Sports News: Pant, Suryakumar to Lead India; Gambhir's New Role; Euro 2024 Final

In this exclusive interview with News18 CricketNext, Jatin Paranjape spoke on the Indian cricket landscape post-T20 World Cup victory. He underlines the new transition that is taking place, where seniors begin to phase out and a new young team comes to the fore; the condition of workload management for the bowlers along with the Rahul Dravid-touch in coaching. Paranjape also touched on the role of the BCCI in developing talent with investments in youth tours and how the IPL contributed toward the cause of wicket-keeper development.

In all likelihood, the Indian cricket team will not visit Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and, like the 2023 Asia Cup, will see the shifting of India's matches to Dubai or Sri Lanka. The BCCI has already decided to write to the ICC concerning such a hybrid model. The mega event is slated from February 19 to March 9. All matches are scheduled to be held across three cities in Pakistan's Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. But it proposes a key match between India and Pakistan on March 1 in Lahore. Notably, it is after the nod of the Indian government that this all would be decided.

Gus Atkinson made a sensational Test debut at Lord's today, claiming 7/45 against the West Indies. The 26-year-old Surrey paceman vital innings saw him help dismiss the visitors for 121. His remarkable opening included getting rid of West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite with his second ball and then three wickets in one over immediately after lunch. The fine work by Atkinson saw England reach 189-3 at stumps to lead by 68 runs. He just said to me, 'Son, you have to prepare for the biggest day of your life,'" Atkinson reflected on a highly emotional and proud moment.

In 2024, the Kolkata Knight Riders celebrated their third IPL title under the leadership of an injury-free Shreyas Iyer, with mentorship from Gautam Gambhir. However, KKR will now enter transition with Gambhir's exit to take over the reins as head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit was all praise for Gambhir while referring to his role in this success. Additionally, the assistant coach Abhishek Nayar would bid farewell as well, making things even more transitional. So, the Mega Auction heading into IPL 2025 is pending, and teams can retain only three to four players.

Gautam Gambhir is going to make it big—he is coming back as coach of the Indian cricket team; with eyes set on succeeding once more, just like he did on the pitch while playing, during which he won two World Cups; an aggressive and no-nonsense Gautam Gambhir earned the top job after an outstanding IPL tenure at Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders, wherein Gambhir parted ways with KKR with three titles. His childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, has praised Gambhir for his eye for talent and undying passion for the success of the team. He said Gambhir's consistent approach will help him in this new role.

Gautam Gambhir, who has been appointed as India's head coach during the euphoria of the T20 World Cup, faces the giant task ahead of rejigging the team post-retirements of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Jatin Paranjape of the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee says that Gambhir will have to balance the quality pool of talent India possesses effectively while also ensuring proper workload management for its bowlers going into any upcoming global tournament. Gambhir's tenure begins with India's series against Sri Lanka—arguably a period in which much will be defined as India's cricketing destiny takes shape.

All in all, India has won 35 medals, including 10 gold medals, 9 silver medals, and 16 bronze medals at the Olympics. Most of these illustrative counts were from the men's hockey team itself, including three gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals post-World War II. While the bronze of wrestler KD Jadhav was the first individual medal for independent India, Karnam Malleswari won India its first female medal in weightlifting. The most outstanding feature of this has been the continuity of Indian domination in hockey through back-to-back Olympians, really marking the golden period of the game in the country.

England secured their place in a second consecutive European Championship final after beating the Netherlands 2-1 with an Ollie Watkins stoppage-time winner. Replacement for Harry Kane, Watkins scored in the first minute of added time, sending England into Sunday's final against Spain in Berlin. The Harry Kane penalty in the 18th minute canceled out an early Xavi Simons goal. The first half was open; the second, very tight—one in which Bukayo Saka had a goal ruled out for offside. But that bold decision from Gareth Southgate to bring on Watkins turned out spectacularly correct in securing England's place in the final.