Cricket

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rising star of Indian cricket, has taken the world by storm with his exceptional performances in the recent Test series against England. The southpaw, who made his India debut in the same series, has emerged as a dominant force, breaking several records and earning accolades for his remarkable batting prowess.Jaiswal's journey to the top has been marked by consistent brilliance. Following a successful stint in the Indian Premier League 2023, he made his Test debut with a bang, scoring a century in his first innings. Throughout the five-match series, he continued to impress, amassing a staggering 712 runs at an average of 89. His tally included two double centuries and three fifties, with his highest score being an unbeaten 214.Behind Jaiswal's success lies the unwavering support of his captain, Rohit Sharma. The experienced skipper has played a crucial role in guiding and mentoring the youngster, both on and off the field. Rohit's vast experience and leadership qualities have provided Jaiswal with the confidence and guidance he needs to thrive at the highest level.In the dressing room, Rohit has shared his knowledge and insights with Jaiswal, helping him develop his game and adapt to the challenges of international cricket. Off the field, he has shielded the youngster from the limelight, allowing him to focus on his performance without distractions.Jaiswal's bond with Rohit has been instrumental in his rapid rise. The youngster has praised his captain for his unwavering support and belief in his abilities. "It's so good to have him there inside the dressing room," Jaiswal said. "The way he backed players throughout this journey, the way he talks, the way he bats. Whatever happens, he will be there to stand by you."Jaiswal's exceptional performances have not gone unnoticed. He was recently named the ICC 'Player of the Month' for February, a testament to his prolific run in the Test series against England. The 22-year-old southpaw has created several records in his short international career, including equaling the long-standing Test record for most sixes in a Test innings (12) during his Rajkot double ton.With his impressive start to his international career, Jaiswal has established himself as one of the most promising Test openers in the world. His ability to score runs consistently, his aggressive approach, and his strong temperament make him a formidable force in the batting lineup. As he continues to develop and gain experience, Jaiswal has the potential to become one of the greatest batsmen of his generation.

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Irfan has vehemently defended Virat Kohli's place in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, dismissing suggestions that the star batter could be dropped from the squad.Irfan's comments come in response to a report in the Telegraph claiming that the Indian selectors are considering omitting Kohli from the team for the marquee event in the West Indies and the USA. Kohli has been out of the T20 setup for over 14 months, having last played in the format against Afghanistan earlier this year.However, Irfan strongly believes that Kohli's absence from the squad would be a grave mistake. "He won the matches in recent times, it's not fair to raise questions on his place. Those questioning Virat Kohli's place in the T20 World Cup belong in gully cricket," Irfan told News24.Irfan emphasized Kohli's match-winning abilities, particularly during the ODI World Cup last year. "We all saw what he did in the ODI World Cup last year, Virat Kohli won 3-4 matches in the World Cup for India on his own. If Kohli didn't step up on that occasion, India would have lost 3-4 matches including group-stage matches against Australia and New Zealand where India lost early wickets. He finished the match on his own," he added.Kohli finished the World Cup as the leading run-scorer with 765 runs at an average of 95.62. He also topped the charts during the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.Irfan's comments highlight the importance of Kohli's experience and leadership in the Indian team. Despite missing the entire England Test series due to the birth of his son, Kohli is expected to return to action during the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has lauded the exceptional performance of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, highlighting his ability to stay present and focused on the task at hand. Jaiswal's recent accolades include the ICC Men's Player of the Month for February 2024, surpassing the likes of Kane Williamson and Pathum Nissanka.Pant, speaking on the Club Prairie Fire podcast with Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, expressed his admiration for the young players who have stepped up for India. He emphasized Jaiswal's remarkable consistency and determination."The way all the youngsters are stepping up is really amazing," Pant said. "Jaiswal is someone who likes keeping his head down and just keeps doing what he is doing. And I think if he keeps on doing that, then there's a long way to go."Jaiswal's impressive performance in the recently concluded home series against England showcased his exceptional talent. In five matches and nine innings, he amassed 712 runs at an average of 89.00, including two double centuries and three fifties. His highest score was an unbeaten 214.Pant believes that Jaiswal's ability to stay present and not dwell on the future is a key factor in his success. "He doesn't think too much," Pant said. "He just keeps doing what he is doing."Jaiswal's consistent performances have propelled him to the top of the ICC World Test Championship in runs scored. His back-to-back double-hundreds against England in February were instrumental in his rise to the top.Pant's praise for Jaiswal reflects the growing recognition of the young opener's talent and potential. As Jaiswal continues to perform at the highest level, he is poised to become a mainstay in the Indian cricket team for years to come.

Musheer Khan, the younger brother of Indian Test debutant Sarfaraz Khan, has etched his name in the annals of Ranji Trophy history by surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record as the youngest Mumbai batter to score a century in the tournament's final.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, Musheer, aged 19 years and 14 days, crafted a masterful knock of 136 off 326 deliveries, adorned with 10 boundaries. His monumental innings propelled Mumbai to a commanding 500-plus run lead.Musheer's achievement is even more remarkable considering that the iconic Tendulkar, who was present at the stands, was just under 22 years old when he scored twin centuries in the 1994-95 season final against Punjab.The 19-year-old's exquisite ton came off 255 balls, showcasing his patience and technical prowess. His brother, Sarfaraz, took to Instagram to express his pride and admiration for Musheer's performance.Musheer's journey to this historic moment has been marked by consistent brilliance. In the semifinal against Tamil Nadu, he played a crucial role with a valuable 55 off 131 balls, paving the way for Mumbai's innings and 70-run victory.During the quarterfinal against Baroda, Musheer converted his maiden first-class century into a double ton, smashing 203 off 357 balls in the first innings. He followed it up with a quickfire 33 off 25 balls in the second innings, helping Mumbai secure a draw and advance on the basis of their first-innings lead.In three matches so far, Musheer has amassed 433 runs at an astonishing average of 108.25, including two centuries and a half-century. His best score remains his 203* against Baroda.Musheer's talent extends beyond batting. In the U19 World Cup tournament, he played seven matches, scoring 360 runs at an average of 60, with a strike rate of over 98. He scored two centuries and a fifty, ending as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. His best score was an impressive 131.Additionally, Musheer has played 14 Youth ODIs, scoring 554 runs at an average of 61.55, with two centuries and two fifties. With 13 wickets, he is also a useful spin-bowling all-rounder.Musheer's achievements have not gone unnoticed. His elder brother, Sarfaraz, recently made his much-anticipated international debut against England, scoring twin half-centuries in his first Test match.The Khan brothers are a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket. Musheer's record-breaking performance in the Ranji Trophy final is a harbinger of his potential to become a future star for both Mumbai and India.

Virat Kohli's Unquenchable Thirst for World Cup GloryFormer Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that star batsman Virat Kohli remains driven by an unyielding desire to secure another World Cup triumph. Despite missing out on the prestigious title on three previous occasions, Kohli's hunger for victory remains undiminished.Kohli made his World Cup debut in 2011, where he played a pivotal role in India's historic victory, ending the country's 28-year wait for the coveted prize. Since then, he has participated in eight World Cups, shattering numerous records along the way. He surpassed batting legend Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most centuries in ODIs and secured the highest run tally in a single edition of a World Cup.However, despite these achievements, Kohli's desire for the elusive World Cup title remains unfulfilled. Harbhajan Singh believes that this burning desire will continue to fuel Kohli's performances until he finally gets his hands on the trophy."Virat Kohli didn't appear on the ground. He needed a well-deserving rest and he got it. In 2011 he won a World Cup, he got into the team and he won the World Cup for the first time, we had already played three or four World Cups and he won it for the first time. It was luck and after that, Virat turned into a big player he played in 2015, 2019, and 2023, and even after that he couldn't get his hands on the trophy," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel."So that feeling stays in the mind of the player. I think he won't be satisfied until he gets his hand on the trophy. He has broken a lot of records and scored a lot of runs. His hunger will be satisfied when he gets his hands on the World Cup trophy," he added.Kohli will return to the field in the IPL 2024, where he will lead Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their quest for their maiden IPL title. RCB will kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the season opener at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Bengaluru.

Mohammed Shami's Recovery Progress: Stitches Removed, Eager for Next PhaseIndian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has taken a significant step in his recovery from ankle surgery, with his stitches now removed. The 33-year-old pacer, who missed the recent Test series against England and will sit out the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), shared an update on his progress on social media."Hello everyone! I wanted to provide an update on my recovery process. It has been 15 days since my surgery, and I recently had my stitches removed. I am thankful for the advancements and looking forward to the next stage of my healing journey," Shami wrote on Twitter.Shami underwent surgery last month to address an ankle injury that had been troubling him for some time. Despite the pain, he played a key role in India's impressive performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup, taking 24 wickets.The veteran pacer has been a mainstay of the Indian bowling attack for over a decade, with 229 Test wickets, 195 ODI wickets, and 24 T20 wickets to his name. He was recently honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award for his contributions to Indian cricket.Shami's absence from the IPL and the upcoming T20 World Cup is a blow to the Indian team. However, the pacer remains optimistic about his recovery and is eager to return to action as soon as possible."I am working hard on my rehabilitation and am confident that I will be back on the field soon. Thank you for all your support and well wishes," Shami added.

India's resounding 4-1 victory over England in the Test series has sparked a scathing attack from former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar. Despite missing key players and losing the first Test, India's young team led by Rohit Sharma displayed exceptional resilience and dominance.Gavaskar's criticism centers on England's perceived arrogance and condescending attitude towards India. He contrasts this with the more affable and adaptable nature of Australian players, who have embraced the Indian culture and the lucrative opportunities offered by the Indian Premier League (IPL).Gavaskar argues that the Aussies' willingness to integrate and respect Indian culture has fostered a positive relationship between the two teams, despite the intense rivalry on the field. In contrast, he believes England's "supercilious attitude" has created a sense of animosity.Gavaskar's comments come after he expressed disappointment with Sarfaraz Khan's reckless shot selection in the fifth Test. He emphasized the importance of patience and discipline, even for experienced batsmen.India's victory has solidified their position at the top of the World Test Championship points table, while England languishes near the bottom. The series has highlighted the depth and talent of India's young players, who have stepped up in the absence of senior stars.

Kuldeep Yadav, the enigmatic left-arm wrist spinner, has emerged as a formidable force in Indian cricket. Despite playing only 12 Tests in a career spanning seven years, he has left an indelible mark on the game with his unique bowling style.Yadav's journey has been marked by both brilliance and setbacks. He made his debut in 2017 and quickly established himself as a match-winner, taking 19 wickets in a series against England. However, he has also faced periods of inconsistency and has often found himself on the sidelines.Undeterred, Yadav has worked tirelessly to improve his craft. He has refined his run-up, pace, and batting, transforming himself into a more complete bowler. His efforts have paid off, as he has regained his place in the Indian team and played a pivotal role in their recent Test series victory over England.Yadav's success stems from his ability to bowl the "chinaman," a delivery that spins away from the right-handed batter. This delivery is notoriously difficult to master, but Yadav has developed exceptional control over it. He can deceive batters with his subtle variations in pace and trajectory, making him a formidable opponent.In addition to his bowling prowess, Yadav has also shown maturity and resilience. He has learned to handle both praise and criticism with grace, and he has maintained his focus on improving his game. His positive attitude and willingness to learn have been instrumental in his resurgence.Yadav's return to form is a testament to his talent and determination. He has proven that even after setbacks, it is possible to regain one's place at the top. As India looks to the future, Yadav is poised to play a leading role in their spin attack. His unique skills and unwavering spirit make him a valuable asset to the team and a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers.

Shreyas Iyer's impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha has reignited hopes of a strong comeback for the talented batter. Despite recent setbacks, including his omission from the BCCI's central contracts list and a disappointing Ranji Trophy campaign for Mumbai, Iyer showcased his resilience and determination on Tuesday.With Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma in attendance, Iyer played a crucial role in Mumbai's innings, scoring a gritty 95 off 111 balls. His celebration, which went viral on social media, reflected his relief and satisfaction at finding form at a critical juncture.Iyer's performance has prompted Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid to address the issue of his and Ishan Kishan's absence from the central contracts. Dravid emphasized that both players remain in contention for selection, stating, "They are always in the mix. Everyone who is playing cricket and domestic cricket is in the mix."Dravid clarified that the decision-making process for central contracts lies with the BCCI and selectors, not the coaching staff. He added, "I don't even know what the criteria is. People ask my opinion on the 15, me and Rohit pick the XI. We never discuss whether a player has a contract or not, whether he is going to be picked."Dravid's comments suggest that Iyer and Kishan's omission from the central contracts does not necessarily reflect their current form or potential. He urged them to regain fitness, perform consistently, and force the selectors to reconsider their decisions.Iyer's performance in the Ranji Trophy final is a testament to his ability to bounce back from adversity. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaching, he will have another opportunity to showcase his skills and prove his worth to the national selectors.