Cricket

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.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma has shed light on the team's transition under new head coach Gautam Gambhir and the aggressive tactics employed in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur.After Rahul Dravid's successful tenure, which culminated in India's T20 World Cup triumph, Gambhir took over the reins. Rohit believes it has been a positive start despite mixed results across formats. "We had a fantastic time with Rahul Bhai, but life moves on. Gautam Gambhir brings a different mindset. It's been a good start," he said.In the rain-affected Test, India's unexpected attacking approach on Day 4 left Bangladesh bewildered. A total of 437 runs were scored and 18 wickets fell in 85 overs, setting up an exciting final day.Rohit explained the rationale behind their aggressive declaration on 285/9. "We wanted to get them out quickly and see what we could do with the bat. The pitch didn't have much. To make a game out of it was a superb effort," he said.Despite the risk of being bowled out cheaply, India was prepared to take it. "We were ready for it even if we got bowled out for 100-150," Rohit added.One of the standout performers for India was Akash Deep, who impressed with his swing bowling. He finished the series with five wickets, providing a valuable option for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia."He's been good. He has the quality and the skill. Good body as well. He can bowl long spells," Rohit said.India ultimately emerged victorious by 7 wickets, securing a 2-0 series win. The match showcased the team's resilience and adaptability under Gambhir's leadership.

India's star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, has expressed his confidence in the potential of his compatriot Akash Deep after their impressive victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Despite losing significant playing time due to rain and a wet outfield, India's players displayed unwavering determination and secured a 7-wicket win on a sunny day in Kanpur.Throughout the series, India's experienced bowlers have consistently delivered when needed. However, it was the young Akash Deep who stole the spotlight in Kanpur, showcasing his exceptional swing bowling with the SG ball. Bumrah, who witnessed Akash's impressive performance firsthand, revealed that they have had numerous "interesting conversations" where Akash sought advice before captivating spectators with his mesmerizing spells."He (Akash Deep) comes up to me quite a lot before a spell and asks me 'what is happening and what should I do'. We have had a lot of interesting conversations, and the energy he brings on the ball, he gives his best on the field, and when he's bowling, he has got a lot of heart, and that is a good sign for us going forward. Hopefully, he goes from strength to strength," Bumrah said after India's victory.In the two Tests, Akash, who consistently hit the deck, swung the ball effortlessly and ended the series with five wickets. The Green Park surface underwent significant changes throughout the five days of play, with the weather constantly dictating the flow of the game. Once the rain subsided and the sun shone brightly over Kanpur, it became a challenging surface for the pacers to extract benefits from.However, for Bumrah, when the pitch turned against his natural style of play, it was a challenge that he relished taking on. "I like that challenge when you go against your nature and conditions are not favorable. The wicket is not favorable. How do you get answers? All of these battles I really like. We have played a lot of cricket in India. You understand the nature of the wicket, and the SG ball sometimes reverses as well, but sometimes, because of the humidity, you are not able to keep the ball dry, so you find solutions and discuss it with other players as well," Bumrah added."It was a test for our fitness as well, as you see how hot the weather is, bowling every day and trying to create an impact, a really special win. You use your experience, but it is easier said than done because you have played a lot of cricket and played on different surfaces. You find solutions. This wicket was completely different to what we got in Chennai, so we quickly communicated with the others and tried to find the best option," he noted.In the end, as India pushed their limits and redefined the way a Test is supposed to be played, Bumrah stood at the top as the joint-leading wicket-taker in the series with 11 wickets. As he continues to make the ball obey his will, Bumrah has earned the title of magician for himself. However, the experienced pacer is not focused on such adjectives. He is just delighted with the way India performed to subtly complete the series sweep over Bangladesh."It feels really good. I don't think about all those adjectives (being called a magician). It is really good to get this win; we had lost a couple of days," Bumrah said.Following the conclusion of the series, India will engage in a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh and then host New Zealand for three Tests this month.

India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the second Test in Kanpur has propelled them towards a third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final appearance. The comprehensive 7-wicket triumph has solidified India's position at the summit of the WTC standings, with 98 points from 11 matches.Despite the weather interruptions that marred the first three days of the Test, India showcased their resilience and adaptability. The team's all-round performance was a testament to their depth and quality.India's bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav, wreaked havoc on the Bangladesh batting lineup, dismissing them for 227 and 173. The spinners accounted for 17 of the 20 wickets to fall in the match.The Indian batsmen, too, played their part, with Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara scoring half-centuries in the first innings. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer then guided India to victory in the second innings, with unbeaten knocks of 59 and 29, respectively.The win has extended India's lead at the top of the WTC standings, with a points percentage of 74.24. They are now overwhelming favorites to qualify for the final, which will be held at Lord's in June 2025.India's next assignment in the WTC is a three-Test series against New Zealand, starting on October 16 in Bengaluru. A 3-0 sweep against the Black Caps would guarantee India a place in the final.However, if India fails to whitewash New Zealand, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will become even more crucial. Australia, currently second in the WTC standings, could overtake India with a series win.The upcoming Test series against New Zealand and Australia will be pivotal in determining India's fate in the WTC. With their current form and depth, India is well-positioned to secure a third consecutive appearance in the final.

India's dominance in Test cricket continued as they swept the two-match series against Bangladesh with a comprehensive 7-wicket victory in Kanpur. The win extended India's unbeaten streak at home in Test matches to an impressive 10 years.After two days of rain interruptions, India resumed the fourth day with Bangladesh trailing by 242 runs. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, along with pacer Jasprit Bumrah, wreaked havoc on the Bangladesh batting lineup. Ashwin claimed three wickets, while Jadeja and Bumrah took three each as Bangladesh was dismissed for 146 in their second innings.Overnight batter Shadman Islam top-scored for Bangladesh with 50 runs, but his efforts were not enough to prevent India from setting a modest target of 95 runs.In the chase, India lost early wickets but Yashasvi Jaiswal's rapid-fire 51 from 45 balls kept the hosts in control. Rishabh Pant sealed the victory with a boundary, while Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 29.The victory not only gave India a 2-0 series sweep but also strengthened their position at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India has now won 12 of their last 14 Test matches, showcasing their dominance in the longest format of the game.

India Clinches Victory as Bumrah's Cunning Dismissal Seals Bangladesh's FateIn a thrilling encounter at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi, India emerged victorious over Bangladesh, securing a 95-run target with ease. The match reached its climax in the first session, as Bangladesh fought valiantly with Mushfiqur Rahim leading the resistance.With Bangladesh on the brink of defeat at 130/9, India's captain Rohit Sharma introduced Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined their experience, but Rahim remained unyielding.As the clock ticked down, Rohit brought back Jasprit Bumrah, hoping to break the deadlock. Bumrah's initial deliveries were met with resilience from Khaled Ahmed, who even managed to hit a boundary.However, on the penultimate delivery before lunch, Bumrah unleashed a cunning slow off-cutter. Rahim, attempting a big shot, was deceived by the pace and the ball crashed into his middle stump.Bumrah's brilliance secured India's victory, with Bangladesh all out for 146 on the last ball before lunch. India's chase of 95 runs proved to be a formality, as they cruised to victory.The Indian cricket board (BCCI) celebrated the dismissal on their official Twitter handle, showcasing Bumrah's exceptional skill and the team's determination.

India's relentless bowling attack, led by Ravindra Jadeja's triple-strike, dismantled Bangladesh's batting lineup on the final day of the second Test in Dhaka, setting the hosts a modest target of 95 runs to secure victory.Resuming on 26 for 2, Bangladesh's hopes rested on the shoulders of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shadman Islam, who had forged a stubborn 55-run partnership. However, Jadeja's introduction proved decisive, as he dismissed Shanto with his second ball, breaking the crucial stand.Akash Deep then removed the well-set Shadman, caught at gully, before Jadeja sent back Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan cheaply, reducing Bangladesh to 94 for 7. The pressure mounted on the visitors, as Jadeja and Ashwin's tight and skiddy bowling proved too much to handle.Earlier, Ashwin had struck early, dismissing Mominul Haque for 2, while Bumrah and Ashwin kept Shanto and Shadman in check. However, Shadman's confident strokeplay against Ashwin gave Bangladesh the lead, but his dismissal by Akash Deep triggered a collapse.Jadeja's triple-strike in quick succession left Bangladesh reeling, and Bumrah's return to the attack wiped out the tail. Mushfiqur Rahim delayed the inevitable, but Bumrah's beauty left Mehidy Hasan Miraz late for an edge, and the visitors were all out for 146.India's bowlers shared the spoils, with Jadeja, Ashwin, and Bumrah claiming three wickets each. The hosts will now look to chase down the target and secure a series victory in the second Test.

The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, displayed a remarkable shift in mindset on the fourth day of the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Despite rain interruptions limiting play to just 35 overs in the first three days, the hosts seized the initiative on Monday.After dismissing Bangladesh for 233, India's batsmen took an aggressive approach. Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the innings with a hat-trick of fours, while Rohit Sharma sent a six over the boundary on the first ball he faced.Former India cricketer Saba Karim praised Rohit's captaincy and his clear vision for the team. "Rohit's intentions have always been very clear," Karim said. "The decision-making has been very precise, and he leads by example."Karim noted that Rohit's aggressive approach has inspired his teammates. "When he wants to impose as a team that you need to win this encounter, this is the way you have to take the game forward," Karim said. "And I think that's what Rohit and company have done so far."In contrast to previous captains who often adopted a cautious approach, Rohit has emphasized the importance of making an immediate impact. "There are no half measures whatsoever," Karim said. "From the first ball, you need to make your intent very clear."Rohit's leadership has been instrumental in India's dominant performance in the match. The hosts have taken control of the game and are well-positioned to secure a victory.

Former Indian cricket selector Saba Karim has suggested that Rinku Singh and Abhishek Sharma could form a formidable opening partnership for India in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Karim believes that Rinku's aggressive style and ability to play big shots would complement Sharma's more composed approach."Rinku is quite a complete player," Karim said. "If he gets more opportunities, if he gets more deliveries to face, he can add more value to the side. So there is a strong possibility of having that combination."Rinku has typically batted in the middle order for India, but Karim believes he has the potential to be a successful opener. "He comes in number six or seven, and he hardly gets any balls to get himself in," Karim said. "But if he gets more opportunities, he can be a valuable asset to the team."India's squad for the Bangladesh T20Is also includes several other exciting young players, such as Riyan Parag, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav. Yadav, who has been fast-tracked into the team after an impressive IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, is the fastest bowler in India.The team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has been in excellent form for India in recent months. Hardik Pandya is the only other senior player in the squad, which is a sign of India's commitment to developing young talent.India will play three T20Is against Bangladesh, with the first match scheduled for November 27 in Dhaka.