Cricket

Bangladesh resumed their first innings on the fourth morning of the second Test against India, with Mominul Haque leading the charge. Despite losing three wickets, Bangladesh reached lunch at 205 for 6, with Mominul unbeaten on 102.India's bowlers, led by Akash Deep and Ravichandran Ashwin, bowled with discipline, but Mominul proved to be a thorn in their side. He weathered the early storm and played with patience and determination.The pitch showed signs of improvement, with better carry, but the low bounce remained a factor. Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah tested Mominul and Mushfiqur Rahim's patience with their accurate bowling.Bumrah dismissed Mushfiqur with a sharp in-ducker that took his inside edge and clipped the off stump. Litton Das came in and played aggressively, hitting three fours off Bumrah. However, he fell to a length ball from Mohammed Siraj, which he slapped aerially to Rohit Sharma at wide mid-off.Shakib Al Hasan's stay was brief, as he was caught by Siraj off Ashwin's bowling. Ravindra Jadeja was brought on, but Mominul used his feet well and swept him for a six to reach the nineties.Mominul was given two lives, with Rishabh Pant dropping a catch at 93 and Virat Kohli dropping another at 95. He made the most of these chances and reached his century with a sweep shot.At lunch, Bangladesh were in a strong position, with Mominul anchoring the innings and Mehidy Hasan providing support. India will need to find a way to break the partnership and take control of the match.

Jasprit Bumrah Breaks the Deadlock on Day 4 of India vs. Bangladesh TestAfter two days of rain-induced delays, the second Test between India and Bangladesh finally resumed on Monday in Kanpur. With India seeking a crucial wicket to break the Bangladesh resistance, Jasprit Bumrah stepped up to deliver.Bumrah, known for his exceptional bowling skills, was handed the ball by captain Rohit Sharma to open the fourth day's play. The pacer didn't disappoint, striking in the third over to remove Mushfiqur Rahim for 11.Rahim, expecting an outswinger, left the ball only to be surprised as it sharply came back in and crashed into his stumps. The dismissal was a testament to Bumrah's accuracy and ability to deceive batters.Bumrah's wicket was the first for India on Day 4, adding to the two wickets taken by Akash Deep and one by Ravichandran Ashwin. Bangladesh had resumed their first innings at 107-3, with Mominul Haque unbeaten on 40 and Rahim on six.The match had been severely affected by rain, with only 35 overs possible on the opening day. The weather had forced the umpires to abandon play on Saturday and Sunday due to a soggy outfield.India, who lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opener in Chennai, will be looking to capitalize on Bumrah's early breakthrough and build pressure on Bangladesh. The visitors, on the other hand, will need to dig deep and find a way to counter India's bowling attack.

Rain Delays Start of Third Day in India-Bangladesh TestThe third day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur has been delayed due to a wet outfield caused by overnight rain. The match was scheduled to resume at 9:30 AM IST, but the start has been pushed back to noon.The outfield was deemed unfit for play after an inspection by the umpires. The rain has also prevented any practice sessions for both teams.Bangladesh will resume their first innings at 107 for 3, with Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease. India's bowlers, led by Akash Deep (2/34) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1/22), will be looking to make early inroads into the Bangladesh batting lineup.The entire second day of the Test was washed out without a ball being bowled. Only 35 overs were possible on the opening day, with Bangladesh losing three wickets.India are leading the two-match series 1-0, having won the first Test in Chennai by 280 runs. A win in Kanpur would give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

India Announces Squad for T20I Series Against Bangladesh, Mayank Yadav Earns Maiden Call-UpNew Delhi: The Indian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on October 6. The squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, features several notable inclusions and exclusions.Pace sensation Mayank Yadav has received his maiden call-up to the national team after an impressive performance in the domestic circuit. Yadav, who has been sidelined since April due to an injury, has been rewarded for his consistent pace and wicket-taking ability.Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy makes a comeback to the Indian squad after nearly three years. Chakravarthy, known for his deceptive variations, will bolster the team's spin attack.Test regulars Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant have been rested for the series, providing opportunities for other players to showcase their talent.Nitish Reddy, the reserve seam-bowling all-rounder, has been included in the squad after missing the recent Zimbabwe tour due to an injury. Promising cricketers Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Harshit Rana have also secured their spots in the team.Jitesh Sharma will serve as the secondary wicketkeeper behind Sanju Samson, who will be the primary choice.The series against Bangladesh will serve as a crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. India will be looking to fine-tune their combinations and strategies ahead of the global tournament.

Virat Kohli, the Indian batting maestro, continues to endure a prolonged lean patch in international cricket. His recent performances in the first Test against Bangladesh, where he managed scores of 6 and 17, have further fueled concerns about his form.Kohli's struggles have drawn criticism from some quarters, but former India opener Parthiv Patel has come to his defense. Patel believes that Kohli is facing immense pressure due to the high standards he has set for himself."I don't think he's feeling that kind of pressure. And as you rightly mentioned that. I don't think Smith or Joe Root or Williamson can even think of the type of pressure he must be feeling. The pressure of expectation, that is huge. He has set his standard so high that even if he scores 60 or 70, that comes across as a failure. Because every time he walks in, we expect him to score 100. We expect him to play with that kind of intensity, which he has always been playing," Patel said ahead of the second Test between India and Bangladesh.Kohli's poor form has been evident across all formats this year. In 15 matches and 17 innings, he has scored just 319 runs at a sub-par average of 18.76, with only one half-century to his name. In Tests, his average has dropped to an eight-year low of 48.74.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains one of the most prolific batsmen in the world. In 114 Tests, he has amassed 8,871 runs, including 29 centuries and 30 fifties. His ability to score runs consistently at the highest level is undeniable.However, Kohli's current form has raised questions about his longevity in the game. At 34 years old, he is entering the twilight of his career. It remains to be seen whether he can rediscover his old form and continue to dominate international cricket.

Ravindra Jadeja, India's enigmatic all-rounder, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the first player to amass over 2000 runs and claim more than 200 wickets in winning causes. This remarkable feat was achieved during India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Jadeja's all-round brilliance has been a cornerstone of India's success in recent years. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made him an indispensable member of the team. In the Chennai Test, he played a pivotal role in India's recovery from a precarious position of 144 for six.Batting alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, Jadeja forged a crucial 199-run partnership for the seventh wicket, guiding India to a respectable total of 376. His gritty knock of 86 was overshadowed by Ashwin's century, but it was equally vital in setting up India's victory.With the ball, Jadeja claimed five wickets in the match, including three in the second innings. His accurate spin bowling and ability to extract turn from the pitch proved too much for the Bangladesh batsmen.Jadeja's achievement is even more remarkable considering that he has often played in the shadow of Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner. Despite his exceptional skills, Jadeja has remained humble and focused on his role within the team.His fighting spirit and task-oriented approach have made him a valuable asset for India. In the first Test against Bangladesh, he once again proved his worth by bailing out the team from a difficult situation.Jadeja's record-breaking feat is a testament to his all-round abilities and his unwavering determination. He has joined an elite group of cricketers who have achieved the grand double of 300 wickets and 3000 runs in Test cricket.

The national selectors have included promising pacer Mayank Yadav in a special camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) ahead of the T20I series against Bangladesh starting October 6. The camp is limited to a few players, including Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, and Abhishek Sharma.Mayank, a 21-year-old from Delhi, has been at the NCA since the IPL due to a recurring side strain. He burst onto the scene in the last IPL, clocking over 156 kmph in his first two matches. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has identified him as a future prospect in their quest to build a strong pool of pace bowlers."Mayank hasn't complained of any pain over the last month or so. He is bowling full tilt at the NCA. The selectors are interested to see how ready he is for international cricket. With the long Test season ahead, the selectors are keen on trying new faces for the T20Is against Bangladesh. Pandya has not played competitive cricket for nearly a couple of months. Even Abhishek needs some quality practice," a BCCI source said.The selectors are expected to rest Test specialists for the T20I series, opening up an opportunity to try out new players, keeping the T20 World Cup in 2026 in mind.The NCA team has charted a roadmap for Mayank's comeback. For now, he has been asked to start with T20 cricket. He hasn't been cleared to play Ranji Trophy for Delhi yet."Mayank is bowling close to 20 overs with the white ball in three separate spells in a day. There is a strong chance of selectors picking him for the Bangladesh series after seeing him in the camp at NCA. Agarkar is slated to travel to Bengaluru to attend the inauguration of the new NCA," the source said.While Mayank is yet to receive a clearance for Ranji Trophy, it is understood that selectors may ask him to travel with the Indian team during the three-Test series against New Zealand at home next month."The selectors don't want him to be restricted to just the T20 format. Therefore, they want to carefully monitor his progress. India head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel rate Mayank highly since their time at Lucknow Super Giants," he said.With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj set to be rested for the T20I series, Arshdeep Singh is likely to lead the attack. The likes of Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, and Harshit Rana are also in the mix.

Toss for India-Bangladesh Test Delayed Due to Wet OutfieldThe toss for the second Test between India and Bangladesh has been delayed due to a wet outfield following overnight rain in Dhaka on Friday, September 27, 2024.Overnight rain left the outfield saturated, prompting the ground staff to bring out super-soppers to dry the pitch. An inspection is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. local time to determine if play can commence.India defeated Bangladesh by 280 runs in the opening Test in Chennai, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second Test is crucial for Bangladesh to level the series, while India will aim to seal the victory.The wet outfield has cast a shadow over the start of the second Test, but both teams will be eager to take to the field as soon as possible. The toss delay has given the players and officials time to assess the conditions and prepare for the match.The weather forecast for Dhaka over the next few days is mixed, with a chance of further rain. However, the ground staff is working diligently to ensure that the outfield is ready for play as soon as possible.

Gautam Gambhir's maiden assignment as India's Test head coach has commenced with a resounding victory, as the Rohit Sharma-led team crushed Bangladesh by 280 runs in the opening Test in Chennai. The Indian squad has now arrived in Kanpur for the series-deciding second Test at the Green Park Stadium.During their journey from Chennai to Kanpur, the Indian players engaged in lighthearted banter and camaraderie. Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel bonded over their shared love for "filter coffee" and "chocolate," while R Ashwin playfully complained of being "bullied" by his teammates, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.The amusing interactions were captured in a video shared by the BCCI on social media. The video begins with Akash Deep and Axar teasing Siraj, who sported a bucket hat and sunglasses. Sarfaraz Khan then enthusiastically chanted "Jassu, Jassu" for Yashasvi Jaiswal, who responded by comparing his fan following to that of Sachin Tendulkar.As the flight approached Kanpur, Bumrah and Jadeja playfully addressed Ashwin as "Ash anna" and "Ash anna for a reason." "They are just bullying me," Ashwin remarked in the video.Meanwhile, the selection committee has retained an unchanged squad for the second Test in Kanpur.