Cricket

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.

India's preparation for the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai has taken an interesting turn, with the team training on a black-soil pitch despite the match being expected to be played on a red-soil surface. The unusual weather conditions in the city have raised concerns about the pitch's behavior during the match.The red-soil pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is known for providing good bounce and carry for pacers, while the black-soil composition is more likely to assist spinners. However, the extreme heat in Chennai could lead to the disintegration of the pitch as the match progresses, bringing the spinners into play.This has prompted the Indian batsmen to focus on perfecting their technique against spin, as Bangladesh boasts a formidable spin attack. The likes of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli have struggled against spin in recent matches, and they have been working hard to address this weakness.Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has acknowledged that the Indian team needs to improve its ability to handle spin effectively. "We got undone in Sri Lanka. The focus has moved to doing well in Australia, England, (so) that we've kind of let playing spin, which was always a strength of the Indian team, fall back a little bit," he said.The Indian team is expected to go through an optional net session on Wednesday, but the intensity of Tuesday's practice was evident despite the scorching sun. The nature of the pitch will force the Indian management to make a careful decision regarding the team's composition for the opening Test.With the pitch likely to favor pacers, India may opt for a three-pacer attack, including Akash Deep or Yash Dayal alongside Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav. This strategy aligns with India's goal of giving their pacers as much experience as possible ahead of their tour of Australia later this year.

Indian cricketers have commenced rigorous training for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19 in Chennai. The second Test will take place in Kanpur on September 27.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a video on Saturday showcasing the intense practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The video features star players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul undergoing demanding batting drills.India's pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, also displayed their prowess during the practice session. The team is currently ranked seven places above Bangladesh in the official Test rankings published by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and leads the World Test Championship standings.After facing Bangladesh, India will host New Zealand for three Tests before embarking on a five-match Test series in Australia.Bangladesh, on the other hand, is brimming with confidence after defeating Pakistan in a Test series for the first time. They will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto in the upcoming series against India.

South Africa's sloppy fielding on the opening day of the one-off Test against India in Chennai on Friday highlighted the team's lack of preparation and attention to detail. The Proteas committed several uncharacteristic errors, including misfields, an unnecessary overthrow, and wayward deliveries down the leg side.The most glaring mistake came from Masabata Klaas, who threw a wild overthrow after Smriti Mandhana knocked a full delivery back to her. The ball sailed over the keeper's head and to the boundary, gifting India four extra runs.Other fielding lapses included a dropped catch by Laura Wolvaardt at slip and a misfield by Anneke Bosch at mid-off. These errors allowed India to build partnerships and put pressure on the South African bowlers.The Proteas' sloppy fielding was compounded by some wayward bowling. Shabnim Ismail, who is known for her accuracy, bowled several deliveries down the leg side, giving India's batters easy scoring opportunities.South Africa's fielding coach, Delmi Tucker, admitted that the team's performance in the field was below par. "It was really hot out there and tough," she said. "Definitely, we could be better on the field. Seeing an overthrow in most fields is not the best. But it's happening. I think with the overthrow, it's just staying positive, keeping everyone alive, just getting it back to the keeper. It just keeps you sharp. But yes, we can be better at it."The Proteas' fielding woes are a major concern, especially considering that they are playing in India, where the conditions are known to be challenging for fielders. If South Africa wants to compete in this Test match, they will need to improve their fielding significantly.

India and South Africa are set to face off in a highly anticipated Test match in Chennai, marking the return of women's cricket to the city after a long hiatus. Both teams enter the contest with contrasting fortunes and preparations.India, fresh off impressive Test victories against England and Australia, will be confident of extending their dominance. Their spinners, particularly Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana, will be key in the spin-friendly conditions expected at the Chepauk surface. India's batting lineup also boasts depth, with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues in fine form.South Africa, on the other hand, face an uphill battle. They suffered an innings defeat against Australia in their only Test of the year and have had limited preparation with the red ball. Captain Laura Wolvaardt, a prolific batter, will be crucial for their hopes. However, their bowling attack lacks experience in Test cricket, with Nonkululeko Mlaba being their only left-arm spin option.Despite South Africa's challenges, India will not take them lightly. The Proteas have a history of upsetting the odds, and their determination to prove themselves on the international stage should not be underestimated.The match will be a test of both teams' adaptability and resilience. India will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and spin-friendly conditions, while South Africa will need to find ways to counter India's formidable bowling attack and post competitive totals.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has penned a heartfelt memoir titled "I Have the Streets: A Kutty Cricket Story." In this book, Ashwin delves into his formative years in Chennai, where street cricket ignited his passion for the game.Growing up in the bustling streets of Ramakrishnapuram, Ashwin found solace in the camaraderie and competitive spirit of street cricket. Every evening, he would join his friends for hours of intense matches, honing his skills and developing a deep love for the sport.Ashwin's childhood was filled with memorable moments on the streets. He recalls the thrill of hitting towering sixes that shattered windows, the joy of scoring runs that earned him the coveted "gaaji," and the occasional scolding from the stern uncle next door.Despite his success on the international stage, Ashwin remains deeply connected to his street cricket roots. He believes that the lessons he learned on those dusty lanes have shaped him into the player he is today."The game was an avenue for me to compete," Ashwin says. "Even now, I'm every bit the same gully cricketer who played on the streets of Ramakrishnapuram. It's the same fight I have in me."Ashwin's memoir is not just a nostalgic account of his childhood. It also offers a glimpse into the vibrant culture of street cricket in Chennai. He describes the unique rules, the colorful characters, and the sense of community that surrounds the game.Through his writing, Ashwin hopes to inspire others to embrace the joys of street cricket. He believes that the game can teach valuable life lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of having fun."I just feel that after reading this, if someone wishes to be out there in the evenings playing cricket, I would have achieved what I set out to," Ashwin says.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Final is set to witness a thrilling clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both teams will be vying for the coveted IPL trophy on Sunday, with the match scheduled to commence at 07:30 PM IST.The MA Chidambaram Stadium has been a challenging battleground for both KKR and SRH, with both teams struggling to adapt to the pitch conditions. SRH have managed only two wins in 11 matches at this venue, while KKR have secured four wins in 14 matches.Analyzing the average scores at the MA Chidambaram Stadium reveals that SRH have an average score of 155 runs in T20 matches, while KKR have a slightly better average of 156 runs. However, both teams have faced difficulties on the slow and turning track of Chennai.SRH's highest score at this venue came in 2021 when they scored 177/5 against KKR, but they lost the match by 10 runs. KKR, on the other hand, achieved their highest total of 202/6 against Chennai Super Kings in 2018, but they also ended up on the losing side.The lowest scores at the MA Chidambaram Stadium also reflect the challenges both teams have faced. SRH recorded their lowest total of 134/10 against Chennai Super Kings in 2024, while KKR's lowest score was 142/9 against the same team in 2019.Despite their struggles at this venue, both KKR and SRH will be determined to overcome their past performances and secure the IPL title. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to rewrite their records and advance to another IPL title win.

IPL Ticket Black Market Thrives in Chennai, PIL Seeks CrackdownA public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Madras High Court, alleging the rampant sale of Indian Premier League (IPL) tickets in the black market in Chennai. The petition, filed by advocate A. Sathiya Prakash, seeks stringent action against those involved in this illegal activity.The petitioner claims that the black market prevents genuine cricket fans from purchasing tickets at fair prices. He states that while the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) sells tickets online, they are quickly snapped up by scalpers who resell them at exorbitant rates.According to the PIL, tickets for the lower stand, which are priced at ₹1,000, are being sold for ₹14,000 to ₹16,000. The petitioner alleges that a "huge black market mafia" is operating behind the sale of IPL tickets in Chennai.The petitioner cites recent arrests made by the city police as evidence of the black market's prevalence. In March, five persons were arrested for selling eight tickets for the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at 10 times the actual price.On March 27, 24 persons were arrested for selling tickets in black for the CSK versus Gujarat Titans match. The police seized 83 tickets and ₹18,000 in cash from them.The petitioner argues that the black market deprives genuine fans of the opportunity to witness IPL matches. He urges the court to direct the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police and TNCA to take stringent action against those involved in the illegal sale of tickets.The PIL is scheduled for admission before the first Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice D. Bhratha Chakravarthy on Friday.