Indian Cricket Archives - Lokmarg

‘Senior Cricketers Should Retire Gracefully, Not Drag Their Feet’

By LokMarg 7th November 2024

Saurabh Tyagi, a marketing professional and a cricket buff, wonders if the old order in Indian Test cricket ever make timely way for the new blood. His views:

India’s cricketing landscape is undergoing a transformation. The reluctance of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to bow out echoes the hesitation of previous legends, but this hesitation is all about a deeper issue that lies within the Indian cricket administration. Much of India’s current transition struggle in red-ball cricket can be traced to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) reluctance to make timely changes, allowing veterans to linger on despite diminishing returns.

While the BCCI has shown commitment towards integrating younger players in white-ball formats, particularly T20, the Test side has largely remained stagnant. Since 2020, Rohit and Kohli’s declining averages—Rohit at 34 at home, Kohli at 28 at home and 33 away—paint a stark picture.

Both players have been titans of Indian cricket, carrying the mantle through a golden era. Yet, the current numbers tell a clear story: their consistency has waned, and to expect them to return to their peak form is unrealistic. The reluctance to transition younger players into Test roles has stunted the development of a fresh, competitive core and fostered a sense of complacency. While it’s natural to revere legends, ignoring the hard facts only delays the necessary decisions that would allow India to move forward.

However, the responsibility doesn’t rest solely with the players or the coaches; it lies at the very top with the BCCI. Caught in a cycle of PR-driven decision-making, the BCCI has prioritized the immediate revenue of the IPL over the long-term health of India’s Test setup. The IPL has undoubtedly been transformative, creating fame, wealth, and vast opportunities for young players.

ALSO READ: IPL Organisers Are Shameless, And Greedy

This IPL-centric approach has also distracted them from the developmental work required to build a resilient Test team. Test cricket demands resilience, skill, and continuity—elements that can only be cultivated with a focused commitment to training, preparation, and the domestic game. By failing to maintain this focus, the BCCI has, in many ways, eroded the foundation of India’s red-ball game, resulting in embarrassing setbacks like the recent home series loss to New Zealand.

India has successfully managed transitions before, most notably in 2013, when a new generation—led by Kohli, Pujara, and Rahane—stepped into roles once occupied by legends like Dravid, Laxman, and Tendulkar. This transition was executed with patience, foresight, and an unwavering belief in nurturing young talent for the rigors of Test cricket. Yet now, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Gill, and Rishabh Pant waiting in the wings, the BCCI’s reluctance to make a decisive call stifles this potential.

Transitioning Test teams requires a blend of youth and experience, a task now placed squarely on the selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir. With red-ball cricket demanding grit, technique, and the stamina honed in the Ranji Trophy, the selectors must prioritize performance in these domestic circuits over the lure of white-ball fame. IPL stardom and Test resilience are fundamentally different, and to sustain India’s dominance in Tests, the BCCI must ensure that potential red-ball specialists are given a chance to grow.

This moment is pivotal not only for India’s Test prospects but for the global perception of Test cricket itself. The world’s purists view Test cricket as the soul of the sport, and if India falters, the format’s appeal could be jeopardized worldwide. This transition, if handled poorly, risks squandering a legacy. But if managed well, India could usher in a new golden generation capable of honouring the greatness of those before them. The question remains: Will the BCCI take the hard decisions required to secure the future of Indian Test cricket, or will it continue to let nostalgia and revenue clouds overshadow the path forward?

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As told to Deepa Gupta

Kohli Asks Friends Not To Request Him For WC Tickets

By LokMarg 4th October 2023

Just a day before the beginning of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli requested his friends not to ask him for tickets “all through the tournament”.

On Wednesday, Virat took to his Instagram account and made a special request.

“As we approach the World Cup, I would humbly like to let all my friends know to not request me for tickets all through the tournament. Enjoy from your homes please,” Virat Kohli posted followed by a smiling emoticon.

Reacting to Virat’s story, his wife Anushka wrote, “And let me just add… please don’t request me to help if your messages go unanswered. Thank you for your understanding.”

Soon after the cricketer shared the post, it went viral on social media.

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will kick off on October 5 with defending champions England taking on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the biggest cricket stadium in the world, where the final will also take place on November 19.

India will start their World Cup drive on October 8 in Chennai against five-time Champions Australia.

India squad for WC: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.

The last time ‘Men in Blue’ lifted the ODI World Cup in 2011 on home soil and the memories of that triumph are still alive in the hearts of the Indian fans.

Virat tapped into his prime self in the recently concluded Asia Cup. With his knock against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup, Kohli completed 13,000 ODI runs, becoming the fifth player to reach the landmark in men’s ODIs. (ANI)

Pant Would Have Made Huge Impact: Hardik

By LokMarg 3rd January 2023

India’s T20 captain Hardik Pandya feels that Rishabh Pant’s presence would have made a huge impact on the Indian team and noted that he was very much a part of plans for the ICC World Cup 2023.

India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant escaped a near-fatal accident on Friday with burn injuries among others that will require plastic surgery and he could be airlifted to Delhi if required. He met with a serious accident while returning from Delhi to Roorkee as his car collided with the divider on the Narsan border of Roorkee near Hammadpur Jhal on Friday.
“Coming to the point, obviously he was a very important part of (Team India’s plans in the world Cup year). But, now everyone knows the situation,” said India’s T20 captain Hardik Pandya about Rishabh Pant.

ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016 captain Ishan Kishan, who recently scored a double ton against Bangladesh in the third ODI in Chattogram, could be considered a replacement. During his knock in Bangladesh, Ishan Kishan broke the record of Chris Gayle for the fastest double ton in ODIs.

Sanju Samson is also in the fray to fill in the shoes of Pant while KL Rahul also contributes as a wicket-keeper.

“There are a lot of people who can get opportunities. I am seeing that if Rishabh also would have been there, he could have made a huge impact. But now, let’s wait and see what the future holds for us,” said Hardik Pandya.

The mishap took place while the cricketer was on his way to Roorkee from Delhi, and his car collided with the divider on the Narsan border of Roorkee near Hammadpur Jhal.

According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) statement, Rishabh has two cuts on his forehead, a ligament tear in his right knee and has also hurt his right wrist, ankle, and toe and has suffered abrasion injuries on his back. Rishabh’s condition remains stable, and he has now been shifted to Max Hospital, Dehradun, where he will undergo MRI scans to ascertain the extent of his injuries and formulate his further course of treatment.

Wicket-keeper and batter Pant has represented India in 33 Test matches scoring 2271 runs at an average of 43.67 with five Test tons to his name with his highest score being 159 not out. Pant has 119 catches and 14 stumpings to his name.

In ODIs, he has 865 runs to his name in 30 matches at an average of 34.60 with five half-centuries and one ton with a strike rate of 106.65. With the gloves, Pant has 26 catches and one stumping to his name.

In 66 T20I the wicket-keeper batter has scored 987 runs with three half-centuries to his name at an average of 22.43 with a strike rate of 126.37. (ANI)

Ishan Kishan Becomes Fastest Double Centurion In ODIs

By LokMarg 10th December 2022

India’s star opener Ishan Kishan smashed the fastest double hundred in ODIs, becoming only the fourth Indian batter to achieve the milestone against Bangladesh in the third ODI here at Zahur Ahmed Chaudhary Stadium, Chattogram on Saturday.

With this inning, the opener threw in his hat for the openers slot with the ODI World Cup in sight.
The southpaw grabbed his opportunity to open the innings and came out all guns blazing to become only the seventh batter to smash a double century in ODIs. Kishan played a breathtaking knock of 210 runs off 131 balls that was studded with 24 fours and 10 huge sixes.

Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the third ODI after he injured his left thumb in the previous match while fielding in slip.

Youngster Kishan made the most of the opportunity and played a historic inning surpassing Chris Gayle’s 138-ball record.

He also bettered Virender Sehwag’s record of the fastest 150 in ODI cricket for India. The veteran batter had reached the landmark in 112 balls while Kishan reached the figure in 103 balls.

Kishan, who is 24 years and 145 days old also became the youngest batter in the history of ODIs to smash a double hundred.

The left-hander also stitched a huge 290-run partnership with Virat Kohli for the second wicket, helping India dominate the Bangladeshi bowlers. (ANI)

BCCI Announces Equal Pay For Men, Women Cricketers

By LokMarg 27th October 2022

In a historic move by the BCCI ( Board of Control for Cricket in India), India’s cricket governing body on Thursday announced an equal match fee for both men’s and women’s cricketers of India.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah took to his official Twitter handle to announce the historical development.
“I’m pleased to announce BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing a pay equity policy for our contracted women cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be the same as we move into a new era of gender equality in Indian Cricket,” Shah tweeted.

BCCI secretary Shah also highlighted the new fees for the contracted players and stressed that the Indian Women’s cricket team will earn the same match fees as their male counterparts.

“The @BCCIWomen cricketers will be paid the same match fee as their male counterparts. Test (INR 15 lakhs), ODI (INR 6 lakhs), T20I (INR 3 lakhs). Pay equity was my commitment to our women cricketers and I thank the Apex Council for their support. Jai Hind,” he added in another tweet.

Earlier on October 15, India crushed Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2022, clinching their seventh title. India chased the target of 66 comfortably, scoring 71/2 in 8.3 overs.

Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten at 51 of 25 balls and she hit six fours and three sixes. Harmanpreet Kaur was unbeaten at 11 at the other end.

Inoka Ranaweera (1/17) and Kavisha Dilhari (1/17) were the wicket-takers for Sri Lanka, but they did not have enough runs to defend. (ANI)

‘Men In Blue Should Take A Knee For Mohd Shami Too’

By LokMarg 28th October 2021

Noida-based cricket fan Tausif Alam (35) is less surprised and more disappointed by the online hate campaign against Indian pacer Mohammad Shami

This whole online hate campaign against Mohammad Shami is totally against the spirit of any game. However, this is not the first time a player has been targeted for not performing in the game. We have witnessed similar criticism of players in the past. But, Shami’s targeting is peculiar in the sense that his religious identity is being dragged into it.

For me, those online comments are laughable that Shami underperformed because he was playing against Pakistan. Though I am trying to laugh it off, it shows how opinionated people are about Muslims in India. And the scrutiny they constantly face.

Shami is a fabulous cricketer. He has performed for India in many matches, bringing glory to the team. He has been in superb form and that’s why he was picked for T-20 WC squad. But, just one bad balling spell against Pakistan and he was attacked online for his religion and his loyalty to the country.

This shows the journey we, as a country, have covered. However, this kind of behaviour is not particularly reserved for Muslims, but Dalits too. Just a few months ago, when the Indian women hockey team lost against Argentina in the semi-final match at the Tokyo Olympics, they were attacked in a similar manner. It was said that the team lost because it had “too many Dalit players”.

ALSO READ: ‘Fabindia Is Not The Target, Muslims Are’

I believe that we have to bring this sanity in our home, especially in India-Pakistan match. We pass on the culture to our children. Enthusiasm for a game is fine but it shouldn’t transcend the limit and become some sort-of mania. We should learn from the players. Beyond the media hype and posturing, those Indian and Pakistani players were so friendly with each other on field; we all saw those pictures from how Rizwan and Babar Azam hugged Virat Kohli after winning the match. Shahnawaz Dahaani, another Pakistani player, was posting picture with Dhoni on his Twitter account.

Another sad thing was the response of Shami’s team-mates and the team management towards the whole issue. Neither Virat Kohli nor BCCI tweeted in support of Shami. They seemed to have buried their heads in the sand.

The most ironical part was ‘taking the knee’ by team India before the match for ‘Black lives matter’ in America. Team India which was showing solidarity for a cause in a far-off land hasn’t spoken a word about atrocities in their own country. They couldn’t even muster courage to show similar solidarity to their own team-mate who was being targeted post-match. There is a reminder for team India that ‘black lives matter’ is an American issue while their own country is facing a similar crisis of sorts. They must understand that taking the knee is not a photo op but represents a cause.

As Told To Mamta Sharma

Paternity Over Fraternity

By S Kannan 26th December 2020

Virat Kohli’s decision to return to India on paternity leave at a time when the team needs him most during the Test series in Australia, has come in for intense scrutiny.

As the strong Aussies host the Ajinkya Rahane-led side in the second Test at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) from Saturday, there are sharp comments. Sunil Gavaskar, India’s greatest opening Test batsmen of all times and the former India captain has taken more than a pot-shot at Kohli for returning home on paternity leave.

Writing a column for a well-known sports magazine, Gavaskar pointed out how there are different yardsticks for different players of Team India. It is well known that T Natarajan, the sensational left-arm fast bowler who created waves during the IPL in UAE and also the T20 and ODI series with his yorkers has still not seen his newborn child, born in October.

Mind you, Natarajan is now just a nets bowler but has not been spared by the Indian cricket board (BCCI). It is also on this premise, Gavaskar has slammed Kohli for getting special treatment.

To be sure, this is not the first time Gavaskar has criticized Kohli. The last time when Kohli and Anushka Sharma broke the big news on social media, they were expecting a third member in their family, Gavaskar made a very spicy comment. He had talked of what Kohli had been doing during the lockdown. His comments drew huge flak from fans of Bollywood celebrity Anushka.

There is a difference between what Gavaskar said then and now. The Indian team was battered in the first Test in Adelaide and call of duty demanded Kohli stayed back with the team. However, as Kohli had already applied for paternity leave in October, before the team was selected for the tour to Australia, the “yes men” in the BCCI granted him leave.

It is well known, leave of any nature in any professional organisation is subject to approval and can be cancelled at the last minute. What is surprising is that not only has the BCCI granted him leave, they are not even talking about a possible revision.

The concern of the BCCI is IPL alone, and the latest decision to include 10 teams from 2022 shows they do not care for what happens in national interest – playing for India.

ALSO READ: IPL Organisers Are Shameless

Gavaskar is not alone to question Kohli. There are a few more like former left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi and AN Sharma, coach of Virender Sehwag, who have also expressed surprise at Kohli neglecting national duty.

Modern day sport is all about being professional. Kohli is not an amateur cricketer. When he leads IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore, he is a pro who is paid big bucks and makes billions more through endorsements. When Kohli plays for India, he is again a professional who gets paid on an annual contract basis.

It is not as if deducting Kohli’s match fees for the three Test matches which he will be missing will suffice. A leader like Kohli, already under flak for being captain in all three formats, should not have proceeded on leave.

The job of the Indian cricket captain is a very prestigious one. The world wishes he and Anushka are blessed with a healthy baby but as a professional he has got his priority wrong this time. Those who advocate a man being by the side of his wife during delivery are all praise for Kohli’s decision.

But above all this comes the pride and feeling of leading Team India. It is very much akin to a fauji doing national duty on the battle front where he has to forget personal life. Life and death, near and dear ones being ill, for the soldiers and officers of Indian Armed Forces, serving the nation comes first.

That is why what Gavaskar is saying has huge traction. Just imagine, Kings XI Punjab player Mandeep Singh lost his father during the IPL in October. He stayed back, wiped, his own tears, and continued to play. This was just club cricket, but Mandeep showed that being a professional meant his loyalty was first towards work.

ALSO READ: Has BCCI Lost Its Thinking Cap?

There are many more instances as well. In fact, a few years ago, even during a Ranji Trophy game, Wasim Jaffer, former India Test captain, stayed back and played despite being informed that he had lost his mother. Jaffer won the match for Mumbai then and the bonus points, making him a big hero.

In women’s hockey, in January 2019, Lalremsiami from Mizoram played on the FIH series semi-finals after her father’s death. She was then given the option by the team management to fly back home from Hiroshima but chose to stay back.

The job of any athlete representing the country is a very prestigious one. Indian athletes are known to play with passion and from their hearts. The josh and dil se attitude quite often makes the difference in a team sport.

This is the time Team India needs Captain Virat Kohli in Australia. His batting form is good and he is now accepted as a strong leader. In the absence of a few key players like Rohit Sharma, Mohd Shami and Ishant Sharma, Kohli should have led like a true General from the front.

Should India lose the series badly, brickbats will be hurled at stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane and other players. Had Kohli changed his mind and played on, he could have become a bigger hero.

Sadly, at this point of time in Indian cricket administration, such is the power equation, Kohli is treated as someone who can do no wrong. If Kohli is to be blamed by so many people, then the incompetent BCCI is also to be blamed. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has led Team India and knows what it is to play with josh.

He is the same man who dared to take off his shirt in the Lord’s balcony. How come Ganguly did not speak to Kohli and guide him on National Interest, playing for the country. If the Commander is making a wrong move, should not the General have stepped in?

The coming few weeks will see more news on Kohli returning home prematurely. One wonders how he can go to sleep at night without any guilt.