West Indies captain Darren Sammy believes that starting as underdogs against favourites India in the Thursday's ICC World T20 semi-final, in Mumbai, could prove to be beneficial for his team, as the hosts will be under a lot of pressure to win at all costs in front of home fans.
There was a leadership crisis in the Board of Control for Cricket in India following the passing away of former chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, forcing the wise men in control of the all-powerful sports body to get into a huddle and recall Shashank Manohar to helm the Board yet again, four years after he had finished off his first term.
Opener Faiz Fazal led Rest of India's dominating display with the bat as the visitors chased down a record target of 480 against Mumbai to win the Irani Trophy. Half-centuries from Karun Nair (92), Sudeep Chatterjee (54), Stuart Binny (54) and Sheldon Jackson (59) powered Rest of India to an unlikely-five wicket victory against Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai, on Day 5, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Fazal top-scored for the visitors as he scored 127 but Nair fell for 92, the second time he was dismissed in the 90s in the match. Bengal's Chatterjee played a steady innings of 54 before Binny provided the late boost as he smashed 54 from 51 balls. Saurashtra's Jackson carried his team home as he finished unbeaten on 59. For Mumbai, left-arm Iqbal Abdulla claimed five wickets for 154 in 42.4 overs but was still unable to prevent the visitors from chasing down the highest total in the history of the Irani Trophy.
'IPL is huge; I like the money in it.'
Despite a poor run in domestic cricket the dashing opener believes he is in contention for a place among India's 30 probables for next year's World Cup.
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan says the death of Australian batsman Phil Hughes may have come as a big shock, but fast bowlers never use bouncers to deliberately hurt anyone.
India skipper Virat Kohli lauds his third spinner, who made most of the little opportunity he got in the third Test against South Africa. Harish Kotian/Rediff.com listens.
Dr KN Lokesh basks in the joy of his son Lokesh being named in India's Test squad for the tour of Australia in conversation with Rediff.com's Harish Kotian.
Sachin Tendulkar broke every possible cricket record during his playing days, but the only blot in his long and illustrious career was his failure as India captain. He had two stints of captaincy, in 1996 and 1999, but on both occasions was forced to give it up after the team fared poorly under his leadership. The batting icon reveals that the real reason behind giving up the captaincy was because it started to affect his personal life.
Sachin Tendulkar's autobiography, Playing It My Way, may have generated controversy over an incident involving former India coach Greg Chappell, but the batting legend insists that his only main aim was to bring out the truth.
The Indian cricket team went from strength to strength in 2019, especially in Test cricket where they are rightly perched at the top. They went unbeaten in Test cricket in 2019 which included winning their first-ever series in Australia, after which they registered three successive whitewashes against West Indies, South Africa and Bangladesh.
These athletes made India proud four years ago.
Former Sri Lanka spin sensation Muttiah Muralitharan discusses the BCCI's clampdown on suspect bowling actions and his role as bowling coach and mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad with Harish Kotian/Rediff.com
As Virender Sehwag called time on his international career, Harbhajan Singh recalls the memories of playing alongside the swashbuckling right-hander, whom he met a long time ago during the Under-16 days and has been good friends since then.
Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar relives Virender Sehwag's magnificent century on his Test debut in 2001 and what made him such a difficult batsman to bowl at.
Commonwealth and Asian Games champion shooter Jitu Rai talks to Harish Kotian about his journey from a farmer in a remote village in Nepal to the Indian army to emerging one of world's best shooters.
Australia's batting sensation Steven Smith tells Harish Kotian switching over from the Test and One-day mode to T20 will not be a problem for him in the upcoming eighth edition of the IPL.
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.
'He is the biggest match-winner India has ever produced, not only in India, but in world cricket.' 'He has been a great mentor for many players, including me.'
Shreyas Iyer, whose swagger is taking batting to the next level, tells Rediff.com that when he gets the opportunity to don India colours he will make it count.
Featuring Yusuf Pathan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis, Ashish Nehra.
Arsenal legends Ray Parlour and Sol Campbell says while it might be difficult for the Gunners to recreate the unbeaten season of 2003-04 they could certainly challenge for the title in the coming season provided the club signs up a couple of good players this season.
The modern day cricket has 'tilted too far in the batsman's favour' according to the Marylebone Cricket Club's World Cricket Committee and its no surprise that they have come down hard on limiting the sizes and edges of cricket bats.
the BJP have offered support to Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, who is contesting for the post of president on behalf of the Pawar-Bal Mahaddalkar group, while the Shiv Sena is firmly behind the 'Cricket First' group, headed by Vijay Patil, son of Congressman D Y Patil.
He has been in and out of the team for some time now but Manoj Tiwary is hopeful that his consistent performances in domestic cricket will help him get a longer rope with the Indian team.
Featuring Gayle, Kohli, Root, Dilshan and Butler.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson believes India, with several match winners in their squad and the advantage of playing in home conditions, are definitely one the favourites at the World T20.
'Dhoni's skills are unbelievable and also his mindset, the way he thinks about the game.'
Should he bat at No 4? Or should he play the finisher's role at No 6?
'It is not just about one skill anymore, so everyone needs to contribute with whatever they can.' 'It certainly puts the opposition on the defensive when you know that all eleven can bat.'
'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.'
Sania Mirza recently added a mixed doubles gold from the Asian Games to her three Grand Slam titles in the same category, and is ranked world No. 7 in doubles. However, Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj says he would have loved to see her do well in singles and fulfil her true potential.
'As a cricketer I don't believe that anyone is a specific player for T20s, ODIs or Test cricket.' 'As a player you need to react and play according to situations.'
'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.'
Ravindra Jadeja stole the show while Umesh Yadav bowled his heart out.
'The BCCI is one of the best administrative bodies in the world.' 'In a democratic set-up there will always be a power struggle, that is part of every society or every association, but it does not mean we have done something bad.' 'We have done everything possible we could for the game.'
Rajneesh Gupta picks the overseas stars at Monday's IPL Players auction.
Right now, our mindset is very similar, to go out there and enjoy our cricket, which we have done in the past few years, says Kohli at a press conference before the defending champions' departure to England for the Champions Trophy. Rediff.com's Harish Kotian listens in as the young Indian captain speaks.
Despite all the controversies, the IPL's brand value hasn't diminished. Instead, says Harish Kotian/Rediff.com, the IPL made the BCCI richer by over Rs 3 billion!
