'It's like sometimes you go to a top restaurant and order a dish, the food quantity might be less, but if the quality and taste is good, then it leaves a mark forever.' 'As far as my career is concerned, I think I delivered quality.' 'I last played for India in 2006, but even today when people meet me they remember Kaif as the best fielder who could take some amazing catches, get run outs and save runs on the field.'
The BCCI has named Akshay Wadkar as the replacement for wicket-keeper batsman Abhishek Gupta in the India Red squad for Duleep Trophy after realising their blunder of picking a player banned for a doping violation till September 14.
He has enjoyed prime form in first class cricket this season, but despite being excluded from the IPL auctions list, Jharkhand's Ishant Jaggi tells Rediff.com's Harish Kotian that he is mentally strong and will continue to perform. He also reckons that the auditions and the simulation tests conducted by the IPL franchises to identify players is not the right way to go about things.
Yuvraj Singh said Mahendra Singh Dhoni's presence is crucial for India's World Cup chances as he is a guiding force for current captain Virat Kohli and also plays an important role in decision-making.
Mayank Agarwal could likely to make his ODI debut as the first of the three-match ODI series kicks off in Chennai on Sunday. But all eyes will be trained on under-fire Pant who will have to work to prove his worth in the squad.
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan on Sunday said he never lost his swing, contrary to the general perception at that time, and added blaming then coach Greg Chappell for his downfall was a cover-up. Pathan, 35, announced his retirement on Saturday, saying "most players start their India career at 27-28 but I ended up playing my last game at that stage".
Fresh from his match-winning exploits against table-toppers Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils opener Shreyas Iyer says his Ranji experience acted as a confidence-booster for him in the Indian Premier League cricket tournament.
Axar Patel made it clear that he does not consider himself as a substitute of Ravindra Jadeja in the limited overs format and will 'automatically' get selected if he is doing well.
India's fastest bowler Varun Aaron has started his 10-day training programme under Australian legend Glenn McGrath at the MRF Pace Foundation as part of a tie-up between the BCCI and company.
'We need to respect our players. Our players are as good as anybody.'
Praising Kuldeep Yadav for his recent exploits in international cricket, India discard Suresh Raina said credit should be given to former head coach Anil Kumble for shaping the young spinner.
'When I entered the Indian team's dressing room, I discovered that there was a divide in the team, like a wall in between two groups of players, there were two teams within one.' 'It was all about individual glory and if the team won in the process great!' 'My entire Test career was about me wishing that my Indian team was more like the Pakistan team.'
Wednesday marked a special day for two members of the Indian cricket team who will be playing a crucial role in the upcoming series in West Indies. While it was the first day in office for legendary spinner Anil Kumble, who took charge as the head coach, it was also a moment to savour for young pacer Shardul Thakur. It was the Mumbai pacer's first outing with the Indian cricket team at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
"Virat has told the selectors that he needs some time to take a call on whether he will be playing the T20s or not. That's reason why they have not announced the T20 squad," a BCCI official, privy to selection matters, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
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.
India's bowling coach Bharath Arun made it clear on Tuesday that Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav are first choices for Test matches, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are the preferred option for the limited-overs' format.
India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said their 9-0 clean sweep in Sri Lanka will have no bearing in the return series and they remain focussed on maintaining the No. 1 spot in Tests.
Vijay Shankar had been hoping for a national call-up for a while now but his elevation in the India Test team came as a surprise to the Tamil Nadu all-rounder.
What impressed me right up front was the patience he showed towards a rookie reporter.
Well-rested and rejuvenated Mumbai Indians would seek to turn the tables on travel-weary Rajasthan Royals.
A career that almost always fell apart after promising to fall into place -- Ambati Rayudu will be remembered as someone who could not live up to his rare cricketing talent, undone by a mercurial demeanour that often led to run-ins with authorities. His cricketing journey ended abruptly on Wednesday after a heart-breaking and baffling World Cup snub.
The brothers' academy which has been named CAP (Cricket Academy of Pathans) will be launched initially in Baroda next month with around 50 more academies planned all across the country.
'I just want to keep learning and keep getting better.'
A new book on Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli, chronicles his life and relationships with his coach and teammates
'Australia will be a different proposition... the pitches will be completely different than England.'
Tamil Nadu mystery spinner Varun Chakravarathy was bought by Kings XI Punjab for a whopping Rs 8.4 crore, more than 40 times his base price.
'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.'
Former India coach John Wright feels the only way the current team can defend its World Cup title is by backing its exciting batting line-up with a much-improved bowling effort than what it has shown of late.
Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper-batsman Naman ojha is "not surprised" by his inclusion in India's 19-member Test squad for the tour of Australia. After all, he's been in his stupendous form with the bat in the past 12 months.
The money-spinning Indian Premier League has mulled a closed-door edition in a desperate bid to avoid cancellation as the deadly COVID-19 sent Indian sports into quarantine after a government directive for fans to be kept away from all action to prevent the pandemic from spreading.
Markande (5 for 31) spun a web around the visitors to bowl them out for 180 in the second innings on the third day of the four-day match.
India pacer Jasprit Bumrah says the zeal to learn something new with each game has helped him survive in international cricket.
Pint-sized Kedar Jadhav's power-packed 65-ball 100 might have earned him the sobriquet of 'Pocket Dynamite' but former national selector Surendra Bhave revealed how a hard-core vegetarian added power to his small frame by switching to chicken.
Against a quality side like Australia, the performers at the domestic level will get a chance to test themselves against the likes of Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc if Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann decide to give them a few overs.
'When you saw him, you immediately knew that he was something special.'
Vijay Patil, has appealed to incumbent MCA and NCP chief Sharad Pawar to withdraw from the contest.
Veteran left-arm spinner Murali Kartik retired from competitive cricket having played eight Tests and 37 ODIs for India between 1999 and 2007 taking 24 and 37 wickets respectively.
Without mentioning any individual names, former India captain and Rajasthan Royals' mentor Rahul Dravid on Thursday came out in full support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's move to eradicate bowling with illegal actions from the Indian Premier League.
Proud of seeing Jammu and Kashimir cricket getting noticed after its historic victory over Mumbai in their opening match of the Ranji Trophy, former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi said the team from the Valley boasts of many a talented player and singled out Perveez Rasool for a World Cup berth.
'I was not thinking about it as my first game, I was just thinking that it's another game and it just happened.'