Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian spinner, has reached a significant milestone in his illustrious career by claiming his 500th Test wicket during the third match against England. This remarkable achievement has earned him a place among the cricketing greats, and former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers has heaped praise on Ashwin, labeling him a legend of the game.De Villiers, who has faced Ashwin's bowling firsthand, knows the challenges that the Indian spinner poses to batsmen. He described Ashwin as "one of the toughest bowlers I have ever played against," highlighting his natural variation, bounce, and subtle changes with his wrist. De Villiers also praised Ashwin's accuracy, knowledge of the game, and patience, which make him a formidable opponent.The South African legend advised England's batters to stay positive and use their feet a lot more against Ashwin in the remaining two Tests of the five-match series. He suggested that putting pressure on Ashwin by coming down the wicket, staying back deep in the crease, and working him to the leg side could be effective strategies to counter his bowling.De Villiers also took the opportunity to praise young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who slammed a double hundred in the second innings in Rajkot. He described Jaiswal as an "incredible player" with aggressive batting skills and a knack for putting pressure on the bowlers. De Villiers believes that Jaiswal has the potential to succeed in different conditions around the world, given his ability, talent, and mindset.Ashwin's 500th Test wicket is a testament to his skill, dedication, and longevity in the game. He has been a key player for India over the years, contributing with both bat and ball. De Villiers' praise for Ashwin is a fitting tribute to the Indian spinner's achievements and his status as a legend of the game.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), a highly anticipated cricket tournament, is set to commence on March 22, 2024, as confirmed by league chairman Arun Dhumal. This year's edition, the 17th in the series, will be held entirely within India, despite the upcoming general elections.The schedule for the tournament is yet to be announced due to the elections, which are expected to take place in April and May. Dhumal stated that initially, only the schedule for the first 15 days will be released, with the remaining games to be decided after the election dates are announced."We are looking at a March 22 start for the tournament. We are working closely with the government agencies and we will first release the initial schedule. The entire tournament will be held in India," Dhumal told PTI.The IPL has been held entirely overseas only once, in 2009, when it was hosted in South Africa. In 2014, a portion of the tournament was held in the UAE due to the elections. However, in 2019, the IPL took place in India despite the elections.The final of the IPL is likely to be held on May 26, just before the T20 World Cup begins. India's first World Cup match will be against Ireland in New York on June 5. The tournament will start with a clash between the USA and Canada on June 1.The IPL opener will follow the tradition of being played between the previous year's finalists, with the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans taking the field. The players' auction for the 2024 season took place in December last year, with Australian pacer Mitchell Starc becoming the most expensive player in IPL history after being bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore.The IPL is one of the most popular cricket tournaments in the world, attracting millions of viewers and generating significant revenue. The tournament features some of the best cricketers from around the world, and it is known for its exciting matches and high-scoring games.