KL Rahul, the flamboyant Indian batter, opens up about his journey from being perceived primarily as a Test player to becoming an indispensable part of India’s white-ball teams. Rahul attributes his transformation to his hard work and the opportunity to showcase his skills in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2016.
Shubman Gill, the dynamic captain of Gujarat Titans, has become the second-youngest and fastest Indian player to reach 100 IPL appearances. At just 24 years and 229 days old, Gill has joined a prestigious group of seasoned players and has cemented his place as a rising star in Indian cricket. Gill’s journey in the IPL has been extraordinary, from playing a pivotal role in Gujarat Titans’ title-winning campaign in 2022 to winning the Orange Cap as the tournament’s leading run-scorer in 2023. As captain of Gujarat Titans, Gill’s impact and achievements showcase his leadership and batting prowess. With his exceptional talent and dedication, Gill is redefining excellence and inspiring a new generation of cricketers.
Former Indian cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Deep Dasgupta have strongly advocated for the inclusion of wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. They believe that Pant’s exceptional skills and recent performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) make him a key player for India’s chances of success in the tournament. Pant has been in excellent form in the IPL, scoring 342 runs in nine matches for the Delhi Capitals, including three half-centuries and an explosive 88 not out against the Gujarat Titans. Manjrekar believes that Pant’s ability to score quickly and win matches on his own sets him apart from other Indian wicket-keeper batters. He also highlighted Pant’s temperament, saying that he thrives on big stages and is able to relax and play his natural game under pressure. Dasgupta echoed Manjrekar’s sentiments, saying that Pant is a no-brainer for the playing XI. He praised Pant’s fitness and hard work, noting that he has lost six kilos in the last four or five months. Dasgupta also believes that Pant’s recent IPL performances have proven that he is in peak physical and mental condition. The ICC has set a deadline of May 25 for teams to make changes to their original squad selections, which means that Pant’s inclusion is still a possibility. If he is selected, he will be a valuable asset to the Indian team and could play a key role in their quest for T20 World Cup glory.
Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble reveals how Vijay Mallya, former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, insisted on bringing him to the team during the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League. Despite not being included in the initial list of icon players, Mallya’s declaration of Kumble as his ‘Bangalore boy’ at the auction ensured his acquisition by the RCB at his base price. Kumble remained with the team for three seasons, making 42 appearances and capturing 45 wickets.
Erapalli Prasanna, one of India’s greatest off-spin bowlers, recently spoke at an evening chat show in Bangalore, where he shared his memories of Karnataka’s 1973-74 Ranji Trophy triumph, as well as his thoughts on T20 cricket and the importance of support staff in cricket. Prasanna’s candidness and insights provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of cricket, both past and present.
With remarkable innings against various top teams, Rishabh Pant has solidified his position for the upcoming T20 World Cup. His consistent high scores, including 88*(43) against Gujarat Titans (GT), 55(25) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), 51(32) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and 41(24) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), have showcased his exceptional batting skills and ability to perform under pressure.
Legendary Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has revealed that he turned down a lucrative offer from the Big Bash League (BBL) after retiring from international cricket. Sehwag, who was named the leading cricketer of the world in 2008, said that he received an offer of $100,000 to play in the BBL but turned it down, saying that he could spend that much money on his holidays.
Despite frequent injuries that have kept him sidelined during major tournaments, Axar Patel has embraced a relaxed approach. The Delhi Capitals all-rounder, who missed the Asia Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup due to injury, is focused on the present and optimizing his performance rather than pressuring himself for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has revealed that he once turned down a $100,000 offer from the Big Bash League. During a conversation with Adam Gilchrist, Sehwag joked that Indian cricketers ‘don’t need’ to play in other T20 leagues as they ‘are rich people’ and ‘don’t go to poor countries.’ Sehwag’s comments have sparked reactions on social media.
Today, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his 51st birthday. As Tendulkar celebrates, his former teammate and current RCB star, Dinesh Karthik, shared a significant memory of playing alongside the legendary cricketer. Karthik recalled a moment in 2009 when he unintentionally denied Tendulkar his 46th ODI century.
