A quiet day for cricketing fans as we moved closer to the commencement of India’s red-ball season to begin. India’s opening Test against Bangladesh in Chennai will start on September 19. However, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma addressed a press conference on Tuesday, where he talked about the majority of things. He laid down plans for workload management of fast bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah and even divulged what could be the possible combination going ahead. In other news, Suresh Raina asserted his ‘hope’ to see MS Dhoni play in the Legends League Cricket (LLC), which is about to begin from Sept 20.
MS Dhoni from IPL to LLC?
Former India great Suresh Raina expressed his desire to see MS Dhoni play in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) during a recent event in New Delhi. While Raina is a prominent figure in the LLC, Dhoni’s IPL career is nearing its end. The two, once teammates and close friends, have achieved significant success together for India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Raina hinted that the LLC owners might be considering Dhoni for the league after he calls for retirement from the IPL.
Rohit Sharma press conference!
Ahead of the India vs Bangladesh series, Rohit Sharma addressed the media with his typical candidness. While the Bangladesh team had issued indirect warnings after their unprecedented Test series win over Pakistan, Rohit remained unfazed and said “Sabko Maze lene do“. He emphasized the importance of focusing on India’s performance, and not to take any series lightly. Rohit’s approach in this presser was quite pragmatic.
Jasprit Bumrah in IND vs BAN Tests
Bumrah, the world’s best all-format bowler, is a guaranteed starter in IND vs BAN Tests. However, the competition for the second and third pace spots between Siraj and Deep is intense. Skipper Rohit Sharma emphasized selecting the best XI based on the desired game plan and the need to win. He also acknowledged the need to manage Bumrah’s workload due to his injury history. With exciting young bowlers emerging from the Duleep Trophy, India has options to balance their pace attack and ensure their top performers remain fresh throughout the series.
Axar Patel tells World Cup final secrets!
Axar Patel’s cameos throughout the T20 World Cup were crucial, but none more so than the final against South Africa. India slumped to 34/3 with key batters dismissed. Axar revealed the pressure was on as both Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid urged him to “pad up” quickly. With no time to overthink, teammates offered support. Hardik Pandya, in Gujarati, kept it simple: “Watch the ball and hit.” Virat Kohli provided a game plan: “We’ll bat together till 8-9 overs, get to 60/3, and then assess.” Axar, following their advice, found a boundary off the first ball and played a crucial innings of 47 off 31 to take India forward.
KL Rahul not joining RCB?
KL Rahul has expressed a desire to return to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2025, but BCCI rules prevent the move until the mega auction. As per regulations, teams cannot trade players before the mega auction. Rahul’s only chance to join RCB is if LSG retains him and then decides to trade him during the auction. While RCB and Rahul wait, LSG’s decision on retaining Rahul remains uncertain.
India win the Asian Champions Trophy!
The Indian hockey team clinched their fifth Asian Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought 1-0 win over China. Despite dominating possession, India struggled to penetrate the Chinese defense for the first three quarters. However, defender Jugraj Singh broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with a field goal to secure the victory. In the earlier match, Pakistan defeated Korea 5-2 to claim the third position in the tournament.
