Star Sports - players.bio

"No Bigger Challenge Than That": Gautam Gambhir's No-Nonsense Take On 'Unfair' KL Rahul Situation

With Rishabh Pant still recovering from a horrific car accident he incurred in December last year, Team India have struggled to find an ideal replacement for him behind the stumps, especially in Test cricket. While there is no hint of Pant's return to international circuit anytime soon, India are set to play South Africa in a two-match Test series, starting with the first game in Centurion from December 26. They will also play five Tests against England on home soil, starting January 24. While KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan have kept the wickets in Pant's absence, it is KL Rahul who is set to take the responsibility against South Africa.

"Pressure Will Be On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma...": Gautam Gambhir's Warning 'If Batters Don't Put Runs' vs South Africa

As India eye a first Test series win in South Africa, former opener Gautam Gambhir feels the pressure will be star batter Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma. India have never won a Test series in South Africa, but came close to doing so during their last tour. After winning the first Test, India conceded the series 2-1, with Kohli missing the second Test due to an injury. Gambhir reckons the onus will be on Rohit and Kohli to deliver the goods with the bat for India, adding that the star batters can take the pressure of the Indian bowlers on tricky South African conditions.

"Thing Of The Past...": Ex-India Star's Sensational Comment On Rohit Sharma's Batting

Former Indian cricket team batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Rohit Sharma has evolved as a batter and he no longer has a weakness against quality left-arm fast bowlers. In the past, Rohit has struggled against left-arm pacers but Manjrekar cited his performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023 to point out that the weakness is no longer present. Manjrekar said that Rohit came up against Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Afridi but his confident and aggressive batting showed a massive improvement.

"It's A Different Feeling...": Virat Kohli's 1st Interview After World Cup Final Loss Has Him Talking About 'Job Satisfaction' In Tests

All eyes will be on Virat Kohli as India take on South Africa in a two-match Test series. Kohli will return to action after being out of action for more than a month, following India's World Cup final loss to Australia on November 19. India have not won a Test series in the Rainbow Nation, but came close to doing so during their last tour under Kohli's leadership. India won the first Test, but conceded the series 1-2 against the Proteas, with Kohli missing the second Test due to a back injury. With wounds of India's World Cup final loss yet to be healed, Kohli and Team India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, will look to create history by winning the Test series.

"Have To See If India Will Even Persist With Him": Gautam Gambhir Sums Up Sanju Samson's Situation

Maiden ODI century, eight years into his international career, Sanju Samson has sent a big message to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee. But, with the ODI World Cup 4 years away, questions have been raised over Samson's continuity in the Indian team. Though Samson is likely to be picked for India's next ODI assignment, India's schedule as far as the 50-over format is concerned, doesn't paint the most promising picture. In fact, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir is eager to see if Samson is even persisted with in the Indian team after his century in Paarl.

"Century Will Change His...": Sunil Gavaskar's Prediction After Sanju Samson's 1st International Ton

Sanju Samson first burst on to the international cricket scene back in 2015 in a T20I against Zimbabwe. But for eight long years, Sanju Samson had to wait for his maiden international ton, which ended on Thursday in an ODI against South Africa. Coming to bat at No. 3, Sanju Samson curbed his natural attacking instincts to time his innings well. He scored 108 off 114 balls, hitting three sixes and six fours. Courtesy his century India reached 296/8 in 50 overs. Then, India easily scalped the South African wickets to pocket the series 2-1.

IND vs SA: 'Don't Get Out In 50s, 60s': Sunil Gavaskar's No Nonsense Verdict On India Star

With half-centuries in his first two matches, young India batter Sai Sudharsan has caught the eye of batting great Sunil Gavaskar. Sudharsan, who plays for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit, made his India debut in the first ODI of the ongoing tour of South Africa. He scored a half-century on debut and then followed it up with yet another 50+ score in the second match of the series. Impressed with the young soutbpaw, Gavaskar, however, wants Sudharsan to convert his half centuries into hundreds.

"Rohit Sharma's Stature Is Similar To MS Dhoni's": India Great Backs Former Mumbai Indians Skipper

Cricket fans around the world were taken aback by the news of all-rounder Hardik Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma as the skipper of Mumbai Indians, for the upcoming season of IPL. Hardik was traded back to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans at a price of Rs 15 crore. However, in a recent development, it was announced that the all-rounder will also be leading the five-time champions in IPL 2024. Several fans and former cricketers expressed disappointment over this decision and supported Rohit, who has led MI to the title five times.

Contacts

Star Sports Sport News

"No Bigger Challenge Than That": Gautam Gambhir's No-Nonsense Take On 'Unfair' KL Rahul Situation

"Pressure Will Be On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma...": Gautam Gambhir's Warning 'If Batters Don't Put Runs' vs South Africa

"Thing Of The Past...": Ex-India Star's Sensational Comment On Rohit Sharma's Batting

"It's A Different Feeling...": Virat Kohli's 1st Interview After World Cup Final Loss Has Him Talking About 'Job Satisfaction' In Tests

"Have To See If India Will Even Persist With Him": Gautam Gambhir Sums Up Sanju Samson's Situation

"Century Will Change His...": Sunil Gavaskar's Prediction After Sanju Samson's 1st International Ton

IND vs SA: 'Don't Get Out In 50s, 60s': Sunil Gavaskar's No Nonsense Verdict On India Star

"Rohit Sharma's Stature Is Similar To MS Dhoni's": India Great Backs Former Mumbai Indians Skipper