Cricket

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has criticized England's 'Bazball' approach in Test cricket following their defeat to India in Dharamsala. India secured a 4-1 series victory after hammering England by an innings and 64 runs in the fifth and final Test.Sehwag took to social media to express his views on England's aggressive batting style, which has been dubbed 'Bazball' after new coach Brendon McCullum. "Bazball, Batti Gull. There needs to be a method to madness. England simply didn't have the game to match and looked clueless particularly after the second Test match," Sehwag wrote.He added, "The captain failing miserably only added to their woes and they simply looked like living in an illusion. For this method to succeed, there needs to be a method to madness, which England severely lacked."England's James Anderson became only the third bowler to reach 700 Test wickets during the match, but the visitors were never in contention. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took a five-wicket haul in his landmark 100th Test, helping to bowl out England for 195 inside three days.Ashwin expressed his delight with his performance, saying, "Win the Test and take wickets, what more can a bowler ask for?" Joe Root top-scored for England with 84, but Kuldeep Yadav took seven wickets in the match to be named man of the match.India's victory was marred by an injury to skipper Rohit Sharma, who did not take the field due to a "stiff back." Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah led the team in Sharma's absence and took two wickets.

UP Warriorz Aim for Big Win to Keep Playoff Hopes AliveIn a crucial match of the Women's Premier League, UP Warriorz face off against Gujarat Giants in New Delhi, with the playoffs race heating up. UPW, currently with three wins in seven games and a negative net run rate of -0.365, must secure a significant victory to maintain their playoff aspirations.However, their fate also hinges on the outcome of Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) final league game against Mumbai Indians. If RCB, who have a positive net run rate of +0.027, emerge victorious, the net run rate will become a deciding factor between UPW and RCB for the third playoff spot.Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians have already secured their places in the playoffs, leaving RCB and UPW vying for the remaining berth. UPW's hopes rest on a convincing win over Gujarat Giants, who have been eliminated from playoff contention.The UP Warriorz lineup features Alyssa Healy as captain and wicket-keeper, along with Kiran Navgire, Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Deepti Sharma, Shweta Sehrawat, Poonam Khemnar, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor, and Anjali Sarvani.Gujarat Giants, despite their elimination, will be eager to end their campaign on a positive note. The match promises to be an exciting contest as UP Warriorz strive to keep their playoff dreams alive.

South African cricket star David Miller and his longtime girlfriend, Camilla Harris, tied the knot in a picturesque ceremony in Cape Town on Sunday. The explosive batter, who represents Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and Camilla shared heartwarming pictures and videos of their special day on social media.The intimate event was attended by close friends and family, including several of Miller's teammates like Aiden Markram, Quinton De Kock, and Mark Boucher. Camilla, a professional polo player, was seen cheering for Miller during his stint with GT in the IPL 2023 season.Meanwhile, Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade will miss Gujarat Titans' first match of the upcoming IPL 2024 to participate in the Sheffield Shield final for Tasmania. The Sheffield Shield final will take place from March 21st to 25th, and Wade will miss GT's first game against Mumbai Indians on March 25.However, his presence in GT's second game against Chennai Super Kings on March 27 "could be tight," according to ESPNcricinfo. GT's third game of the tournament will take place on March 31 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.Tasmania head coach Jeff Vaughan confirmed that Wade has spoken to GT, and the IPL franchise has allowed him to take part in the Sheffield Shield final. "He's spoken with his IPL franchise and they're happy to allow him to stay here, which probably equates to him potentially missing their first game. We feel very fortunate to have someone of Matt's ilk coming back into our group, and his experience and his performances at the back end of our season," Vaughan said.

Prithvi Shaw's susceptibility to incoming deliveries has once again been exposed, leading to his dismissal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. The Mumbai opener has been clean bowled numerous times by deliveries that come back in, a weakness that has plagued him throughout his career.In the Day-night Test against Australia at Adelaide in December 2020, Shaw was dismissed by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the first and second innings respectively with deliveries that came back in. And in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Shaw was dismissed in a similar manner in the seventh over of Mumbai's second innings.The bowler this time was Yash Thakur, who bowled an in-seam delivery at 133.4kph pitched at good length. Shaw (11) looked to defend from the crease without accounting for the movement off the deck, but the ball sneaked through the bat-pad gap to crash into the stumps.Shaw couldn't believe it and walked off shaking his head. The domestic handle of the Indian cricket board (BCCI) shared a video of the dismissal on Twitter.Shaw's weakness against incoming deliveries is a major concern for the Indian team, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The left-hander is expected to play a key role in India's batting lineup, but his susceptibility to incoming deliveries could be a major liability.The Indian team management will need to find a way to address Shaw's weakness before the start of the series. One possible solution could be to have him practice more against incoming deliveries in the nets. Another option could be to have him bat at a lower position in the order, where he would be less likely to face incoming deliveries.Whatever the solution, the Indian team management will need to find a way to address Shaw's weakness before the start of the series. Otherwise, it could be a major liability for the team.

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has launched a scathing critique of England skipper Ben Stokes' captaincy, attributing India's series-sealing victory in the fourth Test to a critical lapse in strategy at a pivotal juncture.Chappell's criticism stems from Stokes' decision to utilize part-time spinner Joe Root instead of deploying the experienced Jimmy Anderson on the third evening of the Test. According to Chappell, this allowed India to gain momentum, ultimately shifting the balance of the match in their favor."On the third evening, Stokes desperately needed to start India's chase with his best two bowlers and try to claim at least one wicket," Chappell said. "Incredibly, he gave the ball to a part-timer, Joe Root, and ignored the experienced, probing bowling of Jimmy Anderson."Chappell also criticized Stokes' approach on the final day, suggesting that his cautious field placings allowed India's batsmen to accumulate easy singles, thereby making the chase more manageable for the hosts."The second innings should have been a time to force the Indian batters into taking a risk, but by allowing easy singles, Stokes gave his opponents the upper hand," Chappell remarked.Chappell emphasized the need for instinctive decision-making in captaincy, suggesting that Stokes could benefit from studying the leadership style of seasoned captains like Pakistan's Javed Miandad in demanding situations."Effective captaincy often relies on gut instincts rather than rigid adherence to statistical analysis or theoretical frameworks," Chappell said. "Stokes needs to develop that intuitive sense of leadership."Chappell's critique highlights the importance of bold and decisive captaincy, particularly in high-pressure situations. Stokes' failure to make the right calls at crucial moments ultimately cost England the series.

Queensland's Rain-Soaked Resistance Thwarts New South Wales' Sheffield Shield HopesBrisbane's relentless rain has cast a shadow over New South Wales' already slim chances of reaching the Sheffield Shield final. The fourth-placed Blues, in order to secure a spot in next week's decider, must convincingly defeat Queensland and accumulate bonus points. However, the inclement weather at Allan Border Field has severely hampered their progress.On Monday, only 12 overs were possible, dealing a significant blow to NSW's hopes of forcing a result. Quick bowler Chris Tremain emerged as the standout performer for the visitors, claiming two early wickets to reduce Queensland to 3 for 2. Opener Angus Lovell was caught in the slips, while Jack Clayton was adjudged leg before wicket, both without scoring.The rain then took hold, forcing a lengthy delay of over six hours. Play resumed briefly for less than two overs before another downpour halted proceedings. The persistent rain has left NSW with an uphill battle to achieve their target.To qualify for the final, NSW must not only defeat Queensland but also rely on Western Australia to draw their match against Victoria in Melbourne. Additionally, they need Victoria to limit their bonus point accumulation.Queensland, currently languishing at the bottom of the ladder, has shown resilience in the face of adversity. Despite their struggles throughout the season, they have put up a spirited fight against NSW, making the most of the rain-affected conditions.As the weather forecast remains uncertain, the fate of the Sheffield Shield final hangs in the balance. NSW's hopes are fading with each passing hour, while Queensland's chances of causing an upset are growing.

Nathan McSweeney's masterful century propelled South Australia to a competitive total of 271 against ladder-leading Tasmania on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash at Blundstone Arena.McSweeney, a player on the radar of national selectors, anchored the Redbacks' innings with a gritty 117 from 174 deliveries. Despite being dropped early on, he seized the opportunity to punish the Tasmanian bowlers, particularly after the Redbacks found themselves in a precarious position at 195 for 8.McSweeney's partnership with Brendan Doggett, who contributed just one run, proved crucial in rescuing South Australia from the brink. The 25-year-old reached his fifth Shield century with a boundary off Beau Webster, showcasing his resilience and determination.Tasmania's bowlers, led by Nathan McAndrew, made early inroads into the Redbacks' batting lineup. McAndrew's three wickets, including the dismissals of Jake Weatherald and Henry Hunt, left South Australia reeling at 27 for 3.In reply, Tasmania's openers, Matthew Wade and Gabe Bell, managed to weather the storm and remain unbeaten at stumps. However, the hosts still trail by a significant 244 runs, putting them on the back foot heading into day two.South Australia, currently fifth on the ladder, may not be in contention for the Shield final, but a victory could deny Tasmania the chance to host the decider next week. The Redbacks will be looking to build on McSweeney's heroics and continue their momentum, while Tasmania will need to find a way to contain the South Australian batsmen and make inroads into their batting lineup.

Rohit Sharma and David Warner: The Art of Opening the BattingIn the realm of cricket, the opening batsmen play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the team's performance. Two of the most formidable openers in the modern era are Rohit Sharma and David Warner, who have forged a reputation for their swashbuckling approach and ability to dominate the new ball.In a recent interview on Aaj Tak, Rohit and Warner shared their insights on the challenges and rewards of opening the batting. Warner emphasized the importance of taking the shine off the ball, allowing the middle-order batsmen to capitalize on the easier conditions."We're no Smith and Kohli," Warner said, referring to the legendary Test openers. "But we make Smith and Kohli because we take the shine off the ball."Rohit concurred, acknowledging the unique pressures faced by openers. "It's the hardest job in the world," he said. "It's like being President or Prime Minister. You're like guinea pigs."Despite the challenges, both Rohit and Warner have enjoyed remarkable success as openers. Rohit has scored 15 Test centuries and 40 ODI centuries, while Warner has amassed 25 Test centuries and 18 ODI centuries.Rohit attributed his success to the ability to handle the tough conditions and face the fastest bowlers. "When the conditions are tough, when you face all these guys who bowl 150 plus," he said.Warner, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of mental toughness and the ability to adapt to different situations. "You've got to be mentally strong," he said. "You've got to be able to adapt to different conditions and different bowlers."The conversation between Rohit and Warner provides a glimpse into the mindset and strategies of two of the world's best openers. Their insights underscore the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the ability to take on the toughest challenges in the game.

Veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who had announced his retirement from first-class cricket at the end of the season, was unexpectedly called upon to play his 96th and final match for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha.Kulkarni, who had played only three matches and taken seven wickets this season, had been primarily serving as a mentor to the team's other seamers. However, with Mohit Avasthi ruled out due to injury, Kulkarni was given a chance to lead Mumbai's bowling attack.On the first day of the final, Kulkarni made an immediate impact, dismissing Aman Mokhade and Karun Nair in an incisive spell. He continued his impressive performance on Day 2, taking the wicket of Atharva Taide to give Mumbai their first breakthrough.Kulkarni's performance was a testament to his experience and skill, and he was given a guard of honor by his Mumbai teammates on the first day of the final. The Indian cricket board's domestic handle shared a video of the moment on Twitter.Kulkarni's final first-class match was a fitting end to a successful career. He has been a key member of the Mumbai team for many years, and his contributions have helped them win numerous titles. He will be remembered as one of the most successful bowlers in Indian domestic cricket.