Mumbai, July 22 – Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has heaped praise on young batsman and current team leader Shubman Gill, drawing comparisons between Gill’s calm leadership style and that of Ajit Wadekar, Kapil Dev, and Rahul Dravid—three Indian captains who led India to historic Test series victories in England.

Gavaskar emphasized that what set Wadekar, Kapil, and Dravid apart was their composed and steady leadership on English soil, a quality he believes Gill embodies as well. He noted that India has won a Test series in England only thrice—in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar, in 1986 under Kapil Dev, and in 2007 under Rahul Dravid.

“Shubman reminded me of the composure and calmness that Wadekar, Kapil, and Dravid displayed during their famous victories in England. He showed similar traits in Birmingham, where India registered an impressive win,” Gavaskar said, referring to the second Test of the ongoing series.

Despite trailing 1-2 in the five-match Test series against England, Gavaskar praised the overall performance of the Indian team. In the opening Test at Leeds, India made headlines by scoring five centuries in a single match—yet ended up losing due to England’s strong comeback.

India bounced back in the second Test at Edgbaston, securing a massive 336-run victory. However, the third Test proved to be a close contest where a few critical errors cost India the match, despite another spirited performance.

Gavaskar’s endorsement of Shubman Gill as a poised leader with the potential to join the ranks of India’s legendary captains adds weight to Gill’s growing stature in the cricketing world.

New Delhi, March 7 – Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has emphasized that Indian captain Rohit Sharma should not be content with scoring 25-30 runs and should instead focus on playing longer innings. Gavaskar believes that Rohit’s presence at the crease can significantly influence the outcome of a match for India.

As per agency reports, Gavaskar highlighted that if Rohit bats for at least 25 overs, India could comfortably reach a score of around 180-200 runs. He pointed out that with just two wickets down at that stage, the team could potentially push the total beyond 350. While playing aggressively is important, Gavaskar advised that Rohit should exercise some restraint to extend his innings, as his ability to stay at the crease could prove to be a match-winning factor.

Rohit has had a mixed run in the ongoing tournament, scoring 20, 15, and 28 against Pakistan, New Zealand, and Australia, respectively. Gavaskar questioned whether a batsman of Rohit’s caliber should be satisfied with such scores, urging him to stay at the crease for at least 25 overs rather than just the first seven to nine overs. He believes this approach would have a significant impact on the team’s performance.

India and New Zealand, who last faced each other in the Group A stage in Dubai, are set to meet again in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday. Meanwhile, former England captain Nasser Hussain has backed New Zealand for victory, praising the team’s resilience under pressure. He remarked that New Zealand is a side that does not succumb to pressure situations and will likely deliver a strong performance in the final.

Mumbai, March 3: Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s decision to not send the Indian team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing security concerns. Gavaskar remarked that the recent incidents in the tournament have clearly demonstrated why India was not allowed to travel to Pakistan.

As per agency report, the BCCI had refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan due to safety concerns, leading to India playing its matches in Dubai, while other teams continued to compete in Pakistan. Gavaskar highlighted that the security lapses during the tournament further justified this decision. He pointed out that in two separate matches, spectators managed to breach security and invade the field while play was ongoing.

Referring to the Bangladesh vs. New Zealand match, he noted that a spectator ran onto the field and grabbed New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra. A similar incident occurred during the Afghanistan vs. England match, where an intruder managed to reach the players. According to Gavaskar, such breaches would have made it impossible for any government to approve India’s participation in Pakistan under the current circumstances.

When asked about the possibility of an India-Pakistan bilateral series, Gavaskar stated that such a contest would only be feasible if peace is restored along the border between the two nations. He emphasized that political stability is essential before discussions regarding cricketing ties can even begin, stating that if peace prevails at the border, both governments may consider initiating dialogue.

Brisbane, December 12 – Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar believes that after their commanding 10-wicket win in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, Australia will head into the third Test against India at the Gabba on Saturday with momentum firmly on their side.

Following a crushing 295-run loss in the series opener in Perth, Australia leveled the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy at 1-1 with their dominant performance in Adelaide.

Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar said, "The rhythm India gained in Perth has been lost during the 10-day break. Now, the momentum is with Australia because they won the Test match."

He added, "Playing at the Gabba just days after their victory in Adelaide means that Australia will carry that rhythm into the next match."

Harbhajan Singh Emphasizes Gabba as Crucial for India's Campaign

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that India should aim to play their best cricket at the Gabba before heading to more favorable venues like Sydney and Melbourne.

“I think India’s best chances will be in Sydney and Melbourne,” Harbhajan said. “But if they manage to bring their A-game to the Gabba and secure a win, they could definitely win one of the matches in Melbourne or Sydney.”

Despite India’s heavy defeat in Adelaide, Harbhajan remains optimistic about the team’s ability to bounce back.

"The fact that the series is level after two matches shows that both teams have the ability to turn things around," he said. "Australia has fought back, and now it’s perhaps India’s turn to shift the momentum."

Loss of Momentum Between Tests

Harbhajan, who has 711 international wickets to his name, agreed with Gavaskar that the extended break between the first two Tests may have disrupted India's rhythm. He emphasized the need for India to regain their focus and intensity to challenge Australia on their home turf.

The third Test at the Gabba is poised to be a pivotal clash as both teams vie for supremacy in the closely contested Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Visakhapatnam, Feb 2 (IANS) Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar left the commentary duty during the second Test match between India and England after his mother-in-law Pushpa Mehrotra passed away.

Gavaskar on Friday afternoon flew to Kanpur to be with his wife, Marshneil Gavaskar, and their family, India Today reports.

Gavaskar, who played 125 Tests and scored 10,122 runs and 3092 runs in 108 ODIs, has taken up multiple roles in cricket administration after his retirement. He had also served as interim BCCI president in the past.

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has acknowledged Shivam Dube's exceptional form, stating that the all-rounder was not merely a backup for Hardik Pandya but a contender actively working to secure his spot in the T20 World Cup squad.

Shivam Dube's meteoric rise in the T20I series against Afghanistan not only secured victories for India but also positioned him as a formidable contender for the T20 World Cup 2024. As Hardik Pandya's fitness remained a concern, Dube's consistent and impactful performances became the focal point of discussions among cricket enthusiasts and experts.

Gavaskar emphasized that Dube's performances were making it challenging for selectors to consider dropping him, even if Pandya were fit.

“We have been talking about him as, ‘Oh, listen, what if Hardik is unfit?’, I think what he is doing is making sure that even if Hardik is fit, he is on that plane in that World Cup squad. If you put in performances like this, it is very hard for anyone to drop you. It is going to be a really tough decision for the selectors if they decide to drop him. He is doing all that he can, which is giving the selectors a headache," said Gavaskar.

In Mohali, Dube's unbeaten 60-run knock not only displayed his batting prowess but also highlighted his contribution with the ball, securing a six-wicket win for India. His impressive figures of 1-9 in two overs showcased his versatility. The momentum continued in Indore, where Dube's explosive 63 not out off 32 deliveries propelled India to a commanding series lead of 2-0.

The cricket maestro went on to praise Dube's newfound confidence at the international level, noting that the all-rounder had earned the respect of his teammates. Gavaskar observed that Dube now understood his game better and had moved past imitating others, focusing on showcasing his unique skills and strengths.

After these two games, I think he now feels that he belongs at the international level. He has got the appreciation and respect of his teammates because he put in two absolutely wonderful performances."

"I think he is just a lot more comfortable about his own game. He knows his own game better. He is not trying to copy anyone now. He is saying, This is what I can do and what I bring to the table,” said Gavaskar.

As the cricketing world eagerly awaited the T20 World Cup squad announcement, Dube's story had evolved from being a potential replacement to a player who had carved his own niche, leaving selectors with a delightful dilemma.

Muddenahalli, Jan 12 (IANS) A cause which shall lift the spirit of humanity, the ‘One World One Family Cup’ will witness the convergence of legends from the cricketing world on January 18 at Sathya Sai Grama, here.

Organised by the Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission, which is based on the philosophy of ‘one world one family’ that works tirelessly for the cause of nutrition, education, and healthcare for the needy across 30+ countries, this friendly cricket match is all set to exude the power of unity, the strength of a shared humanity, and the feeling of a collective social responsibility.

The day presided over by Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coals and Mines, will also mark the inauguration of the cricket stadium at Sathya Sai Grama – Sai Krishnan Cricket Stadium.

Bharat Ratna awardee Sachin Tendulkar and Padma Shri awardee Yuvraj Singh will be captains of the two teams.

From Harbhajan Singh to Muthaiah Muralitharan, from Irfan Pathan to Chaminda Vaas, from pace bowlers like RP Singh to left-arm spin bowlers like Monty Panesar, from Danny Morrison to Venkatesh Prasad, and many more from seven nations, their participation at the ‘One World One Family Cup’ will serve as a testimony and commitment to being an advocate for meaningful change. Each of them known for their remarkable achievements and success stories, have brought rich laurels to their countries.

The stadium which is a five-petaled sports arena consisting of 3,500 seats across four galleries, and a centre stage, will welcome its first set of players ever who will unite through the spirit of cricket and be part of a global family to spread awareness about embracing all as one world family – vasudhaiva kutumbakam.

One of the most exciting facets is also that few players from the unforgettable 1983 Cricket World Cup team will be present to witness the friendship match and show their solidarity towards the cause of ‘One World One Family.’

Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who batted 34 centuries for India, continues to bat even today; but this time for the cause of needy individuals who are being served by the Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission, and this innings he calls it “the best innings in his life”.

“Cricket is more than just a sport; it is a powerful platform that unites people from all walks of life. Over the years, I have witnessed the immense power of sports to bring people together and make a positive impact on society. This unique friendship match aims to leverage the popularity of cricket to draw attention to the pressing issues faced by the underprivileged of our society, and the great work being done by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai in the spirit of One World One Family – vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam,” said Gavaskar.

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes having the senior duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be of immense advantage to the team in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, adding that the duo are still great fielders and will be assets on the field.

Both Virat and Rohit haven’t played any T20I match after India suffered a ten-wicket thrashing at the hands of England in the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final in Adelaide, Australia. With the 2024 T20 World Cup happening in West Indies and USA from June 1-29, it remains to be seen if the duo will be included in the Indian team for the mega event.

Virat was leading run-getter in 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup and won Player of the Tournament award, while Rohit gave fast starts to the team in the power-play with the bat and led them to ten straight wins in the competition before losing to Australia in the final.

"Kohli's form has been outstanding in the last 1.5 years. He played unbelievably in the 2023 World Cup, making 750 runs with 3 centuries. So there is no doubt about his limited-overs batting. But what makes me feel good is their fielding capacity. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still great fielders and will be of great help on the field," said Gavaskar to broadcasters Star Sports.

Similar views were echoed by Irfan Pathan, the former left-arm pacer who was a member of 2007 Men’s T20 World Cup winning Indian team. "Personally, I would like to see Virat on the pitch because when we talk about two years back, definitely he was not in his best form. But the last IPL and T20 were one of the most amazing tournaments for him.”

“Also, when you are playing in countries like West Indies and the USA, there are quite a few unknown pitches, and here you will need experienced players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both on and off the field."

"The playing of both the players also depends upon team management and their fitness, but I would love seeing both of them on the field, especially when Rohit has also changed his form and has been making a lot of runs in One Day Cricket," he said.

India, the 2007 T20 World Cup winners, are slotted in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA, Canada and Ireland. They kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the 34,000 seater Eisenhower Park stadium in Nassau County, New York, before facing Pakistan in a highly-anticipated clash at the same venue on June 9.

They will play their third game in New York against tournament hosts’ USA on June 12, before facing off against Canada at Broward County in Lauderhill, Miami, Florida on June 15. All of India’s matches have a start timing of 8:30pm IST.

"I was present at the 2007 T20 World Cup, and it was one of the most exciting times. I've seen MS Dhoni and Irfan Pathan playing on the field and winning for India. Clearly, from there, the craze for T20 boomed in India. Before that, nobody was very well-versed with this format. That win of India helped IPL as well to take off in India,” concluded Gavaskar.

Centurion, Dec 27 (IANS) Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar lavished rich praise on KL Rahul after scoring his eighth Test hundred on day two of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park, saying he would place the wicketkeeper-batter’s knock of 101 amongst top ten centuries in Indian Test cricket history.

Batting for just the second time in the middle-order in Tests after nine years, Rahul mixed caution and aggression well enough to counter the bounce and swinging ball while pouncing on the loose deliveries, as he took India from 121/6 to a respectable score of 245, through his knock of 101.

“I have been watching cricket since 50 years, I can surely say this hundred by Rahul is in the top ten in the Indian history of Tests, because this is a different kind of pitch. Here, a batter would never have the confidence that he is set. The ball can do anything anytime.”

“Playing such a knock despite that, especially today… he was unbeaten on 70 yesterday but only had Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for company today. When Siraj got out, (Rahul) was on 95. The shot with which he reached his hundred, no praise would be enough for it. It was a length ball and he played a shot that you would normally see in T20s. Amazing,” said Gavaskar while on Hindi commentary duties on TV.

In really testing conditions and challenging pitch which was conducive for fast-bowlers, Rahul made his comeback to Test cricket memorable by scoring one of his best hundreds in the format, with the crowd and entire Indian dressing room giving him a standing ovation. After ending day one’s play on 70 not out off 105 balls, Rahul made 31 runs off just 28 balls on day two, reaching the century with a stylish pull off Gerald Coetzee over deep mid-wicket for six.

The knock of 101, laced with 14 fours and four sixes, was Rahul’s second century at the venue, the most by any overseas batter in Tests, and also his seventh ton in the format outside of India. Rahul is also the second Indian wicketkeeper-batter to score a hundred in Tests in South Africa after Rishabh Pant made one at Cape Town in January 2022.

“Dilip Vengsarkar had scored three consecutive hundreds at Lord’s and was out on 52 the fourth time. That is why he was called the ‘Lord of Lord’s.’ Similarly, we can say that KL Rahul is the ‘Centurion of Centurion',” added Gavaskar.

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Former India cricketer turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar contends that the Indian team has experienced batters over Proteas bowlers who do not have that much of an edge for the two-match Test series starting from December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Coming after a 2-1 victory over Proteas in the ODI, the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma will play its first Test match of the series at the SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26.

Sunil Gavaskar opined that after the comeback of many senior players in the squad (Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah) Indian team has experienced batters over Proteas bowlers.

"They are experienced batters, who are coming after playing everywhere, so I expect them to score lots of runs in these two Test matches. Not only because they have got so much talent, but this time around, I think the South African attack does not have that edge,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

He also added that the absence of star players like Anrich Nortje and the potential unavailability of Kagiso Rabada could come to hurt the hosts.

"With the absence of Nortje, with the likely absence of Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, the South African attack looks a little bit short on experience, I am not saying short of class. So I feel these two batters will score lots of runs and help the Indian team post a big score,” Gavaskar added.

Prior to the Test series, Gavaskar also discussed Rohit Sharma's mental state as captain. The former batsman suggested that Rohit might consider altering his aggressive style of play in Test matches. It is noteworthy that the Indian captain delivered outstanding performances to guarantee India's best start in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

"First and foremost, the challenge would be to get your mental state into a test match situation. He has been batting in the ODI format where he had decided that he was going to be playing the attacking role and try and score as many runs as possible in the first 10 overs of field restrictions,” Gavaskar said.

“He will have to change the approach completely for Test cricket because he will have to think in terms of batting the whole day. If he bats the whole day, then, clearly with the range of shots that he has got, he will be able to end up with 180 or 190 not out at the end of the day and India will be 300-plus,” he added.

Varanasi (UP), Sep 20 (IANS) Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and veteran cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are likely to participate in the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the international cricket stadium by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ganjari here on September 23.

(L-R) Nishant Dayal, Founder, and Jaya Prasad, Co-Founders, Midwicket Stories along with cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar who has come on board as the Principal Advisor of Midwicket Stories in Mumbai

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 30: Midwicket Stories is proud to announce that Cricketing Legend Sunil Gavaskar has come on board as its Principal Advisor. Another path-breaking announcement was about the launch of Midwicket Stories – India leg featuring Legends of the game, the first of which would be held on November 1, 2023, during the ICC World Cup.

Midwicket Stories is a unique concept and platform for cricketing legends to enthral audiences while sharing their extraordinary experiences, both on and off the field, with their exclusive list of events which make for a heady mix of entertainment and passion.

Nishant Dayal, Founder, and Jaya Prasad, Co-Founders, Midwicket Stories, creators of this unique initiative made this announcement while welcoming Sunil Gavaskar as the Principal Advisor. Nishant Dayal and Jaya Prasad also announced the spectacular pairing of Windies Superstar, ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle and ‘Turbanator’ Harbhajan Singh as the guests for the first leg of the event in India to be held in Mumbai prior to the World Cup tie between hosts India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking on joining Midwicket Stories as the Principal Advisor, former Indian skipper, Sunil Gavaskar said, “I am humbled to be a part of this novel initiative that provides a platform for cricketing legends to share their experiences on a world stage. Today, we know everything about our favourite cricketers, but back in time, due to limitations of communications and social media, fans seldom got to know about the triumphs and conversations that took place in the closeted corridors of the game. This is a superb stage for all my colleagues to express themselves, entertain LIVE audiences, and share their memories. I am looking forward to interacting with Gayle and Harbhajan. Gayle will provide power-packed stories while Harbhajan will provide his unique spin on various cricketing matters.”

Elaborating on the concept Nishant Dayal, Founder, Midwicket Stories said, “Our vision is to provide an edge of the seat opportunity to lovers of cricket (such as myself) to interact, meet and get up-close and personal with their favourite cricketers. Of course, this is an experience that money cannot buy. For a moment, you can also picture yourself as a witness to history, amidst all the events that would be unfolding through the conversation. Whilst providing heady stories of cricketing bravado, Midwicket Stories aims to be the best in its genre. These heart-warming stories are all aimed to provide experiences that have been only felt and experienced by the ace raconteurs. Having Sunil Gavaskar as part of Midwicket Stories will help us gain rich experience and deep insights.”

Speaking on the fans experience during the event, Jaya Prasad, Co-Founder, Midwicket Stories, added, “Fans can interact with the legends and provide their experiences while dining with the legends as they spin their webs of cricketing and non-cricketing glory. Midwicket Stories is on a mission to cut down the distance between the legends and fans. It will attempt to provide one and all a once-in-a-lifetime experience that the select few will savour in the days to come.”

In the series held in Dubai earlier this year, Gavaskar received unabashed praise from the Caribbean legend, Viv Richards who affirmed, “Sunny Gavaskar is the Godfather of Indian batsmanship.”

From its successful launch in Sydney in November 2022, which featured the conversation between Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border, Midwicket Stories has gone from strength to strength , followed by the second innings in Dubai, UAE   between legend Sunil Gavaskar and the inimitable Vivian Richards. The legacy will live on in the future with several unique partnerships set to be forged here in India.

With two prior innings in Sydney (Australia) and Dubai (UAE), this exquisitely positioned event generates a web of stories with people discussing various facets of the game, as it bids to be one of the most looked forward to events.

The sincerity of Midwicket Stories is further boosted by its ongoing social initiative, Dr Dayal Foundation (DDF), which dedicates the proceeds of Midwicket Stories towards paediatric heart surgeries in India. It is imperative to mention that Gavaskar on his own has been supporting over 35 operations in a year since the last four years. 

If you have any objection to this press release content, kindly contact pr.error.rectification@gmail.com to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 24 hours.