportunities he gets to bowl in the tough overs in the fag end of the innings. Akram, known as the Sultan of Swing, pointed out the good attributes in Sharma’s bowling, including his fine yorker, slower ball, and ability to swing the new ball. He also suggested that it’s crucial to have specialist bowlers to bowl the death overs, and Sandeep fits the bill perfectly.
Virat Kohli recalls Suresh Raina demanding his inclusion in the playing eleven of the Emerging Players tournament in 2008, which ultimately led to his selection in the Indian team. Kohli believes this moment was pivotal in his career.
As the former coach of the Indian cricket team, Ravi Shastri faced the challenging task of managing the unique personalities and skillsets of his players. His approach to coaching involved understanding their mindset and adapting his tactics accordingly.
One such example is his interaction with Rishabh Pant, a player known for his aggressive style of batting. After Pant’s dismissal in a crucial Test match, Shastri recognized the need to motivate him while respecting his nature. He encouraged Pant to embrace his strengths and play the reverse sweep, even if it meant getting out in a more dangerous manner.
In contrast to Pant’s fiery nature, Shastri had a different approach with Cheteshwar Pujara, who is known for his steady and patient batting style. Shastri understood that Pujara’s strength lay in his ability to carry on and score runs consistently. Rather than urging him to change his approach, Shastri encouraged Pujara to play to his strengths and capitalize on his ability to build partnerships.
Former Australian opener and current Lucknow Super Giants coach, Justin Langer, has expressed curiosity about the Indian cricket team’s head coach position, which will soon be vacant following Rahul Dravid’s departure after the T20 World Cup. Langer has acknowledged the prestige of the role and the abundance of talent within the Indian cricket system. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the head coach position, leaving open the possibility of a foreign coach replacing Dravid. If the Cricket Advisory Committee considers an overseas candidate, Langer, with his strong credentials and successful coaching experience with Australia and the Lucknow Super Giants, could emerge as a prime contender.
Rahul Dravid’s second stint as head coach of the Indian cricket team will conclude after the upcoming T20 World Cup. Dravid had agreed to stay on after India’s loss in the final of last year’s home ODI World Cup, but it is unlikely that he will reapply when the BCCI opens the search for a long-term head coach. The BCCI is considering the idea of split coaching, given the heavy workload in the next three years, which includes two ODI World events and the 2026 T20 World Cup at home. However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah did not sound enthusiastic about this idea.
