Cricket

India's Test Dominance Hinges on Ashwin and Jadeja, Says Kamran AkmalFormer Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has highlighted the pivotal roles played by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India's Test team, particularly on home soil. His comments come after India's emphatic 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai.Akmal emphasized the duo's match-winning partnership in the first innings, which turned the tide in India's favor. After the hosts found themselves struggling at 144/6, Ashwin and Jadeja combined for a crucial 199-run stand. Ashwin scored a brilliant 109, while Jadeja contributed with a valuable 86."What an all-round performance from Ashwin," Akmal said on his YouTube channel. "He took six wickets in the second innings and scored a century. It was a match-winning partnership from Jaddu. Without these two players, India can't form a Test playing XI at home. They are big performers."Ashwin's brilliance extended to the bowling department, where he claimed six wickets in Bangladesh's second innings. Jadeja provided excellent support, finishing with combined figures of 5/77 across both innings.Akmal also praised Shubman Gill's return to form, noting his unbeaten 119 in the second innings. "Shubman Gill showed his form. He is a remarkable player, and it is important for him to score runs," Akmal said.Another highlight of the match was Rishabh Pant's comeback to Test cricket. After recovering from a serious car accident in December 2022, Pant scored a gritty 109 in the second innings. Akmal commended Pant's resilience and the efforts of the medical team that facilitated his return."It was an incredible performance from Pant," Akmal said. "I salute the medical panel and the trainer who brought him back to the field."India's victory in Chennai has further solidified their dominance in Test cricket at home. With Ashwin and Jadeja leading the charge, the team looks well-equipped to continue their success in the upcoming matches against Bangladesh.

In the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai, India's swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a triumphant return to the longest format with a dazzling century in the second innings. Pant's aggressive 128-ball 109, coupled with Shubman Gill's unbeaten 119, propelled India to set a formidable target of 515 for Bangladesh in the fourth innings.Pant's innings was a testament to his attacking prowess. After a cautious start, he gradually settled in and unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes. His audacious strokeplay left the Bangladesh bowlers reeling, as he dominated the Chepauk pitch.In a post-match interview, Pant revealed that India's skipper Rohit Sharma had given the batters an hour to bat at the lunch break on Day 3. This directive inspired Pant to aim for a score of 150 or more.Following Pant and Gill's batting masterclass, India's spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja wreaked havoc in the fourth innings. Ashwin claimed a six-wicket haul, while Jadeja bagged three wickets, as Bangladesh succumbed to 234 all out.Ashwin's all-round performance, including a century in the first innings, earned him the Player of the Match award. India's comprehensive victory by 280 runs gave them a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Ravindra Jadeja, India's seasoned all-rounder, is poised to achieve a significant milestone at his home ground, Chepauk, in the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh. With 296 Test wickets to his name, Jadeja is just four scalps away from becoming the third Indian spinner to reach the 300-wicket mark.In the first innings of the series opener, Jadeja claimed two wickets, further bolstering his impressive Test record. He also made a valuable contribution with the bat, scoring a solid 86 in a crucial 199-run partnership with centurion Ravichandran Ashwin.Jadeja's dismissal by Taskin Ahmed prevented him from reaching a century, but he remained upbeat about his performance. "I got out today, but it's part and parcel of the game," he said. "Now we have to put up a good score on the board in the second innings. I am very happy with my bowling, the way I went through today. It's a good opportunity to take the 300th wicket on this ground."India are in a commanding position, having extended their overall lead to 308 runs. The hosts were 81 for three at stumps after dismissing Bangladesh for 149 in their first innings. India had made 376 in their first innings.Jadeja, who has extensive experience playing at Chepauk due to his long tenure with Chennai Super Kings, emphasized the importance of batting well in the second innings. "First we have to bat very well, we have to put somewhere around 120-150 from hereon," he said. "We'll be in a good position and then we'll come out and bowl and try and get them out as early as possible."A record 17 wickets fell in a day at Chepauk, indicating that the pitch offered something for both pacers and spinners. "It's pretty good for batting but there's still something in the wicket for the fast bowlers," Jadeja observed. "Odd ball was seaming, odd ball was swinging, it's not that easy for batters. If fast bowlers bend their back, they can take something out of the wicket."Jadeja also praised his partnership with Ashwin, who scored a brilliant 113 at his home ground. "First of all, Ashwin doesn't need any advice," he said. "I was just talking to Ash that we are not gonna miscall or try and make errors because the wicket was so good and we both were batting very well.""I said we'll look to take easy singles, I'll try and not make you run hard and that was the conversation between us. Well played to Ashwin, he played a brilliant knock at his home ground."Jadeja concluded by highlighting the potential for all five Indian bowlers to make an impact in the second innings. "There's something in the wicket for the fast bowler and for spinners also, odd spin and odd ball is keeping low," he said. "All the five bowlers will be in play."

India's dominance in world cricket across all formats over the past five years has been widely recognized by legendary players. One of the key factors attributed to this success is the emergence of quality fast bowlers, a traditional weakness for India.Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja praised India's all-round strength, highlighting their ability to recover from adversity. On the first day of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh, India was reduced to 34 for 3 and then 144 for 6, but they rallied to post a competitive 376."India has become a great team," said Raja. "They don't lose when they play at home."Ravichandran Ashwin's attacking century and his 199-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (86) played a crucial role in India's recovery. Ashwin's century and Jadeja's 80s helped India score at a brisk pace and put pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers.Raja also praised the five-wicket haul of young pacer Hasan Mahmud, but noted that Bangladesh needs an all-round bowling strength to challenge teams like India.After being bowled out on the second morning, India took control with the ball. Jasprit Bumrah struck in the first over to remove Shadman Islam, and Akash Deep took two wickets off consecutive deliveries to reduce Bangladesh to 26 for 3 at lunch.India's dominance is a testament to their depth and quality in all departments. The emergence of fast bowlers has added a new dimension to their game, making them a formidable force in world cricket.

Riding on Ravichandran Ashwin's century and his 199-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, India posted a competitive 376 on the second day of the opening Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram.Resuming the day at 339/6, India lost four wickets for the addition of just 37 runs. Jadeja (86) was the first to fall, caught by Das off Taskin Ahmed. Ashwin added 11 runs to his overnight score of 102 before he was dismissed by Taskin for 113. The Bangladesh pacer grabbed three wickets (3/55) -- Jadeja, Ashwin, and Akash Deep.Pacer Hasan Mahmud emerged as the most successful Bangladesh bowler, snaring five wickets for 83 runs. His victims included Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah.India's innings was anchored by Ashwin's 113, his fifth Test century. He shared a crucial 199-run partnership with Jadeja, who fell just 14 runs short of his century.Bangladesh's bowlers toiled hard on a flat pitch, but they were unable to contain India's batsmen for long periods. The hosts will need to bat well in their first innings to stay in the contest.

Bangladesh's promising start in the first Test against India in Chennai has been overshadowed by a potential penalty for failing to bowl the required number of overs on the opening day.The visitors had India reeling at 34 for 3 and later 144 for 6, but a remarkable partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin (102*) and Ravindra Jadeja (86*) rescued the hosts. India ended the day at 339 for 6, leaving Bangladesh in a precarious position.However, Bangladesh's troubles extend beyond the scoreboard. Despite being granted a half-hour extension in bowling, they fell 10 overs short of the target. This violation could result in a penalty from the International Cricket Council (ICC).This potential sanction adds to Bangladesh's woes, as they were recently docked three World Test Championship points and fined 15% of their match fee for being three overs short in their first Test against Pakistan.On Day 1 against India, Bangladesh managed to bowl only 80 overs, falling short in all three sessions. Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle expressed his disapproval on social media, stating that it was "unacceptable" for Bangladesh to bowl less than 80 overs despite the extra time granted.According to ICC regulations, a team loses one World Test Championship point for each Penalty Over incurred during the Round Stage. Bangladesh's failure to meet the over quota could therefore cost them valuable points in their quest for a place in the final.The situation highlights the importance of teams adhering to the ICC's playing conditions. Bangladesh will need to address this issue promptly to avoid further penalties and maintain their chances of success in the World Test Championship.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier Test bowler, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming only the second player to achieve the remarkable feat of amassing 1000 runs and claiming 100 wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC).Ashwin's extraordinary accomplishment came during the opening day of the first Test match between India and Bangladesh in Chennai on Thursday. He joined his compatriot Ravindra Jadeja in the exclusive club, who had achieved the same milestone earlier this year against England.In the history of the WTC, only 11 bowlers have managed to take more than 100 wickets. However, among these elite bowlers, only Jadeja and Ashwin have also managed to score 1000 runs, showcasing their all-round abilities.Ashwin is now on the cusp of surpassing Australian spinner Nathan Lyon as the leading wicket-taker in the WTC. With just 14 wickets separating him from Lyon's tally of 187, Ashwin has the opportunity to etch his name in the record books during the upcoming matches against Bangladesh.Furthermore, Ashwin is also on the verge of another remarkable feat. If he manages to secure at least one five-wicket haul during the series, he will stand alone as the first player to achieve this milestone 11 times in WTC history.In addition to his bowling exploits, Ashwin also notched up his sixth Test hundred, finishing the day on 102 not out. India concluded the day's play at 339/6, with Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja forging an unbroken partnership.The duo put on an impressive 195 runs off just 227 deliveries, with Jadeja contributing a valuable 86 runs and remaining not out alongside Ashwin at the close of play.Ashwin's all-round performance has been instrumental in India's dominance in the WTC. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a formidable opponent and a valuable asset to the Indian team.

The Indian cricket team has long been divided over the question of who is the fittest player in the squad. While Ravindra Jadeja has been praised by experts worldwide, Virat Kohli has consistently impressed over the years and remains a fan favorite. However, India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's recent answer to this question has sparked a heated debate on social media.When asked to name the fittest cricketer in India, Bumrah acknowledged that Kohli is the expected choice but boldly put forward his own name. He explained that he always tries to promote fast bowlers in such situations.Bumrah's response has ignited a fierce war of words among fans. Some have criticized him for arrogance, pointing to his injury history and lack of success in major ICC tournaments. Others have defended Bumrah, praising his confidence and determination to stand up for himself.Meanwhile, India's fast bowler Akash Deep has heaped praise on Bumrah, describing him as "uniquely crafted by God." Deep, who recently made his Test debut, admitted that it is difficult to emulate Bumrah's actions due to their complexity.Deep also revealed that he draws inspiration from various bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, but emphasized that he does not focus on following any one bowler too closely.The debate over Bumrah's fitness claims has highlighted the importance of physical conditioning in modern cricket. Fast bowlers, in particular, face immense physical demands, and their ability to maintain peak fitness is crucial for their success.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have emerged as two of the most formidable spinners in Indian cricket history. Their partnership has been instrumental in India's success on numerous occasions, with both players ranking among the top wicket-takers for the national team.While Ashwin and Jadeja often bowl in tandem in home conditions, Jadeja is typically preferred over Ashwin in overseas Tests. In a recent interview, Ashwin addressed this dynamic, stating that he does not harbor any jealousy towards his teammate."You are talking about jealousy," Ashwin said. "It's not Jadeja's fault that I'm not playing. I don't have the kind of jealousy where I would wish to keep him out just to play myself."Ashwin went on to lavish praise on Jadeja, calling him the "most talented cricketer" he has ever seen. "Jadeja is the most talented cricketer I've seen; everything about him is natural," Ashwin said. "Over the years, our relationship has improved as we've learned to understand each other's differences."Ashwin emphasized the importance of clear communication with players who are not in the playing XI to avoid misunderstandings. "It's crucial to handle players who are not playing with clarity and reassurance," he said. "If someone is replaced, it's not about fault but about opportunity and team dynamics."Ashwin also stressed the need for internal inspiration rather than external comparisons. "The focus should be on internal inspiration rather than external comparisons," he said. "We need to overcome the conditioning that leads to jealousy."Ashwin's comments highlight the importance of camaraderie and mutual respect within a team environment. By acknowledging Jadeja's talent and downplaying any perceived rivalry, Ashwin demonstrates a mature and professional approach to the game.