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Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Sai Sudharsan rejects Shubman Gill's request to bat but confirmed to return in India's XI; Karun Nair won't be dropped
India captain Shubman Gill crossed Sai Sudharsan at one point in Old Trafford on Tuesday and asked: "Sai, nets?" When you are 1-2 down in the series and on the eve of the all-important fourth Test, your captain comes and asks whether you'd like to bat in the nets; generally, it's a no-brainer. You, of course, oblige. But not Sai Sudharsan. He rejected Shubman Gill's offer with a smile. India's Sai Sudharsan is se to be back in the XI in Manchester(AFP) Gill wasn't offended by any means. He, in fact, knew that Sai Sudharsan would never bat on the eve of the match, for he had stopped doing that since this year's IPL. And Gill, his captain, even in the Gujarat Titans, knew this very well. According to Cricbuzz, Sai Sudharsan, who loves to bat long hours in the nets in the lead-up to a match, showed tendencies of getting tired while batting for long in the middle during IPL 2024. The GT coaches observed this and told him to take it easy a day before the match, just to preserve energy. The switch came a year later. Sai Sudharsan would go hard in the nets, train, sprint and bat for hours two days before the match but would spend the next day relaxing. He was even given an option to stay back at the hotel but the left-hander from Tamil Nadu chose not to. He would travel with the team to the ground, do some light jogging and stretches but avoid batting completely. The method worked wonders as Sai ended up as the leading run-scorer of IPL 2025, and since then, he has carried on with his practice of not batting at all on the eve of a match. If Sai not batting on Tuesday didn't confirm his return to the India XI for the fourth Test in Manchester, him inspecting the pitch and doing shadow practice definitely did. This is another routine that Sai follows before a match. In order to get a feel of the centre, he walks up to the pitch, empty-handed and does shadow knocking. He did that twice on Tuesday -- once when the pitch was covered and the second time when the sun had peeped and the covers were taken off. Sai Sudharsan confirmed to play in Manchester, Karun Nair won't be dropped Sai made his debut in the series opener at Headingley. He was out for a duck in the first innings. In the second innings, he scored 30. It was, however, not enough to give him another chance in the second Test. That India changed the make-up of their side also contributed to Sai's exclusion from the XI. In Manchester, India are likely to use the Headingley template because of injuries to Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy. India head coach Gautam Gambhir prefers multiple batting and bowling options. Considering India's long tail, Gambhir would not want to promote Washington Sundar to No. 7 in the absence of Nitish Reddy. That's where Sai Sudharsan, a specialist batter, comes into the mix. This also means that Karun Nair is likely to get another opportunity in the XI despite six failures with the bat. But whether he would continue batting at No.3 or that spot would go to Sai, like in Headingley, remains to be seen. Young pacer Anushul Kamboj is another player who is all but confirmed to get into the XI. He is set to make his debut in place of the injured Akash Deep.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Ind vs Eng 4th Test: With key players missing, Shubman faces the biggest test of leadership yet
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Few roles in cricket come with as much scrutiny as leading India in a Test series in foreign conditions — and for Shubman Gill , the pressure has arrived in full Gill was appointed the captain of India's Test team, he had no prior experience of leading the national team. His only leadership experience at the top level came in the IPL, where he led Gujarat Titans for the last two seasons. And it showed in the first Test at Headingley where he let England chase down 371 in the fourth innings with such ease that it never felt like India were in the game at it didn't affect Gill's batting as he went on to score a brilliant century in his debut Test as captain in Leeds and followed it up with 269 and 161 in the second as India out-batted England in Birmingham to level the series. And it somewhat couched his captaincy flaws, the time the third Test moved closer to conclusion, though, the pressure of captaincy had started to show on Gill. It didn't help that he could only score a total of 22 runs across two innings. Usually not the one to indulge in on-field theatrics, Gill had a rare on-field exchange with Zak Crawley just before stumps on day three. That's what the pressure of a long Test series does to players, nudging them towards breaking their character."Honestly, physically it's been less tiring — mentally, it's been more exhausting. As a player, you're usually just waiting for something to happen, waiting for the ball to come to you. But as captain, you're thinking all the time. You're mentally more involved,' Gill said about his experience of leading the side in three began the series with a calm head and a mountain of runs to avoid the traps of expectation that often unsettle new Test captains, as well as the desperation to earn the respect of teammates. It showed that he could stay in the present, not allowing the anxiety about the future to muddle his thinking. Now, with India trailing 1-2 and the series on the line, he must show that he can also handle the pressure of to England, Gill didn't carry any scars. He had played only two Tests before he made his captaincy debut on June 20 — a one-off Test in 2022 against England and the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023. India lost both of those Tests, but Gill was the youngest and least experienced player in that team, shielded from the criticism. In that sense, the Punjab lad entered the England series with a clean India head into the fourth Test, however, Gill's team is not only carrying mental bruises of recent defeats and disappointments that could have been avoided with slightly better application on the field, but also physical injuries that have forced the team management to rethink their playing will be without Nitish Kumar Reddy, a batting allrounder who bowls seam up, which could have been very helpful in Manchester where a pacer-friendly pitch awaits the two teams. Reddy, nursing a knee injury, will take no further part in the series and return home for the Deep, India's bowling hero in the second Test, has been ruled out with a groin injury. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh's long-awaited debut has been derailed due to hand injury he suffered in nets.'Never easy when there is a bit of injuries going on in the squad, but I think we have got enough good players in the team to be able to get 20 wickets,' said Gill at the pre-match press was some good news, too. Gill confirmed that his deputy Rishabh Pant's finger has healed enough for him to keep fourth Test has the potential of taking away the series from India. How Gill navigates this tough phase with a depleted squad, rising expectations and mounting pressure could be the first real test of his long-term captaincy credentials.
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
6 most followed Cricketers on Instagram: Not MS Dhoni or Rohit Sharma, find out who tops the list
Instagram is now a defining arena for cricket's superstars. Fans do not just watch them bowl and bat—they track their gym routines, luxury travel, pets, and personal escapades. A few still dominate the Gram, but others are rapidly climbing the ranks. Virat Kohli towers above with a follower count that most athletes can't touch. Meanwhile, legends like MS Dhoni stay relevant with selective posting, and the energy of Shubman Gill rounds out the mix. Let's break down the Instagram follower stats of cricket's top six players. 6. Shubman Gill: 16.7 million followers Gill is the only Gen-Z star in this ranking, but as India's Test captain, fans cannot miss out on his content. His audience has surged since he first took on the Gujarat Titans captaincy. With sleek match-day photos, behind-the-scenes captaincy content, and personal glimpses, he pulls in 16.7 million followers. His digital footprint is young, fresh, and growing fast. 5. KL Rahul: 22.6 million Followers Rahul curates stylish content geared toward cricket fans and fashion-followers alike. His 22.6 million audience enjoys his blend of batting highlights, travel log content, and polished visuals. His frequent updates make him one of the most visible players outside the top four. 4. Hardik Pandya: 42 million followers Pandya's Instagram shows off his family-focused lifestyle and athletic flair. He often mixes warm moments with family and match-favorite moments, clearly building a brand that appeals beyond sport. His 42 million followers trust him for a glimpse of high-energy and glamor. 3. Rohit Sharma: 44.1 million followers The white-ball captain posts quite regularly. His content balances cricket news, travel snaps, sponsored content, and family events. That variety keeps his feed fresh. At 44.1 million, he sits just below 'Thala' in follower count, though his consistent updates help him stay prominent. 2. MS Dhoni: 50 million followers Captain Cool is known to post quite rarely, yet his occasional uploads—whether anniversary posts or serene farm scenes—ignite massive activity. His retired status doesn't dim his digital impact as he reaches 50 million followers. When he does share, fans rush in. Dhoni's ability to maintain buzz with minimal content shows how persistent his appeal remains. 1. Virat Kohli: 273 million followers When it comes to followers, Kohli stands alone. At 273 million followers, his feed brings to life the man behind the bat as he shares travel pictures with Anushka Sharma, cricket milestones, as well as some blockbuster ad campaigns. Every post generates huge engagement, and with more than five times more followers than his nearest competitor, Kohli isn't just leading cricket—he stands among global sports personalities.
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Shubman Gill Asked To Stop Copying Virat Kohli, Mind Language: 'Has Become A Trend'
Last Updated: Manoj Tiwary has slammed Shubman Gill for imitating Virat Kohli's aggressive style, using slang, and angry chats with umpires, saying it affects his team's performance. Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has asked Shubman Gill to stop trying to copy Virat Kohli and avoid using 'slang' and aggressive language towards opposition cricketers. He believes Gill badly represented his team by following the trend started by 'previous captains', which hurt his batting and his team's chances on the field. Gill took over from Rohit Sharma just before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. He had previously captained Gujarat Titans for two years in the IPL. His aggression has been on display since his under-19 and Punjab days, but got more limelight as he became more popular and a national candidate in IPL 2025. In the Lord's Test, it went up a notch as he asked Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett to 'grow some f****** balls' when he suspected the former of trying to waste time. Eventually, India lost the match narrowly and the moment was heavily blamed for turning the tide in England's favor. SportsBoom. 'Ever since he became a captain in the IPL, I have noticed that he is getting into an aggressive mindset, and having animated chats with umpires. It was unlike Gill. He doesn't need to show that kind of aggression, and doesn't have to prove anything." 'He can stick to his style of being aggressive. It doesn't mean that you have to always give it back verbally. Aggression can also be shown by winning Test matches. India could have easily led the series 2-1. Such aggression is not good for the game, especially from the captain of the Indian cricket team," he added. 'I am not happy with the language and words that are coming in the audio when they are near the stumps. You are representing the Indian cricket team. I think this has become a trend, as previous captains have probably used such words to express their anger, but this needs to be controlled. If you use slang, the next generation will pick it up," the former Bengal cricketer added. Before the fourth Test in Manchester, England's Harry Brook admitted that the incident united his team and helped them defend 193 in the final innings. With the series now 2-1 in England's favor, India will be desperate for a turnaround at Old Trafford, starting July 23. view comments 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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'He was 11': Kumar Sangakkara reveals how Rajasthan Royals found out about Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (PTI Photo) Kumar Sangakkara , Rajasthan Royals ' director of cricket, has disclosed how the team discovered young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi in 2023 when he was just 11 years old, two years before signing him. Suryavanshi later made history as the youngest player in IPL history when he replaced injured Sanju Samson in 2025, scoring 252 runs in seven innings with a strike rate exceeding 200, including a record-breaking 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans. The Sri Lankan cricket legend first witnessed Suryavanshi's batting prowess during the Rajasthan Royals camp, where the young talent faced international bowlers like Jofra Archer with remarkable ease. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "Suryavanshi has already shown himself to be a very special talent," Sangakkara told Sky Sports. "In 2023, one of the Rajasthan Royals analysts sent through a text saying there's a very special player we need to watch, get to trials, and look to sign. And the first time I saw him live was after we had signed him, apart from watching some videos of him batting in the nets in Guwahati, batting against Jofra Archer and other seamers that we had. And he made it look very, very easy." The Bihar teenager's batting technique and natural ability left a lasting impression on Sangakkara, who noted the distinctive sound of his bat striking the ball and his efficient movement at the crease. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "He had a lot of time, the sound of his bat was like a gunshot every single time he contacted the ball. His bat swing is lovely. It's nice and wide outside the stump and it's very free flowing. He's got a lot of time. His movements are very, very simple and minimal and he's very enthusiastic about developing his shot repertoire and all the shots that you can want in a T20 batter. This is just a start for him to become even better and hopefully very, very special," Sangakkara elaborated. Poll How likely are you to follow Vaibhav Suryavanshi's career in the future? Very Likely Somewhat Likely Unlikely Suryavanshi's IPL debut season in 2025 demonstrated his exceptional batting capabilities, as he maintained a strike rate of over 200 across seven innings. His century against Gujarat Titans, achieved in just 35 balls, established him as a formidable force in the tournament and highlighted his potential as a future cricket star. The young batsman's rapid rise has earned him a regular place in India's Under-19 teams, where he continues to develop his skills while competing in England. Suryavanshi's journey from being spotted at age 11 to becoming the youngest IPL player and establishing himself as a consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals represents a remarkable trajectory in Indian cricket. His current involvement with the India Under-19 teams suggests a promising future ahead, as he continues to build on his early success in professional cricket. The Rajasthan Royals' early identification and nurturing of Suryavanshi's talent demonstrates the team's commitment to developing young cricketers and their ability to spot exceptional talent at an early age. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
