Cricket

Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concerns about India's chase of around 150 runs on a Wankhede wicket that has been behaving differently at both ends. New Zealand ended the second day of the second Test with an overall lead of 143, which former India captain Anil Kumble believes is a challenging target given the nature of the pitch.Ashwin acknowledged that the track is not a typical Mumbai surface, with low bounce and a slower pace. "Expected a lot more bounce. It has been quite slow which is a surprise. It's not a typical Bombay pitch, much slower," he said.To counter the unusual conditions, Ashwin employed the carrom ball, a delivery bowled with a flick of two fingers that turns the other way round. This variation proved effective, as it dismissed Glenn Phillips, who failed to read Ashwin's hand."The game itself is divided into two halves. The one from the pavilion end and from the other end, it's slightly behaving differently. It's slightly flatter from the one where we are bowling from the dressing room side, the bounce is much lesser. So I thought I will try and use it the other way," Ashwin explained.Ashwin also showcased his fielding prowess with a brilliant catch running 19 meters sideways to pouch in-form Daryl Mitchell. "For all the flak you've given me overs the years, I don't think I've dropped many. I have got great hands and I trusted it," he said.Despite the challenging conditions, Ashwin remains confident in India's ability to chase down the target. "Any runs saved in this innings is going to be much more critical. It's not going to be easy, we'll have to bat really well," he said.

Ravichandran Ashwin's fielding brilliance was on full display on Day 2 of the third and final India-New Zealand Test in Mumbai, as he pulled off a stunning sideways running catch to dismiss the dangerous Daryl Mitchell.Mitchell, who had been a thorn in India's side throughout the series, came down the track to loft Ravindra Jadeja, but couldn't get to the pitch of the ball as it came off the bottom part of the bat. Positioned at mid-off, Ashwin had to cover considerable ground as Mitchell lofted the ball high, aiming for a boundary.Sprinting at full tilt, Ashwin, who kept his eyes locked on the ball, ran back from mid-off, turned sideways to stay side-on and finally extended his hands to complete a stunning diving catch. The crowd erupted as he rose, clutching the ball triumphantly. It was a display of athleticism and commitment, and Mitchell, left in disbelief, had to walk back to the pavilion.The wicket was very crucial for India as it broke a crucial 50-run fourth-wicket partnership between Mitchell and Will Young after NZ lost three early wickets at the score of 44 in their second essay.Ashwin's catch was not only a highlight of the day's play but also a testament to his all-round abilities. The off-spinner has been one of India's most consistent performers in recent years, and his fielding has only improved with time.Mitchell's dismissal was a major setback for New Zealand, who were looking to build a solid foundation in their second innings. The Black Caps had lost three early wickets, including that of captain Kane Williamson, and were in danger of being bowled out cheaply.However, Young and Mitchell had steadied the ship with a solid partnership, and New Zealand were starting to look comfortable. Ashwin's catch, however, put a halt to their progress and gave India the upper hand in the match.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, made history on day two of the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai by batting at number 10 for the first time in his illustrious Test career.Throughout his career, Ashwin has primarily batted at number 8, where he has amassed 1977 runs in 83 innings at an average of 26.01, with four centuries and seven half-centuries to his name. He has also found considerable success at number 6, where he has accumulated 531 runs at an average of 35.40, including two Test centuries.Prior to this innings, Ashwin's lowest batting position was number 9, where he had featured in 20 innings. The only previous instance of Ashwin batting at number 10 in international cricket occurred in a T20I against England in 2011.Ashwin's innings at number 10 was brief, as he edged an Ajaz Patel delivery to Daryl Mitchell at slip while attempting a defensive stroke, departing for six runs off 13 balls. However, his appearance at this position marked a significant milestone in his career.Across his 105 Test matches, Ashwin has compiled 3466 runs at an average of 26.06, including six centuries and fourteen half-centuries. His batting prowess has often been overshadowed by his exceptional bowling skills, but he has consistently contributed with the bat, providing valuable runs for the Indian team.Ashwin's batting at number 10 is a testament to his versatility and adaptability. It also highlights the depth of India's batting lineup, which allows them to experiment with different batting orders depending on the match situation.

In the third Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former Australia captain Tim Paine engaged in a verbal altercation with Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Paine's sledging stemmed from his frustration with Ashwin's consistent dismissals of him.Despite India's eventual 2-1 series victory, Paine's comments have sparked controversy. In a recent podcast, Paine defended his actions, stating that he was not targeting the Indian team as a whole but rather Ashwin specifically."I wasn't talking to the Indians, I was talking to him," Paine said. "I said we cannot wait to get you to the Gabba...because he was annoying us, fair to say."Ashwin responded to Paine's sledging in kind, saying: "Just like we wanna get you to India. That will be your last series."Paine acknowledged that his comments were directed solely at Ashwin, who ultimately withdrew from the fourth Test due to a back spasm. However, Paine questioned the severity of Ashwin's injury, noting that he had been seen jogging laps on the first day of the Test."Did I had a great game in that match? No, but I fronted up," Paine said. "Actually day one of the Test match he (Ashwin) was jogging laps. Those back spasms couldn't have been that bad."Paine's sledging has reignited the debate over the role of verbal aggression in cricket. While some argue that it can be a legitimate tactic to unsettle opponents, others believe it crosses the line of sportsmanship.Regardless of one's stance on sledging, it is clear that Paine's comments have added an extra layer of intrigue to the already intense rivalry between Australia and India.

India's Test dominance at home came to an abrupt end as New Zealand scripted history by defeating the hosts by 113 runs in the second Test in Pune, securing their first-ever series win on Indian soil. The loss marked India's first home Test series defeat since 2012, snapping an 18-series winning streak.Skipper Rohit Sharma, while acknowledging the disappointment, defended the performance of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who have been under scrutiny for their recent form. Rohit emphasized that the team's success or failure should not be solely attributed to two players."There's too much expectation on those two guys. Every game they play, they are expected to take wickets, run through the (opposition) team and win Test matches for us. I don't think that is fair. It's the responsibility of all of us to make sure that we get the Test wins, not just the two guys," Rohit said.He added that both Ashwin and Jadeja are allowed to have off days. "I'm not going to look into too much, especially with those two guys. They know exactly what happens and sometimes they are allowed to have some bad games here and there and not go by that expectation that 'okay, this is the opportunity for me to take wickets and run through the opposition'. That's not going to happen every time," he explained.In the Pune Test, Ashwin claimed five wickets and scored 22 runs, while Jadeja picked up three wickets and contributed 80 runs with the bat. However, their performances were overshadowed by New Zealand's impressive bowling attack, led by Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in the match.India's batting also faltered, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal managing to score a half-century in the second innings. The hosts were bowled out for 245, handing New Zealand a comfortable victory.The series loss is a significant setback for India, who had been unbeaten in home Test series since 2012. It also raises questions about the team's ability to maintain their dominance in the longest format of the game.

India's qualification for the World Test Championship final in June 2023 is uncertain, and even if they qualify, it would be surprising if skipper Rohit Sharma remains available for the next two-year WTC cycle. The same applies to Ravichandran Ashwin, who will be 41 by then. Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli, two exceptionally fit players, will be 39.The recent Test series defeat at home against New Zealand has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of some senior players. Former India coach Ravi Shastri expressed concern, stating that New Zealand's dominance in both Tests is a cause for reflection. He emphasized that it's early days for head coach Gautam Gambhir, but he will need to learn quickly.India faces a challenging transition as four world-class match-winners are expected to retire in the next few years. While there are options in batting, finding quality bowlers may be a struggle. Mohammed Shami, despite his return, is nearing the end of his illustrious career, and Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, while decent bowlers, lack the impact of Shami when paired with Bumrah.The next generation of bowlers is also a concern. Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed are quick, but consistency and fitness have been issues. Navdeep Saini's pace has declined, and Umran Malik has lost his way. Mukesh Kumar, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Vidwath Kaverappa lack the pace to unsettle batters.Bumrah and Shami are exceptional talents, and unless someone like Mayank Yadav becomes consistently available, India's bowling cupboard is bare. Seam bowling all-rounders are also a concern unless Hardik Pandya, now 30, changes his mind. Nitish Reddy is a work in progress, but his inclusion is due to a lack of alternatives.In batting, Yashasvi Jaiswal has established himself as an opener, and three candidates are vying for the other slot once Rohit retires: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and B Sai Sudharsan. Easwaran has the most prolific record, but concerns remain about his temperament in big games. Gaikwad is a talented white-ball cricketer, but his limited first-class experience may be a concern.Sudharsan, on the other hand, has a solid technique, temperament, and appetite for big runs. He can bat as an opener or at number three. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a half-century on Test debut, is an exciting option for Kohli's slot.Rishabh Pant remains the undisputed keeper-batter, while Sarfaraz Khan has impressed in his first five Tests. Axar Patel is a valuable bowler on under-prepared surfaces but may struggle on surfaces that offer less assistance. Washington Sundar could be the single spin-all-rounder in the post-Ashwin-Jadeja era.

The second Test match between India and New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune witnessed an intriguing first day, marked by a spirited comeback from the Indian bowlers and a resilient batting performance from the Kiwis.After New Zealand opted to bat first, openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway provided a cautious start. However, the introduction of spin proved pivotal as Ravichandran Ashwin struck in his first over, dismissing Latham for 15. Will Young joined Conway, but their partnership was cut short when Young edged one to Rishabh Pant, giving Ashwin his second scalp.Conway, however, remained unfazed and continued to attack the Indian bowling. He reached his second half-century of the series in 109 balls, with six fours. Rachin Ravindra, who joined Conway at the crease, also played with confidence and brought up his fourth fifty in 93 balls.The 62-run partnership between Conway and Ravindra was broken by Ashwin, who got Conway for 76 in 141 balls. Daryl Mitchell joined Ravindra, and the duo continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers. Ravindra reached his half-century in 93 balls, with three fours and a six.Washington Sundar provided another breakthrough for India, dismissing Ravindra for 65 in 105 balls. Tom Blundell was then removed by Sundar for three, leaving New Zealand at 201/5 heading into tea break.The Indian bowlers, led by Ashwin and Sundar, showed great resilience to mount a comeback after a difficult period against Conway and Ravindra. The crowd at the MCA Stadium played their part, urging Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to give Virat Kohli a bowl.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has etched his name in the record books by becoming the leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). During the second Test against New Zealand at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Ashwin took two crucial wickets in the morning session, surpassing Australia's Nathan Lyon to claim the top spot.Ashwin dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham for 15 and Will Young for 18, helping India restrict New Zealand to 92/2 at lunch on Day 1. These dismissals brought Ashwin's tally to 188 wickets in 39 WTC matches, placing him ahead of Lyon, who has 187 wickets from 43 matches.Ashwin's remarkable achievement underscores his importance in India's bowling attack, as the team looks to bounce back in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand and secure a spot in the WTC final. The off-spinner has been a key figure in India's bowling lineup throughout the WTC, consistently delivering match-winning performances.With his latest milestone, Ashwin has further cemented his status as one of the world's leading bowlers in the longest format of the game. His ability to extract turn and bounce from any surface, combined with his exceptional control and variations, makes him a formidable opponent for any batting lineup.Ashwin's success in the WTC is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the sport. He has consistently performed at the highest level, showcasing his class and skill on the international stage.As India continues its quest for WTC glory, Ashwin will undoubtedly play a pivotal role. His experience, skill, and leadership will be invaluable as the team aims to secure a place in the final and challenge for the coveted trophy.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, delivered a crucial early breakthrough for the hosts in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Ashwin dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham in his fifth delivery, setting the tone for India's bowling attack.Bowling with his customary precision, Ashwin pitched the ball on leg stump, inducing a sharp turn after landing. Latham attempted to defend the ball into the leg side but was caught plumb in front of the stumps. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger for the lbw decision.Latham, who had scored 15 runs off 22 balls with two boundaries, opted not to review the decision, marking the first wicket of the day. This dismissal highlighted Ashwin's ongoing dominance against Latham. In their previous encounters, Ashwin has dismissed Latham nine times in 11 innings, maintaining a remarkable average of 14.22.Ashwin continued his brilliant spell by dismissing Will Young, caught behind by Rishabh Pant, further tightening India's grip on the match. With this wicket, Ashwin not only gave India their second breakthrough but also became the leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) history.New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the stage for a challenging morning session for their batsmen. With Ashwin leading the charge, India looked to build on this early success and apply pressure on the New Zealand batting lineup.Ashwin's early wickets were a testament to his exceptional skills and experience on Indian pitches. His ability to generate sharp turn and deceive batsmen with his variations makes him a formidable force in home conditions.India will be hoping that Ashwin can continue his impressive form throughout the match and help them secure a crucial victory in the second Test. With the series level at 0-0, both teams will be eager to gain an advantage in the race for the World Test Championship final.