Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has been in scintillating form in Test cricket this year, amassing an astonishing 38 wickets in just seven matches at an incredible average of 14.42. His exceptional performances have propelled him to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings.In the recently concluded two-Test series against Bangladesh, Bumrah was the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside spinner R Ashwin, claiming 11 scalps. His ability to swing the ball both ways and extract pace and bounce from any surface has made him a formidable force in the longest format.Bumrah's home Test record is equally impressive, with 44 wickets in just 10 games. His ability to adapt to different conditions and bowl with consistency has made him a vital cog in India's bowling attack.Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has hailed Bumrah as the team's "problem solver," highlighting his ability to deliver in any situation. "When in doubt, call Jasprit Bumrah," Karthik said. "He is the biggest asset for skipper Rohit Sharma."Bumrah's exceptional skills were on full display in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, where he bowled two unplayable deliveries to dismiss Mehidy Hasan. His ability to reverse swing the ball at high speeds has made him a nightmare for batsmen.Following his match haul of six wickets in Kanpur, Bumrah reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, replacing his teammate Ashwin. Spinner Ravindra Jadeja maintained his sixth place, while Kuldeep Yadav remained in 16th.Bumrah's rise to the top of the bowling rankings is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent. He has established himself as one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket and will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in India's success in the years to come.

Jasprit Bumrah has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, dethroning his India teammate R Ashwin. Bumrah's impressive performance in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh, where he claimed six wickets, propelled him to the summit.Bumrah's rise to the top marks a significant milestone for Indian fast bowling. He is the first Indian pacer to achieve the No. 1 ranking, surpassing the legendary Kapil Dev, who reached a peak of No. 2 in 1979-80.Ashwin, who was named Player of the Series against Bangladesh, remains close behind Bumrah in the rankings, just one point adrift. The Indian duo's dominance at the top of the bowling charts reflects their exceptional skills and consistency.Another notable mover in the Test batting rankings is Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young Indian opener has surged to third position after just 11 Tests, following his Player of the Match performance in Kanpur. Jaiswal's impressive start to his Test career has earned him widespread recognition.Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya has also made significant strides in the bowling rankings. The left-arm spinner has moved up to joint-seventh after just 16 Tests, thanks to his Player of the Series performance in the 2-0 sweep of New Zealand in Galle.Other notable movements in the Test rankings include Virat Kohli's return to the top 10 among batters. The Indian captain has climbed six places to sixth after his contributions in Kanpur. Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis has also moved up to No. 11 following his unbeaten 182 in the second Test in Galle.Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz has risen to fifth among allrounders, making it two Bangladeshis in the top five alongside Shakib Al Hasan, who remains at No. 3.Bumrah's second stint at the top of the Test rankings is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has established himself as one of the most formidable bowlers in the world, leading the Indian attack with distinction.

India's star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, has expressed his confidence in the potential of his compatriot Akash Deep after their impressive victory in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Despite losing significant playing time due to rain and a wet outfield, India's players displayed unwavering determination and secured a 7-wicket win on a sunny day in Kanpur.Throughout the series, India's experienced bowlers have consistently delivered when needed. However, it was the young Akash Deep who stole the spotlight in Kanpur, showcasing his exceptional swing bowling with the SG ball. Bumrah, who witnessed Akash's impressive performance firsthand, revealed that they have had numerous "interesting conversations" where Akash sought advice before captivating spectators with his mesmerizing spells."He (Akash Deep) comes up to me quite a lot before a spell and asks me 'what is happening and what should I do'. We have had a lot of interesting conversations, and the energy he brings on the ball, he gives his best on the field, and when he's bowling, he has got a lot of heart, and that is a good sign for us going forward. Hopefully, he goes from strength to strength," Bumrah said after India's victory.In the two Tests, Akash, who consistently hit the deck, swung the ball effortlessly and ended the series with five wickets. The Green Park surface underwent significant changes throughout the five days of play, with the weather constantly dictating the flow of the game. Once the rain subsided and the sun shone brightly over Kanpur, it became a challenging surface for the pacers to extract benefits from.However, for Bumrah, when the pitch turned against his natural style of play, it was a challenge that he relished taking on. "I like that challenge when you go against your nature and conditions are not favorable. The wicket is not favorable. How do you get answers? All of these battles I really like. We have played a lot of cricket in India. You understand the nature of the wicket, and the SG ball sometimes reverses as well, but sometimes, because of the humidity, you are not able to keep the ball dry, so you find solutions and discuss it with other players as well," Bumrah added."It was a test for our fitness as well, as you see how hot the weather is, bowling every day and trying to create an impact, a really special win. You use your experience, but it is easier said than done because you have played a lot of cricket and played on different surfaces. You find solutions. This wicket was completely different to what we got in Chennai, so we quickly communicated with the others and tried to find the best option," he noted.In the end, as India pushed their limits and redefined the way a Test is supposed to be played, Bumrah stood at the top as the joint-leading wicket-taker in the series with 11 wickets. As he continues to make the ball obey his will, Bumrah has earned the title of magician for himself. However, the experienced pacer is not focused on such adjectives. He is just delighted with the way India performed to subtly complete the series sweep over Bangladesh."It feels really good. I don't think about all those adjectives (being called a magician). It is really good to get this win; we had lost a couple of days," Bumrah said.Following the conclusion of the series, India will engage in a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh and then host New Zealand for three Tests this month.

India Clinches Victory as Bumrah's Cunning Dismissal Seals Bangladesh's FateIn a thrilling encounter at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi, India emerged victorious over Bangladesh, securing a 95-run target with ease. The match reached its climax in the first session, as Bangladesh fought valiantly with Mushfiqur Rahim leading the resistance.With Bangladesh on the brink of defeat at 130/9, India's captain Rohit Sharma introduced Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined their experience, but Rahim remained unyielding.As the clock ticked down, Rohit brought back Jasprit Bumrah, hoping to break the deadlock. Bumrah's initial deliveries were met with resilience from Khaled Ahmed, who even managed to hit a boundary.However, on the penultimate delivery before lunch, Bumrah unleashed a cunning slow off-cutter. Rahim, attempting a big shot, was deceived by the pace and the ball crashed into his middle stump.Bumrah's brilliance secured India's victory, with Bangladesh all out for 146 on the last ball before lunch. India's chase of 95 runs proved to be a formality, as they cruised to victory.The Indian cricket board (BCCI) celebrated the dismissal on their official Twitter handle, showcasing Bumrah's exceptional skill and the team's determination.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has released its guidelines for player retention, sparking discussions among experts on which players franchises should prioritize ahead of the mega auction. With six players allowed for retention, including Right-To-Match, tough decisions lie ahead for teams.For Mumbai Indians (MI), the future of former skipper Rohit Sharma is a major talking point. However, former India batter Aakash Chopra believes MI should also make a crucial call on current captain Hardik Pandya.While many expect Hardik to be MI's top retention, Chopra argues that Jasprit Bumrah should take that spot. He considers Bumrah the No. 1 pick across all IPL teams, making him the top priority for MI as well."The most difficult thing is to retain the Indian core. MI and CSK have won five trophies each, and both have had strong Indian cores. Overseas players can be replaced, but Indian players are harder to find. Can you tell me a like-for-like replacement for Jasprit Bumrah?" Chopra said.Regarding Hardik, Chopra suggests he could be MI's fourth pick. Suryakumar Yadav could be the second choice (in the INR 14 crore category), while Rohit, Tilak Varma, and Ishan Kishan would compete for the remaining spots."Indian retentions for Mumbai Indians seem straightforward. Hardik, Surya, Bumrah, you have three. After that, I think they will discuss with Rohit Sharma about the next step. It's anybody's guess after what has transpired. Whether he will stay in Mumbai or go elsewhere, I think it will also be his will. I think that will be a discussion. And then Ishan Kishan or Tilak Varma," he added."The interesting aspect will be the order of retention. Who will be the first, who will be the second and all that? Jasprit Bumrah is my No. 1 retention. He will be the first retention in the overall IPL, across all teams. If Bumrah is your first, then you have captain Hardik Pandya. He can be your fourth retention (Rs 18 crore). Then you have India's T20I captain, he is Suryakumar Yadav. He will be come in Rs 14 crore category. Then you have Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma. Then there is the wicketkeeper-batter batter in Ishan Kishan, whom you retained for Rs 15 or Rs 15.5 crore. It's going to be a tough one."Tim David and Piyush Chawla are also potential retention candidates for MI. While Chawla fits well in the uncapped player category, David's chances of being retained remain uncertain.

India vs Bangladesh: Wasps and Bees Interrupt Play as India Takes Three Wickets on Day 4After two days of rain delays, the second Test between India and Bangladesh finally got underway at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Monday. However, the match was not without its interruptions, as wasps and bees invaded the field, causing a brief delay in play.Despite the unusual interruption, the Indian bowlers made a strong start to the day, taking three Bangladesh wickets in the first session. Mominul Haque was nearing his century, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz providing support.However, Mehidy's innings was cut short when he was stung by a wasp. The incident occurred in the second session of the day, and Mehidy was forced to call for the physio for treatment."He has been stung by a wasp," commentator Murali Karthik informed on air.Despite the setback, Bangladesh continued to fight back, with Mominul Haque reaching his century and Liton Das providing valuable support. However, India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ended Mehidy's stay at the crease, having him caught by Shubman Gill at first slip for 20.At the end of the day's play, Bangladesh were 188/6, with Mominul Haque unbeaten on 100 and Liton Das on 44. India will be looking to press home their advantage on Day 5 and secure a victory in the second Test.

Jasprit Bumrah Breaks the Deadlock on Day 4 of India vs. Bangladesh TestAfter two days of rain-induced delays, the second Test between India and Bangladesh finally resumed on Monday in Kanpur. With India seeking a crucial wicket to break the Bangladesh resistance, Jasprit Bumrah stepped up to deliver.Bumrah, known for his exceptional bowling skills, was handed the ball by captain Rohit Sharma to open the fourth day's play. The pacer didn't disappoint, striking in the third over to remove Mushfiqur Rahim for 11.Rahim, expecting an outswinger, left the ball only to be surprised as it sharply came back in and crashed into his stumps. The dismissal was a testament to Bumrah's accuracy and ability to deceive batters.Bumrah's wicket was the first for India on Day 4, adding to the two wickets taken by Akash Deep and one by Ravichandran Ashwin. Bangladesh had resumed their first innings at 107-3, with Mominul Haque unbeaten on 40 and Rahim on six.The match had been severely affected by rain, with only 35 overs possible on the opening day. The weather had forced the umpires to abandon play on Saturday and Sunday due to a soggy outfield.India, who lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opener in Chennai, will be looking to capitalize on Bumrah's early breakthrough and build pressure on Bangladesh. The visitors, on the other hand, will need to dig deep and find a way to counter India's bowling attack.

Team India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, was left in stitches after witnessing Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja's hilarious imitation of Jasprit Bumrah's bowling action. The incident occurred during the pre-match warm-up routine before the second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.As the players gathered for their warm-ups, Kohli and Jadeja couldn't resist poking fun at their teammate's unique bowling style. They mimicked Bumrah's exaggerated run-up and unorthodox release, much to the amusement of Ten Doeschate. The former Netherlands batter was seen covering his face with a baseball glove as he struggled to contain his laughter.The light-hearted moment provided a brief respite from the serious business of the Test match. However, the day's play was cut short due to bad light and heavy rain. India, who had opted to bowl first, had reduced Bangladesh to 107-3 before the weather intervened.Mominul Haque (40*) and Mushfiqur Rahim (6*) were at the crease when the umpires called off play. The match could potentially be the last Test appearance for Bangladesh's legendary all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who recently announced his impending international retirement.Despite the rain delay, India remain in a strong position in the series. They lead 1-0 after winning the first Test in Chattogram by 188 runs. Akash Deep impressed with the ball, taking two early wickets to justify captain Rohit Sharma's decision to field first.The second Test is scheduled to resume on Saturday, weather permitting. India will be looking to seal the series victory, while Bangladesh will be desperate to level the scores.

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.