Cricket

The Eden Gardens Test of 2001 between India and Australia remains etched in the annals of cricket history as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian team. While the match is primarily remembered for the heroics of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, the bowling performance of Sachin Tendulkar played a pivotal role in India's historic victory.Australia, riding high on a record-breaking 16-match winning streak, seemed invincible. After enforcing the follow-on, they appeared to be cruising towards another triumph. However, Laxman and Dravid forged a monumental partnership, setting the stage for a thrilling final day.With Australia chasing a daunting target of 384, India needed quick wickets to seize the initiative. Captain Sourav Ganguly turned to Tendulkar, a part-time bowler known for his occasional breakthroughs.Tendulkar, justifying Ganguly's faith, delivered a remarkable spell. He dismissed the dangerous Adam Gilchrist for a duck, trapping him leg before wicket as he attempted a sweep. The in-form Matthew Hayden, another major threat, also fell victim to Tendulkar's leg-spin, going leg before wicket while attempting the same shot.Tendulkar's most significant scalp was that of legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne. With a cunning googly, he trapped Warne plumb in front of the wicket, giving Australia a taste of their own medicine.Tendulkar's bowling figures in the second innings were an impressive 3 wickets for 31 runs in 11 overs. His performance was instrumental in turning the tide in India's favor.India eventually bowled out Australia for 212, winning the match by 171 runs. This victory, considered one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history, marked only the third time a team had won after following on.Tendulkar's contribution with the ball, alongside the monumental batting performances of Laxman and Dravid, played a crucial role in breaking Australia's unbeaten streak and changing the momentum of the series, which India eventually won 2-1.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian spinner, has been a consistent performer in both bowling and batting. During the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Ashwin scored his sixth century in the format, equaling MS Dhoni's tally. At 38, Ashwin is nearing the end of his illustrious career, and his wife Prithi's recent remarks have given him pause."My wife told me that when she watched the Duleep Trophy highlights, she noticed all the off-spinners bowling," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. "She asked me when I would leave the team to give others a chance."Ashwin's words reflect the reality that younger players are emerging and eager to make their mark. The competition for places in the Indian team is intense, and even established stars like Ashwin must constantly prove their worth.Meanwhile, Ashwin has also commented on the contrasting coaching styles of Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir. Dravid, who led India to the T20 World Cup triumph, was known for his "regimented" approach, while Gambhir is more relaxed."With Rahul bhai, everything had to be in order," Ashwin said. "Even a bottle had to be kept in a specific place at a specific time."In contrast, Gambhir is more laid-back and creates a lively atmosphere in the dressing room. "He's like a 'relaxed Rancho,'" Ashwin said, referring to the character from the Bollywood film "3 Idiots."Gambhir's approach has been well-received by the players, who appreciate his relaxed demeanor. He has also guided India to victory in his first Test assignment against Bangladesh.As Ashwin approaches the twilight of his career, he faces the challenge of adapting to the changing landscape of Indian cricket. The emergence of young talent and the contrasting coaching styles of Dravid and Gambhir will undoubtedly shape his final years in the game.

Gautam Gambhir's maiden Test coaching stint with the Indian cricket team has commenced, following Rahul Dravid's successful guidance to the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. As the team embarks on a lengthy Test season, Gambhir faces the challenge of continuing the team's success.Ravichandran Ashwin, a pivotal figure in India's Test aspirations, has shed light on the contrasting coaching styles of Gambhir and Dravid. "Gambhir is very relaxed," Ashwin said. "He's like, 'Are you coming?' Rahul Bhai, on the other hand, is more regimented. He wants everything in order."Ashwin also expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic crowd support during the first Test against Bangladesh. He hailed the pitch as one of the best he has played on in India, urging curators to create similar surfaces for Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy matches."The crowd was passionate," Ashwin said. "The pitch was awesome. I hope Tamil Nadu plays Ranji Trophy on such pitches. It was an outstanding Test match wicket."Ashwin recalled a conversation with former curator Pacha, who predicted the pitch would favor fast bowlers initially before becoming conducive to spin. "But like he said, the first day, there was bounce," Ashwin concluded.As India prepares for upcoming Test series against New Zealand and Australia, Ashwin's insights into the team's coaching dynamics and the importance of pitch quality provide valuable context for the challenges ahead.

Rajasthan Royals have appointed former India batting coach Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach, reuniting him with Rahul Dravid at the franchise. Rathour, a former India opener and selector, played a key role in India's Men's T20 World Cup victory in June this year.Rathour's appointment marks a significant move for the Royals, who are looking to strengthen their batting lineup. During his tenure as India's batting coach from 2019 to 2024, Rathour played a pivotal role in the development of several young batters, including Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul."It's a privilege to be part of the Royals family," said Rathour. "The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting. I look forward to contributing to the team's vision and working toward our goal of developing top-class players for the Royals and for India."Dravid, the Royals' head coach, expressed his delight at Rathour's appointment. "Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals," said Dravid. "Together, we've built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I'm thrilled to reunite with him."Rathour's appointment is expected to bolster the Royals' batting unit, which has struggled for consistency in recent seasons. The franchise will be hoping that Rathour's experience and expertise can help them develop a more formidable batting lineup and challenge for the IPL title.

Rahul Dravid Backs Gautam Gambhir as India's New Head CoachFormer India head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed his confidence in Gautam Gambhir, who has taken over the reins of the national team. Dravid, who guided India to the T20 World Cup title in June, believes Gambhir's experience as a player and coach will serve him well in his new role."He (Gambhir) has got a lot of experience, as a player also he has played a lot, he obviously coached quite a bit. I am sure he will be great," said Dravid at the launch event of 'Roombr,' a 'Digital Classroom' provider.Gambhir, a former opening batsman for India, commenced his coaching stint by leading the team on their tour of Sri Lanka in July and August. Under his guidance, the Indian team will embark on a busy Test season, starting with two matches against Bangladesh, followed by a series of three matches against New Zealand. The team will then travel to Australia for a five-match Test series.Dravid, who coached India to the final of both the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship, believes that Gambhir will bring his own unique experiences and knowledge to the team."In any situation everyone brings his own experience and knowledge to the table. I am sure the team will benefit from everything that Gautam brings to them with his team," he added.The Indian team, now led by Gambhir, will be looking to build on the success achieved under Dravid's tenure. With a challenging Test season ahead, Gambhir will have the opportunity to prove his mettle as a coach and guide India to further glory.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the coaching style of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Speaking ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Sharma acknowledged the differences between Gambhir's approach and that of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid."Obviously, Rahul bhai, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey were a different team," Sharma said. "It is only acceptable that the new support staff will bring a different perspective."Despite the change in leadership, Sharma emphasized the importance of a good understanding between the captain and coach. "New coaching staff has a different style, but there is no problem," he said. "Good understanding is important, and I have that with Gambhir."Gambhir took over as head coach after Dravid's tenure ended following the T20 World Cup in June. The Chennai Test, beginning on September 19, will be India's first red-ball game under Gambhir's guidance.Sharma expressed optimism about the team's preparations for the series. "We have had a good camp in Bangalore," he said. "We have worked on our skills and strategies, and we are confident of putting up a good performance in Chennai."The Indian captain also praised the Bangladesh team, saying they have improved significantly in recent years. "Bangladesh is a very good team," Sharma said. "They have some quality players, and they will be a tough challenge for us."India will be looking to extend their dominance over Bangladesh in Test cricket. The two teams have met 12 times in the longest format, with India winning 10 matches and Bangladesh winning only one.

The Multan Declaration: A Moment of Tension Between Dravid and TendulkarIn 2004, during the first Test of India's historic series against Pakistan in Multan, an unforgettable incident occurred that left a lasting impact on the relationship between two cricketing legends: Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.With India's score at 675/5, Dravid, standing in as captain for the injured Sourav Ganguly, made the surprising decision to declare the innings, leaving Tendulkar stranded on 194 not out. The decision was based on strategic reasons, as Dravid believed it would give India the best chance to capitalize on the deteriorating pitch and the tired opposition.However, the declaration left Tendulkar visibly unhappy. Former India opener Aakash Chopra, who was part of that match, recalled the atmosphere in the dressing room after the call was made. "Paaji wasn't happy that day," Chopra said. "I think I saw him unhappy for the first time. I never saw him lose temper, and he didn't exactly lose temper that day but he was visibly unhappy. Something wasn't right."Chopra also suggested that the decision to declare the innings may have been made by the team management, and not solely by Dravid. "Rahul did call, but Dada (Ganguly) was part of the dressing room that day too," said Chopra. "He wasn't playing in that game, but he was in dressing room and I'm sure he was part of the think-tank. It wasn't the captain's decision alone."Dravid later admitted that he would not have declared had he known the match would end within four days. However, Chopra believes that Dravid's decision was made with the best intentions. "With Rahul, it is possible that in heat of the moment, you agree or disagree," said Chopra. "But you don't doubt his decision. You know that even if he was at a similar position, he would've taken the same decision."The Multan Declaration remains a significant moment of tension between Dravid and Tendulkar in the minds of fans. It highlights the complexities of captaincy and the challenges of balancing individual aspirations with team goals.

The Multan Declaration: A Moment of Tension Between Dravid and TendulkarIn 2004, during the historic Test series between India and Pakistan in Multan, an incident occurred that etched itself into the memories of cricket fans worldwide. Rahul Dravid, leading the Indian team in the absence of Sourav Ganguly, made a controversial decision to declare the innings with Sachin Tendulkar stranded on 194 not out.Tendulkar, who was batting brilliantly, was approaching his double century after Virender Sehwag's blistering 309 had made him India's first Test triple-centurion. However, with India's score at 675/5, Dravid made the surprising call to declare, leaving Tendulkar just six runs short of a milestone.Dravid's decision was based on strategic reasons. He believed that putting Pakistan in to bat at that moment would give India the best chance to capitalize on the deteriorating pitch and the tired opposition. However, the timing of the declaration shocked many, including Tendulkar, who appeared visibly disappointed as he walked off the field.The incident drew mixed reactions. Some criticized Dravid for denying Tendulkar the opportunity to reach a personal milestone, while others supported the decision, emphasizing that it was made with the team's best interest in mind.Despite the controversy, India went on to win the match by an innings and 52 runs, marking their first-ever Test victory on Pakistani soil. Though the episode briefly created tension between Dravid and Tendulkar, both players moved on, with Tendulkar later acknowledging that while he was momentarily upset, he understood Dravid's decision was aimed at securing a win for the team.The Multan Declaration remains a talking point in cricket circles, highlighting the delicate balance between individual achievements and team success. It also serves as a reminder of the complexities of captaincy and the difficult decisions that leaders must make in the heat of the moment.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as the Indian cricket team head coach culminated in a triumphant note as India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024 under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. Dravid's instrumental role in shaping the team's success served as a fitting redemption after the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia.Post his tenure, Dravid's name was associated with several Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, with speculations of him taking on a head coach or mentor role. However, the suspense ended with the announcement of his appointment as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, a team he had been associated with from 2011 to 2015 as captain and mentor.According to Cricbuzz, Dravid's decision to return to Rajasthan Royals was driven by his deep connection with the franchise. Despite receiving lucrative offers from other teams, Dravid reportedly "turned down offers from high-profile franchises, even those virtually willing to hand him blank cheques."Dravid's affinity for Rajasthan Royals dates back to 2011, when he was a marquee player with a base price of USD 400,000. It was widely anticipated that he would return to Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he had spent three seasons. However, RCB's failure to bid for him left him at risk of going unsold.In a dramatic turn of events, Rajasthan Royals made a late bid of USD 500,000 to acquire Dravid's services. This marked the beginning of a strong relationship that saw Dravid captain the team for the next three seasons and serve as mentor from 2014 to 2015.Dravid's return to Rajasthan Royals is a testament to his loyalty and the deep bond he shares with the franchise. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team as they aim to replicate their past success in the upcoming IPL seasons.