Cricket

Akash Deep, the young Bengal pacer, has made a quiet but significant impact on the Indian Test team since his debut in 2023. In his first match against England in Ranchi, he claimed three wickets in his opening spell, including the prized scalp of Zak Crawley. In the recent Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, he once again showcased his prowess by dismissing Zakir Hasan and Mominul Haque in consecutive deliveries, with the ball jagging back into the left-handers and breaching their defenses.Deep's rise to the national team is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He credits the rigors of domestic cricket for preparing him for the challenges of international cricket. "The domestic structure is so good that when you reach here, you already know many things," he said. "So, you get an idea of your bowling and what you must do. I don't find anything new here."Deep's bowling style is similar to that of Mohammed Shami, with the ability to move the ball both ways while attacking the stumps. This has led to comparisons between the two bowlers, and Deep is seen as a potential successor to Shami in the Indian pace attack."When you are playing in place of bowlers who have contributed to the country, then, along with being proud, I feel that I have to do something for my country," Deep said.Ahead of a long winter in which India will play Tests over the next three months, including five in Australia, Deep could be a key weapon in India's pace arsenal. With uncertainty over Shami's comeback after an Achilles tendon surgery, Deep is ready to step up and take over from his state teammate.Deep's journey so far has been marked by humility and a focus on the present. "I have worked on my strengths and what I can add to my bowling. I have thought about a few things. When I play here, it is simple. I don't put extra pressure on myself that I have to go to Australia or some other big series. I stay in the present and think about this match."

India's fast-rising pace sensation, Akash Deep, has hailed the country's robust domestic cricket system as a crucial factor in his seamless transition to international cricket. Deep, who has already made a mark in his two Test appearances, credits the BCCI's well-structured domestic setup for preparing him for the rigors of international competition."The domestic cricket structure in India is incredibly strong," Deep said. "By the time you reach the international level, you've already played a significant amount of high-quality cricket. You have a clear understanding of your bowling strengths and areas for improvement."Deep's journey to the Indian team is a testament to the effectiveness of the domestic pathway. After an impressive Ranji Trophy campaign in 2019, where he claimed 35 wickets at an average of 18.02, he was selected for the East Zone in the Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy. His consistent performances earned him a call-up to India A, and eventually, a Test debut against England Lions.The support and guidance of senior players in the Indian team have also played a significant role in Deep's transition. "I'm fortunate to play under Rohit Sharma," Deep said. "He simplifies things and creates a comfortable environment for newcomers. He made me feel like I was playing domestic cricket, not international cricket."Deep's success at the international level is a reflection of the hard work and dedication he has put in throughout his career. He has played over 100 first-class, List A, and T20 matches, honing his skills and developing a deep understanding of the game."I've played a lot of cricket in the last two years," Deep said. "It's important to understand yourself as a cricketer. When you're selected for a new team, there shouldn't be any confusion. I've worked on my strengths and identified areas where I can improve."Deep's focus on the present and his ability to adapt to different conditions have been key to his success. "My job is to put the ball in good areas, regardless of the wicket," he said. "I need to find ways to pick up wickets, even if the conditions aren't favorable for fast bowlers."As India prepares for the final Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Deep is excited to play on a ground that holds special significance for him. "I'm from Banaras, which is not far from here," Deep said. "I had heard of Green Park when I was young, and I thought it was called that because the whole ground was green. It feels nice to be here, at the place I had heard of as a kid."

In the realm of Test cricket, the toss holds immense significance, particularly at the Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka. Traditionally, teams opt to bat first to capitalize on the most favorable batting conditions. However, this strategy is not merely about maximizing runs but also about mitigating the potential pitfalls that emerge later in the match.In the recently concluded first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the hosts won the toss and elected to bat. Despite the early signs of a challenging pitch, Sri Lanka managed to post a respectable 305 in their first innings. However, the match took a dramatic turn as the pitch deteriorated, making batting increasingly difficult.New Zealand's batters initially enjoyed the more favorable conditions on day two, but they too succumbed to a late collapse. The match ultimately swung in Sri Lanka's favor as the pitch became more treacherous, with 14 wickets falling on day four and two wickets within 15 minutes on day five.Both teams acknowledged the importance of setting the tone early on, whether with the bat or ball. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead emphasized the significance of accumulating runs in the first innings to minimize the pressure in the second. Sri Lanka batting coach Thilina Kandamby echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need to establish a positive mindset and avoid collapses.However, both teams identified areas for improvement. New Zealand could have capitalized on their strong position on day three, but they lost their remaining five wickets for 86 runs. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, experienced batting collapses in both innings, particularly among their top-order batters.Sri Lanka's tail-enders have also been a concern, with minimal contributions in terms of runs. The team has brought in Milan Rathnayake to address this issue, but Kandamby emphasized that they are actively working to improve the overall batting depth.As the second Test approaches, both teams will be eager to learn from their mistakes and seize the initiative. The toss will once again play a crucial role, but the ability to adapt to the changing conditions and capitalize on key moments will ultimately determine the outcome.

Shakib Al Hasan's participation in the second Test between India and Bangladesh has been the subject of speculation, but head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has confirmed that the all-rounder is "eligible for selection."Shakib's performance in the first Test in Chennai was below par, with the left-arm spinner bowling only 21 overs and conceding 129 runs without taking a wicket. He also scored 32 and 25 in Bangladesh's 280-run defeat.However, Hathurusinghe has dismissed any concerns about Shakib's fitness, stating that he has not received any official complaints or reports of an injury. "I haven't heard anything officially or any complaints (about Shakib)," he said. "There is no doubt about that at the moment. I haven't heard from my physio or from anyone. He's still eligible for selection."Bangladesh are in need of a better batting performance in the second Test, particularly in the first innings. Conditions in Kanpur may help, with the pitch expected to be less lively than the one in Chennai.Hathurusinghe said the players had talked about their shortcomings and it was about "whether we're able to do that in the middle. We have our KPIs, what we want, and we normally talk about if you make a start, make it big. That's the biggest concern, because some of the guys got 30 balls (and then got out). In cricket, it's the hardest thing to get in. But then, this team, India, has been posing different challenges, so we know that as well. So we have to be better for longer."Bangladesh had their left-hand heavy top-order picked apart by India's quicks in Chennai. They have the option of bringing in the right-hander Mahmudul Hasan Joy but that decision will not be a knee-jerk one."Just because of the left-handers, right-handers, is not the thing that we will take into consideration. If we are making a change, whether that batsman, whether Mahmudul Joy or whoever is coming in, what he can bring and who will miss out, and we look at it holistically like that, rather than left or right."

Joe Root, England's batting maestro, is poised to etch his name as the greatest Test batsman in the country's history, according to his former teammate Ian Bell. Even if Root falls short of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's colossal record of 15,921 runs, Bell believes his legacy is secure.Root recently surpassed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to move into sixth place on the all-time list of Test run-getters. His remarkable consistency and ability to adapt to different conditions have earned him widespread admiration."He's played incredibly well in the last 12 months. I don't think he's overthinking too much what's ahead. He's just sort of living in the moment as we are," Bell said in an exclusive interview.Bell acknowledged the daunting task of matching Tendulkar's record, but he emphasized that Root's achievements are already extraordinary. "To think that he can even get close to someone like Sachin, a real great of the game, someone that we've all admired growing up, as a hero to not just people and fans in India, but around the world," Bell said. "To think that Joe could get close is an amazing achievement on his behalf."England's recent adoption of the "Bazball" approach, characterized by aggressive batting and a fearless mindset, has unlocked the potential of the current players, according to Bell. "From a fan point of view, you have to look at the results. Since Brendon (McCullum) has come into this England side and (Ben) Stokes has took over, the results have been absolutely fantastic," he said.However, Bell stressed the importance of winning away from home in the next cycle of the World Test Championship. "I'm sure they've got one eye on the next 12 months, which has five Test matches (against) India at home, which will be a huge challenge," he said. "India are probably the best team in the world at the moment, and then, Australia away. Those 10 Test matches on the road will be hugely important for that group of players and something they're gearing themselves up for."Bell also highlighted the consistency shown by the Indian team, which has won 17 series in a row at home and its last two series in Australia. "That's what we've seen with India at the moment. They've managed to be able to win away from home as much as anyone and that's the reason why they are the No 1 team in the world at the moment."While acknowledging that England's white-ball revolution has led to diminishing batting averages in Tests, Bell believes the next generation of players is adapting to the demands of modern cricket. "You could definitely have that argument. The next generation of players are growing up with a big diet of T20 cricket in early age and have a look at cricket in England at the moment, there’s a lot of short format cricket in the early age group," he said.Bell singled out Virat Kohli as the player who plays his favorite shot, the cover drive, the best among his peers. "It's very hard to look past Virat Kohli, that is for sure. Not just his cover drive, but the way he plays, his desire for batting, his desire actually in competition and how he goes about his cricket," Bell said. "When he plays his cover drive, whatever format of the game, it's a good one to watch."

Virat Kohli's recent struggles in the first Test against Bangladesh have reignited the debate about his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes that Kohli's chances of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 15,921 Test runs are slim.Hogg's assessment is based on Kohli's recent form, which has seen him score only 319 runs in 17 innings across formats this year. In contrast, Joe Root has scored 986 runs in 20 Test innings this year, including four centuries and as many fifties.Hogg believes that Root is the only batsman who has a realistic chance of breaking Tendulkar's record. The 33-year-old Englishman has scored 12,402 runs in 146 Tests, and is 3519 runs behind Tendulkar. Kohli, who will turn 36 in November, has 8871 runs in 114 Tests."I just don't think Virat is going to get there," said Hogg. "I think he's lost his momentum, and the momentum that he's lost has been for a number of years now. He's got to turn around in the next 10 Test matches, or he's going to drop off."Kohli's Test form has been on a downward trend since 2020. In 52 Test innings across 30 Tests between 2020 and 2024, he has scored only 1669 runs at an average of 32.72, including 2 hundreds and 8 half-centuries.Hogg believes that Kohli's struggles are due to a combination of factors, including age, injuries, and a change in technique. He also believes that Kohli is putting too much pressure on himself to perform."He's trying to do too much," said Hogg. "He's trying to be the best batsman in the world, and he's trying to do it all himself. He needs to relax and let the game come to him."Kohli has a crucial 10-Test run in the next four months, starting with the ongoing series against Bangladesh. If he can regain his form and score some big runs, he may still have a chance of surpassing Tendulkar's record. However, if he continues to struggle, it is unlikely that he will ever reach the same heights as the legendary Indian batsman.

Victoria captain Will Sutherland has confirmed that star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will be available for a limited number of Sheffield Shield matches early in the upcoming season. Maxwell, who turns 36 in October, is currently in England with Australia's ODI team and has not played a Shield match for Victoria since February 2023.Maxwell's availability is a boost for Victoria, who are keen to have him play some red-ball cricket before Australia's Test tour to Sri Lanka in January and February next year. Maxwell was part of the Sri Lanka tour in 2022 and nearly played the first Test in Galle, with his ability as a spin-bowling allrounder seen as an asset in spinning conditions.However, Maxwell's availability will be limited due to his commitments to Australia's ODI and T20I series against Pakistan in November. He will also be unavailable for the first Shield game of the summer against Tasmania as he slowly builds up off a knee issue.Victoria are also unlikely to have Australia fast bowler Scott Boland available for the first Shield game, but he is set to be unleashed in the game against NSW at the MCG. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Steven Smith are all a chance to play for the Blues in that match.Sutherland himself will be on bowling restrictions during the start of the Shield season coming off a stress fracture in his back. He bowled six overs and made 36 not out in Victoria's opening One-Day Cup win over Tasmania on Monday in Melbourne and will bowl again in Friday's One-Day Cup game against Queensland.One man who won't be part of Victoria's Shield team at the start of the season is Will Pucovski. The one-Test opener has not been training with the group and is set to finish his playing career after a medical panel advised he not continue due to the repeated concussions that he has suffered.

Pakistan's selectors have recalled left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the first Test against England, scheduled to commence on October 7 in Multan. Afridi's inclusion comes after a brief omission from the team due to a decline in form.Seasoned left-arm spinner Noman Ali has also been added to the squad, replacing pace bowler Khurrum Shehzad, who remains sidelined with an injury sustained during the Bangladesh series. All-rounder Aamer Jamal, who missed the Bangladesh series due to fitness concerns, has been retained following his recovery.The remainder of the squad consists of players who featured in the recent Bangladesh series. Head coach Jason Gillespie has requested the withdrawal of selected players from the ongoing Champions Cup ODI event in Faisalabad to provide them with rest ahead of the England series.Pakistan Test Squad:* Shan Masood (Captain)* Saud Shakil (Vice-Captain)* Babar Azam* Muhammad Rizwan* Abdullah Shafique* Muhammad Huraira* Saim Ayub* Salman Ali Agha* Sarfaraz Ahmed* Aamer Jamal* Noman Ali* Abrar Ahmed* Mir Hamza* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Naseem Shah

Ben Stokes, the talismanic England all-rounder, has expressed his willingness to return to the white-ball setup if requested by head coach Brendon McCullum. However, Stokes emphasized that no such discussions have taken place yet, as his immediate focus remains on regaining fitness for the upcoming Test tour of Pakistan.Stokes, 33, has been a pivotal figure in England's recent white-ball triumphs, playing match-winning innings in both the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, he has not featured in an ODI since November 2022 and withdrew from the T20 World Cup in June to prioritize his fitness.Despite his previous retirement from ODIs and unavailability for the T20 World Cup, Stokes is now open to a cross-format comeback. He believes that McCullum's coaching philosophy, which has transformed the Test team, could have a similar impact on the white-ball sides."If I get the call and [Baz] says, 'do you want to come and play?' Then obviously, it's definitely going to be a yes," Stokes said. "But I'm not going to be too disappointed if I don't, because I can just sit back and watch everyone else go out and smack it."Stokes acknowledged that the white-ball team is undergoing a transition, with the emergence of young players like Jacob Bethell. He believes that it is important to prioritize the development of the next generation, but he is also willing to contribute if needed."I've played a lot of white-ball cricket for England, and I'm very happy with what I've achieved in that form of the game," Stokes added. "But to be honest, we've not even spoken about anything like that whatsoever."Stokes' immediate focus is on leading the Test team on their tour of Pakistan, which begins on October 7. He is confident of being fit for the first Test in Multan, but he will be cautious about his bowling workload after a hamstring injury."I've got my six-and-a-half week scan tomorrow, so we'll know more from that, but I'm feeling really good," Stokes said. "There's a lot more than just my hamstrings that I need to get back firing again, in terms of bowling, because you use everything."England's experience from their successful tour of Pakistan in 2022 will be valuable, but Stokes acknowledges that the conditions could be different this time around."It's probably not until we get out there that we'll have a real understanding of it," he said. "I know that Shan Masood [Pakistan's captain] has been asking for quicker, more lively wickets for their fast bowlers. Obviously, last time we were there, they were slow, dry and spun a bit. So, we've got to go there with an open mind about what we're going to get."