Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 125 anchored Jharkhand’s recovery to 307/6 against Tamil Nadu on day one of the Ranji Trophy. Defending champions Vidarbha reached 302/3 against Nagaland, with Aman Mokhade scoring 148. Andhra also enjoyed a strong start, ending day one at 300/2 against Uttar Pradesh, thanks to KS Bharat’s 144.
A heartwarming video captured Rohit Sharma embracing Shubman Gill, his successor as ODI captain, ahead of India’s upcoming series in Australia. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer also greeted Gill warmly. Amidst speculation about Rohit and Kohli’s ODI futures, Gautam Gambhir emphasized focusing on the present and their valuable experience for the Australian tour.
Indian junior hockey players showcased sportsmanship, exchanging greetings with Pakistani counterparts at the Sultan of Johor Cup, a stark contrast to recent cricket team “no handshake” incidents. Despite political tensions, the U-21 hockey teams shared high fives, highlighting a different spirit. The hockey match itself was a thrilling 3-3 draw, with India maintaining their unbeaten…
India’s cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back for the Australian white-ball tour, with Shubman Gill now leading the ODI side. This marks a significant leadership transition as the team gears up for future tournaments. Key players have departed for the series, which includes three ODIs and five T20Is.
Ravichandran Ashwin has echoed Virat Kohli’s 2019 call for standard Test centres in India, emphasizing player familiarity and consistent pitch conditions over crowd attendance. Ashwin argued that varying regional pitches, particularly the lack of bounce in eastern India, create ordinary Test match conditions and dilute the home advantage.
Ajinkya Rahane advocates for recent retirees to become domestic cricket selectors, believing their understanding of modern T20 and IPL styles is crucial. He stressed that selectors should match the evolving game’s pace, enabling players to perform fearlessly. Cheteshwar Pujara offered a more nuanced view, acknowledging the benefits but not excluding experienced former players.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir defended young pacer Harshit Rana against criticism from K Srikkanth, calling the attacks on the 23-year-old unfair and shameful. Gambhir emphasized Rana’s selection based on merit and urged critics to consider the mental impact on emerging players, highlighting the need for moral responsibility in commentary.
While the US Chess Championship showcased professional player treatment with an umbrella for sunlight, India’s National Championship faced chaos. Players endured monkeys, power cuts, and leaking tents, highlighting poor playing conditions. This stark contrast raises concerns about India’s ability to host major chess events, despite its growing chess prowess.
