Cricket

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, recently expressed his admiration for England batter Joe Root's high regard for Ravichandran Ashwin's bowling prowess. In a heartfelt conversation with Ashwin after the conclusion of the India vs England Test series, Gavaskar highlighted the significance of Root's praise for the seasoned all-rounder.Root had earlier acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Ashwin to premier batters, emphasizing the spinner's ability to consistently trouble opponents with his crafty bowling variations. Gavaskar echoed these sentiments, stating that Ashwin's ability to outfox batters with a diverse array of deliveries and tactical maneuvers has always been a highlight of his career.Ashwin, who marked his 100th Test appearance for Team India in the series, delivered a stellar performance, claiming nine wickets as India clinched victory by an innings and 64 runs. He set a new record by registering the best bowling figures (9 for 128) in a 100th Test, surpassing Muthiah Muralitharan's record.Gavaskar conveyed the sentiment shared by many cricket enthusiasts, emphasizing Ashwin's ability to outwit batters with a diverse array of deliveries and tactical maneuvers. "A lot of good players of spin bowling will be thinking a hundred times about how to cope with you," Gavaskar remarked, echoing Root's sentiments.In response, Ashwin credited his adaptability and willingness to experiment, acknowledging the evolving nature of modern cricket and the importance of staying ahead in a game increasingly influenced by detailed analysis and strategic planning.Ashwin's remarkable achievements in Test cricket, including his record-breaking 36 five-wicket hauls, underscore his status as one of India's premier bowlers. With a stellar performance in the series against England, Ashwin further solidified his reputation as a key asset for the Indian team across all formats.As Ashwin embarks on his journey beyond the milestone of 100 Tests, his contributions to Indian cricket continue to inspire admiration and reverence from fans and peers alike. With upcoming challenges on the horizon, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Bangladesh Test series, Ashwin's leadership and expertise are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping India's cricketing fortunes in the times to come.

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has urged India to retain Dhruv Jurel as their specialist wicket-keeper in Test cricket, even after Rishabh Pant recovers from his injuries. Pant has been sidelined since late 2022 due to a car accident, but is expected to return to action in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).Hogg believes that Pant should prove his fitness and form in domestic cricket before being considered for the national team. "I think they will keep with Jurel and not go back to Pant quickly," Hogg said on his YouTube channel. "I think they will make him go and play some first-class cricket in the longest format so that they make sure his body can withstand it and make sure, from a batting perspective, he still has the ability that he had before the accident."Hogg emphasized the importance of caution in Pant's return to Test cricket. "I really hope that Pant gets back to playing Test cricket, but I feel it is a huge risk if they rush him back," he added.Meanwhile, in the ongoing fifth Test between India and England in Dharamsala, Kuldeep Yadav starred with a five-wicket haul to dismiss England for 218. Yadav's performance, along with Ravichandran Ashwin's four wickets in his 100th Test, gave India a strong start on the opening day.

India's dominance in Test cricket has reached new heights as they reclaim the top spot in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings after a resounding 4-1 series victory over England. This triumph marks a remarkable comeback for the Indian team, who had suffered a narrow defeat in the opening Test in Hyderabad.However, India's resilience and determination shone through in the subsequent matches. They displayed their prowess in Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala, securing a series win and reclaiming the top spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings with 122 rating points.Australia, the previous holders of the top position, now occupy the second spot with 117 rating points, while England sits in third place with 111 rating points. India's dominance extends beyond Test cricket, as they also lead the ODI rankings with 121 rating points and the T20I rankings with 266 rating points.This comprehensive success across all three formats underscores India's consistent excellence in cricket. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has been a hallmark of their recent performances.The Indian team's resurgence has been driven by a combination of factors, including the emergence of young talent, the experience of senior players, and the astute leadership of Virat Kohli. The team's depth and versatility have allowed them to overcome injuries and setbacks, maintaining their position as one of the most formidable teams in world cricket.India's dominance is expected to continue in the upcoming series against New Zealand, where they will aim to further consolidate their position at the top of the ICC Test Team Rankings. The team's success is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

India's dominance in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) continues as they extend their lead at the top of the points table after defeating England in Dharamsala. The 4-1 series victory solidifies India's position as the number one Test team, regardless of the outcome of the ongoing Christchurch Test between New Zealand and Australia.India's resurgence in the WTC began after a disappointing start to the series against England. After losing the first Test in Hyderabad, they rallied to win the next three matches, climbing back to the top of the standings. The innings victory in Dharamsala further cemented their position, boosting their percentage points to 68.51%.The WTC points system awards 12 points for a Test win, six for a tie, four for a draw, and zero for a defeat. Teams are ranked based on the percentage of points won, as each team plays a varying number of Tests in the WTC cycle.India's success in the WTC is attributed to their consistent performances and ability to win matches in different conditions. They have now won six out of nine matches in the ongoing cycle, with only two defeats and one draw.Meanwhile, England's slow over-rate penalties have hindered their progress in the WTC. Despite winning three Tests in this cycle, they have lost 19 points for slow over-rate penalties, dropping them to eighth place with only 17.5 percentage points.New Zealand and Australia remain in contention for the top two spots. If New Zealand wins the Christchurch Test, they will increase their percentage points to 66.67%, while an Australian victory would move them ahead of New Zealand on 62.5%.With only a Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Test series remaining before the IPL season begins, India is set to maintain their number one ranking for the foreseeable future. The top two teams at the end of the WTC cycle will qualify for the final at Lord's in June 2025. India has previously qualified for both WTC finals but lost to New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023.

As the fifth and final Test between India and England reached its third day at the picturesque Dharamsala stadium, the outcome seemed inevitable for the visitors. With half of their team dismissed and the target still distant, a triumph for India appeared imminent. Amidst the bleak situation, England's seasoned campaigner, Joe Root, led the resistance.However, an intriguing exchange between young Sarfaraz Khan, stationed at short-leg, and England's young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir added a touch of levity to the unfolding drama. Overheard on the stump microphone, Sarfaraz quipped, "Hit it quickly and finish the game, we will go up on the snow for a walk." His sentiment resonated with players and spectators alike, eager to explore the tourist destination nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas.Before the tea interval, England's resistance crumbled, culminating in a comprehensive innings-and-64-run victory for India in just two-and-a-half days. This triumph sealed a 4-1 series win for India, granting fans a weekend to indulge in the scenic beauty of the region.Following England's impressive comeback victory in the first Test at Hyderabad, India's dominance at home appeared to be under threat. However, over the next six weeks, India showcased their prowess by winning four Tests and unearthing a cadre of young match-winners.India's coach, Rahul Dravid, acknowledged the absence of key players like Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami but lauded the contributions of the younger generation. Dravid praised Rohit Sharma's leadership and the team's collective effort, emphasizing their ability to play aggressive and entertaining cricket even on fair pitches.

England spinner Shoaib Bashir became the subject of amusement during the fifth Test against India on Saturday, when he mistakenly requested a DRS review after being bowled. During the 46th over of England's second innings, Ravindra Jadeja's delivery clipped Bashir's off-stump, but the spinner, assuming he had been caught behind, opted for the DRS.Bashir's comical gesture drew laughter from fans and former England spinner Graeme Swann, while his non-striker, Joe Root, couldn't help but smile. The incident came after Bashir had been criticized for his fiery send-offs during the match.Earlier in the day, Bashir had claimed his second five-wicket haul of the series, helping to dismiss India for 477. However, India's Ravichandran Ashwin stole the show, taking a five-wicket haul in his landmark 100th Test.India's dominance continued as they hammered England by an innings and 64 runs, clinching the series 4-1. England's James Anderson reached 700 Test wickets, becoming only the third bowler to achieve the feat.Ashwin's off-spin proved devastating for England, bowling them out for 195 within three days. The victory was a testament to Ashwin's skill and India's overall superiority in the series.

Indian cricket team batter Shubman Gill has revealed that he never considered returning to the opening position during his recent batting slump. Gill, who scored a magnificent century on Day 2 of the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala, had struggled for runs prior to the ongoing series.With Yashasvi Jaiswal partnering Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, Gill was assigned the No. 3 position, a role he initially found challenging. However, he has since bounced back in spectacular fashion, amassing over 400 runs in the five-match Test series against England."When you don't score, you tend to overthink, which I was doing. But going back to opening was not something that crossed my mind," Gill told broadcasters.Gill also discussed his superior batting average in the third and fourth innings compared to the first two innings in Test matches, explaining how he adjusts his approach based on the situation."When I go out to bat in the second innings, I have a clear target to chase. I know how to pace my innings and how to go about it," he said.Meanwhile, Gill's father and first coach, Lakhwinder, believes that his son's decision to step out to the bowlers more often has contributed to his resurgence in Test cricket. However, he disagrees with Gill's decision to bat at No. 3."He should have continued to open. It's not right at all. When you sit in the dressing room for longer, the pressure tends to increase. Number 3 is not opening, neither is it a middle-order spot," Lakhwinder said."Plus, his game is not like that. It suits the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, who has a defensive game. When the ball is new, you get more loose balls. When you come in after 5-7 overs, the ball is still shiny, and the bowler is settled with his length."

Rohit Sharma: Playing the Best Cricket of His Life, Says He'll Retire When He's Not Good EnoughFormer England batter Geoffrey Boycott may have suggested that Rohit Sharma is past his prime, but the Indian skipper has emphatically declared that he is currently playing the best cricket of his life.Leading his team in the absence of stalwarts Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, Rohit guided India to a dominant 4-1 victory in the five-match Test series against England. In the decisive Dharamsala Test, India inflicted an innings and 64 runs defeat on the visitors, wrapping up the match within three days.Reflecting on his own performance, Rohit asserted that he will not hesitate to retire the day he feels he is no longer up to the mark. "One day, when I wake up and feel, I am not good enough then I will retire straight away," he said. "But in the last few years, I am playing the best cricket of my life."Head coach Rahul Dravid echoed Rohit's sentiments, praising the skipper's exceptional leadership and ability to bail the team out of difficult situations. "Rohit Sharma has been exceptional in this series," Dravid said. "In Rajkot, when we were 3 down inside the first hour, we needed someone to get us that hundred. In Ranchi also, he batted amazingly."Rohit also highlighted the importance of nurturing young players, especially in the absence of senior stars. "When you win a Test, everything has to fall into place," he said. "Lot of things we did right through the match. [Absent stars] At some stage, people are going to go, we know that. All these guys are short on experience but they've played a lot of cricket. We have got to nurture them and make them understand the game.""When put under pressure, they responded pretty well," Rohit added. "Credit goes to the entire team for that. We talk about scoring runs, but it is as important to take 20 wickets to win the Test match. Everyone, all the bowlers came and responded. They wanted to make a difference with the ball in hand."

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has emphasized the importance of experimentation and adaptability in his bowling approach, as evidenced by his impressive performance in the recently concluded Test series against England.Celebrating his 100th Test in Dharamsala, Ashwin emerged as the leading wicket-taker with a tally of 26 wickets. His success stemmed from his ability to adjust his bowling actions, speeds, and releases to suit the diverse conditions across India's various grounds."Throughout the series, I have gone to different actions, speeds, and releases. India is different; each ground has a challenge. I am least bit insecure about what people feel about me," Ashwin said at the post-match presentation.Ashwin, 37, believes that embracing new dimensions in his bowling has been a key factor in his success. "If I am confident that I can try something, I don't hold back. I have kept my ears and eyes open to listen to good feedback," he said."Unless I try, I will never be able to learn. I am not saying sticking to one method won't work. But thankfully experimenting and learning has helped me," added the Tamil Nadu spinner.Ashwin highlighted his performance on Saturday, where he claimed figures of 5/77, and his outstanding display in England's second innings at Ranchi, where he secured figures of 5/51, as his most noteworthy outings in the five-match series."I was really happy with the way the ball came out (in those spells), as most pleased with this performance and the second innings in Ranchi," he said.Ashwin also praised the left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, acknowledging his remarkable contribution with 19 wickets across four Tests in the series. "The way the ball is coming out of Kuldeep's hands is unbelievable. Watching a wrist spinner in such a flow and the kind of switches he has been able to make through the series and over the last 10 months is so heartening to see. I can't be happier for somebody,” said Ashwin.