Cricket

England's "Bazball" experiment suffered a resounding setback in the fifth Test against India in Dharamsala, as the hosts secured a comprehensive victory within three days. The defeat marked England's first series loss under the leadership of Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, who have championed an aggressive and attacking style of play.Jonny Bairstow, who played his 100th Test for England in Dharamsala, was at the center of a viral moment during the match. As the crowd chanted "Bazball gets battered everywhere they go," Bairstow was caught on camera responding with a wry smile and a few words of his own.Bairstow's reaction reflected the frustration of the England team, who were outplayed by India in all departments. The hosts dominated with both bat and ball, posting a mammoth first-innings total of 416 and then dismissing England for just 168. India enforced the follow-on and completed a crushing victory by an innings and 64 runs.Despite the disappointing result, Stokes remained defiant in his post-match comments. He acknowledged India's superiority but warned critics against writing off England. "I don't give too much away as the series is going on, but I'm always man enough to say we got beaten by the better team," Stokes said. "I have done a lot of India tours now. I am obviously disappointed with my performance for the team, but write this team off, write me off at your own peril."Stokes's comments suggest that England will use this setback as motivation to improve. The team has shown glimpses of their potential under Stokes and McCullum, but they will need to find a way to sustain their aggressive approach while also being more disciplined.The defeat in Dharamsala also raises questions about the long-term viability of "Bazball." While the attacking style has brought some thrilling victories, it has also led to some heavy defeats. England will need to find a balance between aggression and pragmatism if they want to be successful in all conditions.

Devdutt Padikkal, the elegant southpaw, made a memorable debut in the ongoing fifth Test against England at Dharamshala. After receiving his India cap from veteran Ravi Ashwin, Padikkal revealed the invaluable advice he received from head coach Rahul Dravid.Dravid's words of encouragement, "In the first 10-15 minutes you will have nerves, but go out and enjoy it," helped Padikkal overcome his initial jitters and construct a composed debut fifty. The Karnataka batter stroked a fine 65 off 103 deliveries, showcasing his lazy elegance and impressive technique.Padikkal's partnership with Sarfaraz Khan (97 runs) steadied the Indian innings after the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill. Despite some lucky edges, Padikkal displayed a calm demeanor and grew in confidence with each boundary he scored.Reflecting on his debut experience, Padikkal admitted to feeling nervous initially but emphasized the importance of using that energy positively. He praised the support of familiar faces in the dressing room and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent India.However, England fought back in the final session, with Somerset off-spinner Shoaib Bashir claiming four wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah steadied the ship for India, ensuring the hosts ended the day on 428/8.Padikkal's debut performance has earned him widespread praise, with pundits and fans alike impressed by his composure and skill. The 21-year-old has shown that he has the potential to become a mainstay in the Indian Test team for years to come.

England's spin coach, Jeetan Patel, has hailed the resilience and skill of Shoaib Bashir after the young spinner overcame illness to claim four first-innings wickets in the fifth Test against India. Bashir's performance, despite being under the weather, has earned him Patel's admiration and a promise of continued support in his career progression.Bashir, along with Ollie Robinson, had missed the final training session before the Test due to illness. However, he showed remarkable determination to bowl 44 overs in India's first innings, adding to the 70 overs he bowled in the previous Test. Despite a cut on his spinning finger, Bashir remained relentless, nearly claiming a five-wicket haul.Patel praised Bashir's efforts, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard work. He also commended the entire England bowling attack for their resilience in taking seven wickets on the second day. "It's a hell of an effort," Patel said of Bashir's role. "He's put in a hell of a shift for us."Patel's optimistic approach to adversity has been a hallmark of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era. Despite India's lead, Patel believes England can still fight back. "We're going to have tough days in Test cricket," he said. "And today was one of them. If you put enough hard yards in, eventually the circle turns and it comes back on you."Patel's mentorship of Bashir and other young spinners is crucial for England's future. He plans to continue supporting them even after the current tour. "My work continues when they are not with England," he said. "I am not the sort of bloke who is going to leave them in the lurch."Bashir's meteoric rise from obscurity has raised questions about his future playing time. Patel acknowledged that Bashir and Hartley may face limited opportunities in the coming weeks, but he believes they have something to offer England. "They have something to offer England, but we want to keep pushing that and advancing their learning," he said.Patel's praise for Bashir's development highlights the young spinner's potential. "The spin he can access, over spin, side spin ... he's got some overs to bowl yet, he's going to have to keep learning," Patel said. "But what he's done in his three Tests here has certainly shown that."

Ben Stokes' Surprise Bowling Stint Stuns England and India in Dharamsala TestOn Day 2 of the 5th Test in Dharamsala, England captain Ben Stokes made a surprising move by bowling for the first time in the series. The decision proved to be a masterstroke as Stokes dismissed Rohit Sharma on the very first delivery of his over.Rohit and Shubman Gill had dominated the first session, piling up centuries and putting India in a commanding position. However, Stokes' introduction into the attack changed the complexion of the match.Stokes' delivery to Rohit was a perfect inswinger that crashed into the stumps, leaving the Indian opener in disbelief. The dismissal sent shockwaves through the England team and coaching staff, who had not expected Stokes to bowl.Stokes' last bowling appearance for England came in June 2023, and his return to the crease was met with astonishment. Mark Wood and James Anderson, who had been struggling to contain Rohit and Gill, were left scratching their heads.Even England head coach Brendon McCullum could not hide his amusement at the unexpected turn of events."Ben Stokes - makes things happen...!!!" tweeted Mufaddal Vohra, a cricket commentator. "Mark Wood just couldn't believe it."After Rohit's dismissal, Stokes continued to bowl with great accuracy and control. He eventually finished with figures of 1/25 from his five overs.James Anderson also joined the party, dismissing Shubman Gill in a similar manner to Rohit. The Indian batter was caught plumb in front of the stumps, leaving England with a glimmer of hope in the match.Stokes' bowling performance was a testament to his all-round ability and leadership qualities. It also highlighted the depth of England's bowling attack, which has been a key factor in their recent success.

England's assistant coach Marcus Trescothick has made a bold claim that the team will not focus heavily on studying their opponents, despite India's dominance on Day 1 of the fifth Test in Dharamsala.After England's disappointing performance, Trescothick emphasized the team's unique approach to the game. "We are a very unique side in how we go about things," he said. "I don't think we will study what India do too much."Trescothick explained that England's strategy is to maintain a level-headed approach, regardless of the outcome. "We don't get too down when we have bad days, we don't get too high when we have good days," he said. "You just have to stay level and recognize what you can do better."Despite England's struggles, Trescothick identified some positive aspects of their performance. He praised Zak Crawley's batting in the first session, but acknowledged that the team lacked partnerships to build a substantial total."We had some good things - the way we played up until lunch when the ball swung around more than we expected, Crawley getting that score," Trescothick said. "We just didn't get those partnerships going to get a big score and put the total on the board we needed to."Trescothick admitted that Day 1 was challenging for England, but expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back. "It was a challenging day, no doubt about that," he said. "Hopefully we come back and improve."

Rohit Sharma's Witty On-Field Banter with Kuldeep Yadav Goes ViralIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is renowned for his quick wit and humorous on-field remarks. On the opening day of the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala, Rohit delivered another memorable one-liner that has gone viral on social media.As Jonny Bairstow walked out to bat after the dismissal of Zak Crawley, Rohit's conversation with his teammates was captured on the stump microphone. "Isko Toh Kuch Bhi Daal (Bowl whatever you want to him)," Rohit was heard saying to bowler Kuldeep Yadav, suggesting that he could bowl anything to Bairstow.The video of the amusing incident quickly spread across social media platforms. Rohit later clarified that his funny chats and one-liners are not deliberate. He explained that he regularly communicates with fielders, and these discussions often get recorded by the microphone."I don't have any favorite line as such and I don't even do it deliberately," Rohit said. "Now I am the captain so I stand in the slips, because the angle from there helps me get a better look at the fielders and take stock of DRS. So I keep talking to the fielders and it gets recorded."On the field, England were bowled out for 218 in the final session on Day 1, with Kuldeep Yadav claiming a five-wicket haul and Ravichandran Ashwin picking up four wickets. India reached 135 for one at the close of play, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring a 58-ball 57 and Rohit remaining unbeaten on 53 alongside Shubman Gill (26 not out).The hosts already hold an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The final Test in Dharamsala is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams looking to end the series on a high note.

England, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, will face India in the fifth and final Test match of the series in Dharamsala. Despite losing the series, England aims to salvage some pride and become the first team since 2012 to win two matches in a series against India.The match holds significance beyond the result, as the touring party will meet the Dalai Lama on Wednesday. Stokes emphasizes the importance of winning the match, despite the series being lost. He believes that complacency is not an option and that the team needs to improve its performance under pressure.England is considering fielding a three-pronged seam attack for the first time on this tour. Mark Wood could return to the side, while Ollie Robinson may retain his place despite a disappointing performance in the previous Test. Shoaib Bashir is likely to make way for the extra pace option.Stokes praises Jonny Bairstow, who is set to earn his 100th cap for England. He acknowledges the emotional significance of the milestone for Bairstow and his family.Despite the lack of series implications, Stokes stresses the importance of approaching the match with the same intensity as previous games. He warns against complacency and emphasizes that every opportunity to play for England is special.

Jonny Bairstow, England's wicketkeeper-batsman, is on the cusp of a significant milestone as he approaches his 100th Test match. The upcoming fifth and final Test against India holds immense emotional weight for Bairstow, who has overcome adversity and a challenging upbringing to reach this pinnacle.Bairstow's journey to 100 Tests has been marked by resilience and determination. At the tender age of 8, he lost his father, David, a former England wicketkeeper, to suicide. His mother, Janet, provided unwavering support, raising the family while battling and overcoming breast cancer twice.Reflecting on his upcoming milestone, Bairstow expressed, "It means hell of a lot. It will be an emotional week for me."The match will be played at the picturesque Dharamsala ground, which Bairstow holds in high regard. "Cape Town is my favorite, but I don't think there's a more picturesque ground in the world than Dharamsala," he said.Despite India's commanding 3-1 lead in the series, Bairstow remains optimistic about England's chances. "We've got a lot of pride in the shirt and we want to finish the series on a high," he stated.Bairstow's 100th Test match is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the support of his family and teammates. As he takes the field, he will carry the weight of his journey and the hopes of a nation eager to witness his continued success.

New Zealand's women's cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming five-match T20I and three-match ODI series against England at home. The squad features the return of seamer Rosemary Mair and batter Brooke Halliday, who missed the recent series against Pakistan due to injury.Mair, who last played for New Zealand in August 2022, has been rewarded for her impressive performances in the Super Smash, New Zealand's domestic T20 tournament. She was the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps, including a memorable 4 for 5 in the final.Halliday, who has been out with a foot injury, made a successful return to action in the Super Smash, scoring 108 in a List A game against Canterbury. Her inclusion in the squad is a boost for New Zealand, as she is a key member of the batting lineup.Offspinner Leigh Kasperek has also been included in the squad for the last two T20Is. Kasperek played a crucial role in Wellington's Super Smash triumph, picking up 17 wickets at an economy of 5.38.The tour will begin with two warm-up T20s in Queenstown on March 10 and 12, followed by the first T20I in Dunedin on March 19. Three standby players will be named closer to the series to cover for Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, or Lea Tahuhu, who are currently playing in the Women's Premier League in India.New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed his satisfaction with the squad selection, particularly highlighting Mair's progress and Kasperek's consistency. He also noted that Georgia Plimmer will only be available for the ODIs, while Eden Carson will play in the first three T20Is and also feature for New Zealand A in the corresponding series against England A.