Cricket

Indian batter Shubman Gill has reached a significant milestone in his international cricket career, surpassing the 4000-run mark during the fifth Test match against England at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.Gill's impressive knock of 110 runs in the first innings of the match marked his 4000th international run. The 24-year-old has established himself as a consistent performer across all formats, having made his India debut in 2019.In the ongoing Test match, Gill and captain Rohit Sharma forged a solid partnership of 160 runs, giving India a strong start. Gill's innings was characterized by 12 boundaries and 5 sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style.Gill's international career has seen him accumulate 2271 runs in 44 ODIs, 1492 runs in 25 Tests, and 335 runs in 14 T20Is. His overall strike rate stands at 103.46, indicating his ability to score runs at a brisk pace.The right-handed batter has played a crucial role in India's recent successes, including their historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21. His consistent performances have earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young batsmen in the world.As India continues its pursuit of victory in the fifth Test against England, Gill will be looking to add to his impressive tally of runs and help his team secure a series win.

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.

Modern Cricketers Embrace Fearlessness, Gill's Audacious Shot Stuns EnglandIn the annals of Test cricket, batsmen have traditionally approached the early stages of the day with caution. However, the modern era has witnessed a shift towards a more aggressive mindset, with players unafraid to take risks against even the most formidable bowlers.This fearless approach was on full display during the second day of the fifth Test between India and England at Dharamshala. In just the fourth over of the day, England's leading wicket-taker James Anderson was steaming in, looking to make an early breakthrough.Undeterred, India's Shubman Gill charged down the pitch and lofted Anderson's full delivery at 131 kmph straight down the ground into the crowd. The audacity of the shot left commentator Harsha Bhogle in awe, prompting him to speculate about Gill's breakfast that morning.Even England captain Ben Stokes couldn't help but nod his head in amazement and approval. The official broadcaster shared the video of the shot, which quickly went viral on social media.Gill's fearless approach paid off as he went on to score 110 before being clean bowled by Anderson after lunch. However, his audacious shot set the tone for the day and demonstrated the changing nature of Test cricket.Modern batsmen are no longer content to play defensively and wait for the bowlers to make mistakes. They are willing to take risks and put pressure on the opposition from the outset. This shift in mindset has made Test cricket more exciting and unpredictable than ever before.

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."

Ravichandran Ashwin's 100th Test match marked a significant milestone in Indian cricket history. As the veteran spinner took to the field, his influence on the team and the ongoing series against England became a topic of discussion.Shubman Gill, India's promising top-order batter, shared his insights on Ashwin's impact. He praised Ashwin's relentless pursuit of improvement, noting that the spinner is always seeking to add new skills to his game. Gill highlighted Ashwin's dedication to his craft as a key factor in his success.Reflecting on India's performance in the series, Gill expressed optimism about the team's resilience. He pointed out that despite facing challenges in each of the four matches, the team has shown the ability to bounce back. Gill attributed this resilience to the team's strong bond and determination.Gill also discussed his own learnings from the series. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor under pressure, even in crucial situations. He shared that his heartbeat remained normal when he went into bat, despite the team losing wickets.Regarding his position in the batting order, Gill expressed confidence in his abilities regardless of where he bats. He acknowledged that his move back to opening the innings was a result of his lack of runs at No. 3. However, he emphasized that his focus remains on contributing to the team's success.Gill also shed light on the camaraderie among the teammates, highlighting the strong bond they share off the field. He believes that this positive atmosphere contributes to the team's success.As he looks ahead, Gill remains focused on continuous improvement. He is optimistic about the future and believes that the team will continue to grow and achieve success.

Catches Win Matches: Gill's Spectacular Grab Electrifies Dharamshala TestIn the captivating realm of cricket, the adage "catches win matches" holds true, as evidenced by the electrifying catch taken by Shubman Gill on the opening day of the fifth Test between India and England in Dharamshala.England, having opted to bat first, had made a promising start, reaching 64/0. However, Kuldeep Yadav's introduction into the attack proved pivotal, as he struck for the first wicket in his very first over.Frustrated by Yadav's relentless accuracy, Ben Duckett attempted a forceful shot on the leg-side. However, the cunning googly deceived him, sending the ball skewing high into the air on the off-side.With lightning reflexes, Gill, stationed at cover, sprinted sideways to his right, covering an impressive 16 meters backwards. In a perfectly timed dive, he extended his right arm and snared the catch over his shoulder.The Indian cricket board (BCCI) captured the moment in a video, showcasing Gill's unwavering focus and athleticism. The catch not only dismissed Duckett but also ignited the Indian team, providing a much-needed boost of momentum.Commentators and fans alike hailed Gill's catch as one of the finest in recent memory. Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, even compared it to Travis Head's iconic catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma in the 2023 World Cup final.Gill's catch serves as a reminder of the crucial role that fielding plays in the game of cricket. A well-executed catch can not only prevent runs but also break partnerships and turn the tide of a match.As the Test series between India and England continues, Gill's spectacular catch will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of cricket history, inspiring future generations of fielders to strive for excellence.

The highly anticipated fifth and final Test match between India and England is set to commence on March 7 in Dharamsala. Despite India's commanding 3-1 lead in the series, both teams are determined to give it their all in the final encounter.Ahead of the match, a video of batter Shubman Gill undergoing an intense workout at the PCA Stadium in Mohali has surfaced on social media. Gill's dedication and focus are evident as he sprints across the ground, leaving fans impressed.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced updates to India's squad for the Dharamsala Test. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the fourth Test, will make his return to the team. Bumrah has been a formidable force in the series, claiming 17 wickets at an impressive average of 13.64.However, India will be without wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul, who has been ruled out due to an injury. The BCCI Medical Team is closely monitoring his condition and coordinating with specialists in London for further management.Meanwhile, Washington Sundar has been released from the squad to participate in the Ranji Trophy for his domestic side, Tamil Nadu.The updated India squad for the Dharamsala Test includes:* Rohit Sharma (capt)* Jasprit Bumrah (vice-capt)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Rajat Patidar* Sarfaraz Khan* Dhruv Jurel (wk)* KS Bharat (wk)* Devdutt Padikkal* R Ashwin* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Mohammed Siraj* Mukesh Kumar* Akash DeepAs India aims to maintain its top spot in the World Test Championship points table, England will be eager to salvage some pride in the final match. The clash promises to be an exciting and competitive affair, with both teams determined to end the series on a high note.

Shubman Gill's resurgence in the ongoing Test series against England is a testament to his mental fortitude and ability to adapt to new challenges. After a lean patch spanning nine innings and the pressure of adjusting to the unfamiliar No. 3 slot, Gill has emerged as a key player for India, contributing significantly to the team's success with a string of impressive performances.Gill's transformation can be attributed to his ability to manage expectations and focus on the present moment. He recognized that the expectations he had set for himself were becoming a burden, leading to disappointment and affecting his performance. By adjusting his mindset and learning to let go of these expectations, Gill has been able to play with greater freedom and confidence.The 24-year-old's batting position at No. 3 has presented him with a different set of challenges compared to his preferred opening role. While he has experience batting in the middle order in domestic matches, the added responsibility of setting the tone or rebuilding an innings requires a different approach. Gill has shown maturity and adaptability in handling these situations, demonstrating his versatility as a batsman.Gill's innings in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot exemplify his ability to adapt to different match situations. In Visakhapatnam, he marshaled India's second innings, batting for almost 48 overs and guiding the team to a respectable total. In Rajkot, he played a supporting role to Yashasvi Jaiswal's aggressive century, ensuring that India maintained their dominance in the match.Gill's resurgence is a positive sign for India as they look to consolidate their position in the World Test Championship. His ability to score big runs and play according to the situation makes him a valuable asset to the team. If he can continue to perform consistently, India will be well-positioned to achieve success in the upcoming matches and secure a place in the final of the World Test Championship.