#pti

Harbhajan Singh on Dismissing Vihav Suryawanshi Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has outlined a strategy for dismissing 15-year-old prodigy Vihav Suryawanshi, emphasizing aggressive bowling as the only viable approach. In a podcast interview with PTI, Singh highlighted Suryawanshi’s exceptional talent, calling him a unique player who has dominated international cricket at a young age. Suryawanshi, who made his IPL debut at 14 and scored a century in his first match, has also become the youngest Indian to play Test cricket, debuting at 15 years and 99 days against England. Singh noted that Suryawanshi’s fearless batting style makes him a challenge for even the world’s top fast bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins. “When the best bowlers in the world are bowling at him, they are essentially thinking where to place the ball,” Singh said. He stressed that conventional tactics like containment or defensive bowling would fail against Suryawanshi, urging bowlers to adopt an aggressive mindset. “The only way to dismiss him is to attack and take the wicket,” Singh asserted. Suryawanshi’s rise has been meteoric. He became the youngest IPL player in 2025 and the youngest to score a century in T20 cricket. His international debut came at 15, where he scored 175 runs in the Under-19 World Cup final against England, setting a tournament record. The performance earned him the Player of the Tournament award, and India claimed victory in the competition. Singh also addressed the challenge of bowling to Suryawanshi, stating that traditional fielding strategies would not work. “I won’t adjust my fielding to his style—I’ll play according to my own plan. If I try to contain him, I won’t get him out,” he said.#pti #under_19_world_cup #harbhajan_singh #ipl #vihav_suryawanshi

Harbhajan Singh Advocates Aggressive Strategy Against Young Cricketer Vaibhav Surve Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has outlined a bold approach to tackle the aggressive batting of 15-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Surve, emphasizing that a defensive mindset will fail against the young prodigy. In an interview with PTI, Harbhajan stated that defending against Surve’s attacking style is ineffective and that bowlers must adopt an aggressive strategy to neutralize his threat. He argued that attempting to save runs will only pressure the bowler, making it harder to contain the young batsman. Surve, who has already made a name for himself in cricket circles, is known for his fearless approach at the crease. Harbhajan praised his ability to challenge even the world’s top bowlers, noting that players like him rarely face such a formidable opponent at such a young age. The former India captain highlighted that Surve’s batting style forces bowlers to rethink their tactics, as even seasoned professionals are compelled to strategize carefully before delivering each ball. Harbhajan’s advice centers on attacking Surve from the outset. He insisted that bowlers should not adjust their fielding based on the young batsman’s technique but instead focus on their own bowling strategy. “I won’t set the field according to how he plays, but according to how I bowl,” he said. He warned that hesitating to take wickets against Surve could backfire, as the batsman’s ability to turn even poor deliveries into runs makes him a dangerous opponent. The cricketer also acknowledged Surve’s exceptional talent, calling him “unbelievable” for his performance at such a young age. Harbhajan noted that Surve’s ability to dominate top-tier bowlers is rare, and his confidence in the face of pressure sets him apart.#cricket #pti #harbhajan_singh #vaibhav_surve #bowling_strategy

Environmentalist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday (May 23, 2026) expressed support for the online "cockroach" movement led by the self-styled "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP), describing himself as an "honorary cockroach" and urging the government to engage with youth concerns rather than suppress their digital expression. The movement, which uses satire and the cockroach as a symbol of resilience and dissent, has gained attention amid claims of a crackdown on its social media presence, including account suspensions and hacking allegations. The campaign frames itself around issues like unemployment, exam paper leaks, and demands for public accountability. Wangchuk, in an interview with PTI, emphasized that the movement should be viewed as democratic feedback rather than a threat. "I am very impressed," Wangchuk told PTI. "Such creative expressions by our youth are nothing to worry about. The government should take the message — don't kill the messenger. If we kill the messenger, the message will not end." When asked if he would formally join the movement, he humorously declined, stating he does not qualify for membership but identifies with its message. "I have been asked from several quarters to speak on it. Some are saying I should also become a member," he said. "I think I do not qualify — I am neither unemployed nor am I lazy. So sadly, I am not a member. But I consider myself an honorary cockroach," he added. Wangchuk drew a parallel between the movement and political satire in newspapers, arguing that dissent expressed through humor and symbolism is a legitimate democratic tool. He praised the movement's non-violent and imaginative character, noting that Indian youth have opted for digital creativity over confrontation.#unemployment #pti #sonam_wangchuk #cockroach_janata_party #public_accountability

"My dad needed me more than the World Cup": Jitesh Sharma on missing T20 World Cup squad Cricketer Jitesh Sharma found solace in caring for his ailing father, Mohan Sharma, after missing out on the T20 World Cup squad. His father’s passing on February 1 shifted his focus entirely, making him realize his responsibility as the eldest son. Jitesh expressed gratitude for the time spent with his father, finding joy in watching the World Cup at home. Indian cricketer Jitesh Sharma recently spoke about missing out on India’s title-winning squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, that disappointment soon faded as he faced a much more personal loss. On February 1, his father and strongest support system, Mohan Sharma, passed away after a brief illness. “When I got the news of my non-selection, I was a little bit disheartened. I am also a human. I can feel sad and bad. But later on, as time went by, the sad time becomes short,” Jitesh told PTI during an exclusive interview. Soon after the news of his exclusion, Jitesh had to deal with his father’s deteriorating health. “But later on, my dad got ill. And he passed away on 1st of Feb. So, I was with him for seven days. Afterward, I got to know that my dad needed me more than the World Cup. After that, I didn’t have any sad feeling, any regret or anything for anyone or for myself also. I am not angry or anything,” he said. He added, “I was grateful that God gave me the opportunity to stay with my dad for seven days. So, I was able to take care of him. And I enjoyed watching the World Cup on TV at home. It’s a very different feeling. It gives you lots of pressure rather than playing. And I was very happy for the boys.” Following his father’s death, Jitesh now carries the responsibilities of being the eldest son in the family.#icc_men_s_t20_world_cup_2026 #world_cup #mohan_sharma #jitesh_sharma #pti

My Dad Needed Me More: RCB Star's Heartbreaking Revelation After Snub From India's T20 World Cup Squad Jitesh Sharma, a star player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, revealed his emotional journey after being left out of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The decision, which initially felt like a personal setback, took on a new dimension when he learned of his father’s passing just days later. For Sharma, the loss of his father overshadowed any disappointment from missing the tournament, as he found solace in being by his father’s side during his final days. Sharma shared his experience during an exclusive interview with PTI, explaining how the initial sting of non-selection faded quickly in the face of a deeper personal tragedy. His father, Mohan Sharma, passed away on February 1 after a brief illness, leaving Sharma to grapple with grief and a newfound sense of responsibility as the eldest son. “I got to know that my dad needed me more than the World Cup. I didn’t have any sad feeling,” he said, reflecting on how the emotional weight of his father’s death transformed his perspective. The loss of his father, Sharma explained, brought a profound shift in his life. “After he died, I realized I’m now responsible for taking care of my family. I can’t be weak in front of them, and I have to accept this role,” he said. This responsibility, he added, has become a defining part of his identity, shaping how he approaches both cricket and life. Sharma described the process of grieving as gradual, noting that the emptiness left by his father’s absence will linger for the rest of his life. “There is a portion of my heart that is empty now. It will be empty till my death because of my dad,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken sorrow.#t20_world_cup_2026 #royal_challengers_bengaluru #mohan_sharma #jitesh_sharma #pti