Cricket

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the prodigious Indian opener, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history with his remarkable achievements in 2024. The 22-year-old left-hander has become only the third Indian cricketer to amass over 1000 runs in home Tests in a single calendar year, joining the legendary Gundappa Vishwanath and Sunil Gavaskar.Jaiswal's stellar run began in July 2023 when he made his India debut. Since then, he has accumulated over 1300 runs in his short Test career, averaging an impressive 60. His tally includes three centuries and eight fifties, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.In the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune, Jaiswal further cemented his place in cricket history. He became the first Indian and only the second batter to hit more than 30 sixes in Test cricket in a calendar year, joining New Zealand's Brendon McCullum.During India's chase of a formidable 359-run target, Jaiswal led the charge with a gutsy half-century. His 77 off 65 balls, including a crucial 62-run partnership with Shubman Gill, kept India in the hunt for a remarkable victory.Jaiswal's achievements have not gone unnoticed. He has been hailed as one of India's most exciting young talents in Test cricket. His ability to score runs consistently, both at home and away, has earned him comparisons to some of the greatest batsmen in the game.As Jaiswal continues to break records and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with, Indian cricket fans can look forward to many more memorable performances from this rising star.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Enters Test Cricket History Books with 1,000 Runs in a Calendar YearNew Delhi, India - Yashasvi Jaiswal, the prodigious Indian opener, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the first Indian batter to amass 1,000 runs in a calendar year before turning 23. This remarkable achievement was accomplished during the second Test against New Zealand at Pune's MCA Stadium, where Jaiswal contributed 30 runs before being dismissed by Glenn Phillips.Jaiswal's historic feat places him among an elite group of Test cricket legends who have reached the 1,000-run milestone in a year at such a young age. He joins West Indies great Garfield Sobers (1958), South Africa's Graeme Smith (2003), AB de Villiers (2005), and England's Alastair Cook (2006) as the only batters to achieve this rare distinction.Jaiswal's journey to this milestone has been nothing short of extraordinary. The 22-year-old made his Test debut in December 2021 and has since established himself as a key member of the Indian batting lineup. His consistent performances throughout the year, including a century against Sri Lanka in March, have propelled him to the forefront of Indian cricket.Despite Jaiswal's historic achievement, India found themselves in a precarious position on the second day of the Test. Jaiswal's wicket left India struggling at 70/4 in the morning session, trailing New Zealand's first-innings total of 259. However, the young opener's record-breaking performance serves as a testament to his immense talent and potential as one of India's most promising young stars.

Mohammed Shami, India's seasoned pacer, is on the road to recovery after a year-long absence due to an ankle injury. The 34-year-old underwent Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year and has been working diligently to return to competitive cricket.Shami's recovery has progressed steadily, and he recently shared a video on social media showcasing his bowling prowess in the nets. The clip, accompanied by a motivational quote, highlights his determination to regain his fitness."Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out," Shami wrote.The veteran fast bowler has been training intensively, even bowling to India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in the nets after India's first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Despite nearing full fitness, Shami was ruled out of the ongoing three-Test series against New Zealand. However, he remains optimistic about his return as India prepares for a five-Test series in Australia next month."It felt great because I had been bowling with half a run-up on and off since I can't put too much stress on my body," Shami said earlier. "We decided that I would bowl properly, and I gave my 100%. It felt great, and the results are good. Hopefully, I'll be back on track soon."Shami emphasized the importance of spending more time on the field before India's crucial tour of Australia, which begins on November 22 in Perth. He also expressed his desire to play a couple of domestic matches to regain match fitness before embarking on the overseas tour."I know what kind of an attack we want for that Test series (against Australia), so it's better I spend some more time on the ground before going," Shami said. "If I get fit and I get a gap of eight to 10 days, then it's better I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia."India will be hoping for a fully fit Shami to bolster their pace attack in what promises to be a high-intensity series Down Under.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has lauded Rohit Sharma's leadership, highlighting his ability to empower players and recognize their potential. Shami, who has played under Rohit's captaincy in limited-overs cricket, praised his understanding of each player's strengths and his ability to utilize them effectively."Rohit gives players freedom and knows which player can perform best in a given situation," Shami said. "He understands that well since he's played with everyone for so long and knows their abilities."Shami's comments come after Rohit announced his retirement from T20 internationals following India's World Cup triumph. Rohit expressed pride in his T20 journey, having begun his career in the format and achieving the ultimate goal of lifting the trophy.Meanwhile, Shami has assured fans that he has fully recovered from his recent knee issues and is preparing for India's upcoming Test series against Australia. The pacer, who has been managing an ankle injury since last year, confirmed that he is now pain-free and will likely play a few Ranji Trophy matches to regain form ahead of the crucial tour.Rohit had previously expressed concerns about Shami's fitness, but the pacer is confident in his preparation and aims to be at his best for the Border-Gavaskar series, which begins on November 22 in Perth.Shami's return to full fitness is a significant boost for India, who will be looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil. The pacer's experience and skill will be crucial in India's quest to overcome the challenges of playing in unfamiliar conditions.

Jasprit Bumrah's Workload Management: A Balancing Act for India's Pace SpearheadJasprit Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, has been a subject of intense scrutiny regarding his workload management. His unique bowling action, blistering pace, and exceptional yorker-bowling ability have made him an indispensable asset to the team in all formats. However, injury concerns, particularly back issues, have plagued Bumrah in recent years, forcing him to miss crucial series.To ensure Bumrah's longevity, the Indian cricket management and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have adopted a cautious approach, carefully managing his participation across formats. Head coach Gautam Gambhir recently stated that the team will assess Bumrah's workload after the second Test against New Zealand, which begins on Thursday.India's decision to rest Bumrah after the second Test stems from his participation in all three home Tests this season and the impending tour of Australia, which is less than a month away. "Once the series is over, we still have around 10 or 12 days before the (first) Test starts in Australia. That is enough break for our fast bowlers as well," Gambhir explained.However, Gambhir emphasized that workload management extends beyond Bumrah, encompassing all fast bowlers. "We want to keep them fresh. We know that obviously we've got a long tour and an important tour of Australia," he said.Bumrah's return to action during the 2023 Asia Cup and subsequent participation in the World Cup demonstrated the importance of workload management and injury prevention. By prioritizing these aspects, India aims to ensure Bumrah's availability for key matches while mitigating the risk of future injuries.

Sanju Samson, the enigmatic Indian batter, has shed light on his relationship with captain Rohit Sharma and the events surrounding his omission from the playing XI in the 2022 T20 World Cup final.In an interview with journalist Vimal Kumar, Samson revealed that he was initially slated to play in the final against South Africa but was dropped at the last moment. "I had a chance to play the final. I was told to stay ready, and I was ready. But just before the toss, they decided to stick with the same XI," Samson said.Despite his disappointment, Samson praised Rohit's leadership and the manner in which he handled the situation. "During warm-ups, Rohit took me aside to explain the decision. He asked, 'You understood, na?'" Samson shared. "I told him, 'Let’s focus on winning the match first; we can talk later.'"Samson recalled Rohit returning shortly after, sensing his disappointment. "He said, 'I know you’re cursing me in your mind.' I told him that as a player, I wanted to play. It had been my dream to perform in moments like these. Rohit explained his pattern and the reasons behind the decision. I told him I respected his explanation, but I will always carry a regret—that I missed playing a World Cup final under a leader like him," Samson added.Samson admitted that the 10-minute conversation before the toss left a lasting impact. "I thought, in such a high-pressure moment like a World Cup final, the captain would usually focus on the game or the players who are playing. But Rohit took 10 minutes to explain his decision to me before the toss, and then he went for the toss. That gesture won him a place in my heart forever."While Samson has often found himself on the fringes of the national team, he was part of India's squad that won the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, he didn't get a chance to play in any of the eight matches, with Rishabh Pant being preferred as the first-choice wicket-keeper batter.Despite missing out during the World Cup, Samson made a resounding statement in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh. In the second T20I, he hammered a stunning 111 off just 47 balls, leading India to a record-breaking total of 297/6— the highest-ever T20I score by a full-member ICC nation. His blistering knock, featuring 11 fours and eight sixes, was the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian, achieved in just 40 balls.Samson's recent performances have reignited the debate about his place in the Indian team. With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, he is poised to make a significant contribution to Indian cricket in the years to come.

Sarfaraz Khan's Memorable Week: Test Century and Baby BoyIndian cricket star Sarfaraz Khan's remarkable week has reached new heights with the birth of his baby boy, just two days after he scored his maiden Test century against New Zealand. This joyous occasion adds to the already unforgettable experience for the talented batter, who has been captivating fans with his exceptional performances on the field.During the rain-interrupted fourth day of the match in Bengaluru, Sarfaraz showcased his extraordinary batting prowess, amassing an impressive 150 runs. Playing in only his fourth Test match since his debut earlier this year, the young batter described his century as a "dream come true.""Since I started playing cricket, it was my dream to play for India and score a 100 for India. I am happy," the 26-year-old had told reporters on Saturday.Sarfaraz's journey to the Test team was not without its challenges. Initially, he was not the team's first choice, but he secured a spot in the playing eleven for the series opener after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a stiff neck.Despite the unexpected opportunity, Sarfaraz seized the moment and delivered a performance that has left a lasting impression. His innings marked his 16th first-class century, with an impressive record of 10 out of his previous 15 centuries being scores of 150 or more, including four double hundreds.The birth of his baby boy adds another layer of joy to Sarfaraz's already memorable week. This special moment is a testament to the cricketer's resilience and determination, both on and off the field. As he continues to shine on the international stage, Sarfaraz Khan's star is undoubtedly on the rise.

Indian pace spearhead Mohammad Shami has hailed young pace sensation Mayank Yadav as the future of Indian bowling, highlighting the depth and talent within the team's pace attack.Shami, who has recently declared himself fully fit and ready to bowl, believes that youngsters like Yadav and Harshit Rana possess the potential to carry forward the legacy of Indian pace bowling. The 34-year-old, who played the 2023 ODI World Cup with an injury, was instrumental in India's runner-up finish, taking 24 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.70."The best thing that has happened for Indian cricket is that our pace bowling strength has really gone up," Shami said at an event organized by Eugenix Hair Sciences in Gurugram. "Earlier, we used to have only a few bowlers who used to bowl 140-145 km/h, but now even those bowlers who are on the bench are bowling above 145. One of the names that have really impressed me in pace bowling is Mayank Yadav. He is really impressive, he is someone who will carry the baton of Indian pace bowling in the future."Shami's praise for Yadav is a testament to the young pacer's impressive performances in recent times. Yadav, who made his international debut in 2022, has quickly established himself as a reliable option for the Indian team, showcasing his ability to swing the ball both ways and generate good pace.Shami's return to full fitness is a major boost for the Indian team, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia on the horizon. The veteran pacer has been working diligently on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after undergoing surgery in February in London."I have worked as a unit since 2014," Shami said. "India never had three bowlers at a time who could bowl over 140kph. Now we have some on the bench who can bowl 145kph. This generation knows how to fight back, and we've shown that overseas."Shami's return to action will provide the Indian team with a much-needed boost, as they look to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from Australia. The pacer's experience and skill will be invaluable in the challenging conditions of Australia, where the ball often swings and seams.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, has lauded Sarfaraz Khan's attacking 150 in the recent first Test match against New Zealand. Gavaskar believes that Khan's batting performances are even more impressive than his waistline.Khan, who was dropped for the first innings after scoring a duck, led India to 462 in the second innings with an explosive 150, his first Test century. His innings included 18 fours and three sixes.Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar on Monday, "Sarfaraz Khan has been denied a place in the Indian team for some years now, despite scoring runs by the hundreds in domestic cricket. This was largely because those in a position to make decisions believed he didn't have the slim waist they deemed necessary for international cricket."Gavaskar also gave the example of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who, despite not having a particularly trim waist, excelled in Test cricket, making a brilliant 99 in Bengaluru and sharing a vital 177-run partnership with Sarfaraz in the second innings."Rishabh Pant is another player who doesn't possess the slim waist that these fitness purists seem to want, but what an impact player he is," wrote Gavaskar. "Let's not forget that he also keeps wickets all day, which not only requires getting up and down for around six hours of play but also running to the stumps to gather the throws."Gavaskar questioned whether India's eight-wicket loss in Bengaluru could cause them to worry ahead of a crucial trip to Australia later this year given Rohit Sharma's team's inability to handle bounce."That their heroics went in vain, as the batters who followed them simply didn't have the technique or temperament to deal with a pitch that was different from the low-bounce ones where they dominate, only added to the frustration," wrote Gavaskar."If anything, the way the Indian batting has struggled in Chennai - where again there was some bounce - and now in Bengaluru, does make one anxious about what lies in store in Australia."