Browsing: captaincy

India’s captain Rishabh Pant (PTI Photo) Indiaâ€s stand-in captain Rishabh Pant is facing a tough phase as both his batting form and on-field leadership have come under scrutiny during the second Test against South Africa. Filling in for the injured Shubman Gill, Pant has struggled to make an impact with the bat in Guwahati, and several of his tactical choices have raised eyebrows. His demeanour on the fourth day drew sharp reactions as well, with former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressing disappointment after observing Pantâ€s field placements and overall body language.

India ODI squad: Bizarre selection calls, no explanation and no logic

Ashwin, who has transitioned into a prominent analyst even before officially stepping away from all formats, admitted that watching Pant on Day 4 left him disheartened.

Ashwin post

“I really hope we can bounce back while batting in the 2nd innings, but the indications on the field with respect to body language,†Ashwin posted on X, hinting that the energy and intent were missing. This Test marks Pantâ€s first outing as captain in the longest format, but his approach in the first innings highlighted his inclination towards taking risks at the wrong moments. His dismissal came while attempting a big shot off Marco Jansen despite India being in trouble after a flurry of wickets. Although modern cricket encourages aggression and instinctive play, situations still demand grit and defensive discipline. A solid defensive approach often becomes the foundation for counter-attacking later, something Pant seemed to overlook. High-risk batting can make even top players appear reckless when it fails, and Pant found himself in that exact situation. Yet, his talent and ability are unquestioned. For a captain, understanding the match situation is crucial. If Pant himself struggles to adapt, guiding youngsters like Dhruv Jurel or Sai Sudharsan to play patiently becomes an even greater challenge.

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Ricky Ponting has backed Rishabh Pant to handle his responsibility as Team India skipper for the 2nd Test vs SA. (Images via AP, Getty) Ricky Ponting has thrown his weight behind Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper-batter prepares to lead India in the series-deciding second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. With Shubman Gill ruled out due to injury after Indiaâ€s 30-run defeat at Eden Gardens, Pant steps in for his first match as Test captain at a crucial stage of the contest. Ponting, who has worked closely with Pant during their time together at Delhi Capitals, said the role will not be straightforward given Indiaâ€s position in the series. But he believes Pantâ€s vantage point as a wicketkeeper and his growth across formats will help him adapt. “It’s never easy to come in and fill in for someone as a stopgap captain, especially when you’ve just lost a Test match a few days before. Rishabh is a reasonably experienced Test match player now though as well. I think being a wicket keeper probably helps to see the way that the game is evolving and what’s happening in the game,” Ponting said, as quoted by ICC. The former Australia captain highlighted Pantâ€s leadership experience in the IPL, where he previously captained Delhi Capitals before moving to Lucknow Super Giants, while Ponting himself moved to Punjab Kings. “He has done at IPL level now for the last few years, obviously done it in Delhi (Capitals) before that. I think he’ll handle it fine,” Ponting added. Thursdayâ€s Test will also mark Pantâ€s first outing as captain in the longest format, despite having led in white-ball cricket. Ponting suggested that the transition from franchise pressures to national duties is smoother for modern players. “It will be interesting to see how he plays as captain if he changes his style of play as captain, as a batter anyway. I think he’ll handle the occasion fine,” Ponting said.

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He also pointed to the influence of the IPL on younger players: “The IPL is probably almost as big as a Test match for a lot of these guys because of the crowds and the scrutiny… modern players are a bit more ready for that… So I think Rishabh will handle it fine.” India and South Africa meet in the second Test on November 22 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, and only a win for India will salvage a series draw. Anything less will mean a home series defeat.

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Rishabh Pant (AP Photo/Anupam Nath) Rishabh Pant will lead India’s Test team in the second match against South Africa in Guwahati, following Shubman Gill’s unavailability. The team currently trails 0-1 in the series against Temba Bavuma’s side.Pant, who will make his Test captaincy debut at the same venue where he started his one-day career, addressed reporters during a pre-match press conference on Friday.Under head coach Gautam Gambhir’s leadership, India has consistently favoured selecting all-rounders over specialists across all formats. In the first Test match, the team included three spin-bowling all-rounders. “I feel it’s a balance sometimes for the team combination. You have to see if a specialised player is helping you more, or an all-rounder is giving you more stability in the team. So, it’s all about finding that team balance and the way you want to play cricket,” Pant added.Discussing his leadership approach, Pant emphasised his belief in allowing players to express themselves freely.”I want to be someone who gives that freedom, and I want people and players to learn around and make the right decision for the team eventually. That’s the real goal. And obviously, whatever knowledge I have, I’m going to help them on the field, regardless of anything,” he explained.The Guwahati stadium holds special significance for Pant, as it was the venue of his ODI debut for India. He shared his thoughts on the venue and compared the pitch conditions to Eden Gardens, where the previous match ended in three days.”Firstly, I would say that this ground is very special in my heart. I made my one-day debut here. I’m playing my first test captaincy match here. So, it will always be special for me. And I feel it’s special for the whole of Guwahati,” he continued.”Because it’s my first test match here. So, everyone has a special feeling about coming here. And regarding the pitch, I think this wicket will play better. Definitely, it’s a better wicket to bat on. Obviously, it will eventually turn after a few days. But it is going to be a good contest.”The stand-in Test captain indicated that the Guwahati pitch would offer better batting conditions compared to the previous venue, though he expects the surface to assist spin bowlers as the match progresses.

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Star Indian batter KL Rahul has shared insights about the unique challenges of captaining teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The role of a captain involves being an on-field manager, chief strategist, and team spokesperson while maintaining personal performance standards. According to Rahul, leadership responsibilities in IPL are more demanding compared to international cricket.

IPL 2026 retained players: Who stayed where and for how much

Rahul began his IPL journey in 2013 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and has since played for four different teams. He currently represents Delhi Capitals after being acquired in the previous year.His captaincy journey started in 2020, followed by leading the Lucknow Super Giants for three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024.”What I found hard as a captain in the IPL was the number of meetings that you needed to do, the number of reviews that you needed to do and explain at the ownership level,” Rahul told Humans of Bombay.”I realised that at the end of IPL, I am more mentally and physically drained than playing 10 months of international cricket.”The 33-year-old cricketer highlighted the challenges faced by both captains and coaches in dealing with ownership groups who lack deep cricket experience.”Coaches, captains are constantly being asked a lot of questions,” he added. “It almost, after a point feels like, you are being questioned as to ‘why did you make this change? Why did he play in the XI? Why is it that the opposition got 200 and we couldn’t even get 120? Why are their bowlers getting more spin?'”Rahul now plays as a regular team member for Delhi Capitals, stepping away from captaincy duties.

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Although Suryakumar Yadav hasnâ€t been in good form with the bat, he has led Team India in T20Is splendidly. He added another feather to his cap as India sealed the fourth T20I against Australia, taking a 2-1 unassailable lead in the five-match series, which means India cannot lose the series now.

India have bounced back superbly in this IND vs AUS T20I series. After a washout in the first T20I in Canberra, India suffered a four-wicket defeat in the second T20I in Melbourne.

With their backs against the wall and facing a must-win situation, India roared with a five-wicket victory in Hobart in the third game before hammering the hosts by 48 runs in the fourth T20I on Thursday in Brisbane.

India have won all their T20I series since Suryakumar Yadav took over the full-time T20I captaincy after Rohit Sharma retired from the format in mid-2024. And while India will look to win the IND vs AUS series as well, they are assured that they will not concede a series defeat under Suryakumar yet.

This was the 25th win for Suryakumar Yadav as Indiaâ€s T20I captain, excluding the two Super Over wins over Sri Lanka, and have lost only five matches. That is an outstanding record, since his win/loss ratio is now 5!

What record did Suryakumar Yadav break today?

Suryakumar has become the only Indian T20I captain to have a win/loss ratio of 5 or more in T20Is.

For comparison, Rohit Sharmaâ€s win/loss ratio in T20Is as Indiaâ€s skipper was 4.083, earned through 49 wins and 12 defeats. Prior to Rohit, Virat Kohli had a win/loss ratio of 1.875, and MS Dhoniâ€s was even worse, 1.464, though Dhoni did captain India in 72 T20Is, the most, 10 more than Rohit, and 39 more than Suryakumar.

Still, a win/loss ratio of 5 is unbelievable for a captain in T20Is, given the fickle and dynamic nature of the shortest format. This indicates how excellent Suryakumar has been at selections and management despite his form with the bat being dicey this year.

Best win/loss ratio of Indian captains in T20Is (min. 20 matches as captain)

1. Suryakumar Yadav – 5
2. Rohit Sharma – 4.083
3. Virat Kohli – 1.875
4. MS Dhoni – 1.464

Hardik Pandya had a win/loss ratio of 2, but he led India in only 16 T20Is.

IND vs AUS: When and where is the 5th T20I between India and Australia?

The India vs Australia 5th T20I will be played on Saturday at the Gabba in Brisbane. India, with their 2-1 lead, will look to win the series, while Australia will be aiming to draw it.

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With the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in the rearview, attention has turned to the 2027 event in Ireland. Should two-time winning captain Luke Donald turn down a third captaincy, former U.S. Open champion and Northern Irish pro Graeme McDowell is “putting [his] hat in the ring” for the big job.

McDowell revealed his Ryder Cup captaincy dreams in a new interview with bunkered.

But he also shared his fears that LIV-PGA Tour politics could prevent him from taking the job and blamed the “best players in the world” for pro golf’s “divisiveness.”

Graeme McDowell wants to be Europe’s Ryder Cup captain in 2027

If he hadn’t joined LIV Golf in 2022, McDowell would be an obvious pick for Ryder Cup captain. He’s a major champion, having won the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, and he played on four European Ryder Cup teams from 2008-2014, winning three times.

He also served as vice cpatain for the European team in 2018 and 2021.

And the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor would seem like a perfect fit. At 46, he’s at the right stage of his career to be captain, not to old not too young, and as one of the best golfers from Northern Ireland, he’d be a sympathetic pick in that regard.

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Kevin Cunningham

In his comments to bunkered, McDowell admitted he’d “love to do it” and laid out some practical reasons he could be a good pick.

“I only saw a couple of comments where Luke [Donald] said maybe he doesn’t want to do it a third time,” McDowell said, referring to the 2027 European captaincy. “Justin Rose doesn’t want it because he wants to play. Rory [McIlroy] is obviously not even close, right? He doesn’t want to be playing captain. So it’s kind of like, ‘who’s it going to be?’ And why couldn’t it be me?”

But given the complicating factor of LIV Golf, which we’ll get into shortly, McDowell also expressed concern about whether pro golf’s politics could keep him out of the job.

“I think about it but I really don’t know what to do about it at the minute. I don’t want to be presumptuous by putting my hat into the ring. Because it may be something that the powers that be within Ryder Cup Europe are saying, well, that’s just not possible,” McDowell shared. “If it is possible, I will certainly do everything that I can to be the best Ryder Cup captain I can be. And obviously, I’d love to sit down with Ryder Cup Europe and, if it’s a possibility, find out what they would need me to do.”

He continued, revealing that if he were to be captain at Adare Manor, it would be the “greatest moment” of his life.

“As we move into the offseason, I’ll certainly make a few calls and see where the world stands. It would be the greatest moment of my life to stand there at Adare Manor as the Ryder Cup captain.”

McDowell calls out golf’s top players for ‘divisiveness’

But McDowell’s membership on LIV Golf presents a difficult barrier to overcome for his Ryder Cup dreams.

There’s nothing in the rule book that bars a LIV Golf player from being a European Ryder Cup captain or player. To be a part of the Ryder Cup or play on the DP World Tour, though, any LIV pro must maintain their tour membership and pay fines for playing on LIV.

McDowell revealed that he’s settled his fines, and though he’s not a DP World Tour member anymore, that could be changed if it helps him become captain.

But even then, his captaincy is a long shot. Henrik Stenson was penciled as the 2023 European Ryder Cup captain, but he was removed from the role after he joined LIV Golf.

‘It was despicable:’ European Ryder Cup legend ‘disappointed’ in Bethpage Black crowd

By:

Josh Schrock

In his bunkered interview, McDowell said he’d be “disappointed” if politics kept him from the captaincy, but admitted he’d also understand the outcome.

“I don’t know whether it should be on my mind at all, as in if it’s something that’s not possible politically,” McDowell said. “If that’s the case, clearly I’ll be disappointed, but I’ll obviously understand why. The world is where it is.”

But that doesn’t mean he would agree with losing the captaincy over his move to LIV Golf.

Instead, McDowell argued that the “best players in the world” are to blame for the LIV Golf-PGA Tour feud, not older players like himself who were trying to extend their careers by going to LIV.

“People will say I don’t deserve it and I’m responsible for a lot of what’s happened. But I’m a very, very small cog in this big wheel,” McDowell said. “The divisiveness has come from the best players in the world. It hasn’t came from the 40-somethings like myself that are just trying to eke out a living and staying competitive on an opportunity that was presented to us, which would have been crazy to say no to from a business point of view.”

Ultimately, McDowell suggested that making him captain in 2027 could help heal the pro golf divide.

“I would love to be the olive branch that potentially puts some of this back together again,” he said.

You can read McDowell’s full comments with bunkered here.

Pakistan named Shaheen Afridi as captain for next monthâ€s three-match ODI series against South Africa, marking the third leadership change in the format over the past 12 months. (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Pakistan on Monday named fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain for next monthâ€s three-match ODI series against South Africa, marking the third leadership change in the format over the past 12 months.The 25-year-old takes over from Mohammad Rizwan, who assumed the ODI captaincy last October following Babar Azamâ€s resignation.

Inside details of how PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ran away with the Asia Cup trophy!

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Shaheenâ€s appointment was made after a meeting in Islamabad.”A meeting of the selection committee, also attended by Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, decided that Shaheen will lead Pakistan’s ODI side against South Africa,” the PCB said in a release.The three-match ODI series is scheduled for November 4, 6, and 8, with all games to be played in Faisalabad.Rizwan began his tenure as ODI skipper strongly, leading Pakistan to a 2-1 series win in Australia in November 2024, the countryâ€s first in Australia in 22 years. Pakistan then whitewashed South Africa 3-0 at home and secured a 2-1 series win in Zimbabwe.However, 2025 proved challenging for Rizwan. Pakistan lost the home tri-series final to New Zealand and exited the Champions Trophy in the first round in February.The most significant setback came in the West Indies, where Pakistan lost 2-1 — their first series defeat in the Caribbean in 34 years.Shaheen previously led Pakistan in five Twenty20 internationals in New Zealand in January last year but was relieved of the role after a 4-1 series loss.

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Pakistan named Shaheen Afridi as captain for next monthâ€s three-match ODI series against South Africa, marking the third leadership change in the format over the past 12 months. (Image credit: X) NEW DELHI: Pakistan on Monday named fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain for next monthâ€s three-match ODI series against South Africa, marking the third leadership change in the format over the past 12 months.The 25-year-old takes over from Mohammad Rizwan, who assumed the ODI captaincy last October following Babar Azamâ€s resignation.

Inside details of how PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi ran away with the Asia Cup trophy!

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Shaheenâ€s appointment was made after a meeting in Islamabad.”A meeting of the selection committee, also attended by Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, decided that Shaheen will lead Pakistan’s ODI side against South Africa,” the PCB said in a release.The three-match ODI series is scheduled for November 4, 6, and 8, with all games to be played in Faisalabad.Rizwan began his tenure as ODI skipper strongly, leading Pakistan to a 2-1 series win in Australia in November 2024, the countryâ€s first in Australia in 22 years. Pakistan then whitewashed South Africa 3-0 at home and secured a 2-1 series win in Zimbabwe.However, 2025 proved challenging for Rizwan. Pakistan lost the home tri-series final to New Zealand and exited the Champions Trophy in the first round in February.The most significant setback came in the West Indies, where Pakistan lost 2-1 — their first series defeat in the Caribbean in 34 years.Shaheen previously led Pakistan in five Twenty20 internationals in New Zealand in January last year but was relieved of the role after a 4-1 series loss.

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Luke Donald’s nightmares may be over.

Nightmares?

Didn’t the man just captain the European Ryder Cup team to a road victory, two years after captaining the Euros to a home win, which, by all measures, is the dream scenario?

Indeed. And the success was certainly sublime to Donald. But to get there took work. Or, maybe more accurately, work work, which apparently came all the way to bed with Donald, making for an interesting revelation on Tuesday ahead of the DP World Tour’s event in India. It came after a reporter had asked the former world No. 1 player how he was adjusting to readying for tournament golf just a couple weeks after the Ryder Cup.

“To be honest, I’m not sure if I have,” Donald said. “Yeah, it happened after Rome [two years ago], and it’s kind of the same with this one.”

Why was that?

“The captaincy really does — the lead-up to the Ryder Cup, you’re spending five or six weeks just thinking about all kinds of different things, partnerships, pairings, the golf course, the gifting,” he said.

“There’s just so much that goes into it that your mind is kind of clogged.”

How so?

It’s in your head even when your eyes are closed.

“I’ve had many nights where I’ve woken up with Ryder Cup dreams,” Donald said, “and things where I had forgotten my radio one night and there’s still one game out on the course and I was panicking and I was trying to get to the game. Just things like that. It just takes a little bit of time for you to settle down.

“I think actually coming here, playing a tournament will actually help. It will get my mind more back on what I need to do this week.

“It’s a fun problem to have after a win in the Ryder Cup, but I’m excited to get back to playing.”

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Tuesday, Donald was also asked a few other Ryder Cup questions.

– He answered what qualities would make Rory McIlroy a good fit for the Ryder Cup captaincy.

“Well, just the fact that he loves the Ryder Cup more than anything,” Donald said. “He made it quite evident that winning an away Ryder Cup would really be the icing on an amazing year that he had this year.

“Yeah, he loves what it represents. You’ve seen the emotion from losing to winning. Anyone that has that passion for a Ryder Cup, I think, would make a good captain.”

– He was asked whether he would captain in 2027, and he gave his reaction to the thought that he was being called Europe’s greatest captain.

“Well, I’m trying to still enjoy this one, whether it be a captain or whether I’m not a captain,” Donald said. “If I’m not a captain in two years’ time and the captain wants me to be there, then I’m sure I would be happy to help him in any way he wanted.

“Yeah, it’s pretty humbling when someone says you’re the greatest captain. Maybe it’s a little bit of a reaction in the present moment, but I certainly — I’ve given a lot to it. I’m very happy with the results that came with it, but you need those 12 players. You need the back room teams. You need the vice captains. You need so many others to make that happen.

“Certainly I play a role, but I play a small role in terms of a larger picture. I certainly couldn’t do it without the amazing support we have behind me.”

– A reporter then suggested that Donald needed to motivate the European squad, before asking how a person would produce a winner.

“Well, I disagree a little bit. I don’t think my job is to motivate them,” Donald said. “These are highly motivated players. The Ryder Cup means a lot, and my job is to kind of create a little bit of cohesion, make sure we bring all these players together under a common theme and get them inspired to make them want to win.

“We talk a lot about our history. We talk a lot about the players that came before us. We talk about our role as ambassadors of the game to inspire the next generations.

“I think the Ryder Cup has very deep meaning for a lot of these players, and it brings out the best in them. So that’s my job, really, is to kind of create that culture, that environment, where they feel that they can compete at a very high level because of what’s at stake.”

“Being England captain becomes a big part of your identity. It’s an all-encompassing job. You’re always thinking about it, even if you’re on holiday.”

Heather Knight was speaking at the start of the 2024 summer, her ninth as England captain. It would be her last.

An awful winter, including an early exit from the T20 World Cup and a clean-sweep humiliation in the Ashes, meant change was inevitable. Not even a skipper as successful, tenured and respected as Knight was safe.

If being replaced by Nat Sciver-Brunt meant one part of Knight’s identity was lost, there was another that had lain dormant, ready to be revived and unleashed.

Warning: This piece contains language that some readers may find offensive.

“I used to have an alter ego when I first got into the team,” Knight tells BBC Sport. “Shitbag Shelley.

“That prankster, rebellious side got supressed when I was in a leadership position.

“The girls didn’t know I wasn’t captain anymore. When I sent a message out, I said ‘watch out, Shitbag Shelley is back’.”

For Knight (and possibly Shelley), the warning sent to her team-mates meant one decision had been taken.

Some leaders find it hard to return to the ranks. Knight had been captain for more of her England career than not. In that same interview from last summer, she expressed uncertainty over whether she could eventually play under another skipper.

When push came to shove, Knight found it “pretty easy” to continue playing for England, but a further setback was just around the corner. Three games into Knight’s new normal, a T20 against West Indies at Chelmsford in May, she suffered a hamstring injury that put her out for the rest of the summer.

“I was just getting my head around what not being captain looked like, embracing the extra freedom, then bang, injured,” says Knight.

“In a high emotional state, you think ‘do I want to do this rehab, do I want to carry on playing’. That was a very fleeting thought, an emotional reaction to being injured.”

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