Cricket

Australia's remarkable 2-0 series victory in New Zealand was a testament to the team's resilience and the ability of different players to step up when needed.Chasing 279 in the third Test, Australia found themselves in dire straits at 34 for 4 and 80 for 5. However, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey forged a match-winning partnership of 140, putting the pressure back on New Zealand's bowlers.Carey, who had been under scrutiny for his recent form, remained unbeaten on 98, while Marsh contributed a vital 32 not out. Their partnership allowed Australia to chip away at the target and ultimately secure a thrilling victory."The story of this series was in key moments one guy stood up," said Australian captain Pat Cummins. "We didn't necessarily play the complete game, but in those pivotal moments someone stood up and made themselves a matchwinner."Cummins praised the tempo at which Marsh and Carey batted, which kept the run rate ticking over and prevented New Zealand from using the second new ball effectively."We've been on the other side of it plenty of times and if the scoreboard's not moving you feel in the game, but if they are chipping away it seems like it's all happening pretty quickly," he said.New Zealand captain Tim Southee acknowledged the quality of Australia's performance but expressed disappointment at his team's inability to secure a first home win against the Aussies in 31 years."The partnership with Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey sort of broke the back of our attack," he said. "When you are playing the No. 1 side in the world you need to go that little bit further."Australia's victory capped off a successful Test season, with the team winning six of their seven matches. They now have a long break before facing India at home in November.

India's resounding 4-1 series victory over England in the recently concluded five-match Test series was a testament to the team's resilience and the exceptional leadership of Rohit Sharma. After losing the opening Test in Hyderabad, India staged a remarkable comeback, winning the remaining four matches to clinch the series.Rohit Sharma, who took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli, played a pivotal role in India's triumph. Not only did he lead from the front with his batting, scoring 400 runs in five Tests, but he also displayed astute leadership qualities.In the crucial Rajkot Test, where India were struggling at 33/3 in the first innings, Rohit played a captain's knock, scoring a magnificent 133 off 196 deliveries. His partnership of 204 runs with Ravindra Jadeja rescued India from a precarious position.India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, praised Rohit's contribution, saying, "It has been a pleasure watching him bat since I saw him as an 18-year-old. It is always pleasing to the eye. But I think he has added a lot of steel and grit to that. Sometimes, we forget that a little bit. Look at his numbers. He was shy enough not to mention the critical situation where he won the toss in Rajkot, and we were 3 down in the first hour. You need somebody to step up and get a hundred, and the captain does that for you."Rohit's leadership was also evident in his ability to motivate his team and create a positive atmosphere within the squad. Despite the challenges they faced, India remained focused and determined throughout the series.India's victory was a collective effort, with contributions from all members of the team. However, Rohit Sharma's leadership and batting prowess were undoubtedly key factors in their success.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's leadership style has earned him immense admiration from his teammates. His jovial nature and camaraderie with the younger players are often captured in viral videos on social media.Following India's emphatic 4-1 Test series victory over England in Dharamsala, Rohit took some of the team's rising stars out for a casual outing. He shared a picture of the gathering on Instagram, featuring Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.Rohit's witty caption, "Garden mein ghoomne wale bande," drew laughter from former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh and current star Suryakumar Yadav. Yuvraj reacted with a laughing emoji, while Suryakumar quipped, "Gill and Jaiswal definitely."Beyond the lighthearted moments, Rohit also addressed his future in cricket. He stated that he would retire the moment he felt he could no longer contribute to the team. "One day, when I wake up and feel, I am not good enough then I will retire straightaway," Rohit said.He praised the team's performance against England, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and the resilience of the young players. "When you win a Test like this, everything has to fall in place. At some stage people are gonna (go) and people are gonna come and we know that," Rohit said."These (young) guys are maybe short of experience, they have played a lot of cricket and I can stand here and see that these guys responded pretty well under pressure. The credit goes to the entire team and it was pleasing to see."Rohit will now shift his focus to the upcoming IPL 2024 season with the Mumbai Indians. His leadership and experience will be crucial as the team aims to regain its past glory.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has launched a scathing attack on England's "Bazball" approach, which he believes led to their dismal performance in the recently concluded Test series against India. England began the series with a resounding victory in Hyderabad, but their fortunes took a nosedive thereafter, as they lost the next four Tests to concede the series 1-4.Sehwag, known for his forthright opinions, took to social media to express his dismay at England's tactics. "Bazball, Batti Gull," he wrote. "There needs to be a method to madness. England simply didn't have the game to match and looked clueless particularly after the second test match."The former opener pointed out that England's captain, Ben Stokes, failed to lead by example, which compounded their problems. "The captain failing miserably only added to their woes and they simply looked like living in an illusion," Sehwag added.Sehwag believes that England's "Bazball" approach, which emphasizes aggressive batting, is flawed. "For this method to succeed, there needs to be a method to madness, which England severely lacked," he wrote.Stokes, however, defended England's approach, arguing that it is necessary to take risks in order to score runs against India's formidable bowling attack. "When India get on top, especially with the ball, they get a lot of men around the bat and with the quality of their (spin) bowlers...you've got to find ways of getting rid of those close fielders," Stokes explained."And that comes with risk, and risks don't always pay off. You've just got to be positive enough to take that risk, accept that it may lead to your downfall. But when the intent is there and you have a clear reason as to why you are playing that shot, you can hold your hands up and accept it."Despite Stokes's defense, Sehwag remains unconvinced. He believes that England's approach is unsustainable and will ultimately lead to more failures. "England need to go back to the drawing board and reassess their strategy," he said. "They need to find a way to balance aggression with caution, and they need to be more consistent with their batting."

India's head coach Rahul Dravid has praised Rohit Sharma's leadership style, which he believes has fostered a positive and supportive environment within the team. Under Rohit's captaincy, India has quietly and effectively neutralized England's aggressive 'Bazball' strategy, securing a convincing 4-1 victory in the five-match Test series.Dravid highlighted the team's ability to adapt and overcome challenges, particularly the return of Ravichandran Ashwin from a personal emergency. Ashwin's willingness to contribute despite his personal circumstances showcased the character and resilience of the team.Despite speculation about the exclusion of players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the Indian team, Dravid emphasized that no one is out of contention. He acknowledged the importance of player selection and the need to consider the team's overall balance.Dravid also commended the improvement of Kuldeep Yadav, who has emerged as a valuable asset with his left-arm wrist spin and batting contributions. The coach recognized the challenges Yadav has faced in competing with established players like Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.In response to concerns raised by all-rounder Shardul Thakur about the hectic Ranji Trophy schedule, Dravid emphasized the need to listen to player feedback and consider ways to manage the domestic schedule more effectively.Dravid's comments reflect his belief in the importance of leadership, teamwork, and player development. He has fostered a culture where players feel valued and supported, which has contributed to India's recent success on the field.

India's young batting brigade has emerged as a beacon of hope for the team, showcasing their resilience and talent in the recently concluded Test series against England. Despite the absence of seasoned veterans Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, the next-generation stars stepped up to the plate, delivering exceptional performances that secured a resounding 4-1 series victory.Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Player of the Series, led the charge with a remarkable 712 runs, while Shubman Gill contributed 452 runs. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also made significant contributions, showcasing their all-round abilities.India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, expressed his pride in the team's performance, particularly the youngsters' ability to handle pressure and deliver under challenging circumstances. "We have always found people to step up," Dravid said. "We missed a few key players, but we believe there is an incredible amount of talent in India."Dravid also acknowledged the role of the selectors, who have been instrumental in identifying and nurturing these young talents. "Shout out to Ajit (Agarkar) and his team (selection panel) as well," Dravid added. "They picked the right ones, and they have come here and performed."The series victory against England marks a significant turning point for Indian cricket, as it signals the emergence of a new generation of players who are ready to carry the torch forward. Their performances have instilled confidence in the team and raised expectations for the future.

England's left-arm spinner Tom Hartley endured a torrid time in the recently concluded Test series against India, conceding the second-highest runs by a visiting bowler in a Test series against the subcontinent giants. Hartley's tally of 795 runs conceded in the five-match series places him just behind his teammate Adil Rashid, who conceded 861 runs in the 2016 series.Hartley's struggles were a microcosm of England's overall performance in the series, as they were comprehensively outplayed by a dominant Indian side. India's victory in the fifth and final Test by an innings and 64 runs sealed a 4-1 series triumph, extending their unbeaten streak at home to 15 Tests.The match itself was a testament to the gulf in class between the two teams. Ravichandran Ashwin, playing his 100th Test, claimed a five-wicket haul to dismantle England's batting lineup. Zak Crawley top-scored for England with 79, but the rest of the batting order failed to provide substantial support.Kuldeep Yadav and Ashwin were the standout bowlers for India, sharing nine wickets between them. In their first innings, India piled up a mammoth 477 runs, with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Devdutt Padikkal all scoring centuries.England's bowlers struggled to contain India's batsmen throughout the series, with Shoaib Bashir being the only bowler to take more than five wickets. The English team's inability to adapt to the challenging Indian conditions and the relentless pressure applied by the Indian bowlers proved to be their undoing.Despite the disappointing result, England can take some solace in the performances of certain individuals. Crawley showed glimpses of his potential, while Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root also made valuable contributions. However, the series highlighted the need for England to address their batting depth and find a way to counter the spin-friendly conditions in India.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has emerged as a more astute leader during the fiercely contested series against England. The demanding nature of the tour forced him to reflect on his shortcomings and make necessary adjustments.Despite England's victory in the opening Test, India rallied to secure an insurmountable 3-1 lead heading into the final encounter in Dharamsala. Rohit, who took over as Test captain from Virat Kohli in 2022, has maintained an unbeaten record in five series, excluding India's defeat in the World Test Championship final last year.Under Ben Stokes' leadership, England adopted an aggressive "Bazball" style of play, winning the opening match by a margin of 28 runs and challenging India. However, India managed to counter despite the absence of key players, including Kohli, who opted to skip the series following the birth of his second child.The series witnessed the emergence of young talent, exemplified by 22-year-old opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's remarkable double centuries in the second and third matches. In the bowling department, Indian players excelled, with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and veteran spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja each accumulating 17 wickets in the series."Since I became captain, I haven't played with a full team. It's no excuse... work with what you have, keep a good atmosphere and play with freedom," Rohit told reporters."Basically it has been a series of comebacks. So throughout the series you must have seen that we have absorbed pressure and put it back on the opposition.""It was a great series for me to learn as a captain and there are a lot of different challenges that came across our way," added Rohit."As a captain, I got to learn a lot about how to utilise the players and obviously, when the pressure is put back on you, how to respond to certain situations of the game and things like that. I think it was a great series to be part of.""I am glad that I was captaining this series, it made me understand where I have lacked as a captain and what are the things I need to do differently."Stokes agreed that India had outclassed England during moments in the series when the game was in the balance."India have been better than us in those moments on more than one occasion. It's skill versus skill and in the moments that have mattered, since the first game, India have been better," he said.But when asked about being outsmarted by Rohit in the series, a visibly flustered Stokes said, "I will let you decide".The final Test will be a landmark 100th for Ashwin, and Rohit was all praise for his veteran "match-winner", who left the third match midway to be with his ailing mother and returned a day later."The biggest thing is that he is a big team player and we saw that in the Rajkot Test when it was a difficult situation for him but he called and said 'I want to come back and do something for the team'," said Rohit."When you have players like this then your head is held high."

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav, currently sidelined during the Test series against England, took to social media to playfully tease teammate Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who is set to return for the final Test against England, posted images with support staff Yogesh Parmar and Arun Kanade on Instagram. The pictures featured similar poses, prompting Suryakumar to comment, "Find the difference wala game hai kya?"Bumrah, who was released from the squad for the fourth Test in Ranchi as part of the team's workload management policy, will lead the Indian attack in the final Test in Dharamsala, beginning March 7. India has already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead, following their victory in the fourth Test in Ranchi.Suryakumar, who was recently spotted with his wife Devisha Shetty at the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, has been a key player for the Mumbai Indians since 2018. He has played a crucial role in the team's success, contributing with both bat and ball.Suryakumar's playful comment on Bumrah's post highlights the camaraderie within the Indian team. Despite the intense competition on the field, the players share a strong bond off the field. This camaraderie is essential for team success, as it fosters a positive and supportive environment.Bumrah's return to the Indian team is a significant boost for the side. The pace spearhead is one of the best bowlers in the world and his presence will strengthen the Indian bowling attack. With Bumrah leading the charge, India will be confident of securing a series victory against England in the final Test.