Cricket

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rising star of Indian cricket, has been making waves with his impressive performances in Test cricket. Despite the rain-affected first day of the opening Test against New Zealand, Jaiswal spent an hour at indoor nets, showcasing his dedication to his craft.Jaiswal's childhood coach, Jwala Singh, believes that the 21-year-old's maturity and focused mindset will serve him well when he embarks on the biggest challenge of his career in Australia next month. "At this level, it's about handling pressure," said Singh. "Yashasvi has a mature head on his shoulders, which is crucial in Australia, where they play hard cricket."Since his Test debut in 2023, Jaiswal has amassed 1217 runs at an average of 64.05, including three centuries. Singh attributes his growth as a batsman to his association with senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. "Being around such masters has helped him a lot," he said.Jaiswal's aggressive batting style has been tempered with a more judicious approach. "He now has better awareness of his game and knows which balls to attack and which to let go," noted Singh. This was evident in his breakout series against England earlier this year, where he handled legendary pacer James Anderson with aplomb.However, the challenge of playing in Australia is vastly different. Former England pacer Alan Mullaly believes that Indian batters need to be prepared for short-pitched bowling and spicy pitches. "The Aussies will go hard at them with short stuff," he said.Despite the challenges, India skipper Rohit Sharma is confident in Jaiswal's abilities. "He has the game to play in all sorts of conditions," said Sharma. "We've found a great player."Jaiswal's journey in the next couple of years will be crucial in determining his long-term success. With his dedication, maturity, and adaptability, he has the potential to become a mainstay in the Indian Test team for years to come.

Shakib Al Hasan, the legendary Bangladeshi all-rounder, is set to bid farewell to Test cricket on home soil in the upcoming series against South Africa. The first Test, commencing on Monday, will mark Shakib's final appearance in the longest format before his adoring home crowd.Shakib's decision to retire from Tests was prompted by his desire to focus on limited-overs cricket and spend more time with his family. However, he expressed his wish to play his final Test at home, a request that was initially met with uncertainty due to security concerns.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had initially declined Shakib's request, citing its inability to guarantee his safety. However, following a change in leadership at the BCB, the board has now agreed to provide security for Shakib, paving the way for his farewell appearance.Shakib's return to the Bangladesh Test team comes after a period of controversy. He was accused of involvement in the murder of a student, but the veteran all-rounder was in Canada playing in a T20 league at the time of the incident.Despite the allegations, Shakib has issued an unconditional apology for his silence during the civil unrest in Bangladesh, which led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He expressed his respect for the students who sacrificed their lives and apologized to those who were hurt by his silence.Shakib's farewell Test will be an emotional occasion for both the player and the Bangladesh cricket fans. He has been a cornerstone of the Bangladesh Test team for over a decade, amassing over 6,000 runs and 235 wickets. His all-round abilities have played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's rise as a competitive Test nation.In his farewell message to the fans, Shakib expressed his gratitude for their support and his desire to end his Test career on a high note. He invited the fans to join him in this special moment and thanked them for their unwavering belief in him.Following the two-Test series against South Africa, Bangladesh will depart for the UAE to face Afghanistan in a three-match series. Shakib, who is also a key member of the ODI side, will be part of the squad that will travel to the UAE, marking his departure from Bangladesh.

Harry Brook's remarkable ascent in Test cricket continues unabated, with the 25-year-old England batter now occupying the coveted second spot in the ICC Test batting rankings. Brook's meteoric rise has been fueled by a jaw-dropping triple century against Pakistan in the first Test in Multan, propelling him eleven places up the ladder.In the process, Brook has leapfrogged Indian batting legend Virat Kohli, who has slipped one spot to seventh in the latest rankings. Brook's stunning performances have solidified his status as one of the most exciting batters in the Test arena. His triple hundred not only dismantled Pakistan's bowling attack to give England a 1-0 lead in the ongoing series but also underlined his potential to become one of the modern greats.Brook's rise has been mirrored by his England teammate Joe Root, who has achieved a new career-high rating of 932 points, further cementing his legacy. Root's remarkable innings of 262 in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan propelled him further ahead at the top of the ICC Test batting rankings. This new rating of 932 points surpasses his previous best of 923 and places him among an elite group of only 16 players in the history of Test cricket to achieve a rating above 932.The all-time best Test batting rankings remain led by Don Bradman, whose 961 points remain unmatched. Others in the top tier include Steve Smith (947), Ricky Ponting (942), and Virat Kohli (937). With his new rating, Root now joins legends such as Mohammad Yousuf (933) and Kumar Sangakkara (938) in this exclusive club.Brook and Root's record-breaking 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket against Pakistan was pivotal in England's emphatic victory, marking one of the most dominant displays in recent Test cricket. Their partnership showcased their exceptional batting skills and highlighted the depth of England's batting lineup.As England continues its tour of Pakistan, all eyes will be on Brook and Root to see if they can maintain their remarkable form. With their talent and determination, they have the potential to lead England to further success and cement their place among the all-time greats of the game.

Joe Root, the 33-year-old Yorkshireman, has etched his name in the annals of English cricket history by surpassing Alastair Cook's record tally of 12,472 runs during the first Test match against Pakistan. Root's remarkable innings of 262 runs propelled him past Cook's previous milestone, solidifying his status as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation.Cook, who recently retired from international cricket, was inducted into the ICC's Hall of Fame and hailed Root's exceptional talent. According to Cook, Root is a "generational talent" who has the potential to become the first batter in history to amass 16,000 Test runs.Currently, Root occupies the fifth position on the all-time list of run-scorers, trailing behind retired legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the top spot with 15,921 runs, followed by Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid. As Root continues to showcase his remarkable skills and consistency on the cricket field, the cricketing world eagerly anticipates his future achievements and the possibility of him etching his name in the record books as the most prolific run-scorer in Test cricket history."I think Joe Root could set a mark, certainly on the English side, which will be very hard to beat," said Cook, who retired from Test cricket in 2018 with a century in his final innings. "But you just never know. I hope he can get very close, if not be the first person to score 16,000 Test runs. It would be a great achievement but it's a fair way off yet."Cook also expressed his thoughts on the longevity of cricket records in the modern era. At 39 years old, he acknowledged the rapid evolution of the sport, particularly with the increasing popularity of limited-overs formats vying for space in the cricketing calendar alongside the traditional Test matches."Everyone looked to that Tendulkar record of 200 Test matches and I think quite a few people said, 'Well, that's never going to be done'." "And you've got a fast bowler who has played 188 Test matches and taken more than 700 wickets (retired England quick James Anderson)." "So I know the game is changing, the landscape is changing. But something always crops up, someone always does."

In 2016, Virat Kohli led the Indian cricket team to a resounding 3-0 Test series victory over New Zealand. During the second Test in Kolkata, Kohli etched his name in history by scoring his highest Test score against the Kiwis – a magnificent double century.The Indian innings got off to a shaky start as openers Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay departed early, leaving the team at 60/2. However, Kohli, batting at number four, steadied the ship with a crucial partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara (43).Kohli then joined forces with Ajinkya Rahane, and the duo forged a mammoth 365-run stand, the highest partnership for India in Tests against New Zealand. Kohli played aggressively against the likes of Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry, amassing 211 runs with 20 fours. Rahane, too, contributed handsomely with 188 runs, including 18 fours and 4 sixes.Rohit Sharma's quickfire half-century after Kohli's dismissal helped India post a formidable 557/5 before declaring. New Zealand's response was promising initially, but they collapsed after losing their first wicket at 118. Ashwin wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming six wickets as the Kiwis were bowled out for 299.In India's second innings, Pujara's century ensured a solid score of 216/3 before another declaration. New Zealand faced an even more daunting task in the fourth innings and were bundled out for 153, handing India a comprehensive victory.Ashwin was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning performance, while Kohli received the ICC Test Championship mace, a testament to his exceptional batting throughout the series.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, has shifted his focus from personal milestones to team success, according to Mike Hesson, the former Director of Cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Hesson believes that this mindset could prove dangerous for opposing teams, as Kohli's natural ability will lead to big scores regardless.Hesson, speaking on Jio Cinema ahead of India's Test series against New Zealand, praised Kohli's desire to win games for his country. He noted that Kohli's focus on team success rather than individual statistics could be a major advantage for India."I think Virat Kohli is at that stage in his career where he just wants to try and win games for India," Hesson said. "And I think that's a dangerous stage for other sides, because if he is doing that rather than focusing on numbers, the big scores will come naturally."Hesson emphasized the importance of Kohli's ability to control the tempo of an innings and counter-attack when necessary. He believes that Kohli's presence at the crease will prevent the game from drifting away from India."The ability to hold a tempo in Australia is so important--being able to counter-attack and knowing the right moments to do so," Hesson said. "As mentioned, from 30 to 60 overs is a key phase. If Kohli is batting at that point, he won't let the game drift. It is about finding gaps, hitting gaps, getting ones and twos, and then, if they try and attack him, then he can counterattack."Hesson also commented on Kohli's recent struggles against Bangladesh, noting that the former captain appeared to be in good form despite not making many runs. He expressed confidence that Kohli will thrive in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia."He looked like he was moving well and getting into good positions," Hesson said. "After playing in New Zealand, heading to Australia will suit him, as he thrives in those conditions."

The highly anticipated first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was marred by incessant rain on Day 1, delaying the toss and preventing any on-field action. However, the crowd found solace in the appearance of local hero Virat Kohli, who emerged on the field under an umbrella, sparking thunderous applause from the stands.Kohli, a beloved figure in Bengaluru due to his long association with the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has a special connection with the city's fanbase. His presence on the field, albeit briefly, provided a much-needed boost to the spirits of the rain-soaked spectators.The heavy showers, which began overnight, continued throughout the morning, forcing the ground staff to keep the pitch covered. The scheduled 9:30 AM (0400 GMT) start time was pushed back indefinitely, with rain forecast to disrupt play for the first two days of the match.The inclement weather also affected preparations for the series opener. Training sessions for both teams were canceled on Tuesday, leaving them with limited time to acclimatize to the conditions.Despite the weather setbacks, India remains the firm favorite in the three-Test series. Rohit Sharma's in-form side is coming off a 2-0 sweep of Bangladesh, while New Zealand will be without injured leading batsman Kane Williamson for at least the first match.New Zealand, who lost both Tests in Sri Lanka last month, will be led by Tom Latham for the first time in a full-time capacity after Tim Southee stepped down as captain following the Sri Lanka series.The second Test of the series will begin in Pune on October 24, while the third and final Test will be played in Mumbai from November 1.

Rohit Sharma, India's prolific opening batsman, stands on the cusp of a remarkable milestone as he prepares to face New Zealand in the first Test match in Bengaluru. With 87 sixes to his name in Test cricket, Rohit is just three shy of surpassing Virender Sehwag's record of 90 sixes for India in the longest format of the game.Rohit's explosive batting has been a cornerstone of India's success in recent years. His ability to clear the boundary with ease has made him a formidable force in Test cricket. If he manages to surpass Sehwag's record, it will be a testament to his exceptional power-hitting prowess.Beyond his individual achievements, Rohit is also focused on building a strong and reliable bench strength for India's fast-bowling department. As the team prepares for a three-match Test series against New Zealand, Rohit has emphasized the importance of having a pool of eight or nine fast bowlers who can step into the playing XI at any moment."We want to create a bench strength where tomorrow, if anything happens to anyone, we are not worried or too heavily reliant on a few individuals," Rohit said. "That's not the right thing to do."Rohit's goal is to ensure that there are enough ready replacements, especially in the event of injuries, to keep the team competitive and prepared. "We want to create guys where even if there are injuries, we have got someone to quickly step in and take that role," he said."It's not about three or four options. We want to try and do that like, you know, when it comes to batting, there are a lot of options. We want to create the same with the bowlers as well."With Rohit Sharma leading the charge, India is poised to make a strong statement in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. His pursuit of Sehwag's record and his focus on building a deep bench strength are clear indications of his commitment to the team's long-term success.

Steven Smith's brief stint as an opener in Australia's Test team has come to an end, with the former captain expressing a desire to return to his previous position at No. 4. While the move to open was initially met with criticism, it has sparked a debate about the potential consequences of denying Smith's request.Smith's decision to open the batting was driven by a desire for a fresh challenge and a belief that he could contribute more to the team in that role. Despite initial resistance from the captain and coach, Smith's persistence led to the team hierarchy agreeing to accommodate his request.However, Smith's performance as an opener has been mixed. While he made a match-winning 174 not out in New Zealand, his overall average of 28.50 across eight innings was below his usual standards. This has led to questions about whether the move was a success or a failure.Despite his modest average, Smith's performance as an opener was comparable to that of other openers in the same conditions. Usman Khawaja, Tom Latham, and Will Young all averaged less than 35 in the same four Tests. Additionally, Smith's move to open allowed Cameron Green to bat at No. 4, where he made a significant impact.The decision to move Smith back to No. 4 has potential implications for the team leadership. The new opener will feel pressure to prove themselves, knowing that they were not the first choice. A bolt from the blue like Sam Konstas could provide a clean slate, but it would also raise questions about Green's future in the team.Ultimately, Smith's time as a Test opener will likely be a footnote in his storied career. However, it has raised important questions about the role of player input in team selection and the consequences of denying a player's request for a change.