Cricket

The Indian cricket team's recent victory over Bangladesh in the World Test Championship (WTC) has sparked a heated debate among fans over Jasprit Bumrah's comments regarding the "fittest cricketer in the team."In a recent interview, Bumrah controversially chose himself over Virat Kohli as the answer to this question, stating that he wanted to promote fast bowlers. This sparked a fierce online war between the fans of both star cricketers.Veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the debate, urging fans to not make a big deal out of it. He praised Bumrah as the "crown jewel of Indian cricket" and emphasized the importance of handling fast bowlers with care."Jasprit Bumrah is a fast bowler who bowls at 145 kmph in this heat. He is the crown jewel of Indian cricket like the Kohinoor diamond. Let him say whatever he wants. Just accept it," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.Ashwin drew an analogy between fast bowlers and tipper lorries, highlighting the need for careful handling due to their high-stress nature. He acknowledged that Bumrah's injuries were a concern but praised his resilience in returning to bowl at such high speeds.Meanwhile, India's victory over Bangladesh has solidified their position at the top of the WTC table, while Sri Lanka's win over New Zealand has boosted their chances of reaching the final at Lord's next year.India's 280-run victory in Chennai has increased their percentage to 71.67%, extending their lead over Australia in second place. Bangladesh has dropped to sixth place, while Sri Lanka has moved into third spot.

Shubman Gill: A Rising Star with Limitless PotentialFormer Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on young batter Shubman Gill, highlighting his exceptional talent and potential for greatness. Karthik believes that Gill possesses the technical skills and work ethic to excel in all formats of the game.Gill's ability to hit sixes with precision and power has impressed Karthik. Unlike power hitters like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell, Gill focuses on hitting the ball in the gaps for maximum distance. This unique technique demonstrates his exceptional hand-eye coordination and timing.Despite initial struggles after being moved to the No. 3 position in India's Test batting order, Gill has shown remarkable resilience and determination. He has scored three centuries in his last five Tests, showcasing his growing confidence and maturity in the role.Karthik attributes Gill's success to his flawless technique and outstanding work ethic. He believes that Gill has the potential to become a dominant force in world cricket. "Whenever I look at Shubman Gill, I see greatness in him," Karthik said. "The kind of shots he plays, how he gets on top of the ball, technically, there aren't many flaws."With Karthik's glowing endorsement, expectations are high for Gill to maintain his impressive form as India prepares for crucial upcoming matches. His ability to perform under pressure and adapt to different conditions will be key to his continued success.

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace sensation, has emerged as a formidable force in world cricket, earning accolades as arguably the best fast bowler across formats. His exceptional skills and consistent performances have made him a crucial asset for Team India, playing a pivotal role in their recent triumphs.Bumrah's rise to prominence has been nothing short of remarkable. Since making his Test debut in 2018, he has amassed 164 wickets in just 37 matches, boasting an impressive average of 20.51. His ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and maintain accuracy has made him a nightmare for batsmen worldwide.In the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah was instrumental in India's success, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. His ability to bowl effective yorkers, slower balls, and variations at crucial junctures proved invaluable.Bumrah's dominance extends to red-ball cricket as well. His performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia have been particularly noteworthy. In the 2020-21 series, he claimed 21 wickets in four matches, including a match-winning spell of 6/33 in the final innings of the Gabba Test.Former Australian captain Steve Smith, known for his astute batting skills, has heaped praise on Bumrah, calling him "arguably the best fast bowler across the three formats." Smith's admiration highlights the respect Bumrah has earned among his peers.Bumrah's success has not only elevated his status but has also brought recognition to the role of bowlers in Indian cricket. In a country where batting has traditionally been the focus, Bumrah's achievements have inspired a new generation of aspiring fast bowlers.As India embarks on another Test series against Australia, Bumrah's skills will be crucial to their hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His ability to adapt to different conditions and outsmart the opposition's best batsmen will be key to India's success Down Under.

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, embarked on an extraordinary journey that transformed him into the revered "Little Master." Born in Mumbai on April 24, 1973, Tendulkar's passion for cricket ignited at a tender age, inspired by his elder brother, Ajit.At the age of eleven, Tendulkar joined the MRF Pace Foundation with aspirations of becoming a fast bowler. However, his true calling was discovered by his mentor, coach Ramakant Achrekar, who recognized his exceptional batting abilities. Under Achrekar's watchful eye, Tendulkar spent countless hours honing his technique at Shivaji Park, playing back-to-back matches across Mumbai to develop his mental and physical resilience.Tendulkar's international debut came at the age of 16 in 1989 against Pakistan, a formidable bowling attack at the time. Despite his diminutive stature and youthful inexperience, his courage and technique captivated the world. In one memorable match, he was struck on the face by a bouncer from Waqar Younis, but instead of succumbing to pain, he continued to bat, scoring crucial runs. His unwavering determination earned him immense respect.The nickname "Little Master" was a testament to his short stature and extraordinary skill, reminiscent of another Indian cricketing legend, Sunil Gavaskar. Tendulkar's ability to execute every shot with precision, combined with his calm temperament and insatiable hunger for runs, solidified his status as one of cricket's greatest batsmen.Throughout his illustrious career, Tendulkar shattered numerous records, including becoming the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries. His consistency, humility, and mastery over the game made him a global icon, forever etching his name as the "Little Master" of cricket.

Rishabh Pant's scintillating century in India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the Chepauk Test has reignited comparisons with legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni. However, former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has cautioned against hasty conclusions, emphasizing the need to give Pant time to prove his greatness.Pant's 109 in the second innings propelled India to a mammoth 515-run target, which proved insurmountable for Bangladesh. The visitors were dismissed for 234, handing India a 280-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.Pant's century was his sixth in just 58 Test innings, equaling Dhoni's record for most Test tons by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter. However, Karthik believes it's premature to declare Pant as India's greatest ever in the longest format."It's very unacceptable to say that he's (Pant) played 34 Tests and he's already India's greatest wicket-keeper batter," Karthik said on Cricbuzz. "Let's take time, let's not jump to conclusions."Karthik acknowledged Pant's potential but stressed the need to consider Dhoni's all-round contributions. "Don't discount Dhoni's credentials as a wicketkeeper as well," he said. "He not only kept brilliantly, batted and scored runs when it mattered very very well for India but also he led India to a World Test Championship mace which is becoming number 1."Pant's free-flowing innings against Bangladesh showcased his attacking prowess and ability to dominate the opposition. His century came at a crucial juncture, helping India set an imposing target and secure a comfortable victory.The second and final Test of the series will commence on September 27 in Kanpur, where Pant will have another opportunity to cement his status as one of India's most promising wicketkeeper-batters.

Akash Deep, the rising star of Indian cricket, recently received a heartwarming gesture from none other than Virat Kohli. During the opening Test against Bangladesh, Kohli surprised Deep with a brand-new bat, leaving the young pacer overwhelmed with gratitude.Deep, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, has impressed with his performances so far. In his second Test, he picked up two wickets against Bangladesh, showcasing his potential as a reliable fast bowler.In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Deep shared his experience of receiving the bat from Kohli. "I was in my hotel room when I heard a knock on the door. To my surprise, it was Virat Kohli standing outside," Deep recalled. "He walked in, carrying a brand-new bat and asked, 'Do you need a bat?'"Overwhelmed by the unexpected gesture, Deep eagerly nodded. "I immediately took out a pen, requested an autograph on the bat, and gave Virat a hug," he said. "I will never play with that bat. It's a huge gift from Virat bhaiya, and I will keep it as a souvenir."Deep also spoke about his rapport with captain Rohit Sharma, who he described as a "different kind of captain." "He is the best captain I have played under," Deep said. "He is just a cool and calm person. He keeps things so simple and easy for every player."Deep's impressive performances have earned him a place in the squad as a replacement for the experienced Mohammed Shami. "Responsibility—that's what I feel in the absence of a veteran bowler," Deep said. "Fulfilling that role and performing is a big challenge, and I feel that responsibility."The young pacer has also had the opportunity to share nets with Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world's leading fast bowlers. "I regularly talk to him and observe his bowling," Deep said. "I take a lot of tips from him and have learned a lot."Deep's focus on reading batsmen and adapting to different conditions has been key to his success. "Every batsman plays in a different zone," he said. "As bowlers, we need to keep track of that, analyze it, and bowl accordingly."With his impressive performances and the support of senior players like Kohli and Sharma, Akash Deep is poised to become a vital part of India's bowling attack in the years to come.

Shubman Gill's peculiar batting statistic has left cricket pundits scratching their heads. Since 2020, Gill has boasted the highest average among Indian Test batters in the second innings, but his overall Test average remains a modest 35. This glaring disparity suggests a consistent underperformance in the first innings.In the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh, Gill's pattern repeated itself. After a disappointing duck in the first innings, he rebounded with a magnificent 119 in the second. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his bewilderment at this recurring phenomenon."I have no idea. I just cannot apply a cricketing reason to this," Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo. "His Test career went off the rails slightly. He started very well against Australia in Australia - got a 90. After that, he had a few opportunities against not-so-great oppositions in India and didn't quite cash in, didn't get the big scores, and then had the tough tours."Gill's struggles in the first innings have hindered his overall Test average. Despite his impressive second-innings performances, his career average remains below par. This inconsistency has raised questions about his ability to perform consistently at the highest level.Meanwhile, Bangladesh ended Day 3 of the Chennai Test at 158/4, trailing India by 357 runs. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (51*) and Shakib Al Hasan (5*) remained unbeaten at the crease. India's bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, picked up four wickets in the post-Tea session to keep Bangladesh in check.

Rohit Sharma's Childhood Hero Worship: Skipping Class to Meet Virender SehwagRohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian cricket team, has always been vocal about his admiration for Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener known for his aggressive and fearless batting style. One of the most memorable stories from Rohit's early cricketing days is when he skipped class to meet his batting idol.As a teenager with dreams of becoming a cricketer, Rohit was inspired by Sehwag's explosive starts and ability to dismantle even the best bowlers. When he found out that Sehwag was in town, he couldn't resist the opportunity to meet him. Determined to make it happen, Rohit bunked his class and headed to the stadium where Sehwag was training.Sneaking out of school, Rohit managed to get close enough to catch a glimpse of his hero. He was fortunate enough to also get an autograph from Sehwag, making the experience even more special. Years later, Rohit and Sehwag would share the Indian dressing room, where Rohit not only fulfilled his dream of meeting his idol but also played alongside him in international cricket.This story captures Rohit's early passion for the game and how a childhood hero can inspire a future legend. It highlights the importance of role models in shaping the next generation of cricketers. Rohit's admiration for Sehwag not only motivated him to pursue his cricketing dreams but also influenced his own aggressive batting style.

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has drawn an intriguing parallel between batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Manjrekar observed that Kohli, like Tendulkar, appears to perform better away from home.Kohli's recent return to Test cricket against Bangladesh was underwhelming, with scores of 6 and 17. Manjrekar attributed this to Kohli's discomfort batting in India. "He's not enjoying batting in India as much. Like (Sachin) Tendulkar, I think he feels more at home away from home," Manjrekar said on the ESPNCricinfo YouTube channel.Manjrekar pointed to Kohli's impressive performance in South Africa, where he was India's standout batter. "We saw in South Africa how well he played. He was by far India's best batter," Manjrekar added.In the second innings of the Bangladesh Test, Kohli was controversially given out LBW despite replays showing the ball had hit his bat. However, Kohli declined to review the decision, a move that Manjrekar found puzzling. "Felt bad for Virat today. He obviously didn't think he had hit it. Just wanted to know from Gill if the ball was hitting stumps. Despite Gill encouraging him to go for the review anyway, he walked away dejected wanting to keep the 3 reviews for his team," Manjrekar tweeted.Kohli's absence from Test cricket since January 2024 may have contributed to his struggles. He missed the home series against England due to the birth of his second child. Despite his low scores, Kohli reached a significant milestone, becoming the second Indian to score 12,000 runs on home soil, behind only Tendulkar.Manjrekar's comparison between Kohli and Tendulkar highlights the unique challenges faced by elite batters. While Tendulkar was known for his exceptional performances overseas, Kohli has also shown a remarkable ability to adapt to different conditions. However, Manjrekar's observation that Kohli may be more comfortable batting away from home raises questions about his mindset and the pressure he faces when playing in India.