📢BCCI mulling to start IPL 2027 early, hold Final by May 15
Virat Kohli (Photo Source: IPL)
The 2027 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set for an earlier-than-expected start. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, has suggested that they are considering starting the next season of the cash-rich tournament by the second week of March and have it concluded with the final to be played around May 15.
Usually, the IPL commences in the last week of March and runs up until the entirety of May. However, with weather conditions changing around this time, Saikia has acknowledged that the players and fans face difficulties during the conduct of the matches. As a result, there have been ongoing discussions around an early window for the marquee event.
"This year, IPL started around the 29th of March, and it was over by the 31st of May. The only thing we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament, after 15th of May, there are issues regarding the weather, particularly in some areas, there is apprehension of having rainfall or the pre-monsoon season starting or on the other hand, there are warm weather, hot conditions, which are not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds or the fans," Saikia was quoted as saying by India TV.
Sakia has further added that the BCCI is set to make all efforts possible to make sure that the tournament gets underway by mid-March, which will be beneficial in overcoming the adverse changes in weather in some parts of the country. The Board is also quite adamant on playing the final by the fortnight into the month of May, which will help in tackling any possible rain interruptions in the playoffs since they do not have a reserve day.
"So, there is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March. From next year, we'll make an effort, and I have already instructed our general manager of games development to look for the windows whether we can start it by the 10th of March so that we want to conclude it by the 15th of May so that there is no adverse weather conditions in the run-up to the final stages of the playoffs and the finals of the IPL 2027, which will be the 20th edition of IPL.
The IPL 2027 is expected to be a grand spectacle as it will see the Royal Challengers Bengaluru looking to become the first team to maker it a hat-trick of championships.
Virat Kohli (Photo Source: IPL)
The 2027 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set for an earlier-than-expected start. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, has suggested that they are considering starting the next season of the cash-rich tournament by the second week of March and have it concluded with the final to be played around May 15.
Usually, the IPL commences in the last week of March and runs up until the entirety of May. However, with weather conditions changing around this time, Saikia has acknowledged that the players and fans face difficulties during the conduct of the matches. As a result, there have been ongoing discussions around an early window for the marquee event.
"This year, IPL started around the 29th of March, and it was over by the 31st of May. The only thing we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament, after 15th of May, there are issues regarding the weather, particularly in some areas, there is apprehension of having rainfall or the pre-monsoon season starting or on the other hand, there are warm weather, hot conditions, which are not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds or the fans," Saikia was quoted as saying by India TV.
Sakia has further added that the BCCI is set to make all efforts possible to make sure that the tournament gets underway by mid-March, which will be beneficial in overcoming the adverse changes in weather in some parts of the country. The Board is also quite adamant on playing the final by the fortnight into the month of May, which will help in tackling any possible rain interruptions in the playoffs since they do not have a reserve day.
"So, there is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March. From next year, we'll make an effort, and I have already instructed our general manager of games development to look for the windows whether we can start it by the 10th of March so that we want to conclude it by the 15th of May so that there is no adverse weather conditions in the run-up to the final stages of the playoffs and the finals of the IPL 2027, which will be the 20th edition of IPL.
The IPL 2027 is expected to be a grand spectacle as it will see the Royal Challengers Bengaluru looking to become the first team to maker it a hat-trick of championships.
📢'That is the kind of fast bowler I want to be' - Gurnoor Brar shares his bowling inspiration & feeling of being capped by India
Gurnoor Brar (Source : BCCI/X)
Newly capped India bowler Gurnoor Brar has talked highly of former South Africa speedster Dale Steyn and also shared his thoughts on getting a chance to represent his country on the international stage.
Brar stated how he takes inspiration from Steyn, not only as a bowler but also as a fiery competitor. The 26-year-old strives to be like the now-retired fast bowler and replicate the level of consistency, pace and aggression in his bowling as he looks to build on the incredible start to his international career.
"My favourite bowler is Dale Steyn. Being the number one bowler for seven to eight years is a huge achievement. That kind of consistency is rare. The aggression he bowled with was incredible. He didn't just take wickets; he made batters fear him. Every time he ran in, you knew something was going to happen. I am a big fan of that attitude. The way he celebrated after picking up a wicket, the roar, the energy, the intensity, I loved that. It showed how much it meant to him. He didn't just want wickets; he wanted to dominate. I really liked his whole approach. That is the kind of fast bowler I want to be," Gurnoor Brar said to JioStar.
Brar made his India debut against Afghanistan during the first One Day International (ODI) in Dharamshala, and had an immediate impact on the proceedings. The right-arm fast bowler was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 3 for 27 on debut. In the second ODI in Lucknow, the 26-year-old once again ended up with a three-wicket haul, helping the Men in Blue secure the three-match series with one match to spare.
The Gujarat Titans bowler, however, does not want to take the India call-up for granted and instead wants to work hard to play for a long period of time. He understands that he has been given an opportunity dreamed of by millions in the country and must deliver whenever he dons the iconic blue jersey.
"Every cricketer dreams of playing for India. I feel truly blessed to have been selected. When I started my career, my only goal was to get here. Now that I am here, my mindset hasn't changed. I don't just want to play; I want to perform, succeed, and stay at this level. I want to prove that I belong in international cricket. That mindset will never change – whether it's my first game or my 100th. When I wear the Indian jersey, I want to give everything for it. I don't want to carry unnecessary pressure about what might happen or how I will perform. Of course, nervousness and pressure will always be there. But I choose to see it as a proud moment. Out of millions of people in this country, I have been given this chance. That is a huge honour. I feel blessed, and now I must deliver. With that positive mindset, I will go out and give my absolute best every time," Gurnoor Brar added.
Brar also pulled back the curtain on the time when he first learned he had been selected to represent India, not only in Tests but also in ODIs. The seam bowler talked about the emotional moment he shared with his parents and also with the rest of the Punjab squad.
"Before every practice session, I take a 45-minute nap. It's my routine. On the day of the squad announcement, I was doing the same, just resting at home. While I was sleeping, my friend called and told me that I had been selected. I was expecting to make Test squad only, but then I found out I was also in the ODI squad. That was unexpected. I don't have enough words to describe that feeling. It was overwhelming. My parents called immediately. They were emotional. When I reached the ground for practice, the entire Punjab team congratulated me. The coaches shook my hand. It was a special moment. That day felt different as all the hard work had finally paid off," Brar added when speaking to JioStar.
Gurnoor Brar (Source : BCCI/X)
Newly capped India bowler Gurnoor Brar has talked highly of former South Africa speedster Dale Steyn and also shared his thoughts on getting a chance to represent his country on the international stage.
Brar stated how he takes inspiration from Steyn, not only as a bowler but also as a fiery competitor. The 26-year-old strives to be like the now-retired fast bowler and replicate the level of consistency, pace and aggression in his bowling as he looks to build on the incredible start to his international career.
"My favourite bowler is Dale Steyn. Being the number one bowler for seven to eight years is a huge achievement. That kind of consistency is rare. The aggression he bowled with was incredible. He didn't just take wickets; he made batters fear him. Every time he ran in, you knew something was going to happen. I am a big fan of that attitude. The way he celebrated after picking up a wicket, the roar, the energy, the intensity, I loved that. It showed how much it meant to him. He didn't just want wickets; he wanted to dominate. I really liked his whole approach. That is the kind of fast bowler I want to be," Gurnoor Brar said to JioStar.
Brar made his India debut against Afghanistan during the first One Day International (ODI) in Dharamshala, and had an immediate impact on the proceedings. The right-arm fast bowler was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 3 for 27 on debut. In the second ODI in Lucknow, the 26-year-old once again ended up with a three-wicket haul, helping the Men in Blue secure the three-match series with one match to spare.
The Gujarat Titans bowler, however, does not want to take the India call-up for granted and instead wants to work hard to play for a long period of time. He understands that he has been given an opportunity dreamed of by millions in the country and must deliver whenever he dons the iconic blue jersey.
"Every cricketer dreams of playing for India. I feel truly blessed to have been selected. When I started my career, my only goal was to get here. Now that I am here, my mindset hasn't changed. I don't just want to play; I want to perform, succeed, and stay at this level. I want to prove that I belong in international cricket. That mindset will never change – whether it's my first game or my 100th. When I wear the Indian jersey, I want to give everything for it. I don't want to carry unnecessary pressure about what might happen or how I will perform. Of course, nervousness and pressure will always be there. But I choose to see it as a proud moment. Out of millions of people in this country, I have been given this chance. That is a huge honour. I feel blessed, and now I must deliver. With that positive mindset, I will go out and give my absolute best every time," Gurnoor Brar added.
Brar also pulled back the curtain on the time when he first learned he had been selected to represent India, not only in Tests but also in ODIs. The seam bowler talked about the emotional moment he shared with his parents and also with the rest of the Punjab squad.
"Before every practice session, I take a 45-minute nap. It's my routine. On the day of the squad announcement, I was doing the same, just resting at home. While I was sleeping, my friend called and told me that I had been selected. I was expecting to make Test squad only, but then I found out I was also in the ODI squad. That was unexpected. I don't have enough words to describe that feeling. It was overwhelming. My parents called immediately. They were emotional. When I reached the ground for practice, the entire Punjab team congratulated me. The coaches shook my hand. It was a special moment. That day felt different as all the hard work had finally paid off," Brar added when speaking to JioStar.
BCCI mulling to start IPL 2027 early, hold Final by May 15
"There is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March."
"There is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March."
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'That is the kind of fast bowler I want to be' - Gurnoor Brar shares his bowling inspiration & feeling of being capped by India
Brar made his India debut against Afghanistan during the first One Day International (ODI) in Dharamshala.
Brar made his India debut against Afghanistan during the first One Day International (ODI) in Dharamshala.
📢ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Thankful to have a proper debut' - Sonny Baker opens up on eventful Test debut
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Thankful to have a proper debut' - Sonny Baker speaks after eventful Test debut (Photo Source: Andy Kearns/Getty Images)
England seamer Sonny Baker expressed his elation at having a proper debut during England's second Test against New Zealand at the Oval. Baker is one of three players, alongside Jordan Cox and James Rew, debuting after the fallout of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson's nightclub incident after the win at Lord's.
Baker made his debut for England in early September 2025 in an ODI against South Africa, recording horrific figures of 0 for 76 from seven overs. He made his T20 debut against Ireland later that month, finishing with figures of 0 for 52. He put up a better showing during his Test debut, finishing the first day with figures of 2 for 63 from 15 overs.
"Awesome, could you tell? I'm so thankful to have a proper debut that is reflective of where I'm at. My biggest learning from the Ireland debut was I felt like I wasn't being myself," Baker said, as reported by BBC Sport.
Baker's first wicket in international cricket came in his seventh over, when he had Rachin Ravindra nick one to Jacob Bethell at gully. He followed it up with the wicket of Daryl Mitchell, who mistimed a pull to Emilio Gay at short mid-wicket.
"I'm the biggest carry-on ever. Surely I should get stuck in, oohs and aahs if the ball beats the bat, super excited, a long follow-through every time that happens. That's just how I am. I made a big commitment to myself coming into this, of that's how I want to be and go about things. That's me, so I might as well be authentic," he said.
After his tumultuous white-ball debut, Baker spoke of the nerves he felt on the occasion, which impacted his performances on the day. He spoke of feeling nervous ahead of the game, and until being handed his cap on the day. He was told of his debut days earlier and was able to mentally prepare himself due to the relaxed nature of the team environment.
"Even last night I was struggling to eat, and fuelling as a fast bowler is super important. This morning I felt the anxiety build up in my stomach. I was pretty honest with people that I was pretty nervous going into the day. Once you start warming up, everything goes away and you get stuck in. It's actually been great. The lads have tried to put that behind us and deal with the situation as it is. The relaxed nature of the environment really helps from a nerves point of view," he added.
New Zealand finished the day on a score of 291 for 7 in 77 overs after being put into bat. Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell top-scored with 51, and Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 49.
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Thankful to have a proper debut' - Sonny Baker speaks after eventful Test debut (Photo Source: Andy Kearns/Getty Images)
England seamer Sonny Baker expressed his elation at having a proper debut during England's second Test against New Zealand at the Oval. Baker is one of three players, alongside Jordan Cox and James Rew, debuting after the fallout of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson's nightclub incident after the win at Lord's.
Baker made his debut for England in early September 2025 in an ODI against South Africa, recording horrific figures of 0 for 76 from seven overs. He made his T20 debut against Ireland later that month, finishing with figures of 0 for 52. He put up a better showing during his Test debut, finishing the first day with figures of 2 for 63 from 15 overs.
"Awesome, could you tell? I'm so thankful to have a proper debut that is reflective of where I'm at. My biggest learning from the Ireland debut was I felt like I wasn't being myself," Baker said, as reported by BBC Sport.
Baker's first wicket in international cricket came in his seventh over, when he had Rachin Ravindra nick one to Jacob Bethell at gully. He followed it up with the wicket of Daryl Mitchell, who mistimed a pull to Emilio Gay at short mid-wicket.
"I'm the biggest carry-on ever. Surely I should get stuck in, oohs and aahs if the ball beats the bat, super excited, a long follow-through every time that happens. That's just how I am. I made a big commitment to myself coming into this, of that's how I want to be and go about things. That's me, so I might as well be authentic," he said.
After his tumultuous white-ball debut, Baker spoke of the nerves he felt on the occasion, which impacted his performances on the day. He spoke of feeling nervous ahead of the game, and until being handed his cap on the day. He was told of his debut days earlier and was able to mentally prepare himself due to the relaxed nature of the team environment.
"Even last night I was struggling to eat, and fuelling as a fast bowler is super important. This morning I felt the anxiety build up in my stomach. I was pretty honest with people that I was pretty nervous going into the day. Once you start warming up, everything goes away and you get stuck in. It's actually been great. The lads have tried to put that behind us and deal with the situation as it is. The relaxed nature of the environment really helps from a nerves point of view," he added.
New Zealand finished the day on a score of 291 for 7 in 77 overs after being put into bat. Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell top-scored with 51, and Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 49.
📢The spin department is where India will be looking to tick a few boxes: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar (Source: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Sunil Gavaskar opined that India will have to decide whether to continue with the experienced Kuldeep Yadav or groom the young and talented Harsh Dubey for the future.
Harsh Dubey made his international debut in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala. While the left-arm spinner conceded 47 runs in five overs in a rain-curtailed 25-over-per-side contest, he picked up three important wickets. However, in the second ODI in Lucknow, the Indian team management left him out of the side and brought Kuldeep Yadav in as his replacement. The veteran wrist spinner bowled 10 overs and conceded 42 runs but didn't pick up a wicket.
India won both matches to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The third ODI is scheduled to be played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, June 20. While Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will once again open the batting as they did in the second ODI, India will have to contemplate whether to bring back Dubey or continue with Kuldeep.
The former India captain opined that over the next few ODIs, the Men in Blue will look to sort out the spin-bowling department, especially with the 50-over World Cup set to take place next year, with South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia being the co-hosts.
"I think Rohit and Jaiswal at the top will be the combination again for the last game. The spin department is where India will be looking to tick a few boxes. Kuldeep has bowled well without getting the wickets, and Harsh Dubey bowled well and picked up three wickets in the first game, but he was a little on the expensive side. That is where India will be looking for some answers over the next few ODIs, not just in the final game of the series in Chennai," the legendary Gavaskar said while speaking on JioStar's 'Cricket Live'.
Sunil Gavaskar (Source: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Sunil Gavaskar opined that India will have to decide whether to continue with the experienced Kuldeep Yadav or groom the young and talented Harsh Dubey for the future.
Harsh Dubey made his international debut in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala. While the left-arm spinner conceded 47 runs in five overs in a rain-curtailed 25-over-per-side contest, he picked up three important wickets. However, in the second ODI in Lucknow, the Indian team management left him out of the side and brought Kuldeep Yadav in as his replacement. The veteran wrist spinner bowled 10 overs and conceded 42 runs but didn't pick up a wicket.
India won both matches to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The third ODI is scheduled to be played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, June 20. While Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will once again open the batting as they did in the second ODI, India will have to contemplate whether to bring back Dubey or continue with Kuldeep.
The former India captain opined that over the next few ODIs, the Men in Blue will look to sort out the spin-bowling department, especially with the 50-over World Cup set to take place next year, with South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia being the co-hosts.
"I think Rohit and Jaiswal at the top will be the combination again for the last game. The spin department is where India will be looking to tick a few boxes. Kuldeep has bowled well without getting the wickets, and Harsh Dubey bowled well and picked up three wickets in the first game, but he was a little on the expensive side. That is where India will be looking for some answers over the next few ODIs, not just in the final game of the series in Chennai," the legendary Gavaskar said while speaking on JioStar's 'Cricket Live'.
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Thankful to have a proper debut' - Sonny Baker opens up on eventful Test debut
The seamer put up a better showing during his Test debut, finishing the first day with figures of 2 for 63 from 15 overs, after eventful debuts in ODIs and T20Is.
The seamer put up a better showing during his Test debut, finishing the first day with figures of 2 for 63 from 15 overs, after eventful debuts in ODIs and T20Is.
The spin department is where India will be looking to tick a few boxes: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar opined that India will have to decide whether to continue with the experienced Kuldeep Yadav or groom the young and talented Harsh Dubey for the future.
Sunil Gavaskar opined that India will have to decide whether to continue with the experienced Kuldeep Yadav or groom the young and talented Harsh Dubey for the future.
📢Will IPL have 94 games from 2027 season? BCCI President gives official response
Gill and Sudarshan (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Since the fag end of the Indian Premier League (IPL)'s 2026 season, there have been talks that in the near future, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has plans to accommodate 94 matches in a single edition, 20 more than the current schedule of 74. Board president Devajit Saikia was recently asked if the same would come into effect from the upcoming 2027 season.
Saikia has responded to the query, saying that the BCCI is more than interested in expanding the scope of the IPL to 94 matches, but the international scheduling and tournament window are going to be a big challenge in achieving the same. Saikia has also said that it will make a huge impact on the availability of overseas players for the full season, making it challenging for the teams to build a stable combination.
"So, at this moment there is no discussion regarding increasing it from 74 to any further matches up to 94 which is not happening immediately," Saikia was quoted as saying by India Today.
"In the course of later years I do not know what the position will be, but right at this moment I don't see any possibility of increasing it from 74 to 94 because for that it is not only India is to be considered but the interest of other cricketing nations of the ICC, especially players from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies, all of whom are playing in this tournament, so we do not want to upset their bilateral matches also and other international pictures including various other multi-country tournaments," he added.
As a result, Saikia has suggested that it is going to be impossible to make the changes come into effect from the 2027 season onwards. However, the BCCI certainly plans to do so with the premier T20 tournament in the later years to follow.
"So, at this moment I don't see any chance of increasing it beyond the window of two months, which will accommodate only about 74 matches with a lot of double headers during the run-up to the tournament," he concluded.
Gill and Sudarshan (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
Since the fag end of the Indian Premier League (IPL)'s 2026 season, there have been talks that in the near future, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has plans to accommodate 94 matches in a single edition, 20 more than the current schedule of 74. Board president Devajit Saikia was recently asked if the same would come into effect from the upcoming 2027 season.
Saikia has responded to the query, saying that the BCCI is more than interested in expanding the scope of the IPL to 94 matches, but the international scheduling and tournament window are going to be a big challenge in achieving the same. Saikia has also said that it will make a huge impact on the availability of overseas players for the full season, making it challenging for the teams to build a stable combination.
"So, at this moment there is no discussion regarding increasing it from 74 to any further matches up to 94 which is not happening immediately," Saikia was quoted as saying by India Today.
"In the course of later years I do not know what the position will be, but right at this moment I don't see any possibility of increasing it from 74 to 94 because for that it is not only India is to be considered but the interest of other cricketing nations of the ICC, especially players from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies, all of whom are playing in this tournament, so we do not want to upset their bilateral matches also and other international pictures including various other multi-country tournaments," he added.
As a result, Saikia has suggested that it is going to be impossible to make the changes come into effect from the 2027 season onwards. However, the BCCI certainly plans to do so with the premier T20 tournament in the later years to follow.
"So, at this moment I don't see any chance of increasing it beyond the window of two months, which will accommodate only about 74 matches with a lot of double headers during the run-up to the tournament," he concluded.
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📢'Selection committee deserves compliments' - Sunil Gavaskar applauds selectors for backing Gurnoor Brar following success in India vs Afghanistan
Sunil Gavaskar at BCCI HQ (Source: BCCI)
Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has hailed selectors for picking Gurnoor Brar and giving them their full backing. This comes after the 26-year-old lit up the ODI series against Afghanistan, taking six wickets from the first two matches of the series.
Gavaskar stated how Brar does not have the best List A record, nor did he shine for India A. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led committee saw something in the bowler outside of the statistics, which is now reaping rewards for the Men in Blue. This was evident by excellent bowling in the second ODI in Lucknow, where he took 3 for 60, including the prized wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
"His run-up is so good, his rhythm is so good, he was hitting the deck and getting the ball to climb. The wicket he got of Gurbaz was particularly impressive because of the way that bouncer followed him. It's very accurate. It comes right at you, exactly where the batter does not want it. I think the selection committee deserves all the compliments. If you look at his stats, or his India A performances, they're okay, but not to the extent where you would say he deserved an India cap. However, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, saw something in him, and that's why they picked him. He's also been backed by the management, which is so important," Sunil Gavaskar said on JioStar.
Brar made his international debut during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamshala, where he burst onto the scene with three wickets. The right-arm fast bowler is putting his name in the hat for selection for the upcoming 2027 Cricket World Cup. His pace and ability to extract bounce from the pitch could be a huge asset for India on the South African wickets.
Sunil Gavaskar talks about Shubman Gill's batting form being reflected in his captaincy
Gavaskar strongly believes that Shubman Gill's incredible form with the bat is being rubbed on his time as captain on the field. The former Indian skipper stated that captains usually have a gut feeling on which bowler to use and what field to set. However, if they are not scoring runs, they tend to second-guess everything, including their leadership duties.
"When you're not getting runs, you're not confident about making those marginal moves that come from your gut feel, like holding back a bowler who has bowled well, giving him an extra over, or moving a fielder from a certain position. That gut feel is a lot stronger when you're personally performing. But if you're not performing, even when you get a gut feel, you're apprehensive about making that call because you're worried about getting it wrong. Since you're also not performing as a player, you'll be criticised for your captaincy as well." Sunil Gavakar added on JioStar.
Gill has been excellent with the bat in the two ODIs that India have played against Afghanistan, winning Player of the Match on both occasions. He started the series with an unbeaten 84 to help his side chase down 195 in a rain-affected game. He topped it off with an outstanding 154 in the second ODI in Lucknow, his second-highest score in ODI cricket.
Sunil Gavaskar at BCCI HQ (Source: BCCI)
Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has hailed selectors for picking Gurnoor Brar and giving them their full backing. This comes after the 26-year-old lit up the ODI series against Afghanistan, taking six wickets from the first two matches of the series.
Gavaskar stated how Brar does not have the best List A record, nor did he shine for India A. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led committee saw something in the bowler outside of the statistics, which is now reaping rewards for the Men in Blue. This was evident by excellent bowling in the second ODI in Lucknow, where he took 3 for 60, including the prized wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
"His run-up is so good, his rhythm is so good, he was hitting the deck and getting the ball to climb. The wicket he got of Gurbaz was particularly impressive because of the way that bouncer followed him. It's very accurate. It comes right at you, exactly where the batter does not want it. I think the selection committee deserves all the compliments. If you look at his stats, or his India A performances, they're okay, but not to the extent where you would say he deserved an India cap. However, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, saw something in him, and that's why they picked him. He's also been backed by the management, which is so important," Sunil Gavaskar said on JioStar.
Brar made his international debut during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamshala, where he burst onto the scene with three wickets. The right-arm fast bowler is putting his name in the hat for selection for the upcoming 2027 Cricket World Cup. His pace and ability to extract bounce from the pitch could be a huge asset for India on the South African wickets.
Sunil Gavaskar talks about Shubman Gill's batting form being reflected in his captaincy
Gavaskar strongly believes that Shubman Gill's incredible form with the bat is being rubbed on his time as captain on the field. The former Indian skipper stated that captains usually have a gut feeling on which bowler to use and what field to set. However, if they are not scoring runs, they tend to second-guess everything, including their leadership duties.
"When you're not getting runs, you're not confident about making those marginal moves that come from your gut feel, like holding back a bowler who has bowled well, giving him an extra over, or moving a fielder from a certain position. That gut feel is a lot stronger when you're personally performing. But if you're not performing, even when you get a gut feel, you're apprehensive about making that call because you're worried about getting it wrong. Since you're also not performing as a player, you'll be criticised for your captaincy as well." Sunil Gavakar added on JioStar.
Gill has been excellent with the bat in the two ODIs that India have played against Afghanistan, winning Player of the Match on both occasions. He started the series with an unbeaten 84 to help his side chase down 195 in a rain-affected game. He topped it off with an outstanding 154 in the second ODI in Lucknow, his second-highest score in ODI cricket.
Will IPL have 94 games from 2027 season? BCCI President gives official response
The BCCI has foreseen challenges of international scheduling with the scope of expanding it to 94 matches, making it a difficult accommodation.
The BCCI has foreseen challenges of international scheduling with the scope of expanding it to 94 matches, making it a difficult accommodation.
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'Selection committee deserves compliments' - Sunil Gavaskar applauds selectors for backing Gurnoor Brar following success in India vs Afghanistan
Brar made his international debut during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamshala, where he burst onto the scene with three wickets.
Brar made his international debut during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamshala, where he burst onto the scene with three wickets.
📢Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match 13, NZ W vs IRE W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between New Zealand Women vs Ireland Women?
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match 13, NZ W vs IRE W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between New Zealand Women vs Ireland Women? (ICC on X/ (Photo by Christopher Lee-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
New Zealand Women will face Ireland Women in Match No. 13 of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on June 19 at The Rose Bowl.
New Zealand Women currently sit fifth in the points table after suffering defeats in both of their opening matches. Their most recent loss came in a closely contested thriller against Sri Lanka Women. With their campaign yet to get off the mark, the White Ferns will be eager to bounce back and register their first win of the tournament.
Ireland Women, meanwhile, are placed at the bottom of the standings, having also lost their first two matches. They were beaten by England Women in their previous outing and will be determined to turn things around with a positive approach as they chase their maiden victory of the competition.
NZ W vs IRE W Match Details
Match
New Zealand Women vs Ireland Women, Match 13, Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Friday, June 19, 2026, 11:00 PM (IST)
Venue
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
The Rose Bowl, Southampton: Pitch Report
The pitch at The Rose Bowl is generally on the slower side, making stroke play challenging, especially in the early stages of an innings. Batters who spend time at the crease and build their innings patiently are more likely to post substantial scores. For bowlers, the conditions can be rewarding, particularly for those who vary their pace and hit consistent lengths.
NZ W vs IRE W Head to Head Record
Matches Played
04
Won by NZ W
04
Won by IRE W
00
No Result
00
Tied
00
First-Ever Fixture
March 25, 2014
Most-Recent Fixture
November 17, 2018
NZ W vs IRE W Predicted Playing XIs
New Zealand Women:
Isabella Gaze (wk), Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr (c), Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Jess Kerr, Nensi Patel, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing
Ireland Women:
Amy Hunter (wk), Alana Dalzell, Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Leah Paul, Alice Tector, Louise Little, Arlene Kelly, Cara Murray, Aimee Maguire
NZ W vs IRE W Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Sophie Devine
Sophie Devine (Source Philip Brown/Getty Image)
Sophie Devine could be the key batter for New Zealand Women in this crucial encounter against Ireland Women. The experienced all-rounder has scored 67 runs in two matches so far and has played an important role in anchoring the innings during the middle overs. With The Rose Bowl expected to offer a slow surface, Devine's ability to rotate the strike, absorb pressure, and accelerate when required could prove vital.
Probable Best Bowler: Nensi Patel
Nensi Patel. (Photo Source: ICC/Getty Images)
Nensi Patel could be a key bowler for Ireland Women in their clash against New Zealand Women. The young spinner has picked up two wickets so far in the tournament and has impressed with her disciplined and economical bowling. Patel's ability to maintain tight lines and lengths has helped Ireland build pressure during crucial phases of the innings.
Today's Match Prediction : New Zealand Women to win the match
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match 13, NZ W vs IRE W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between New Zealand Women vs Ireland Women? (ICC on X/ (Photo by Christopher Lee-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
New Zealand Women will face Ireland Women in Match No. 13 of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on June 19 at The Rose Bowl.
New Zealand Women currently sit fifth in the points table after suffering defeats in both of their opening matches. Their most recent loss came in a closely contested thriller against Sri Lanka Women. With their campaign yet to get off the mark, the White Ferns will be eager to bounce back and register their first win of the tournament.
Ireland Women, meanwhile, are placed at the bottom of the standings, having also lost their first two matches. They were beaten by England Women in their previous outing and will be determined to turn things around with a positive approach as they chase their maiden victory of the competition.
NZ W vs IRE W Match Details
Match
New Zealand Women vs Ireland Women, Match 13, Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Friday, June 19, 2026, 11:00 PM (IST)
Venue
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
The Rose Bowl, Southampton: Pitch Report
The pitch at The Rose Bowl is generally on the slower side, making stroke play challenging, especially in the early stages of an innings. Batters who spend time at the crease and build their innings patiently are more likely to post substantial scores. For bowlers, the conditions can be rewarding, particularly for those who vary their pace and hit consistent lengths.
NZ W vs IRE W Head to Head Record
Matches Played
04
Won by NZ W
04
Won by IRE W
00
No Result
00
Tied
00
First-Ever Fixture
March 25, 2014
Most-Recent Fixture
November 17, 2018
NZ W vs IRE W Predicted Playing XIs
New Zealand Women:
Isabella Gaze (wk), Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr (c), Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Jess Kerr, Nensi Patel, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing
Ireland Women:
Amy Hunter (wk), Alana Dalzell, Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Leah Paul, Alice Tector, Louise Little, Arlene Kelly, Cara Murray, Aimee Maguire
NZ W vs IRE W Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Sophie Devine
Sophie Devine (Source Philip Brown/Getty Image)
Sophie Devine could be the key batter for New Zealand Women in this crucial encounter against Ireland Women. The experienced all-rounder has scored 67 runs in two matches so far and has played an important role in anchoring the innings during the middle overs. With The Rose Bowl expected to offer a slow surface, Devine's ability to rotate the strike, absorb pressure, and accelerate when required could prove vital.
Probable Best Bowler: Nensi Patel
Nensi Patel. (Photo Source: ICC/Getty Images)
Nensi Patel could be a key bowler for Ireland Women in their clash against New Zealand Women. The young spinner has picked up two wickets so far in the tournament and has impressed with her disciplined and economical bowling. Patel's ability to maintain tight lines and lengths has helped Ireland build pressure during crucial phases of the innings.
Today's Match Prediction : New Zealand Women to win the match
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match 13, NZ W vs IRE W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between New Zealand Women vs Ireland Women?
The match will happen at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.
The match will happen at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.
Ishan Kishan will do whatever job you ask of him without any complaints: Graeme Swann
"The fact that he's come back into the team and looks like he's never been away is remarkable," Swann said.
"The fact that he's come back into the team and looks like he's never been away is remarkable," Swann said.
Bangladesh vs Australia Prediction, 2nd T20I– Who will win today’s match between BAN vs AUS?
Australia won the first match by four wickets.
Australia won the first match by four wickets.
📢Bangladesh vs Australia Prediction, 2nd T20I– Who will win today’s match between BAN vs AUS?
Bangladesh vs Australia Prediction, 2nd T20I– Who will win today’s match between BAN vs AUS? (Photo by Sameera Peiris-ICC/ICC via Getty Images/BCBtigers on IG)
Bangladesh will take on Australia in the second T20I on June 19 at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.
Bangladesh endured a disappointing outing in the first T20I, with their batting unit struggling to cope with Australia's quality spin attack. The hosts failed to build meaningful partnerships and were unable to post a competitive total. They will be eager to bounce back strongly in the second match and level the series.
Australia, on the other hand, responded impressively after their ODI series setback by securing a convincing victory in the opening T20I. Their bowlers played a pivotal role and restricting Bangladesh throughout the innings. The visitors will now be aiming to carry that momentum forward and clinch the series with another strong performance.
BAN vs AUS: Match Details
Match
Bangladesh vs Australia, 2nd T20I , Australia tour of Bangladesh 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Friday, June 18, 1:30 PM (IST)
Venue
Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram
Live-streaming Details
Fancode (App & Website)
Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram: Pitch Report
The pitch at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium has hosted several T20 matches and generally offers assistance to the bowlers. While the surface provides a relatively true bounce, scoring freely has not been easy in this series. Spinners, in particular, have enjoyed considerable success, with the slow nature of the wicket making stroke play difficult. Batters have found it challenging to accelerate, often struggling to time the ball consistently against quality spin bowling.
BAN vs AUS: Head-to-Head T20I Record
Matches Played
12
Won by BAN
04
Won by AUS
08
No Results
00
First-ever Fixture
September 16, 2007 (AUS Won)
Most Recent Fixture
June 17, 2026 (AUS Won)
BAN vs AUS: Predicted Playing XIs
Bangladesh
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon (wk), Towhid Hridoy (c), Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Mustafizur Rahman
Australia
Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary, Joel Davies, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa
BAN vs AUS: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Cooper Connolly
Cooper Connolly (Source: Cricket Australia)
Cooper Connolly could be the key batter for Australia in the second T20I against Bangladesh. The young all-rounder played a crucial innings in the series opener, scoring 47 runs on a challenging batting surface and helping Australia secure a comfortable victory. With the Chattogram pitch continuing to favour bowlers, particularly spinners, Connolly's ability to adapt to conditions and rotate the strike makes him a valuable asset in Australia's batting lineup.
Probable Best Bowler: Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa (Source: Getty Images)
Adam Zampa could be the key bowler for Australia in the second T20I against Bangladesh. The leg-spinner was outstanding in the series opener, claiming a three-wicket haul and playing a major role in restricting the hosts on a spin-friendly surface. Zampa's ability to vary his pace and maintain pressure through the middle overs makes him a significant threat, especially on the slow pitches in Chattogram.
Today's Match Prediction : Defending team to win the match
Bangladesh vs Australia Prediction, 2nd T20I– Who will win today’s match between BAN vs AUS? (Photo by Sameera Peiris-ICC/ICC via Getty Images/BCBtigers on IG)
Bangladesh will take on Australia in the second T20I on June 19 at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.
Bangladesh endured a disappointing outing in the first T20I, with their batting unit struggling to cope with Australia's quality spin attack. The hosts failed to build meaningful partnerships and were unable to post a competitive total. They will be eager to bounce back strongly in the second match and level the series.
Australia, on the other hand, responded impressively after their ODI series setback by securing a convincing victory in the opening T20I. Their bowlers played a pivotal role and restricting Bangladesh throughout the innings. The visitors will now be aiming to carry that momentum forward and clinch the series with another strong performance.
BAN vs AUS: Match Details
Match
Bangladesh vs Australia, 2nd T20I , Australia tour of Bangladesh 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Friday, June 18, 1:30 PM (IST)
Venue
Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram
Live-streaming Details
Fancode (App & Website)
Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram: Pitch Report
The pitch at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium has hosted several T20 matches and generally offers assistance to the bowlers. While the surface provides a relatively true bounce, scoring freely has not been easy in this series. Spinners, in particular, have enjoyed considerable success, with the slow nature of the wicket making stroke play difficult. Batters have found it challenging to accelerate, often struggling to time the ball consistently against quality spin bowling.
BAN vs AUS: Head-to-Head T20I Record
Matches Played
12
Won by BAN
04
Won by AUS
08
No Results
00
First-ever Fixture
September 16, 2007 (AUS Won)
Most Recent Fixture
June 17, 2026 (AUS Won)
BAN vs AUS: Predicted Playing XIs
Bangladesh
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon (wk), Towhid Hridoy (c), Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Mustafizur Rahman
Australia
Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary, Joel Davies, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa
BAN vs AUS: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Cooper Connolly
Cooper Connolly (Source: Cricket Australia)
Cooper Connolly could be the key batter for Australia in the second T20I against Bangladesh. The young all-rounder played a crucial innings in the series opener, scoring 47 runs on a challenging batting surface and helping Australia secure a comfortable victory. With the Chattogram pitch continuing to favour bowlers, particularly spinners, Connolly's ability to adapt to conditions and rotate the strike makes him a valuable asset in Australia's batting lineup.
Probable Best Bowler: Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa (Source: Getty Images)
Adam Zampa could be the key bowler for Australia in the second T20I against Bangladesh. The leg-spinner was outstanding in the series opener, claiming a three-wicket haul and playing a major role in restricting the hosts on a spin-friendly surface. Zampa's ability to vary his pace and maintain pressure through the middle overs makes him a significant threat, especially on the slow pitches in Chattogram.
Today's Match Prediction : Defending team to win the match
📢Ishan Kishan will do whatever job you ask of him without any complaints: Graeme Swann
Ishan Kishan (Photo Source: BCCI)
Ishan Kishan has become a man of comebacks of late. He first shone in India's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph and was given an opportunity to represent the side once again in the One-Day Internationals ahead of the ongoing series against Afghanistan. Well, the Bihar-born has not disappointed at all and put forward a stunning case for himself with a blistering century in Lucknow. This left Graeme Swann massively impressed.
The former England spinner took a note of Kishan's masterly knock of 125 off just 79 balls in the second ODI against Afghanistan and said that his comeback did not feel like he had been away from the team for almost three years.
"He is the sort of player who will do whatever job you ask of him without any complaints. The fact that he's come back into the team and looks like he's never been away is remarkable. He came to the crease and was circumspect for his first fifty, but then took just 19 deliveries to go from 50 to 100, which is ridiculous," he said via JioStar.
Swann also praised Kishan's stroke-making abilities in a commanding knock that included fourteen fours and seven maximums. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that the lofted drives and boundaries that Kishan struck in his entertaining knock against the Hashmatullah Shahidi -led side made it a delight to watch.
It wasn't crazy hitting or slogging either. He was simply being sensible, picking his spots on the leg side, forcing the bowlers to change their lines, and then playing those gorgeous lofted extra-cover drives. It's a sign of sheer class. That shot, wide of long-off, is something he's worked on over the last two years. It was an area where bowlers could shut him down, but he went away, worked on it, and turned it into a strength, which is brilliant," he added.
Notably, Kishan's stunning century helped India beat the Afghans and seal the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match tour. The
Ishan Kishan (Photo Source: BCCI)
Ishan Kishan has become a man of comebacks of late. He first shone in India's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph and was given an opportunity to represent the side once again in the One-Day Internationals ahead of the ongoing series against Afghanistan. Well, the Bihar-born has not disappointed at all and put forward a stunning case for himself with a blistering century in Lucknow. This left Graeme Swann massively impressed.
The former England spinner took a note of Kishan's masterly knock of 125 off just 79 balls in the second ODI against Afghanistan and said that his comeback did not feel like he had been away from the team for almost three years.
"He is the sort of player who will do whatever job you ask of him without any complaints. The fact that he's come back into the team and looks like he's never been away is remarkable. He came to the crease and was circumspect for his first fifty, but then took just 19 deliveries to go from 50 to 100, which is ridiculous," he said via JioStar.
Swann also praised Kishan's stroke-making abilities in a commanding knock that included fourteen fours and seven maximums. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that the lofted drives and boundaries that Kishan struck in his entertaining knock against the Hashmatullah Shahidi -led side made it a delight to watch.
It wasn't crazy hitting or slogging either. He was simply being sensible, picking his spots on the leg side, forcing the bowlers to change their lines, and then playing those gorgeous lofted extra-cover drives. It's a sign of sheer class. That shot, wide of long-off, is something he's worked on over the last two years. It was an area where bowlers could shut him down, but he went away, worked on it, and turned it into a strength, which is brilliant," he added.
Notably, Kishan's stunning century helped India beat the Afghans and seal the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match tour. The
📢'We have made him a one-format player very soon' - Aakash Chopra's massive statement on Mohammed Siraj amid IND vs AFG 2026 ODIs
Mohammed Siraj (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Aakash Chopra believes that Mohammed Siraj was labelled a one-format player very early in his career, but the right-arm seamer has managed to prove himself in the shorter formats as well.
After bowling well consistently for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and then the Gujarat Titans, Siraj was picked in India's squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, and he did a fantastic job in the limited opportunities he received.
"Bahut jaldi humne unko one-format player bana ke choad diya (We made him a one-format player very soon). It was prematurely decided that he could not bowl with the older ball and should be dropped. He was out of favor for a long time, but his fate changed, and he was picked for the T20 World Cup, where he picked up three wickets in his first match, and now he is back again in the T20 reckoning," Chopra said in a video posted on 'X'.
"That was not right" - Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Siraj getting dropped from India's ODI team
The former India pacer said that the decision to drop Siraj from the Champions Trophy squad in 2025 was a harsh call. Chopra opined that Siraj's place in the T20I team could still be up for debate, but there can't be any doubt about his ODI credentials.
"There was a period when I genuinely felt that it was not right. You played him in all Tests, where everyone needs workload management, but didn't think about him. Then, suddenly one day, you said he was no longer part of the ODI team, and then he was removed from T20Is as well; that was not right," Chopra said.
"He was not in the Champions Trophy team. I thought that was incorrect. His name should have been there. Maybe you can still understand for T20Is, but his name should be there in ODIs," he added.
Siraj had been given rest for the ODI series against Afghanistan, with Prasidh Krishna coming in as his replacement. The former is expected to return to action during the upcoming T20I series against Ireland, starting later this month.
Mohammed Siraj (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Aakash Chopra believes that Mohammed Siraj was labelled a one-format player very early in his career, but the right-arm seamer has managed to prove himself in the shorter formats as well.
After bowling well consistently for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and then the Gujarat Titans, Siraj was picked in India's squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, and he did a fantastic job in the limited opportunities he received.
"Bahut jaldi humne unko one-format player bana ke choad diya (We made him a one-format player very soon). It was prematurely decided that he could not bowl with the older ball and should be dropped. He was out of favor for a long time, but his fate changed, and he was picked for the T20 World Cup, where he picked up three wickets in his first match, and now he is back again in the T20 reckoning," Chopra said in a video posted on 'X'.
"That was not right" - Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Siraj getting dropped from India's ODI team
The former India pacer said that the decision to drop Siraj from the Champions Trophy squad in 2025 was a harsh call. Chopra opined that Siraj's place in the T20I team could still be up for debate, but there can't be any doubt about his ODI credentials.
"There was a period when I genuinely felt that it was not right. You played him in all Tests, where everyone needs workload management, but didn't think about him. Then, suddenly one day, you said he was no longer part of the ODI team, and then he was removed from T20Is as well; that was not right," Chopra said.
"He was not in the Champions Trophy team. I thought that was incorrect. His name should have been there. Maybe you can still understand for T20Is, but his name should be there in ODIs," he added.
Siraj had been given rest for the ODI series against Afghanistan, with Prasidh Krishna coming in as his replacement. The former is expected to return to action during the upcoming T20I series against Ireland, starting later this month.
'We have made him a one-format player very soon' - Aakash Chopra's massive statement on Mohammed Siraj amid IND vs AFG 2026 ODIs
Aakash Chopra believes that Mohammed Siraj was labelled a one-format player very early in his career, but the right-arm seamer has managed to prove himself in the shorter formats as well.
Aakash Chopra believes that Mohammed Siraj was labelled a one-format player very early in his career, but the right-arm seamer has managed to prove himself in the shorter formats as well.
📢'Prepare him for failure' - Former RR coach Paddy Upton on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise
'One of the things I would do is prepare him for failure' - Former RR coach Paddy Upton on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise (Source:Gettyimages)
Former Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton has highlighted the required emphasis on handling off-field scrutiny in terms of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 's career growth and development.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with a stellar season in the IPL, scoring over 700 runs at a strike rate of over 230. His meteoric rise has also seen him become the youngest player to be called up to an India squad, being added to the T20I squad for the tour of Ireland and England.
Upton stated that he would have worked on Sooryavanshi's ability to expect and deal with low scores, and believes that his on-field performances speak for themselves.
"For me, in terms of his on-field performance, as was repeatedly demonstrated in IPL, he’s got the right mindset to deliver on-field performance and even in the big moments. That’s pretty clear. Secondly, it’s important to give a dose of reality that nobody continues on a hot run of form. He’s had a seriously hot run of form in IPL. It’s almost impossible to expect that to continue. So, if I were around, I would work with him to expect a few low scores, some failure, some results not going his way. It’s absolutely normal and to be expected. And there’s no way anything different to that is going to happen,” Upton said, speaking on Sportstar.
Upton, who has been the mental conditioning coach of the 2011 World Cup-winning side, stated that the major issue to be dealt with is how Sooryavanshi manages external noise, something that even top athletes in the world struggle with.
"His single biggest challenge, I believe, is how he manages the external noise away from the playing arena. And I can tell you, some of the mentally strongest, some of the best athletes in the world, who’ve got significant experience, still get derailed by external noise, external expectations, external judgment. Whether it’s from fans, the media, sponsors, team owners, parents, coaches or teammates. And that’s going to be his single biggest challenge, to manage that noise, which is something that will be foreign to him. It’s not something that he’s ever faced before,” he added.
He further adds that with the young athletes like Sooryavanshi, there will be situations where people would associate with him in order to boost their own personal credentials.
“What happens with young superstars like this is that so many people crowd around them and want a piece of the action, and want to be seen to be part of his entourage. So he is going to get surrounded by a lot of people who don’t actually have his best interests at heart. They’ve got their own public visibility and ego and their own self-image at the front and centre,” Upton said.
The former coach further added that the first thing he would do as a mental conditioning coach is to prepare the batter for periods of failure, where he will be tested on how he deals with career lows.
"One of the first things I would do is prepare him for failure. To say there’s a good chance that in your first two or three innings, you don’t score runs. What is that going to feel like? What’s that going to look like? What’s that experience going to be like? And how are you going to manage yourself? So one of the key things is to prepare him for failure. That’s going to come, whether it comes now or later, it’s going to come,” he said.
Sooryavashi was recently in the headlines over a heated altercation with a Sri Lanka A player during a match for India A in the ongoing tri-nation series.
'One of the things I would do is prepare him for failure' - Former RR coach Paddy Upton on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise (Source:Gettyimages)
Former Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton has highlighted the required emphasis on handling off-field scrutiny in terms of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 's career growth and development.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with a stellar season in the IPL, scoring over 700 runs at a strike rate of over 230. His meteoric rise has also seen him become the youngest player to be called up to an India squad, being added to the T20I squad for the tour of Ireland and England.
Upton stated that he would have worked on Sooryavanshi's ability to expect and deal with low scores, and believes that his on-field performances speak for themselves.
"For me, in terms of his on-field performance, as was repeatedly demonstrated in IPL, he’s got the right mindset to deliver on-field performance and even in the big moments. That’s pretty clear. Secondly, it’s important to give a dose of reality that nobody continues on a hot run of form. He’s had a seriously hot run of form in IPL. It’s almost impossible to expect that to continue. So, if I were around, I would work with him to expect a few low scores, some failure, some results not going his way. It’s absolutely normal and to be expected. And there’s no way anything different to that is going to happen,” Upton said, speaking on Sportstar.
Upton, who has been the mental conditioning coach of the 2011 World Cup-winning side, stated that the major issue to be dealt with is how Sooryavanshi manages external noise, something that even top athletes in the world struggle with.
"His single biggest challenge, I believe, is how he manages the external noise away from the playing arena. And I can tell you, some of the mentally strongest, some of the best athletes in the world, who’ve got significant experience, still get derailed by external noise, external expectations, external judgment. Whether it’s from fans, the media, sponsors, team owners, parents, coaches or teammates. And that’s going to be his single biggest challenge, to manage that noise, which is something that will be foreign to him. It’s not something that he’s ever faced before,” he added.
He further adds that with the young athletes like Sooryavanshi, there will be situations where people would associate with him in order to boost their own personal credentials.
“What happens with young superstars like this is that so many people crowd around them and want a piece of the action, and want to be seen to be part of his entourage. So he is going to get surrounded by a lot of people who don’t actually have his best interests at heart. They’ve got their own public visibility and ego and their own self-image at the front and centre,” Upton said.
The former coach further added that the first thing he would do as a mental conditioning coach is to prepare the batter for periods of failure, where he will be tested on how he deals with career lows.
"One of the first things I would do is prepare him for failure. To say there’s a good chance that in your first two or three innings, you don’t score runs. What is that going to feel like? What’s that going to look like? What’s that experience going to be like? And how are you going to manage yourself? So one of the key things is to prepare him for failure. That’s going to come, whether it comes now or later, it’s going to come,” he said.
Sooryavashi was recently in the headlines over a heated altercation with a Sri Lanka A player during a match for India A in the ongoing tri-nation series.