Cricket

The milestone of 100 Test matches is a testament to the exceptional skill and dedication of cricketers. This week, R. Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow join the elite club of players who have reached this remarkable achievement.Ashwin, India's most successful off-spinner, has established himself as a formidable force in the game. His ability to extract turn and bounce from any surface, combined with his relentless pursuit of wickets, has made him a nightmare for batsmen worldwide.While statistics play a role in evaluating a player's greatness, they cannot fully capture the essence of Ashwin's artistry. His ability to adapt to different conditions, experiment with new deliveries, and outsmart opponents with his cricketing intelligence sets him apart.In an era where bowlers are armed with an arsenal of variations, Ashwin's unwavering focus on taking wickets stands out. He understands that the primary objective of a bowler is to dismiss batsmen, not merely contain runs.Ashwin's journey to 100 Tests has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He has played a pivotal role in India's overseas victories, but his away record has also been a subject of scrutiny. However, his overall contributions to the team, including his exceptional home record, make him an indispensable asset.Among the pantheon of Indian off-spinners, Ashwin stands tall. His combination of natural talent and cricket intelligence is reminiscent of the legendary Erapalli Prasanna. Like Prasanna, Ashwin has the ability to succeed in both home and away conditions.As Ashwin reaches this milestone, it is important to recognize his status as a modern master of the craft. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his unwavering belief in his abilities have made him one of the most respected and admired cricketers of his generation.

India's skipper Rohit Sharma arrived in Dharamsala on Tuesday, marking the commencement of preparations for the fifth and final Test against England. The match, scheduled to take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium from March 7, will conclude the five-match series, which India currently leads 3-1.Rohit, accompanied by his wife, had previously attended the pre-wedding festivities of Mukesh Ambani's son in Jamnagar. Both the Indian and English teams arrived in Dharamsala on Sunday.Despite losing the opening match of the series, India rallied with consecutive victories in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, and Ranchi to secure the series win. India's dominance is reflected in their top ranking in the World Test Championship standings, while England languishes in eighth place.The final Test will witness the return of India's pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the series-clinching victory in Ranchi. The Indian squad for the Dharamsala Test includes:* Rohit Sharma (captain)* Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Rajat Patidar* Sarfaraz Khan* Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper)* KS Bharat (wicket-keeper)* Devdutt Padikkal* R Ashwin* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Mohammed Siraj* Mukesh Kumar* Akash Deep

Legendary South African cricketer AB De Villiers has expressed his belief that Rajat Patidar, despite his disappointing performances in the ongoing Test series against England, could retain his place in the Indian team due to the team's supportive culture.In a recent video on his YouTube channel, De Villiers praised the team culture fostered by skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, which he believes provides young players with the time and space to regain their form."Rajat Patidar not having the series of a lifetime or the one to remember. But the good thing about this Indian team and the culture is that you will survive in that side because of the great cricket they are playing and the results coming their way," De Villiers said.Patidar, who has averaged just 10.5 in his Test career so far, has struggled to make an impact in the ongoing series. However, De Villiers believes that the team's success could allow them to be more patient with the young batter."If Patidar's attitude is catchy and if he is a likable character in the dressing room, Rohit and the selection panel will have the ability to say, 'Hold on, we do believe this guy has a future and we see him as a part of the team moving forward. Even though he hasn't been scoring runs, let's give him a longer run'," De Villiers explained.De Villiers also emphasized the importance of giving young players opportunities to learn and grow, even when they are not performing at their best."You need to give these guys a chance to learn and grow. You can't just throw them in the deep end and expect them to swim. You need to give them a life jacket and help them along the way," he said.India will face England in the fifth and final Test match of the series in Dharamsala starting March 7. It remains to be seen whether Patidar will be retained in the team, but De Villiers' comments suggest that he has the support of the team management and could be given another chance to prove his worth.

Ravichandran Ashwin's exceptional bowling prowess has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world, earning him accolades from renowned batters like Joe Root. The veteran Indian off-spinner's relentless pursuit of wickets and aggressive mindset have made him a constant threat to opposition batsmen.Ashwin's versatility is a key factor in his success. Unlike traditional off-spinners, he employs a wide range of deliveries, including over-spin, side-spin, and the deceptive carrom ball. This unpredictability keeps batters guessing and forces them to adapt constantly.Root, who has faced Ashwin on numerous occasions, highlighted the off-spinner's ability to bowl six different deliveries in an over. Ashwin's clever use of the crease and seam position allows him to exploit different angles and create wicket-taking opportunities.In contrast to Nathan Lyon, another premier off-spinner, Ashwin focuses on getting batters out rather than wearing them down. He uses his variations to disrupt the batter's rhythm and force them into mistakes.Despite England's struggles in the ongoing Test series against India, Root remains optimistic about the team's approach. He believes that the top order has shown consistency, and the team is committed to finding the best balance between attacking and pragmatic batting.Jonny Bairstow, who is set to play his 100th Test in Dharamsala, has faced some challenges with the bat. However, Root expressed confidence in his fellow Yorkshireman's ability to overcome these setbacks and make a significant contribution to the team.

India's rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal has earned his maiden nomination for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for February 2024, a testament to his exceptional performances in the Test series against England.Jaiswal's remarkable form played a pivotal role in India's comeback after trailing 1-0 following the loss in the Hyderabad Test. He displayed an exceptional performance by hitting consecutive double centuries in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot during the month, with the latter equaling the record for the most sixes in a Test innings, achieving an impressive 12.Continuing his prolific run, Jaiswal added more runs in the fourth Test at Ranchi, which included a half-century in the first innings. By the end of February, the 22-year-old had accumulated a total of 560 runs at an outstanding average of 112.The back-to-back double hundreds at the age of 22 years and 49 days also made him the third youngest batter in the world to record two double centuries in Tests after Sir Donald Bradman and Vinod Kambli. Jaiswal has also risen to the top of the leading run-scorer list in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.New Zealand's Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka are the other nominees for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award. Williamson is nominated for the honor for the first time since March 2023 after another series of century scores dominated the headlines in New Zealand's first-ever Test series victory over South Africa.Nissanka, on the other hand, excelled in Sri Lanka's recent three ODIs and three T20Is against Afghanistan, smashing the first ever ODI double-century for his country at Pallekele (210 not out in 139 balls) to begin the month in a blistering fashion.In the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for February 2024, UAE duo of Kavisha Egodage and Esha Oza have been shortlisted alongside Australia all-rounder Annabel Sutherland.

India's emphatic series victory over England in Ranchi takes on a new dimension when considering the contrasting weather conditions between Ranchi and Dharamsala, the venue for the fifth and final Test. With the hosts securing an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, the Dharamsala match holds significance primarily for World Test Championship (WTC) points.Had the series been poised at 2-1 or 2-2 heading into the fifth Test, England would have harbored hopes of triumphing or sharing the trophy in the familiar conditions of chilly, rainy Dharamsala. However, India's dominance in the previous three Tests has effectively extinguished those aspirations.India's ascent to the top of the WTC table, following Australia's victory over New Zealand in Wellington, further underscores the significance of the Dharamsala Test. The weather forecast for the morning of March 7, when the match is scheduled to commence, paints a stark contrast to the conditions in Ranchi.Temperatures in Dharamsala are expected to hover around 5 degrees Celsius, with a forecast of "mostly cloudy and cold with a little rain." The afternoon temperature is predicted to reach 7 degrees, dropping to around 4 degrees in the evening.Despite the chilly start, the weather is anticipated to improve over the next four days, with temperatures ranging from 11 to 21 degrees. England, who began the series with a 28-run victory in the first Test, have since suffered three consecutive defeats.India leveled the series with a 106-run win in Visakhapatnam, followed by a massive 434-run victory in Rajkot. The hosts sealed the series with a five-wicket triumph in Ranchi, leaving England with little hope of salvaging the series in Dharamsala.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has refuted claims that India, England, and Cricket Australia have disregarded a proposal to safeguard Test cricket. A report in the Sydney Morning Herald alleged that the three influential boards dismissed a document drafted by New Zealand Cricket chair Martin Snedden, which suggested overhauling the future tours program (FTP) to preserve the longest format of the game.Hockley vehemently denied these allegations, stating that ongoing discussions are centered on optimizing the calendar and fostering cricket's global growth. The proposed blueprint includes additional windows for T20 leagues beyond the Indian Premier League, modifications to the World Test Championship points system, 40-over ODIs, concerns about T20Is, and efforts to pool broadcast rights revenue for bilateral series.Hockley emphasized Australia's commitment to supporting the ICC in ensuring the health of all three cricket formats. He highlighted the country's role in introducing the World Test Championship and its involvement in the ICC's FTP working group.Hockley acknowledged the global expansion of cricket, citing the United States' embrace of the game and its co-hosting of the T20 World Cup with the West Indies later this year. He stressed the importance of a format strategy that accommodates all formats and fosters their coexistence.Regarding the World Test Championship, Hockley emphasized its significance and Australia's unwavering support for men's Test cricket as its most valuable asset. He emphasized the need to enhance the prominence of the World Test Championship and ensure its economic viability in all territories.Hockley concluded by highlighting the ongoing efforts to configure the calendar to accommodate all three formats. He emphasized the collaborative nature of these discussions, involving all ICC members, to ensure the continued growth and success of cricket worldwide.

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket captain, has lauded young batter Sarfaraz Khan's potential in the five-day format. Sarfaraz, a right-handed batter, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for the past three years. He recently made his Test debut against England in Rajkot, where he impressed with scores of 62 and 68 not out.Ganguly believes that Sarfaraz's game is well-suited to the longer format. "I think he's more of a five-day player. His game is suited for that. T20 is a different format," Ganguly said. "The amount of runs he scored in domestic cricket, in the Ranji trophy and in first-class cricket has been phenomenal."Sarfaraz's rise to international cricket has been a long-awaited one. He has been a prolific run-scorer in first-class cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy. In the 2021-22 season, he topped the run-scoring charts with 982 runs in six matches. He also finished fifth in the 2019-20 season with 928 runs in six matches.In the unofficial Test series against England Lions, Sarfaraz performed well for India A, scoring 96 in a Tour match and 161 in an unofficial Test.Overall, Sarfaraz has scored 4056 runs in 47 first-class matches at an average of 68.74. He has scored 14 centuries and 13 fifties, with a best score of 301 not out.Ganguly's praise for Sarfaraz is a testament to the young batter's talent and potential. Sarfaraz has shown that he has the ability to score runs consistently at the highest level. With his impressive record in domestic cricket, he is likely to be a key player for India in the future.

Nathan Lyon, Australia's seasoned spinner, has revealed that his primary weapon is the bounce he generates from the surface, following his impressive performance with both bat and ball in the first Test against New Zealand.Lyon's heroics began with a crucial knock of 41 as a nightwatchman. His resilient batting propelled Australia's score to 164, helping them set a total of 369. He then showcased his prowess with the ball, claiming the vital wickets of Tom Latham (8) and Kane Williamson (9) to reduce the Kiwis to 111/3 at the end of Day 3 in Basin Reserve.On his second ball on Day 3, Lyon dismissed Latham with a short and wide delivery. After the day's play, he discussed his strategy for dealing with the opposition batters."My biggest weapon, and it's no secret, is my bounce all around the world. So I'll continue to try and put some over spin on the ball and try and get the bounce and try and hit the stickers on the bat and challenge the guys' defense on the crease. I've got a fair understanding of what their plan is going to be. So it's a good opportunity for me tonight to reset some goals and reset some plans and we'll go from there," Lyon said.Apart from his exceptional bowling skills, Lyon also displayed his resilience with the bat earlier in the day, scoring 41 off 46 deliveries, including six boundaries. While his knock boosted Australia's scoreboard, the rest of the batters failed to make a significant impact in the second innings. Glenn Phillips dismissed five of Australia's first seven batters.Lyon acknowledged that the batters might be frustrated with the manner in which they lost their wickets."I dare say so. But I'll never criticize our batters the way they go about it because they've been exceptional for a number of years now. But then you've got to give credit to the bowlers and this is my big thing. Bowlers are actually there to bowl good balls. And it's not always the batters' fault getting out and bowlers are allowed to come up with plans and execute and take wickets. No doubt there will be some frustration in there," Lyon added.