Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a new 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' to promote the traditional format of the game and provide financial incentives to Indian cricketers. The scheme, effective from the 2022-23 season, offers additional rewards on top of the existing match fee for Test matches.This move aligns with the BCCI's commitment to emphasize Test cricket, which is considered the purest and most challenging format of the game. The scheme aims to encourage budding cricketers to participate in Test matches and develop their skills in the longest format.BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced the initiative on social media, stating that it is a step towards providing financial growth and stability to Indian cricketers. The scheme offers additional rewards for Test matches, which are typically longer and more demanding than other formats.The announcement coincides with India's triumph in the ongoing five-match Test series against England in Dharamsala. India secured a comprehensive victory, defeating England by an innings and 64 runs to clinch the series 4-1.England struggled against India's formidable spin attack, with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin delivering a stellar performance, claiming five wickets for 77 runs in his 100th Test appearance. England's batting faltered, with Joe Root's 84 being the only notable contribution as they were bowled out for 195 in their second innings on day three.The introduction of the 'Test Cricket Incentive Scheme' reflects the BCCI's commitment to nurturing talent and promoting Test cricket's significance in Indian cricketing culture. This initiative is poised to incentivize players and inspire future generations to excel in the longest format of the game.

Kuldeep Yadav, the wily chinaman bowler, has emerged as an unlikely batting hero for India in the ongoing Test series against England. Despite being primarily known for his spin prowess, Yadav has made significant contributions with the bat, bolstering India's lower order and frustrating English bowlers.In the first innings of the fifth and final Test, Yadav's 30 off 69 balls proved crucial. His lengthy stay at the crease allowed India to extend their lead to 259 runs, putting England on the back foot. Yadav's 49-run partnership with Jasprit Bumrah (20) further solidified India's position.Throughout the series, Yadav has faced 362 balls, more than several established English batters. His ability to occupy the crease and contribute valuable runs has been a major factor in India's dominance. Yadav's 97 runs at an average of 19.4 may not be eye-catching, but their impact has been undeniable.Yadav's batting prowess has been particularly evident in crucial situations. In the third Test, his 27 runs allowed Shubman Gill to play freely and score 91, setting the stage for Yashasvi Jaiswal's double century. In the fourth Test, Yadav's 28 runs and 76-run stand with Dhruv Jurel helped India recover from a precarious position.With his contributions with both bat and ball (18 wickets), Yadav has emerged as a strong contender for the Player of the Series award. His ability to provide runs and wickets makes him a valuable asset to the Indian team, especially with senior spin-bowling all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja nearing the end of their careers.

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.

James Anderson Enters Elite Club with 700th Test WicketJames Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, has etched his name into the annals of cricket history by becoming only the third bowler to claim 700 wickets in Test matches. The 41-year-old achieved the remarkable milestone on Saturday during the fifth Test against India in Dharamshala.Anderson's historic moment came when he dismissed Kuldeep Yadav, edging a delivery outside off stump. The veteran pacer celebrated with his teammates as the crowd erupted in a standing ovation. Anderson had entered the series just 10 wickets away from the landmark and started the final match with 698 scalps.The Lancashire-born bowler made his Test debut in 2003 against Zimbabwe at Lord's. Since then, he has played 187 matches, taking 700 wickets at an average of 26.94. Anderson's exceptional ability to swing the ball both ways has earned him the nickname "swing king." He has 32 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, including a career-best 7/42 against Pakistan in 2010.Anderson's achievement is a testament to his longevity and consistency at the highest level. He has played a pivotal role in England's success over the years, helping them win the Ashes four times and the ICC World Test Championship in 2023.Anderson's 700th wicket places him behind only two other bowlers in Test history: Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and Australia's Shane Warne (708 wickets). The English pacer is now the first fast bowler to reach the milestone.

England's spin coach, Jeetan Patel, has hailed the resilience and skill of Shoaib Bashir after the young spinner overcame illness to claim four first-innings wickets in the fifth Test against India. Bashir's performance, despite being under the weather, has earned him Patel's admiration and a promise of continued support in his career progression.Bashir, along with Ollie Robinson, had missed the final training session before the Test due to illness. However, he showed remarkable determination to bowl 44 overs in India's first innings, adding to the 70 overs he bowled in the previous Test. Despite a cut on his spinning finger, Bashir remained relentless, nearly claiming a five-wicket haul.Patel praised Bashir's efforts, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard work. He also commended the entire England bowling attack for their resilience in taking seven wickets on the second day. "It's a hell of an effort," Patel said of Bashir's role. "He's put in a hell of a shift for us."Patel's optimistic approach to adversity has been a hallmark of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era. Despite India's lead, Patel believes England can still fight back. "We're going to have tough days in Test cricket," he said. "And today was one of them. If you put enough hard yards in, eventually the circle turns and it comes back on you."Patel's mentorship of Bashir and other young spinners is crucial for England's future. He plans to continue supporting them even after the current tour. "My work continues when they are not with England," he said. "I am not the sort of bloke who is going to leave them in the lurch."Bashir's meteoric rise from obscurity has raised questions about his future playing time. Patel acknowledged that Bashir and Hartley may face limited opportunities in the coming weeks, but he believes they have something to offer England. "They have something to offer England, but we want to keep pushing that and advancing their learning," he said.Patel's praise for Bashir's development highlights the young spinner's potential. "The spin he can access, over spin, side spin ... he's got some overs to bowl yet, he's going to have to keep learning," Patel said. "But what he's done in his three Tests here has certainly shown that."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has revolutionized the cricketing landscape, not only fostering talent identification but also enhancing the competitiveness of all three formats of the game, according to league chairman Arun Dhumal.Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has witnessed an explosion in T20 cricket's popularity. Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rinku Singh have earned India caps after impressive performances in the lucrative league."The IPL has been phenomenal in identifying new talent," Dhumal said. "Every season, we see highly skilled youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh emerge. They have gone on to represent India, demonstrating the IPL's significance in nurturing young talent."The IPL has become the world's second-richest sports league in terms of per-match value, trailing only the NFL. Dhumal believes the league has positively impacted Test and ODI cricket as well."The IPL has become the second most important league globally in the past 15 years," Dhumal said. "It has significantly altered cricket. We have seen more results in Test matches and increased competitiveness in ODIs.""Two decades ago, 250-300 runs were considered a good score in ODIs. Now, we regularly witness scores of 400. The T20 format and the IPL have played a crucial role in this evolution," he added.The upcoming IPL season will commence on March 22 and will be held entirely in India despite the coinciding general elections. The schedule will be finalized once the election dates are announced."We have released the schedule for the first two weeks," Dhumal said. "We are awaiting the election commission's announcement. We will adjust the schedule accordingly and hope to host a significant number of matches in Dharamshala."The final Test of the India-England series is currently underway in Ahmedabad. It marks a milestone for Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow, who are playing their 100th Tests."This Test is historic," Dhumal said. "It's Ashwin's 100th, Bairstow's 100th, and Anderson is likely to take his 700th wicket. It also coincides with the anniversary of Sunil Gavaskar scoring 10,000 runs."

Shubman Gill's recent resurgence in Test cricket has been attributed to his return to stepping out to bowlers, according to his father and first coach, Lakhwinder. Despite not agreeing with his son's decision to bat at number three, Lakhwinder believes that Gill's aggressive approach has been instrumental in his success.After a disappointing series opener against England, Gill faced mounting pressure to perform. He had failed to score a fifty in 12 innings and was criticized for not playing his natural attacking game. However, his maiden Test century in the second innings of the Vizag Test silenced his critics.Lakhwinder, who witnessed Gill's second hundred of the series on Friday, highlighted the importance of his son's aggressive approach. "Stepping out has made a big difference," he said. "He had stopped doing that and that created pressure. Since his U-16 days, he has been stepping out to spinners and pacers to cut the movement."Gill's willingness to take on both spinners and pacers was evident on Friday, as he charged down the track to hit James Anderson for a six. Lakhwinder also praised his son's square cut and cover drive, which were on display at the HPCA Stadium.Despite his admiration for Gill's aggressive style, Lakhwinder believes that he should have continued to open the batting. "He should have continued to open," he said. "It is not right at all I feel. When you sit in the dressing room for longer, the pressure tends to increase. Number 3 is not opening neither it is a middle-order spot."However, Lakhwinder respects his son's decisions and is proud of his achievements. He also lauded the BCCI's decision to make Ranji Trophy appearances mandatory for India players when they are not on national duty. "The calendar is so busy that he hardly trains for red ball," he said. "It is good that BCCI has taken this step."

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.

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.