Cricket

India vs Bangladesh: Rishabh Pant's Heated Exchange with Litton Das After Hasan Mahmud's Triple StrikeThe opening day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai witnessed a heated exchange between wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Litton Das, following a throw that irked the Indian star.After Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud rocked the Indian top order with a three-wicket burst, Pant, making his Test comeback after a serious car accident, found himself at the receiving end of a throw that annoyed him. The stump microphone captured the words exchanged between the two players."Mere ko kyu maar rahe ho?" (Why are you hitting me?) Pant was heard telling Das, to which the Bangladesh stumper replied: "Woh to fekega hi na." (He will throw it, won't he?)Mahmud's early strikes had reduced India to 34 for 3, but Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched an unbroken partnership of 54 runs to take their team to lunch at 88 for 3. However, Mahmud returned after lunch to break the fourth-wicket stand, dismissing Pant for 39.The track, prepared with red soil and underlying moisture, assisted Mahmud's pace bowling, and he made the most of it by dismissing Rohit Sharma (6), Virat Kohli (6), and Shubman Gill (0) before sending Pant back to the pavilion.Both India and Bangladesh opted for a bowling combination of three pacers and two spinners, hoping to exploit the overcast conditions.

India's Test cricket campaign resumed with a practice session in Chennai ahead of the first match against Bangladesh. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, aims to reach the World Test Championship final for the third consecutive time.Star batter Virat Kohli, who was seen having fun with Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant during the warm-up, is back in action after a brief break. Pant, who returned to Test cricket following a car accident, has been in impressive form since his comeback.Gautam Gambhir, India's new coach, is overseeing his first Test series. Key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja have returned to the squad.India has opted for a three-pacer, two-spinner bowling attack, with Bumrah leading the pace attack. Ashwin and Jadeja form the spin duo.Bangladesh, currently ranked fourth in the World Test Championship table, has also chosen a three-pacer combination. All-rounders Shakib al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz will handle the spin duties.The second Test between Bangladesh and India is scheduled for September 27 in Kanpur, followed by a series of three Twenty20 matches.

Rishabh Pant's return to Test cricket after a two-year hiatus is a testament to his resilience and determination. The wicketkeeper-batsman, who last played a Test match against Bangladesh in 2022, is set to make his comeback in the upcoming India-Bangladesh Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Pant's journey back to the cricket field has been remarkable. In December 2022, he survived a horrific car accident that left him with multiple injuries. Despite the adversity, he has worked tirelessly to regain his fitness and form.In the interim, Dhruv Jurel has shown promise as a wicketkeeper-batsman, particularly during the home series against England. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has emphasized the importance of Pant's presence in the team."We all know how destructive he can be (as a batter) and what he can do in Test cricket. Obviously, it gives him the freedom to go out there and express himself. He has got runs everywhere around the world," Gambhir said in the pre-match press meet.Pant recently proved his readiness for Test cricket by performing well in the Duleep Trophy for India B. In that match, he scored a swift 61 off 47 balls and excelled as a wicketkeeper, taking seven catches.Assessing his wicketkeeping skills, Gambhir noted, "Not only with his batting, he has been excellent behind the stumps as well. Probably his batting overshadows his keeping many times."Ricky Ponting, who coached Pant at Delhi Capitals, praised his enthusiasm and competitive spirit. "He's an infectious character to have around the group. He loves his cricket. He's a winner. He doesn't just play to make a few runs and be out there for the fun of it," Ponting told Sky Sports.Pant's return to the Test arena is highly anticipated, and his performance will be closely watched as India take on Bangladesh. The wicketkeeper-batsman will be eager to prove that he is still one of the most destructive batsmen in the world and that he can be a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Suresh Raina Backs Shubman Gill as India's Future T20 CaptainFormer Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has thrown his support behind vice-captain Shubman Gill as the ideal candidate to lead India's T20 team in the future. Despite the recent appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as T20 captain, Raina believes Gill's exceptional performances and leadership qualities make him the standout choice.Raina highlighted Gill's composure under pressure and his aggressive yet strategic batting style as key attributes that position him as a natural leader. "Shubman Gill is a superstar," Raina said at an event. "He's the vice-captain, which means someone is thinking about him. If he performs well in the IPL and wins the trophy, he's the future (captaincy). He will be the next superstar."Raina also expressed his excitement about Rishabh Pant's impending return to Test cricket after nearly two years. "He's looking very good," Raina said. "He scored a fifty in the Duleep Trophy and has been keeping well. When you talk about a Test match, you play it session by session."Looking ahead to India's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, Raina praised the visitors' spin attack. "Bangladesh has done well against Pakistan," he said. "They have got good spinners, so it will be interesting to see how the Indians bat against them."

Rishabh Pant, the "Gabba" conqueror, is poised to make a triumphant return to Test cricket nearly two years after a life-altering car crash in December 2022. The accident left him with severe injuries, but the Delhi wicketkeeper-batsman has made a remarkable recovery and is ready to don the Test whites once again.Pant's return to competitive cricket came earlier this year in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he led the Delhi Capitals (DC). Despite undergoing multiple surgeries and an extended rehabilitation period, Pant showed no signs of rust, leading DC to a successful campaign."It's a remarkable comeback, honestly," said DC's former head coach Ricky Ponting. "The mental and physical challenges he faced were unimaginable, but he overcame them with determination and resilience."Pant's successful IPL return paved the way for his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad, where he played a key role in the team's victory. His return to Test cricket is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the belief that he can still be a force to be reckoned with.The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh will be an emotional moment for Pant, as he steps onto the field at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on September 19. It will be a reminder of his journey back from adversity and the indomitable spirit that has defined his career.Pant's return to the Test team also brings back memories of his epic 89 not out at The Gabba in Brisbane in January 2021. His innings helped India chase down a daunting 328-run target and win the series against Australia, breaking their long-standing fortress at the stadium.As India prepares to travel to Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy in December, Pant's presence in the Test team will be crucial. His experience and match-winning ability will be invaluable as India looks to retain the trophy and continue their dominance in Test cricket.

Indian Cricketers Assemble in Chennai for Bangladesh Test SeriesThe Indian cricket team arrived in Chennai on Thursday evening, gearing up for their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The first Test is scheduled to commence on September 19 at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium.This series marks India's return to the Test arena after their participation in the T20 World Cup. Key players Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were spotted boarding the team bus, signaling their return to the longer format.Bumrah, who has been sidelined since the T20 World Cup final, is expected to spearhead India's bowling attack. Pant, who suffered a horrific car accident in December 2022, is making a remarkable comeback to the Test team. Rahul, who missed the England series due to injury, has also rejoined the squad.The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, boasts a wealth of experience with the likes of Virat Kohli. Kohli is returning to Test cricket after taking a break following the birth of his son.Bangladesh, on the other hand, recently emerged victorious in a 2-0 Test series against Pakistan. However, they have been forced to make changes due to injuries, with uncapped batter Jaker Ali replacing fast bowler Shoriful Islam.India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, will be eager to start his maiden Test series with a win. This series serves as a crucial preparation for India's upcoming matches against New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.With the return of star players and high stakes, the India-Bangladesh Test series promises to be an engaging spectacle for cricket enthusiasts.

India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh has been announced, featuring the return of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and the maiden call-up for young pacer Yash Dayal.Pant, who suffered a horrific car accident in December 2022, will make his Test comeback in the series opener in Chennai on September 19. His inclusion is a significant boost for India, as he is one of the team's most explosive and dynamic players.Another notable addition to the squad is 23-year-old Dhruv Jurel, who impressed on his Test debut against England in January. Jurel scored 190 runs in three matches, including a knock of 90, and has been rewarded with a place in the squad for the Bangladesh series.With Pant and KL Rahul also in the squad, Jurel will be the third wicketkeeper option for India. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta believes that India could potentially field all three wicketkeepers in their XI."Your XI, Yashasvi and Rohit to open. Shubman at No. 3, Virat Kohli at No. 4. KL Rahul at No. 5. Rishabh Pant at No. 6. Then maybe you can play another batter. 8 and 9 you have Jadeja and Ashwin. And then No. 10 and No. 11, you have two seamers," Dasgupta told India Today."You can think of someone like Sarfaraz for the middle-order. Even for that matter... Dhruv Jurel batted beautifully. Yeah, I won't be surprised if Rishabh, Dhruv and KL all three of them play. The other thing you have to keep in mind is the Australia series. You can also look at other options, but the way Dhruv batted, his technique and composure, I think he is more adept to batting in Australia than some of the other newcomers," he added.India will be looking to start their Test series against Bangladesh on a positive note, as they prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in November.

Indian cricket's rising star, Rishabh Pant, has made a remarkable comeback after a life-threatening car crash in December 2022. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has not only returned to competitive cricket but has also played a pivotal role in India's recent successes.Pant's journey back to the field has been nothing short of inspiring. After sustaining multiple injuries in the accident, he underwent extensive rehabilitation and defied all expectations by making a comeback during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023. His impressive performances in the IPL earned him a place in India's T20 World Cup squad, where he played a key role in the team's triumph.With India set to tour Australia for a five-match Test series later this year, Pant's presence in the middle-order will be crucial. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who coached Pant at Delhi Capitals, has hailed him as a "match-winner" and praised his exceptional talent."He's an infectious character to have around the group. He loves his cricket, he's a winner, that's what he is," Ponting said. "He's got about nine 90s as well. [MS] Dhoni played for 120 Tests (90) and made 3 or 4 hundreds (6), this is how good this guy (Pant) is. He's a serious cricketer."Ponting was particularly impressed by Pant's mental resilience and determination to return to cricket as soon as possible. "It's a remarkable comeback. If you can see even his leg now and listen to the stories he tells about what he confronted during his car accident, just the mental scarring that comes with that but the physical side and the rehab he went through, I didn't think he would play last year's IPL (2024)," Ponting said.Pant's comeback is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the support he received from his family, friends, and teammates. As India prepares for the upcoming Test series against Australia, Pant will be one of the key players to watch, as he looks to continue his impressive run of form and help India achieve success on foreign soil.

The Indian cricket team has announced its squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence on September 19. The squad features the return of Rishabh Pant and the inclusion of pacers Yash Dayal and Akash Deep.This two-Test series against Bangladesh marks the beginning of a busy season for India. Following the Bangladesh series, India will face New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia later this year. The performance of the team in the Bangladesh series will be crucial in preparing for these upcoming challenges.Brad Hogg, a member of Australia's 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cup-winning teams, has shared his thoughts on the likely playing XI for India in the first Test. Hogg believes that the team should field a lineup consisting of Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma as openers, followed by Gill, Kohli, and Jadeja. Sarfaraz Khan and Pant would then come in, with Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj, and Bumrah forming the bowling attack.Hogg believes that this team would also perform well in Australia, making the Bangladesh series an important warm-up for the upcoming summer. He also noted the absence of KL Rahul and Axar Patel in his proposed playing XI.The Indian squad for the first Test against Bangladesh is as follows:* Rohit Sharma (C)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Virat Kohli* KL Rahul* Sarfaraz Khan* Rishabh Pant (WK)* Dhruv Jurel (WK)* R Ashwin* R Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Mohd. Siraj* Akash Deep* Jasprit Bumrah* Yash Dayal