Cricket

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has strongly refuted comments made by England batter Ben Duckett, who suggested that England's "Bazball" approach had influenced Yashasvi Jaiswal's aggressive batting style. Rohit's response, delivered at a press conference on the eve of the fifth Test in Dharamsala, was a clear reminder of the impact of Rishabh Pant's fearless batting."There was a guy called Rishabh Pant in our team, probably Ben Duckett hasn't seen him play," Rohit stated.Jaiswal has emerged as India's leading run-scorer in the series, amassing 655 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 94.57 and a strike rate of 78.63. Duckett's comments, made after witnessing Jaiswal's boundary-filled innings in the Rajkot Test, implied that England's aggressive style had inspired the young Indian batter."When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they're playing differently than how other people play Test cricket," Duckett had said.Rohit's response was not the only criticism of Duckett's remarks. Former England captain Nasser Hussain also condemned the player's comments."He's not learned from you. He's learned from his upbringing, all the hard yards he had to put in growing up. If anything, lads, look at him and learn from him. I hope there's a little bit of self-introspection going on. Otherwise, it becomes a cult - and, at times, Bazball and this regime has been described as such, where you cannot criticise within or externally," Hussain said on Sky Sports.Rohit's firm stance and Hussain's criticism highlight the importance of acknowledging the individual talent and hard work of players, rather than attributing their success solely to external influences.

In a thrilling encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious over table-toppers Multan Sultans by a narrow margin of four runs. Despite a blistering 60 off 27 balls from Iftikhar Ahmed, Sultans fell short of their target of 205 runs, handing Zalmi their second win over the league leaders this season.Zalmi's chase got off to a strong start with captain Babar Azam and Saim Ayub putting on a 71-run partnership in the powerplay. Azam continued his impressive form, scoring 64 off 40 balls, while Ayub contributed 46 off 22 balls. However, Usama Mir's three-wicket haul, including the key wicket of Azam, slowed down Zalmi's progress.With 58 runs required off the last three overs, Iftikhar and Chris Jordan launched a counterattack, scoring 75 runs off just 28 balls. Jordan remained unbeaten on 30 off 12 balls, but Zalmi ultimately fell short at 200-5.Earlier, Sultans had posted a competitive total of 204-5, thanks to Azam's knock and Ayub's aggressive batting. However, Zalmi's rookie left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz impressed in the powerplay, dismissing Reeza Hendricks in his debut PSL over.Sultans' top-order struggled against Zalmi's bowling, with Mohammad Rizwan and Dawid Malan falling cheaply. Iftikhar and Jordan's late surge almost pulled off a victory for Sultans, but Zalmi's pacers held their nerve in the final overs to secure the win.With this victory, Zalmi moved closer to a place in the final four, while Sultans remained at the top of the table despite their second loss. The match showcased the exciting and unpredictable nature of the PSL, with both teams displaying their fighting spirit and determination.

The milestone of 100 Test matches is a testament to the exceptional skill and dedication of cricketers. This week, R. Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow join the elite club of players who have reached this remarkable achievement.Ashwin, India's most successful off-spinner, has established himself as a formidable force in the game. His ability to extract turn and bounce from any surface, combined with his relentless pursuit of wickets, has made him a nightmare for batsmen worldwide.While statistics play a role in evaluating a player's greatness, they cannot fully capture the essence of Ashwin's artistry. His ability to adapt to different conditions, experiment with new deliveries, and outsmart opponents with his cricketing intelligence sets him apart.In an era where bowlers are armed with an arsenal of variations, Ashwin's unwavering focus on taking wickets stands out. He understands that the primary objective of a bowler is to dismiss batsmen, not merely contain runs.Ashwin's journey to 100 Tests has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He has played a pivotal role in India's overseas victories, but his away record has also been a subject of scrutiny. However, his overall contributions to the team, including his exceptional home record, make him an indispensable asset.Among the pantheon of Indian off-spinners, Ashwin stands tall. His combination of natural talent and cricket intelligence is reminiscent of the legendary Erapalli Prasanna. Like Prasanna, Ashwin has the ability to succeed in both home and away conditions.As Ashwin reaches this milestone, it is important to recognize his status as a modern master of the craft. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his unwavering belief in his abilities have made him one of the most respected and admired cricketers of his generation.

Tamil Nadu's 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign ended in disappointment with a crushing innings and 70-run defeat to Mumbai in the semifinals. Despite the setback, the team can take solace in a successful season that saw them break a five-year drought of not qualifying for the knockouts.Under the leadership of R. Sai Kishore, Tamil Nadu played an aggressive brand of cricket, securing five outright wins from nine games, including three by an innings. They maximized their strength in home conditions, with senior batters piling on the runs and spinners dominating the opposition.N. Jagadeesan enjoyed his best Ranji season, amassing 816 runs, including a triple and double-hundred. B. Indrajith (767 runs) continued to be a reliable performer, delivering vital knocks under pressure. Vijay Shankar and Pradosh Ranjan Paul also made significant contributions with centuries.On the bowling front, Sai Kishore emerged as a standout performer, becoming only the third TN bowler to scalp more than 50 wickets in a season. He was ably supported by Ajith Ram (41 wickets) and Sandeep Warrier (24 wickets).However, Tamil Nadu's technical frailties were exposed when they played on pitches that favored seamers. They suffered outright defeats in the only two games they played on such surfaces, against Gujarat and Mumbai.Sai Kishore's decision to bat first on a green top in the semifinal against Mumbai backfired, leading to a heavy defeat. Post-match comments by coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, who blamed the captain for losing the match at the toss, revealed a schism within the team.Despite the loss, Tamil Nadu has a solid foundation to build upon. They have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the country, but they need to address their batting issues, particularly on seaming pitches.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provided an update on the construction progress of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, the venue for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan.Over the past month, significant strides have been made in the stadium's construction, with the East Stand framework taking shape. Cranes have been lifting the modular framework into place, and the stadium's outfield is also being prepared. Additionally, work has commenced on the north and south premium hospitality and media pavilions.The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is set to host the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan on June 9, which promises to be an electrifying encounter. India will also play against Ireland and the host country, the USA, at the stadium during the group stage.ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley expressed excitement about the progress made in the stadium's construction. "It is extremely exciting to see the progress made in the construction of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York over the past month," he said. "Work on the outfield commenced in January and in the past few weeks the East Stand framework has really started to take shape."The following T20 World Cup fixtures will be hosted in New York:* Sri Lanka vs South Africa, June 3* India vs Ireland, June 5* Canada vs Ireland, June 7* Netherlands vs South Africa, June 8* India vs Pakistan, June 9* South Africa vs Bangladesh, June 10* Pakistan vs Canada, June 11* USA vs India, June 12The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium is expected to be completed in time for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, which will commence on June 1.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has arrived in Chennai to prepare for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The defending champions shared a photo of Dhoni exiting a vehicle on social media, captioning it "#THA7A Dharisanam!"Dhoni's arrival has sparked speculation that this season could be his last as a player. Last season, the 42-year-old often entered the crease towards the end of CSK's innings.CSK began their pre-season training camp on Saturday, with the first group of players arriving a day earlier. The current group includes Deepak Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Simarjeet Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, Ajay Mandal, Shaik Rasheed, and Nishant Sindhu.CSK will open their IPL 2024 campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. Ahead of the clash, Dhoni praised the IPL for bringing together players from around the world.In a video posted by Star Sports, Dhoni recalled the CSK team of 2008, which included Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Muttiah Muralitharan, and others. He emphasized the importance of understanding each player's strengths and weaknesses as a leader.Dhoni's arrival in Chennai has generated excitement among CSK fans, who are eager to see their captain lead the team to another IPL title. The upcoming season promises to be a memorable one for Dhoni and CSK, as they aim to defend their crown and create more unforgettable moments in the history of the tournament.

Shahbaz Nadeem, the left-arm spinner from India and Jharkhand, has bid farewell to all forms of cricket in the country. This decision stems from his desire to participate in T20 leagues worldwide, including legends competitions."I've been contemplating this decision for a while, and now I've decided to retire from all three formats," Nadeem told ESPNcricinfo. "I've always believed that if you have the motivation to play for India, you'll always push yourself to perform well. However, I recognize that I may not get another chance in the Indian team, so it's best to give younger cricketers a chance. I also intend to play in T20 leagues around the world."Nadeem, 34, has amassed 542 wickets in first-class cricket, including eight in two Test matches for India. He made his Test debut in Ranchi against South Africa in 2019 and had to wait nearly two years for another opportunity, which proved to be his last. In the IPL, he represented Delhi Daredevils from 2011 to 2018 and Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2019 to 2021, claiming 48 wickets. Despite being acquired by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2022, he did not feature in any matches."I always put emotions aside when making decisions," Nadeem said. "I've been with the Jharkhand team for 20 years. While we haven't won the Ranji Trophy, we've built a strong team that consistently reaches the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments. As a result, no one takes the Jharkhand team lightly anymore. I believe it's time to pass the torch to the younger players, and I'm confident they'll bring home trophies in the future."Nadeem began playing for Jharkhand at the age of 15 and received his India call-up at the age of 30. He was the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy in 2015-16 (51) and 2016-17 (55). He also finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19 with the most wickets (24), including a List-A record spell of 8 for 10 against Rajasthan.Nadeem was named Player of the Match in Jharkhand's victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2010-11 final, which remains one of his most memorable matches. "Apart from winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the most memorable game for me would be the one against Rajasthan. But nothing can compare to playing for India. Looking back on my career, I feel I could have accomplished more, but I'm content."Nadeem expressed his gratitude to his childhood coach, Imtiaz Hussain, saying, "He taught me how to bowl. I still seek his advice on my bowling. I'll never forget how much S Rahman of Indigo Club assisted me. I've been able to continue my cricket journey for so many years because of these individuals and my family."Nadeem joins Saurabh Tiwary and Varun Aaron (only red-ball cricket) as the third Jharkhand player to announce his retirement this Ranji Trophy season, in which he claimed 23 wickets, the most for Jharkhand.

Vidarbha tightened their grip on their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Madhya Pradesh, inching closer to a thrilling victory in Nagpur on March 5. With just four wickets remaining, the hosts are poised to set up a date in the summit clash with Mumbai.Madhya Pradesh, chasing 321 to win, reached 228 for six at stumps on day four. Their hopes of reaching their second final in three years suffered a major blow when Aditya Sarwate (2/51) dismissed Yash Dubey (94) in the penultimate over of the day.Dubey had played a valiant knock, consuming 212 balls and hitting 10 fours. He forged a crucial 106-run stand with Harsh Gawali (67), but once they were separated, Vidarbha kept making inroads.Madhya Pradesh lost first-innings centurion Himanshu Mantri for a mere eight in the second essay. The failure of their middle-order trio of Sagar Solanki (12), Shubham Sharma (6), and Venkatesh Iyer (19) further hurt their cause.Akshay Wakhare was the star for Vidarbha, accounting for these three batters. Sarwate's late strike to dismiss Dubey put the two-time winners in the pole position.Earlier in the day, Vidarbha added 59 runs to their overnight score of 343 for six, setting a target of 321 for Madhya Pradesh. Yash Rathod brought up his century and finished with a high score of 141, hitting 18 fours and two sixes.For Madhya Pradesh, Anubhav Agarwal returned 5/92. Madhya Pradesh had taken a lead of 82 runs in the first innings, responding with 252.

The picturesque town of Dharamsala is set to witness a surge in English fan support as the fifth and final Test of the India-England series approaches. Despite the disappointing results for England, the Barmy Army has remained steadfast in their support, and the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas has attracted even more fans from across the pond.Upon arriving at the Gaggal Airport, English fans were greeted by breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains. The unusually cold weather for this time of year has added to the home-like atmosphere for the visitors. "It feels like the start of summer for us," exclaimed a fan from Liverpool.England's opening practice session exuded a relaxed vibe, with Guns N' Roses' "Paradise City" playing in the background. The batters marveled at the majestic mountains during their breaks. Jonny Bairstow, who is set to play his 100th Test, praised the HPCA Stadium as the most picturesque ground in the world, surpassing even his beloved Newlands in Cape Town.The surface, which initially appeared flat, has become a topic of discussion due to the cooler conditions favoring the seamers. However, Bairstow believes it will not provide an undue advantage to either side. "It's favorable for both teams," he said. "Look at the seam attack India have, world class and the spinners... I think it will be a great game."In the only Test played here in 2017, spinners played a crucial role, with Kuldeep Yadav taking four wickets in the first innings and Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja sharing six in the second. Ashwin, who will also be playing his 100th Test, acknowledged the unknown factors in this match. "It's pretty cold here," he said. "It will take a bit of time for the fingers to adjust."Despite the travel challenges, India's captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid joined their teammates in time for the training session. The entire squad attended, eager to prepare for the upcoming Test.