Cricket

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has praised his team for embracing the risk of forcing a result in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, despite the match being heavily affected by rain. With only 35 overs bowled in the first three days, India managed to secure a 2-0 series sweep, extending their lead at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings.Rohit's aggressive approach was evident from the start, as he launched the first two balls he faced for sixes. This mindset was shared by the other batters, who were willing to take risks to achieve a result. "We had to take a little bit of risk to get a result," Rohit said. "I know the result could have gone either way, but I was okay with it."Rohit emphasized the importance of the team's collective effort, particularly the bowlers who dismissed Bangladesh for 233 in the post-lunch session on day four. "The bowlers came to the party first," he said. "They got the wickets that we needed."Under Rohit's leadership, India has adopted an aggressive approach across formats, including at World Cups. For Rohit, aggression is about actions, not reactions. "The kind of batting we do, the kind of field positioning we do, the kind of bowling we do; that to me is aggression," he explained.Rohit also highlighted the team's exceptional fielding, especially their slip catching. "We took 23 out of 24 catches that came our way," he said. "The guys who were standing behind were so sharp."Rohit's captaincy style is based on trusting his judgment and decisions. "When you are playing at such a high level, you need to have a bit of everything," he said. "You need to be calm, to think wisely. There are a lot of decisions that you have to take on the field."Rohit's aggressive approach and trust in his team's abilities have transformed India into a team that prioritizes winning over everything else.

India's dominance in Test cricket continues as they secured a comprehensive 2-0 series sweep over Bangladesh, solidifying their position in the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Bangladesh, who had previously clean swept Pakistan in a two-match Test series, were outplayed in all three days of the series decider in Kanpur.Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has highlighted the vast gulf in class between India and Pakistan's cricket teams. He believes that only Australia can truly challenge India's supremacy. "The difference between India and Pakistan is clear. If we continue to believe that our cricket is strong, we are mistaken. India's only competition is Australia," Ali stated.India's dominance is reflected in their position atop the WTC points table. With a point percentage of 74.24% after 11 fixtures, they are well ahead of second-placed Australia (62.50% in 12 Tests).India's next challenge will be a three-match Test series against New Zealand, followed by a highly anticipated five-Test rubber against Australia Down Under. The India-Australia series, starting on November 22, will be a crucial test for both teams. India will be aiming to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have held for the past four series.India's recent success has been built on a solid foundation of consistent performances. They have won their last 19 Test series, including famous victories in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Rishabh Pant's heroic 89 not out in the Gabba Test in 2021 remains a defining moment in Indian cricket history.As India continues its pursuit of Test cricket supremacy, their upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia will provide a true measure of their strength. With a talented squad and a proven track record of success, India will be confident of maintaining their dominance and securing a place in the WTC final.

The World Test Championship (WTC) is nearing its conclusion, with 10 series remaining. The race for the top two spots is intensifying, with several teams vying for qualification.India's DominanceIndia currently leads the standings with 74.24 percentage points. They have a favorable schedule, with eight remaining Tests against New Zealand and Australia. If they win all eight, they will finish with 85.09%, securing their place in the final. However, they need at least four wins and two draws (56 points) to guarantee qualification, regardless of other results.Sri Lanka's SurgeSri Lanka has made a strong push towards the top two with 55.56 percentage points. They have four Tests remaining against South Africa and Australia. If they win all four, they will finish on 69.23%, assuring themselves of a final berth. Even if they lose one and win three, they will have a chance of qualifying, depending on other results.Australia's ContentionAustralia is currently in second place with 62.50 percentage points. They have seven Tests remaining against India and Sri Lanka. If they win all seven, they can finish on 76.32%. However, India and South Africa can still surpass them.South Africa's ChancesSouth Africa has 38.89 percentage points. They have six Tests remaining against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. If they win all six, they will finish with 69.44%, which should be enough for qualification. Five wins and a draw will keep them in contention, while five wins and a defeat will give them a chance if other results favor them.Other ContendersBangladesh, New Zealand, England, Pakistan, and West Indies have slimmer chances of qualifying. Bangladesh needs to win all four remaining Tests to improve to 56.25%, which may not be enough. New Zealand can theoretically finish with 64.29%, but their recent form suggests they won't reach that mark. England's maximum achievable percentage is 57.95%, while Pakistan can reach 59.52% if they win all seven remaining Tests. West Indies has already played four series and has only 20 points, making their qualification unlikely.ConclusionThe race for the top two spots in the WTC is heating up. India, Sri Lanka, Australia, and South Africa are the frontrunners, while Bangladesh, New Zealand, England, Pakistan, and West Indies have an outside chance. The remaining series will determine which teams will advance to the final and compete for the coveted WTC title.

India's dominance in Test cricket continued as they swept the two-match series against Bangladesh with a comprehensive 7-wicket victory in Kanpur. The win extended India's unbeaten streak at home in Test matches to an impressive 10 years.After two days of rain interruptions, India resumed the fourth day with Bangladesh trailing by 242 runs. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, along with pacer Jasprit Bumrah, wreaked havoc on the Bangladesh batting lineup. Ashwin claimed three wickets, while Jadeja and Bumrah took three each as Bangladesh was dismissed for 146 in their second innings.Overnight batter Shadman Islam top-scored for Bangladesh with 50 runs, but his efforts were not enough to prevent India from setting a modest target of 95 runs.In the chase, India lost early wickets but Yashasvi Jaiswal's rapid-fire 51 from 45 balls kept the hosts in control. Rishabh Pant sealed the victory with a boundary, while Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 29.The victory not only gave India a 2-0 series sweep but also strengthened their position at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India has now won 12 of their last 14 Test matches, showcasing their dominance in the longest format of the game.

Sri Lanka's remarkable series victory over New Zealand has ignited hopes of a World Test Championship (WTC) final berth next year. Currently ranked third behind Australia and India, Sri Lanka trails Australia by a mere 6.94 percentage points.Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who has guided Sri Lanka to their best Test year since 2006, remains cautious. "We're only looking at it from one match to another," he said. "If you look too far ahead, you can miss out on what's immediately important."Despite their impressive performance, Sri Lanka faces a challenging tour of South Africa in November-December. However, de Silva believes that focusing on the present will ultimately lead to success.One of the standout performers in the series was Kamindu Mendis, who narrowly missed out on a double century in the first innings. De Silva's decision to declare with Mendis 18 runs short raised questions, but the captain explained that it was necessary to give Kusal Mendis an opportunity to score a century.Mendis supported his captain's decision, acknowledging that the team's total was already substantial and that batting in the final hour at Galle is challenging.Another key contributor was debutant Nishan Peiris, who claimed nine wickets with his offspin. De Silva praised Peiris' ability to keep the economy rate low, which put pressure on New Zealand.Sri Lanka's six Test wins this year have propelled them to fifth in the rankings. De Silva attributes this success to the team's hard work and improved bench strength. "We have got the right team makeup now," he said. "And now we also have combinations that can work on any surface, both at home and overseas."

India's Test season commenced with a resounding victory over Bangladesh in Chennai, setting the tone for a challenging 10-match campaign. Led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian team asserted their dominance in the opening Test, securing a 280-run triumph in under four days.This victory not only gave India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series but also solidified their position atop the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. India's WTC points percentage (PCT) surged to 71.67, with 86 points from 10 Tests. Prior to the series, India held the top spot, but this win extended their lead over second-placed Australia by 9.17 PCT.The victory has significantly enhanced India's chances of reaching the WTC final for the third consecutive time. However, they still require at least four more wins in the remaining nine Tests to guarantee their spot. These Tests include the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur next week, a three-match home series against New Zealand next month, and the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Bangladesh, who had risen to the fourth spot after a historic 2-0 whitewash against Pakistan last month, slipped to the sixth position after this defeat. Their PCT also dropped from 45.83 to 39.29.As the season progresses, all eyes will be on India's performance in the remaining fixtures. Each match is crucial for maintaining their stronghold at the top of the WTC table and securing a spot in the finals.

India's batting legend Rahil Dravid, in his final address as head coach, urged modern-day great Virat Kohli to complete his trophy cabinet by winning the World Test Championship (WTC). India has won all ICC trophies except the WTC, and Kohli, like the team, has yet to conquer this elusive title.The WTC is a relatively new ICC tournament, and India has been one of its most successful teams, reaching the finals twice before this cycle. However, they lost to New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023.India is once again a favorite to reach the finals, and this time they aim to complete their trophy collection. After breaking their ICC trophy drought with their second T20 World Cup title this year, India now sets their sights on the WTC title.Their final stretch of the 'Road to Lord's' begins with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. India has never lost a Test match against Bangladesh, but the gap in the WTC standings is not as significant as the Test rankings.Bangladesh is coming off a historic series win over Pakistan, which has boosted their confidence. However, India has not lost a Test series at home for over a decade.India's form in the current WTC cycle has been impressive, with six wins, two defeats, and one draw in nine matches. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has three wins, three defeats, and 45.83 percentage points in six matches.While Bangladesh is in good red-ball form, India has not played Test cricket for over six months. However, most of the Indian team members participated in the domestic Duleep Trophy game to prepare for the five-day grind.The series promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with contrasting strengths and weaknesses. India will rely on their experience and home advantage, while Bangladesh will look to capitalize on their recent momentum.

India's rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal stands on the cusp of etching his name in the annals of Test cricket history. As India prepare to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series commencing on September 19 in Chennai, Jaiswal is poised to achieve a remarkable milestone.With 1,028 runs already accumulated in the ongoing 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, the 22-year-old prodigy needs just 132 more runs to become the Indian batter with the most runs in a single edition of the WTC. The current record is held by former India captain Ajinkya Rahane, who amassed 1,159 runs in the 2019-21 WTC cycle.Should Jaiswal accomplish this feat, he will surpass Rahane's milestone and become the first Indian batter to achieve this distinction. Notably, Jaiswal is one of only three Indian players to score over 1,000 runs in a single WTC cycle, alongside Rahane and India captain Rohit Sharma.At present, Jaiswal is tied with England's Ben Duckett for second place in the WTC 2023-25 scoring charts, both with 1,028 runs. However, he remains 371 runs behind Joe Root, who leads with 1,398 runs.Since making his Test debut in 2023 against the West Indies in Roseau, Jaiswal has played 9 Tests, amassing 1,028 runs at an impressive average of 68.53. His record includes three centuries, four half-centuries, and two double centuries.India currently lead the WTC standings with a points percentage of 68.52. After the Bangladesh series, their WTC schedule includes three Tests against New Zealand at home and a challenging five-Test series away against Australia.Bangladesh, fresh from a historic 2-0 whitewash over Pakistan, will pose a strong challenge. They won the first Test by 10 wickets and secured a six-wicket victory in the second, marking their first-ever Test series win against Pakistan on Pakistani soil.

Virat Kohli, India's star batter, is intensifying his preparations for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh. After a brief hiatus from cricket, Kohli is determined to regain his form and contribute to India's success.During a practice session at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, Kohli showcased his exceptional batting skills. A video shared by Jio Cinema captured a moment when he unleashed a powerful six that shattered a wall near the Indian dressing room. The footage highlights Kohli's unwavering determination to excel in the upcoming series.Following his practice session, Kohli engaged in a lengthy discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir, seeking guidance and feedback on his batting technique. Kohli's return to the Test format marks his first appearance since India's tour of South Africa in January. He missed the home Test series against England due to the birth of his son.Kohli's recent performances in the T20 World Cup and the tour of Sri Lanka have been underwhelming. However, he remains a key player for India and will be eager to prove his worth in the upcoming series.India will face a formidable challenge against Bangladesh, who recently defeated Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series. With crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake, India is gearing up for a demanding 10-match Test season. This includes a three-Test home series against New Zealand and the five-match Border-Gavaskar series in Australia later this year.Currently, India leads the WTC table with 68.52 percentage points, closely followed by Australia at 62.50 percentage points. India's performance in the upcoming series will be crucial in maintaining their position at the top of the standings.