Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, is poised to make history as he prepares to bowl on home soil in the upcoming five-Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. With 100 Tests under his belt and the distinction of being the world's No. 1 Test bowler, Ashwin is eager to showcase his skills on spin-friendly Indian wickets.Ashwin's return to his home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, for the first Test against Bangladesh on September 19 holds special significance. He is on the cusp of several records, including becoming India's highest wicket-taker in international matches played in India. With 455 wickets in 126 matches across formats, he trails only Anil Kumble's tally of 476.In the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Ashwin is poised to surpass Nathan Lyon as the leading wicket-taker. With 174 wickets in 35 Tests, he is just 13 behind Lyon's 187. Ashwin also holds the record for most five-wicket hauls in WTC matches, with 10 in 34 games.Another milestone within reach for Ashwin is becoming India's leading wicket-taker in Tests against Bangladesh. Currently, Zaheer Khan holds the record with 31 wickets, while Ashwin has 23. With nine more wickets, he will surpass Zaheer's mark.Beyond the upcoming series, Ashwin has his sights set on India's tour of Australia later this year. The 37-year-old is likely to make his final appearance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he will aim to continue his impressive record against the Aussies.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's star spinner, has heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, calling him a "once-in-a-generation" bowler. Bumrah is set to make his return to Team India for the first time since his impressive performance at the T20 World Cup. The 30-year-old has been named in India's Test squad against Bangladesh, which will kick off in MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on September 19.Ashwin, speaking on Vimal Kumar's official YouTube channel, acknowledged that India has traditionally been a batsman-dominated country. However, he emphasized the importance of celebrating Bumrah's exceptional talent. "We should celebrate him even more," Ashwin said.The India spinner went on to state that Bumrah is currently the most valuable Indian cricketer. "He should be treated as a champion," Ashwin added.Bumrah has made a significant impact on Test cricket since his debut in 2018. In 36 Test appearances, he has claimed 159 wickets, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills.The second Test between India and Bangladesh will be held in Kanpur from September 27.

Australia's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy clash against India has sparked anticipation, with Aussie opener Usman Khawaja heaping praise on legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Khawaja lauded Ashwin's strategic brilliance and cricketing acumen, acknowledging his ability to stay a step ahead of the game.Ashwin's impressive record against Australia stands as a testament to his prowess. In 22 Test matches, he has claimed 114 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 2.70. His 39 wickets on Australian soil further highlight his dominance.Khawaja's admiration for Ashwin stems from the spinner's ability to anticipate the batsman's moves and set cunning traps. "He is very strategic, he always has a plan," Khawaja remarked. "He always tries to figure it out. He is trying to get ahead of the game, one step ahead of the game, which I respect."The upcoming Border-Gavaskar series promises to be a thrilling contest, with India holding a slight edge over Australia in recent encounters. India has won its last four series against Australia, including two victories Down Under. This has shifted the balance of power in the rivalry, with India now boasting 10 series wins to Australia's five.The series will commence on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. The second Test, scheduled for December 6-10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18, followed by the customary Boxing Day Test at Melbourne's storied Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7.

Indian cricket team spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's wife, Prithi Narayanan, expressed her excitement ahead of the team's home season opener against Bangladesh. The first Test match will be held at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai starting September 19.In anticipation of the match, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organized a pre-series camp for the cricketers at the same venue. Prithi took to Instagram to share a picture of Ashwin in India's training jersey, captioning it, "Chennai, Test match feelings are coming. Right?"The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team has commenced its preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. This will be India's first Test series under head coach Rahul Dravid and his new support staff, which includes former South Africa fast-bowler Morne Morkel as the new bowling coach.The BCCI shared pictures of the team huddle on its social media account, writing, "The countdown starts as #TeamIndia begin their preps for an exciting home season."Captain Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli, and other team members, including Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, and KL Rahul, arrived in Chennai on Thursday night.The Bangladesh team, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, is scheduled to arrive in Chennai on September 15, four days before the first Test. After the Chennai Test concludes on September 23, the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur will host the second Test from September 27 to October 1.Both Test matches are part of the ongoing 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle, where India currently leads the table with 68.52 percentage points, while Bangladesh is in fourth place with 45.83 percentage points.

Afghanistan's historic one-off Test against New Zealand in India has garnered much anticipation, particularly from Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin has highlighted the potential of two young Afghan batters, Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah, who have impressed in domestic cricket.Ashwin believes that Hassan and Shah could emulate the impact of former Indian stars Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, who played a pivotal role in India's Test resurgence in the early 2000s. He noted that both Hassan and Shah possess promising first-class averages exceeding 55."This one-off Test will be fun to watch," Ashwin wrote on social media. "Afghanistan produces insane talent, but they need solidity in their batting department. I'm excited to see what Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah have to offer."Afghanistan's batting lineup has been a concern, with Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah being the only consistent performers. Hassan and Shah's inclusion could provide the stability and depth that the team needs.Ahead of the Test, Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah expressed confidence in his team's chances. "We have past experience of playing in India, so we have an edge," Shah said. "We will try to give New Zealand a tough time."New Zealand, the inaugural World Test Championship champions, will be a formidable opponent. However, Afghanistan's familiarity with Indian conditions could give them an advantage.The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand will be a significant milestone for Afghan cricket. It will provide a platform for Hassan and Shah to showcase their talent and potentially inspire a new generation of Afghan Test cricketers.

Pakistan's cricket woes have come under scrutiny following Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's comments on the team's decline. Ashwin expressed surprise at Pakistan's struggles, prompting a sarcastic response from former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad.Shehzad mocked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its handling of the national team and infrastructure projects. He questioned Ashwin's surprise, sarcastically suggesting that everything was fine in Pakistan cricket."Can't you see that stadiums are being built over here? Continuous digging is being done. Don't be surprised at all," Shehzad said, targeting the PCB's infrastructure projects.He also criticized the PCB's efforts to organize tournaments like the Champions One-Day Cup, suggesting that it would not solve the team's problems."Are you not seeing that Pakistan is organizing a cup? Just wait and watch the number of players who come out of this tournament. How we get a battery of fast bowlers and produce players. Are you not seeing this? Why are you surprised, Ravi?" Shehzad said.Shehzad did not hold back in his critique, downplaying the team's failure to qualify for the Super 8 round of the 2024 T20 World Cup and acknowledging issues within the squad."So what if we couldn't qualify for the Super 8 round of the 2024 T20 World Cup? So what if there is groupism in our team? So what if the current players in the team are not performing? It's not a big issue, Ravi, so please don't worry," he said.Ashwin's comments echoed the sentiments of many who are surprised by Pakistan's recent decline. He recalled how difficult it was to beat Pakistan in the past with players like Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, and Yasir Shah."All these guys, to where they are right now, I cannot believe it," Ashwin said.Shehzad's comments and Ashwin's observations paint a troubled picture of Pakistan cricket, highlighting the stark contrast between the team's former glory and its current challenges.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's legendary spinner, is gearing up for an intense schedule of 10 Test matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia over the next five months. As he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, Ashwin, who has played 100 Tests and claimed 516 wickets, shared his experiences and insights gained under the leadership of three iconic Indian captains: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.MS Dhoni: Stability and TrustAshwin praised Dhoni's ability to provide stability and long-term opportunities to players. He cited the example of Ravindra Jadeja, whom Dhoni groomed into a successful finisher. "Dhoni backed someone after identifying their potential and provided stability," Ashwin said. "I really like that about MS."Virat Kohli: Inspiration and LeadershipAshwin described Kohli as an inspiring leader who sets an example through his own actions. "About Virat, he inspires," Ashwin said. "He leads from the front. What he expects from the team, he shows it by doing it himself."Rohit Sharma: Tactical Acumen and Player SupportAshwin highlighted Rohit Sharma's focus on tactics and his unwavering support for his players. "He keeps the team environment very light and makes an effort to do that," Ashwin said. "He is very balanced and tactically strong. He puts more focus on tactics. He backs his players 100 percent."Ashwin's insights provide valuable lessons for aspiring cricketers and shed light on the leadership styles of three of India's most successful captains. As he prepares for the upcoming Test matches, Ashwin's experience and wisdom will be invaluable to the Indian team.

Nathan Lyon Praises Ravichandran Ashwin Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyAustralian spinner Nathan Lyon has heaped praise on his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin as the two prepare to face off in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Lyon hailed Ashwin as a "master of the craft," acknowledging his exceptional skills and expertise in the art of spin bowling.The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series is set to commence on November 22, with the opening Test match taking place in Perth. This series will witness a thrilling clash between two cricketing giants, India and Australia.In an interview with Star Sports, Lyon expressed his admiration for Ashwin and his eagerness to compete against the best. "I know Ashwin, and we debuted around similar times, and we have competed against each other in a number of series now, and between me and Ashwin, I have got nothing but respect for him," Lyon said."I feel like I love watching him bowl, he is an absolute master in the craft of off-spin bowling, and it has been an absolute privilege to play against him and learn from him. Pretty exciting, it is obviously a massive summer for us out here, so we cannot wait to have the Indian guys out here," he added.The second Test, set for December 6 to 10 at the Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format under the stadium lights. Following that, attention will shift to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, scheduled from December 14 to 18.The iconic Boxing Day Test will take place from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the penultimate stage of the series. The fifth and final Test, from January 3 to 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, promises a dramatic conclusion to the contest.In 27 Tests against India, Nathan Lyon has claimed 121 wickets at an average of 31.56, with best bowling figures of 8/50. He has also recorded nine five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls in matches against India.

India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has extended his support to Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood amidst the team's recent struggles. Pakistan suffered a historic 2-0 series sweep against Bangladesh, marking the first time they have lost a Test series to their neighbors.Ashwin acknowledged the challenges facing Masood, particularly with the absence of star batter Babar Azam from the leadership group. "Handling a Pakistan team at this point, where somebody like Babar Azam is not the captain and he's the poster boy of Pakistan, it cannot be an easy dressing room," Ashwin said.Despite the criticism directed at Masood, Ashwin believes he possesses the qualities of a capable captain. "Shan Masood is a very smart cricketer. I know that guy. He speaks a lot of sense. He can be a really good captain for Pakistan," Ashwin stated.Ashwin also commended Bangladesh's impressive performance in the series. "Bangladesh have come a long way. I don't take anything away from them. They have got a lot of experience in Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, and they have also got some good young talent," he said.Meanwhile, Ashwin has been rested for the ongoing Duleep Trophy alongside other top Indian players. He is expected to return to action later this month when Bangladesh tours India for a two-match Test series.