Kushan Sarkar

1 week ago | theprint.in | Kushan Sarkar

The new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the BCCI has capped the support staff’s tenure at three years. It is learnt that India’s first ever Strength and Conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux is likely to return for a second stint. The South African is widely credited for ushering in a new fitness culture in the then Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team during the 2003 World Cup. When BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was contacted by the PTI, he neither confirmed nor denied the development.

1 week ago | theprint.in | Kushan Sarkar

A former BCCI umpire, who has officiated in more than 100 IPL games and many international matches, also expressed his surprise at the development. “The umpires keep a house-shaped bat gauge. If the bat passes through that gauge, it is deemed acceptable. We have all performed bat checks before the start of the innings inside the dressing room. The players handover their willows and the check is done,” a former umpire told PTI conditions of anonymity.

1 week ago | theprint.in | Kushan Sarkar

And suddenly the ball started to grip and turn with Mitchell Santner’s dream delivery disturbing Nair’s off-stick and Karn picking up three for 36 on a day ruled by wrist spinners. Once KL Rahul, not known for handling pressure situations on slightly slowish track, was fooled by a classic leg-break by Karn, which lobbed up, the DC batting started to crumble. In the end, MI’s brilliant ground fielding showed its effect as three run outs ended Delhi Capitals’s brilliant streak of wins.

1 week ago | theprint.in | Kushan Sarkar

In IPL, just one defeat can make or break momentum and Mumbai Indians are on the cusp of having another nightmarish season after finishing at the bottom of the table in the last edition. In times of crisis, fans expect their much-loved stars to put their hand up and contribute handsomely and Rohit needs to come out all guns blazing. He has managed only 38 runs in four matches he has played so far.

2 weeks ago | theprint.in | Kushan Sarkar

Bhardwaj was happy that the auction price didn’t get into his head. The 24-year-old southpaw had joined Bhardwaj’s Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy at the age of 10. “When he hit six sixes for South Delhi Supetstars in Delhi Premier League last year, he was able to maintain composure. Even after there was bidding war at IPL auctions, he quietly practiced. He hasn’t changed since his father brought him to me as a 10-year-old.