Cricket

Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana, will embark on their Women's T20 World Cup 2024 journey against Scotland in the tournament opener on Thursday, October 3. The match will be played at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium, commencing at 3:30 PM IST.Bangladesh, who recently lost to Sri Lanka in a warm-up game, will be eager to showcase their talent and make a mark in Group B. The group also includes England, South Africa, West Indies, and Scotland.Captain Sultana expressed her team's determination to prove their worth. "We are excited to start our World Cup campaign against Scotland," she said. "It's a great opportunity for us to show the world what we can do."Bangladesh will be hoping to upset some of the more established teams in the group and secure a spot in the knockout stages. They will need to rely on their key players, including all-rounder Fahima Khatun, who has been in impressive form lately.Scotland, on the other hand, will be making their debut in the Women's T20 World Cup. They will be led by Sarah Bryce and will be looking to make a strong impression.The match between Bangladesh and Scotland promises to be an intriguing contest. Both teams will be eager to start their World Cup campaigns on a positive note.

India's dominance in Test cricket under Rohit Sharma's leadership has once again been showcased in their emphatic 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh. Despite rain washing out two days of the Kanpur Test, the Indian team displayed their resilience and unwavering determination to secure a comprehensive victory.Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has hailed India's dominance, particularly their ability to maintain their position at the top of the Test rankings. He attributes this success to the team's exceptional skills and their ability to win matches overseas.Raja singled out Ravichandran Ashwin for special praise, recognizing his all-round abilities. Ashwin's century in the first Test and his six wickets in Bangladesh's second innings were crucial in India's victory. Raja believes that Ashwin is an underrated all-rounder whose contributions often go unnoticed.Similarly, Ravindra Jadeja's ability to perform under pressure was also highlighted by Raja. He noted that both Ashwin and Jadeja have shown a remarkable ability to improve their game over time, unlike many Pakistani players who tend to plateau after reaching their peak.Raja attributed India's continued success to the intense competition within the team. He believes that the presence of talented players on the bench keeps the established players motivated and prevents them from becoming complacent.In contrast, Raja expressed concern about the performance of Pakistani players, who often experience a decline in their performance after reaching their peak. He believes that Indian players have a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the team, which contributes to their longevity and success.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's veteran off-spinner, has etched his name in cricket history by equaling the record for Player of the Series awards after India's 2-0 Test series victory over Bangladesh. Ashwin's remarkable partnership with fellow-spinner Ravindra Jadeja has been instrumental in India's success, particularly on home soil.Together, Ashwin and Jadeja have amassed an astonishing 830 Test wickets, with Ashwin claiming the lion's share of 527. Despite the occasional selection dilemma when only one of them is chosen for the playing XI, Ashwin has emphasized that it no longer affects him.However, Ashwin admitted that he used to harbor resentment towards Jadeja when the latter was preferred over him. "It used to bother me at one point of time," Ashwin confessed. "But, it doesn't anymore because the larger goal is at the forefront of my mind."Ashwin went on to praise Jadeja's exceptional all-round abilities, highlighting his status as the second left-arm spinner with 300 Test wickets and over 3000 runs. "If he's the one that has to play, he's the one that has to play and I have complete faith in him," Ashwin stated.Earlier this week, Jadeja became the third Indian cricketer to achieve the rare feat of 3,000 Test runs and 300 Test wickets, joining Ashwin and Kapil Dev in an elite club.Meanwhile, Ashwin has made history by becoming the first bowler to take at least 50 wickets in all three editions of the World Test Championship (WTC). He achieved this milestone during the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, dismissing Shakib Al Hasan for 9.Ashwin, currently ranked as the world's top Test bowler, has taken 50 wickets in just 10 WTC matches, making him the second-highest wicket-taker in WTC history behind Australia's Nathan Lyon.

India's dominance in Test cricket continued as they secured a resounding 2-0 series sweep against Bangladesh, despite rain interruptions in the second Test in Kanpur. The victory solidified India's position at the summit of the World Test Championship points table, with 8 wins from 11 matches.After rain washed out two days of play, a draw seemed inevitable. However, India's bold approach and decisive decision-making forced the game into a result. The bowlers dismissed Bangladesh for 227 in the first innings, and India responded with an aggressive batting display to gain a slender lead.In the second innings, India's bowlers once again showcased their brilliance, coupled with astute captaincy from Rohit Sharma. The Indian fielders were exceptional, grabbing 23 out of 24 catches, including Mohammed Siraj's stunning one-handed effort.Rohit acknowledged the risks involved in their aggressive approach but emphasized the team's unwavering commitment to securing a result. "We had to take a little bit of risk to get a result," he said. "I was okay with it. So was the coach and the other players as well. Because you have to be brave enough to take those decisions and go and play that way."Rohit praised the team's fielding efforts, highlighting the hard work and dedication of the players and the support of the backroom staff. "It may go unnoticed, but out of the 24 catches that came our way, we took 23 of them," he said. "The guys who were standing behind were so sharp and to take those catches, it may look easy on television, but it is not."India's next challenge will be a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, followed by a three-Test series against New Zealand at home.

Indian cricket team's star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has etched his name in the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the first bowler to claim at least 50 wickets in all three editions of the World Test Championship (WTC). Ashwin's remarkable feat was achieved on Day 4 of the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur, where he dismissed Shakib Al Hasan for 9.As the top-ranked Test bowler in the world, Ashwin has reached the milestone in just 10 matches, making him the second-highest wicket-taker in WTC history behind Australia's Nathan Lyon. Additionally, Ashwin has equaled Zaheer Khan's record of taking the most wickets in India-Bangladesh Test matches, with both bowlers having claimed 31 wickets each.However, the issue of multiple Test match venues in India has come under scrutiny once again after Day 3 of the Kanpur Test was delayed due to poor drainage at the Green Park stadium. Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the debate, offering both the advantages and disadvantages of the current system.Ashwin believes that having numerous Test venues across India has the benefit of promoting cricket at the grassroots level. "It triggers that sort of urgency and passion among cricketers to be able to come and play for this country," he said. "That is a big positive."He also highlighted how allowing more venues to host Test matches has opened doors for cricketers from diverse regions, nurturing the sport in areas that might otherwise be overlooked. In a country as vast as India, this inclusivity fosters a sense of national pride and opportunity for aspiring players across the nation.However, Ashwin acknowledged the challenges associated with having such a broad range of Test venues. Referring to the drainage issues at the Kanpur ground, he pointed out that certain facilities are critical to hosting a Test match at the highest level. "There are certain requisite ingredients that are important to host a Test match, and these were lacking in Kanpur," he said.Despite the inclusivity and passion generated by having many Test centres, Ashwin also recognized the advantages of having fewer, designated Test venues, similar to what other cricketing nations follow. He cited Australia and England as examples of countries with fixed Test match venues and specific times of the year to host games."We go to Australia, they play India only at five Test centres. They don't play us at the Manuka Oval in Canberra," Ashwin noted. "They won't be very familiar with the conditions. So does England. They have certain select Test centres, and that's where they play. Some of those are only white-ball centres."

India's dominance in Test cricket continues as they secured a comprehensive 2-0 series sweep over Bangladesh, solidifying their position in the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Bangladesh, who had previously clean swept Pakistan in a two-match Test series, were outplayed in all three days of the series decider in Kanpur.Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has highlighted the vast gulf in class between India and Pakistan's cricket teams. He believes that only Australia can truly challenge India's supremacy. "The difference between India and Pakistan is clear. If we continue to believe that our cricket is strong, we are mistaken. India's only competition is Australia," Ali stated.India's dominance is reflected in their position atop the WTC points table. With a point percentage of 74.24% after 11 fixtures, they are well ahead of second-placed Australia (62.50% in 12 Tests).India's next challenge will be a three-match Test series against New Zealand, followed by a highly anticipated five-Test rubber against Australia Down Under. The India-Australia series, starting on November 22, will be a crucial test for both teams. India will be aiming to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have held for the past four series.India's recent success has been built on a solid foundation of consistent performances. They have won their last 19 Test series, including famous victories in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Rishabh Pant's heroic 89 not out in the Gabba Test in 2021 remains a defining moment in Indian cricket history.As India continues its pursuit of Test cricket supremacy, their upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia will provide a true measure of their strength. With a talented squad and a proven track record of success, India will be confident of maintaining their dominance and securing a place in the WTC final.

The Indian cricket team dominated Day 4 of the Kanpur Test, amassing 285/9 in their first innings and forcing Bangladesh to bat again. While Indian batters asserted their dominance, Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as a standout performer for the visitors, showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball.Despite facing an unexpected setback, Miraz displayed resilience on the field. After scoring 22 runs off 42 balls, he was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah. However, his true brilliance shone through with the ball, as he claimed four wickets in India's first innings."I didn't realize the bee was inside me. After playing the shot, it stung me, and then I felt the pain," Miraz revealed in a post-match press conference.Miraz also shed light on Shakib al Hasan's retirement decision. Dismissing rumors of political influence, he stated that the team had been aware of Shakib's plans for some time."Shakib bhai had informed us earlier about his intention to retire from Test cricket. It wasn't a sudden decision. He discussed it with the team management and players, and we accepted his decision," Miraz explained.Bangladesh faces an uphill battle to salvage a draw in the Kanpur Test. However, they are aware of the formidable challenge posed by India's bowlers on Day 5.

R. Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has hailed the team's current bowling riches and expressed hope that their legacy will inspire future generations of bowlers. "Each of those bowlers that bowl alongside me has the ability to hold on to a game, bowl with discipline, and yet produce wicket-taking balls," said Ashwin, who clinched a record-equalling 11th Player-of-the-Series award for his all-round effort in the recent Test series against Bangladesh.Ashwin emphasized that it is not just the bowlers' individual abilities but also the collective belief of the entire team that has contributed to their success. "When Rohit says that you make 400 to try and make a game out of it, it tells you that the captain believes the bowlers will get the job done," he said. "These bowlers have done it day in and day out. And they have the ability to pick 20 wickets. The bowling attack is quite special, and I hope that this legacy of bowling is taken forward."Explaining how India fashioned their remarkable win in under two days, Ashwin revealed that the aim was to have at least 70 to 80 overs to bowl out Bangladesh again. "When we gathered inside, he mentioned that we would go hammer and tongs and try to make 400 runs in probably 50 overs," he said. "In that bargain, if we got bowled out of less than 200, it was okay because we made a game of it."Ashwin also spoke about the importance of captain Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach. "When you walk the talk, I think the dressing room has no choice but to follow that pattern," he said. "We had 50 runs in three overs, and there was no looking back."When asked about breaking Muttiah Muralitharan's record for most Player of the Series awards, the 38-year-old insisted that cherishing memories is more important than records. "I do not have an answer for that. But I would like to do it at a special occasion," said Ashwin. "Probably if I end up with that, it's great. But these are not things that motivate me any more, honestly. For me, the love of the game is something that I have harped upon repeatedly. It makes a world of difference for me to enjoy what I do. I am so glad I have gotten here. I would like to retain that happiness."

India's dominance in Test cricket reached new heights in Kanpur as they shattered the record for the highest run-rate in a Test match, setting a blistering pace of 7.36 runs per over against Bangladesh. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record of 6.80 held by South Africa since 2005.The Indian batters showcased their exceptional skills, amassing a staggering 383 runs in just 52 overs across both innings. Their first innings was particularly impressive, with a run-rate of 8.22 as they piled up 285 runs in a mere 34.4 overs.This extraordinary batting performance saw India achieve several unprecedented milestones in Test cricket history. They recorded the fastest team 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250, all within a single afternoon's play.India's dominance extended beyond their batting, as they also became the first team to win a Test match without facing a single maiden over throughout the entire game. This remarkable feat highlights the relentless pressure they applied on the Bangladeshi bowlers.The victory in Kanpur was India's seventh in a row, extending their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings. Rohit Sharma's team has now achieved two rapid victories within nine months, with their triumph over South Africa in Cape Town earlier this year also featuring in the top five list of quickest results in Test cricket history.India's success in Kanpur is a testament to their exceptional talent and the aggressive approach they have adopted under Sharma's leadership. Their ability to score runs at a blistering pace and maintain pressure on the opposition has made them a formidable force in Test cricket.