Cricket

Dan Mousley, the English cricketer, has made a remarkable debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) with his unique "offspin" bowling style. Despite a three-year absence from List A cricket, Mousley's unconventional approach has caught the attention of the cricketing world.Mousley's journey to international cricket began in Sri Lanka's domestic competition in 2021, where he played for Burgher Recreation Club. His exceptional speed and accuracy with the ball earned him a call-up to the Warwickshire Academy.Mousley's signature move is a 116kph/72mph yorker bowled off three steps. This unorthodox delivery has proven effective, as evidenced by his first international wicket against Rovman Powell. According to CricViz, Mousley is the fastest spin bowler since ball tracking records began in 2006, averaging 109kph/68mph.Mousley's unique style has drawn praise from England captain Jos Buttler, who described him as "a point of difference" for the team. Mousley's ability to bowl at high speeds and deliver yorkers makes him a formidable opponent for batters.While Mousley's bowling may not conform to traditional aesthetics, it is effective in the modern T20 format. As scores continue to rise, bowlers are being challenged to innovate and find new ways to restrict batters. Mousley's fast spin/seamers present a unique challenge that batters are not accustomed to.Mousley's unconventional approach is a testament to his willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of the game. He is not a one-trick pony, as he also possesses traditional offspin skills. However, he recognizes that in T20 cricket, the ability to bowl the ball that is hardest to hit for six is paramount.Mousley's unique bowling style has sparked a debate about the future of spin bowling. Some believe that his approach is a glimpse into the future, while others argue that it is a fad that will eventually be countered by batters. Regardless, Mousley's emergence has undoubtedly shaken up the cricketing landscape and forced batters to rethink their strategies.

Mumbai's bold strategy of fielding only four specialist bowlers in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Odisha paid off handsomely as the bowling quartet delivered a dominant performance, putting Mumbai on the cusp of earning a bonus point.On Friday, the bowling group led by left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and Himanshu Singh restricted Odisha to 285 in their first innings, adding only 139 runs to their overnight tally. Mulani, who returned with a six-wicket haul, ran through the visitor's lower order, while Himanshu chipped in with three wickets.After skipper Ajinkya Rahane enforced the follow-on, the spin duo of Mulani and Himanshu continued to torment Odisha, reducing them to 126 for five at stumps. Had Aashirwad Swain not edged Himanshu to Rahane in the slips off the last ball of the day, Odisha may have hoped to bat out the final day.The quartet, especially Mulani and Himanshu, toiled tirelessly on day three. Of the 87.3 overs bowled, they accounted for 57.3 overs and shared nine of the 10 wickets that fell.Despite being tonked for three sixes in two overs in the morning session, including one that helped Sandeep Pattanaik celebrate his fifth First-Class hundred, Mulani made a strong comeback. Once Pattanaik played onto the stumps, the left-arm spinner raced to his 15th five-wicket haul.If substitute wicketkeeper Sidhaant Addhatrao, who donned the gloves for an unwell Hardik Tamore, had not dropped a thick edge off Debabrata Pradhan's blade to deprive Shardul Thakur a wicket early on, Mumbai would have fancied their chances of wrapping up the game with a day to spare.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have demonstrated their unwavering faith in their express bowler Mayank Yadav by retaining him for a staggering Rs 11 crore despite his injury-prone history. The franchise's co-owner, Shashwat Goenka, emphasized that Yadav's on-field contributions far outweigh his time spent on the sidelines.Yadav, who joined LSG in 2022, made his debut in 2024 and immediately showcased his exceptional pace, consistently exceeding 150kph. In his first two matches, he claimed Player of the Match honors with impressive performances of 3/27 against Punjab Kings and 3/14 against Royal Challengers Bangalore.Goenka acknowledged Yadav's injury history but stressed that it was not a decisive factor in their decision to retain him. "When he plays, what is the contribution he makes to the game and to LSG? That was the guiding principle behind keeping him," Goenka explained.Despite the challenges bowlers face in the high-scoring IPL, Goenka expressed confidence in Yadav's ability to handle the pressure. He cited the performances of Yadav and fellow young pacer Mohsin Khan in the death overs as evidence of their resilience.Yadav's retention is a testament to LSG's long-term vision and belief in his potential. The franchise is optimistic that he will continue to make significant contributions to their success in the years to come.

Surrey County Cricket Club has bolstered its bowling attack with the acquisition of Matthew Fisher from Yorkshire on a one-year deal. The 27-year-old seamer joins the reigning County Championship titleholders to address the potential absence of several key bowlers due to international commitments in 2025.Fisher, who has represented England in one Test match, has proven his worth in the County Championship, claiming 144 wickets at an average of 26.58. His impressive performances in Yorkshire's promotion-winning campaign last month, where he took 18 wickets in three games, further solidified his credentials.Surrey's decision to sign Fisher stems from the departure of Conor McKerr to Nottinghamshire and the anticipated unavailability of Gus Atkinson, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, and Reece Topley due to England call-ups. Additionally, Dan Worrall, Surrey's Australian-born seamer, may also be considered for England selection next year.Alec Stewart, Surrey's outgoing director of cricket, emphasized the importance of strengthening the squad after winning the Championship. He praised Fisher's abilities and experience, noting that he had followed his career since meeting him at a Yorkshire school when Fisher was 15.Fisher expressed his excitement and honor at joining Surrey, acknowledging the club's recent successes and his desire to contribute to future triumphs. He also expressed his anticipation of working with top players and coaches.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has been in scintillating form in Test cricket this year, amassing an astonishing 38 wickets in just seven matches at an incredible average of 14.42. His exceptional performances have propelled him to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings.In the recently concluded two-Test series against Bangladesh, Bumrah was the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside spinner R Ashwin, claiming 11 scalps. His ability to swing the ball both ways and extract pace and bounce from any surface has made him a formidable force in the longest format.Bumrah's home Test record is equally impressive, with 44 wickets in just 10 games. His ability to adapt to different conditions and bowl with consistency has made him a vital cog in India's bowling attack.Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has hailed Bumrah as the team's "problem solver," highlighting his ability to deliver in any situation. "When in doubt, call Jasprit Bumrah," Karthik said. "He is the biggest asset for skipper Rohit Sharma."Bumrah's exceptional skills were on full display in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, where he bowled two unplayable deliveries to dismiss Mehidy Hasan. His ability to reverse swing the ball at high speeds has made him a nightmare for batsmen.Following his match haul of six wickets in Kanpur, Bumrah reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, replacing his teammate Ashwin. Spinner Ravindra Jadeja maintained his sixth place, while Kuldeep Yadav remained in 16th.Bumrah's rise to the top of the bowling rankings is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent. He has established himself as one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket and will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in India's success in the years to come.

Ravichandran Ashwin's stellar performance in the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has earned him the title of hero. Ashwin's crafty 113 in his only batting opportunity and his impressive bowling figures of 6 for 88 in the final innings played a pivotal role in India's resounding 280-run victory.Ashwin's all-round brilliance has been a cornerstone of India's recent Test successes. In an interview with JioCinema, he revealed his evolved approach to both bowling and batting. "I don't think like, 'I want to go out there and make a hundred.' I genuinely aim to get a five-wicket haul in every Test match," Ashwin said.While his primary focus remains on his bowling, Ashwin has also made significant strides in his batting. "But in recent years, my batting has become simpler than it was in the past. I used to confuse myself, overthinking as a bowler while batting, but now I keep it simple--watch the ball and react," he explained.This shift in mindset has transformed Ashwin into a more reliable lower-order batter. However, he acknowledges the challenges of balancing both aspects of his game. "Compartmentalizing both aspects was a challenge, but I feel like I've cracked it," Ashwin stated confidently.Ashwin's performance in Chennai was a testament to his hard work and dedication. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him an invaluable asset to the Indian team. As India looks to secure the series victory in the second Test, Ashwin will undoubtedly be a key figure in their plans.

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, was renowned for his exceptional batting prowess. However, his bowling skills often went unnoticed, despite his significant contributions as a part-time bowler. Tendulkar's versatility extended to his bowling, as he could bowl medium pace, off-spin, and leg-spin, making him a valuable asset to the Indian team.In Test cricket, Tendulkar claimed 46 wickets in 200 matches. While his primary role was as a batsman, he often played a crucial role in breaking partnerships or providing relief to the main bowlers. His best bowling figures in Tests were 3/10, showcasing his ability to strike at crucial moments.One memorable instance of Tendulkar's bowling prowess occurred during India's tour of Pakistan in 2004. In the first Test in Multan, Tendulkar played a pivotal role in dismissing Pakistan's Moin Khan. Before the game, Tendulkar had playfully challenged Khan, saying, "I will take your wicket for sure."With Pakistan struggling at 5 wickets down in their first innings, Tendulkar was bowling the last over of Day 3. He deliberately moved fielders back to allow Abdul Razzaq to take a single, bringing Khan to the crease. Khan, visibly nervous, was clean bowled by a brilliant googly from Tendulkar, sending the ball between his legs and into the stumps.Tendulkar's dismissal of Khan was a testament to his bowling skills and his ability to execute under pressure. It also highlighted his knack for breaking partnerships, earning him the title of "golden arm." Captains often turned to Tendulkar when they needed a breakthrough, and he rarely disappointed.While Tendulkar may not have been a frontline bowler, his contributions to India's bowling strategy were significant. His ability to provide crucial wickets and handy overs made him a valuable asset to the team. Tendulkar's versatility and all-round abilities made him one of the greatest cricketers of all time, not only as a batsman but also as a bowler.

India's bowling attack has drawn comparisons to Pakistan's legendary fast-bowling trio of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis, according to former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali.Ali's praise comes after India's comprehensive 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai. India's pacers, led by Jasprit Bumrah (4/50), Mohammed Siraj (2/30), and Akash Deep (2/19), outclassed Bangladesh's batting lineup, dismissing them for a meager 149 in the first innings.Bumrah's four-wicket haul and Akash Deep's early breakthroughs, combined with Siraj's consistency, left Bangladesh reeling. The dominant performance has drawn comparisons from Basit, who likened India's current pace attack to Pakistan's legendary fast-bowling trio."The Indian bowling unit is so impactful that they are on the level with pacers Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Waqar Younis. Right now, Mohammed Shami is not even playing," Basit remarked on his YouTube channel.Basit also expressed excitement about India's emerging pace talent, particularly 22-year-old Mayank Yadav. The young speedster impressed during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), clocking the fastest delivery of the season at 156.7 kph for Lucknow Super Giants. Basit believes Mayank's pace could be a game-changer in India's upcoming Test assignments, specifically against Australia."Mayank Yadav's ball is very dangerous. His bouncer is accurate. I wish to see him play a Test match in Australia," Basit said.With India's established pacers performing brilliantly, all eyes will be on how the selectors integrate budding talents like Mayank Yadav into the squad for future challenges.

Hardik Pandya's recent social media post showcasing his bowling skills with the red ball has sparked speculation about his potential return to Test cricket. The 30-year-old all-rounder has been absent from the format since 2018 due to injuries and has not played a first-class match since December 2018.Despite being approached for the World Test Championship final against Australia, Pandya declined, citing his reluctance to replace a regular red-ball player. However, his recent videos suggest he is preparing for a potential return to the longer format.Pandya remains India's premier pace-bowling all-rounder, but his absence from Test cricket has left a void in the team. His closest competitors, Shivam Dube and Nitish Reddy, have not yet matched his all-round abilities.However, Pandya's intentions regarding his Test future remain unclear. He has not communicated his plans to the team management, and without playing any domestic red-ball cricket, he cannot be directly selected for Test matches."It's heartening to know that Hardik is bowling with red ball but has he really spoken to men who matter (chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma) about his intentions?," a senior BCCI source questioned.It is understood that Pandya's participation in red-ball cricket for Baroda will be crucial in determining his Test prospects. If he performs well in domestic matches, he could earn a recall to the national team for the upcoming tour of Australia.Pandya's return to Test cricket would provide India with much-needed balance. He can contribute as a fourth pacer and a lower-order batsman, giving the team greater depth and flexibility. However, his availability and fitness will be key factors in his selection.