Cricket

England spinner Shoaib Bashir became the subject of amusement during the fifth Test against India on Saturday, when he mistakenly requested a DRS review after being bowled. During the 46th over of England's second innings, Ravindra Jadeja's delivery clipped Bashir's off-stump, but the spinner, assuming he had been caught behind, opted for the DRS.Bashir's comical gesture drew laughter from fans and former England spinner Graeme Swann, while his non-striker, Joe Root, couldn't help but smile. The incident came after Bashir had been criticized for his fiery send-offs during the match.Earlier in the day, Bashir had claimed his second five-wicket haul of the series, helping to dismiss India for 477. However, India's Ravichandran Ashwin stole the show, taking a five-wicket haul in his landmark 100th Test.India's dominance continued as they hammered England by an innings and 64 runs, clinching the series 4-1. England's James Anderson reached 700 Test wickets, becoming only the third bowler to achieve the feat.Ashwin's off-spin proved devastating for England, bowling them out for 195 within three days. The victory was a testament to Ashwin's skill and India's overall superiority in the series.

The fifth and final Test match between India and England in Dharamsala witnessed a remarkable display of batting prowess from the Indian team on the second day. Five Indian batters notched up half-centuries, propelling the hosts to a commanding 255-run lead over England.Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set the tone with centuries, but it was Sarfaraz Khan's aggressive knock that stole the show. In his fifth Test innings, Khan scored a blistering 56 off just 60 deliveries, including eight fours and a six. His Mumbai teammate, Suryakumar Yadav, aptly described Khan's performance as "Sher Bhuka Hai" (The Lion is Hungry).England attempted a comeback in the final session with some clinical bowling, but India's resilient tail-enders held firm. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah remained unbeaten on 27 and 19, respectively, as India posted a formidable total of 473/8 at the end of the day's play.Shoaib Bashir provided England with a glimmer of hope by dismissing Sarfaraz Khan with his off-spin, but Devdutt Padikkal responded with a maiden Test fifty, delighting the crowd with a maximum. India crossed the 400-run mark in the 91st over, but Bashir struck again to remove Padikkal.Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja formed a brief partnership, but Bashir and Jack Leach claimed their wickets in quick succession. However, Kuldeep and Bumrah's unbeaten stand of 45 runs ensured that India maintained their dominance heading into the third day.With India already leading the series 3-1, the Rohit Sharma-led side is poised to seal a 4-1 victory and complete a memorable home season.

India's dominance continued on Day 2 of the 5th Test against England in Dharamsala, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill slamming centuries in a non-traditional manner. Their rapid scoring prompted former England star Owais Shah to question the reason behind India's high strike rate.Saba Karim, the former India cricketer, reminded Shah of Rohit Sharma's pre-match comment about England's Ben Duckett suggesting that England should get credit for Yashasvi Jaiswal's high strike rate. Rohit had responded by saying, "There was a guy called Rishabh Pant in our team, probably Ben Duckett hasn't seen him play."Karim echoed Rohit's sentiment, saying, "Should I respond the same way Rohit did, saying you guys have not seen Rishabh Pant bat?"England's 'Bazball' approach, which emphasizes aggressive batting, has been a topic of discussion before the series. However, Ben Stokes' men have struggled to implement it in India. Rohit expressed his confusion about the term, saying, "I honestly don't know what [Bazball] means, whether it is to go and strike, whether it is to go and defend and wait for the loose ball.""I have not seen any wild swinging from anyone, so I don't know exactly what this term means," Rohit added. "But, yeah, clearly they have played better cricket from what they played the last time they were here."Despite England's struggles, Rohit acknowledged the success of their batters who scored big hundreds. "They applied their method to get some success and they got it," he said. "But other than that I don't know what it means."

Indian wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel showcased his astute cricketing acumen on Day 1 of the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala, executing an MS Dhoni-esque masterplan to dismiss Ollie Pope.Jurel, known for his sharp reading of the game, predicted Pope's intention to step out of his crease against Kuldeep Yadav's spin. In the 26th over, Jurel exclaimed from behind the stumps, "Yeh badhega aage (he will step out)."Kuldeep, heeding Jurel's prediction, delivered a flighted delivery, and Pope obliged by stepping out. Jurel, with lightning-fast reflexes, completed the stumping, leaving Pope dumbstruck.Kuldeep's brilliance continued throughout the first session, bamboozling England's batters. He struck twice, dismissing Ben Duckett and Pope, to leave the visitors at 100 for two at lunch.Duckett's mistimed hit was caught by Shubman Gill, who displayed exceptional athleticism by running backward from cover. Pope, after surviving a close DRS call, fell victim to Kuldeep's googly, stepping out only to be stumped.Kuldeep's emergence as a formidable Test bowler has solidified his place alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India's spin attack. His ability to flight the ball and deceive batters has made him a potent weapon for the Indian team.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Surpasses Virat Kohli, Sets New Record for Most Runs Against England in a Test SeriesYoung Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has etched his name in the history books by surpassing batting legend Virat Kohli and other Indian greats to become the highest run-scorer against England in a Test series. Jaiswal achieved this remarkable feat on the opening day of the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala.In the final session of the day, Jaiswal surpassed Kohli's previous record of 655 runs, set in the 2016 Test series at home. Before being dismissed for 57 late in the day, Jaiswal also breached the 700-run mark in the ongoing series.Jaiswal's exceptional performance has not only earned him the distinction of being the highest run-scorer against England but has also made him the second fastest Indian to reach 1000 Test runs. The 22-year-old reached the milestone in just 16 innings, behind only Vinod Kambli, who achieved it in 14 innings.Current India coach Rahul Dravid is third on the list of highest run-scorers against England in a Test series, with 602 runs during the 2002 India tour of England. Kohli, with 593 runs in the 2018 tour of England, is also featured on the list.Batting great Sunil Gavaskar amassed 542 runs during the 1979 tour, while Vijay Manjrekar has 586 runs to his name in a single Test series against England.Jaiswal's record-breaking performance is a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work. He has emerged as a key player for India in the Test format and is expected to continue to play a significant role in the team's future success.

India's left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav unleashed a magical delivery reminiscent of the legendary Shane Warne, dismissing England's well-settled Zak Crawley on Day 1 of the 5th Test. Crawley, who had been tormenting the Indian bowlers, was left bamboozled by Kuldeep's chinaman delivery. The ball spun viciously, finding the fine gap between Crawley's bat and pad, and crashed into the stumps, leaving the England batter and spectators alike stunned.Kuldeep's delivery was measured to have spun an astonishing 10.9 degrees, a testament to his exceptional skill and control. Crawley, who was closing in on a century, was left shell-shocked as Kuldeep's "bunny out of the hat" sent him packing back to the pavilion.Kuldeep's five-wicket haul played a pivotal role in reducing England to 194 for eight at tea on Day 1. The Indian spinners, led by Kuldeep, ran through England's batting lineup, taking six wickets for just 94 runs after lunch.Opener Zak Crawley (79 off 108 balls) provided the lone resistance for England, but his efforts were not enough to prevent the collapse. England's middle order failed to provide substantial support, with only Joe Root (26) and Jonny Bairstow (29) managing to reach double figures.The Indian spinners dominated the proceedings, with Ravichandran Ashwin claiming four wickets and Ravindra Jadeja taking one. England's innings eventually ended at 218 in 57.4 overs, with all 10 wickets falling to the spinners.Kuldeep Yadav's remarkable delivery and five-wicket haul have put India in a commanding position in the 5th Test. The Indian spinners have once again proven their mettle, and England will need to find a way to counter their threat if they want to avoid a series defeat.

Catches Win Matches: Gill's Spectacular Grab Electrifies Dharamshala TestIn the captivating realm of cricket, the adage "catches win matches" holds true, as evidenced by the electrifying catch taken by Shubman Gill on the opening day of the fifth Test between India and England in Dharamshala.England, having opted to bat first, had made a promising start, reaching 64/0. However, Kuldeep Yadav's introduction into the attack proved pivotal, as he struck for the first wicket in his very first over.Frustrated by Yadav's relentless accuracy, Ben Duckett attempted a forceful shot on the leg-side. However, the cunning googly deceived him, sending the ball skewing high into the air on the off-side.With lightning reflexes, Gill, stationed at cover, sprinted sideways to his right, covering an impressive 16 meters backwards. In a perfectly timed dive, he extended his right arm and snared the catch over his shoulder.The Indian cricket board (BCCI) captured the moment in a video, showcasing Gill's unwavering focus and athleticism. The catch not only dismissed Duckett but also ignited the Indian team, providing a much-needed boost of momentum.Commentators and fans alike hailed Gill's catch as one of the finest in recent memory. Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, even compared it to Travis Head's iconic catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma in the 2023 World Cup final.Gill's catch serves as a reminder of the crucial role that fielding plays in the game of cricket. A well-executed catch can not only prevent runs but also break partnerships and turn the tide of a match.As the Test series between India and England continues, Gill's spectacular catch will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of cricket history, inspiring future generations of fielders to strive for excellence.

The fifth and final Test match between India and England, scheduled to commence on Thursday in Dharamsala, is anticipated to feature a slow-turning pitch, as reported by the Indian Express. Untimely rainfall has hindered the ground staff's efforts to prepare the surface, prompting discussions between the curators and the Indian team management regarding the pitch's composition.India's spinners have been instrumental in securing the series victory for the hosts, and the Dharamsala pitch is expected to provide ample assistance to the likes of Rohit Sharma and his teammates. The slow and turning nature of the surface will favor the Indian spinners, who have played a pivotal role in the team's success throughout the series.Meanwhile, the Test match will witness a historic milestone as India's off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England's batter Jonny Bairstow will become only the fourth pair of players to feature in their 100th Test match together. This exclusive club includes former England captain Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart, who achieved the feat against the West Indies in 2000.In 2006, South Africa's Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, and Stephen Fleming played their 100th Test in the South Africa-New Zealand match in Centurion. The third instance occurred in 2013 when Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke reached the milestone during the England-Australia Ashes contest in Perth.Ashwin and Bairstow will represent their respective teams in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, marking the second occasion when two players from opposing teams will play their 100th Test in the same game. Notably, just a day after the India-England match concludes, New Zealand captain Tim Southee and his predecessor Kane Williamson will also play their 100th Test together.

The picturesque town of Dharamsala is set to witness a surge in English fan support as the fifth and final Test of the India-England series approaches. Despite the disappointing results for England, the Barmy Army has remained steadfast in their support, and the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas has attracted even more fans from across the pond.Upon arriving at the Gaggal Airport, English fans were greeted by breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains. The unusually cold weather for this time of year has added to the home-like atmosphere for the visitors. "It feels like the start of summer for us," exclaimed a fan from Liverpool.England's opening practice session exuded a relaxed vibe, with Guns N' Roses' "Paradise City" playing in the background. The batters marveled at the majestic mountains during their breaks. Jonny Bairstow, who is set to play his 100th Test, praised the HPCA Stadium as the most picturesque ground in the world, surpassing even his beloved Newlands in Cape Town.The surface, which initially appeared flat, has become a topic of discussion due to the cooler conditions favoring the seamers. However, Bairstow believes it will not provide an undue advantage to either side. "It's favorable for both teams," he said. "Look at the seam attack India have, world class and the spinners... I think it will be a great game."In the only Test played here in 2017, spinners played a crucial role, with Kuldeep Yadav taking four wickets in the first innings and Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja sharing six in the second. Ashwin, who will also be playing his 100th Test, acknowledged the unknown factors in this match. "It's pretty cold here," he said. "It will take a bit of time for the fingers to adjust."Despite the travel challenges, India's captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid joined their teammates in time for the training session. The entire squad attended, eager to prepare for the upcoming Test.