Cricket

India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a remarkable comeback to First Class cricket with a stunning catch to dismiss India A opener Mayank Agarwal in the ongoing Duleep Trophy match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Pant, who last played a First Class match in December 2022, suffered a life-threatening car crash later that month, sustaining career-ending injuries. However, he made a miraculous recovery and returned to cricket earlier this year in the Indian Premier League (IPL), before featuring for India in the T20 World Cup-winning campaign.After a gap of almost two years, Pant was back in the whites as he took the field for the Abhimanyu Easwaran-led India B. While he might have failed to perform with the bat, hoping to impress the selectors for the upcoming Tests against Bangladesh, Pant showcased his brilliant glovework on Day 2.The incident happened in the 16th over of India A's innings when Navdeep Saini bowled a length ball, which angled down to the leg side. Agarwal, the batter, tried to glance it down the leg side, but got the faintest of touch on the ball. Pant dived down the leg side, before taking a stunning catch with both hands.Pant's catch was a testament to his exceptional reflexes and athleticism, which have made him one of the best wicketkeepers in the world. It was also a reminder of his determination and resilience, as he continues to overcome the challenges posed by his injuries.Meanwhile, Saini reminded of his presence among the fringe pacers with a quality new ball spell that helped India B to keep India A in check at 134 for two in the first innings on Day 2. India B needed their bowlers to carry on the excellent effort of Musheer Khan (181, 373b, 16x4, 5x6) that powered 'B' to 321 in their first innings.KL Rahul (23, 80 balls) and Riyan Parag (27, 49 balls) are at the crease at stumps, with India A in arrears by 187 runs. Saini, who is out of favor since the 2021 away series against Australia, showed some spark to eke out the wickets of India A skipper Shubman Gill (25) and his opening partner Mayank Agarwal (36).The right-arm quick broke the first-wicket alliance 57 between Gill and Agarwal at the stroke of tea to give his side the first breakthrough.

Shubman Gill's Duleep Trophy Woes Continue as Navdeep Saini StrikesIndia's highly-rated opener Shubman Gill endured another disappointing outing in the Duleep Trophy, failing to make a significant contribution for the second consecutive innings. Playing for India A against India B, Gill's hopes of a strong opening partnership with Mayank Agarwal were dashed by the brilliance of Navdeep Saini.Saini, who has been in impressive form throughout the match, delivered a widish delivery that Gill deemed safe to leave alone. However, the ball had other ideas, crashing into Gill's stumps and leaving him stunned. The dismissal highlighted Gill's struggles in the tournament, as he has failed to convert his starts into substantial scores.Saini's impact on the match extended beyond his bowling performance. He also contributed a valuable 56 runs off 144 balls, forging an important partnership with Musheer Khan to help India B post a respectable total of 321 runs.India B's batting had initially struggled, losing seven wickets for just 94 runs. However, Musheer and Saini steadied the ship, adding an unbeaten 108 runs to guide their team to a competitive position. Musheer played a patient knock of 105 runs off 227 balls, while Saini chipped in with an unbeaten 29 off 74 deliveries.For India A, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, and Avesh Khan each claimed two wickets, while one wicket came via a runout.Gill's dismissal will be a concern for the Indian team management, as he is seen as a key player in the future. The young opener has shown glimpses of his talent, but he needs to find consistency and convert his starts into big scores.

Musheer Khan, the younger brother of Indian cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, showcased his exceptional batting skills on the opening day of the Duleep Trophy match between India A and India B in Bengaluru. Despite facing a formidable pace trio of Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, and Avesh Khan, Musheer remained unyielding, scoring an unbeaten 105 to rescue India B from a precarious position.Musheer's innings was a testament to his resilience and adaptability. Coming in at No. 3, he witnessed the early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz, and Rishabh Pant. Undeterred, he absorbed the pressure exerted by the fast bowlers and patiently built his innings.Initially, Musheer struggled to gauge the seam movement on the green-tinged surface. However, he gradually adjusted his technique, walking down the pitch to defend and counter the exaggerated movement. As the innings progressed, he found his rhythm, hitting delicate paddles and full-blooded sweeps to accumulate runs.Musheer's century was a significant milestone in his young career. It marked his third first-class century and further cemented his reputation as a promising batsman. His innings was particularly impressive considering the challenging conditions and the quality of the opposition's bowling attack.As Musheer raised his bat to acknowledge the applause from his teammates, his brother Sarfaraz was among the first to congratulate him. It was a poignant moment, as Musheer had often been the one applauding Sarfaraz's achievements.Musheer's performance in the Duleep Trophy has caught the attention of national selectors. He has proven his ability to handle pressure and perform at the highest level. As he continues to develop, Musheer has the potential to become a valuable asset to the Indian cricket team.

Shubman Gill's Taped-Up Jersey Sparks Curiosity in Duleep Trophy OpenerIndia A and India B are currently engaged in a captivating battle in the opening match of the Duleep Trophy 2024 at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. While the match has witnessed some thrilling cricketing action, it is Shubman Gill's unusual taped-up jersey that has become a talking point among spectators.Gill, the captain of India A, has been spotted wearing a jersey with a large piece of tape covering the number on the back. The reason behind this peculiar attire remains a mystery, but there are several speculations circulating.One theory suggests that Gill may not have had access to his usual '77' jersey. The number 7 holds special significance for Gill, who has previously expressed his desire to wear it. However, it is possible that the '77' jersey was unavailable for this match.Another possibility is that Gill borrowed a teammate's jersey and opted to cover the number to avoid confusion. This is a common practice in cricket, especially when players are wearing similar-colored jerseys.Regardless of the reason, Gill's taped-up jersey has certainly generated curiosity and sparked discussions among fans. It is a testament to the attention to detail and superstition that often surrounds the sport of cricket.

Rishabh Pant's eagerly awaited return to red-ball cricket after his horrific car accident in December 2022 was cut short on Thursday, as India A captain Shubman Gill pulled off a breathtaking catch to dismiss the left-hander on day one of the first-round Duleep Trophy match against India B in Bengaluru.Pant, who was making his first appearance in a competitive match since the accident, lasted just 10 balls before Gill's stunning effort ended his innings. Trying to hit fast bowler Akash Deep towards the on-side, Pant sliced the ball towards mid-off, where Gill was stationed.Gill, despite the ball appearing to be sailing over his head, never lost sight of it. Running backwards, he looked to be a yard or two short, but he dived full length at the last second to make up for it and pouch the ball.Earlier, Gill won the toss and India A opted to bowl first to make use of any early moisture because of rains lashing Bengaluru over the past few days. India B got off to a sedate start, losing two wickets before lunch to reach 65 for 2 in 30 overs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed after getting his eye in. He scored 30.The post lunch session saw a flurry of wickets as India B slipped to 94 for 7, with only Musheer Khan showing some resistance, while approaching a patient fifty. Pacers Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep and Avesh Khan took two wickets each.Pant's dismissal was a major setback for India A, who were hoping for a strong performance from the star wicketkeeper-batsman. However, Gill's stunning catch proved to be a turning point in the match, as India B went on to post a respectable total of 242 all out.

India A vs India B: Shubman Gill Wins Toss, Elects to Bowl FirstThe official start of India's domestic season commenced with an improvised form of the Duleep Trophy, featuring four teams: India A, B, C, and D. In the opening match at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India A captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first.The decision was influenced by the recent rainfall in the area, which left moisture on the wicket. Gill believed this would provide an advantage to his pacers, including Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed.India A's bowling attack also features Kuldeep Yadav, giving them a balanced combination of three fast bowlers and two spinners. India B, on the other hand, boasts a strong batting lineup led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sarfaraz Khan.With several established and promising Indian stars participating in the tournament, the match serves as an audition for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Players like Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant will be eager to impress the selectors and secure their spots in the national team.The match is expected to be a competitive one, with both teams evenly matched. India A will look to utilize the early moisture on the wicket, while India B will rely on their strong batting lineup to post a challenging total.

Shubman Gill's remarkable turnaround in Test cricket against England earlier this year can be attributed to his meticulous focus on improving his defensive game, particularly against spinners. Prior to the series, Gill's Test average stood at a modest 30.59. However, batting at the crucial No. 3 position, he amassed 452 runs in nine innings, averaging an impressive 56.50. This included two centuries and two half-centuries, effectively silencing his critics who had questioned his ability to succeed in the longest format.Gill's defensive prowess was evident in his ability to negotiate the turning tracks in India. He acknowledged that playing on such surfaces requires a strong defensive foundation to counter the threat of spin. He also recognized that his involvement in T20 cricket, with its emphasis on aggressive batting, had inadvertently weakened his defensive skills. Thus, he made a conscious effort to rectify this during the England series.After scoring a crucial 104 in the second innings of the second Test in Visakhapatnam, Gill revealed that he had requested the team management to shift him down to No. 3 instead of opening the batting. This move allowed him to settle into the innings and build a solid foundation.Despite his impressive performances against England, Gill remains humble and acknowledges that he has yet to fully establish himself as a Test player. He is determined to make amends in the upcoming series, with India scheduled to play ten Tests over the next four months.In addition to his batting prowess, Gill has also embraced leadership responsibilities. He captained Gujarat Titans in the IPL and led India in five T20Is against Zimbabwe. He believes that captaincy enhances his understanding of his teammates and allows him to connect with them on a deeper level.Gill emphasizes that his role as a batsman remains unchanged, regardless of his leadership position. His primary goal is to contribute runs and lead his team to victory. However, he recognizes the importance of understanding his players' strengths and weaknesses as a captain.

Australia A emerged victorious in the four-day match against India A, securing a 45-run victory after a thrilling final day. The match marked the conclusion of India A's tour, which included three formats.On the final day, India A resumed their chase of 289 with a promising start, as Raghvi Bist and Uma Chetry forged a 79-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, the momentum shifted when Tess Flintoff dismissed Chetry and Bist in quick succession, leaving India A reeling.Mannat Kashyap's dismissal to Maitlan Brown further dented India A's hopes, and despite a late resistance from the lower order, Australia A wrapped up the victory with Charlie Knott claiming the final wicket.Australia A's victory was built on key performances throughout the match. Georgia Voll's opening-day 71 and Kate Peterson's five-wicket haul gave them a narrow lead. Maddy Darke's second-innings century and Grace Parsons' all-round display, including 70 runs and two wickets, proved crucial."We only won by 40-something runs in the end so without those [runs] we wouldn't have got over the line," said Knott.India A's tour had been a tale of improvement, with the team performing better as the trip progressed. They lost the T20s 3-0 and the one-dayers 2-1, but showed resilience and determination in the four-day match.

India A's hopes of securing a victory in the unofficial one-off women's Test against Australia A are dwindling after the visitors faced a batting collapse in their second innings. Resuming on 164 for 7, Australia A managed to post a respectable 260, thanks to an unbeaten 105 from Maddy Darke. However, India A's chase of 289 has been severely hampered by the Australian spinners.Chasing the target, India A openers Priya Punia and Shweta Sehrawat provided a solid start with a 37-run partnership. However, the introduction of spin proved to be India A's undoing. Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, and Lilly Mills wreaked havoc, claiming six wickets between them. Punia (36) and Shubha Satheesh (45) were the only batters to offer some resistance, but their dismissals left India A reeling at 130 for 5.The visitors' hopes were further dented when Parsons dismissed Tejal Hasabnis and Tess Flintoff removed Satheesh. India A skipper Minnu Mani became the fifth wicket to fall, leaving the team in dire straits. Parsons then struck again, dismissing Sajeevan Sajana, as Australia A tightened their grip on the match.At stumps, Raghvi Bist (16) and Uma Chetry (10) were at the crease, with India A still needing 140 runs to win with four wickets in hand. The hosts will be confident of completing a victory on the fourth day, while India A face an uphill task to salvage a draw.