Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com looks at the lighter side of India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's drought of runs.
There are many interesting facts and stats about Dhoni's fabulous career.
'On paper he's not the captain. On the ground he's the captain for Virat I think'
Rajneesh Gupta's fascinating figures from the Kolkata Test.
Former India off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna on Friday took a dig at Virat Kohli and said if the current skipper feels he is the boss of Indian cricket then the team can do without a coach.
'I don't think he (Karthik) will be under pressure. First and foremost thing will be to give guidance to this group. He has got a lot of experienced players around him, particularly in overseas group, and there's the likes of Piyush Chawala, Vinay Kumar and Robin Uthappa.'
India gets new face in pace attack
India, along with the mighty Australia, will start as title contenders in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Gut feeling and a sense of timing has always marked Mahendra Singh Dhoni's decision making process in his illustrious captaincy stint and he once again showed that when he 'stumped' one and all with his decision to step down as skipper of India's limited overs team. No one knows whether Dhoni has read the poem 'Invictus' or watched Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman recite it in his deep baritone: "I am the Master of My fate, I am the Captain of My soul". The context of the poem may have been different but in spirit somewhere, Dhoni may find it eerily similar to his thought process leading up to the decision last night.
The skipper is one win away from equalling an Indian record.
Rajneesh Gupta highlights important numbers featuring the South African team from the World Cups.
Former England skipper Alastair Cook feels India's pace battery has variety and depth, something that they have lacked as a touring side all these years.
'Six of us were not talking during the World T20 in 2009 but we still managed to win the title.'
'The dressing room is a precinct that abounds with all the complexities that make up human nature -- and the unpredictable consequences that can emerge from interpersonal relationships. 'A cursory study of cricket history throws up interesting (and some hugely surprising) examples of conflict between players from the same team,' says Ayaz Memon
'You should keep your ego aside, whether you are coach or a player.'
The legend of Virat Kohli grew exponentially with his clinical decimation of rivals in a year during which the Indian women's team finally found love and acceptance in the cricket-crazy nation after an emotionally charged World Cup While 'King Kohli' geared up for a watershed next 18 months after nine straight Test series wins, mostly at home, the last six months witnessed Mithali Raj turn from women's cricket team captain into a brand.
- 'Time Indian cricket looked beyond Fletcher' - 'Their bowling has been pretty inconsistent'
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson feels that one can "learn a lot" by watching his contemporary Virat Kohli's stellar performances in the ongoing ICC World T20.
Anil Kumble, one of the most respected cricketers to have led the Indian team, says if he became the Test captain it was only because no one else was interested in doing the job.
The result in the first Test against Australia was expected, if one takes a look at India's recent, or overall, record overseas. What was unexpected, though, says Bikash Mohapatra, was the Virat Kohli-led side's change of attitude.
Taking the series 3-2 in Hambantota, 11th-ranked Zimbabwe registered its maiden series win in Sri Lanka, and first overseas triumph in eight years.
Rajneesh Gupta throws up all the numbers of how both teams have fared in Twenty20 Internationals.
'His drive to see the team succeed and his passion for the game are what you look for in a leader. He's ready for the role and will only continue to grow'
Wriddhiman Saha became the first Indian wicketkeeper to record two unbeaten fifty-plus scores (54 and 58) in a Test match. Check out the statistical highlights from the second match in Kolkata.
Following Rohit Sharma's fighting half-century, India finished the day on 227-8, taking a massive 339-run lead on Day 3 of the 2nd Test in Kolkata on Sunday. Here are the statistical highlights from the day's play.
New Zealand great Martin Crowe will be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Asked whether he could relate to any of the current generation cricketers, with whom, Anil Kumble instantly took Ashwin's name.
Statistical highlights from day one of the fourth cricket Test between India and England in Mumbai on Thursday. # Keaton Jennings became the third England batsman after Bryan Valentine and Alastair Cook and the eighth overall to register a hundred on Test debut in India. # Apart from the three England batsmen, two New Zealanders, Bruce Taylor and Kane Williamson, Australia's Michael Clarke, West Indian, Gordon Greenidge and South Africa's Alviro Petersen have accomplished the feat. # Jennings is the eighth England opener to post a hundred on Test debut.
Blaming their woeful performance to the 'transition phase', Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan said it is advantage India in the ongoing series and they would take couple of years to rebuild the team.
India has huge expectations from these champions. Rediff.com's Laxmi Negi and Norma Godinho glance at their chances at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
'Local legend has it the West Indians were plied with copious amounts of Ireland's favourite Guinness whisky the night before the match in 1969, though no one is willing to go on record about it!' says Gulu Ezekiel.
Tactical genius, uplifting leader, altruistic individual, a man with unwavering certitude. Dhruv Munjal recounts what made Mahendra Singh Dhoni a great captain.
'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.'
'When you saw him, you immediately knew that he was something special.'
Australia's three World Cup-winning captains are unified in their belief that under-fire skipper Michael Clarke is the right man to lead the team to a potential fifth tournament victory next March.
India's bench strength will be tested when a second string team takes on Zimbabwe.
Exiled England batsman Kevin Pietersen believes his former teammates can win the World Cup if they play with freedom even though their dreadful record in the last five tournaments suggests otherwise.
Former India captain Rahul Dravid believes that India's batting is heavily reliant on Virat Kohli in the middle overs.
Even as South Africa plot India's downfall with the help of Gary Kirsten and Mike Hussey, cricketing greats Sunil Gavaskar and Ian Chappell felt their presence would not make much of a difference to the Proteas' chances in their World Cup game against the holders.
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