Cricket

Sarfaraz Khan's Hilarious Moment with Rohit Sharma Highlights Their Strong BondSarfaraz Khan's Test debut for India has not only showcased his cricketing prowess but also his camaraderie with teammates, particularly skipper Rohit Sharma. On Day 1 of the 5th Test against England in Dharamsala, the bond between Rohit and Sarfaraz was evident once again.During the match, Sarfaraz was positioned at short-leg but seemed to struggle with the exact placement. Rohit, noticing his teammate's difficulty, decided to intervene. He pulled Sarfaraz back a few steps and positioned him precisely where he wanted him. The hilarious moment was captured on camera and has since gone viral on social media.The incident highlights the strong bond between Rohit and Sarfaraz, which has grown since the latter's Test debut. Rohit's willingness to guide and support his younger teammate is a testament to his leadership qualities.Beyond the humorous moment, the match itself saw India take control on Day 1. Openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal put on a 104-run partnership, putting pressure on the English bowlers. Jaiswal reached his half-century in just 55 balls.After Jaiswal's dismissal, Shubman Gill joined Rohit at the crease and stitched together a 31-run unbeaten stand. At the end of the day's play, India were 135/1, trailing by 83 runs. Rohit remained unbeaten on 52*, while Gill was on 26*.England were bowled out for 218 in their first innings, with Kuldeep Yadav taking five wickets for 72 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin cleaned up the tail end, ensuring India's dominance.The match is poised for an exciting finish, with India looking to level the series and England determined to secure a victory. The camaraderie between Rohit and Sarfaraz will undoubtedly be a factor as the match progresses.

The fifth and final Test match between India and England in Dharamsala witnessed a remarkable display of batting prowess from the Indian team on the second day. Five Indian batters notched up half-centuries, propelling the hosts to a commanding 255-run lead over England.Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set the tone with centuries, but it was Sarfaraz Khan's aggressive knock that stole the show. In his fifth Test innings, Khan scored a blistering 56 off just 60 deliveries, including eight fours and a six. His Mumbai teammate, Suryakumar Yadav, aptly described Khan's performance as "Sher Bhuka Hai" (The Lion is Hungry).England attempted a comeback in the final session with some clinical bowling, but India's resilient tail-enders held firm. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah remained unbeaten on 27 and 19, respectively, as India posted a formidable total of 473/8 at the end of the day's play.Shoaib Bashir provided England with a glimmer of hope by dismissing Sarfaraz Khan with his off-spin, but Devdutt Padikkal responded with a maiden Test fifty, delighting the crowd with a maximum. India crossed the 400-run mark in the 91st over, but Bashir struck again to remove Padikkal.Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja formed a brief partnership, but Bashir and Jack Leach claimed their wickets in quick succession. However, Kuldeep and Bumrah's unbeaten stand of 45 runs ensured that India maintained their dominance heading into the third day.With India already leading the series 3-1, the Rohit Sharma-led side is poised to seal a 4-1 victory and complete a memorable home season.

Ben Stokes' Surprise Bowling Stint Stuns England and India in Dharamsala TestOn Day 2 of the 5th Test in Dharamsala, England captain Ben Stokes made a surprising move by bowling for the first time in the series. The decision proved to be a masterstroke as Stokes dismissed Rohit Sharma on the very first delivery of his over.Rohit and Shubman Gill had dominated the first session, piling up centuries and putting India in a commanding position. However, Stokes' introduction into the attack changed the complexion of the match.Stokes' delivery to Rohit was a perfect inswinger that crashed into the stumps, leaving the Indian opener in disbelief. The dismissal sent shockwaves through the England team and coaching staff, who had not expected Stokes to bowl.Stokes' last bowling appearance for England came in June 2023, and his return to the crease was met with astonishment. Mark Wood and James Anderson, who had been struggling to contain Rohit and Gill, were left scratching their heads.Even England head coach Brendon McCullum could not hide his amusement at the unexpected turn of events."Ben Stokes - makes things happen...!!!" tweeted Mufaddal Vohra, a cricket commentator. "Mark Wood just couldn't believe it."After Rohit's dismissal, Stokes continued to bowl with great accuracy and control. He eventually finished with figures of 1/25 from his five overs.James Anderson also joined the party, dismissing Shubman Gill in a similar manner to Rohit. The Indian batter was caught plumb in front of the stumps, leaving England with a glimmer of hope in the match.Stokes' bowling performance was a testament to his all-round ability and leadership qualities. It also highlighted the depth of England's bowling attack, which has been a key factor in their recent success.

India's dominance continued on Day 2 of the 5th Test against England in Dharamsala, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill slamming centuries in a non-traditional manner. Their rapid scoring prompted former England star Owais Shah to question the reason behind India's high strike rate.Saba Karim, the former India cricketer, reminded Shah of Rohit Sharma's pre-match comment about England's Ben Duckett suggesting that England should get credit for Yashasvi Jaiswal's high strike rate. Rohit had responded by saying, "There was a guy called Rishabh Pant in our team, probably Ben Duckett hasn't seen him play."Karim echoed Rohit's sentiment, saying, "Should I respond the same way Rohit did, saying you guys have not seen Rishabh Pant bat?"England's 'Bazball' approach, which emphasizes aggressive batting, has been a topic of discussion before the series. However, Ben Stokes' men have struggled to implement it in India. Rohit expressed his confusion about the term, saying, "I honestly don't know what [Bazball] means, whether it is to go and strike, whether it is to go and defend and wait for the loose ball.""I have not seen any wild swinging from anyone, so I don't know exactly what this term means," Rohit added. "But, yeah, clearly they have played better cricket from what they played the last time they were here."Despite England's struggles, Rohit acknowledged the success of their batters who scored big hundreds. "They applied their method to get some success and they got it," he said. "But other than that I don't know what it means."

Rohit Sharma's DRS Blunder Costs India Wicket in Dharamsala TestDuring England's first innings in the Dharamsala Test, Indian captain Rohit Sharma made a costly DRS error that allowed Zak Crawley to survive a clear edge. On the fifth ball of the 26th over, Crawley missed a glance shot off Kuldeep Yadav's bowling, and the ball hit wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and lobbed towards the leg side. Sarfaraz Khan grabbed the ball before it hit the ground, sparking a massive appeal from India.Despite Sarfaraz's insistence, Rohit initially declined the request for a DRS review. However, replays and UltraEdge confirmed that Crawley had indeed edged the ball. The Indian skipper was left laughing in disbelief as Sarfaraz smiled wryly.This error proved costly for India, as Crawley went on to score a crucial 56 runs, helping England reach a respectable total of 218 in their first innings. The fragility of England's batters against spin was once again exposed, with Kuldeep Yadav claiming a five-wicket haul.In contrast, India showed their dominance on the flat track, cruising to 135 for one at stumps on day one. Rohit Sharma (52*) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (57) put on a 104-run opening stand, the highest of the series for India. Jaiswal became only the second Indian to amass 700 runs in a series, after Sunil Gavaskar.The Indian pacers and spinners struggled to make an impact compared to their English counterparts. Jaiswal took advantage of this, smashing three sixes off Shoaib Bashir in his first over. Rohit Sharma also played confidently, hitting two maximums.At the close of play, India were in a strong position, with Rohit and Shubman Gill (26*) at the crease. The hosts will be looking to build on their advantage and secure a series victory in the final Test.

Rohit Sharma's Witty On-Field Banter with Kuldeep Yadav Goes ViralIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is renowned for his quick wit and humorous on-field remarks. On the opening day of the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala, Rohit delivered another memorable one-liner that has gone viral on social media.As Jonny Bairstow walked out to bat after the dismissal of Zak Crawley, Rohit's conversation with his teammates was captured on the stump microphone. "Isko Toh Kuch Bhi Daal (Bowl whatever you want to him)," Rohit was heard saying to bowler Kuldeep Yadav, suggesting that he could bowl anything to Bairstow.The video of the amusing incident quickly spread across social media platforms. Rohit later clarified that his funny chats and one-liners are not deliberate. He explained that he regularly communicates with fielders, and these discussions often get recorded by the microphone."I don't have any favorite line as such and I don't even do it deliberately," Rohit said. "Now I am the captain so I stand in the slips, because the angle from there helps me get a better look at the fielders and take stock of DRS. So I keep talking to the fielders and it gets recorded."On the field, England were bowled out for 218 in the final session on Day 1, with Kuldeep Yadav claiming a five-wicket haul and Ravichandran Ashwin picking up four wickets. India reached 135 for one at the close of play, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring a 58-ball 57 and Rohit remaining unbeaten on 53 alongside Shubman Gill (26 not out).The hosts already hold an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The final Test in Dharamsala is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams looking to end the series on a high note.

Rohit Sharma Becomes First Non-Wicketkeeper to Take 60+ Catches in All FormatsIndian skipper Rohit Sharma has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first non-wicketkeeper to grab 60 or more catches across all three formats of the game. This remarkable feat was achieved on the opening day of the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala.Rohit's journey to this milestone began in Tests, where he has now accumulated 60 catches. His prowess in the field continued in ODIs, where he has snared 93 catches. In T20 internationals, the Indian captain has also made a significant impact with 60 catches to his name.The landmark catch came in the second session of Day 1, when Rohit grabbed Mark Wood's edge off Ravichandran Ashwin at first slip. This moment marked a historic achievement for the Indian skipper, who has consistently showcased his exceptional fielding abilities.After Rohit's feat, India's bowlers took control of the match, bowling out England for 218 in the final session. Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the star performer with a fifer, while Ashwin chipped in with four wickets.In response, India reached 135 for one at the close of play on the opening day. Yashasvi Jaiswal impressed with a 58-ball 57, while Rohit remained unbeaten on 53 alongside Shubman Gill, who was on 26 at stumps.With India trailing by 83 runs, the hosts will look to build on their solid start and secure a clean sweep in the five-match series. Rohit's historic achievement adds another feather to his cap and further cements his status as one of the greatest all-rounders in the game.

England skipper Ben Stokes opted to bat first in the fifth and final Test against India at Dharamsala's Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Despite India's 3-1 series victory, England is determined to salvage some pride and earn valuable ICC World Test Championship points.This match marks a significant milestone for both Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow, who are playing their 100th Test. England has made one change to their playing eleven, bringing in Mark Wood, while India has replaced Akash Deep with Jasprit Bumrah.During the toss, Stokes expressed his team's desire to bat first, citing the pitch's appearance. He also praised Bairstow's achievement, calling him "one of our best-ever all-format players."Indian skipper Rohit Sharma echoed Stokes' sentiments, stating that India would have also chosen to bat first. He acknowledged Ashwin's remarkable career and expressed his support for the all-rounder.England's playing eleven consists of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (w), Tom Hartley, Shoaib Bashir, Mark Wood, and James Anderson.India's playing eleven includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah.With the series already decided, both teams will be eager to end on a high note and secure the remaining 12 ICC World Test Championship points. The match promises to be an exciting contest between two talented sides.

Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian men's cricket team, has garnered widespread praise for his exceptional leadership style. Since taking over the reins from Virat Kohli in 2022, Rohit has seamlessly guided India to the finals of both the World Test Championship and the Cricket World Cup.Former India cricketer Praveen Kumar has lauded Rohit's captaincy, describing him as "yaaro ka yaar" (friend of friends). Kumar highlighted Rohit's ability to balance discipline and camaraderie, scolding players for mistakes while also offering support and guidance."Rohit is a fantastic skipper," said Kumar. "He scolds the players when they make mistakes and hugs them too. He guides them and gives them all liberty on the field."Rohit's appointment as captain followed a decision by the BCCI to replace Kohli, who had stepped down as T20I captain. Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, who was instrumental in the decision, cited Rohit's impressive record in the Indian Premier League as a key factor."I saw huge potential in Rohit," said Ganguly. "He has a great record in the IPL, and I believe he can lead India to success."Under Rohit's leadership, India has emerged as a formidable force in world cricket. The team's performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023, where they reached the finals, was a testament to Rohit's tactical acumen and ability to inspire his players.While Rohit continues to lead the Indian team, he has relinquished his captaincy role in the Mumbai Indians franchise. Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the new captain of the five-time Indian Premier League champions.