Cricket

Sanju Samson's maiden T20I century against Bangladesh on Saturday was a testament to his determination and the faith placed in him by the Indian team management. Despite facing criticism and inconsistent performances in the past, Samson seized the opportunity to prove his worth.Samson's aggressive mindset was evident throughout his innings. He began with a flurry of boundaries and then unleashed a barrage of sixes, including five consecutive sixes off Rishad Hossain. His 47-ball 111 was instrumental in India's massive total of 297/6.The Indian management's decision to inform Samson of his role as an opener three weeks prior to the series gave him ample time to prepare. He utilized this opportunity to hone his skills and gain confidence.Samson's success is a reminder that failure is an inevitable part of the game. However, it is the ability to learn from mistakes and maintain a positive mindset that ultimately leads to success. Samson's experience in the IPL and international cricket has taught him to cope with pressure and setbacks.Bangladesh's batter, Towhid Hridoy, acknowledged that his team was outplayed in all departments. He praised Samson's performance, stating that he was "unplayable" on the day.Samson's century has reignited hopes that he can become a consistent performer for India. His aggressive approach and ability to handle pressure make him a valuable asset to the team. As he continues to gain experience and confidence, Samson has the potential to become one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world.

India's aggressive batting approach in the second Test against Bangladesh has garnered widespread praise, but former England captain Michael Vaughan's comparison to England's "Bazball" has sparked controversy.Despite rain washing out two and a half days of play, India secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory on the final day. Vaughan's comment, posted on social media, suggested that India was adopting England's ultra-aggressive approach under coach Brendon McCullum.However, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has taken a sharp dig at certain former experts, without naming anyone, for trying to claim credit for India's current approach. Gavaskar argues that the Indian team has been playing in this manner for the past couple of years, led by captain Rohit Sharma.Gavaskar praised Sharma for his transformative impact on the team's playing style, noting that he has been batting aggressively and encouraging his teammates to do the same. He dismissed the suggestion that India's approach is due to the influence of coach Gautam Gambhir, who has only been in the role for a few months.Gavaskar emphasized that the credit for India's aggressive batting belongs solely to Sharma. He also criticized the tendency to label new approaches with names derived from scandals or other events, such as "this-ball" or "that-ball."

India's Aggressive Batting Forces Bangladesh to Surrender in Kanpur TestOn the final day of the rain-hit India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test in Kanpur, India's aggressive batting approach turned the tide of the match, leading to a comprehensive victory.After losing eight sessions to persistent rain, the game seemed destined for a draw. However, India's bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for 233, setting up a 52-run lead. India then unleashed an attacking batting display, scoring 286 in just 34.4 overs, leaving Bangladesh with a daunting target of 299.Bangladesh's batting crumbled under pressure, as they were bowled out for a mere 146 in their second innings. India chased down the target in 17.2 overs, securing a 95-run victory.Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar criticized Bangladesh's batting, questioning their shot selection and lack of patience. Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe admitted that his team was overwhelmed by India's aggressive approach, which they had not encountered before.Hathurusinghe acknowledged the disappointment of the defeat, especially after Bangladesh's series win over Pakistan. He emphasized the need for improvement in their batting, which has been underperforming in recent series.Despite the defeat, Hathurusinghe praised the quality of the opposition and the lessons learned from the series. He believes that playing against India has highlighted the areas where Bangladesh needs to improve.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has drawn parallels between India's aggressive batting approach in the second Test against Bangladesh and England's "Bazball" philosophy. India's batters displayed an attacking mindset in their first innings, setting the tone for a quickfire response at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.Vaughan took to Twitter to express his observations, writing, "I see India are playing Bazball." He compared India's onslaught to England's Bazball approach, a term coined for their attacking style of cricket under red-ball coach Brendon McCullum.India posted a total of 285/9 in 34.4 overs, declaring their innings with a lead of 52 runs. The outburst was led by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who smashed a 31-ball half-century, and Rohit Sharma, who contributed an 11-ball 23 with three sixes and a four.Jaiswal's knock of 72 off 51 balls, including 12 fours and two maximums, helped India complete their fastest team 50 and 100 in 18 and 61 balls, respectively. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, India's scoring rate remained high, with Shubman Gill (39), Virat Kohli (47), and KL Rahul also contributing at blistering strike rates.India's hunger for quick runs reflects their intent to secure a result after two days of the game were washed out due to rain and a wet outfield. The victory would further bolster their bid for a third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final.However, if the Kanpur Test ends in a draw, India will face an uphill task of winning five Tests from the remaining eight matches in the current WTC cycle. After the Bangladesh series, India will host New Zealand for a three-Test series in October before embarking on a five-Test tour of Australia.

Virender Sehwag, the swashbuckling Indian opener, is a legend in the cricketing world. Known for his fearless batting style, Sehwag has amassed over 8,000 runs in both Test and ODI cricket. His aggressive approach has left an indelible mark on the game, with even the greatest bowlers fearing his wrath.Sehwag's aura was such that he could sing Hindi songs while smashing bowlers for boundaries. The likes of Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, and Dale Steyn, all ace pacers, were not spared. Even the slightest loose ball from these bowling giants was dispatched to the boundary with disdain.Sehwag's journey to becoming an opener was not a straightforward one. Initially, he started as a middle-order batsman, but his explosive batting earned him the role of opener. He went on to open India's batting in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, setting the tone of the tournament with a brilliant 175 in his first innings.Sehwag shares the record for the most triple centuries in Test cricket. During a Test match against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, he had the chance to make history as the first batsman to score three triple centuries. On the first day of the match, Sehwag scored 284 runs, making it the third-highest score by a batsman in a single day of a Test match.Facing tough bowlers like Muttiah Muralitharan, Sehwag remained in control. Towards the end of the day, with only 3-4 overs left, his batting partner Rahul Dravid advised him to play out the day. Dravid suggested that Sehwag imagine batting through the remaining overs without losing his wicket and then coming back the next day to possibly make 300, 400, or even 500 runs.Sehwag recalled in an interview that Dravid carefully played out the overs, taking a single only when the over was about to end so that Sehwag would face fewer balls. When the day ended, and both batters remained not out as they returned to the dressing room, Dravid told him, 'Well done, bohot badhiya. Ab kal dekh tu wapas aaega toh pura din batting karega toh tu world record bana sakta hai.'Sehwag admitted that Dravid's words filled him with optimism. He went to his room, had dinner, and slept soundly. However, the next day, he managed to add only 9 more runs before being dismissed for 293. Sehwag later admitted that as he walked back to the dressing room, he regretted listening to Rahul Dravid.Sehwag had scored 293 runs off 254 balls, with 40 fours and 7 sixes. In the end, the world's leading wicket-taker, Muralitharan, dismissed Sehwag with a caught-and-bowled effort. MS Dhoni went on to score a century in that match, and India posted a massive total of 726 for 9 before declaring. India went on to win the match by an innings and 24 runs.

On December 26, 2003, at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, Virender Sehwag etched his name into cricketing history with a blistering 195-run knock against Australia. The match, the third Test of the series, was a crucial one for both teams, with India holding a 1-0 lead.Sehwag, opening the batting with Aakash Chopra, faced a barrage of bouncers from Brett Lee but remained unfazed. His trademark shots, including powerful drives through the covers and flicks through mid-wicket, sent shockwaves through the Australian bowling attack.Reaching his fifty off 78 balls, Sehwag accelerated his innings, reaching his century off 144 deliveries. As he approached his 150, the crowd erupted in anticipation of a maiden double century. However, fate had a different plan.With the score on 195, part-time bowler Simon Katich delivered a juicy full toss on the middle stump. Sehwag, eager to reach the milestone with a six, swung his bat but mistimed it, sending the ball straight to Nathan Bracken at deep mid-wicket.Despite the disappointment of falling short of his double century, Sehwag's innings had been a masterclass in aggressive batting. His 233-ball knock included 5 sixes and 25 fours, leaving an indelible mark on the match and the series.In true Sehwag style, he later stated that he would have played the same shot again, regardless of his score. His fearless approach and unwavering belief in his abilities made him one of the most feared batsmen of his generation.

Indian Openers Dominate in Women's Asia Cup OpenerIn the inaugural match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024, Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana showcased their aggressive batting prowess, leading their team to a comfortable victory over Pakistan.Chasing a modest target of 109 runs, Verma and Mandhana set the tone for India's chase with an explosive start. Verma, known for her power-hitting, contributed a crucial 40 runs, while Mandhana complemented her efforts with a well-crafted 45 runs.The duo's partnership was a masterclass in aggressive batting. They consistently found the boundary with an array of powerful strokes, including fours and sixes. Their dominance was evident in the sixth over, where they amassed 15 runs off Tuba Hassan's bowling, including two fours and a towering six.Mandhana and Verma displayed a remarkable understanding of each other's strengths, rotating the strike effectively and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Their ability to find gaps in the field and clear the boundary with ease kept the Pakistani fielders on their toes.The aggressive approach adopted by the Indian openers was a calculated risk that paid off handsomely. It allowed them to maintain a healthy run rate and keep the required run rate within manageable limits. Their ability to score freely also provided the subsequent batters with the luxury of playing their natural game without undue pressure.Despite various strategies employed by the Pakistani bowlers, the Indian openers remained undeterred, showcasing their skill, temperament, and determination to succeed. Their partnership not only set the tone for India's successful chase but also highlighted the depth and quality of the Indian batting lineup.

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the ICC T20 World Cup has prompted former Indian opener Virender Sehwag to call for a strategic overhaul in their approach to the format. Sehwag believes that Pakistan's over-reliance on anchor batters like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan has hindered their competitiveness in T20 cricket."They have to play differently from the way that Babar Azam plays if they want to play in the next T20 World Cup," Sehwag emphasized. "There are a few players who play with the same strike rate which is not good enough for T20. They have to find those players with high strike rates."Sehwag pointed out that Pakistan's batters often struggle to accelerate the scoring rate, which puts pressure on the team in the latter stages of the innings. He suggested that the team needs to identify and develop players who can play an aggressive game and maintain a high strike rate."They have to give someone enough time," Sehwag said. "It's not like Babar became the player he is today on his first day itself, he also took time to give consistent performances."Sehwag also expressed concern about Pakistan's narrow victory over Ireland in their final group game. He questioned the team's tactics and execution, suggesting that internal issues may be affecting their performance."This is why we call them unpredictable, you can never tell if they will play well or poorly," Sehwag said. "I don't know what their dressing room is like. If things are fine between the players. That also plays a role."Sehwag's comments highlight the need for Pakistan to reassess their strategy in T20 cricket. They must identify and nurture talent that can play an aggressive game and maintain a high strike rate. Additionally, addressing any internal issues within the team could also improve their performance.