Cricket

As India embarks on a three-Test series against New Zealand, the spotlight falls on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, the young prodigies tasked with carrying the torch of Indian cricket. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of their careers, these two rising stars must prove their mettle and demonstrate their ability to lead the team into the future.Jaiswal and Gill have shown immense promise in recent times. Gill has amassed three centuries and two fifties in his last 10 Test innings, while Jaiswal boasts a 214 and five fifties in his last eight outings. However, they face challenges that they must overcome to establish themselves as reliable pillars of the Indian batting lineup.Jaiswal has a tendency to play expansive shots against pace bowlers, leading to his dismissal on several occasions. Gill, too, has struggled against incoming deliveries from pacers. These weaknesses will be tested against New Zealand's capable pace attack, featuring Matt Henry, William O'Rourke, and Tim Southee.While Kohli and Rohit remain integral to the team, their recent form has been underwhelming. Kohli has not scored a fifty in six innings this year, while Rohit has managed only one fifty in his last 13 innings. The onus is on these stalwarts to rediscover their touch and provide stability to the batting order.New Zealand, on the other hand, faces its own set of problems. Their batsmen struggled against Sri Lankan spinners in their recent away series, and they will now face the formidable duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on Indian soil. The Kiwis will also have to contend with the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been in devastating form.India has a slight edge in terms of bowling, with Bumrah, Ashwin, and Jadeja forming a formidable trio. However, they must decide whether to field a third pacer in Akash Deep or opt for a spinner like Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel, who can provide additional batting depth.The weather forecast predicts gloomy conditions, which could lead to delayed starts and truncated sessions. This may influence India's decision-making regarding their bowling lineup.As the series unfolds, the performances of Jaiswal, Gill, Kohli, and Rohit will be closely scrutinized. India will be eager to assert its dominance over New Zealand, while the Kiwis will be determined to prove their mettle against a formidable opponent.

Indian cricket's future is in safe hands with the emergence of two exceptional young batting talents: Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their impressive performances in the recent Test series against Bangladesh have caught the attention of seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who believes they have the potential to become key players for India, particularly in overseas conditions.Jaiswal, with his aggressive yet controlled approach, has quickly become a fan favorite. His ability to dominate bowlers with three fifties in the series showcased the kind of temperament that is vital in the longer format. Gill, on the other hand, has cemented himself as a reliable opener, delivering a strong performance with his century in the first Test, solidifying his growing reputation as a technically sound and adaptable batter.Ashwin, a senior figure in the team, recognized the duo's raw talent but emphasized the need for continuous improvement and evolution. "The raw material is there, and it's evident to everyone that both of them are high-quality players," Ashwin said. "It's just that they need to be able to encounter more and more new experiences and be able to identify for themselves what they need to work on."Both players have already showcased their class in previous outings. In the Test series against England, Jaiswal amassed a staggering 712 runs from nine innings, including two double-hundreds, while Gill followed with 452 runs, averaging 56.50 with two centuries. Their consistency in both home and away conditions has proven that they are ready to take on tougher challenges in the years to come.India's cricketing future looks bright with these young stars leading the charge. Their next big test will come in the upcoming series against New Zealand starting on October 16, followed by the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, beginning on November 22.

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with individual battles adding spice to the contest. India, currently atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, will face Australia, ranked second, in a five-Test series that could determine their qualification for the WTC final at Lord's next year.Australian captain Pat Cummins anticipates a captivating duel with Indian opener Shubman Gill, while Mitchell Starc has singled out Virat Kohli as his preferred Indian opponent. Starc, who was punished by Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup, relishes the challenge of facing Kohli, stating, "I've managed to get him out once or twice and he has no doubt scored a fair few runs against me. So it's always a good contest and one we both enjoy."On the Indian side, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has emerged as a formidable threat, drawing praise from Travis Head and Steven Smith. Head described Ashwin as "all over you all the time," while Smith acknowledged his exceptional skill and longevity.Marnus Labuschagne, Australia's batting mainstay, is eager to face Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, with whom he shares a history from their academy days. Labuschagne expressed admiration for Siraj's passion and love for the game.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence with the first Test in Perth on November 22, setting the stage for a series of intense individual battles that will undoubtedly shape the outcome of the contest.

Shubman Gill, India's rising batting star, continued his meticulous preparations for the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur by honing his technique against spin bowling. During India's practice session at Green Park, Gill engaged in intense cover drive drills with Rishabh Pant, who took on the role of a spinner."I'm going to hit a lot of drives against Jaddu (Jadeja) bhai," Gill declared in a video shared by the BCCI.Pant's brief stint with the ball drew a playful reaction from KL Rahul, who reminded the wicketkeeper-batter of his bowling exploits in the Delhi Premier League. Pant managed to outwit Gill once, prompting the latter to exclaim, "What a way to beat the batter!""You had a great practice session, Rishabh," Gill remarked in the video.The practice session also featured the presence of skipper Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.Team India arrived in Kanpur on Tuesday, eager to build on their impressive victory in the first Test in Chennai. Under the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir, India cruised to a dominant 280-run win, with Gill playing a pivotal role.In the second innings, Gill remained unbeaten on 119, forging a crucial 167-run partnership with Pant to keep Bangladesh at bay. Ravichandran Ashwin was named 'Player of the Match' for his all-round performance, scoring a vital 113 in the first innings and claiming a six-wicket haul in the second.Ashwin's six-wicket haul marked his 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, equaling the legendary Shane Warne for the second-most five-wicket hauls in Test history. Only Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan, with 67 five-wicket hauls, stands ahead of Ashwin.

Shubman Gill: A Rising Star with Limitless PotentialFormer Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on young batter Shubman Gill, highlighting his exceptional talent and potential for greatness. Karthik believes that Gill possesses the technical skills and work ethic to excel in all formats of the game.Gill's ability to hit sixes with precision and power has impressed Karthik. Unlike power hitters like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell, Gill focuses on hitting the ball in the gaps for maximum distance. This unique technique demonstrates his exceptional hand-eye coordination and timing.Despite initial struggles after being moved to the No. 3 position in India's Test batting order, Gill has shown remarkable resilience and determination. He has scored three centuries in his last five Tests, showcasing his growing confidence and maturity in the role.Karthik attributes Gill's success to his flawless technique and outstanding work ethic. He believes that Gill has the potential to become a dominant force in world cricket. "Whenever I look at Shubman Gill, I see greatness in him," Karthik said. "The kind of shots he plays, how he gets on top of the ball, technically, there aren't many flaws."With Karthik's glowing endorsement, expectations are high for Gill to maintain his impressive form as India prepares for crucial upcoming matches. His ability to perform under pressure and adapt to different conditions will be key to his continued success.

Indian batter Shubman Gill's hilarious mockery of teammate Mohammed Siraj during the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai has become a viral sensation. During the 22nd over of Bangladesh's second innings, Gill was caught on stump mic mimicking an old video of Siraj flagging fake Instagram accounts."Mohammad Siraj official hi official ID hai, baaki sab fake hain," Gill said, mocking Siraj's viral video. Even wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant couldn't help but chuckle at Gill's antics.Gill's lighthearted moment came after he bounced back from a duck in the first innings with a century in the second. His unbeaten 119, along with Pant's 109, helped India declare their second innings at 287-4 on day three.The Test marked Virat Kohli's return to the Indian team after the birth of his second child. However, the former captain managed only six and 17 runs in the match.India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, dominated the first innings, bundling out Bangladesh for 149. Bangladesh pace bowler Hasan Mahmud claimed five wickets in the first innings and reduced India to 34-3 in the first hour of play.Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain admitted that his team needs to improve their first innings batting ahead of the second Test in Kanpur. "Top of the order we have to be careful and put some runs, that is one learning from this match," he said.The two teams will now head to Kanpur for the second Test starting on Friday.

Shubman Gill's peculiar batting statistic has left cricket pundits scratching their heads. Since 2020, Gill has boasted the highest average among Indian Test batters in the second innings, but his overall Test average remains a modest 35. This glaring disparity suggests a consistent underperformance in the first innings.In the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh, Gill's pattern repeated itself. After a disappointing duck in the first innings, he rebounded with a magnificent 119 in the second. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his bewilderment at this recurring phenomenon."I have no idea. I just cannot apply a cricketing reason to this," Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo. "His Test career went off the rails slightly. He started very well against Australia in Australia - got a 90. After that, he had a few opportunities against not-so-great oppositions in India and didn't quite cash in, didn't get the big scores, and then had the tough tours."Gill's struggles in the first innings have hindered his overall Test average. Despite his impressive second-innings performances, his career average remains below par. This inconsistency has raised questions about his ability to perform consistently at the highest level.Meanwhile, Bangladesh ended Day 3 of the Chennai Test at 158/4, trailing India by 357 runs. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (51*) and Shakib Al Hasan (5*) remained unbeaten at the crease. India's bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, picked up four wickets in the post-Tea session to keep Bangladesh in check.

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.

Shubman Gill's masterful display of old-school cricket skills against Bangladesh's spinners on a challenging pitch at Chepauk in Chennai has showcased his growth and adaptability as a batsman. Gill's unbeaten 119, which propelled India to a commanding lead of 514 on the third day of the first Test, was a testament to his careful strategy and unwavering focus.Gill's approach was evident from the outset, as he stepped out to hit off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a six and attacked Shakib Al-Hasan's flighted delivery for a boundary. This aggressive footwork against spinners is a result of years of training, which Gill began at a young age due to his height."It's something that I started practicing when I was very young because I was always a tall guy," Gill explained. "So, it was easier for me to use my feet and play along the ground. Playing in the air and hitting sixes actually came a bit later when I got a little bit more power in my body."Gill's confidence has soared after his impressive series against England earlier this year, where he amassed nearly 500 runs. "I think the series that I had against England gave me a lot of confidence," he said. "I felt it was a long time coming for me, especially batting at that position (No. 3)."Gill's efforts were complemented by Rishabh Pant, who scored a century of his own. Gill expressed his happiness for Pant's remarkable comeback after his life-threatening car accident in 2022. "I have spent a lot of time with him on and off the field and watching him score his first 50 and first 100 after his comeback gives me so much pleasure," Gill said.The duo's quirky celebration routine, which involves two taps of gloves followed by a tap of the bats, has become a signature moment in their partnership. "I was telling him not to (hit bat twice) because I'm playing with a bat that I played against England," Gill said with a laugh. "My bat is quite old. He was hitting my bat so hard. I was telling him that I'm trying to save my bat."Gill's focused and calculated efforts against the spinners highlight his growth and adaptability, promising more stellar performances in future matches. His ability to counter challenging conditions and unsettle bowlers with his old-school skills makes him a valuable asset to the Indian team.