NEW DELHI: Axar Patel was caught off-guard as Virat Kohli suddenly interrupted his post-match interaction with Hardik Pandya after a 2021 pink-ball Test. “Baapu tari bowling kamal che (Your bowling is great),” said Kohli, leaving Hardik and Axar in splits. The Gujarat all-rounder’s bowling has dismanted the opposition on many instances. However, the attribute that especially stood out in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England is Axar’s fielding, as the 32-year-old cricketer pulled off one stunner after the other.The Gujarat all-rounder accounted for three catches, especially grabbing the limelight for his excellent relay catch with Shivam Dube at the deep point boundary to send Will Jacks back to the pavilion.

Axar ran to his left, retaining composure despite being close to the rope, throwing the ball towards Shivam Dube astutely. The 32-year-old cricketer had earlier pulled off an excellent running catch with a full-length dive to dismiss Harry Brook, drawing comparisons to Kapil Dev’s similar catch in the 1983 World Cup final. England bore the full brunt of Axar’s anger after being dropped for the match against South Africa, with many experts terming the all-rounder’s catches as a bigger determinant than Jasprit Bumrah’s spell in India’s seven-run win.“Axar’s fielding sessions are always intense and he pushes others to maintain the same level. He is a natural fielder and very self-motivated, taking the initiative to practice from different positions on his own,” said the Gujarat Ranji team’s former head coach Hitesh Majumdar, during an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia.com.

Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Sohum Desai (Special arrangements)

Former India fielding coach R Sridhar has hailed Axar as someone who constantly pushes past his limits, maintaining curiosity and a learner’s mentality. The all-rounder enjoys enhanced calmness due to experience across different situations and has also benefitted from visualisation techniques. Keeping things simple while maintaining concise yet effective conversations have been a key attribute in Sridhar’s interactions with the Gujarat cricketer.MS Dhoni’s death stare The 32-year-old cricketer is one of the safest fielders in the world currently, drawing comparisons to Ravindra Jadeja. Interestingly, Axar once drew a ‘death stare’ from MS Dhoni as well as a look of frustration from Virat Kohli for his fielding during a September 2017 match against Australia in Bengaluru. The all-rounder reacted slowly while fielding at third man, with a lethargic return, allowing the Aussies to add two runs.Despite being a natural athlete, Axar wasn’t always a model professional, coming up with excuses to avoid gym training, which earned him the nickname of ‘Oscar’ from friends. The Gujarat cricketer also loved consuming junk which never reflected on his waistline. Former Team India Strength and Conditioning coach Soham Desai played a key role in propelling Axar to the next level, kickstarting a transformation process from 2018 which eventually came together around 2020-21.

Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hitesh Majumdar (Special Arragements)

“He was a very gifted and naturally fit athlete but lacked people who could help maximise his potential. Axar would somehow get injured every now and then with something or the other. There was a definite lack of structure which could propel long-term growth and excellence,” said Desai.“Growing up in Gujarat, Axar developed unhealthy eating habits, consuming items which don’t help in becoming a sportsperson at all. There were certain adjustments made in meal timings, volume of consumption and avoiding the wrong food items,” he added.Reduction in injuries from 80% to 10%The Strength and Conditioning coach further made certain alterations in Axar’s training and preparation, designing a sustainable template. The all-rounder’s injuries reduced drastically, from 70-80% to 5-10%, enabling him to put his best foot forward.“Fitness definitely has a vital impact on aspects like fielding which have athletic demands. Even if you look at Axar’s catches, it is anticipation as well putting the body in a position to pull off the catch,” he shared.

Axar Patel dives to take the catch of England’s captain Harry Brook. (ANI Photo)

“We identified certain movements in the gym or muscle groups which can cause injuries, prempting that and working towards building resilience and robustness. The focus was on developing enough resilience to withstand load under fatigue or pressure closer to 30 when the natural prowess goes down,” added the Strength and Conditioning coach.Desai hailed Axar’s commitment levels, praising his mental strength in sticking to the process. The focus has constantly been on excellence and constant growth, following the tough path not taken by others. “The trophies and catches are simply a byproduct of the effort behind creating a foundation and fitness reserve which Axar never used to think about earlier,” he stated.

Haris Rauf (Agency Photo)

Several Pakistani cricketers experienced a disappointing outcome around the 2026 Hundred auction across men and women’s categories, with fast bowler Haris Rauf going unsold and ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrawing just before the bidding began. Teams were already expected to be cautious with their overseas slots, which limited opportunities for international players during the auction.Pakistan’s Afridi was originally listed in the Tier 1 fast bowlers category and had previously represented Welsh Fire in the tournament. However, he was among five overseas players who pulled out shortly before the auction. The ECB confirmed that Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine, AM Ghazanfar, and Peter Siddle also withdrew.

The likely reasons included clashes with the Caribbean Premier League and other international commitments. Afridi’s withdrawal still left 13 Pakistani players available in the men’s auction pool.The withdrawals came at a time when there had been scrutiny about Pakistani participation in the tournament. In response, the ECB and the eight franchises released a joint clarification, stressing that all selections would be based on “performance, availability, and the needs of each team.”Meanwhile, the situation had already been difficult for Pakistan in the women’s auction held a day earlier. None of the Pakistani women’s players managed to secure a contract. Left-handed batter Muneeba Ali, fast bowler Diana Baig, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, and national captain Fatima Sana had all entered the auction with a base price of £15,000, but none received bids.With several withdrawals and unsold players, Pakistan’s presence in this year’s Hundred has been noticeably reduced, highlighting how scheduling conflicts and limited overseas spots can strongly influence franchise selections in the competition.

Celebrating success in squash

The eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) will be held on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, honouring the achievements and inspiring journeys of India’s finest athletes across multiple sports. TOISA 2025 will recognise performances delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, spotlighting standout moments from major international tournaments and global championships. With over 45 award categories, the event will celebrate both legendary performers and promising new talents who brought pride to the nation.Award winners will be chosen by a distinguished jury of sporting icons, including Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal, and Leander Paes, ensuring a credible and expert evaluation of excellence in Indian sport.Squash – MaleAbhay SinghDate of Birth: September 3, 1998Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil NaduSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:SDAT Squash World Cup: Gold (Mixed Team)Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Men’s Doubles)Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Mixed Doubles)PSA Hyder Trophy (New York): GoldIndia’s top-ranked male player, Abhay Singh, enjoyed a stellar 2025, solidifying his dominance in both the individual and team formats. He led India to a historic maiden gold at the SDAT Squash World Cup in his hometown, Chennai. On the continental stage, he secured a double-gold at the Asian Doubles Championship, successfully defending his men’s doubles title with Velavan Senthilkumar and clinching the mixed crown alongside Anahat Singh. Additionally, he captured his 11th PSA Tour title at the Hyder Trophy in New York, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 26 during the year.Saurav GhosalDate of Birth: August 10, 1986Place of Birth: Kolkata, West BengalSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:Octane Sydney Classic (PSA): GoldAfter briefly stepping away from the professional circuit, the legendary Saurav Ghosal made a triumphant “comeback” in early 2025 by winning the Sydney Classic in Australia, dropping only one game throughout the tournament to secure his 11th PSA title. Despite battling age and recurring injuries, Ghosal continued to be a guiding force for Indian squash. His resilience throughout 2025 further cemented his legacy as the greatest squash player India has ever produced.Velavan SenthilkumarDate of Birth: March 26, 1998Place of Birth: Salem, Tamil NaduSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:Senior National Squash Championship: Gold (Men’s Singles)Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Men’s Doubles)Asian Individual Squash Championships: BronzeSDAT Squash World Cup: Gold (Mixed Team)Velavan Senthilkumar reached new heights in 2025, breaking into the world’s top 40 for the first time. He reclaimed the Senior National title in a high-intensity final and was a vital component of the gold-medal-winning squad at the World Cup in Chennai. His partnership with Abhay Singh remained unbeatable in Asia, as they successfully defended their Asian Doubles crown. With a bronze at the Individual Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Velavan proved he is now a consistent medal threat at the highest levels of international squash.Mahesh MangaonkarDate of Birth: March 23, 1994Place of Birth: Mumbai, MaharashtraSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:PSA World Championships: Round of 32Finnish National Championship: Gold (as a resident competitor)PSA Tour: Two-time Finalist (Challenger Level)While balancing his professional career with coaching roles in Europe, Mahesh Mangaonkar remained a key international representative for India in 2025. He showcased his experience at the PSA World Championships, putting up a spirited fight against top-seeded opponents. On the regional circuit, he continued to dominate in Scandinavia, securing national titles as a resident, while simultaneously reaching multiple finals on the PSA Challenger Tour.Squash – FemaleAnahat SinghDate of Birth: March 13, 2008Place of Birth: DelhiSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:SDAT Squash World Cup: Gold (Mixed Team)Senior National Squash Championship: Gold (Women’s Singles)Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Women’s & Mixed Doubles)World Junior Squash Championships: BronzePSA Awards 2025: Challenger Player of the Season & Young Player of the SeasonAt just 17, Anahat Singh solidified her status as the face of Indian squash in 2025. She completed a historic hat-trick of Senior National titles and anchored India to its first-ever Squash World Cup gold in Chennai. Internationally, she ended a 15-year drought for India at the World Junior Championships by winning bronze and secured her maiden Top-10 victory by upsetting World No. 7 Tinne Gilis at the Canadian Open. Her dominance on the PSA Challenger Tour, where she maintained a 29-match unbeaten streak, earned her two prestigious global season awards from the PSA.Joshna ChinappaDate of Birth: September 15, 1986Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil NaduSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:SDAT Squash World Cup: Gold (Mixed Team)Japan Open (PSA Challenger): GoldAsian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Women’s Doubles)SRFI Indian Open: Silver (Singles)Proving that age is just a number, the 39-year-old veteran Joshna Chinappa enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in 2025. She provided a critical opening-match victory in the World Cup final against Hong Kong to help India secure gold. In October, she captured her 11th PSA title at the Japan Open in Yokohama, defeating younger, higher-ranked opponents to break back into the world’s Top 100. Despite a runner-up finish to Anahat Singh at the Indian Open, her tactical brilliance and veteran leadership remained indispensable to the national team’s success.Tanvi KhannaDate of Birth: July 23, 1995Place of Birth: DelhiSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:HCL Squash Indian Tour (Mumbai): GoldHCL Squash Indian Tour (Jaipur): SilverAsian Individual Squash Championships: Quarter-finalistTanvi Khanna made a successful return to form in 2025 following a recovery period from injury. She clinched her first title of the season at the HCL PSA Challenger in Mumbai, stunning the Egyptian top seed in the final. Her consistency on the domestic and Asian circuits saw her reach the final in Jaipur and the latter stages of the Asian Individual Championships in Malaysia. Throughout the year, Tanvi remained a top-3 ranked player in India, providing vital depth to the women’s national squad in international team competitions.Dipika Pallikal KarthikDate of Birth: September 21, 1991Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil NaduSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Silver (Mixed Doubles)World Squash Championships: Main Draw (Chicago)PSA Tour: Reached Semi-finals at the Australian OpenIn 2025, Dipika Pallikal Karthik focused her competitive energy on high-stakes doubles and select PSA World Tour events. She secured a silver medal at the Asian Doubles Championship alongside Saurav Ghosal and represented India at the PSA World Championships in Chicago. While balancing her professional career with her role as a prominent sporting icon, she continued to compete at the highest level of the global circuit, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and serving as a vital mentor to the younger players in the national camp.

Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav (Screengrab)

NEW DELHI: On the eve of the 2026 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand, India captain Suryakumar Yadav was gushing about the fact that he is only following the footsteps of Rohit Sharma.When asked whether he found his predecessor Rohit Sharma’s boots too big to fill, he said: “Joota mera hi hai, footsteps unke hain. (Sir, the shoes are mine, I only follow his footsteps).” On a serious note, he spoke about the nuggets he picked up from Rohit’s leadership.

“The way he left things, I got to learn a lot from him when I was playing under him. So I also followed the same strategy and the same fundamentals.“I played a lot of cricket with Rohit. I know how he worked. So I tried to implement the same things with a few thoughts of my own as well. And it’s worked really well,” he said.Suryakumar Yadav is not wrong in crediting Rohit Sharma. It was Rohit who had set the blueprint for India after the ten-wicket mauling India received at the hands of England in Adelaide during the semifinal of the 2022 T20 World Cup. After the match, Rohit had said this was not the way his team was going to play. He walked the talk, and there was a conscious effort to bat more aggressively. It brought India success.The aggressive brand of cricket that Rohit sowed in the DNA of India’s white-ball team can be seen in the performances and the ICC titles India have won.

Suryakumar Yadav of India poses for a photo with the trophy after victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

In hindsight, Surya is not wrong. It still is Rohit’s team. Nine out of the 15 players in the squad had won the title in the Caribbean. It is the same core that, under Rohit, ended India’s 11-year drought of not winning an ICC title. Surya himself blossomed under Rohit’s captaincy, be it for India or for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. The same can be said for Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan.Then there is Sanju Samson. In the middle of the tournament, when Surya was asked whether the batter should be added to the top three, which was one-dimensional with Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, all southpaws, Surya laughed and said: “You mean I should play him in Abhishek’s place? You mean I should make him play for Tilak?”Sanju ended up playing three match-winning knocks on the bounce and became the Player of the Tournament.

Sanju Samson of India celebrates victory following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 match between India and West Indies at Eden Gardens on March 01, 2026 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Two years ago, Rohit spent ten minutes with Sanju Samson before the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, explaining why he would not be playing in the final, although he had initially been told that he would play.“I had a chance to play the final. I was told to stay ready. I was ready. However, they decided before the toss that we would go with the same team,” Samson told journalist Vimal Kumar during a chat.“He spent 10 minutes with the player who was not playing just before the toss. He gave me 10 minutes before the toss. After that, I realised this person had other qualities. If I were in his place, I would be thinking about the players who were playing or about my batting. That is what you normally think. At that point, he thought, ‘I have to explain to Sanju why I took that decision.’ At that moment, he won a place in my heart that will stay for a lifetime.“

Suryakumar Yadav of India interacts with the crowd following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

Certainly, Surya does not yet have the leadership aura that Rohit possessed. But he will always be remembered as only the third Indian captain after MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma to lift the T20 World Cup.What Surya can truly learn from Rohit is how to step away at the right moment.

Rohit did it in 2024. He was still in top form, but he understood that the future had to be prepared. With a World Cup trophy in his hands, he stepped aside from T20Is and made space for the next generation.Surya now stands at a similar crossroads. The timing could not be better. Walk away at the top, hand the baton to the next generation, and his legacy will not just be about lifting a trophy but about knowing when to let the future begin.

Jasprit Bumrah (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah says delivering in the toughest moments is what gives him the greatest joy on a cricket field, after playing a decisive role in India’s historic triumph at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Bumrah reflected on the mindset that has driven his journey through the ranks — embracing the toughest challenges and stepping up when the team needs him most.“I always wanted to do a tough job. I’ve played cricket for that. I started cricket for that. When I’m able to make a difference, that gives me so much joy. No better feeling than that,” Bumrah said.

The right-arm quick produced a match-winning spell in the final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, claiming four wickets to dismantle the opposition and earn the Player of the Match award as India cruised to a dominant 96-run victory.With the win, India scripted history by becoming the first side to win three T20 World Cup titles, the first to defend the trophy successfully, and the first to lift the crown on home soil.For Bumrah, the moment carried deeper emotional significance. The venue also reminded him of the heartbreak of the 2023 Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad, where India fell just short of the title.“The last time we just fell short, this time we went over it. Really happy,” he said.The 32-year-old also revealed how the presence of his family made the moment even more special.“My son came. He was there last time as well; this time, he was there. My mum came — really special. I don’t know about full circles, but really, really happy.”Bumrah finished the tournament as joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps alongside mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy.“Back-to-back World Cups never really happen. Really grateful, God is really kind, and I couldn’t be more thankful,” Bumrah added.

Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)

No side had ever defended the T20 World Cup title. Suryakumar Yadav’s boys did it first. At home, no less. Here is TOI’s report card of the 15 men who made it happen.GAUTAM GAMBHIR (COACH) – 9/10Two consecutive ICC trophies. The only man in history to win a T20 World Cup as player and coach. His biggest contribution was framing the team’s ideology to “not playing for milestones”. He backed Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy through their lean phase.JASPRIT BUMRAH – 10/10There is a reason Suryakumar Yadav called him a “national treasure”. India’s cheat code! Named Player of the Match in the final for figures of 4/15. Finished joint top wickettaker with 14 scalps and economy of 6.21 — remarkable on surfaces where everyone else bled runs. In the semifinal, he gave away just 14 runs across two overs in the death when England needed 69 off the last five overs.M: 8 | W: 14 | ER: 6.21 | Ave: 12.42 | SR: 12.00

SANJU SAMSON – 10/10When he got his chance, he dismantled the opposition bowling, narratives against him, and years of heartbreak. He kicked off his scoring spree with an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal, then 89 against England in the semifinal, and another 89 in the final — becoming only the second batter to score three consecutive 80-plus scores at a T20 World Cup. His 89 was the highest individual score in a men’s T20 World Cup final. Was fittingly named Player of the Tournament.M: 5 | R: 321 | SR: 199.37 | Ave: 80.25 | 50s: 3ISHAN KISHAN – 9/10The comeback stories at this World Cup had a recurring theme. People who had been written off, coming back with a bang. His redemption arc was complete after smashing 54 off 25 in the final. His best performance came against Pakistan, leading the Indian charge with 77 off 40. He finished as the fourth-highest runscorer in the tournament.M: 9 | R: 317 | SR: 193.29 | Ave: 35.22 | 50s: 3HARDIK PANDYA – 8.5/10A reliable, clutch professional who showed up in the moments that mattered. Scored a halfcentury each against Namibia and Zimbabwe, but his best came in the semifinal against England, where he scored a rapid 27 off 12 that powered India to a 250-plus total. With the ball, his best came against Pakistan (2/16). In the semifinal, he bowled the 19th over for just nine runs, claiming 2/38 to halt England.M: 9 | R: 217 | SR: 160.74 | Ave: 27.12 | 50s: 2 Wkts: 9 | ER: 8.81 | BB: 2/16SHIVAM DUBE – 8/10Bailed India out of tough situations while batting down the order. His 31-ball 65 against the Netherlands helped India to 193 after struggling initially. In the final, he scored 24 runs in the final over, taking India to 255. Even in the semis against England, he played a clutch knock, hitting 43 off 25 and taking down the wily Adil Rashid.M: 9 | R: 235 | SR: 169.06 | Ave: 39.16 | 50s: 1 Wkts: 5 | ER: 14.12 | BB: 2/35AXAR PATEL – 8/10While he was not required with the bat, he came to the fore with the ball taking 11 wickets, often bowling clutch overs. In the final, he took 3/27. In the semis, two stunning catches from him changed the game entirely.M: 7 | R: 16 | SR: 106.66 | Ave: 5.33 | 50s: 0

India head coach Gautam Gambhir with captain Suryakumar Yadav. (Pic credit: BCCI)

SURYAKUMAR YADAV (CAPTAIN) – 7.5/10He led with clarity, instinct and energy. He read the game well and wasn’t afraid to back his bowlers or shuffle the batting order under pressure. But with the bat, he looked a shadow of his peak self. Scored a solitary half-century—an unbeaten 84 off 49 against USA—that saved India the early blushes.M: 9 | R: 242 | SR: 136.72 | Ave: 30.25 | 50s: 1TILAK VARMA – 7.5/10He started at No.3 but it didn’t work. Dropped down to the middle-order and suddenly he looked a different batter. A 16-ball unbeaten 44 against Zimbabwe stood out, a 15-ball 27 against Windies, and a 7-ball 21 against England in the semis, where he smashed three sixes off Jofra Archer, underscored his importance.Inns: 9 | Runs: 207 | SR: 154.47 | Ave: 29.57 | 50s: 0ARSHDEEP SINGH – 7.5/10On the high-scoring surfaces, he couldn’t quite replicate his 2024 heroics but still managed crucial performances in the semifinal against England and in the Super Eight game against Zimbabwe. The side trusted him throughout, and more often than not, he repaid that trust.M: 8 | W: 9 | ER: 8.46 | Ave: 28.22 | SR: 20 | BB: 2/24VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY – 7/10I t was a tournament of two halves. He took nine wickets in the group stage and bowled economically, but across the next five matches, he leaked runs at 11.84, picking up just five more wickets. But 14 wickets at a World Cup is not bad.M: 9 | W: 14 | ER: 9.25 | Ave: 20.50 | SR: 13.20 | BB: 3/7KULDEEP YADAV – 7/10Played just one match. Against Pakistan in Colombo, he delivered a tight three-over spell, taking 1/14. He watched the rest of the tournament from the dugout.M: 1 | W: 1 | ER: 4.66 | Ave: 14 | SR: 18 | BB: 1/14MOHAMMED SIRAJ – 7/10Called into the squad as a last-minute replacement for Harshit Rana, he played only the opening match against the USA and walked away with figures of 3/29, stepping in for Bumrah who was ill.M: 1 | W: 3 | ER: 7.25 | Ave: 9.66 | SR: 8 | BB: 3/29ABHISHEK SHARMA – 6/10This was supposed to be his World Cup but lived on the edge of a cliff for seven matches, collecting three ducks in his first three innings. Opposition off-spinners tied him in knots. There was noise about dropping him for the final. He silenced it most decisively, scoring the fastest half-century of the tournament off just 18 balls.M: 8 | R: 141 | SR: 158.42 | Ave: 17.62 | 50s: 2RINKU SINGH – 5/10His tournament was truncated and difficult. Batting in cameo roles that didn’t suit him, he lost his place in the XI by the business end. But every Indian fielding highlight featured him; he contributed as a substitute fielder and remained a warm presence in what was clearly a painful month, having lost his father midway through the tournament.M: 5 | R: 24 | SR: 82.75 | Ave: 8.00 | 50s: 0WASHINGTON SUNDAR – 5/10He featured in just two games, registering 0/36 against the Netherlands and 0/17 against South Africa with the ball. In the one innings he batted against the Proteas, he scored just 11 runs. He was the squad’s depth, used as cover.M: 2 | R: 11 | SR: 100.00 | Ave: 11.00 | 50s: 0 Wkts: 0 | ER: 8.83

Sanju Samson, and Sachin Tendulkar

As he stepped up to receive his Player of the Tournament award after India had clinched the T20 World Cup Sunday, an emotional Sanju Samson recalled how he felt broken, his dreams shattered, after a wretched run of form. Fortunately for Samson, help was just a call away.Samson became the latest in a long line of Indian batters to seek help from the God of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar. Like the others, he wasn’t disappointed.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“When I was sitting outside in Australia (during the T20Is in Oct) … I wasn’t playing a game, I thought about what mindset is required,” Samson said, “I reached out to ‘Sir’ and had long conversations with him.”Samson spoke from the heart about the value of Sachin’s guidance — “that clarity, game preparation, awareness and game sense”. He revealed, “Even the night before the final, Sir called me up to check how I am feeling.”

There’s a reason Sachin has been referred to as a ‘university of batting’ by Sunil Gavaskar, himself once a mentor to Tendulkar. Former India head coach and former South African opening batter Gary Kirsten, too had referred to Tendulkar in similar terms.Despite spending over a decade away from international cricket, Tendulkar still keenly watches games and makes sharp observations about a batter’s technique. The Master doesn’t air these observations publicly, but if the player approaches him, he is always known to be ready to help.‘Tendulkar brings honesty to table & keeps things simple’Cast your mind back to India’s 2011 World Cup, when Yuvraj Singh endured a horrendous time with the bat a year before the event. Questions swirled over whether he should even make the squad. During the camp, as the left-hander battled a dip in both form and fitness, Tendulkar told him, “You will matter when it matters most.” Yuvraj went on to become Player of the Tournament.In 2014, Virat Kohli said he was a psychological wreck after he could score just 134 runs in 10 innings on his maiden England tour as pacer James Anderson traumatised him outside off-stump. After his return, Kohli sent an SOS to Tendulkar and the two worked for a few days at the indoor nets at the Bandra Kurla Complex.Kohli later said that their conversations weren’t just about technical adjustments or batting. “It was about how he coped with such times… One thing he told me was, ‘You should always do what works for you.’ Before the game, if you do not feel like batting in the nets, don’t bat in the nets. You should never do it just because other people are batting for half an hour in the nets,” Kohli had mentioned during an interview with The Cricket Monthly.Kohli then went on to smash four hundreds in Australia in the 2014-2015 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Before the England tour in 2025, newly-crowned Test captain Shubman Gill too admitted that he had sought Tendulkar’s advice on how to succeed in English conditions.His advice to Gill about defending straight and scoring square enabled him to log 754 runs in the five-match series.“The best thing about ‘Master’ is that he knows what conditions he is talking about. He makes people who approach him understand how to go about playing in certain conditions, respect them and do what works for them,” says Atul Ranade, Tendulkar’s childhood friend and currently Mumbai’s Ranji team fielding coach.Modern-day cricketers have plenty of coaches they can approach. Why then do they still turn to Tendulkar for advice? “What he brings to the table is honesty,” Ranade explained, “He’ll also keep it as simple as possible, which makes it easy for the person to understand.”Out of favour batter Prithvi Shaw, who scored a Test hundred on debut in Oct 2018 against the West Indies, didn’t just receive technical tips while training at the Mumbai Cricket Association ground, but was also told to mend his ways. “Waapas track pe aaja (Better get back on track),” Tendulkar reportedly told the captain of the India U-19 team that won the World Cup in New Zealand in early 2018.“He’s always there for them; he always has time to give back to the game. He’s always ready to help in whatever way that he can,” Ranade said.Ranade remembered when in 2014, Sachin and Ranade were playing a game of badminton just a few months after the batsman’s retirement. “He (Tendulkar) told us: ‘Don’t disturb me unless one phone call comes’. Puzzled, we asked, ‘Who will call?’‘Rohit will call,’ he replied,” said Ranade. Rohit Sharma had just started opening for India in ODIs, and as expected, his call came. Tendulkar stopped the game to speak with him for nearly half an hour.Ranade said Tendulkar also played a major role in getting Sharma to the Mumbai Indians from the Deccan Chargers in 2011. Sharma went on to captain the team to five IPL championships.

Gautam Gambhir and Arshdeep Singh (Image credit: Instagram)

NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly defended pacer Arshdeep Singh following his on-field altercation with Daryl Mitchell during the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, saying he would have been “absolutely fine” even if the bowler had not apologised after the incident.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The flashpoint occurred in the 11th over of New Zealand’s innings at the final in Ahmedabad. After Mitchell smashed Arshdeep for two consecutive sixes, the Indian pacer fielded the ball on his follow-through and threw it back towards the batter, with the ball striking Mitchell on the pads.

Although Arshdeep apologised to the New Zealand vice-captain after the match, the International Cricket Council later fined the pacer 15 per cent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. One demerit point was also added to his disciplinary record.Arshdeep was found guilty of breaching Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate or dangerous manner during an international match. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf, along with third umpire Allahuddien Paleker and fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock. Match referee Andy Pycroft imposed the sanction, which Arshdeep accepted, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.However, Gambhir played down the controversy and insisted the bowler’s reaction was a natural expression of competitive spirit.“That is okay. You’re representing your country. You’re bound to show aggression. There’s nothing wrong with that. No bowler likes to get hit for two sixes. And that is the kind of response I want to see from my players. And that there is nothing wrong. Or in fact, even if sorry is not said, I was absolutely fine with it. I was absolutely fine. He doesn’t need to say sorry. Yes, it’s good on him that he apologised. But on a cricket field, there are no friends. Neither are there any enemies,” Gambhir said in an interview to ANI.He also suggested that such moments are often exaggerated in the modern era due to social media scrutiny.“Your job is to represent your country. Your job is to win a game of cricket for your country. And you don’t want to get hit for two sixes. And that was fine. I thought we should not blow all these things out of proportion because these things used to happen before. Today, because of social media, things escalate a lot,” he added.The incident came in a match that ultimately ended in historic fashion for India, as the hosts crushed New Zealand by 96 runs to lift their third T20 World Cup title — becoming the first side to defend the trophy and win it on home soil.