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“Whatever You Put, It Leaks”: Former India Cricketer On Pakistan Cricket After Gary Kirsten Leaks

admin — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 05:30:08 +0000

Pakistan’s group stage exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup has created a meltdown among several former cricketers and experts. But none have been as telling as the revelation from Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten about a lack of unity within the current Pakistan unit. Led by Babar Azam – who regained captaincy from Shaheen Afridi prior to the T20 World Cup – Pakistan crashed out after losses to USA and India. With rumours of groupism within the team, and following Gary Kirsten’s leaked outburst, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has made a witty comment about the situation.

“It worked like ghee on fire,” quipped Aakash Chopra, talking about the fact that anything can get leaked in the Pakistani media, and that it is very difficult to keep secrets after a poor tournament.

“Gary Kirsten has probably said that he didn’t say anything like that but Pakistan cricket is like a strainer. Whatever you put, it leaks from the other end,” Chopra said.

Kirsten – a World Cup-winning coach with Pakistan’s arch-rivals India in 2011 – had reportedly said that the lack of unity within the Pakistan team is something he’d never seen the like of.

“There’s no unity in Pakistan’s team. They call it a team, but it isn’t a team. They aren’t supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I’ve worked with many teams, but I’ve never seen such a situation,” Kirsten had reportedly said, in a leak by Geo News.

Despite Kirsten denying that he had made these statements, the possibility of Kirsten’s complaints being leaked paints a poor image of Pakistan’s media at a time when the cricket team is struggling for support.

“When a private conversation within a dressing room is leaked… it exposes the insecurity within,” tweeted reputed journalist Harsha Bhogle.

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh – a part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team under Kirsten – asked his former coach to come back to the Men In Blue.

“Don’t waste your time there Gary, come back to coach Team INDIA,” Harbhajan posted on X.

When a private conversation within a dressing room is leaked, with a few embellishments I am sure, it exposes the insecurity within. It will be a learning curve for Gary Kirsten but he is a good man and Pakistan will do well to seek the benefits of his knowledge. When he was with…

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 17, 2024

Don’t waste ur time there Gary .. Come back to Coach Team INDIA .. Gary Kirsten One of the rare .. A Great Coach ,Mentor, Honest nd very dear friend to all in the our 2011 Team .. our winning coach of 2011 worldcup . Special man Gary @Gary_Kirsten https://t.co/q2vAZQbWC4

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 17, 2024

India continue their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign with their first Super 8 clash against Afghanistan on June 20.

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‘Parting Ways With Rohit Sharma And…’: Ex-India Star On 2 Players Mumbai Indians Might Release

admin — Fri, 31 May 2024 13:23:20 +0000

Aakash Chopra feels Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan might not play for MI next season.© BCCI

Former India batter Aakash Chopra feels star batter Rohit Sharma and young wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan might not play for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). There has been an uncertainity over Rohit’s future at MI ever since he was relieved of his captaincy duties by franchise. MI appointed Hardik as captain for IPL 2024 but the five-time champions endured a disastrous season, finishing at the bottom of the 10-team points table. Sharing his views on MI’s possible strategy for IPL 2025 mega auction, Chopra suggested that Rohit might’ve played his last game for the franchise.

He also added that keeper-batter Kishan might be released by the team due to his price tag. However, he suggested that MI might use the ‘Right to Match’ card on Kishan if needed.

“I think they will let Ishan Kishan go. They might use the ‘Right to Match’ card because 15.5 crores is just too much money. I don’t think Ishan will be retained,” the ex India cricketer said on his YouTube channel.

“I think Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the Mumbai Indians, whether he doesn’t want to be retained or the franchise lets him go,” he added.

“Either way, I see them parting ways. I don’t think you will be seeing Rohit Sharma in the Mumbai Indians jersey again. That’s just my understanding. I might be wrong but I feel, either which way, Rohit Sharma will not be playing for the Mumbai Indians when you start the next season,” he further explained.

The next assignment for Rohit will be to lead the Indian cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. India will face Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5.

Hardik’s inclusion in the squad was a matter of discussion among experts but the selectors decided to show trust in the all-rounder as he was appointed the vice-captain.

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‘Over Of The Tournament’: Aakash Chopra’s Special Praise For Mohammed Shami

admin — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:43:18 +0000

India commentator and former cricketer Aakash Chopra hailed Mohammed Shami’s spell to England all-rounder Ben Stokes in India’s 100-run victory over the defending champions in the ongoing World Cup. All ten deliveries that Stokes faced came from Shami, the recent returnee to the ODI format finally succumbed to a 10-ball duck after a sensational battle between the bat and the ball. The 8th over was the one that marked the end of Stokes. Shami sticking to a line swung the ball away from the left-hander and on the final ball he went full and straight. A frustrated Stokes tried to go for a shot but ball came in sharply missing Stokes’s bat and sending the bails flying in the air.

Hosting JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI,’ Aakash Chopra believes that Mohammed Shami’s over to Ben Stokes was the ‘Over of the tournament’.

“Considering India put up a total of just 229 – it was bound to make one concerned. We also had to take into account dew being a major factor later on. But the way the Indian pacers bowled, was impeccable to see. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami taking early and important wickets really put them on the back foot. For me, Shami’s over – when he bowled round the stumps to Ben Stokes was the ‘Over of the tournament’. Overall, the bowling unit worked in tandem and absolutely dismantled England’s batting order,” Chopra said.

Chopra further spoke about Rohit Sharma and the rest of the batting order’s performance against England.

“Rohit Sharma, yet again, led from the front and I still don’t know why he isn’t celebrated enough. It’s hard to sustain your innings when you keep on losing wickets on the other end. But he played a very important knock. Suryakumar Yadav came in and helped stabilize the innings along with KL Rahul, who was looking in good touch as well, but a poor shot cost him his wicket.”

India will face Sri Lanka on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium hoping to extend their win streak to seven.

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“DJ Ko Keh Kar…”: Ex-India Star Trolls Pakistan After Horrible Bowling Display In Cricket World Cup 2023

admin — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 12:44:54 +0000

Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra took a dig at Pakistan after a lack of disciplined bowling and couple of missed catches resulted in the Babar Azam-led side allowing Australia to grab control in their Cricket World Cup 2023 match on Friday. Australian openers David Warner and Mitchell Marsh both slammed centuries and stitched together a brilliant 259-run partnership for the first wicket as Pakistan toiled in the Bangalore heat. Chopra took to social media to say that the DJ at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore should play the song ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ in order to motivate them.

The comment came in connection to Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur‘s comments following their loss against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Arthur complained about the lack of support for Pakistan and also pointed out that ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ – the unofficial anthem for the Pakistan cricket team was not played enough at the venue during the much-anticipated match.

“Koi DJ ko keh kar ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ bajwa do at The Chinnaswamy. Pakistan desperately needs a wicket. It’s a flat track alright but this is fast moving towards 375+ score,” he posted on X (formerly called Twitter).

Koi DJ ko keh kar ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ bajwa do at The Chinnaswamy. Pakistan desperately needs a wicket. It’s a flat track alright but this is fast moving towards 375+ score. #CWC23 #PakvAus

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 20, 2023

Warner was dropped by Usama Mir off Shaheen Shah Afridi when he had made just 10.

In a brutal assault, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf conceded 24 runs in one over.

Highest partnerships in World Cups (any wicket)

372 – Chris Gayle & Marlon Samuels (WI) vs ZIM, Canberra, 2015

318 – Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid (IND) vs SL, Taunton, 1999

282 – Tillakaratne Dilshan & Upul Tharanga (SL) vs ZIM, Pallekele, 2011

273* – Devon Conway & Rachin Ravindra (NZ) vs ENG, Ahmedabad, 2023

260 – David Warner & Steve Smith (AUS) vs AFG, Perth, 2015

259 – Mitchell Marsh & David Warner (AUS) vs PAK, Bengaluru, 2023

Pakistan made one change from the team defeated by India with Mir coming in for fellow leg spinner Shadab Khan.

Australia are unchanged following their win against Sri Lanka, their first in the tournament after two opening losses.

Pakistan have two wins and one defeat.

(With AFP inputs)

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“Entire Story Not In 20-30 Seconds Clip”: Ex-India Star On Viral Mohammad Rizwan Video

admin — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:21:44 +0000

The India vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup 2023 clash in Ahmedabad saw Rohit Sharma‘s men secure a comprehensive 7-wicket win over their arch-rivals. While it was India’s proficient all-round display that earned them a deserved win, there’s plenty of buzz on social media over non-cricketing reasons as well. After videos of people raising ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogans as Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan walked to the dugout went viral, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra shared his take on the matter.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra asked why it was just one person who was targeted by fans. The former India opening batter suggested that a 20 or 30-second clip can’t paint the entire picture.

India is renowned for its sportsmanship and hospitality. However, the treatment meted out to Pakistan players at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is unacceptable and a new low. Sports should be a unifying force between countries, fostering true brotherhood. Using it as a tool… pic.twitter.com/MJnPJsERyK

— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) October 14, 2023

“If you are getting a certain kind of behaviour if you have a problem although no one has said anything, only Mickey Arthur said, I haven’t heard any Pakistan player speaking, but if anyone among them speaks, you might need to look slightly within that why it happened with only one guy. Why did it not happen with the others?”, he said.

“The entire story is not there in 20 or 30-second clips. India is an extremely inclusive country and we treat everyone with love and a lot of people will stand witness to that. If someone has an agenda, they can peddle it.”

Chopra further delved into the narratives of social media, saying what one or two clips suggested can’t be the story of the entire stadium. It might not even be true.

“What you see is not always the entire truth and it’s more than half the time not the truth on social media. If you see one or two clips and you feel that’s what has happened with everyone, it’s not necessary that’s the truth,” he further said.

Chopra also explained that while a video of people targeting Rizwan went viral, Afghanistan players like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, etc. received massive support from Indian players at different venues.

India posted a comfortable 7-wicket win against Pakistan Saturday, in its eight straight win against the neighbouring country in the World Cup.

The Pakistan team’s visit to the World Cup and the grand welcome it has received in Hyderabad and Ahmedabad has drawn mixed responses. Many cricket fans have said political differences should not be allowed to ruin the game. Others have pointed to Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism and questioned how normal sports relations can be maintained despite tension on the borders.

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Cricket World Cup 2023: “DJ Wale Babu…” – Ex-India Star’s Blunt Reply To Pakistan Team Director Micky Arthur’s ‘BCCI Event’ Comment

admin — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 07:57:57 +0000

India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in Cricket World Cup 2023© AFP

Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra was not pleased with Pakistan team director Micky Arthur’s comments regarding the Cricket World Cup 2023 match between the two sides being a “BCCI event” rather than an “ICC event”. Arthur said that the Pakistan cricket team did not enjoy any kind of support at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and even complained about their unofficial team anthem – “Dil Dil Pakistan” – not playing at any point of time. Chopra took a jibe at the statements saying that a song cannot be an excuse as the Babar Azam-led side was defeated comprehensively.

“DJ wale babu mera gana baja do…I mean seriously???? Did we hear Sri Lanka complain about the fact that the Hyderabad crowd was chanting ‘Pakistan Jeetega’?? I’ll be genuinely surprised if the DJ at Narendra Modi Stadium played ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ even once today,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

DJ wale babu mera gana baja do…I mean seriously????

Did we hear Sri Lanka complain about the fact that the Hyderabad crowd was chanting ‘Pakistan Jeetega’??

I’ll be genuinely surprised if the DJ at Narendra Modi Stadium played ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ even once today. https://t.co/Nt6yM8Otme

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 14, 2023

Earlier, Arthur expressed his displeasure regarding the organisation of the India vs Pakistan match.

“Look, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t. It didn’t seem like an ICC event to be brutally honest. It seemed like a bilateral series; it seemed like a BCCI event. I didn’t hear ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ coming through the microphones too often tonight.”

Arthur, however, said that the lack of support in the crowd could not be used an excuse for the team’s heavy loss to India.

“So yes, that does play a role, but I’m not going to use that as an excuse because for us it was about living the moment, it was about the next ball and it was about how we were going to combat the Indian, the Indian players tonight,” he added.

‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ is a popular song sung by famous group Vital Signs fronted by late Junaid Jamshed. It is like a second anthem that blares from loudspeakers at all ICC events.

Pakistan were defeated by seven wickets in the much-anticipated clash against India.

(With PTI inputs)

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“Why KL Rahul All The Time…”: Ex-India Opener Name-Drops ‘Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’ To Drill Home Point Over World Cup 2023 Selection Debate

admin — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:27:23 +0000

The ex-India opener pointed out that KL Rahul is a flexible player who can fill multiple roles.© AFP

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has opened up on the Rohit Sharma-led side’s fascination over KL Rahul, who hasn’t been in the best of forms so far this year. Rahul, who missed the two group matches of the Asia Cup, is likely to be back for the Super 4 game against Pakistan on Sunday. He is also included in India’s 15-man preliminary squad for the World Cup on home soil, starting October 5. However, several current and former players suggested that India should continue to back the in-form players, instead of Rahul, who has been out of action for a while.

Chopra pointed out that Rahul is a flexible player, who can vat at different positions and can also keep the wickets, which makes his one of the first names in the playing XI.

“It has been a topic of intense debate that why KL Rahul all the time – why does the Indian team remain so interested? Although he is an opener, he is among the very few versatile cricketers who can bat in other positions and are equally adept,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

To further back his claim, Chopra gave the examples of star batter Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are unlikely to change their batting slots.

“You can take it with a pinch of salt, if you may, you will not ask Rohit Sharma to play at No. 5. You have less expectation of Virat Kohli performing very well at No. 5. Although both of them have done it in the past, now the best of them is at the top. You won’t ask Shubman Gill to play at No. 5. In fact, you are slightly 50-50 in playing Ishan Kishan as well at No. 5 because he won’t get to bat in the first 10 overs every time and what will happen if spin comes straightaway at the start. What happens if the pitch is slightly slow? So those questions are still on your mind,” Chopra explained.

Rahul was seen practising in the the nets ahead of the game against Pakistan on Sunday. It will be interesting to see whether or not he’ll be shipped straight into the playing XI.

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“There Is A Lack Of…”: Ex-India Star Suggests Two Changes To Cricket World Cup 2023 Squad

admin — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 18:06:38 +0000

World Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma (L) and Ajit Agarkar© AFP

Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra praised the Cricket World Cup 2023 squad but suggested two possible changes. In the latest video on his YouTube channel, Chopra analysed the 15-member squad and said that he would have picked veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal over Axar Patel and young batter Tilak Varma over Suryakumar Yadav. India went with three left-arm spinners – Axar, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav – but Chopra believes that Chahal would have been a solid option. Tilak was part of the Asia Cup 2023 squad but missed out on selection for the World Cup.

“The squad is good, but, I feel, there’s a lack of an extra wrist-spin option and perhaps an off-spin option. If I was given this squad, I would have picked Chahal over Axar Patel and possibly Tilak Varma over Suryakumar Yadav. But can criticize till 24 hours. After that it is our team, and we will back it.”

The Indian cricket team currently has only two left-handed batters in Ravindra Jadeja and Ishan Kishan in the middle order. Chopra believes that Tilak should have been selected in order to provide India with a more balanced batting attack and the youngster would have also provided an off-spin option.

“Only two of Ishan, Shreyas, and KL Rahul can play. So one of them as well as Surya have to sit out anyway. But I feel what if someday you’re up against an opponent having 3-4 left-handers in their line-up. You would have then loved to have an off-spin option which Tilak could have provided,” he explained.

India will play their opening match of Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia on October 8.

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On Asia Cup Clash With Pakistan, Ex-India Star Asks Team 5 Questions

admin — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:26:30 +0000

Ishan Kishan (L) and Shubman Gill© AFP

India take on Pakistan in their first match of Asia Cup 2023 on September 2 and head coach Rahul Dravid confirmed on Tuesday that KL Rahul will miss the first two games of the competition due to injury. Rahul was widely being considered as one of the major contenders for the No. 4 slot and his absence can result in some major changes in the batting order. Former Indian cricket team opener Aakash Chopra took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to discuss the various options that the team management can opt for against Pakistan including a couple of drastic decisions.

“KLR unavailable for the first two games. Opens up a host of discussion points…does Ishan open? If yes, where will Shubman bat? Or Rohit-Gill-Ishan bat 1-2-3 and then Kohli bats at 4? Or Rohit-Gill open…Kohli at 3 and Ishan at 5? Or Gill gets benched and Tilak/SKY bat at 5?,” Chopra posted.

KLR unavailable for the first two games. Opens up a host of discussion points…does Ishan open? If yes, where will Shubman bat? Or Rohit-Gill-Ishan bat 1-2-3 and then Kohli bats at 4? Or Rohit-Gill open…Kohli at 3 and Ishan at 5? Or Gill gets benched and Tilak/SKY bat at 5?…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 29, 2023

With Rahul out of contention, Ishan Kishan is expected to play as the wicket-keeper and that complicates matters for the team management.

The youngster had a good outing as opener against West Indies and if he is selected as Rohit Sharma‘s partner at the top of the innings, that will mean Shubman Gill potentially missing out or playing the No. 3 role. Kohli can play at No. 4 with No. 5 being a toss-up between Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma.

However, it is more likely that Kishan will play at No. 5 with Rohit and Gill opening the innings and Kohli keeping his No. 3 position. The No. 4 position can also go to the returning Shreyas Iyer.

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