The consistency of India's bowlers throughout the tournament disguised the team's batting problems till they were exposed in the semi-final against Australia.
Should he bat at No 4? Or should he play the finisher's role at No 6?
Harish Kotian/Rediff.com's report card on India's three-ODI series in Bangladesh.
South Africa's worst fears were confirmed on Friday when premier fast bowler Dale Steyn was ruled out of the second Test match against India in Bangalore because of injury depleting their already-weakened bowling attack.
India's young batting stars Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan, who played alongside AB in this year's Indian Premier League, said it was like a dream come true for them to share the same dressing room with the South African, who is on the threshold of the unique landmark of 100 Test matches.
'The physio told me I might have a problem walking in the future because of the back injury and that I need to stop playing cricket.' 'But I was very keen that I kept playing.' 'I told him just get me pain free and I will make a comeback.' 'And I did exactly that.'
During Sandeep Patil's four-year tenure as chief selector, India continued to be dominant at home in Tests but struggled to win an away series outside Asia, except for the West Indies, as it suffered series losses in England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
'What is the use of conducting an inquiry?' 'The BCCI will ask them about leaving out Mithali, but they can get away saying it was the team management's decision.' 'I can tell you nothing will come out of this,' former Indian women's team coach Tushar Arothe tells Rediff.com's Harish Kotian.
'The one thing that a cricketer aspires for is earning the respect of the dressing room and that respect is earned only when any player puts his hand up in adverse conditions and does his job for the team.'
Harish Kotian/Rediff.com assesses the Indian side after the 2-1 series triumph in Sri Lanka.
After being overlooked for the 2019 World Cup, Rahane was dropped as Rajasthan Royals captain mid-way into the IPL following a string of low scores and the team's poor showing in the first few games.
Some teams have completely overhauled their squads. Others retained their core at the IPL Players Auction.
South Africa's coach Russell Domingo lists reasons for South Africa's batting collapse on Day 1 of the second Test against India in Bangalore on Saturday. Harish Kotian/Rediff.com listens in...
Should Mahendra Singh Dhoni step down as India's ODI captain following the series loss in Bangladesh? Harish Kotian speaks to former selectors get their views.
Ravindra Jadeja stole the show while Umesh Yadav bowled his heart out.
IPL-11 was a smashing success. Superstars like Kane Williamson, M S Dhoni, Rashid Khan shone. New stars like Rishabh Pant, Andrew Tye were born. Rediff.com/Harish Kotian draws up his dream team.
Featuring Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, V V S Laxman, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, Vinod Kambli...
It is not only Dhoni's batting, but also his regular inputs during a game to bowlers and fielders that should work in the veteran's favour when it comes to the 2019 World Cup.
'He is like a pillar and the whole team bats around him.' 'In today's world, everyone likes to play their strokes while Pujara is someone who will tire out the bowlers.' 'If you have one batsman who can play out the new ball or play out a spell from a good bowler, then it helps the whole team, it helps the other batsmen.'
If India can boast of Virat Kohli then the West Indies have a far more dangerous player in Chris Gayle, who has achieved a legendary status in T20 cricket with his ability to win matches on his own on a consistent basis.
IPL Season 10 saw the likes of Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana and Rashid Khan grab the spotlight. Let us check out what they did.
'Dhoni's skills are unbelievable and also his mindset, the way he thinks about the game.'
India's captain for the One-day series in Zimbabwe addressed the media prior to the team's departure. Harish Kotian/Rediff.com reports.
'When I was playing, the BCCI used to appoint the coach.' 'That was not the captain's prerogative, but now things have changed.'
'Playing with international stalwarts in the IPL makes a big, positive, difference.'
'The fitness parameters of the current Indian team are the best that it has ever been,' says the coach.
One needs to carefully tread the thin but solid line between the sublime & the ridiculous.
'Whatever the reforms the Supreme Court has approved for BCCI, it won't be possible to implement it all.'
The former opening batsman picked India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand as the four semi-finalists in the upcoming tournament Down Under.
'The main reason for having neutral venues for the Ranji Trophy is to make it more competitive and less affected by doctoring of wickets.' 'There is no reason why people shouldn't be able to see Virat Kohli playing a Ranji Trophy match at any location.'
'If you bowl a no ball and get a wicket off that no ball, then there is no one else to blame.'
'The batsmen need to spend a lot of time at the wicket and wait for the right opportunity to score.' 'The bowlers have to be patient and build the pressure to force the batsmen into making mistakes.'
Former New Zealand captain and Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming offers his take on India's Test debacle in England and suggests remedial measures. Harish Kotian reports.
'I was actually appointed captain for the West Indies tour (in 1971).' 'But Mr Vijay Merchant (the then chairman of the selectors) didn't like me nor did he like 'Tiger' Pataudi. He thought we were far too flamboyant.' 'He made Ajit Wadekar captain.'
'It has been a quick evolution.' 'That is because he saw the big names playing in the IPL and he played alongside them; that transformed him as a batsman.' 'I would say now he is perfect.'
'Sachin Paaji told me to enjoy the situation because this is a reward for all the hard work I have put in for so many years in domestic cricket. He told me not to take any pressure on myself, but to enjoy the moment because this will stay with me forever.' Ajinkya Rahane relives his Test debut and how he has become the Indian team's new Mr Dependable in this exclusive interview with Harish Kotian/Rediff.com
'We are No 1 in the world, we played like the No 1 team in the world.' 'It is not just about being No 1 for the season. Whatever matches we play in the future we want to maintain that.'
As he approaches what could be possibly the last phase, or the last few years, of an illustrious career, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a month shy of his 35th birthday, stressed that maintaining his fitness level to keep up with the demands of international cricket is priority.
Featuring India, the West Indies, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan.
