Cricket

The 2024 Women's Asia Cup, scheduled from July 19 to 28 in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, promises to be an exciting spectacle in the T20 format. The tournament has expanded to eight teams, including hosts Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Thailand, and Malaysia.Unlike the previous edition, the teams will be divided into two groups. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal, while Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on July 26, followed by the title clash on July 28.The tournament will serve as a crucial warm-up for teams ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September. India, the defending champions and most successful team with seven titles, will be eager to retain their crown.The Asia Cup will also showcase the growing talent pool in women's cricket in Asia. The inclusion of female umpires, as in the previous edition, is a testament to the ACC's commitment to promoting women in the sport.The tournament schedule is as follows:* July 19: Pakistan vs Nepal, India vs UAE* July 20: Malaysia vs Thailand, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh* July 21: Nepal vs UAE, India vs Pakistan* July 22: Sri Lanka vs Malaysia, Bangladesh vs Thailand* July 23: Pakistan vs UAE, India vs Nepal* July 24: Bangladesh vs Malaysia, Sri Lanka vs Thailand* July 26: Semi-finals* July 28: FinalThe Asia Cup will provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and compete against the best in Asia. It will also be an opportunity for fans to witness the growth and development of women's cricket in the region.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious Test cricket series between India and Australia, is set to expand to five matches for the first time since the 1991-92 season. The announcement was made by Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The extended series will be a highlight of the 2024-25 home summer schedule for Australia. The full schedule is expected to be released soon. The opening Test of the five-match series is scheduled to be played in Perth.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been a fiercely contested rivalry between India and Australia. India has won the last four series, including back-to-back away Test series victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21. However, Australia, led by Pat Cummins, defeated India in the World Test Championship final in London last year.The extension of the series to five Tests is a testament to the intense rivalry between the two cricketing nations. It will provide more opportunities for both teams to showcase their skills and compete for the coveted trophy.The BCCI and CA have expressed their commitment to preserving the rich heritage of Test cricket. The extended series is seen as a way to elevate the significance of Test cricket and uphold its legacy.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar. The five-match series promises to deliver thrilling contests and unforgettable moments.

Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has been hailed as a significant step for the sport, which has long been confined to the Commonwealth nations. Andy Anson, chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and president of the Lancashire Cricket Club, believes it was the right decision.Anson, speaking at a panel discussion in Bengaluru, India, emphasized the global reach of cricket and its commercial appeal. He noted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized the sport's potential to attract a large audience and generate revenue.For cricket, joining the Olympic movement is seen as a major boost. India, a cricket powerhouse, has expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics, which could further elevate the sport's status. Anson believes India would be an ideal host, given its diverse population and untapped market.However, hosting the Olympics requires significant planning and investment. Deepthi Bopaiah, CEO of GoSports Foundation, stressed the need for long-term development of talent and infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of investing in youth programs and creating pathways for success.Anson pointed to the success of the British Olympic team, which won more medals across more sports than any other country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He attributed this to the funding provided by the National Lottery, which was established in 1994.The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is expected to have a positive impact on the sport's development worldwide. It will provide a global platform for cricketers to showcase their skills and inspire future generations.

Ed Sheeran, the renowned English singer-songwriter, recently embarked on a visit to India, where he engaged in a friendly cricket match with Indian cricket star Shubman Gill. The encounter, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, showcased Gill's bowling skills and Sheeran's playful spirit.In the video, Gill, shirtless and exuding confidence, bowls to Sheeran, who attempts to connect with the ball but fails. The match was played in a lighthearted atmosphere, with popular content creator Tanmay Bhat keeping the wickets.Gill's participation in the match comes ahead of his highly anticipated role as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). The young cricketer has been in impressive form, having recently concluded a successful Test series against England, where he scored a century and played a pivotal role in India's victory.Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran's visit to India has been marked by his interactions with various celebrities, including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The singer's presence in the country has generated considerable excitement among his fans and the Indian public.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian spinner, has criticized England's "Bazball" approach, calling it "defenseless cricket." Ashwin's comments come after India's 4-1 victory in the recently concluded five-match Test series against England.Ashwin took particular issue with James Anderson's claim ahead of Day 4 of the second Test that England would chase down the 399-run target within 60 overs. The result was quite different, as the visitors were bowled out and defeated comprehensively. Ashwin expressed surprise at the over-the-top statement, saying that although it was a show of positive mindset, it "went too far.""James Anderson went into a press conference in the second Test after winning the first considerably well. Much respect to them for winning that. He told the press that even if the 4th innings target was 500 or 600, we'll finish it in 60 overs. Even though it was an example of their positive mindset, it felt like they had gone too far," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.Ashwin also believes that Bazball leans more towards being a "defenseless cricket" and although Joe Root is a great player of spin, his game was also impacted due to the style of cricket."The one thing I understood after the first Test is that Bazball isn't just aggressive cricket. It is defenseless cricket. They aren't going to play a defensive shot at all. They are going to get out if they play defense. To my surprise, Joe Root also agreed to their game plan. Because if you take world cricket's vest defense rankings, Root is an easy number 1 on that list against spin. He also bought into their approach," he said.On the second day of the Rajkot Test match, Ashwin dismissed England's Zak Crawley to pocket his 500th Test scalp. Before him, only Anil Kumble reached the milestone among Indians. He became the ninth bowler worldwide to take 500 wickets. However, hours after the feat, Ashwin went through a traumatic experience for which he had to leave the squad on an immediate basis."Ravichandran Ashwin has withdrawn from the Test squad, effective immediately due to a family medical emergency. In these challenging times, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team fully supports Ashwin," said BCCI in its release. Reports said Ashwin's mother Chitra had suffered a medical emergency.Now, Ashwin has revealed how exactly thing transpired. "We went to the dressing room for another debrief and then back to our rooms. Rohit, me, and others were just discussing some things about the match here and there.""That is when I realized I was not getting calls from my parents or wife. I thought they were busy attending calls and giving interviews. I called my wife around 7 PM, asking why my parents weren't answering my call. Her voice was a bit shaky. She asked me to come separately from the crowd and told me that my mother collapsed after a headache," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel."I blanked out. I did not know how to react or what questions to ask. I was crying but wanted to ensure nobody was watching me cry. It is unnecessary to think of it that way, but it was instinctive. I could not think. I was crying in my room for some time.""Then, the team physio checked on me as I was not picking up calls. Rahul Bhai and Rohit Bhai also came to check on me, and all I could tell them was that I could not think clearly," he added.

India's recent Test victory over England in Dharamshala marked a significant milestone in the team's history. For the first time, India's overall win-loss ratio in Test cricket reached 1.0, meaning the number of wins now matches the number of losses.This achievement highlights India's remarkable transformation from a team that struggled in overseas conditions to a formidable force in both home and away Tests. The team's success can be attributed to several factors, including the emergence of world-class spinners like Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, R. Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja.India's home record has been particularly impressive. Since the 1990s, the team has dominated at home, with a win-loss ratio of over 3.0. This dominance is largely due to the preparation of spin-friendly wickets, which have favored India's skilled spinners.In recent years, India has also made significant strides in away Tests. The team's win-loss ratio in away Tests has improved from 0.24 in the 1990s to 0.9 in the 2020s. This improvement is due to a combination of factors, including a more balanced bowling attack and a strong batting line-up.India's success in Test cricket is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and talent. The team's ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has made them one of the most respected and feared teams in the world.

India's dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) continues unabated as they secured a comprehensive innings and 64-run victory over England in Dharamsala. This emphatic win sealed a resounding 4-1 series triumph, further solidifying their position at the summit of the WTC rankings.India's impressive performance in the ongoing WTC cycle has seen them accumulate 68.51 percentage points from nine matches, with six wins, two losses, and one draw. Their latest victory propelled them from 64.58 to their current standing.Captain Rohit Sharma celebrated the series triumph by acknowledging the contributions of promising young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhruv Jurel. In a social media post, Sharma referred to them as "garden mein ghoomne wale bande," a phrase he had used during the Vizag Test to describe players who were not performing up to expectations.Sharma's post drew attention from India's T20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav, who singled out Jaiswal and Gill for praise. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh clarified that the post specifically referred to Shubman.Rohit Sharma himself had an exceptional series with the bat, amassing 400 runs in five matches at an average of 44.44. He notched up two centuries and one fifty, showcasing his class and consistency.India's victory in Dharamsala was a testament to their all-round strength. The bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami, wreaked havoc on the English batting lineup, while the batsmen, including Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, provided valuable contributions.The series win against England has further boosted India's confidence as they prepare for the upcoming WTC final against New Zealand. With their impressive record and a formidable squad, India will be aiming to secure the inaugural WTC title and cement their status as the world's leading Test team.

Sunil Gavaskar's fury erupted when Sarfaraz Khan recklessly threw away his wicket shortly after the tea break on day two of the fifth and final Test between India and England in Dharamsala. Making his third Test appearance, the 26-year-old Khan had settled into a promising 56 but opted for an ill-advised cut shot against spinner Shoaib Bashir. The ball found an edge and was gratefully accepted by Joe Root in the slips.Gavaskar, providing commentary during the live broadcast, was scathing in his criticism of Khan's shot selection. "The ball was pitched up, it wasn't short enough for that shot," Gavaskar lamented. "Goes for it and pays the price. I mean you are playing the first ball after tea. Give yourself a little sighter."Gavaskar's ire stemmed from a meeting with Khan the previous day, where he had emphasized the significance of shot selection. A crestfallen Khan later apologized to Gavaskar through Dubai-based businessman Shyam Bhatia, who had arranged their meeting. "Sir, please say sorry to Mr Gavaskar – I made a mistake! I won’t make that mistake again," Khan reportedly conveyed through Bhatia.Gavaskar's anger was not unfounded. Khan's dismissal was a glaring example of poor decision-making, especially considering the crucial stage of the match. India was looking to consolidate its position after a dominant first day, and Khan's wicket gave England a much-needed boost.The incident highlights the importance of shot selection in Test cricket. Batsmen must carefully assess the situation and play shots that are appropriate for the conditions and the match situation. Impulsive or reckless shots can have disastrous consequences, as Khan's dismissal demonstrated.Despite Khan's lapse, India went on to win the Dharamsala Test inside three days, securing a 4-1 series victory. However, the incident served as a reminder of the importance of discipline and shot selection in the longest format of the game.

India's Dominance Continues as England Collapses in DharamsalaIndia's remarkable dominance over England continued in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, as the visitors suffered a humiliating innings and 64-run defeat within three days. Despite being provided with ideal English conditions, England's batting lineup crumbled under pressure, leaving BCCI Treasurer and IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal expressing surprise at their performance.Dhumal praised India's exceptional performance throughout the series, highlighting the team's resilience and depth. Despite missing key players like Virat Kohli, K L Rahul, and Mohammed Shami, India's young talents stepped up to fill the void. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan showcased their potential, demonstrating the strength of India's bench.Dhumal also defended the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) against criticism over the outfield conditions. He emphasized that the poor conditions were primarily due to weather factors and that the HPCA had worked tirelessly to prepare a world-class outfield.