Azharuddin bluntly tells Bumrah to 'manage it', refuses to buy into workload management: 'What if India need him badly?'
Bumrah finished as the fourth-highest wicket-taker of the series with 14 scalps. While he may be nine behind the most successful bowler, Mohammed Siraj's 23 scalps, the fact that Bumrah picked those many wickets in two Tests fewer proves why there's no one quite like, or even close to him. Bumrah picked up a five-for during the series opener at Leeds and picked up a four-wicket haul at Lord's. Unfortunately, India lost both those matches. Azharuddin applauded Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for the way they stepped up in Edgbaston and the Oval, but where Bumrah is concerned, he feels keeping him out when he isn't injured isn't the way to go about it.
"If there is an injury issue, then the Board and the player have to decide. However, I feel once you are in the team, you can't pick and choose your matches. There is a workload, but at this level, you must manage it. You are playing for the country. It was a different story that Siraj, along with Prasidh [Krishna] and Akash Deep, rose to the occasion, and we were fortunate that we could win without Bumrah, but what happens if India needs Bumrah badly in a particular situation?" Azharuddin was quoted as saying by Mid-day.
Mohammad Azharuddin has nothing but praise for Shubman Gill
Azharuddin's comments come in the wake of former BCCI selector Sandeep Patil and Sunil Gavaskar expressing similar thoughts. But that debate apart, Azhar was full of praise for India captain Shubman Gill and the way he conducted himself in his first Test series as captain. In a country where India has struggled to win series – their last win came in 2007 – Gill passed his test with flying colours. Azharuddin understands the ordeal of leading the Indian team in England – he was the captain in 1992 and 1996 when India was soundly beaten. Ahead of the tour of England, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirements had raised alarm bells, and with no Mohammed Shami either, Gill did not have the greatest of backings or support, except the BCCI and the selection committee, but 45 days later, he has changed that perception and how?
"At the start of the tour, many were apprehensive of new captain Gill, but in the end, this young team came out with flying colours. The batters did a very good job, particularly Shubman, KL Rahul and [Ravindra] Jadeja. Gill has started his tenure as captain on a high note," Azharuddin added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
16 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
An animal lover in awe with birdies, eagles & albatrosses
When Vedika Bhansali makes a par on a golf course, she likes to term it 'a missed birdie' instead. Take for example a query about her four-under round on the final day of the US Kids World Championship at the Pinehurst Golf Resort. And it is met with... 'I missed a birdie to make a par on the first hole,' begins the nine-year-old before adding: 'Hole 2: Missed birdie. Hole 3: Birdie. Hole 4: Missed birdie. Hole 5: Missed birdie. Hole 6: I holed a long putt for a birdie. Hole 7: Missed birdie. Hole 8: Birdie. Hole 9: Birdie.' The 'birdie, birdie' finish — that she particularly is proud of after rounds of 33-33 — helped Vedika become the first Indian to capture the under-9 title at the event. The young golfer won by one shot over Japan's Emi Minami and two shots clear of USA's Audrey Zhang. 'There were so many people watching me on the last hole of the last day. But I didn't get nervous. I had a long putt for birdie and sank it to win,' Vedika says. The victory this year comes after finishing fourth twice at the same event in the previous two years. Incidentally, everything the little girl has achieved on the greens and fairways so far was because of a chance meeting with the sport for the family a few summers ago. It was Vedika's love for animals that prompted parents — father Atul Bhansali and mother Chandini — to enroll their first child, then 4.5 years old, for horse riding lessons that eventually led them to golf. 'This was at the ASC (Army Service Corps in Bengaluru) and one day we happened to see the golf course next to the horse riding facility there,' shares Chandini. 'We didn't know anything about golf and wanted to introduce her to a new sport. One thing led to another and here we are today,' she sums up. After initial lessons from a recreational golfer at ASC, Vedika trained with coach Abdul Raheem at the To The Tee Golf Academy before moving to the Karnataka Golf Association's (KGA) Performance Training Centre by EpicWrx Golf under coach and mentor Rahul Ganapathy, a former top professional golfer. Apart from Vedika being hardworking and disciplined — a prerequisite for athletes of any age group to succeed — Ganapathy feels it is the maturity and self-awareness beyond her age that make the golfer stand out. 'She may be all of eight or nine years old, but she understands people around her like a 15–16-year-old child. Usually, when we ask a youngster about how the round went, most kids look at the parent or their caddies to help them. But Vedika doesn't flinch. She remembers each and every shot she plays, even the practice/casual rounds on a course, and explains it with a lot of clarity. This will help her develop into an even better golfer going forward,' points out Ganapathy. The student entering fourth grade soon reveals that the driver and the putter are her two favourite clubs in the bag. 'One lets me hit long and set up birdie chances. The other helps me make birdies,' explains the Nelly Korda follower. 'I want to ask her (Nelly) how her swing is so perfect?' Would she want to have a swing like Nelly's then? 'No, I want to have a swing that's my own,' insists Vedika.
Deccan Herald
16 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Parliament green signals Sports Bill
The National Sports Governance Bill was on Tuesday passed by the Parliament, with Rajya Sabha giving its nod a mere 24 hours after Lok Sabha, marking a historic first for India's sports administration that is now set to be regulated by a national board and have its own dispute resolution mechanism. The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, which reinforces NADA's autonomy as required by the World Anti-Doping Agency, was also passed by the Parliament. The two bills now await presidential assent to be notified as acts. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya moved the bills for consideration and passage in the Upper House at 3 pm. 'In 20 countries, there is sports law. I request the Rajya Sabha to make India the 21st country with a sports law,' Mandaviya said in his address, which was followed by a discussion that lasted over two hours. During the discussion, BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia raised concerns about the centralisation of sports governance due to the bill. He also felt that the bill did not have clarity on the district and block-level development of athletes. 'The bill should empower, not control,' he said. Mandaviya responded by saying that the government is only seeking to be a facilitator. 'In this bill, we are bringing transparency, not control, not interference. Government doesn't want to control. We are being the supporters and providers of a structure,' he asserted. Former All India Football Federation President and NCP leader Praful Patel was among the prominent voices who lauded the bill. 'It was a long-standing legislation that was required. We have had a sports code — it's been a loose code and never stood any legal scrutiny. What is happening today is the need of the hour,' Patel said.'We are hoping to win the 2036 bid of Olympics. That itself would be a redefining moment for Indian sports. This bill is absolutely in the right direction. We need this to achieve glory that is beyond cricket. It is imperative that this bill be passed with fullest support.' The most striking aspect of the bill is that the NSB is to create a stringent system of accountability. The NSB will have the mandate to de-recognise a national body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed 'gross irregularities in the election procedures.' Failure to publish annual audited accounts or 'misused, misapplied or misappropriated public funds' would also be liable for action by the NSB, but it would be required to consult the concerned global body before making its move. Another feature is the proposal for a National Sports Tribunal, which will have the powers of a civil court and decide disputes ranging from selection to election involving federations and athletes. Once instituted, the Tribunal's decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. The bill makes some concessions on the issue of age cap for administrators by allowing those in the bracket of 70 to 75 to contest elections if the concerned international bodies' statutes and by-laws allow for it. It is a departure from the national sports code that capped the age limit at 70. All recognised national sports bodies would also come under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, something that the BCCI has vehemently opposed since it is not dependent on government funding. However, the cricket board has got some leeway on that front with the government amending the bill to ensure that RTI would be applicable only on bodies that rely on government funding or support. Another significant amendment made to the draft is the mandatory term of two tenures in the EC to be eligible for fighting NSF elections.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Silver lining for Indian football amid dark clouds as FC Goa qualify for ACL2
FC Goa striker Javier Siverio (right) and Al-Saeeb's Arshad Said battle for the ball at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday Margao: It was nervy, at times difficult to watch, and the six added minutes had everyone on the edge of their seats. But in the end, FC Goa survived, quite literally. Given the uncertainty surrounding this season, there were dark clouds over the future of the club. Goa though ensured they have competitive football to look forward to, from Sept to May, as they put it across Al Seeb Club 2-1 to qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two. Goals from Man-of-the-Match Dejan Drazic (25th) and Javier Siverio (52nd) gave Goa a 2-0 advantage inside the first hour. But the Oman Professional League champions fought their way back with a goal from Nasser Sultan Alrawahi (60th). The AFC Cup winners from 2022 were the dominant side from start to finish and came close to equalising on several occasions, only for the hosts to protect the lead like their lives depended on it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dog Raises 3 Tiger Cubs - Years Later Zookeeper Bursts Into Tears When Tiger Does The Unexpected Undo Goa now join ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the second-tier Asian club competition. It will be the first time two Indian teams will be in the group stage of the 32-team tournament that offers over $16m in prize money with both Indian teams now being assured of $300,000 each. Playing at home, Goa had some advantages. They knew the ground conditions here, weather suited them -- even if it was overcast all through -- and had fans to back them. But with Al Seeb enjoying a large share of the ball and constantly attacking, the home crowd had little to cheer in the opening minutes. There was excitement when Drazic had the ball at his feet. The Serbian winger excelled on the left with his quick movement, and, true to form, gave Goa the lead at a time when nobody expected. It was the 25th minute and Al Seeb were distracted in the opposite half, appealing a handball. The referee saw nothing wrong, a decision that allowed Borja Herrera to do what he does best: play an instinctive long ball forward for his teammate, over the defence. Drazic brilliantly evaded goalkeeper Faraj Al Rawahi's challenge before delicately chipping the ball over Ahmed Al Khamisi, and into the back of the net. It was just the start that Goa wanted. Pushed on the back foot, without the ball, and with Al Seeb pressing at every opportunity, the hosts were forced to play a style they were not accustomed to. Against a quality opposition like the champions from Oman, it's not exactly the best strategy and they almost paid a price closer to the end of the first session. Al Seeb's attempt to cross in the 43rd minute brushed Drazic's hand, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Amid protests from Goa players, the decision was overturned, after the referee consulted his assistant. It was a lucky escape. In the second half, the momentum saw Goa extend their lead when Borja's cross off a short corner floated into the box perfectly for Siverio to rise above the goalkeeper for a poacher's finish. Two goals ahead with half an hour left to be played was never going to be easy for Goa. Al Seeb attacked in numbers; Zahir Sulaiman Al Aghbari, Ali Sulaiman Al-Busaidi and Salaah Al Yahyaei were so methodical with their passing that hardly anyone noticed when they created the chance for Alrawahi to toe home. For the next half an hour, Goa defended, with Sandesh Jhingan and Pol Moreno, at the heart of every action. There were chances to kill the game with Siverio and Brison Fernandes going close from inside the box. But in the end, that hardly mattered. Goa won, and made it to the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two, providing a rare moment of joy to a sport that's riddled here with troubles like never before.
