Cricket

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has heaped praise on skipper Rohit Sharma, describing him as a "great guy" with immense respect in the dressing room. Gambhir's comments come ahead of India's upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai.Rohit Sharma has established himself as a formidable force in Test cricket since making his debut in 2013. In 59 Tests and 101 innings, he has amassed 4138 runs at an impressive average of 45.47. His leadership qualities have also been evident, guiding India to several notable victories.Gambhir, who played alongside Rohit Sharma during their playing days, spoke highly of their relationship. "We've had several conversations. I believe that the team ultimately belongs to the captain because he leads on the field. My role, along with the support staff, is to assist the captain in every way possible," Gambhir said.He emphasized the importance of Rohit Sharma's leadership and respect within the team. "Rohit's leadership and respect in the dressing room are crucial. So, he's a great guy and has got a lot of respect in that dressing room, and that is the first and foremost quality of a leader," Gambhir added.India will face a formidable challenge against Bangladesh, who recently whitewashed Pakistan 2-0 in their first Test series victory on Pakistani soil. The Bengal Tigers' impressive performance has put them in top form, making them a formidable opponent for India.The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh is crucial for India as they aim to maintain their lead in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India currently holds a point percentage of 68.52, with upcoming WTC series against New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh.

India's Test cricket campaign resumed with a practice session in Chennai ahead of the first match against Bangladesh. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, aims to reach the World Test Championship final for the third consecutive time.Star batter Virat Kohli, who was seen having fun with Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant during the warm-up, is back in action after a brief break. Pant, who returned to Test cricket following a car accident, has been in impressive form since his comeback.Gautam Gambhir, India's new coach, is overseeing his first Test series. Key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja have returned to the squad.India has opted for a three-pacer, two-spinner bowling attack, with Bumrah leading the pace attack. Ashwin and Jadeja form the spin duo.Bangladesh, currently ranked fourth in the World Test Championship table, has also chosen a three-pacer combination. All-rounders Shakib al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz will handle the spin duties.The second Test between Bangladesh and India is scheduled for September 27 in Kanpur, followed by a series of three Twenty20 matches.

Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to Test cricket on home soil ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for a mere 6 runs on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. The Indian skipper, who received a rousing ovation from the crowd at the M Chidambaram Stadium, failed to live up to expectations, playing a loose shot outside the off-stump that resulted in his dismissal. Hasan Mahmud claimed the wicket, his third of the match, as the delivery flew off Kohli's outside edge and was safely caught by wicket-keeper Litton Das.Kohli's dismissal was a major setback for India, who lost three wickets early in the first session. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, particularly Kohli's dismissal.Earlier in the day, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl, citing the moisture on the wicket and the favorable conditions for seamers. He expressed confidence in his team's ability to perform well, despite the absence of some key players.India's skipper, Rohit Sharma, indicated that he would have also chosen to bowl first if he had won the toss, acknowledging the challenging conditions. He emphasized the team's preparation and confidence heading into the match.The playing XIs for both teams were as follows:Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj.The match is poised to be an exciting contest, with both teams looking to gain an early advantage in the series.

Bangladesh Opts to Bowl First in Historic Chepauk TestIn a historic move, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto elected to bowl first after winning the toss in the first Test against India at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. This marks the first time in 21 Tests that a team has chosen to bowl after winning the toss at this iconic venue.The decision raised eyebrows as the Chepauk pitch is traditionally known for its spin-friendly nature, favoring teams batting first. However, Bangladesh's decision suggests they believe their pace attack can exploit the seam-friendly conditions on offer.India, on the other hand, has opted for a balanced attack with three seamers and two spinners. Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will provide spin support.Bangladesh has also opted for three pacers, including Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana. The spin department will be handled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.The last time a team elected to bowl first at Chepauk was in 1982, when India chose to field against Sri Lanka. India went on to win that match by an innings and 119 runs.The Bangladesh team will be hoping to create history by becoming the first team to win a Test match at Chepauk after bowling first. However, they face a formidable challenge against a strong Indian side that is looking to extend its unbeaten streak at home.

The Indian Premier League's adrenaline rush and the historic ICC T20 World Cup triumph have ignited a surge of energy within India's leading cricketers. As the nation transitions from the thrill of limited-overs cricket to the slow-burn intensity of Test cricket, the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will host the opening Test of the two-match series between India and Bangladesh, commencing on Thursday.Rohit Sharma's men last played a Test against England in Dharamshala in March, and now they must reset their playing style as they prepare for a series of crucial encounters against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia. These games are part of the World Test Championship, which India currently leads, making them critical for the team's progress.The upcoming clashes will also mark the beginning of Gautam Gambhir's era as coach. The former India opener, who honed his leadership skills during the ODIs in Sri Lanka, now faces the daunting task of guiding a squad in transition towards greater glory. Stepping into Rahul Dravid's shoes, Gambhir must steer the team to higher heights.India, playing on home soil, will enter the series as the favorite. However, Bangladesh, fresh from their 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan in Rawalpindi, is eager to prove their mettle against their larger neighbor. From their independence in 1971 to their Test debut in 2000, Bangladesh has always found India lending a helping hand. Yet, the desire to demonstrate their equality fuels the visitors' determination.While Dhaka recovers from political turmoil, Najmul Hossain Shanto's men continue to carry the weight of hope on their shoulders. Rawalpindi was a testament to their potential, but Chennai and Kanpur may pose greater challenges.India's return to home soil is marked by the remarkable comeback of Rishabh Pant, who has recovered from a life-threatening accident. Virat Kohli, who took a paternity break and missed the series against England, is also back in the mix. K.L. Rahul's return adds to Rohit's experienced core, providing him with a solid foundation to rely on.With Jasprit Bumrah as the spearhead and R. Ashwin leading the spin department, the Indian skipper has ample resources at his disposal. The surface is expected to favor both fast and slow bowlers, ensuring an intriguing contest.For Bangladesh, a glimpse of the Bay of Bengal upon arrival and the proximity of Greams Road, with its distinct Bengali vibe, may evoke a sense of familiarity. However, having never defeated India in a Test while being a formidable opponent in ODIs, especially during the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, the Tigers face a formidable challenge.Veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan know what it takes to surprise India, but Bangladesh will need contributions from others like Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Taskin Ahmed to embody that spirit.

India's dominance at home is well-established, but Bangladesh is a team that thrives on breaking new ground. As the two sides prepare for a two-match Test series, Bangladesh aims to add another first to their growing list of achievements.Bangladesh has never defeated India in a Test match, but they have shown remarkable progress in recent years. In 2022, they secured their first Test win against New Zealand and Pakistan, and they are eager to continue their upward trajectory.India, on the other hand, is a formidable opponent. They are ranked number one in the World Test Championship standings and have not lost a Test series at home in nearly 12 years. However, they are coming off a break from the format and have several players returning from injury.The key matchup in this series will be between India's batters and Bangladesh's spinners. India's top order has shown vulnerability against quality spin bowling, and Bangladesh boasts three talented spinners in Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan, and Taijul Islam.Mehidy, in particular, has been in excellent form, contributing with both bat and ball in Bangladesh's recent series win in Pakistan. He will be looking to make a statement on a Chennai track that is expected to favor spin.India is likely to field three spinners in response, with R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav leading the attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to lead the fast bowling unit.Bangladesh is unlikely to make significant changes to their winning team from the second Test in Pakistan. They may consider bringing Taijul into the mix alongside Shakib and Mehidy to strengthen their spin attack.The Chennai pitch is expected to provide bounce and carry for both quicks and spinners, but the surface is likely to break under the intense heat. This will mean the spinners should come into play as the Test goes on.India will be looking to extend their unbeaten home Test series streak to 18, while Bangladesh will be determined to create history by securing their first Test win against their formidable opponents.

India's upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, commencing on Thursday, presents a crucial opportunity for the hosts to address their recent batting vulnerabilities against spin bowling. Despite boasting an impressive home record of 40-4 over the past decade, India's performance against spin has raised concerns.With a packed Test season ahead, including 10 matches and a potential berth in the World Test Championship final, India must prioritize improving their spin-bowling prowess. Bangladesh, fresh from a 2-0 series triumph over Pakistan, will pose a formidable challenge.Key Indian batters have struggled against spin in recent years. Virat Kohli's average against spin has plummeted to 30 in 15 Tests since 2021, while Rohit Sharma's has dropped to 44 over the last three years. KL Rahul has also faced difficulties, averaging a mere 23.40 against spin in his last five home Tests.Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has emphasized the need to refocus on this area, particularly after India's struggles against Sri Lanka's spinners in a recent ODI series.Bangladesh's spin attack, led by Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, will test India's batting lineup. However, Rishabh Pant has a strong average of 70 against spin in his last five matches, while Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have shown promise, albeit against a less experienced England spin attack.India's bowling lineup, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja, appears formidable. The team management will consider whether to include a third seamer like Akash Deep or Yash Dayal or to opt for a third spinner, with Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel as options. Patel's inclusion could also strengthen the lower-order batting.New head coach Gautam Gambhir will be eager to start his tenure on a positive note. After a mixed result in the white-ball format in Sri Lanka, Gambhir will be keen for a strong start in Test cricket.This series will serve as a litmus test for India's batting lineup and set the tone for their long Test season ahead.

India's batting legend Rahil Dravid, in his final address as head coach, urged modern-day great Virat Kohli to complete his trophy cabinet by winning the World Test Championship (WTC). India has won all ICC trophies except the WTC, and Kohli, like the team, has yet to conquer this elusive title.The WTC is a relatively new ICC tournament, and India has been one of its most successful teams, reaching the finals twice before this cycle. However, they lost to New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023.India is once again a favorite to reach the finals, and this time they aim to complete their trophy collection. After breaking their ICC trophy drought with their second T20 World Cup title this year, India now sets their sights on the WTC title.Their final stretch of the 'Road to Lord's' begins with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. India has never lost a Test match against Bangladesh, but the gap in the WTC standings is not as significant as the Test rankings.Bangladesh is coming off a historic series win over Pakistan, which has boosted their confidence. However, India has not lost a Test series at home for over a decade.India's form in the current WTC cycle has been impressive, with six wins, two defeats, and one draw in nine matches. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has three wins, three defeats, and 45.83 percentage points in six matches.While Bangladesh is in good red-ball form, India has not played Test cricket for over six months. However, most of the Indian team members participated in the domestic Duleep Trophy game to prepare for the five-day grind.The series promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with contrasting strengths and weaknesses. India will rely on their experience and home advantage, while Bangladesh will look to capitalize on their recent momentum.

India's Test cricket team, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, is poised to embark on a new season with a positive outlook. The team will face a spirited Bangladesh side in a two-match series, marking the beginning of a busy schedule that includes 10 Tests in the upcoming months.Gambhir and his men are eager to make a strong start in the World Test Championship, with a series of crucial matches lined up. After the Bangladesh series, India will host New Zealand for three Tests in October, followed by a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia starting in November.Former India player Dinesh Karthik and Australia legend Michael Bevan expressed their excitement for the upcoming series. Karthik believes the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a challenging test for India, as they face an in-form Australian side. However, he remains confident in the team's resilience and determination.Bevan, who will coach the Southern Superstars in the Legends League Cricket, also anticipates a competitive series. He acknowledges the strength of the Indian team but believes the Australian team is forging a new culture under Pat Cummins.Regarding the first Test against Bangladesh, Karthik warns that the visitors will enter the match with confidence after their recent triumph over Pakistan. He emphasizes that India must be aware of the threat posed by a slightly different Bangladesh team.The jersey launch for the Southern Superstars was attended by actress Aishwarya Rajesh and franchise spokesperson Srinadh Chitoori. Former India players Parthiv Patel and Kedar Jadhav were also present as team members.