Cricket

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma's struggles continued in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. After failing to make a significant impact in the first innings, Sharma once again fell cheaply in the second, dismissed for just 5 runs.Sharma's dismissal came in the 10th over of India's second innings. A short-of-length delivery from Taskin Ahmed flew off Sharma's outside edge, and Zakir Hasan made no mistake in completing the catch at third slip.The crowd at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium had been eagerly anticipating a better performance from Sharma in the second innings, but his early departure left them disappointed. Social media was also not kind to Sharma, with many users criticizing his performance.Sharma's struggles have raised concerns about his form and fitness. The Indian captain has not scored a Test century since September 2021, and his recent performances have been far below his usual standards.Meanwhile, Bangladesh were all out for 149 in their first innings, trailing India by a massive 227 runs. In reply, India posted a total of 376, with Ravichandran Ashwin (113) and Ravindra Jadeja (86) making significant contributions.Bangladesh's second innings was a disappointing affair, as they were bowled out for just 149 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the most successful bowler for India, claiming 4/50, while Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets each.Shakib Al Hasan top-scored for Bangladesh with 32, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the next best batter with 27 not out.With India enforcing the follow-on, Bangladesh face an uphill task to save the match. The hosts will be confident of securing a victory and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

India's wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant's wicket-keeping skills continue to be a subject of scrutiny, despite his exceptional batting abilities. During the first Test against Bangladesh, Pant's costly DRS blunder left pacer Mohammed Siraj visibly frustrated.On Day 2, Siraj appealed for an LBW against Bangladesh's Zakir Hasan, but the umpire turned down the appeal. Skipper Rohit Sharma consulted with Pant, who advised against taking a review, claiming the ball would miss the leg stump. However, replays revealed that the ball would have hit the leg stump, indicating that India could have gained an advantage by using the DRS.Siraj's disappointment was evident, and Pant apologized to the pacer. The incident highlighted Pant's ongoing struggles behind the stumps, despite his impressive batting performances.Meanwhile, India's bowlers dominated the Bangladesh batting lineup, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. Bumrah claimed three wickets in his 6.5 overs, while Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with two wickets each.Bangladesh's confidence was visibly shaken after allowing India to build a substantial total in their first innings. The visitors lost three wickets before lunch for a mere 26 runs, and their approach reflected a lack of cricketing smarts. They lost a further five wickets while adding 85 runs in the second passage, leaving them reeling at 112 for eight at tea.

Virat Kohli's return to Test cricket after a brief hiatus was cut short on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. The star batter, who walked into the Chepauk amid thunderous applause, lasted only six deliveries before succumbing to a familiar failing.Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud, who had already dismissed Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, delivered a short-of-length ball outside off stump. Kohli, eager to get his innings going, attempted an expansive drive but only managed to edge the ball to wicketkeeper Litton Das.This dismissal marked yet another instance of Kohli falling prey to a drive outside off stump. Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, who was on commentary duty, remarked that the dismissal made the analyst look like a magician."Virat's coming back to Test cricket after a while, so he wants to build back by feeling the ball. It happens to everyone. We have all played the game. We understand that, at times, you want to feel the ball. And I think that particular area where he got out, he has been dismissed a lot of times. This was a dismissal that makes the analyst look like a magician. It was definitely a very well-planned delivery, and Virat fell for it," Tamim said during the lunch break.Kohli's dismissal left India reeling at 3/3. However, Mayank Agarwal (42) and Hanuma Vihari (30) steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership. Agarwal was eventually dismissed by Mahmud, while Vihari fell to Taijul Islam.Ravindra Jadeja (7) and Ravichandran Ashwin (21) were at the crease at tea, with India reaching 176/6. Despite the early setbacks, India's batting effort was perplexing, as neither the pitch nor the bowlers posed any significant challenges.The home side batters simply failed to capitalize on the opportunities presented to them, with their dismissals appearing more the result of lapses in concentration. The departures of Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant (39), who added 62 runs for the fourth wicket, highlighted this issue.

Riding on Ravichandran Ashwin's century and his 199-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, India posted a competitive 376 on the second day of the opening Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram.Resuming the day at 339/6, India lost four wickets for the addition of just 37 runs. Jadeja (86) was the first to fall, caught by Das off Taskin Ahmed. Ashwin added 11 runs to his overnight score of 102 before he was dismissed by Taskin for 113. The Bangladesh pacer grabbed three wickets (3/55) -- Jadeja, Ashwin, and Akash Deep.Pacer Hasan Mahmud emerged as the most successful Bangladesh bowler, snaring five wickets for 83 runs. His victims included Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah.India's innings was anchored by Ashwin's 113, his fifth Test century. He shared a crucial 199-run partnership with Jadeja, who fell just 14 runs short of his century.Bangladesh's bowlers toiled hard on a flat pitch, but they were unable to contain India's batsmen for long periods. The hosts will need to bat well in their first innings to stay in the contest.

R. Ashwin, the veteran Indian all-rounder, has been enjoying a remarkable run at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Last month, he led the Dindigul Dragons to their maiden TNPL title with crucial knocks. On Thursday, he added another feather to his cap by scoring his sixth Test century, his second in as many Tests at this iconic venue.Ashwin's love for the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium is evident in his words. "This is a ground I completely love to play cricket in. It's given me a lot of wonderful memories," he said after the day's play.The 38-year-old attributed his success in the Test match to the work he had put in during the TNPL. "It helps that I'm coming off a T20 tournament where I worked quite a bit on batting and playing shots," he explained.Ashwin also highlighted the importance of playing aggressively on a surface that offers assistance to the bowlers. "On a surface like this with a bit of spice, if you're going after the ball, you might as well go after it hard like Rishabh (Pant) does," he said.Ashwin's century was a testament to his resilience and adaptability. He came to the crease with India in a spot of bother at 86/3. However, he played with patience and determination, gradually building his innings. He reached his century with a boundary off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, sparking jubilation among the home crowd.Ashwin's knock was not just about runs; it was also about the time he spent at the crease. He faced 233 deliveries and hit 12 fours and a six, anchoring India's innings and giving them a solid platform to build on.The century was also a significant milestone for Ashwin, who became only the second Indian after Kapil Dev to score six Test centuries and take 300 Test wickets. It is a testament to his all-round abilities and his status as one of the greatest cricketers of his generation.

KL Rahul's underwhelming performance in the first innings of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh has raised concerns about his temperament and purpose at the crease. Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar criticized Rahul's "innings without purpose," highlighting his tendency to overthink his technique rather than relying on his instincts.Rahul, playing in his 51st Test, was dismissed for a laborious 16 off 52 balls by spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. His innings came at a crucial juncture when India was struggling at 34 for 3. Rishabh Pant and Yashaswi Jaiswal had provided some stability with a 62-run partnership, but Rahul's dismissal left India in a precarious position.Manjrekar believes that Rahul's temperamental issues have hindered his progress in Test cricket. Despite scoring hundreds in challenging conditions, Rahul's average of 33.87 reflects his inconsistency. "The numbers that he has...He's got hundreds, not one or two, quite a few in testing conditions. But the average of 34 tells you about his temperament," said Manjrekar.Rahul's struggles are particularly concerning given his experience and the importance of his role in the Indian batting lineup. As an opener, he is expected to provide a solid foundation for the team. However, his recent performances have raised questions about his ability to handle pressure and deliver consistently.Manjrekar hopes that Rahul can improve his temperament and rediscover his form in the second innings. "Let's hope things improve for him in the second innings," he said.

Pakistan cricket has been in a state of disarray in recent times, with the team suffering a string of disappointing performances. The Babar Azam-led side crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2024 following losses against USA and India. Things took a turn for the worse when they slumped to a humiliating Test series loss against Bangladesh, losing both matches.Former Pakistan cricket team skipper Rashid Latif has delivered a brutal verdict on the condition of Pakistan cricket, stating that it is "currently in the ICU." In a video circulating on social media, Latif said, "Pakistan cricket is currently in the ICU. They will need a professional doctor. They need technically sound professionals to run things, both physically and financially. Trainers and many other things are required. You can see there are many problems, whether it's on the field or off the field."Latif also advised Babar Azam to move away from captaincy for the betterment of his game. Babar has not performed well in the past few international matches and has faced criticism from both fans and experts. Latif cited the example of India legend Sachin Tendulkar and advised Babar to concentrate more on his game."We need to remember that he was removed forcefully as captain. When the mind is not functioning correctly, it affects the nerves as well. You try to play hard on every ball. He should let go of the idea of being a captain and focus on freeing himself from mental pressure. The issue seems to be more about mental stress than technical performance, and it's apparent that he is struggling to cope with a significant amount of mental pressure," said Latif.Pakistan cricket has been facing a number of challenges in recent years, including a lack of investment in grassroots cricket, poor coaching, and a lack of discipline among players. The team has also been plagued by injuries to key players, which has further hampered their performance.If Pakistan cricket is to improve, it will need to address these challenges and make some fundamental changes. The team needs to invest more in grassroots cricket, improve coaching standards, and instill a greater sense of discipline among players. It will also need to find a way to manage the workload of key players and prevent injuries.

Ravichandran Ashwin Rescues India on Day 1 of Chennai Test Against BangladeshLocal hero Ravichandran Ashwin played a pivotal role in rescuing India from a precarious position on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai.With India reeling at 144/6, Ashwin stepped up to the plate and showcased his exceptional batting skills. The crowd erupted in cheers as he made his way to the crease, and he did not disappoint.Ashwin played a series of stunning shots, leaving head coach Gautam Gambhir in awe. Among his impressive strokes was a sublime cut shot against Nahid Rana in the 44th over. The tall pacer delivered a short, wide ball at 144.2kph, but Ashwin seized the opportunity and executed a perfect cut shot that sent the ball racing to the sweeper cover boundary.Gambhir's reaction was one of pure delight, as he witnessed Ashwin's exceptional stroke play. The commentators were quick to label it the 'shot of the day'.Ashwin acknowledged Bangladesh's recent series victory against Pakistan, which has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. He praised their remarkable progress and recognized their increasing prowess on the field."The series victory has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community," Ashwin said. "I am one of those guys who loves to see the underdog come out and perform. You can't call them an underdog anymore; they have played some wonderful cricket.""They have put their hand up and said, 'Look, we are a team on the rise and we are playing wonderful cricket,'" Ashwin added.Ashwin's innings helped India recover from a difficult position and reach a respectable total of 252/10 at the end of the day. His performance was a testament to his skill and determination, and it will give India confidence as they look to take control of the match in the coming days.

Indian cricket prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history on Thursday, becoming the first batter to amass over 750 runs in his first 10 innings at home. The 20-year-old's gritty half-century against Bangladesh in Chennai propelled him past the previous record held by West Indies legend George Headley, who had scored 747 runs in 1935.Jaiswal's remarkable feat is a testament to his exceptional talent and resilience. Despite India losing wickets at the other end, he remained steadfast, anchoring the innings with a composed and determined display. His half-century was a crucial contribution, helping India reach a respectable total of 176-6 at tea on the first day.Bangladesh's fast bowler Hasan Mahmud was the tormentor-in-chief for India, claiming four wickets to leave the hosts reeling. Mahmud's early strikes, including the dismissals of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, put India on the back foot. However, Jaiswal's partnership with Rishabh Pant provided some respite, before Mahmud broke the stand with Pant's wicket.Jaiswal eventually fell to Nahid Rana, but not before reaching his fifty. Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz then accounted for KL Rahul, leaving India in a precarious position.India, who are aiming to extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings, will need to regroup and find a way to counter Bangladesh's impressive bowling attack. The second and final Test of the series begins on September 27 in Kanpur.