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Rodri ” A Midfielder”

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Aarna Jha
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Rodri ” A Midfielder”
(Image credit : X)

Personal Details :

Nationality   :                                       Spain
Date of Birth :22th June 1996
Club                 :Manchester City
Position         :Midfielder
Premier League Record
Appearances174
Goals22
Assists21
Honours & Awards
Goal of the Month1
2021/22
Premier League Champion
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24

Premier League Playing Career

SeasonClubApps (subs)Goals
2024/2025Manchester City2(1)0
2023/2024Manchester City34(0)8
2022/2023Manchester City36(2)2
2021/2022Manchester City33(0)7
2020/2021Manchester City34(3)2
2019/2020Manchester City35(6)3

International Career

2018 – 2021 : UEFA Nations League and UEFA Euro 2020

Rodri was named in Spain’s squad for their first two UEFA Nations League fixtures against England and Croatia in September 2018 after missing out on selection for the 2018 FIFA World cup. He made his competitive debut as a 59th minutes replacement for Sergio Busquets in the 6-0 win over Croatia on 11th September. Just after one month, Rodri made his first start for Spain in a 4-1 friendly win against Wales in Cardiff and was selected man of the match by the BBC.

During UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Rodri played in seven of Spain’s ten matches, starting in five. In October 2021, for the Nations League finals Rodri was included.

2022 – 2023 : 2022 FIFA World cup and 2023 UEFA Nations League

For the 2022 FIFA World cup, Rodri was included in Spain’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World cup and he was utilized as a central defender in 2022 FIFA World cup.

UEFA Euro 2024

Rodri was named in Spain’s squad for UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. He won his 50th cap for Spain. He played 86 minutes before being substituted for Martin Zubimendi as La Roja beat Croatia 3-0 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. Rodri supported Spain reach and win the UEFA Euro 2024 final. He was awarded the best player of the tournament.

List of International goals scored by Rodri

NoDateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
117th November 2020Seville, Spain17Germany3_06_02020-21 UEFA Nations League A
226th March 2024Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain49Brazil1_03_3Friendly
326th March 2024Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain49Brazil3_23_3Friendly
430th June 2024RheinEnergie Stadium, Cologne, Germany53Georgia1_14_1UEFA Euro 2024

India Women’s 2025-29 cricket schedule : All you need to know

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Aarna Jha
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India Women’s 2025-29 cricket schedule : All you need to know
(Photo credit : BCCI)

India Women’s cricket schedule, FTP 2025-2029:India women’s team are knocked to play five Tests, 36 One day Internationals and 30 T20Is in bilaterals besides the ICC tournaments and three T20I Tri-series in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

The Indian women’s cricket team’s extensive future tours program(FTP) for the next cycle, from 2025 to 2029, was disclosed on Monday.

The schedule formulated the roadmap for the 4th ICC Women’s Championship which will reach a finale with the 2029 Cricket World cup, which will expand to 11 teams.

The women’s Championship’s format is that each team will compete against eight other teams, maintaining the format of four home and four away series, the ICC said in its statement. The FTP cycle will have an ICC tournament each year, starting with the Women’s Cricket World cup in 2025, the Women’s T20 World cup in 2026, the Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027 in 2027 and the Women’s T20 World cup in 2028.

In January 2025 India’s FTP cycle will begin and continue until December 2028 before the 2029 ODI world cup. Indian Women’s team are slated to play five Tests, 36 ODIs and 30 T20Is in bilaterals besides the ICC tournaments and three T20I Tri-series in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Here is the full event at India’s full FTP from 2025 to 2029

2025

January 2025 – Vs Ireland (Home)-3 ODIs

July 2025 -Vs England (Away)-3 T20Is, 3ODIs

September 2025 – Vs Australia (Home) -3 ODIs

September – October 2025 – ODI World cup (Home)

December 2025 – Vs Bangladesh (Home) – 3ODIs, 3 T20Is

2026

February 2026 – Vs Australia (Away) – 1 Test, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is

May 2026 – Tri series Vs England, New Zealand (Away) – T20Is

July 2026 – Vs England (Away) – 1 Test

October 2026 – Vs Zimbabwe (Home) -3 ODIs, 3T20Is

December 2026 – Vs South Africa (1 Test, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is)

2027

May-June 2027 – Tri Series Vs Australia, Sri Lanka (Away) – T20Is

July 2027 – Vs Ireland (Away) -3 ODIs, 3 T20Is

September 2027 -Vs Sri Lanka (Home) – 3 ODIs, 3T20Is

October 2027 – Vs New Zealand (Away) – 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is

December 2027 – January 2028 – Vs Australia (Home) -1 Test, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is

2028

June 2028 – Vs West Indies (Away)

July 2028 – Tri Series Vs West Indies, Australia (Away) – T20Is

December 2028 – Vs England (Home) – 1 Test, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is.

Kevin Pietersen criticizes modern Test cricket batting techniques : “Cricket is a ‘smackers’ game now”

By
Aarna Jha
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1
Kevin Pietersen criticizes modern Test cricket batting techniques : “Cricket is a ‘smackers’ game now”
(Photo credit : ANI)

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen expressed his concern on X about the declension of batting techniques in Test cricket. Kevin Pietersen focus on best part of the cricket towards confrontational boundary-centric play, which he trusts has led to a worsening in traditional batting skills.

” No one should be surprised by the lack of batting application and technique in Test Match batting skill in the game. When it comes to playing spin, the only way, spend time playing against it for hours and hours and hours. There’s no quick remedy!” Kevin Pietersen tweeted.

Pietersen’s comments sending back a growing sentiment among cricket pedants who worry that the emphasis on T20 and limited-overs formats is undercutting the art of Test batting. His call for extensive practice against spin underlines the essential requirements for batters to invest significant time and effort to hone their skills in the longer format of the game.

As cricket continues to develop, Kevin’s observations serve as a reminder of the enduring valve of traditional techniques and the need for a balanced approach to batting across all formats of cricket.

Currently, India was whitewashed on their home grounds against New Zealand (NZ), where India struggled against spin. They lost the series 3-0 against New Zealand, and suffered big losses in all three games.

Focus on the third Test match of India Vs New Zealand,chasing a target of 147 runs, India was five down at only 29 runs. Even a fighting half-century by Rishabh Pant (64 in 57 balls, with nine fours and a six) kept India in the game. After his dismissal, India once again lost their griping in the game and was bundled out for 121 runs.

Ajaz took memorable 6 wickets by giving only 57 runs. Along with him Phillips (3/42) was fine with the ball, taking timely and crucial wickets.

Premature, New Zealand were bundled out for 174, thanks to a five-wicket haul from Jadeja (5/55) and some fine bowling from Ravichandran Ashwin (3/62). New Zealand took a 146 run lead against India, who made 263 in their first innings while replying to Kiwis’s first innings total of 235 runs.

Coming to the New Zealand first innings, Kiwis had won the toss and opted to bat first. An 87-run stand between Mitchell and Young was what helped New Zealand get to a regard score.

Six Indian legends who finished their Test careers in Border Gavaskar Trophy

By
Aarna Jha
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Six Indian legends who finished their Test careers in Border Gavaskar Trophy
The Border Gavaskar Trophy (Image credit :X)

The Border Gavaskar Trophy’s upcoming edition will begin on 22th November 2024 with a five-Test series in Perth. Main aim of Australia to reclaim the trophy from India, who face a dare after a recent 0-3 series loss to New Zealand.

The Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), which is considered one of the competition in Test cricket, will see another edition unfolding on 22th November 2024 in Perth, when Australia will try to finish India’s decade-long hold on the silverware in a five-Test series.

Over Series of five matches, with a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) at stake it will be the first time in cricket that the Border Gavaskar Trophy will be completed.

India, who have lost their top stop in the WTC table to Australia, secure on their last two Test tours of Australia; but the team which is under the guidance of coach Gautam Gambhir hasn’t had the perfect composition this time with repeated batting failures at home.

The Indian batting line-up including a string of low scores by skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to produce the runs.Virat Kohli scored just 93 while Rohit scored 91 runs in six innings against the kiwis.

The failure of the duo has led to a discussion whether it’s time for the two to call time on their Test careers, especially if India fail to qualify for the WTC final. In June of this year duo retired from the T20Is after India won the T20 World cup.

Six Indian legends played the last Test of their respective careers in the prestigious series as we are looking back at the history of BGT.

Here is the list:

  1. Anil Kumble – vs Australia at Delhi, 29th October – 2nd November, 2008
  2. Sourav Ganguly – vs Australia at Nagpur, Nov 6-10, 2008
  3. Rahul Dravid – vs Australia at Adelaide, Jan 24-28, 2012
  4. VVS Laxman – vs Australia at Adelaide, Jan 24-28, 2012
  5. Virender Sehwag – vs Australia at Hyderabad, March 2-5, 2013
  6. MS Dhoni – vs Australia at Melbourne, Dec 26-30, 2014

For the coming tour of Australia, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is the eldest of 38 years old, followed by Rohit Sharma who is 37, while both Jadeja and Virat Kohli are 35.

After upcoming BGT, Will any of them join the above-mentioned list of six players?

Kolkata’s Anish Sarkar becomes youngest rated chess child genius at 3 years

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Aarna Jha
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Kolkata’s Anish Sarkar becomes youngest rated chess child genius at 3 years
(Photo credit : PTI)

Plans of Anish in the Tata Steel Kolkata Chess tournament, where he may meet his hero, Carlsen, for the first time are underway. Anish Sarkar who is from Kaikhali in north Kolkata has made historical event as the youngest-rated chess player ever in just three years, eight months, and 19 days old. In the world of chess Anish found his passion, A year ago Anish’s journey just begin. Anish Sarkar born on 26th January 2021, his rise in the chess circuit is as sudden as it is magnificent.

Anish’s aggressive debut came in October 2024 at the West Bengal state under-9 open, where he scored 5.5 points from eight rounds, defeating two valued players and placing 24th overall. His trip didn’t stop there. He soon completed in the state Under-13 Open, challenging older and more experienced opposers. This match encountered the FIDE requirement of playing five rated player, fixing him an initial FIDE rating of 1555.

His reach have already earned him comparisons to India’s second Grandmaster(GM), Dibyendu Barua, who work for as his coach. Dibyendu Barua told ” Anish definitely has potential, but he has a long way to go,” and who watches echoes of former chess prodigies in the young player’s determination and focus.

Despite coming from a lower-middle-class background and parents who had no earlier knowledge of chess, Anish Sarkar’s period of traveling started early. His mother described that he showed interest in chess videos on YouTube, prompting them to get him a board. Guided by Barua at the Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua chess Academy, Anish now trains up to eight hours a day.

Anish’s focus is extraordinary. often seen sitting atop a stack of chairs to reach the board, he has even faced seasoned players like India’s top-ranked GM Arjun Erigaisi in simultaneous exhibition matches. He is motivated by world champion Magnus Carlsen who is his idol, and watches GothamChess on YouTube for additional insights.

As India’s chess strength continues to get larger with prodigies like D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa, Anish emergence adds to the country’s hopeful future in the sport. Plan of actions are underway for him to compete in the Tata Steel Kolkata chess tournament, where he may meet his hero, Carlsen, for the first time.

Key talking points for Manchester United after Ruben Amorim’s appointment ends Erik ten Hag era

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Aarna Jha
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Key talking points for Manchester United after Ruben Amorim’s appointment ends Erik ten Hag era
(Image source : AP)

From Marcus Rashford’s unhappiness to Manuel Ugarte’s integration, fans will be wishing that new head coach Ruben Amorim solves some of Manchester United’s issues. Appointment of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United’s new head coach has brought along with it a wave of hopes. The former player, heralded as the new Jose Mourinho, found considerable positive results in Portugal, especially with sporting CP.

After coming to the Premier League, Amorim will have a vast task in hand, and first of all will need to motivate this United side, which has been lacking a cutting edge. Under the guidance of Erik ten Hag since their League cup win in February 2022,Manchester United have crashed to 22 defeats in 61 matches, conceding 82 goals, equal to those scored. Their eighth place end last season was their worst in the Premier League era.

Also read : https://sportslila.com/mohun-bagan-sg-tell-afc-recognised-clubs-decision-to-forego-match-in-iran-still-remain-withdrawn/

Here are the explanation of talking points for Manchester United: and Moroccan

5. Make the United backline his foundation

Much to the surprise of fans, this season United’s defence has been their strongest among all the departments. This season, Ten Hag employed a high line, further assisted by new signing Naussair Mazraoui at right back. The Noussair Mazraoui and the Moroccan have been grand, but lack the experience of playing in a 3-4-3 formation, which Amorim exclusively uses. Harry Maguire has only significant experience of playing in such a formation, and could be Amorim’s go-to guy.

4.Build his attack around Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford

Fernandes and Rashford are arguably United’s most-experienced attackers. Rashford captured 17 premier League goals in the 2022-23 season, and was used in the left wing. He is best-suited to the inside forward role in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.

Meanwhile in theory, Fernandes doesn’t really fit into Amorim’s setup. But he is United’s main player and created 114 Premier League chances last season. He needs the ability to be in a high press forward lineup, and could be converted to a no.6 in midfield.

3. Make Manuel Ugarte a key cog in his playing XI

In Ugarte, Amorim has a faithful player from Sporting CP. Ugarte was Amorim’s anchor in the 2022-23 season, with a merge total of 178 tackles and interceptions, the most in the Portuguese league. Ugarte will be key in leading United’s high press, and will also be main in shutting down gaps through central midfield.

2.Use Rasmus Hojlund like Viktor Gyokeres

Hojlund was a key acquisition during Ten Hag’s tenure, and United buying him for a reported fee of 72 million Euros. He is same as Viktor Gyokers, who was Amorim’s centre forward in Sporting, scoring 41 goals in 42 Primeira Liga appearances.

In Joshua Zirkzee, Amorim has a good back-up. Amorim prefers a stronger striker, supported by two inside forwards, something which perfectly suits Hojlund.

1.Bring the winning mentality back

In last few years, United have absented a winning mentality. They have been extremely ruling one week, and then in utter chaos the next, something which was ever present during the Ten Hag era. Main task of Amorim will be to motivate his players, so that they can challenge for the Premier League title.

Mohun Bagan SG tell AFC ‘Recognised’ club’s Decision to Forego Match in Iran; Still Remain Withdrawn

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Aarna Jha
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Mohun Bagan SG tell AFC ‘Recognised’ club’s Decision to Forego Match in Iran; Still Remain Withdrawn
(Photo credit :News18)

According to the MBSG, the AFC has now acknowledged their concerns but added the club remained withdrawn from the tournament.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant told today the Asian Football Confederation has “recognized” the top Indian club’s pullout from their AFC Champions League 2 match in Iran last month as a case of force majeure.

Keeping the player’s “safety and security” in mind, Mohun Bagan SG last month chosen to forgo their 2nd October match against Tractor FC in Iran due to the volatile state prevailing in the West Asian nation at the time.

The continental body reacted promptly and the Kolkata-based club was withdrawn from the championship, pending further decision on the matter.

As per the MBSG, the AFC has now recognized their concerns but added the club remained withdrawn from the tournament.

The club said in a statement ” On 2nd November 2024, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has been communicated by the Asian Football Federation(AFC) that in response to the club’s appeal, the AFC competitions Committee has decided to recognize the matters raised by Mohun Bagan SG as an event of force majeure, “

“Consequently penal consequences, as per clause 5.7 of AFC Champions League 2 competition Regulations shall not apply to Mohun Bagan SG.”

“However, in terms of AFC Champions League 2 competition Regulation clauses 5.5 and 5.6 even in case of force majeure events MBSG shall stand withdrawn from the tournament for ongoing season.”

Mohun Bagan SG were arranged to play Tractor FC on 2nd October 2024 in a Group A match of the ACL-the continent’s second-tier club competition.

Following the death of a prominent general of the Revolutionary Guard in an Israeli air strike, players expressed their unwillingness to travel to Iran, which was then in a state of mourning.

After Iran launched missiles on Israel, escalating political tensions between the two countries, Mohun Bagan had taken the decision to not travel to the country.

Mohun Bagan Super Giants were “withdrawn” from competitions even the After rescheduled matches across its tournaments due to the security situation in Iran, forcing the Indian club to accuse the continental football body of “unequal treatment”.

Who has managed Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired/Explained

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Aarna Jha
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Who has managed Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired/Explained
(Image credit : X)

Take a look at all the managers that have taken charge since the legendary Alex Ferguson retired. Manchester United appointed Portuguese Ruben Amorim as head coach on 01st November 2024, their sixth permanent head since Sir Alex Ferguson retired after managing them to their last league title in 2013.

Following is a list of permanent and meantime managers who have taken charge at United following Ferguson’s retirement:

1.David Moyes

In charge : 1st July ,2013 – 22th April,2014

Matches : 51

Win -Draw-Loss : 27-9-15

Trophies won : 1(Community Shield)

Moyes was selected to succeed Ferguson after 11 years at Everton but found it hard to fill his fellow Scotsman’s shoes.

2. Ryan Giggs (caretaker)

In charge :22th April, 2014 -11th May, 2014

Matches : 4

Win -Draw-Loss : 2-1-1

Trophies won : 0

3. Louis van Gaal

In charge : 16th July, 2014 – 23th May, 2016

Matches : 103

Win -Draw-Loss : 54-25-24

Trophies won : 1 (FA cup)

Van Gaal arrived at United as one of the most respected managers of his generation, after spanning over two decades with successful spells at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Ajax Amsterdam and the Netherlands national team.

4. Jose Mourinho

In charge : 27th May, 2016 – 18th Dec, 2018

Matches : 144

Win -Draw-Loss : 84-32-28

Trophies won : 3 (Europa League, League cup, Community Shield)

5. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

In charge : 19th December 2018( On interim basis, becomes permanent in March 2019) – 21th Nov, 2021

Matches : 168

Win -Draw-Loss : 91-37-40

Trophies won : 0

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won 14 of his 19 matches before being made permanent boss, but inconsistency plagued United for the rest of his stay.

6. Michael Carrick (Caretaker)

In charge : 21th Nov, 2021- 2nd December,2021

Matches : 3

Win -Draw-Loss : 2-1-0

Trophies won : 0

He appointed caretaker manager for less than two weeks, marking the start of his managerial career. Carrick took over as Middlesbrough boss in 2022, where he remains in charge.

7. Ralf Rangnick (interim)

In charge : 3rd December, 2021- 22nd May, 2022

Matches : 29

Win -Draw-Loss : 11-10-8

Trophies won : 0

8. Erik ten Hag

In charge : 23th May, 2022 – 28th Oct, 2024

Matches : 128

Win -Draw-Loss : 70-23-35

Trophies won : 2(FA cup, League cup)

9. Ruud van Nistelrooy (interim)

In charge : 28th Oct, 2024 – 10th Nov, 2024

Matches : 1

Win -Draw-Loss : 1-0-0

Trophies won : 0

Van Nistelrooy, who won his match in charge when United beat Leicester city in the League cup on Wednesday, told he wants to remain part of the management team under Amorim.

Why Virat Kohli can seek inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who found a second wind to their batting averages between ages 36 and 38?

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Aarna Jha
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Why Virat Kohli can seek inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who found a second wind to their batting averages between ages 36 and 38?
(Image source : AP)

Virat Kohli’s previous 49 innings yielding 1634 runs at a lowly 34.77 average, marking the worst phase of Kohli’s career. Virat will gear up for his 200th innings in Test cricket and 600th overall in all internationals. In all international cricketer only 30 players, four Indians, have reached the 200-innings mark in Tests before Virat. Only seven have played at least 600 international innings before him, yet none have had as many runs as Virat (27129).

Virat Kohli has nearly finished his legendary white-ball status within the 400 innings (283 ODIs and 117 T20Is) he has played. But the red-ball game has tested him to the grip, specially over the last four years, where his contributions have shrunk to its weakest.

Virat Kohli (test innings)RunsAverage100s50s
1 to 50183539.8969
51 to 100278159.17115
101 to 150278559.261010
151 to 199163434.7727
Total903548.322931

Virat Kohli’s latest phase, statistically, relates to his nestling days in whites between 2011 and 2014. The two periods bear contrasting personas. In his first tours, Virat Kohli had loved success with early hundreds in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Kohli 3.0 now, has struck a plateau.

Virat’s 1st 50 innings collected him 1835 runs with 6 centuries and nine fifties with 39.89 average.

PlayerSpanInnsRuns100sAvgInnsRuns
Sachin Tendulkar1989-2013329159215153.7967-1665729
Virat Kohli*2011-19990352948.3252-1515608
Rahul Dravid1996-2012286132883652.3167-1665537

In Kohli’s last 49 innings, Kohli has collected only 1634 runs with low 34.77 average, which resulting the worst phase of his career. Virat’s average is the lowest among the five Indian batters who have scored at least 1000 runs in this period.

For 100 consecutive innings played, Virat’s undisputed peak was marked between innings 52 to 151, pillaging 5608 runs at 59.66 and 21 hundreds.

A home 250

Virat Kohli will also be seen in his 250th innings across formats at home in Mumbai, with his 57.98 average for 12176 runs, ranking the best among all batsmen who have at least 7000 runs. Virat’s 38 home tons come second only to Sachin Tendulkar (42)

Indians with 4000 home and away runs in Tests

PlayerHome Average (Innings)Away Average (Innings)Average difference (Home-Away)
Sachin Tendulkar52.67(153)54.74(176)-2.07
Rahul Dravid51.35(120)53.61(164)-2.26
Sunil Gavaskar50.16(108)52.11(106)-1.95
Virat Kohli56.98(85)42.37(114)14.61

At least 4000 runs at home and away among the four Indians, Virat Kohli’s 56.98 home average reads the highest.

IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya remains as Mumbai Indian Captain

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Aarna Jha
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IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya remains as Mumbai Indian Captain
(Image source :PTI)

My Journey started here and you know everything that I have achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indians, tells Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya will continue to lead Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League’s 2025 season, despite the team having a disastrous 2024 edition under his leadership.

Hardik Pandya said after his reappointment as captain ” I have received a lot of love back,(it) means the world to me. My journey started here and you know everything that I have achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indian,”

Make reference of Mumbai Indians’s five retained players, including himself , Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Verma, Pandya stated, “We are five fingers but one fist, that’s how I look at it.”

It will be notice to see whether Captain Hardik Pandya is able to convert these five fingers into a bunch of fives in reality. In TATA IPL 2024, since his controversial return to Mumbai Indians from Gujrat Titans, the team appeared a disgruntled unit on and off the field, finishing at the bottom of the table.

In the IPL 2025, it will interesting to watch how Rohit Sharma- India’s Test and ODI captain, Suryakumar-India’s T20I captain and Jasprit Bumrah- India’s Test vice-captain at the moment react to Hardik, the leader.

Akash Ambani Mumbai Indians owner was assured about his team’s abilities. Akash Ambani said ” We have always believed that the strength of a family lies in its core and this belief has been reinforced during the course of recent events,”

“_ This unified effort reinstates MI’s commitment to building strong trust and ownership amongst our core group, our fans and other stakeholders. We will strive to continue playing the passionate brand of cricket everyone expects from us.”

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