And the wait is finally over. The Indian cricket team is finally on the ground, ending 40+ days of wait as they lock horns with Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chennai. On the eve of the match, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed a press conference, where he talked about the Indian team combination going into the red-ball season. Apart from this, the BCCI also conducted an informal chat between Gambhir and Virat Kohli, where the majority of praise was lavished on the latter. In other news, former India player Subramaniam Badrinath has said that he wishes MS Dhoni to captain CSK until he plays in the IPL.
MS Dhoni to captain CSK?
Former CSK player Subramaniam Badrinath believes MS Dhoni should continue to captain the team as long as he plays. Despite Dhoni handing over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Badrinath feels Dhoni’s experience and leadership are irreplaceable. He argues that it’s difficult to groom a captain while still playing on the field. The former middle-order batter played under Dhoni’s captaincy for six seasons, winning two IPL titles.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) rope in Ricky Ponting
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is set to return to the IPL as the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS). The veteran coach, who was previously associated with Delhi Capitals, was recently let go by the franchise. Ponting had expressed his desire to continue coaching in the IPL, and it seems PBKS has seized the opportunity. With Punjab looking to improve their performance after disappointing finishes in the last 10 years, Ponting’s appointment could be a significant step in their quest for success.
Gambhir-Kohli done, Gambhir-Rohit next
India head coach Gautam Gambhir will soon sit down with captain Rohit Sharma for a chat. Ahead of the IND vs BAN 1st Test, Gambhir had a candid conversation with Virat Kohli, discussing topics like Gambhir’s missed century in the 2011 ODI World Cup final and Kohli’s early Test captaincy. At the chat’s conclusion, Gambhir teased that his next guest would be Rohit. Kohli jokingly suggested asking Rohit about his morning almond-eating habits. Gambhir playfully added, “Will 11 AM become 11 PM when Rohit shows up?”
IND Playing XI vs BAN revealed
India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, officially ruled out Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel from the playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh. Gambhir cited the return of senior players like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as the primary reason for the exclusion. He praised the young talents but emphasized that the team’s priority is to select players who fit the current XI. Gambhir assured that both Sarfaraz and Jurel would have future opportunities but would need to wait their turn.
Suryakumar Yadav is fit again!
Star batter Suryakumar Yadav is set to make a comeback in the third round of the Duldeep Trophy for India C. He missed the first two rounds due to a thumb injury. This news is a boost for Team India as they prepare for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Suryakumar, who suffered the injury during a tournament in Coimbatore, is expected to lead India in the T20I series starting on October 6. The series will take place in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
Hardik Pandya Test comeback!
Hardik Pandya, once touted as India’s best pace-bowling all-rounder since Kapil Dev, has been plagued by injuries. His recent bowling posts on social media have sparked hopes of a Test return as he has posted twice while training with red-ball. With the India vs Australia Test series approaching in December, Gambhir, the new head coach, who advocates for all-format players, could be the catalyst for Pandya’s comeback in Tests.
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