Cricket

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has declared his unwavering support for an aggressive "high risk, high reward" approach in Test cricket, even if it occasionally leads to low scores. This philosophy was evident in India's recent victory over Bangladesh in Kanpur, where they chased down a target in a rain-affected match.Gambhir believes that this approach allows batters to maximize their potential and score quickly, potentially leading to match-winning performances. He acknowledges that there will be setbacks, but he is willing to accept them as part of the pursuit of success.However, Gambhir emphasizes that adaptability remains crucial. He wants his team to be able to adjust their strategy based on the situation, whether it's pushing for a win or securing a draw. He believes that this flexibility is essential for growth and success in Test cricket.Gambhir is confident in his team's ability to handle any challenge, including the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand. He acknowledges the Kiwis' strength but insists that India will play "hard cricket" to achieve their desired results.Despite the upcoming challenges, including a five-Test series against Australia, Gambhir remains focused on the immediate task at hand. He believes that the team's primary goal is to win the World Test Championship in June 2025, and that the upcoming matches are crucial steps towards that objective.

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant injected a dose of humor into India's practice session ahead of the highly anticipated home Test series against New Zealand. In a lighthearted exchange with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Pant joked about sharing a chair, creating a playful moment amidst the intense preparations.In a video posted on Pant's social media handle, the 27-year-old keeper playfully asked Jaiswal, "Chair chahiye kya tereko?" (Do you need a chair?). With only one free chair available, Pant cheekily added, "Yeh toh nahi dunga" (I won't give it to you), leaving both cricketers in laughter.Beyond the banter, Pant displayed his serious side, practicing various shots in the nets. The video captures him working on a wide range of strokes, hinting at the explosive form he aims to carry into the upcoming series.India has announced a formidable 15-member squad for the three-match Test series, which begins on October 16 in Bengaluru as part of the ICC World Test Championship. The team is led by Rohit Sharma, with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain. Bumrah's elevation to deputy comes as India prepare for the grueling five-Test tour of Australia next month.However, the squad will miss the services of experienced pacer Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from ankle surgery. Shami sustained the injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup and will sit out the entire New Zealand series. Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, part of the squad for the Bangladesh series, has been omitted.Despite the changes, India, having recently swept Bangladesh 2-0, remain focused on extending their lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings. The team will be eager to put on a strong performance against New Zealand and continue their dominance in the longest format of the game.

Sri Lanka's batting sensation Kamindu Mendis has once again etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first player to win the ICC Men's Player of the Month award twice in a calendar year. Mendis' exceptional performances in September, where he amassed 451 runs in four Tests at an astonishing average of 90.20, earned him the prestigious accolade.Mendis' month-long brilliance began at The Oval in England, where he played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's consolation victory. His contributions continued in the subsequent series against New Zealand back home, where he played a key role in Sri Lanka's series triumph. Notably, Mendis scored two centuries during this period, further cementing his status as a rising star in the cricketing world.The ICC's statement highlighted Mendis' remarkable achievements, stating that he "beat out tough competition from Sri Lanka teammate Prabath Jayasuriya and Australia's Travis Head to claim the monthly award." Mendis' consistent performances and ability to deliver under pressure have earned him widespread recognition and admiration.Mendis expressed his delight at winning the award for the second time this year, acknowledging the hard work and dedication that have fueled his success. "I am honored to be once again chosen as the ICC Men's Player of the Month," he said. "This accolade brings me immense happiness and pride, as I believe all the hard work that was put into becoming the player that I am today is starting to pay off and being recognized consistently in the global stage."Mendis' hunger for success is evident in his unwavering determination to achieve even greater heights. "This recognition gives me further strength to continue my good work on the cricketing field and aspire for bigger achievements, thus helping my team win games and bring glory to our country and happiness to our fans," he added.During September, Mendis became the first men's player in history to pass fifty in each of the first eight matches of his Test career. His exceptional run-scoring spree continued as he became the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs, matching the legendary Don Bradman's feat of achieving the milestone in just 13 innings.Mendis' most impressive performance of the month came in the second Test against New Zealand, where he scored a dominant 182* in Sri Lanka's mammoth first-innings total of 602/5 declared. His knock played a crucial role in setting up a convincing victory for his team. However, his 114 in the first innings of the first Test of the same series was arguably even more impressive.With Sri Lanka in trouble at 88/3, Mendis' arrival at the crease proved pivotal. His resilient innings, coupled with Angelo Mathews' contribution, helped Sri Lanka recover and eventually win the match by a narrow margin of 63 runs.In eight Tests so far, Mendis has amassed an astonishing 1,004 runs at an exceptional average of 91.27. His tally includes five centuries and four fifties in just 13 innings, with his highest score being 182*. Mendis' consistent performances have not only earned him individual accolades but have also played a significant role in Sri Lanka's recent successes.

Pakistan's Test team has undergone a significant transformation for the second Test against England, opting for a spin-heavy attack on the same pitch that witnessed England's record-breaking performance in the first Test. This drastic change in strategy reflects a shift in Pakistan's approach to home pitches, with assistant coach Azhar Mahmood revealing that they had planned to prepare spin-friendly surfaces for England.Despite the expectation that the pitch would begin to turn from the second day in the first Test, Pakistan's lineup featured only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed. However, for the second Test, they have lined up with three spinners: Zahid Mahmood, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan. This will be the first time Pakistan has played a men's Test with only one fast bowler, Aamer Jamal.The decision to field three spinners stems from Pakistan's belief that spin is the best way to take 20 wickets against England on this particular pitch. Mahmood emphasized the importance of taking wickets and expressed confidence in the experience of the incoming spinners, despite their lack of recent first-class matches.However, the exclusion of Babar Azam from the team has raised eyebrows. Mahmood insists that it is a "rest" rather than a "drop," citing Pakistan's upcoming schedule. However, some question why the upcoming white-ball tours could not serve as a more appropriate avenue for rotation, given the significance of the home Test series against England.The fielding of three spinners in addition to Salman Agha, who Mahmood previously described as a "specialist spinner," indicates Pakistan's belief that the pitch will take turn. They have left grass on the surface to encourage spin and hope it will work in their favor.

Mayank Yadav, the young speedster who set the IPL ablaze in 2024, has made a remarkable debut for India in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh. After a lengthy rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy, Yadav showcased his sharp bowling skills, claiming four wickets in three matches.His standout performance came in the third T20I in Hyderabad, where he became the fourth bowler in T20I history to take a wicket with the first ball of an innings. This elite group includes Indian bowlers Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.Yadav's impressive outings have earned him a spot as a traveling reserve for India's upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand. This opportunity will allow him to test his abilities in the longer format of the game.While some experts advocate for cautious handling of Yadav, former India cricketer and ex-selector Jatin Paranjape believes otherwise. "We should take it step by step with Mayank Yadav. The talk about wrapping him in cotton wool is exaggerated," said Paranjape.He emphasized the importance of bowling for bowlers' development, stating, "Bowlers need to bowl to improve, they don’t get better by just working out in the gym. The focus should be on making him stronger physiologically."Yadav's limited experience in First Class cricket, with only one match for Delhi, raises questions about his readiness for Test cricket. However, the upcoming series against New Zealand will provide him with a valuable opportunity to test his endurance and adaptability.

India's Gautam Gambhir Emphasizes Bowlers' Importance in Modern CricketIn the lead-up to the first Test match between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, head coach Gautam Gambhir has highlighted the crucial role of bowlers in the modern era of cricket. Gambhir believes that the "obsessed" mentality of batters needs to end, as bowlers now hold the key to victory.Over the past decade, Test cricket has witnessed a gradual shift from batsman-dominated matches to those where bowlers have taken center stage. The recent Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur served as a stark reminder of this evolution. Despite losing over two days of play due to rain and a soggy outfield, India adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, bowling out Bangladesh for 20 wickets to secure a historic victory.Gambhir emphasized that the era of batters dominating Test matches is over. "That era is past. This is the era of bowlers. Batters only set up matches. This batsman-obsessed attitude of ours needs to end," he said at a press conference in Bengaluru.According to Gambhir, even if batters score a large number of runs, victory is not guaranteed. However, if the bowling unit takes 20 wickets, the team's triumph is almost assured. "If a batter even scores 1,000 runs, it doesn't guarantee victory. But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, then there is a 99 per cent guarantee that we will win the Test match," he explained.Gambhir believes that bowlers win matches and tournaments, and that this mindset needs to change. "In this era, we will talk more about bowlers compared to batters, and I hope this mindset changes," he added.Historically, matches between the 1950s and 1990s often ended in draws, even when batters were able to stay on the crease for extended periods. However, recent results indicate a shift in the balance of power towards bowlers.In the recent Test in Multan, Pakistan posted a mammoth 550 runs on the scoreboard. However, England responded with a remarkable 823/7, declaring their innings and setting the bowlers the task of securing an innings and 47 runs victory, which they duly achieved.The upcoming Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru promises to be a fascinating contest between bat and ball. India boasts a bowling attack that combines skill and experience, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against the formidable New Zealand batting lineup.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering confidence in Virat Kohli, despite the star batter's recent struggles with form. Gambhir emphasized Kohli's unwavering commitment and hunger for the game, highlighting his consistent performances over a prolonged period."Virat is a world-class cricketer who has performed exceptionally well for a long time," Gambhir said. "His hunger to succeed remains as strong as when he first debuted."Gambhir believes that Kohli's ability to score consistently once he gets going will soon lead to a return to form. "That hunger is what makes him a world-class cricketer," Gambhir said. "I am confident that he will be eager to score runs in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia."Gambhir stressed the importance of supporting players throughout the season, rather than judging them based on individual performances. "Everyone has off days," he said. "We need to back our players and select the best playing 11, not drop anyone based on a single game."India is set to play eight Test matches in the near future, and Gambhir believes this period is crucial for the team's performance. "This is an opportunity for the team to perform well in a series of Test matches," he said. "I am confident that everyone is hungry and ready to deliver."India's squad for the three Tests against New Zealand includes Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep.New Zealand's squad includes Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, and Will Young.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a bold decision to rest four of its top players for the remaining two Test matches against England. The move, which includes dropping captain Babar Azam, former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, and pace bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, has raised eyebrows in the cricket world.The PCB has defended the decision, stating that it is in the best interests of the team. A PCB spokesperson said that the players were "spared from the team to give them rest so that they can come back afresh."The decision comes after Pakistan suffered a humiliating innings and 47-run defeat in the first Test at Rawalpindi. The team's performance was widely criticized, with many calling for changes to the playing XI.The PCB has also announced a new selection committee, which will be responsible for selecting the team for the remaining two Tests. The new committee includes former players Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, and Hassan Cheema.The four players who have been dropped have been replaced by younger players, including Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, and Kamran Ghulam. These players have limited experience at the international level, but the PCB believes that they have the potential to succeed.The PCB's decision to rest its top players is a gamble. However, it is a gamble that the board believes is necessary to ensure the long-term success of the team.

Pakistan's decision to exclude star batsman Babar Azam from the upcoming Test series against England has raised eyebrows, with former England captain Nasser Hussain expressing his surprise. Hussain believes that while Azam is currently out of form, he is a player who can rise to the occasion when the pressure is on.Azam's exclusion, along with that of strike bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, was a bold move by Pakistan's new selection panel. Hussain suggests that England may not be too concerned about Azam's absence, given his recent struggles. However, he warns that players of Azam's caliber often find a way to score runs when it matters most.Azam's form has dipped since he was appointed captain and Pakistan's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in June. He has not scored a Test half-century since 2022, despite an impressive overall record that includes nine centuries and 26 half-centuries in 55 matches.Meanwhile, Shaheen has struggled to regain his wicket-taking rhythm after recovering from a knee injury. Pakistan's decision to use the same contentious Multan pitch for the second Test has also drawn criticism from Hussain. He emphasizes the need for a more balanced pitch that offers something for both batsmen and bowlers."Test cricket cannot afford another game like the one we had last week," Hussain wrote. "There has to be a balance between bat and ball, and that means the pitch has to offer bowlers something at both ends of the game: movement for the seamers at the start, turn for the spinners at the end."Pakistan will be desperate to level the series against England, but they will need to find a way to overcome the absence of their star players and the challenges posed by the Multan pitch.