Cricket

Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed surprise at the low turnout on Day 1 of the first Test encounter between India and Bangladesh in Chennai. While the crowd was quite less during the start of play, the spectators did make their way back into the stadium later in the day.In a recent interaction, Ashwin questioned the lack of crowd at the start of the match and wondered if the spectators struggled to get the tickets for the match."The ground was completely empty on the first day. I was wondering why the ground was so empty on Day 1. Virat Kept telling me that no one was coming to watch the Test match. But from that moment, there was a huge crowd. I wanted to ask you why so many people struggled to buy tickets?" Ashwin asked former cricketer and commentator Ashwath Bobo on his YouTube channel.Ashwath responded that fans were not sure whether the match will continue till Day 5 and as a result, most of them opted for daily tickets instead of a season ticket. That led to a massive queue outside the stadium and majority of the fans ended up getting late for the game."Initially, when ticket sales used to happen, they used to call it a season ticket or a day ticket. A season ticket is when you get it punched on Day 1 and you can come back for 5 days with same ticket. Many people were afraid that the match would not go on till the 4th or 5th day. So everyone had an ambiguity to buy the season ticket. So when they come to buy the day ticket, the crowd was huge. The crowd was from the Pavillion to the Pattabiram Gate," Ashwath said."So it was just one counter?" Ashwin asked."Yes there was just one counter. There were a lot of problems. When I came, there was a huge crowd in that line. But when I came, as you said, the crowd was scattered on Day 1. So, many people struggled to buy the day ticket. But as you said, yesterday was Saturday and crowd was huge. On Sunday, the crowd was there till the end of the presentation," Ashwath replied.Ashwin scored a ton and achieved a six-wicket haul to guide India to a 280-run victory.

India's quest for a hat-trick of World Test Championship (WTC) finals continues as they prepare for the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. After a resounding victory in Chennai, India needs four more wins from their remaining nine matches to secure their place in the WTC final next year.The Kanpur Test will present a stark contrast to the red-soil pitch in Chennai. The black soil pitch is expected to be flatter and lower in bounce, favoring spinners. This change may prompt both teams to alter their team compositions.India may consider resting premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah to manage his workload. However, his impressive performance in Chennai, where he took four wickets in just 21 overs, may sway the team management to keep him in the lineup.The choice of the third spinner is another key decision. Kuldeep Yadav, who has been in excellent form, could get the nod over Axar Patel, whose all-round abilities may not be as crucial on a flat pitch.India's probable playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh:* Rohit Sharma (c)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Virat Kohli* KL Rahul* Rishabh Pant (wk)* Ravindra Jadeja* Ravichandran Ashwin* Kuldeep Yadav* Jasprit Bumrah (if fit)* Mohammed Siraj

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praise on Ravichandran Ashwin for his exceptional all-round performance in the first Test against Bangladesh at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Ashwin's match-winning ton and fifer earned him the Player of the Match award.With the bat, Ashwin played a crucial knock of 113 runs from 133 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and two maximums. His innings helped India post a formidable total of 404 runs in the first innings.With the ball, Ashwin was equally impressive, bagging six wickets in his spell of 21 overs. He conceded 88 runs and played a key role in restricting Bangladesh to 150 runs in their first innings.Rohit Sharma lauded Ashwin's contributions, saying, "He's next in line to talk to you, he's the right man to answer what he does. Every time we look up to him, he's always there for us whether with the bat or ball. I don't know if I speak here, it'll be enough of what he does for this team. Every time we see him come out and do the job, it's always so brilliant. He's never out of the game."Rohit also spoke about wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who made a successful return to Test cricket after two years. Pant played a crucial knock of 109 runs in the second innings, helping India set a target of 513 runs for Bangladesh."He's been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch. He came back in the IPL, followed by a very successful World Cup and this is the format he loves the most. For us, it was never about what is he going to do with the bat, we always knew what he had with the bat and with the gloves as well," Rohit said."It was just about giving him the game time. Credit to him as well, he went on to play Duleep Trophy and got ready for this Test match and had an impact straightaway in the game. No matter what the conditions are, whether we play in India, whether we play outside, we want to build the team around that (strong bowling)," the opener added.

Team India's dominance continued as they secured a resounding 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series in Chennai. The hosts set a daunting target of 515 for Bangladesh, who were eventually dismissed for 234 on the fourth day.Ravichandran Ashwin emerged as the star performer for India, showcasing his all-round brilliance. With the bat, he notched up a powerful century, while with the ball, he claimed a memorable six-wicket haul. Ashwin's exceptional performance played a pivotal role in India's comprehensive victory.The match also witnessed a light-hearted moment involving India skipper Rohit Sharma. On the fourth day, Sharma was captured on camera flipping the bails at the striker's end and hilariously casting a spell on the stumps. The incident drew comparisons to Virat Kohli's habit of switching bails during matches, adding a touch of humor to the proceedings.India's victory gives them an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series. The second and final Test will be played in Kanpur from September 27.In the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma expressed his satisfaction with the result, highlighting the team's preparation and the impact of Rishabh Pant's century. He also emphasized the importance of building a strong bowling unit capable of adapting to various conditions.

India's dominance continued on Day 3 of the third Test against Bangladesh as they declared their innings at 287, setting a formidable target of 515 for the visitors. The decision to declare was made by skipper Rohit Sharma, who displayed confidence in his team's ability to defend the total despite the remaining two days of the Test.The declaration came after centuries from Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, who anchored India's innings with scores of 119 and 110, respectively. KL Rahul, who was batting on 22 at the time of the declaration, expressed disappointment at not getting more time at the crease, but Pant clarified that Rohit had communicated his plan to declare an hour in advance."When we came for lunch, there was a discussion going on about the innings declaration. Rohit bhai told us, 'We will bat for 1 more hour, whoever wants to score, can do so,'" Pant explained. "So, I returned with the mindset to score runs quickly."Rohit's decision to declare was not influenced by the personnel in the middle, as he had indicated his intention to declare within a specific time frame. After the match, Rohit paid tribute to Pant, who made a remarkable comeback to the Indian Test team after a long absence."He's been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch," Rohit said. "He came back in the IPL, followed by a very successful World Cup, and this is the format he loves the most."Rohit also praised Pant's determination to prepare for the Test match by playing in the Duleep Trophy. "Credit to him as well, he went on to play Duleep Trophy and got ready for this Test match and had an impact straightaway in the game," he added.With India's bowlers in top form, Bangladesh faces an uphill task to save the Test. The hosts will need to bat with resilience and determination to avoid a heavy defeat.

Indian batter Shubman Gill's hilarious mockery of teammate Mohammed Siraj during the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai has become a viral sensation. During the 22nd over of Bangladesh's second innings, Gill was caught on stump mic mimicking an old video of Siraj flagging fake Instagram accounts."Mohammad Siraj official hi official ID hai, baaki sab fake hain," Gill said, mocking Siraj's viral video. Even wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant couldn't help but chuckle at Gill's antics.Gill's lighthearted moment came after he bounced back from a duck in the first innings with a century in the second. His unbeaten 119, along with Pant's 109, helped India declare their second innings at 287-4 on day three.The Test marked Virat Kohli's return to the Indian team after the birth of his second child. However, the former captain managed only six and 17 runs in the match.India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, dominated the first innings, bundling out Bangladesh for 149. Bangladesh pace bowler Hasan Mahmud claimed five wickets in the first innings and reduced India to 34-3 in the first hour of play.Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain admitted that his team needs to improve their first innings batting ahead of the second Test in Kanpur. "Top of the order we have to be careful and put some runs, that is one learning from this match," he said.The two teams will now head to Kanpur for the second Test starting on Friday.

Rishabh Pant's Wit and Wisdom Enlivens India's Test Victory over BangladeshIn a moment of lighthearted camaraderie during India's emphatic Test victory over Bangladesh in Chennai, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant injected a dose of humor into the proceedings. On Day 3 of the second innings, Pant's voice was captured on the stump mic offering tactical advice to the Bangladesh fielders."O bhai, idhar aayega yeh fielder (please bring the fielder here)," Pant was heard saying, much to the amusement of the commentary team and fans. The incident showcased Pant's quick wit and his ability to lighten the mood even in the midst of a competitive match.Speaking after India's 280-run triumph, Pant explained his motivation for the playful banter. "I think the understanding of the game for me is that cricket should improve wherever you play," he said. "So I was just trying to help the team that you can set a fielder here, and it was amazing. Actually, I enjoyed it."Pant's return to Test cricket after recovering from a serious accident in December 2022 was marked by a scintillating century in the second innings. His knock of 109 runs, a blend of aggression and controlled batting, played a pivotal role in India's victory."I was jittery, but there was a fire inside me to make it happen. And eventually, I did it. I'm happy, but not thinking about it too much," Pant said, reflecting on his performance.Pant's partnership with Shubman Gill, who scored 110 runs, proved to be the cornerstone of India's batting effort. The duo shared a 167-run stand, putting the Bangladesh bowlers under immense pressure."When you have a great relationship off the field, it helps on the field," Pant said of his partnership with Gill. "We were having fun, talking about the game, and staying relaxed while focusing on stitching a great partnership."With the victory in Chennai, India has taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The teams will now travel to Kanpur for the second and final Test, which begins on Friday.

India's dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 cycle continues unabated as they extended their lead at the summit with a resounding 280-run victory over Bangladesh in Chennai. The triumph solidifies their position as the team to beat, with a percentage of 71.67%.Ravichandran Ashwin was the architect of India's success, earning Player of the Match honors for his all-round brilliance. His century in the first innings and six-wicket haul in the second proved decisive. Bangladesh, chasing a mammoth target of 515, were bowled out for 234, with Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja sharing the spoils.The victory propelled India to 12 crucial WTC points, further cementing their grip on the top spot. Bangladesh, on the other hand, slipped to sixth in the standings with a percentage of 39.29%.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka boosted their chances of reaching the WTC final with a thrilling 63-run victory over New Zealand in Galle. Dhananjaya de Silva's side now occupies third place with a 50% win rate, putting them in contention for a top-two finish.Prabath Jayasuriya emerged as the hero for Sri Lanka, claiming match figures of 9-204 and earning the Player of the Match award. His tactical brilliance in holding off bowling New Zealand out on the fourth day allowed the bowlers to return refreshed on the final day.Sri Lanka's victory has made them a strong contender for a spot in the WTC final. With a potential maximum percentage of 69.23%, they need a clean sweep against South Africa and a 2-0 series win over Australia at home to secure their place.The race for the final two spots in the WTC finale at Lord's is heating up, with India, Sri Lanka, and England all in contention. The upcoming series will be crucial in determining who will join Australia, the current table-toppers, in the battle for the coveted trophy.

Rohit Sharma, India's esteemed captain, has faced criticism for his questionable DRS decisions. During the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Rohit's refusal to review a caught-behind decision left him with a face-palm moment.In the 62nd over, Bangladesh batter Hasan Mahmud faced Ravichandran Ashwin's delivery. The ball spun sharply and bounced high, hitting Mahmud's glove before being caught by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant. However, replays suggested the ball may have grazed Mahmud's forearm before entering Pant's gloves.Despite Pant's insistence on taking DRS, Rohit remained adamant. The replays later confirmed that the ball had indeed touched Mahmud's glove, meaning a review would have resulted in an overturned decision.Pant couldn't resist teasing Rohit, saying, "Out tha, abe yaar replay dekh to lo (it was out, at least see the replay)."Despite the DRS blunder, India secured a comprehensive 280-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.After the match, Rohit praised Pant's remarkable return to Test cricket after a 600-day absence. "He's been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch," Rohit said.Rohit's DRS decision-making has been a topic of discussion among cricket pundits. Some believe his reluctance to review decisions stems from a desire to maintain control on the field. Others suggest it may be a lack of confidence in the DRS system.Regardless of the reasons, Rohit's DRS decisions have raised questions about his captaincy. As India prepares for the upcoming Test series against Australia, Rohit will need to improve his DRS decision-making to ensure the team's success.