Cricket

Left-arm spinners have consistently posed a formidable challenge to the Indian cricket team, particularly in recent years. Here are some notable instances where these bowlers have wreaked havoc on Indian batters:Monty Panesar (England):In 2012, Panesar tormented India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After toiling for five wickets in the first innings, he found the pitch more conducive to his bowling in the second. He dismissed Sachin Tendulkar twice, once bowled and once lbw, and ripped through the rest of the Indian batting lineup to help England secure a famous 10-wicket victory.Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka):In 2015, Herath played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's stunning victory over India at Galle. After going wicketless in the first innings, he produced a mesmerizing spell of 7-48 in the second, dismissing India for just 112 and securing a memorable Independence Day triumph for the hosts.Steve O'Keefe (Australia):In 2017, O'Keefe played a key role in Australia's 333-run victory over India in Pune. He exploited the dry pitch conditions to great effect, taking 6-35 in both innings and bowling India out for a paltry 105 in the first innings.Ajaz Patel (New Zealand):In 2021, Patel became only the third cricketer in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings when he dismissed India for 119 in Mumbai. He followed up with another four wickets in the second innings, giving him a match haul of 14 wickets, the most by an overseas bowler in India.Tom Hartley (England):In 2024, Hartley made a sensational debut for England in Hyderabad. With India chasing a modest target of 231, Hartley exploited the crumbling pitch conditions to take 7-62 and bowl England to a famous 28-run victory.Matt Kuhnemann (Australia):In 2023, Kuhnemann made a significant impact in Australia's victory over India in Indore. Bowling on a bald, dry track, he took 5-16 in the first innings, restricting India to just 109 runs.These instances highlight the effectiveness of left-arm spinners against India, particularly on pitches that offer assistance to their bowling style. Their ability to generate turn and bounce has consistently troubled Indian batters, making them a formidable force in Test cricket.

Former Indian batsman Yusuf Pathan and English spinner Monty Panesar engaged in a lighthearted banter during a Legends League Cricket (LLC) match between Konark Suryas Odisha and Toyam Hyderabad. The two veterans, who once represented their respective nations at the highest level, found themselves on opposing sides in the LLC.As Yusuf struggled to score runs, Panesar, who is of Indian descent, was caught on camera teasing him about his slow batting pace. "Are you playing a Test match?" Panesar quipped, referring to the longer format of cricket where batsmen typically take more time to accumulate runs.Yusuf, known for his explosive batting style, was not amused by Panesar's comment. He retorted, "How many Test wickets do you have?" highlighting Panesar's relatively modest Test record compared to his own impressive achievements in limited-overs cricket.The exchange between the two legends added a touch of humor to the match. Yusuf, who has a reputation for being a big-hitter, has an ODI strike rate of 113 and a T20I strike rate of 146. He was part of India's victorious squads in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.Panesar, on the other hand, enjoyed a successful Test career for England. The left-arm off-spinner played 50 Tests, claiming 167 wickets. One of his most memorable performances came in India in 2012, where he took 17 wickets in three Tests as England defeated India 2-1.Despite the banter, Konark Suryas Odisha failed to post a competitive total, scoring only 100 runs in 20 overs. Toyam Hyderabad chased down the target with 10 balls to spare, thanks to a half-century from Gurkeerat Singh Mann. Panesar finished with figures of 1/13 in 4 overs.The friendly rivalry between Yusuf and Panesar showcased the camaraderie and competitive spirit that exists among former international cricketers. Their banter added an entertaining element to the LLC match, reminding fans of the lighter side of the sport.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has sparked controversy by suggesting that legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin would have been forced to retire if he were an England player. Panesar's comments come amidst a debate over the treatment of veteran players by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).Panesar, who played 50 Tests for England, believes that Ashwin, 38, would not have been overlooked in favor of younger players if he were English. He pointed to the recent retirement of James Anderson, who called it quits at the age of 41. Many experts believe that Anderson was forced to retire due to his age."They experiment more. If Ashwin was English right now, then they would have told him to retire because they want to bring youngsters who have the potential to play. But I think England experiments more, and they like to experiment," Panesar told ANI.Panesar's comments echo those of former England coach David Lloyd, who blasted the ECB for "forcing out" Anderson. Lloyd wrote in his column that Anderson was "forced out because of his age."Panesar also expressed his belief that Australian spin maestro Nathan Lyon is a better bowler than Ashwin. "I think I see Nathan Lyon in my opinion. Yes, he is a better bowler. But I think Ashwin is a better bowler in India. I think he thinks like a batter when he bowls," Panesar said.Panesar's comments have sparked a debate about the treatment of veteran players in cricket. Some believe that teams should be more willing to retain experienced players, while others argue that it is important to give younger players a chance to develop.

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has abruptly ended his brief foray into politics, withdrawing his candidacy for George Galloway's Workers Party of Great Britain just one week after being unveiled. The 42-year-old spinner's decision came after a series of challenging media interviews, including one where he struggled to articulate his views on the UK's NATO membership.Panesar, who made history as the first practicing Sikh to represent England in 2006, had expressed lofty ambitions of becoming Prime Minister and representing the working class. However, his political inexperience and lack of clarity on key issues became evident during his media appearances.In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Panesar acknowledged his need for further political education and time to find his political home. He expressed his gratitude to the Workers Party but emphasized his desire to mature and develop his political understanding before re-entering the political arena.Panesar's withdrawal highlights the challenges faced by individuals with limited political experience who seek to enter the political fray. It also raises questions about the vetting process employed by political parties in selecting candidates.Despite his brief political stint, Panesar remains a respected figure in the world of cricket. His achievements on the field, including his role in England's historic Ashes victory in 2005, have cemented his legacy as one of the most successful spinners in English cricket history.

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has announced his intention to run as a parliamentary candidate for George Galloway's Workers Party in the upcoming general election. Panesar, a renowned left-arm spinner, will contest the Ealing Southall constituency, which has been a Labour stronghold for over a decade.Panesar, who was born in Luton, played 50 Tests for England, claiming 167 wickets at an average of 34.71. His impressive cricketing career included notable performances in the 2005 Ashes series and the 2009 ICC World Twenty20.The Ealing Southall constituency has been represented by Labour MP Vivendra Sharma since 2007. Sharma currently holds a substantial majority of over 16,000 votes. However, Galloway's Workers Party is hoping to make inroads into the constituency, particularly given Panesar's local connections and popularity.Galloway, who returned to Parliament in March after winning the Rochdale by-election, confirmed Panesar's candidacy at a press event outside the Houses of Parliament. He praised Panesar's cricketing achievements and expressed confidence in his ability to represent the people of Ealing Southall."Monty was a great left-arm spinner, and we could do with him in Parliament," Galloway said. "He's a man of the people, and he'll fight for the interests of his constituents."Panesar's decision to enter politics has been met with mixed reactions. Some have questioned his qualifications for public office, while others have welcomed his involvement in the political process. Regardless of one's political views, Panesar's candidacy is sure to add an intriguing dimension to the upcoming general election.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, is set to reach a significant milestone in his illustrious career as he prepares for his 100th Test match in the upcoming fifth and final Test against England at the picturesque HPCA stadium in Himachal's Dharamshala. This momentous occasion will also mark Ashwin's 500th wicket in the red-ball format, a testament to his exceptional skill and longevity in the game.Throughout his decade-long career, Ashwin has established himself as a master of spin bowling, earning the admiration of experts and fans alike. His unique carrom ball, delivered with a flick of his fingers from a front-on action, has become a formidable weapon in his bowling arsenal, leaving even the world's best batters bewildered.Ashwin's repertoire extends beyond the carrom ball, encompassing a wide range of variations, including the slider, arm ball, and topspin. By subtly altering his wrist position, he keeps batsmen guessing, making him a prolific wicket-taker across all formats, particularly in Tests.Former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar has hailed Ashwin as the "engineer of spin bowling," praising his ability to adapt and reinvent himself throughout his career. "Ashwin has been absolutely brilliant," Panesar said. "He's been working out angles and engineering his way to dismissals. He's brilliant at changing the revolutions on the ball and enriching the art of spin bowling."Since his debut against England in 2012, Ashwin has enjoyed remarkable success, contributing significantly to India's victories. In 21 Tests against England, he has claimed 105 wickets at an average of 28.88, with 12/167 being his best effort to date. In the ongoing five-match series, the veteran spinner has claimed 17 wickets in four matches at an average of 30.41.As India holds an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, Ashwin will be eager to add to his tally and surpass English spinner Tom Hartley's 20 wickets in the series. The Dharamshala Test will provide Ashwin with the perfect opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the greatest spinners of all time.