Australia pacer Kane Richardson has withdrawn from their ODI and T20 squad for the series against India. He instead opted to stay with his wife and newborn son in Adelaide.
Kane Richardson withdrawal from ODI and T20I
With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Adelaide, Australia have added three players to the training group in Sydney. Andrew Tye will replace Kane Richardson while Josh Philippe and D’Arcy Short will also train with the group.
Richardson had also missed the Indian Premier League 2020, where he was picked by RCB. He opted to stay back home for the birth of his son.
Kane Richard
“It was a difficult decision for Kane to make but one which has the complete support of the selectors and the entire playing squad,” national selector Trevor Hohns said.
“Kane wanted to remain in Adelaide with Nyki and their son. We will always support our players and their families; even more so given the challenging environment, we are in.
“We will miss what he brings to the team but completely understand and support his decision.”
Australian players from Adelaide
Cricket Australia on Tuesday airlifted players, including Test skipper Tim Paine and star batsman Marnus Labuschagne, to New South Wales from Adelaide in an attempt to save the series against India as a coronavirus outbreak in South Australia threatened the upcoming summer.
Tim Paine
As Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania closed their borders to South Australia on Monday, the country’s cricket board brought players from Australia’s white-ball, Test match, and Australia A squads into Sydney from Adelaide to ensure that the upcoming fixtures of the 300 million dollars season remain unaffected.
Australia’s players and staff from the affected areas involved in the ODI and T20 series against India traveled to Sydney on Tuesday, earlier than originally planned.
Cricket Australia said it was monitoring the outbreak in Adelaide but remained committed to hosting the first Vodafone Test against India at the Adelaide Oval next month.
“CA can confirm none of the players in Adelaide for the Marsh Sheffield Shield visited the ‘hot spots’ identified by SA Health,” a statement put out by the governing body read.
“CA has nonetheless instructed all players to undergo COVID-19 tests, with all results received thus far returning negative.”
India tour of Australia
Virat Kohli led India are in Australia for a long tour comprising three ODIs, as many T20 Internationals and four Tests.
The tour will begin on November 27 with the first ODI in Sydney. While the Test series starts on December 17 with a day-night game in Adelaide.
The visitors are currently in quarantine in Sydney.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra advises CSK to release MS Dhoni if BCCI organizes a mega auction ahead of IPL 2021. Dhoni who led CSK since 2008 failed to drag his team into the playoff in the IPL 2020.
Dhoni and CSK relation sofar
Under Dhoni’s captaincy, CSK never failed to enter into a playoff. Dhoni-led CSK won the IPL title three times and stands behind MI’s five trophies. After CSK’s failure in IPL 2020 the franchise keen to rebuild the team from the scratch.
Dhoni
Withdrawl of two key players from IPL 2020 is considered as the greatest drift for CSK. Along with this CSK’s opener, Shane Watson’s retirement also comes into consideration for their rebuilding process.
CSK is also one of the teams who could get more benefit if IPL conducts a full players auction ahead of IPL 2021.
Aakash Chopra needs CSK to release Dhoni
Post IPL 2020 shows the CSK fans are closely watching their franchise move. The heat increases while a talk raises that Dhoni could replace by Faf du Plessis as CSK skipper. Though CSK didn’t make any official announcement fans keep an eye on CSK’s social media activities.
Dhoni and Srinivasan(Former BCCI president)
Apart from this Indian former cricketer Aakash Chopra advice CSK to drop MS Dhoni if BCCI conducts a full players auction ahead of IPL 2021.
“I think CSK should release MS Dhoni going into the mega auction, if there is a mega auction then you will be with that player for three years. But will Dhoni stay with you for three years? I am not saying don’t keep Dhoni, he will play the next IPL, but if you keep him as a retained player but you will have to pay Rs 15 crore,” Aakash Chopra said in a video posted on his Facebook account.
“If Dhoni does not stay with you for three years and he plays just the 2021 season, you will get the Rs 15 crore back for the 2022 edition, but how will you find a player worth that Rs 15 crore? That’s the advantage of a mega auction, you can create a big team if you have the money. If you release Dhoni for the mega auction, you can pick him with the Right To Match card and you can pick the right players by having the desired money in your kitty. You can pick Dhoni in the auction, from CSK point of view, if they release Dhoni and then pick him up in auction, it would be beneficial for them,” Chopra added.
“CSK needs a mega auction, the side does not have many players that can be retained. If you want to make a team from the scratch, then are you willing to spend big bucks on the likes of Faf du Plessis and Ambati Rayudu? I don’t think that CSK will look at the likes of Raina and Harbhajan if they are making a team from scratch,” Chopra said.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced its partnership with MPL Sports, the athleisure wear and sports merchandise brand from Mobile Premier League, as the new kit sponsor and official merchandise partner for the Indian cricket team.
MPL Sponsor Indian cricket Team Kit
As part of a 3-year deal, MPL Sports designed and manufactured jerseys will be worn by men’s, women’s. And the Under-19 Indian cricket teams also follow the same until 2023.
🚨 NEWS 🚨: BCCI announces MPL Sports as Official Kit Sponsor for Team India
As part of a three-year deal, MPL Sports designed and manufactured jerseys will be worn by Men’s, Women’s and the Under-19 INDIAN cricket teams.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced its partnership with MPL Sports. The athleisure wear and sports merchandise brand from Mobile Premier League, India’s largest esports platform, as the new kit sponsor. And also an official merchandise partner for the Indian Cricket Team.
Under the newly-inked strategic partnership, MPL Sports has entered into a three-year agreement from November 2020 to December 2023. MPL Sports’ association with the BCCI begins with the upcoming India tour of Australia, 2020-21. Which will see Team India sporting the new jerseys.
“The senior men and women and the Under-19 teams are also a part of the deal for the new kits.
“Apart from Team India jerseys, MPL Sports will also sell licensed Team India merchandise. MPL Sports will offer the jerseys and its wide range of Team India merchandise to fans at affordable prices,” the BCCI announced in a statement.
The agreement will run from this November to December 2023, replacing sportswear giant Nike. Whose five-year extension signed in 2016 ended this year. The association will begin this month with India’s tour of Australia, where India set to play three one-day internationals, three Twenty20 matches, and four Tests.
BCCI President on signing MPL as the Kit sponsor
Sourav Ganguly
“We look forward to MPL Sports adding a new chapter to the team’s kit, and bring official BCCI licensed merchandise within easy and convenient reach for the billion-plus fans who cheer for Team India,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said in a statement.
MPL Sports offers a wide range of affordable products, from sports and athleisure wear to Cricket equipment, as well as other accessories such as masks, wrist bands, footwear, and headgear, etc. The brand also plans to launch affordable high-performance clothing and accessories dedicated to esports fans.
What is the future of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) in the current coronavirus pandemic?
“No decisions have been taken as yet, the WTC will be discussed at the Board meetings this week,”an International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesperson communicated to The IE.
The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday followed by Board meetings on Wednesday and Thursday.
World Test Championship (WTC)
As per the original schedule, each team in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle was to play six series, with the top two teams qualifying for the final, slated for June next year. Each series is allotted 120 points, regardless of the number of Tests contested.
But in a pool of nine, not all teams have played the same number of series. As of now, only India are likely to complete their quota of six series. In a Covid-hindered season, and with the late March to May window reserved for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the ICC has a job at hand to work out a solution.
India sits atop the table and their next assignment is a four-Test series in Australia, starting on December 17. Men in Blue had three series wins to their credit before they lost 0-2 in New Zealand earlier this year.
In terms of percentage of points (PCT) won out of the total number of points contested, India’s tally is 0.750 at the moment. Their runs per wicket ratio (RPW), too, is better than the others, 2.011.
India’s tour Down Under will be followed by a five-match home series against England in February-March. India’s advantage is that the Covid-forced break didn’t hamper their WTC fixtures and they are set to fulfill their quota of six series. A series win in Australia will effectively take them to the WTC final.
Australia
Series Played: 3; Points: 296
The pandemic forced the cancellation of Australia’s two-Test series in Bangladesh in June this year. Australia, at the moment at No. 2, trail India by 64 points and a clean sweep or a 3-0 series win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will see them reach the top of the table.
Australia test team
Australia’s PCT at the moment is 0.822, while their RPW is 1.604. Their next assignment is a three-Test series in South Africa early next year.
England
Series Played: 4; Points: 292
It is learnt that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is trying to reschedule their postponed series against Sri Lanka – the two-match rubber in March that was cancelled without a ball being bowled.
England Cricketers
Without the rescheduling though, England’s top-two fate, to an extent, will depend on how Australia fare against India over the next two months. If Australia surpasses India in the points table, England might have to win at least by a 3-0 margin in India to get into the top two. England’s PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.608 and 1.223 respectively.
New Zealand
Series Played: 3; Points: 180
New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh for a two-Test series in August-September was postponed due to the pandemic. According to an ICC functionary, in case of rescheduling, every cancelled/postponed series has to be rescheduled, which could be pretty difficult under the current situation.
New Zealand Test cricketers
It is learnt that the global body might consider splitting points as an option for the cancelled/postponed series. New Zealand’s next two assignments are home series of two Tests each against West Indies and Pakistan in the Southern summer.
So the Kiwis still have 240 points to play for and clean sweeps will see them move significantly up the ladder. New Zealand’s PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.500 and 0.883 respectively.
Pakistan
Series Played: 4; Points: 166
Pakistan could play only one home Test against Bangladesh, as the second one in Karachi in April was cancelled without a ball being bowled. They are scheduled to tour New Zealand for a two-Test series before hosting South Africa for another two-Test series.
Naseem Shah – Pakistan Cricketers
Pakistan, too, may need clean sweeps in their next two series to become top-two contenders. Shaheens so far have won only one series out of four and their PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.395 and 0.853 respectively.
Sri Lanka
Series Played: 2; Points: 80
Sri Lanka missed out on home Test series against England (two Tests) and Bangladesh (3). They are scheduled to tour South Africa in a month for a two-Test series followed by two more Tests in the West Indies. The Lankans are yet to secure a series win.
Sri Lanka test team
West Indies
Series Played: 2; Points: 40
West Indies’ two-Test series against South Africa in July-August was cancelled. They, too, are yet to win a series. Their next three assignments are two Tests in New Zealand, three in Bangladesh and two more Tests at home against Sri Lanka.
West Indies Test cricketers
South Africa
Series Played: 2; Points: 24
The Proteas are set to play three-Test series in the next few months. One of them is a three-match affair against Australia. Before that, they will host Sri Lanka for two Tests and are scheduled to play a two-match away series against Pakistan. The Saffers haven’t won a series yet.
Bangladesh
Series Played: 2; Points 0
They missed out on a three-Test series in Sri Lanka and a two-Test home series against New Zealand. Their only WTC assignment left is a three-match home series against West Indies.
Indian former cricketer Ajit Agarkar said he was most impressed with Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Kartik Tyagi during the IPL 2020. Tyagi, who starred in the Under-19 World Cup earlier in the year, had a decent debut IPL season this year picking up 9 wickets from 10 matches.
Ajit Agarkar Praises Kartik Tyagi
“I think the one guy I quite loved watching in this IPL was Kartik Tyagi for Rajasthan Royals. I think there is something about him for someone who is so young and inexperienced,” Agarkar said in Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.
Kartik Tyagi
“His attitude was great and it is never easy for a young raw Indian fast bowler to come and have a big IPL but you learn from these experiences.
“The hope is that you get better as you go forward because he seems to have the goods, he seems to have the skillsets to bowl at various stages of a T20 game, which is probably the hardest thing to do.”
Agarkar on CSK rebuild up
Looking ahead, Agarkar said Chennai Super Kings, who finished seventh in IPL 2020, need to restructure their team for the future. Agarkar also said Kolkata Knight Riders have to sort out their issues to play consistent cricket.
“I think there are couple of teams, CSK certainly need a little bit of restructuring. But the one team I hope plays better or plays a bit more consistently is KKR. I think they certainly have a lot of match-winners in them or T20 specialists if you like, they should be doing a lot better.
“They were in better positions, changed the captain for some reason midway through. You could see that there was something not right in the camp.
“I think it has happened before as well and somehow they scraped through to the playoffs but this time it didn’t happen. It came back to bite them.”
Australian cricket team coach Jason Gillespie stated that Jasprit Bumrah will be the greatest in all three formats and has hailed the current depth in Indian bowling.
Jason Gillespie praises Jasprit Bumrah
Ahead of India tour of Australia, Jason Gillespie praises Indian strong bowling department which could pave victory for the Virat Kohli side.
The Indian cricket team has depth in the fast bowling department that is the envy of the cricketing world currently. The journey has been long and arduous. From a team that used to rely on spinners for winning matches, India’s fast bowling has transformed miraculously from bits and pieces to genuine match-winners.
Jasprit Bumrah
India has a strong bowling department
In the previous tour of Australia, it was the Indian bowlers who delivered immense success for India. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav all combined brilliantly as India took 70 wickets in the four-Test series while Australia managed just 60. The result – India achieved their first-ever series win Down Under.
In IPL 2020, the likes of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah put up a brilliant show, with Bumrah ending with 27 wickets and once again showing his class. Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie believes Jasprit Bumrah will be one of the greatest bowlers across all three formats.
Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
“They all bring their different ways of doing it (bowling fast). I think the Indian pace attack now is as good as they’ve had in a long time. That’s no disrespect to the guys who came before them. But they are a fine bunch now. (Jasprit) Bumrah is going to be a superstar once his career finishes. He will go down as one of India’s greatest in all three forms of the game. There’s no doubt about that,” Gillespie said in an interaction with Sporststar.
Aggressive Indian bowlers
The current Indian team a tough opposition to deal with is the fast-bowling attack that skipper Virat Kohli has nourished under him comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, among many others.
Ishant Sharma Bumrah Shammi
“Mohammed Shami has been excellent. Ishant Sharma has shown what an adaptable player he is. He has had a few ups and downs but has shown real resilience. He is always trying to better himself. India should be proud of how he has stuck to his task and found ways to reinvent himself. And then you’ve got other guys like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvi is injured at the moment. Hopefully, he will be fit soon. Umesh Yadav has added a yard of pace, hasn’t he,” Gillespie said.
Ahead of the one-day international series-opener against India in Sydney on November 27, the Australian cricket team will stand in a circle with barefoot in support of the global anti-racism movement. To recognise the country’s indigenous people, fast bowler Pat Cummins said on Monday.
Barefoot Gesture in Australia vs India match
“In Australia, we think the most, I guess, the marginalized group is the first nations people and the indigenous peoples,” Pat Cummins, who is the vice-captain of Australia’s Test and ODI teams, told reporters in a video call.
“And we think the barefoot circle’s a great way to celebrate them. Some people might want to take the knee, some people might want to show it in different ways and absolutely we’re all for that.
India tour of Australia
“But we’ve kind of come together as a team and think this is the best way we can demonstrate anti-racism as well as celebrating the indigenous culture here.”
The Australian national side in the recent past have been accused by many, including the West Indies great Michael Holding, of not vocally supporting the marginalised groups. They also famously did not ‘take the knee’ while touring England in September and were blasted by many fans and former cricketers for it.
History of Barefoot gesture in cricket
However, the ‘barefoot circle’ gesture is not new in cricket and in September the national women’s team did it ahead of the limited-overs series against New Zealand in Brisbane.
Last month, five indigenous players and eight-team captains in the professional Women’s Big Bash League made the gesture to “connect to country and acknowledge the traditional owners of the land,” governing body Cricket Australia said.
Vice-captain Pat Cummins also admitted that perhaps in past Australia’s players have not done enough to end racism and that they would like to rectify that aspect.
“You could probably put our hands up and say we haven’t done enough in the past and we want to get better, so this is one small thing we’re going to introduce this summer,” he said.
Times of Sports(TOS) listed the players who could be released by CSK, RCB, and MI if BCCI organize a mega auction for IPL 2021. The listed players would not be considered to rope back in the mega auction for IPL 2021.
Final List Of Released Players From ALL IPL Teams [Updated] ->CHECK HERE
IPL 2021 Auction
Post IPL 2020, BCCI plans to organise a full players auction for the upcoming IPL 2021.
If BCCI organise a mega auction then franchises are allowed to trade new players for their team in IPL 2021. The BCCI might make the final decision in December whether they may conduct the mega auction or will they stick with the status quo until 2022. There are also reports that a ninth team might be included in IPL 2021.
Dwayne Bravo was injured and there are speculations that he might not feature for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021.
As Harbhajan and Suresh Raina have not featured in IPL 2020 their possibilities of continuing in yellow jersey seem to bit lower. Rumors arise that Suresh Raina would captain the ninth team of IPL 2021.
Thus, the players who might face the axe for Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2021 auction might be Dwayne Bravo, Kedar Jadhav, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina.
Suresh Raina
Players who could be released by RCB in IPL 2021
Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) starts the IPL 2020 campaign with impressive performance and failed to long last with it. SRH beat RCB in the eliminator match of IPL 2020 and kicked RCB out of IPL 2020.
RCB would sneak into their batting and bowling order to make the team strong ahead of IPL 2021. RCB would look after Dale Steyn, Umesh Yadav, and Moeen Ali. With a lot of expectations in the bowling department, Steyn failed to show up in IPL 2020. Dale Steyn and Umesh Yadav all had economy rates in excess of 10.
Moeen Ali hit the top of the list after his run-out in a free hit delivery. Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn, and Moeen Ali would be released by RCB ahead of IPL 2020.
Steyn
Players who could be released by MI
The five times IPL champions too is in pressure to release their players if a mega auction takes place for IPL 2021. While MI tries to stick with their core players Sherfane Rutherford and Mitchell McClenaghan would be released by MI.
These two players have not played a single game in IPL 2020. There are reports that these two might be put back in the auction pool.
Final List Of Released Players From ALL IPL Teams [Updated] ->CHECK HERE
Faf du Plessis draws similarities between Kohli and Babar Azam
South African former skipper Faf du Plessis highlighted the similarities between Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Pakistan’s Babar Azam. Faf du Plessis has drawn the similarities as he played with both the high-quality players.
Du Plessis Comapres Kohli and Babar Azam
Du Plessis played for CSK in IPL raises his bat for Peshawar Zalmi in PSL. Faf Du Plessis scored 31 runs in a losing cause for Peshawar Zalmi against Lahore Qalandars in Eliminator 1. He added that Babar Azam has surprised everyone with his abilities in T20 cricket.
“I do [see the similarity between Kohli and Babar]. They are extremely high-quality players. Babar, over the last year or so, has taken another step towards becoming one of the greats of the game so he has got an exciting future,” Faf du Plessis told Cricket Pakistan.
“I think he surprised a lot of people with his T20 cricket. People would have originally boxed him as a guy that hasn’t got a lot of power but certainly of late his T20 game has been remarkable,” he added.
Watch du Plessis talks on Babar Azam
Babar and Virat Batting Ranking
Virat Kohli and Babar Azam are the two players who have been spoken a lot among the cricket experts. While many suggest that Virat Kohli would break Sachin’s record Australian former skipper Ricky Ponting throws his view on comparing Sachin and Kohli.
Pakistan’s limited over skipper Babar Azam has recently been given the leadership role in the game’s longest format as well. The 26-year-old holds the second position in the T20I format while holding third and fifth in ODI and Test format.
Virat Kohli on the other hand is the number one ranked ODI batsman. In Test cricket, he is placed at the second spot, while in T20I format he finds himself at the ninth spot. Virat Kohli also holds the rare record of averaging over fifty in all the three formats of the game.
Babar Azam
Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam Test Comparison
After 27 Test matches
Babar Azam is closing-in on the 2,000-run mark, having amassed 1,919 runs from 27 Tests at 45.69. Azam also has 14 fifties and 5 tons to his name in the format. His highest score of 143 came against Bangladesh in the Rawalpindi Test (2019).
Kohli managed to aggregate 1,822 runs at an average of 42.37. He had slammed 9 half-centuries and 6 hundred until then. Notably, Kohli struggled to attain consistency and didn’t get the desired results in Test cricket initially. However, he turned the tables after the 2015 season.
Australian cricket team coach Justin Langer admitted that his side had fallen short of the challenge posed by India during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and that Virat Kohli’s team deserved to emerge victoriously.
Kohli’s India made history as they beat Australia on their soil to enroll their first Test series win Down Under in quite a while. Australia were without two of their head batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner, yet India beat a generally solid Australian group to catch the arrangement 2-1.
Steve Smith
Australia vs India 2018-19 meetup
Langer revealed what went wrong and how it cost Australia the series. “If I go back to that time (2018-19), we lost a toss at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) after winning the Perth Test match – lost the toss on possibly the flattest wicket I’ve seen in Test cricket… and they (India) bowled for nearly two days,” Langer was quoted as saying by The Age newspaper.
“And then we had to back it up and play at the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground) the next Test match on a pretty flat wicket as well.”
India won the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs before Australia roared back to level the series with a commanding 146-run win in Perth. India took back the lead with a 137-run win in Melbourne, where Mayank Agarwal made his Indian debut. The final Test in Sydney ended in a draw, allowing India to clinch the four-Test series 2-1.
India Test team
Justin Langer on Virat Kohli Absence
That said, Australia have a chance at regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and in the absence of Kohli, who will miss three of the four Tests, Langer sees an opening.
“Not making excuses, but it was tough going back then. India were on top of their game, they deserved to beat us for the first time in their history. But our guys are two years better and a lot of the Indians are the same, more experienced. I can’t wait to see them go. Can’t wait,” Langer added.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly points that Rohit Sharma is yet to completely recover from the hamstring injury he suffered in the recently-concluded IPL 2020.
Will Rohit play in the Australia tour – Ganguly explains
“Rohit is still 70 percent (fit). Why don’t you find out from Rohit himself? That is why he is still not picked from the ODIs and T20s down under. He has been added to the Test squad. Certain things are confidential on a board. Don’t need to tell everything, but things are going on,” Ganguly said in an interview to The Week magazine.
Australia released the schedule for the India tour to play 3 ODI, 3 T20I, and 4 Test match series against Australia. India’s aggressive opening batsman Rohit Sharma has been named in the Test squad after a lot of hurdles. His name has not included in ODI and T20I format though his name has added in the Test squad.
Rohit Sharma
“The BCCI Medical Team has been monitoring Rohit Sharma’s fitness and has briefed All-India Senior Selection Committee on the same. In consultation with Mr Sharma, it has been decided to rest him for the ODIs and T20Is in Australia to regain full fitness and he has been included in India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” the statement read.
Ganguly spells Saha’s Possibility to play
Ganguly further said in the interview that wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha will be fit to play the test series against Australia.
During the IPL 2020, many Indian players have faced physical injury which affected the squad very much. Varun Chakravarthy who has named for the first time in the Indian squad has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
Wriddhiman Saha
Followed by Ishant Sharma and Saha who plays the main role in the Indian Test squad are under the watch list to overcome their fitness tests.
“The BCCI trainers, physic, and Wridhi himself know that he has two hamstring issues. People don’t understand injuries, that is why they talk rubbish. Wridhi is travelling to Australia because he will be fit for Tests. He is not part of the shorter formats,” he said.
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan praises Hitman Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy after MI roped the IPL trophy for the fifth time. Irfan Pathan compares Rohit’s captaincy with that of legends Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni‘s.
Rohit lifted his fifth IPL trophy as Mumbai Indians captain after his team beat Delhi Capitals by 5 wickets in the final in Dubai on November 10.
Mumbai Indians lifts IPL 2020 trophy
Many cricket experts suggest Rohit Sharma should take over the charge in the shortest format from current India skipper Virat Kohli.
Irfan Pathan Praises Rohit Sharma
“The way he used Yadav showed his class. Any captain would have gone with a seamer. Rohit used his instinct. It showed how clear was his thinking. It showed that he’s a bowlers’ captain,” said Irfan Pathan.
“He is a mixture of Dhoni and Ganguly. Ganguly trusted his bowlers and went by it. Dhoni trusted his bowlers but always took decisions with an instinct.”
Irfan states this as he made his debut under Ganguly’s captaincy and played for a longer period under Dhoni’s captaincy.
Ganguly Dhoni
Pathan Explains Rohit’s tactics in IPL 2020 finals
Pathan went on to explain how Rohit changed his tactics during matches in IPL 2020 and how cleverly he used his options in different situations.
“One of the games was getting close, so he used Bumrah in the 17th over, though he usually uses Bumrah in the 18th. Bumrah brought the game back in MI’s favour.
“Look at the way he used Pollard, he didn’t make him bowl initially but when wicket had double pace he used Pollard,” Pathan analysed.
Rohit Sharma – Successful IPL player
Rohit is not only the most successful captain in the tournament but also the player with the most IPL trophies. He won his first IPL title under Adam Gilchrist’s captain with Deccan Chargers in 2009 and then went on to clinch the title as skipper of MI in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.Currently, Rohit Sharma travels along with the Indian cricket team to Australia to play in the Test series while given rest in T20I and ODI format. India has been scheduled to play 3 ODI, 3 T20I, and 4 Test matches against Australia. Rohit has appointed as the skipper for the Test team while Virat Kohli leaves for India to be with Anushka Sharma for their first baby.
