Cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans have not forgotten Avesh Khan's helmet-throwing celebration during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 clash between RCB and Lucknow Super Giants. Avesh's celebration, which involved smashing his helmet on the ground, became a viral sensation on social media.As Avesh took to the field in the ongoing Duleep Trophy match between India A and India B in Bengaluru, RCB fans greeted him with chants of "RCB-RCB." However, instead of being offended, Avesh took the chants in good humor and interacted with the fans, even encouraging them to be louder.Avesh's reaction was met with praise on social media, with fans appreciating his sportsmanship. The incident highlights the passion and camaraderie that exists within the cricket community, even among rival teams.Beyond the banter, Avesh is also looking to earn his place back in the Indian Test team. He has not been a regular in red-ball cricket but has often been in the scheme of things. With Jasprit Bumrah expected to be rested from the Bangladesh Test series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to pick a few fresh faces in the squad.Avesh is likely to be in consideration, especially with the lack of clarity on Mohammed Shami's return. However, the first round matches of the Duleep Trophy have also given the selectors a few other pacers to contemplate on. Akash Deep and Khaleel Ahmed have also performed well and could fancy their chances for the Bangladesh assignment.

The Duleep Trophy, India's premier domestic First-Class tournament, kicked off with India C and India B securing emphatic victories over India D and India A, respectively. The tournament serves as a crucial platform for India's top stars to gain match practice ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh.Amidst the ongoing tournament, former England captain Kevin Pietersen reminisced about his experience playing in the Duleep Trophy in 2004. As part of England A, who were invited by the BCCI, Pietersen made a lasting impression on Indian soil.Sharing a nostalgic picture on Instagram, Pietersen expressed his fondness for India and its bowlers. "India 2004! Playing in the Duleep Trophy. This is when I first fell in love with India or should I say, Indian bowlers," he captioned the image.Pietersen's performance in the tournament was remarkable, as he emerged as the highest run-getter with 345 runs. His tally included two centuries and a half-century, but England A narrowly missed out on the semi-finals after defeats to South Zone and East Zone.A year later, Pietersen made his Test debut for England in the Ashes at Lord's. Despite scoring two half-centuries, England lost the match by 239 runs. However, Pietersen's debut Test series proved to be a resounding success, as he finished as the leading run-scorer with 473 runs from five matches.Pietersen's international career spanned 104 Tests, 136 ODIs, and 37 T20Is, during which he amassed 13,779 runs at an average of 44.30. Notably, MS Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, and Yuvraj Singh also participated in the 2004 Duleep Trophy, with Yuvraj scoring a century in both innings of the final against Dhoni's East Zone.

Dhruv Jurel Matches Dhoni's Record, Shines Behind Stumps in Duleep TrophyYoung Indian wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history by equaling a 20-year-old record held by none other than Mahendra Singh Dhoni. During the ongoing Duleep Trophy match between India A and India B in Bengaluru, Jurel displayed exceptional glovework, taking seven catches in an innings.This remarkable feat matches the record set by Dhoni in the 2004/05 season while playing for the East Zone against the Central Zone. Jurel, 23, demonstrated exceptional reflexes and anticipation behind the stumps, showcasing his potential as a future star in Indian cricket.Despite his heroics behind the stumps, India A suffered a disappointing 76-run defeat. Chasing a target of 275, they were bowled out for 198. KL Rahul top-scored with a patient 51, but lacked support from his teammates. India B's disciplined bowling attack, led by Yash Dayal (3/50), Mukesh Kumar (2/50), and Navdeep Saini (2/41), proved too strong for India A.Jurel's record-equalling performance came as a consolation amidst the team's defeat. It highlights his exceptional talent and potential as a wicketkeeper. His ability to take seven catches in an innings demonstrates his sharp reflexes, quick decision-making, and anticipation skills.The Duleep Trophy has long been a platform for emerging players to showcase their abilities, and Jurel's performance stands out as a significant moment in this tournament's history. His achievement serves as a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the bright future that lies ahead for him in Indian cricket.

The Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India, has been a platform for the country's top players to showcase their skills and prepare for international assignments. However, a recent concern has emerged regarding the slow over-rates maintained by teams during the tournament.In the first-round match between India-A and India-B at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, key batters like Rishabh Pant and K.L. Rahul impressed with their performances. However, both teams struggled to maintain healthy over-rates, falling short by 11 overs on day one, 16 on day two, and 18 on day three.According to a seasoned umpire, one of the reasons for the slow over-rates is the increased use of the Decision Review System (DRS). Players often request reviews even when they have little chance of success. Additionally, strategizing mid-over and between successive balls has become more common, leading to delays.In international cricket, teams are penalized for slow over-rates. However, in the Duleep Trophy, there are only financial penalties and a maximum ban of one match for the skipper. This has led to a lack of strict enforcement, with teams taking the penalties lightly.The umpire emphasized that financial penalties are not sufficient to deter teams from maintaining slow over-rates. He suggested that stricter measures, such as point deductions, should be implemented.India has qualified for both World Test Championship finals so far, but it has not been immune to the problem of slow over-rates. While playing abroad, where pacers do the heavy lifting, the side has been penalized, most notably in the 2022 Edgbaston Test versus England and the 2023 Centurion game against South Africa.If India wants to avoid a repeat of these penalties, it is imperative that it addresses the issue of slow over-rates. The next two rounds of the Duleep Trophy provide an opportunity for the teams to improve their over-rates and ensure that they are ready for the upcoming international challenges.

Musheer Khan, the younger brother of Indian cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, has emerged as a fielding sensation in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. His exceptional athleticism and quick reflexes have made him a formidable presence on the field.In a recent match between India A and India B at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Musheer showcased his brilliance with an incredible underarm throw from short leg. Akash Deep, the India A batsman, had fended off a bouncer but wandered out of his crease. Musheer, with lightning-fast reflexes, picked up the ball and unleashed a pinpoint throw that caught Akash well out of his crease. The dismissal proved pivotal in India A's eventual defeat, as they were bundled out for 198 while chasing 275.Musheer's fielding prowess has not gone unnoticed. His brother, Sarfaraz, proudly celebrated his younger sibling's brilliance by grabbing his hand and lifting it high in the air. Earlier in the match, Musheer had also impressed with the bat, scoring a composed 181 runs off 373 deliveries. His innings, which included a record-breaking 205-run partnership with Navdeep Saini, was crucial in lifting India B to a first-innings total of 321.Musheer's performance in the Duleep Trophy has further cemented his reputation as a rising star in Indian cricket. His fielding skills have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest fielders in the game, and his batting ability has shown that he is a complete cricketer. As he continues to develop, Musheer Khan is poised to become a key player for India in the years to come.

Musheer Khan's scintillating 181-run knock in the first innings propelled India B to a 76-run victory over India A in the opening round of the Duleep Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The all-rounder's gritty performance laid the foundation for India B's triumph.Khan, who had impressed in the Ranji Trophy, seized the opportunity to showcase his talent in the Duleep Trophy. On the opening day, he displayed remarkable temperament and determination, scoring a magnificent 181 runs off 373 deliveries. His innings, which included 16 fours and five sixes, lifted India B from a precarious 94/7 to a respectable 321 in the first innings.This total proved crucial, giving India B a 90-run lead that ultimately proved decisive. Khan's partnership with Navdeep Saini was particularly noteworthy, with the all-rounder providing constant encouragement from the non-striker's end."My preparation was really good with my father. I had done well in Ranji so I knew I could get an opportunity here. Every ball I was encouraging him from the non-striker's end to play it out," said Khan after being named Player of the Match.India B skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran expressed his delight at his team's victory, which earned them six points in the Duleep Trophy. "We were looking to bowl first. Coming back from 90/7 to win the game is special. To be on the winning side is really good," he said.In contrast, India A captain Shubman Gill lamented his team's mistakes in terms of batting and bowling strategies. "Musheer and Saini played really well. Seeing that there's not much happening from the wicket, we could've gone to the bouncer option earlier to Saini," he said."But out there we went for the option we felt was the best. The intensity with which we bowled in the second innings was commendable. Until about lunch time we were talking that if we get a 100-run partnership we could've got the target," Gill added.India A will now face India D, while India B will take on India C in Anantpur from September 12.

Rishabh Pant's Hilarious Banter with Kuldeep Yadav Lights Up Duleep TrophyIn a lighthearted moment during the Duleep Trophy match between India A and India B in Bengaluru, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant engaged in a playful banter with teammate Kuldeep Yadav.As India B sought to dismiss India A in their second innings, Pant's voice was captured on the stump microphone teasing Kuldeep. After Kuldeep hit a boundary off the fifth ball of the 41st over, Pant anticipated that he would attempt a single off the final ball."Close in, close in," Pant urged his teammates. "He's going to take a single."Kuldeep responded, "No, I won't."Undeterred, Pant persisted, "Swear on your mother."The exchange drew laughter from the players and spectators alike.Despite the lighthearted banter, India B emerged victorious in the contest by 79 runs. Musheer Khan's impressive 181 in the first innings and Pant's quickfire 61 in the second were key contributions to their success.Musheer was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. India B will next face India C in Anantapur from September 12.

Akash Deep's exceptional bowling performance has propelled India A to the brink of victory in the first-round match of the Duleep Trophy against India B. The right-arm pacer's five-wicket haul in the second innings has set India A a target of 275 to win with ample time remaining on the final day.Deep's dominance continued after his impressive four-wicket effort in the first innings. He ripped through India B's batting lineup, dismissing key batsmen and restricting them to a mere 184 runs. His match haul of nine wickets is a testament to his skill and consistency.The 27-year-old has made a significant impact in his nascent international career, having played one Test against England earlier this year. His fiery spell in Ranchi earned him three wickets, showcasing his potential as a formidable fast bowler.Deep's journey to the top has been marked by hard work and determination. After moving from Bihar to Kolkata, he grabbed attention in his second first-class match, taking six wickets against Gujarat. He finished the season with an impressive 35 wickets.His success extended to white-ball cricket, earning him an Indian Premier League contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021. Since then, he has continued to impress with his pace and accuracy.India A will now look to capitalize on Deep's heroics and secure victory on the final day. The match promises to be an exciting contest, with India B needing to produce a remarkable batting performance to overcome the deficit.

Shreyas Iyer, a middle-order batter, is determined to reclaim his spot in Team India's Test setup. In the second innings of the Duleep Trophy match between India C and India D, he showcased his counter-attacking prowess with a fine half-century.After a disappointing dismissal for just 9 runs in the first innings, Iyer displayed immense intent in the second. With the Duleep Trophy widely regarded as an audition for the upcoming India vs Bangladesh Test series, Iyer sent a clear message about his aspirations.Facing a formidable India C bowling attack, Iyer played a counter-attacking 44-ball 54. Instead of adopting a defensive approach, he took the initiative and helped India D post a respectable 236 runs.Despite India C's eventual victory, Iyer expressed satisfaction with his performance. "It was crucial for me to show intent because their bowlers were bowling exceptionally well," he said. "I wanted to take the attack and contribute to a decent total."Iyer's half-century and subsequent comments have sent a strong signal to India captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. With the Bangladesh Test series set to be played in India, Iyer's skills could prove invaluable in similar conditions."The pitch offered little assistance to the bowlers," Iyer observed. "However, we can learn from this experience and improve."Iyer's impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy has reignited his hopes of a Test recall. His counter-attacking approach and determination to succeed have made a strong case for his inclusion in the squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.