Cricket news

Gautam Gambhir emerges powerful force in Indian cricket post-Kohli era

With Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin moving out of the Test picture, Gambhir finds space to reshape Indian cricket, aiming to phase out the star culture.

Published

1 year ago

May 13, 2025

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In a significant shift in Indian cricket’s power structure, former opener Gautam Gambhir is poised to become one of the most influential head coaches in the national team’s history. With the recent exits of heavyweights like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin from Test cricket, Gambhir finds himself in a position to assert rare authority—an opportunity that was elusive for many of his predecessors.

Historically, Indian cricket has been dominated by captain-driven leadership models. Icons such as Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit Sharma had final say in most cricketing decisions. Even highly respected coaches like Greg Chappell, Anil Kumble, and Bishan Singh Bedi struggled to assert command due to the overpowering presence of star players. Conversely, coaches like John Wright, Gary Kirsten, and Ravi Shastri thrived by aligning with their captains.

However, the current landscape has shifted. A new phase of Indian cricket has begun, one that gives Gambhir a strategic advantage. According to sources within the BCCI, Gambhir made it clear that the upcoming World Test Championship cycle should usher in a new generation of players. His views were reportedly in sync with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, particularly regarding the gradual phasing out of senior players.

“The Gautam Gambhir era begins now. He was categorical that during the next WTC cycle, India need to have fresh faces,” said a senior BCCI official.

In contrast to his tense past with Virat Kohli, where truce was reportedly brokered through mediation, Gambhir now enjoys relatively smoother dynamics. While Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid formed a short-lived but functional duo, a potential Rohit-Gambhir partnership seemed less cohesive. With Kohli and Rohit stepping back from Tests and only eyeing a return in ODIs, Gambhir gains more breathing space—especially in Tests and T20Is.

Young batter Shubman Gill is expected to take over the Test captaincy, creating a dynamic where Gambhir can guide team decisions more freely. Although Gill is seen as a rising star, his current stature in the team is still evolving—providing Gambhir the opportunity to mentor without resistance.

Jasprit Bumrah, due to recurring fitness concerns, is unlikely to challenge this new power equation. The only format where Gambhir may have to tread cautiously is ODIs, with both Kohli and Rohit reportedly planning to play through the 2027 World Cup.

For now, Gambhir enjoys an unmatched position in the Indian cricketing hierarchy—possibly marking the beginning of a rare coach-centric leadership model.

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Abhishek Sharma smashes 113 off 38 balls as India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI

Abhishek Sharma hammered 113 off just 38 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 199-run target in 13.2 overs, winning the third T20I by six wickets.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning batting performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington, smashing 113 off just 38 balls to power India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

The Indian opener’s explosive innings proved decisive as India chased down New Zealand’s total of 198/3. His aggressive approach put the hosts under pressure and helped India complete the chase with plenty of overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma leads India’s chase

Abhishek’s 113-run knock off 38 deliveries was the standout performance of the contest. His innings provided India with the momentum needed to pursue the 199-run target at a rapid pace.

The century also made Abhishek the central figure of the third T20I, with his power-hitting dominating the contest. India’s successful chase underlined the impact of his innings in a match where New Zealand had posted a substantial total.

India chase down 199 against New Zealand

New Zealand scored 198/3 in their innings, setting India a target of 199. However, India’s batters responded with an aggressive chase, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.

The six-wicket victory gave India an important result in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek’s century was the defining contribution of the match, ensuring that the visitors completed the chase comfortably.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings takes the spotlight

Abhishek’s quickfire century was the major talking point from the Wellington encounter. Scoring 113 runs from only 38 balls, he combined scoring speed with the ability to keep India’s chase firmly on track.

His performance will be among the key highlights of the third T20I as India continue their campaign against New Zealand.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.