Cricket

The Indian cricket team's home dominance was shattered in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as they were humbled by a humiliating 10-wicket defeat. The Rohit Sharma-led side was dismissed for a paltry 46 in the first innings, their lowest Test score at home. New Zealand responded with a commanding 402, putting India on the back foot.Despite valiant efforts from Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, India managed to surpass New Zealand's total. However, a lower-order collapse left them with a meager target of 107 runs. Surprisingly, Ravichandran Ashwin, the most prolific wicket-taker among active cricketers, was introduced late into the attack.Former India opener Aakash Chopra expressed astonishment at the decision. "We didn't get Ashwin to bowl at all. I'm not saying we would have won if he had bowled, but we didn't even give him a chance," Chopra said. "That was surprising and inexplicable."Chopra questioned the logic behind using Ashwin as the fifth bowling option. "You can understand Bumrah's long spell because he took both wickets. But Siraj was bowling well with the new ball. You could have brought in Jadeja or Ashwin earlier," he said."The match was over. There was no life left in it. You called Ashwin to bowl when only 15 or 20 runs were left. It would have been better not to bowl him at all," Chopra added. "This question should have been asked in the post-match press conference - 'Rohit bhai, what did you do?' India definitely missed a trick, and it's beyond my understanding why Ashwin wasn't bowled."

Ashwin's Masterclass: Off-spinner Delivers Crucial Wicket in India vs. New Zealand TestOn the second day of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, star Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his brilliance with a stunning delivery that dismissed well-set opener Devon Conway.Captain Rohit Sharma's astute decision to bring Ashwin back for his second spell proved fruitful as the veteran spinner delivered a tossed-up delivery from around the stumps. Conway, who had been batting aggressively, attempted a premeditated reverse-sweep but missed the ball entirely, resulting in a clean bowled dismissal.The dismissal was initially referred to the third umpire to determine whether wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel's gloves were in front of the stumps at the point of delivery. After careful examination, the third umpire ruled that Jurel's gloves were within the permitted boundaries, upholding the original decision of out.Ashwin's breakthrough came at a crucial juncture, halting Conway's progress and shifting the momentum in India's favor. The dismissal highlighted Ashwin's exceptional skill and experience, reinforcing his status as a pivotal player in India's bowling attack.Known for his ability to outfox top-order batsmen, Ashwin's dismissal of Conway showcased his class and guile. The off-spinner's ability to vary his pace, trajectory, and spin makes him a formidable opponent for even the most accomplished batsmen.With Conway's dismissal, India gained a significant advantage in the match. The off-spinner's crucial wicket has put the Indian team in a strong position to take control of the Test and secure a vital victory in the series opener.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian spinner, has sparked a debate by suggesting a bold retention strategy for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Ashwin believes that CSK should retain MS Dhoni as a capped player rather than an uncapped player, as allowed by the IPL Governing Council's recent rule change.Ashwin's proposal stems from his belief that CSK should prioritize retaining a strong Indian core. He suggests retaining Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, and Dhoni as the five primary retentions. This would leave CSK with the option of retaining Sameer Rizvi as an uncapped player, a move that Ashwin supports despite Rizvi's underwhelming performance in IPL 2024.Ashwin argues that Rizvi has shown promise in the UP T20 League and could be a valuable asset for CSK. He also points out that Rizvi's price would not be significantly higher than other similar players in the market. However, former South Africa performance analyst Prasanna Raman disagrees with Ashwin's assessment of Rizvi's value.The IPL Governing Council's decision to allow Indian players who have not played internationally for five or more years to be retained as uncapped players has given CSK a route to retain Dhoni for just Rs 4 crore. However, Ashwin believes that retaining Dhoni as a capped player would allow CSK to retain a stronger Indian core.Ashwin's perspective could have significant implications for CSK's retention strategy. By retaining Dhoni as a capped player, CSK would have more flexibility in retaining other Indian players. This could help them build a more balanced and competitive team for the upcoming IPL seasons.

Pakistan's Test captain Babar Azam's omission from the second Test against England has sparked a debate about his form and comparisons with India's Virat Kohli. Azam's last half-century in the format came in December 2022, and his average in his last 17 Test innings is a meager 20.70.On Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel, the former India spinner weighed in on the discussion. "Definitely, if he is given a chance, he will score runs. If there is class, that's okay. I feel we should end this debate once and for all," Ashwin said.However, Ashwin drew a clear distinction between Azam and Kohli. "First of all, across the border, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli shouldn't be mentioned in the same line," he asserted. "I am very sorry, I really rate Babar Azam as an outstanding player, but Virat Kohli's credentials are something else. Across terrains, across times, across pressure situations, the kind of heists he has done, no one has done that in world cricket."Ashwin's comments highlight the immense respect he holds for Kohli's achievements. Kohli has amassed over 25,000 international runs across all formats, including 71 centuries. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.Pakistan's Test struggles have extended beyond Azam's form. They have not won a Test at home since 2022, losing six out of ten matches and drawing four. In the first Test against England, they became the first team to lose a Test match by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in the first innings.Ahead of the second Test, Pakistan made the surprising decision to drop Azam, along with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Azam's scores of 30 and five in the first Test were not enough to save his place in the team.Pakistan will be desperate to end their winless streak in the second Test. However, they will face a formidable England side that is brimming with confidence after their dominant performance in the first match.

Test cricket, the epitome of the sport, stands as a testament to the true essence of the game. Despite the surge in popularity of limited-overs formats like ODIs and T20s, Test cricket remains the format that embodies the complete spectrum of cricket.In India, Test cricket holds a profound significance, deeply rooted in history and culture. Even amidst the rise of shorter formats, especially with the advent of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Test cricket continues to be a cornerstone of Indian cricket.As Team India prepares for a three-match Test series against New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released a video showcasing the team's practice session. The video features a voiceover by Ravichandran Ashwin, who eloquently articulates the significance of Test cricket."Test cricket is constantly about adaptability," Ashwin says. "You can't start Day 5 like how you start Day 1. Every day you need to be able to adapt along with the conditions. That's why they say Test cricket is the pinnacle of this particular sport!"The video concludes with a headshot of a Team India helmet and the caption, "WE ARE BACK!"New Zealand's first tour of India was in 1955-56, and their most recent tour was in 2021-22. However, the Kiwis have yet to secure a Test series victory in India.The second and third Tests of the series will be held in Pune and Mumbai, commencing on October 24 and November 1, respectively.

New Zealand's top-order batter Rachin Ravindra has emphasized the significance of neutralizing the formidable spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in their upcoming Test series against India. Ashwin and Jadeja, with over 800 Test wickets between them, pose a significant threat to the Kiwi batting lineup.Ravindra acknowledged the consistency and skill of the Indian spinners, stating, "They've got consistent bowlers who bowl in an area for a long period of time. Ashwin and Jadeja are two very accomplished bowlers who can also bat, making them even more challenging."The 24-year-old batter drew upon his previous experiences playing in India, including the ODI World Cup and IPL, to bolster his confidence. "Although it is different formats, it gives you confidence that you can perform in this part of the world," he said.From a team perspective, Ravindra emphasized the importance of focusing on their own game plan rather than being preoccupied with India's approach. "We know what a quality side they are, but I think if we're able to play our game and be consistent, hopefully, that will result in a win," he added.Despite their recent 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka and the washout against Afghanistan, Ravindra expressed confidence in the team's ability to learn from those experiences. "We did some really good stuff during the Sri Lankan series, but we came on the wrong side of the win and loss column," he said.Ravindra highlighted the need for the team to maintain their focus and intensity throughout the match. "We've got to understand that we've got to do it (fighting) for long periods of time because that's what Test match cricket is about," he said.The Kiwi batter emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions in India, which are similar to those in Sri Lanka in terms of spin. "We have learnt a lot. So, it's about, you know, seeing how we can play our game and how we can bring that here to India," he concluded.

Pakistan Cricket's Leadership Crisis: Ashwin Expresses ConcernRavichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian cricketer, has voiced his concerns over the current state of Pakistan cricket, which has been plagued by leadership instability and poor performance.Following Pakistan's disappointing exit from the 2023 World Cup, Babar Azam resigned as captain, triggering a series of leadership changes. Shaheen Afridi briefly took over the T20I captaincy before Babar was reinstated, only to step down again.Ashwin likened the situation to a game of "musical chairs," highlighting the detrimental impact of frequent captaincy changes on team morale and cohesion. "I am speaking the truth when I say that the current state of Pakistan cricket and the phase they are going through makes me feel a little sorry," Ashwin said.He emphasized that despite Pakistan's abundance of talented players, the instability has shifted the focus from team success to individual performance. "Every cricketer will be so unstable inside the dressing room that he will start thinking about himself and will think less about the team," Ashwin added.Ashwin also pointed to Pakistan's poor recent record, particularly in Test cricket, where they have not won a home Test match in nearly three years. "In the 2023 World Cup, they lost, and then Babar resigned. Then Afridi was made captain, but Babar was reinstated for limited overs, and Shan Masood was made the Test captain. And look at the situation now – Pakistan hasn't won a Test match at home for more than 3 years," he stated.Ashwin's remarks echo the concerns of many cricket experts who believe that Pakistan's ongoing leadership issues and lack of stability are hindering their international performance. The team's inability to find a consistent and effective leadership structure has created an environment of uncertainty and instability, which is affecting the players' confidence and focus.

Cricket's allure often stems from the thrill of a powerful stroke or the precision of a lightning-fast delivery. While these moments ignite our passion, they overshadow the versatility of players who excel in both batting and bowling. These rare individuals, known as all-rounders, are the epitome of cricketing prowess.In the annals of cricket, all-rounders have left an indelible mark. From the legendary Kapil Dev to the enigmatic Imran Khan, these players have captivated audiences with their ability to dominate the game from both ends. In contemporary cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have emerged as India's formidable all-rounders.Ashwin and Jadeja's recent performances in the Test series against Bangladesh showcased their exceptional skills. Ashwin amassed 114 runs, averaging 57, while Jadeja contributed 94 runs at an average of 47. Their 199-run seventh-wicket partnership in the first innings effectively sealed Bangladesh's fate.Beyond their batting prowess, Ashwin and Jadeja are renowned for their spin bowling. Ashwin claimed 11 wickets in the series, while Jadeja scalped nine. This double whammy, coupled with the pace of Jasprit Bumrah, proved insurmountable for the Bangladeshi batsmen.The value of all-rounders extends beyond their individual contributions. They provide teams with flexibility and depth, allowing them to adapt to different conditions and strategies. In India's case, Ashwin, Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant offer multiple insurance policies, mitigating the risk of batting or bowling collapses.However, India's quest for a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder remains unfulfilled. Despite the emergence of promising candidates like Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, and Stuart Binny, none have consistently matched the standards set by Kapil Dev.The absence of a seam-bowling all-rounder is particularly felt in overseas conditions, where the new ball plays a crucial role. In England, Australia, and New Zealand, batting collapses are common, and it is here that all-rounders can stem the rot and provide much-needed stability.The search for India's next great fast-bowling all-rounder continues, but for now, Ashwin and Jadeja remain the backbone of the team's all-round capabilities. Their ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes them invaluable assets, ensuring India's dominance in the world of cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin's stellar performance in the recently concluded India-Bangladesh Test series has sparked a debate about his status as an all-rounder. Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja believes that the 38-year-old Indian spinner deserves more recognition for his all-round abilities.In the two-match series, Ashwin emerged as the highest wicket-taker alongside Jasprit Bumrah, claiming 11 wickets. With the bat, he scored 114 runs at an impressive strike rate of 83.21. His contributions earned him the 'Player of the Series' award.Raja praised Ashwin's performance, particularly his century in the first innings of the Chennai Test. He also highlighted Ashwin's ability to perform consistently without making a fuss."Ashwin is no less than anyone else," Raja said. "He scores centuries and takes wickets at every opportunity, but he doesn't show too much pride or make any drama."Raja believes that India is the strongest team to beat on their home soil. He noted that Bangladesh lacked the capacity to challenge the Indian team, which won the series comfortably.