Cricket

India's wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is renowned for his animated and enthusiastic presence behind the stumps. During the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Pant once again displayed his humorous side with a hilarious piece of advice for spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.As Bangladesh batter Mominul Haque repeatedly attempted to sweep Ashwin's deliveries, Pant suggested an unconventional strategy to trap him leg-before-wicket (LBW). "Helmet se ek LBW le sakta hai bhai (You can get him out LBW with his helmet)," Pant quipped to Ashwin from behind the stumps.Mominul's diminutive stature, standing at just 5'3", meant that his low sweeping technique brought his head close to the line of the stumps. Pant's spontaneous advice prompted Ashwin to consider the possibility of dismissing Mominul by hitting his helmet.Despite Pant's suggestion, Mominul remained unyielding, surviving the onslaught of Indian bowlers and eventually scoring a magnificent 13th Test century, his first on Indian soil. He remained unbeaten on 107 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 233.On the other hand, Ashwin claimed the wickets of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan, finishing with figures of 2/45 in 15 overs.India's response to Bangladesh's total was equally impressive. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Rohit Sharma provided a flying start, guiding India to the fastest-ever team fifty in Test cricket history. Rohit and Jaiswal reached the milestone in just three overs.While Rohit departed soon after, Jaiswal continued the momentum alongside Shubman Gill. India reached the 100-run mark in 10.1 overs, also the fastest to that score in Test history, surpassing their own record set in 2023 against West Indies.

India tightened their grip on the rain-hit second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur on Monday, reducing the visitors to 26 for two in their second innings. Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice to leave Bangladesh trailing by 26 runs with two days remaining.Earlier, India declared their first innings at 285 for nine, setting Bangladesh a target of 312. Yashasvi Jaiswal (71 off 52) and KL Rahul (68 off 43) played aggressive knocks to propel India to a commanding position. Virat Kohli also contributed with a fluent 47 off 35 balls.Bangladesh's veteran left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared eight wickets between them to restrict India's free-flowing batting. Shakib claimed four wickets for 78 runs, while Miraz picked up four for 41.In response, Bangladesh were bundled out for 233 in their first innings. India's bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj (3/30) and Umesh Yadav (3/53), shared the spoils.With Ashwin's early strikes in Bangladesh's second innings, India are now in a dominant position. The visitors need to bat out of their skins to save the match, while India will be looking to wrap up the victory and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the two-match series.

Australia's success in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy hinges on their ability to neutralize the formidable Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, according to all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. India has emerged victorious in their last two tours of Australia, becoming the only Asian nation to conquer the Aussies in a Test series on their home turf.Maxwell, who has not featured in Australia's Test team since 2017, believes that Ashwin and Jadeja have consistently played a pivotal role in India's triumphs. "Over a long period of time, those two have always been the ones we've faced consistently, and the battles we've had with them have often dictated the outcome of the game," Maxwell said.The Ashwin-Jadeja combination has amassed an astonishing 821 wickets in 330 innings, including 50 five-wicket hauls. Maxwell emphasized that Australia must nullify their impact to improve their chances of success. "If we play well against those two, we'll generally find ourselves in a better position compared to when they've had a field day and run through us," he said.Maxwell also lauded the development of Jasprit Bumrah, who has emerged as a world-class bowler across all formats. "To see him evolve from a young, untapped talent to what he is now—the probably best bowler across all three formats—is a pretty amazing story," Maxwell remarked.

Australia's success in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy hinges on their ability to neutralize India's formidable spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, according to all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.India has won the last two Test series in Australia, becoming the only Asian nation to achieve this feat. Maxwell believes that Ashwin and Jadeja have played a pivotal role in India's dominance, often dictating the outcome of matches."Over a long period of time, having played against guys like Ashwin and Jadeja, those two seem to have always been the ones we've faced consistently, and the battles we've had with them have often dictated the outcome of the game," Maxwell said.Maxwell, who no longer plays Test cricket for Australia, emphasized the importance of nullifying the Indian spinners. The Ashwin-Jadeja combination has taken a staggering 821 wickets in 330 innings, including 50 five-wicket hauls."If we play well against those two (Ashwin, Jadeja), we'll generally find ourselves in a better position compared to when they've had a field day and run through us," Maxwell added.Maxwell also praised India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for his remarkable transformation into an all-format bowler. He hailed Bumrah as the best in the business at the moment."And probably, more recently, Jasprit Bumrah. I was there in his first year of the IPL in 2013 at Mumbai and pretty much faced him every day in the nets," Maxwell said. "To see him evolve from a young, untapped talent to what he is now—the probably best bowler across all three formats—is a pretty amazing story."

India's bowlers made early inroads into Bangladesh's batting lineup on the rain-hit opening day of the second Test in Dhaka. Pacer Akash Deep impressed with his probing opening spell, while Ravichandran Ashwin removed the dangerous Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.Despite overcast conditions and a delayed start due to overnight rain, India's bowlers maintained a consistent line and length. Akash Deep, bowling round the wicket to the left-handers, consistently hit the good length areas and got the ball to either shape away or come in with the angle.Bangladesh's openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam, played cautiously against the initial bounce and seam movement. However, Akash Deep broke the partnership by inducing an edge from Hasan to Yashasvi Jaiswal. He soon sent back Shadman on a ball that came in and caught him in front of the wicket.Shanto, who has been in good rhythm, began with two shots to the fence but was trapped in front by Ashwin in the third over of the second session. The Bangladesh skipper reviewed the decision but to no avail.Seasoned Mominul Haque grew in confidence as he spent more time at the crease. He hit two boundaries off Akash in a single over and later hit an exquisite drive through mid-off. He raised Bangladesh's hundred with another four.Only nine overs were bowled in the second session when bad light stopped play even as the flood lights were on, forcing the players off the field. Light drizzle followed and soon it was pouring.With the weather forecast predicting further rain, it remains to be seen how much play will be possible on the remaining days of the Test match.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian spinner, has etched his name in the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the Indian bowler with the most Test wickets in Asia. During the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Ashwin claimed the wicket of Najmul Hossain Shanto, taking his tally to 420 wickets in Asia. This achievement saw him surpass the previous record held by Anil Kumble, who had 419 wickets in the continent.Ashwin's journey to this milestone has been marked by consistency and excellence. In 102 Test matches, he has amassed a staggering 523 wickets, with his performances in Asia standing out. By reaching 420 wickets, he joins an elite club of bowlers who have taken over 400 wickets in Asia.The legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most Test wickets in Asia, with an impressive 612 wickets out of his overall 800 wicket haul in the continent. Ashwin and Anil Kumble are the only other bowlers to have taken more than 400 wickets in Asia.Next on the list after Muralitharan, Ashwin, and Kumble is another Sri Lankan, Ranganath Herath, with 354 Test wickets in Asia. Following him is India's Harbhajan Singh, with 300 wickets in Asia to his name.Ashwin's milestone is a testament to his skill, longevity, and resilience in the sport. His ability to spin the ball prodigiously and extract turn from even the flattest of pitches has made him a formidable force in Test cricket. His success in Asia, where pitches often favor spinners, highlights his adaptability and mastery of the craft.This achievement is not only a personal triumph for Ashwin but also a proud moment for Indian cricket. It showcases the depth and talent of Indian spin bowling and reinforces India's dominance in the Test format, especially in Asian conditions.

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.

India's emphatic 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai has sparked discussions about Virat Kohli's recent form. Despite India's dominance, Kohli's scores of 6 and 17 in the two innings have raised concerns.However, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali believes Kohli will regain his form in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "Kohli will start performing against Australia," Ali said. "He likes the pacy wickets there. Big players often lose focus against weaker teams but excel against tougher opponents."Ali also expressed confidence in India's ability to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. "India won't let Australia win this year either," he said.Meanwhile, Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal has hailed the importance of Ravichandran Ashwin in the Indian team. "Ashwin is equally important as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma," Iqbal said. "We only talk about them when they perform well, but their contribution is immense."Ashwin's batting prowess was on display in the first Test, where he scored a crucial 58 in the second innings. His all-round performance has earned him praise from experts and fans alike.As India prepares for the New Zealand series and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli's form and Ashwin's continued brilliance will be key factors in their success.

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.