Cricket

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant injected a dose of humor into India's practice session ahead of the highly anticipated home Test series against New Zealand. In a lighthearted exchange with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Pant joked about sharing a chair, creating a playful moment amidst the intense preparations.In a video posted on Pant's social media handle, the 27-year-old keeper playfully asked Jaiswal, "Chair chahiye kya tereko?" (Do you need a chair?). With only one free chair available, Pant cheekily added, "Yeh toh nahi dunga" (I won't give it to you), leaving both cricketers in laughter.Beyond the banter, Pant displayed his serious side, practicing various shots in the nets. The video captures him working on a wide range of strokes, hinting at the explosive form he aims to carry into the upcoming series.India has announced a formidable 15-member squad for the three-match Test series, which begins on October 16 in Bengaluru as part of the ICC World Test Championship. The team is led by Rohit Sharma, with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain. Bumrah's elevation to deputy comes as India prepare for the grueling five-Test tour of Australia next month.However, the squad will miss the services of experienced pacer Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from ankle surgery. Shami sustained the injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup and will sit out the entire New Zealand series. Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, part of the squad for the Bangladesh series, has been omitted.Despite the changes, India, having recently swept Bangladesh 2-0, remain focused on extending their lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings. The team will be eager to put on a strong performance against New Zealand and continue their dominance in the longest format of the game.

Cheteshwar Pujara's absence from India's Test squad for their upcoming tour of Australia has sparked discussions about the team's batting dynamics. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes that India's younger batters, such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, can fill the void left by Pujara and continue to pose a significant threat to the Australian bowling attack.Pujara played a pivotal role in India's historic Test series victories in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. His ability to bat for extended periods and absorb pressure was crucial to India's success. However, Watson believes that Jaiswal, despite his contrasting batting style, can have a similar impact on the Australian bowlers."Jaiswal hasn't given the opposition a chance to get him out," Watson said. "If he and other aggressive batters can put pressure on the Aussie bowlers, they can still have the same effect as Pujara."Watson also highlighted Rishabh Pant as another Indian batter who could pose a serious threat to Australia. Pant has a remarkable record in Australia, having scored 624 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 72.13."Pant has great memories from his last tour," Watson said. "He's come through his challenges and is now an even better player. I think he's going to have a big series."In addition to the batting, Watson identified Jasprit Bumrah as a key player for India. Bumrah has 32 wickets at 21.25 from seven Tests in Australia and is considered one of the best fast bowlers in the world."Bumrah is so good in all conditions," Watson said. "He's going to be very effective in Australia. If he has a big series, he can really provide Australia some big challenges."Overall, Watson believes that India's batting lineup, despite the absence of Pujara, has the potential to trouble the Australian bowlers and continue their success in Australia.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, India's rising star opener, has received high praise from legendary West Indies captain Brian Lara, who believes the 22-year-old has the potential to excel in any conditions, including the challenging pitches of Australia.Jaiswal has made a remarkable start to his Test career, amassing 1217 runs in 11 matches at an impressive average of 64.05. However, the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia will present a new test for the young opener.Lara, who famously scored 277 in Sydney on his maiden trip to Australia in 1992-93, believes Jaiswal's mental strength will be crucial to his success Down Under. "The adjustment is upstairs," Lara said. "The adjustment is the ability to back your talent in whatever conditions."Lara emphasized that Jaiswal's technical skills are already strong, but he needs to develop a strong mindset to overcome the challenges of playing away from home and facing a formidable Australian team.Jaiswal's impressive performances in India's home Tests this year, where he has scored 901 runs in seven games, have caught Lara's attention. The former West Indies captain also highlighted Abhishek Sharma, who made his T20I debut earlier this year, as another exciting young Indian batter."They're very young, and they play the game in a style [that is] very attacking, very stylish," Lara said of Jaiswal and Sharma. "It's great to see them go from strength to strength."As India prepares for the three-match Test series against New Zealand starting October 16, Jaiswal has been rested from the ongoing T20I series against Bangladesh. The Test team will then embark on the tour of Australia, where they will face the Aussies in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the prodigious Indian opener, has taken the Test cricket world by storm since his debut in 2023. With an aggregate of 1217 runs in just 11 Tests, he ranks third in the world for most runs scored since his debut.Jaiswal's remarkable start to his Test career is highlighted by several impressive statistics. He has the highest average (64.05) among all batters with a minimum of 1000 runs, placing him behind only Sir Don Bradman and Kamindu Mendis in the all-time list.Jaiswal's aggressive approach has earned him the reputation as a leading proponent of "Indian Bazball." He has embraced the philosophy of attacking from the outset, scoring at a strike rate of 71.67 in Test cricket. This approach has been instrumental in India's recent success in limited-overs cricket and has now been extended to the Test arena.Jaiswal's ability to score big runs at a high strike rate makes him a genuine match-winner for India. He provides the team with explosive starts, demoralizes opposition attacks, and creates opportunities for the bowlers to dismiss the opposition twice.In addition to his impressive average and strike rate, Jaiswal has also achieved several notable milestones in his short Test career. He became the third-fastest Indian to reach 1000 Test runs, doing so in just 16 innings. He also scored a century on his Test debut, becoming the 17th Indian to do so.Jaiswal's unique feat of scoring a double century in an innings where no other batter reached fifty places him in an elite group of batters. He is only the seventh player in history to achieve this feat.Jaiswal's consistent performances have earned him comparisons to Brian Charles Lara. In a Test match against England, he became the third Indian to record two consecutive double centuries, joining Vinod Kambli and Virat Kohli.With his exceptional talent and aggressive approach, Yashasvi Jaiswal is poised to become one of the most dominant batters in Test cricket. His impressive start to his career has set the stage for a remarkable future in the sport.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the 22-year-old Indian opener, has emerged as a formidable force in Test cricket, amassing 1,217 runs in just 11 matches at an impressive average of 64.05. His twin fifties in the second Test against Bangladesh solidified his status as one of the most dangerous batsmen in the format.Former India pacer and selector Salil Ankola, who played a key role in Jaiswal's selection for the Mumbai Ranji team, recalls that the young left-hander's initial struggles in red-ball cricket raised doubts about his suitability for the format. However, Ankola's instincts told him otherwise."He has the attitude, flair, and guts-that street-smartness you want in a cricketer," Ankola said. "I felt Jaiswal had that. His selection was against all odds, but I trusted my instincts."Jaiswal's performances in the 2022 Ranji Trophy, where he scored 498 runs in three matches with three centuries, vindicated Ankola's faith. Ankola first recognized Jaiswal's potential during an Under-19 World Cup match against Pakistan in 2020, where the young batsman scored an unbeaten 105."I knew this guy was special, and he proved it," Ankola said. "He's got great timing and power-a rare combination. His 'flow' is tremendous, as is his bat speed and swing. That's what struck me about him."Ankola believes Jaiswal's adaptability, mental strength, and determination make him an all-format player. "He adapts to any surface and conditions quickly," Ankola said. "He's mentally strong and super fit. He handles pressure well. If he must take 300 balls to make a century, he'll do that, and if he needs to score a hundred in 50 balls, he'll do that too."With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Yashasvi Jaiswal is poised to become a cornerstone of the Indian Test team for years to come.

Jasprit Bumrah has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, dethroning his India teammate R Ashwin. Bumrah's impressive performance in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh, where he claimed six wickets, propelled him to the summit.Bumrah's rise to the top marks a significant milestone for Indian fast bowling. He is the first Indian pacer to achieve the No. 1 ranking, surpassing the legendary Kapil Dev, who reached a peak of No. 2 in 1979-80.Ashwin, who was named Player of the Series against Bangladesh, remains close behind Bumrah in the rankings, just one point adrift. The Indian duo's dominance at the top of the bowling charts reflects their exceptional skills and consistency.Another notable mover in the Test batting rankings is Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young Indian opener has surged to third position after just 11 Tests, following his Player of the Match performance in Kanpur. Jaiswal's impressive start to his Test career has earned him widespread recognition.Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya has also made significant strides in the bowling rankings. The left-arm spinner has moved up to joint-seventh after just 16 Tests, thanks to his Player of the Series performance in the 2-0 sweep of New Zealand in Galle.Other notable movements in the Test rankings include Virat Kohli's return to the top 10 among batters. The Indian captain has climbed six places to sixth after his contributions in Kanpur. Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis has also moved up to No. 11 following his unbeaten 182 in the second Test in Galle.Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz has risen to fifth among allrounders, making it two Bangladeshis in the top five alongside Shakib Al Hasan, who remains at No. 3.Bumrah's second stint at the top of the Test rankings is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has established himself as one of the most formidable bowlers in the world, leading the Indian attack with distinction.

Despite his spectacular one-handed catch that dismissed Bangladesh's Litton Das in the second Test, Rohit Sharma surprisingly missed out on the 'Impact Fielder of the Series' award. The award, presented by India's fielding coach T Dilip, went to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj instead.Rohit's catch in the Kanpur Test drew widespread praise, becoming a topic of discussion among experts and commentators. However, it was not enough to secure him the award, despite Dilip naming two winners.In his address to the team after the series, Dilip lauded Rohit as "reliable as a Swiss watch" but did not include him among his top two picks. Jaiswal and Siraj were named joint-winners, leaving Rohit visibly stunned.Siraj also grabbed a one-handed catch on Day 5 of the Kanpur Test, dismissing Shakib al Hasan. However, he initially misjudged the ball's trajectory before making amends with a diving catch. Jaiswal and KL Rahul also made impressive catches in the slip region throughout the series.Despite the snub, India secured a 7-wicket win in the second Test, completing a 2-0 series sweep. Despite rain washing out over two and a half days of play, Rohit's team showcased their all-round abilities.The victory strengthens India's position at the top of the World Test Championship points table, bringing them closer to the final.

India's Positive Attitude Revives Test CricketIn a thrilling display of aggressive cricket, India shook the foundations of the dying Test format with a resounding victory over New Zealand in Kanpur. Led by the dynamic duo of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team showcased an unwavering determination to force a win, setting a new benchmark for modern Test cricket.Rohit, known for his attacking approach, set the tone from the outset, smashing his first two deliveries for six. This bold move signaled India's intent to dominate the match and set up a quick victory. The entire batting lineup followed suit, playing unselfishly and with a relentless focus on scoring runs.Yashasvi Jaiswal, the 22-year-old opener, emerged as a star in the making with a brilliant 72 in the first innings. His innings ensured that India's early loss of Rohit didn't derail their momentum. The Indian bowlers, led by the exceptional Jasprit Bumrah, maintained a relentless pressure on the New Zealand batsmen, making a close finish seem unlikely.The match was played on a subpar pitch at Green Park Kanpur, a venue that has been criticized for its inadequate facilities. However, the players' determination and skill overcame the challenges posed by the poor infrastructure.Despite the victory, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) came under fire for its inefficiency. The lack of proper drying facilities resulted in the loss of two days of play, highlighting the need for minimum standards at Test venues.India's victory not only secured them valuable World Test Championship points but also served as a reminder of the enduring appeal of Test cricket. The team's positive attitude and aggressive approach have breathed new life into the format, proving that it can still captivate audiences with its unique blend of skill, strategy, and drama.

Indian cricket's future is in safe hands with the emergence of two exceptional young batting talents: Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their impressive performances in the recent Test series against Bangladesh have caught the attention of seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who believes they have the potential to become key players for India, particularly in overseas conditions.Jaiswal, with his aggressive yet controlled approach, has quickly become a fan favorite. His ability to dominate bowlers with three fifties in the series showcased the kind of temperament that is vital in the longer format. Gill, on the other hand, has cemented himself as a reliable opener, delivering a strong performance with his century in the first Test, solidifying his growing reputation as a technically sound and adaptable batter.Ashwin, a senior figure in the team, recognized the duo's raw talent but emphasized the need for continuous improvement and evolution. "The raw material is there, and it's evident to everyone that both of them are high-quality players," Ashwin said. "It's just that they need to be able to encounter more and more new experiences and be able to identify for themselves what they need to work on."Both players have already showcased their class in previous outings. In the Test series against England, Jaiswal amassed a staggering 712 runs from nine innings, including two double-hundreds, while Gill followed with 452 runs, averaging 56.50 with two centuries. Their consistency in both home and away conditions has proven that they are ready to take on tougher challenges in the years to come.India's cricketing future looks bright with these young stars leading the charge. Their next big test will come in the upcoming series against New Zealand starting on October 16, followed by the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, beginning on November 22.