Cricket

Test Cricket's Future in Jeopardy as Ticket Prices SoarFormer England cricketer and commentator David Lloyd has raised concerns about the future of Test cricket, citing the exorbitant ticket prices for the upcoming third Test between England and India at Lord's next July.Ticket prices have skyrocketed, with the most expensive seats reaching an astonishing £175 (Rs 19,557). Even the most affordable seats available for the first three days come at a steep price of £90 (around Rs 10,000), and these seats offer limited visibility of the event.Lloyd expressed his dismay in a Daily Mail article, stating, "Paying that much for a seat where you can't see the entire field is ridiculous. What might you miss? The batsman? A catch down at fine leg?"He emphasized that Test cricket is in danger of becoming an event only for the elite, excluding regular fans who cannot afford such high prices. "Sure, it's fun to spot celebrities in the crowd, but cricket needs to cater to everyone, not just the rich," he said.Lloyd believes that Lord's is setting a trend for other cricket venues. If ticket prices at Lord's range from £120 – £175 (around Rs 13,000 -Rs 19,000), it could lead to similar pricing strategies being adopted by other grounds.He questioned the rationale behind the pricing, asking, "Who sets these prices? Who decides that £175 is fair? I'd love to know the answer."Lloyd highlighted the disparity between the luxurious experience at Lord's and the more affordable atmosphere at other grounds. "At Lord's, stewards collect champagne corks after every over. But, at places like Headingley, try throwing a can of Tetley's over the boundary and see what happens!"He concluded by expressing his concern for the everyday fan, who may be priced out of attending Test matches. "I'm speaking for the everyday fan. The kind who enjoys a football match with a pie and Bovril. For us, paying £120-£175 (for one day of cricket is outrageous. It feels like the MCC knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing. They're risking losing the connection between this great England team and the public."

Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the first batsman to score fifty or more in eight consecutive Test matches. This remarkable feat was achieved during the second Test against New Zealand at Galle International Stadium.Mendis, a stylish left-hander, has been in scintillating form throughout the series. Coming in at number five, he once again displayed his exceptional batting acumen, notching up his fourth half-century in Test cricket. His latest knock of 51* helped Sri Lanka post a formidable total of 306 for three at the end of day one.Mendis' milestone came as Sri Lanka recovered from a shaky start in their first innings. After captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and chose to bowl, Sri Lanka's early innings suffered a setback with Pathum Nissanka dismissed cheaply. However, veteran campaigners Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the innings with a crucial 122-run partnership for the second wicket.Karunaratne's unfortunate run out provided New Zealand with a breakthrough, but Chandimal continued his fine form to bring up a century before being dismissed. It was Kamindu Mendis' arrival that solidified Sri Lanka's position. Alongside Angelo Mathews, Mendis guided the team past the 300-mark, scoring a sublime 51* by the end of day one.Mendis' incredible consistency has been a defining feature of his game, starting with his fifty against Australia in Galle in 2022, followed by awe-inspiring scores against Bangladesh and England earlier this year. His latest half-century against New Zealand not only helped Sri Lanka post a formidable total but also saw him break a world record that stood untouched for years.Mendis' remarkable run is a clear sign of his growing stature in world cricket, making him one of Sri Lanka's most reliable middle-order batsmen. His ability to score consistently in different conditions and against various oppositions highlights his exceptional talent and determination.

Star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has acknowledged the formidable challenge of touring India for Test matches, emphasizing that the quality of the hosts makes the pitches less significant. Bangladesh has yet to secure a Test victory against India since their first encounter in Dhaka in 2000.Shakib, who has been a pivotal figure in Bangladesh's cricket success, expressed his admiration for India's dominance in Test cricket. "If you look at other countries, every now and then they will lose one or two games. But in India, you hardly see them losing in Test matches. So yes, I would say you are right," Shakib told reporters.Despite Bangladesh's recent Test series victory against Pakistan, Shakib drew a distinction between the two teams. "Pakistan is a relatively new team. In experience, I would say, if you look at the matches they played and if you look at our team and the matches we have played, we have got more experience than them. And in Test cricket I think that is a massive factor."However, Shakib acknowledged India's exceptional status in the cricketing world. "They are the number one team in the World Championship at this moment. They are probably unbeatable at home. I saw a stat somewhere where for some 4000 days they have been unbeaten in India. So, that shows how good they are in India."Shakib emphasized that Bangladesh must perform exceptionally well to compete against India. "We have to play really well against them to be able to show the fight that we feel like we can put on," he said.Regarding the potential impact of a spin-friendly pitch in Kanpur, Shakib downplayed its significance. "When you play against a team like India, Australia, England, pitches don't matter much because they will obviously have their weapon with which they can attack us."Shakib urged Bangladesh's young batters to step up and score big. "If I talk about batting only, I think there has been an improvement. If you see from the first innings to the second innings. First innings we bowled out for about 150. In the second innings, we scored about 250. If we can score 350, somewhere there, I think that will be a huge improvement. And 350 to 400 on first innings will give us a lot of confidence and the dressing room will feel a lot more comfortable," he said.

The second Test between India and Bangladesh is shrouded in uncertainty as both teams remain unaware of the pitch conditions. India's batting coach, Abhishek Nayar, expressed his ignorance about the surface, while Bangladesh's head coach, Chandika Hathurusinghe, revealed that two pitches have been prepared, but the final decision will be made on the morning of the match.During India's training session, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir inspected both pitches. The drier black-soil surface seemed to garner more attention. Initial indications suggest a batting-friendly start, transitioning to slow and low turn from the third day onwards.However, the weather forecast poses a challenge. Overcast conditions and thunderstorms are predicted for the first three days, potentially hindering the natural wear and tear that typically aids spin-friendly pitches. Rain interrupted India's training session, prompting the groundstaff to cover the square.As a result, India will finalize their XI on the morning of the Test, considering the possibility of an extra spinner instead of the extra seamer used in Chennai. Both pitches appear promising, but the conditions will ultimately determine the pitch's behavior.India leads the series 1-0 and may opt for a spinner over a seamer. Kuldeep Yadav, who impressed against England earlier this year, and Axar Patel, known for his relentless stump-to-stump attack, are potential candidates. Axar played alongside R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India's last Test in Kanpur against New Zealand in 2021, which ended in a draw.

Shakib Al Hasan Announces Retirement from Test Cricket, Hints at Farewell in IndiaBangladesh's legendary all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket, with his final match potentially being against South Africa in Mirpur or India in the upcoming second Test. The 35-year-old also confirmed his retirement from T20 cricket.Shakib made the announcement during a pre-match press conference in Kanpur ahead of the first Test against India. "I have expressed my desire to play my last Test in Mirpur, if that won't happen, the second Test against India would be my last," he said.Shakib's Test career has been a remarkable one. In 70 matches, he has amassed 4600 runs at an average of 38.33, including five centuries and 31 half-centuries. With the ball, he has claimed 242 wickets, including 19 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket matches.His all-round abilities have made him an indispensable member of the Bangladesh team. He has often played match-winning innings and taken crucial wickets, guiding his side to memorable victories.Shakib's retirement from Test cricket will mark the end of an era for Bangladesh cricket. He has been a role model for aspiring cricketers and has played a pivotal role in the team's rise to prominence.While he may be stepping away from the longest format, Shakib is expected to continue playing One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He remains one of the most experienced and respected players in the world, and his contributions to Bangladesh cricket will continue to be invaluable.

Virat Kohli's recent batting struggles have raised concerns ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh, starting on Friday. In the first Test in Chennai, Kohli managed only 6 and 17 runs, sparking doubts about his current form.Kohli's difficulties were evident during a net session at Green Park Stadium, where he faced challenges against both pace and spin. Indian Express reported that Kohli struggled against India's top pacer Jasprit Bumrah in a 15-ball spell.Initially, Kohli appeared confident, hitting a few strokes. However, Bumrah soon gained the upper hand, beating Kohli four times, including forcing an edge and hitting his pads. Bumrah teased Kohli further, saying, "You are plumb" and "The last one would have been caught at short leg." Kohli responded with a smile, acknowledging his difficulties.Kohli's struggles were even more noticeable against India's spin trio — Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. While facing Jadeja, Kohli tried to play inside-out but missed the ball three consecutive times, visibly showing his frustration. In his final practice session, Axar Patel bowled him out, indicating Kohli's ongoing difficulties with spin.Kohli's poor form has become a talking point, with fans and experts expressing concern. Some have attributed his struggles to a lack of match practice, as he missed the five-match series against England for personal reasons. Others have suggested that Kohli may be suffering from a technical flaw or a loss of confidence.As India gears up for the second Test, all eyes will be on Kohli to see how he adjusts and performs. Fans are eager to see if the talented batter can regain his form and make a significant contribution to the team in the long Test season ahead.

Virat Kohli, India's batting mainstay, will be under the spotlight as the team takes on Bangladesh in the second and final Test of their series. India, currently atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, will aim to secure a 2-0 series victory, while Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma will be eager to rediscover their batting form after a disappointing outing in the first Test.In the series opener at Chennai, India dominated Bangladesh, winning by 280 runs. However, Kohli and Rohit struggled, scoring only 6 and 5 in the first innings and 6 and 17 in the second, respectively. Since then, the duo has been working diligently in the nets at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium to regain their rhythm.Kohli, in particular, will be desperate to end his prolonged lean patch. In 15 matches across formats this year, he has managed just 319 runs, including a single half-century. His form is crucial for India's success in the upcoming season, which includes eight more Tests: three against New Zealand at home and five in Australia.Kanpur has been a happy hunting ground for India, with the team remaining unbeaten since 1983. Kohli and Rohit will be determined to join the list of centurions from the first Test, which includes Ravichandran Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill.India's bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, will also be keen to continue their impressive performance. In the first Test, they dismissed Bangladesh for 150 and 231, respectively.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to salvage some pride after their heavy defeat in Chennai. Skipper Mominul Haque and opener Tamim Iqbal will need to lead from the front and provide their team with a solid foundation.The second Test promises to be an intriguing contest, with India aiming to extend their dominance and Bangladesh determined to prove their mettle.

Virat Kohli's journey from an unknown figure to a global icon is a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional talent. His rise to stardom began with his triumph as captain of the Indian U-19 team at the 2008 World Cup. Just months later, he made his senior India debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka, marking the start of an illustrious career that has spanned over a decade.Kohli's early days as a cricketer were filled with camaraderie and support from his teammates. A recently surfaced video on social media captures a lighthearted moment where his friends tease him about his newfound fame after a media interview. The video showcases the close bond between Kohli and his fellow cricketers, who have witnessed his transformation from a promising youngster to one of the greatest players of all time.Kohli's achievements on the field are nothing short of remarkable. In Test cricket, he has amassed 8871 runs at an impressive average of 48.74, including 29 centuries and 30 fifties. In ODIs, he holds the world record for the most centuries (50) and has scored 13,906 runs at an average of 58.18. Kohli's dominance in T20Is is equally impressive, with 4188 runs in 125 matches, including one century and 38 fifties.Beyond his statistical accomplishments, Kohli's leadership and influence on the Indian cricket team have been profound. He captained India to victory in the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. His aggressive and passionate approach to the game has inspired a generation of young cricketers and cemented his status as a true legend of the sport.

Kuldeep Yadav, the Kanpur-born left-arm wrist spinner, has been a constant presence in the Indian cricket team as a backup to the formidable duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite his impressive record of 53 wickets in just 12 Tests, Kuldeep has often found himself on the sidelines, waiting for his chance to shine.However, with the second Test against Bangladesh set to be played on the slow-turning Green Park Stadium, Kuldeep's home ground, the 29-year-old spinner is hoping to finally get a start in the XI. Kuldeep has been a prolific wicket-taker at Green Park throughout his career, and he will be eager to make the most of the opportunity to play in front of his home crowd.Kuldeep's journey to the Indian team has been marked by both success and setbacks. He made his Test debut in 2014, but has only played 12 matches since then. Despite his limited opportunities, Kuldeep has consistently impressed with his ability to take wickets and control the flow of runs.However, Kuldeep has also faced criticism for his inconsistency and lack of control at times. In recent years, he has worked hard to improve his technique and fitness, and he believes he is now ready to take on a more prominent role in the Indian team."There will always be competition among spinners in India, irrespective of the format," Kuldeep said recently. "There will always be four spinners ready to take the field. Now, I focus on continuously bettering myself and being ready to pounce on the opportunity when it comes."With the Indian team management expressing reservations about the Kanpur pitch, it remains to be seen whether Kuldeep will get his chance to play in the second Test. However, the spinner is confident that he is ready to make an impact whenever he is called upon."It was tough to change something that you have been doing for 15 years," Kuldeep said about his recent technical changes. "There were doubts when I was coming back from injury and going through these changes a couple of years back. I was not sure how it would turn out. But I decided to give myself more time to perfect it and then come back."Kuldeep's patience and hard work have paid off, and he is now one of the most dangerous spinners in the world. If he gets his chance to play in the second Test, he will be determined to prove that he is ready to be a regular member of the Indian team.