Cricket

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the prodigious Indian opener, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by bagging the coveted ICC Men's Player of the Month award for February 2024. This accolade is a testament to his exceptional performances in the recently concluded five-Test series against England, which was part of the World Test Championship cycle.Jaiswal's meteoric rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. In just a handful of international matches, he has showcased an uncanny ability to score runs at a prolific rate. His tally of 560 runs in three Tests during February, at an astonishing average of 112, is a testament to his unwavering consistency.The highlight of Jaiswal's month was his twin double centuries in back-to-back Tests. In the second Test in Vizag, he smashed a majestic 219 in the first innings, setting the tone for India's eventual victory. His second double century, a gritty 214* in the second innings of the third Test in Rajkot, helped India seize the series lead.Jaiswal's exploits in Rajkot were particularly noteworthy. He became the third youngest batter in history to register two double centuries in Test cricket, joining the illustrious ranks of Sir Donald Bradman and Vinod Kambli. He also set a new record for the most sixes in an innings during a Test, further cementing his status as a fearless and aggressive batsman.Beyond his statistical achievements, Jaiswal's performances have been characterized by an unwavering determination and a maturity that belies his age. His ability to handle pressure situations with aplomb has been a key factor in India's recent success in the Test arena.Jaiswal's ICC award is a fitting recognition of his exceptional talent and hard work. It is a testament to his potential to become one of the world's leading Test openers in the years to come. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, the Indian cricket team can look forward to many more memorable performances from this rising star.

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's exceptional performance in the recent home series against England has raised expectations for his potential in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. However, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes Jaiswal will need to adapt his game to the unique challenges of Australian pitches.Hogg emphasized the need for Jaiswal to develop a new range of shots to counter the pace and bounce of Australian surfaces. He suggested that Jaiswal should utilize the pace of the ball to his advantage by playing hook and pull shots instead of relying solely on power."Jaiswal played exceptionally well. Now how he is going to play when he comes here (Australia), he is going to have to change his game. Maybe look to use the pace while playing hook and pull shots instead of hitting hard," Hogg said on his YouTube channel.Hogg also praised another young Indian batter, Sarfaraz Khan, who made his international debut in the England series. Hogg noted that Khan's impressive shot-making against fast bowlers indicates that he is working on improving his game against pace."Sarfaraz Khan, I was worried about his game against fast bowling. But some of the pull shots he has played against sheer pace, I can say that he has been working on his game. I think he is just about ready to take on Australia's pace attack in Australia with some of the pull shots he has played," Hogg said.Jaiswal and Khan will be key players to watch in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as India aims to retain the trophy on Australian soil. Their ability to adapt to the unique conditions and execute their shots effectively will be crucial to India's success.

India's resounding 4-1 series victory over England in the recently concluded Test series was a testament to their unwavering dominance in the longest format of the game. Despite injuries and the absence of key players, the Indian team showcased their resilience and adaptability, reaffirming their supremacy on home soil.The series witnessed the emergence of several young talents, including opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Jaiswal emerged as the standout performer, amassing a staggering 712 runs, becoming only the second Indian batter after Sunil Gavaskar to cross the 700-run mark in a series. His back-to-back double centuries in Vizag and Rajkot played a pivotal role in keeping England at bay.Kuldeep Yadav's resurgence added another dimension to India's lethal spin attack. Operating at his best, he claimed 19 wickets in the last four Tests, including a five-wicket haul in Dharamsala. His improved fitness and straightened run-up have significantly enhanced his pace and effectiveness.The debutants also made their mark, with wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan impressing in their first Test appearances. Jurel's handy contributions and Sarfaraz's sublime play against spin showcased their potential. Pacer Akash Deep and Devdutt Padikkal also displayed their class, providing glimpses of their future promise.India's victory was not without its challenges. The shock loss in the series opener raised concerns about their dominance, but the team rallied together to regain control. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and R Ashwin played crucial roles, delivering timely performances to maintain India's upper hand.Head coach Rahul Dravid praised the team's resilience and the impact of the young players. He highlighted the importance of the A team as a bridge between domestic cricket and international cricket, providing a platform for players to showcase their abilities.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Player-of-the-Series in the recently concluded five-Test rubber against England, attributed his remarkable success to his fearless approach as an opener. Jaiswal amassed 712 runs, including two centuries and three fifties, averaging 89 and striking at 80."My mindset was to attack the bowlers and not back down," Jaiswal stated during the post-series presentation. "I wanted to put pressure on them from the outset."Despite his historic achievement, Jaiswal remains grounded. "I'm trying to take it one game at a time and focus on contributing to the team's success," he said.Skipper Rohit Sharma echoed the need for humility and focus. "Yashasvi has a long way to go, but his talent is undeniable," Sharma said. "He's a tough competitor who thrives on challenges."Kuldeep Yadav, who was named Player of the Match for his seven-wicket haul and a crucial 30 down the order, emphasized the importance of maintaining a good length. "I focused on keeping the ball on a good length, which is essential for a spinner in this format," he explained.Yadav singled out his dismissals of Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley as his favorites from the series. "I bowled well in Ranchi, and the Stokes wicket was a highlight," he said. "I also enjoyed the Crawley wicket in Dharamsala, where I bowled a beautiful ball."Sharma praised Kuldeep's work ethic. "He's a player with immense potential," Sharma said. "He's put in a lot of effort, and his improved batting is a testament to his dedication."

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.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Surpasses Virat Kohli, Sets New Record for Most Runs Against England in a Test SeriesYoung Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has etched his name in the history books by surpassing batting legend Virat Kohli and other Indian greats to become the highest run-scorer against England in a Test series. Jaiswal achieved this remarkable feat on the opening day of the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala.In the final session of the day, Jaiswal surpassed Kohli's previous record of 655 runs, set in the 2016 Test series at home. Before being dismissed for 57 late in the day, Jaiswal also breached the 700-run mark in the ongoing series.Jaiswal's exceptional performance has not only earned him the distinction of being the highest run-scorer against England but has also made him the second fastest Indian to reach 1000 Test runs. The 22-year-old reached the milestone in just 16 innings, behind only Vinod Kambli, who achieved it in 14 innings.Current India coach Rahul Dravid is third on the list of highest run-scorers against England in a Test series, with 602 runs during the 2002 India tour of England. Kohli, with 593 runs in the 2018 tour of England, is also featured on the list.Batting great Sunil Gavaskar amassed 542 runs during the 1979 tour, while Vijay Manjrekar has 586 runs to his name in a single Test series against England.Jaiswal's record-breaking performance is a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work. He has emerged as a key player for India in the Test format and is expected to continue to play a significant role in the team's future success.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has strongly refuted comments made by England batter Ben Duckett, who suggested that England's "Bazball" approach had influenced Yashasvi Jaiswal's aggressive batting style. Rohit's response, delivered at a press conference on the eve of the fifth Test in Dharamsala, was a clear reminder of the impact of Rishabh Pant's fearless batting."There was a guy called Rishabh Pant in our team, probably Ben Duckett hasn't seen him play," Rohit stated.Jaiswal has emerged as India's leading run-scorer in the series, amassing 655 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 94.57 and a strike rate of 78.63. Duckett's comments, made after witnessing Jaiswal's boundary-filled innings in the Rajkot Test, implied that England's aggressive style had inspired the young Indian batter."When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they're playing differently than how other people play Test cricket," Duckett had said.Rohit's response was not the only criticism of Duckett's remarks. Former England captain Nasser Hussain also condemned the player's comments."He's not learned from you. He's learned from his upbringing, all the hard yards he had to put in growing up. If anything, lads, look at him and learn from him. I hope there's a little bit of self-introspection going on. Otherwise, it becomes a cult - and, at times, Bazball and this regime has been described as such, where you cannot criticise within or externally," Hussain said on Sky Sports.Rohit's firm stance and Hussain's criticism highlight the importance of acknowledging the individual talent and hard work of players, rather than attributing their success solely to external influences.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 fast approaching, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the performances of their favorite players. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has identified the opening combination of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler as his top pick for the upcoming season.Chopra believes that Jaiswal's exceptional form in recent times makes him a formidable force at the top of the order. "His 600-plus IPL season is almost loading," Chopra said. "When you head into a tournament with such confidence, you bat at a different level."Complementing Jaiswal's brilliance is Jos Buttler, who Chopra expects to bounce back from a disappointing IPL 2023 campaign. "He had a very ordinary season last year," Chopra noted. "But after that, he did well in the SA20. And for how long will you keep Buttler quiet?"Chopra also highlighted the potential of Chennai Super Kings' opening pair, Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. "You might get more consistency from Chennai because they have Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad," he said. "Although Devon Conway's recent form hasn't been great, something happens to him as soon as he reaches Chennai.""Ruturaj Gaikwad must also be itching because he hasn't played much cricket from the last IPL until now," Chopra added. "It could be the most consistent kind of pair. It might not be very explosive but you can keep it towards the top in terms of consistency."Other notable opening combinations that Chopra mentioned include Mumbai Indians' Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma and Harry Brook, and Punjab Kings' Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal. However, he believes that Jaiswal and Buttler have the edge due to their current form and the potential for a long-term partnership.

India's rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal has earned his maiden nomination for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for February 2024, a testament to his exceptional performances in the Test series against England.Jaiswal's remarkable form played a pivotal role in India's comeback after trailing 1-0 following the loss in the Hyderabad Test. He displayed an exceptional performance by hitting consecutive double centuries in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot during the month, with the latter equaling the record for the most sixes in a Test innings, achieving an impressive 12.Continuing his prolific run, Jaiswal added more runs in the fourth Test at Ranchi, which included a half-century in the first innings. By the end of February, the 22-year-old had accumulated a total of 560 runs at an outstanding average of 112.The back-to-back double hundreds at the age of 22 years and 49 days also made him the third youngest batter in the world to record two double centuries in Tests after Sir Donald Bradman and Vinod Kambli. Jaiswal has also risen to the top of the leading run-scorer list in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.New Zealand's Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka are the other nominees for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award. Williamson is nominated for the honor for the first time since March 2023 after another series of century scores dominated the headlines in New Zealand's first-ever Test series victory over South Africa.Nissanka, on the other hand, excelled in Sri Lanka's recent three ODIs and three T20Is against Afghanistan, smashing the first ever ODI double-century for his country at Pallekele (210 not out in 139 balls) to begin the month in a blistering fashion.In the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for February 2024, UAE duo of Kavisha Egodage and Esha Oza have been shortlisted alongside Australia all-rounder Annabel Sutherland.