Latest news with #GujaratTitans
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First Post
8 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Chandrakant Pandit steps down as KKR head coach after poor IPL 2025 season
Kolkata Knight Riders have parted ways with head coach Chandrakant Pandit after a disappointing IPL 2025 season. Pandit, who led KKR to the 2024 title, leaves after two years at the helm. read more Abhishek Nayar with Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Chandrakant Pandit at a training session ahead of the team's home game against Gujarat Titans on Monday, 21 April. Image credit: Kolkata Knight Riders Kolkata: IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday announced the departure of head coach Chandrakant Pandit, ending his two-year stint with the team following a disappointing 2025 season. Pandit, who guided KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, oversaw a sharp decline in fortunes this year with the side finishing eighth in the 2025 edition, matching their lowest ever finish in tournament history. 'Mr. Chandrakant Pandit has decided to explore new opportunities and will not continue as Head Coach of Kolkata Knight Riders,' KKR said in a post shared on 'X'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We are thankful for his invaluable contributions — including leading KKR to the IPL Championship in 2024 and helping build a strong, resilient squad. His leadership and discipline have left a lasting impact on the team. We wish him all the very best for the future.' Pandit, a celebrated figure in Indian domestic cricket, was appointed KKR head coach ahead of the 2023 season. His first year in charge saw the team finish seventh, with regular skipper Shreyas Iyer missing the season due to injury. KKR bounced back in 2024 as Iyer returned to lead the side and franchise legend Gautam Gambhir rejoined the camp as mentor. Under Pandit's stewardship, KKR not only clinched the title but also registered the highest points tally and best net run rate (NRR) in their IPL history. However, the momentum fizzled out in 2025 as a poor run following the mega auction saw KKR win just five of their 14 league matches, crashing out of playoff contention with two games to spare.
India.com
19 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
Selectors Ignore My Son, Even After Match-Winning Knocks: Washington Sundar's Father Slams BCCIs Selection Policy
India managed to pull off a gritty draw in the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series against England on Sunday, largely thanks to the lower-middle order's resistance. Trailing by a massive 311 runs after England posted 669 in their first innings, India fought back on the strength of three centuries and a near-century. Spin allrounder Washington Sundar was at the heart of the comeback, scoring an unbeaten 101*, while Ravindra Jadeja (107*), Shubman Gill (103), and KL Rahul (90) also played crucial roles. The draw kept India alive in the five-match series, though they still trail 1-2 heading into the decider. M Sundar Blasts Selectors For Inconsistent Opportunities While Washington's performance won him plaudits from fans and experts, it also reignited a long-standing grievance from his father, M Sundar. In a scathing interview to the TOI, the senior Sundar criticized the national selectors for not giving his son a consistent run in the Indian team despite his impressive performances. 'Washington has been doing very well consistently. However, people tend to avoid and forget his performances,' said M Sundar. 'Other players get regular chances, only my son doesn't get them. Washington should consistently bat at number five like he did in the second innings of the fourth Test and get five to ten straight chances.' 'He Gets Dropped Even After One Bad Match' Sundar's father expressed his frustration over what he called an unfair approach. He recalled how his son had scored valuable runs in tough conditions against England in 2021 85* in Chennai and 96* in Ahmedabad but was still not assured a place in the XI. 'He would have been dropped even if those two knocks had ended up in centuries. Has this kind of an approach been maintained for any other Indian cricketer?' he asked. Recalling The Nidahas Trophy And IPL Setbacks M Sundar also mentioned Washington's breakout performance during the 2018 Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker with eight wickets and impressed with his economy rate. However, the momentum didn't carry into his IPL career. 'In the very next IPL season, RCB benched him for 11 straight matches despite good performances. Can you imagine his mentality?' said M Sundar. He also highlighted how his son made an impact with a quickfire 40 off 14 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022, only to be pushed down the order in the following match. 'Even Gujarat Titans Don't Back Him' According to M Sundar, the trend of underutilization continued with his current IPL team, Gujarat Titans (GT). 'Even his current team don't give him regular chances. He showcased his calibre in the IPL 2025 Eliminator against Mumbai Indians, smashing 48 off 24 balls,' he said. He also pointed out how players like Yashasvi Jaiswal have been given long ropes by their franchises, but Washington hasn't enjoyed similar trust not even in domestic cricket. Despite limited opportunities, Washington Sundar has continued to prove his value. With his 101* in a pressure situation against a dominant England side, he has once again thrown his hat into the ring for a regular place in India's Test middle order.
India Today
a day ago
- Sport
- India Today
Washington Sundar's father slams selection policy: My son doesn't get regular chances
Washington Sundar's father, M. Sundar, has launched a scathing attack on the Indian selectors, expressing deep disappointment over the lack of consistent opportunities for his son in the national team. His comments come in the wake of Washington's heroic performance in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, where the all-rounder scored his maiden Test century and played a crucial role in India's great has been doing very well consistently. However, people tend to avoid and forget his performances. Other players get regular chances, only my son doesn't get them," M. Sundar told The Times of India. "Washington should consistently bat at number five like he did in the second innings of the fourth Test and get five to ten straight chances. My son was surprisingly not picked for the first Test against England. The selectors should watch his performances," he who made his international debut in 2017 and Test debut only in 2021 under unforeseen circumstances, has featured in just 11 Test matches. Yet, he boasts an impressive batting average of 44.86 and a bowling average of 27.87 - numbers that speak to his utility as a genuine all-rounder. His father recalled how Washington was unceremoniously dropped from the Test setup in 2021, despite standout performances with the bat against England - including an unbeaten 85 in Chennai and a fluent 96 in Ahmedabad, both on challenging surfaces. "My son gets dropped even if he fails in just one or two matches. It is not fair. Washington scored an unbeaten 85 on a rank turner in Chennai against England back in 2021 and 96* against the same opposition in Ahmedabad during the same year," he took nearly three years for Washington to return to the Test side, earning a place in the XI for the fourth Test of the ongoing England series, where he grabbed the opportunity with both hands - a fact that, according to his father, should have long silenced the doubters. The criticism wasn't limited to the national team selectors. M. Sundar also took aim at Washington's IPL franchise, the Gujarat Titans, accusing them of underutilising his son despite his evident match-winning abilities."Even his current team (GT) doesn't give him regular chances. He showcased his calibre in the IPL 2025 Eliminator against Mumbai Indians, smashing 48 off 24 balls. Look at the way Yashasvi Jaiswal has been backed by RR. Washington hasn't been able to enjoy a consistent run even in domestic cricket," he remarked.- EndsYou May Also Like
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
Washington Sundar's Father Accuses India Selectors Of Bias: 'Only My Son...'
Last Updated: Washington Sundar's father has accused Indian selectors of bias and favoritism despite his son's consistent performances. All-rounder Washington Sundar's father, Mr. Mani Sundar, has accused Indian selectors of bias and favoritism against his son. He believes that, unlike other players who 'get regular chances', only Washington gets dropped even after good performances, while also missing selections when he deserves to play. The comments come soon after Sundar's match-saving century at Old Trafford. He came to bat at a time when the team had lost two set batters in KL Rahul and Shubman Gill in quick succession, on a tricky pitch, with England still threatening an innings defeat on the final day. He smashed 101 off 206 balls, in an unbeaten 203-run stand alongside Ravindra Jadeja to see off over three hours of play, forcing England to offer a draw. 'Washington has been doing very well consistently," Mr. Sundar said in an interview with The Times of India. 'However, people tend to avoid and forget his performances. Other players get regular chances, only my son doesn't get them. Washington should consistently bat at number five like he did in the second innings of the fourth Test and get five to ten straight chances. My son was surprisingly not picked for the first Test against England. The selectors should watch his performances," he added. 'My son gets dropped even if he fails in just one or two matches. It is not fair. Washington scored an unbeaten 85 on a rank turner in Chennai against England back in 2021 and 96* against the same opposition in Ahmedabad during the same year. He would have been dropped even if those two knocks had ended up in centuries. Has this kind of an approach been maintained for any other Indian cricketer? He has become very strong after all this and the result is the performance which people are witnessing now," the senior Sundar said. Sundar got picked in all three Tests after the first. Though his batting returns remained sub-par in the first two, he was excellent with the ball, including with a brilliant four-wicket haul at Lord's in the third match. 'Even his IPL team didn't give him regular chances": Senior Sundar Mr. Sundar also took a dig at the Gujarat Titans for not giving him regular chances — he played just six of the team's 15 matches. 'Even his current team (GT) don't give him regular chances. He showcased his calibre in the IPL 2025 Eliminator against Mumbai Indians (MI), smashing 48 off 24 balls. Look at the way Yashasvi Jaiswal has been backed by RR. Washington hasn't been able to enjoy a consistent run even in case of domestic cricket," he added. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Four years after Gabba heroics, Washington Sundar grabs opportunity with both hands in England
After small but crucial contributions at Edgbaston and a four-fer at Lord's, Washington Sundar brought up his maiden international century in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, where he was part of a dramatic rescue act for the visitors. read more There has been a lot of discussion over India's team selection in the ongoing Test series against England, from the absence of Kuldeep Yadav in the first four Tests despite several icons of the game calling for his inclusion to the drama surrounding Karun Nair and B Sai Sudharsan and the No 3 spot, which had previously belonged to the skipper and current No 4 Shubman Gill. Spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar was among the three changes in India's lineup for the second Test at Edgbaston after India failed to defend a target of 371 in the series opener at Headingley. He has remained a constant presence in the Indian XI since then, even as some, on social media or even on the official broadcasts, questioned the need for captain Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir to have two spin-bowling all-rounders in the XI, the other being Ravindra Jadeja. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Titans cricketer, however, has proved his worth in the opportunities that he has got so far and highlighted why he's here to stay as far as the five-day format is concerned. A maiden Test century after heroic four-fer Sundar had made an instant impact following his inclusion in Birmingham – his 42 with the bat allowing India to inch closer to the 600-mark and his dismissal of England captain Ben Stokes at the stroke of lunch on the final day playing a small, but important, part in the series-leveling 336-run victory. At Lord's, Sundar ran through the English batting order like a hot knife through butter, collecting 4/22 as England were bundled out for 192 – the first sub-200 score of what has been a high-scoring series so far. And at Manchester's Old Trafford, Sundar made perhaps his most telling contribution – certainly in the ongoing series, and among his finest performances in either capacity so far in his 12-Test career that began in the famous triumph at Gabba in January 2021. Walking in to bat after Stokes had removed KL Rahul on Sunday morning to break the 188-run third-wicket stand, Sundar had a huge responsibility on his shoulders – that of providing enough support to Gill, Jadeja and the rest of the batting order that followed, especially due to uncertainty over Rishabh Pant's ability to make a match-winning/saving contribution with the bat after his foot fracture. And the pressure was higher than ever after Gill fell to Jofra Archer's bowling shortly before lunch on the final day, departing shortly after completing his fourth century of the ongoing series and going past 700 runs. Sundar and Jadeja, however, would end up producing one of India's finest rearguard efforts ever as they batted their way through the next two sessions, grinding England's hopes of returning to London with the series already in the bag to dust. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Steely determination of Indian batting lineup runs England ragged at Old Trafford, keeps Test series alive At the same venue where India had lost their last six wickets for less than 100 on Day 2, . England had begun the afternoon session smelling the possibility of the proverbial floodgates being opened after getting rid of both overnight batters. Grateful for the people, and forever grateful to you, God🤍🧿 — Washington Sundar (@Sundarwashi5) July 27, 2025 By the time the game had come down to the final hour of the final day, captain Stokes and his teammates had had enough, and the two spin-bowling all-rounders were still going strong. Stokes had even walked up to Jadeja offering a draw, and got all riled up when the Indians refused, given they were a couple of hits away from their centuries. It was only after they reached three figures that the match finally came to a close. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Standing out as a successor to Ashwin and Jadeja Jadeja has been there and done that when it comes to delivering with bat as well as with ball, and he has been delivering and winning matches for the country for a decade and a half. And then there's Sundar, the off-spinner yet to establish himself as a permanent fixture in the XI four years into his Test career, primarily due to Jadeja and R Ashwin ruling Indian cricket as the primary spin pair with Kuldeep and Axar Patel in the reserves. His 11-fer against New Zealand in October brought Sundar back into the limelight, and there was hope of him establishing himself in the lineup following Ashwin's abrupt retirement in December during the tour of Australia. His efforts in the last two Tests, especially his maiden international century at the same venue where one Sachin Tendulkar had achieved the same feat 35 years ago, should mark the beginning of an extended run in the team, taking conditions and team requirements into account, that is. More importantly, his efforts at Lord's and Old Trafford highlight that it's not just Axar who's seen as the next long-term spin-bowling all-rounder after Ashwin and Jadeja – the latter already 36 years of age and in the twilight of his career. Sundar and Axar are even somewhat identical to the Ash-Jaddu pair in terms of their roles and impact, with the sole exception of the former being a left-handed batter, unlike Ashwin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Axar, however, might have to wait a while longer before he finally gets an extended run. Sundar, meanwhile, will be hungrier than ever for runs and wickets following his recent success, and will be hoping for another match-winning effort in the series finale against Stokes and his men at The Oval starting Thursday.
