Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's prolific spinner, has etched his name in the annals of Test cricket history by equaling the record for most 'Player of the Series' awards. His stellar performance in the recently concluded Test series against Bangladesh earned him his 11th such accolade, drawing him level with Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan.However, a recent revelation by the Indian Express has shed light on an administrative oversight that could have seen Ashwin break the record even earlier. During India's tour of the West Indies in 2023, Ashwin's exceptional performance with both bat and ball went unrecognized when the 'Player of the Series' award was inexplicably omitted.India emerged victorious in the two-match Test series, with Ashwin emerging as the standout performer. His tally of 15 wickets placed him among the frontrunners for the award. However, at the conclusion of the second Test, the award was conspicuously absent.Had Ashwin received the award in the West Indies, he would have equaled Muralitharan's record at that time. The subsequent award against Bangladesh would have then seen him claim the world record.The Indian Express reached out to Cricket West Indies (CWI) for an explanation, but the organization claimed that the award was the responsibility of an Indian agency. However, the agency in question stated that they were only responsible for the commercial aspects of the series, while the 'Man of the Series' award fell under CWI's purview.Despite the administrative error, Ashwin remains on the cusp of history. He will have the opportunity to claim the world record when India takes on New Zealand in a three-match Test series starting October 16. The Indian team will also travel to Australia later in the year for a five-match Test series, and Ashwin's current form suggests that he will be a key member of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has etched his name further into the annals of cricket history by equaling the record for most Player of the Series awards in Test cricket. Ashwin's stellar performance in the recently concluded Test series against Bangladesh earned him the prestigious accolade, bringing his tally to 11, matching the legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.Ashwin's dominance in the series was evident from the outset. In the first Test in Chennai, he played a crucial role with both bat and ball. His magnificent century in the first innings rescued India from a precarious position, while his six wickets in the second innings helped seal a comprehensive victory.In the second Test in Kanpur, Ashwin continued his impressive form, claiming five wickets in the match. His ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitch proved too much for the Bangladeshi batsmen. Ashwin's consistent performances throughout the series earned him the Player of the Series award, a testament to his exceptional skills and match-winning contributions.Ashwin's achievement is a testament to his longevity and consistency at the highest level. He has been a key figure in India's Test success in recent years, playing a pivotal role in numerous victories. His ability to adapt to different conditions and outsmart opposing batsmen has made him one of the most respected bowlers in the world.Equaling Muralitharan's record is a significant milestone in Ashwin's illustrious career. Muralitharan, widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time, held the record for most Player of the Series awards for over a decade. Ashwin's achievement places him among the elite spinners in the history of the game.As India looks ahead to the upcoming World Test Championship final, Ashwin's experience and skill will be invaluable. His ability to control the game with his spin bowling will be crucial in India's quest for their maiden WTC title.

Legendary Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has expressed deep concern about the future of Test cricket, citing the dwindling viewership and the shift towards shorter formats. Muralitharan, who holds the record for the most wickets taken by any bowler in Test history with 800, believes that his record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon due to the lack of consistency among modern-day bowlers.Muralitharan's concerns stem from the fact that cricketers nowadays prioritize shorter formats such as T20s and ODIs, which offer instant gratification and financial rewards. This focus on short-form cricket has led to a decline in the development of bowlers who can maintain the stamina and consistency required to succeed in Test cricket."It's very hard (for someone to surpass 800 Test wickets), because emphasis has shifted to short-form cricket," Muralitharan said. "Also, we played for 20 years. Careers are shorter now."The closest bowlers to Muralitharan's record are Australian spinner Nathan Lyon (530 wickets) and Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (516). However, both Lyon and Ashwin are in their late 30s and are unlikely to reach Muralitharan's total before they retire.Muralitharan also pointed out that the lack of experience among young bowlers is a major factor contributing to the decline of Test cricket. "Consistency is the problem," he said. "It's not about how good they are, because they all are talented. The only thing is how can they become experienced? Nowadays, it's difficult. There are too many tournaments and things in their heads."Muralitharan's concerns are echoed by many cricket experts who believe that the future of Test cricket is uncertain. The decline in viewership and the lack of young bowlers with the necessary skills and experience are major challenges that need to be addressed if Test cricket is to survive.

Muttiah Muralitharan's Doppelgänger Dances to 'Tauba Tauba,' Impressing Social MediaA viral video has taken social media by storm, featuring a dancer who bears an uncanny resemblance to legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. The dancer, identified as choreographer Kiran, grooves to the popular song "Tauba Tauba" from the Bollywood film "Bad News."The video has garnered widespread attention, with many users initially believing it was Muralitharan himself showcasing his hidden dance skills. However, Kiran's impressive dance moves and the video's execution have earned him praise and admiration.Meanwhile, on the cricket field, India emerged victorious in the third T20I against Sri Lanka, thanks to the combined efforts of Rinku Singh, Suryakumar Yadav, and Washington Sunder.Chasing a modest target of 138, Sri Lanka got off to a strong start with openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis putting on a 58-run partnership. However, spinner Ravi Bishnoi broke the stand, and Kusal Perera joined Mendis to form another solid partnership of 52 runs.With Sri Lanka needing 28 runs off 28 balls, Rinku Singh struck twice, including dismissing Perera in the penultimate over. In a surprising move, Suryakumar Yadav came on to defend six runs in the final over and restricted Sri Lanka to 137/8, tying the match.The game went into a Super Over, where Washington Sundar dismissed both Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka to limit Sri Lanka to 2/2. In reply, Suryakumar hit a boundary off the first ball of Maheesh Theekshana's Super Over, securing India's victory.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has etched his name in cricketing history by equaling Muttiah Muralitharan's record for the most wickets in a player's 100th Test match. Ashwin's stellar performance in the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala saw him claim nine wickets, achieving the milestone with the dismissal of Ben Foakes on Day 3.Ashwin's remarkable outing commenced in the first innings of the Test, where he displayed his bowling prowess by capturing four crucial wickets, restricting England to a modest total of 218. Despite facing disappointment with the bat, Ashwin quickly shifted gears with the ball as India took the field on the third day.Making an immediate impact, Ashwin struck in his very first over, dismissing Ben Duckett for just two runs with a sublime delivery that shattered the stumps. He continued his dominance by claiming the wicket of Zak Crawley shortly after. In a display of skill and guile, Ashwin outsmarted Ollie Pope with a cleverly bowled short delivery, catching the batsman off guard as he attempted a sweep shot.A pivotal moment arrived just before lunch when Ashwin removed English captain Ben Stokes, delivering a deceptive slider that breached Stokes' defenses and crashed into the stumps. With this feat, Ashwin surpassed Indian legends Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev, who were tied for the most wickets by an Indian in their 100th Test.Minutes into the second session, Ashwin achieved his 36th five-wicket haul by dismissing Ben Foakes, further cementing his place in cricketing history. Ashwin's milestone also marked him as the second Indian player to claim a fifer in their 100th Test, following in the footsteps of Anil Kumble. Interestingly, Ashwin surpassed Kumble for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian in Test history, showcasing his unparalleled impact in the longest format of the game.With his exceptional performance, Ashwin not only etched his name alongside legends but also reaffirmed his status as one of India's premier spin bowlers of all time. His ability to control the pace and trajectory of the ball, combined with his astute understanding of the game, makes him a formidable opponent for any batting lineup.