Zimbabwe set a new record score for T20Is when they posted a massive 344-4 against Gambia at the Ruaraka Sports Club Ground in Nairobi on Wednesday, with Sikandar Raza hammering a 43-ball 133 not out. Also Read: Stokes expects spin battle in decider v Pakistan Zimbabwe claimed a second record when they bowled out Gambia for just 54 to complete a highest-ever 290-run victory. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 October,2024 07:43 AM IST | Paris | AFPEngland captain Ben Stokes believes the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan starting Thursday will boil down to a spin battle on a Rawalpindi pitch likely to favour slow bowlers. England piled up 823-7 to thrash Pakistan by an innings on a lifeless Multan pitch in the first Test, before the hosts bounced back with a 152-run win on a recycled and turning Multan track. For the deciding match, Pakistan have kept the same combination of three frontline spinners in Sajid Khan, Noman Ali and Zahid Mahmood, with just one fast bowler in Aamer Jamal. Also Read: Mehidy, Jaker keep B’desh alive against SA Pakistan have used industrial fans and heaters to dry the Rawalpindi pitch, hoping to replicate their spin-led success in Multan which ended a drought of home wins stretching back to 2021. Stokes said his three spinners in Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir and the recalled Rehan Ahmed were equal to the challenge. “I’ll be backing the three spinners that we’ve picked,” Stokes told reporters after a training session on the eve of the third and final Test. “We don’t know exactly how the wicket will play, but we’ve taken as much information from it as we can. We think the longer the game goes, the more spin will come into play,” Stokes added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 October,2024 07:41 AM IST | Rawalpindi | AFPHalf-centuries by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali helped Bangladesh into an 81-run lead over South Africa before bad light brought an early finish to day three of the first Test on Wednesday. Also Read: Shreyas granted leave The hosts were 283-7 when the umpires called stumps about an hour before the scheduled finish, with Mehidy on 87 and Nayeem Hasan on 16. Earlier, SA were bowled out for 308. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 October,2024 07:39 AM IST | Mirpur | AFPDefending champions Mumbai will miss Test batsman Shreyas Iyer in their third round Ranji Trophy league game against Tripura starting October 26 at Agartala. According to Mumbai Cricket Association secretary Abhay Hadap, Iyer has requested chief selector Sanjay Patil to give him a break due to a family function. “Shreyas sent an email [on Tuesday night] to the selection committee chairman [saying] that he wants a break for this match [versus Tripura] to attend a family function,” Hadap told mid-day on Wednesday. When Iyer overcame a three-year first-class century drought with a 142 against Maharashtra at MCA’s Bandra-Kurla Complex ground last Saturday, he said he was very keen on making a comeback to the Test team. Also Read: "We will try to get a little bit of information from previous games": Tom Latham Iyer, who played his last Test against England at Visakhapatnam last February, had said: “I am absolutely keen for a comeback but yeah, as we say, control the controllables. My job is to keep performing and participating as much as possible and also see that my body is in the best shape.” Earlier, Iyer, 29, featured in Mumbai’s Irani Cup win over Rest of India at Lucknow in which he scored 57 and eight. In the Ranji season opener versus Baroda the right-hander had zero and 30 to his name. Iyer was not included in the BCCI’s central contract list for the 2023–24 season. The Ajinkya Rahane-led Mumbai will also miss India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav against Baroda due to personal reasons. The attacking batsman will later lead India’s challenge in the four-match T20I series against South Africa starting in Durban on November 8. “I don’t think their absence will affect [us], because our team’s morale is very high with the way we beat Maharashtra a few days ago. I will not underestimate Tripura, but we have good bench strength and it [Iyer and Surya not playing] is a blessing in disguise. Youngsters will get a chance to prove themselves,” Patil remarked. Iyer will be available for Mumbai’s November 6 game against Odisha in Mumbai.
24 October,2024 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureSkipper Tom Latham on Wednesday said New Zealand will head into the second Test against India without any preconceived ideas about a spin-friendly surface, focusing instead on utilising their bowling options effectively. “Whatever we’re presented with, for us it’s about trying to adapt as quick as we can,” Latham told the media ahead of the second Test here. Also Read: Slow turn “If it is going to be a wicket that turns a little bit more, then we’ve got four spinners in our line-up, that will play into their hands, but it’s [also] about to try not to go into the game with too many preconceived ideas,” he added. Latham admitted he has given thought to how to utilise the spinners at their disposal. New Zealand have Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel among frontline tweakers and Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips also roll over their arms. “I obviously had a little bit of a think around what that may look like,” he said. “[We will] try to get a little bit of information from previous games here and also the practice wickets that we’re on, will hopefully be something around, or similar to what we’re getting,” he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 October,2024 07:34 AM IST | Pune | PTIAs rare as defeats in home Tests might be in recent years, India don’t exactly find themselves in uncharted territory. For the second time this year alone, they have fallen 0-1 behind after the first game. In January, they were undone by the sweeping and reverse-sweeping brilliance of Ollie Pope, who helped translate a 190-run deficit into a stunning 28-run victory with a monumental 196. India bounced back from that unexpected Hyderabad reversal to carve out a 4-1 triumph despite key personnel dropping off like autumn leaves; it’s precisely that spirit they must now summon after the eight-wicket loss to New Zealand in Bangalore. Star India player Virat Kohli is all set to bat during a training session in Pune yesterday. Pics/AFP India paid the penalty in the Garden City for one bad session, when they were bowled out for 46 in the first innings. They did salvage pride with a blazing second-innings effort of 462, but a target of 107 wasn’t going to seriously test the Kiwis despite the first-over dismissal of skipper Tom Latham. Over the next five days at the MCA International Stadium, from Thursday, India will spare no effort in showing up the Bangalore result for what it was — an aberration. Also Read: "If Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him": Brett Lee names replacement ahead of BGT Typical Indian wicket Unlike at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium where seam and bounce were pronounced factors, Pune will signal a return to type — head coach Gautam Gambhir called it a ‘typical Indian wicket’. The black soil-strip is expected to assist slow turn, which could neutralise New Zealand’s tall seamers and bring India’s versatile spinners more into the equation. India have a mixed record here, beaten out of sight on a spiteful turner by Australia in 2017, but crushing South Africa by an innings two and a half years later when Virat Kohli registered his highest Test score, 254 not out. Kohli’s last Test hundred came 15 months back, in Port of Spain; he has gone 10 innings without a century but hasn’t been out of form, as his second-innings 70 in Bangalore reiterated. More than anyone else, Kohli will be mindful of the need to rediscover the art of erecting tall monuments, as much for the rest of this series as for the tour of Australia that is imminent. Team India will bank on spinners R Ashwin (left) and Ravindra Jadeja to provide crucial breakthroughs Sundar in for Kuldeep? The return of Shubman Gill after a stiff neck kept him out of the Bangalore skirmishes will relegate one of Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul to the sidelines. There is also the possibility of India bringing in Washington Sundar for Kuldeep Yadav though like the left-arm wrist-spinner, the offie from Chennai too takes the ball away from the left-hander. Gambhir referenced the ‘control’ Washington can bring more than once in his press conference on Wednesday. Whether it can be construed as a hint that he will play his first Test in more than three and a half years, or whether it was a throwaway line, remains to be seen. The faster bowlers did the trick for New Zealand with 17 wickets in the first Test, but in vastly different conditions, they will bank on the various spinning options in their ranks. Latham insisted that New Zealand have put Bangalore behind them; the confidence derived from that grand coup is only bound to make them even more dangerous.
24 October,2024 07:29 AM IST | Pune | R KaushikMayank Yadav should be on the plane to Australia if Mohammed Shami is not available for selection, asserted Brett Lee, one of the most devastatingly destructive bowlers, who has high hopes from the Indian pace sensation on the true, bouncy wickets Down Under. Aiming to qualify for a third successive World Test Championship (WTC) final, India will be travelling to Australia next month to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and doubts remain over seasoned seamer Shami's selection in the squad for the five-match Test series. "I can tell you that batters are okay when you bowl that 135-140 kmph speed, but when you bowl high 150s, I don't care who it is, no one wants to face that. "He looks like someone who is a complete package, if Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets," Lee told Fox Cricket. Shami has not played since featuring in the final of the ODI World Cup last November, and even though he went full tilt at the nets recently, India skipper Rohit Sharma is averse to taking an "undercooked" version of the seamer to Australia. Former Aussie pacer Lee knows a thing or two about batters' discomfort while standing up to express pace. Lee said, "The great thing is with me that I get to work on the IPL and see a lot of good young Indian cricketers. Mayank Yadav, to watch his first IPL game recently, hit 157 kmph first up in his first game. "Unfortunately, his franchise probably brought him a little early and he did his side again. Also Read: "He is a short guy who always stays beside the ball": Aakash Chopra hails Sarfaraz Khan "They put him in cotton wool for a bit. The great thing about India is that they are not worried about how much cricket someone has played or hasn't played, if he is ready to go, get him in there. I actually love that theory," Lee added. India boast of a world-class bowling attack that can trouble the Australian batters in their own den, and Lee acknowledged that. "Ashwin is approaching 600 wickets, he has got that beautiful shape when he bowls spin. He can bowl with the new ball as well but I think if India have to win there, then Shami (provided he is fit) can definitely hold the key. "Jasprit Bumrah, we all know how good he is, he can bowl both ways, he is a great exponent of reverse swing. Mohammed Siraj knows how to make the new ball talk. "On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it's the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner. Then they have got options with guys like who are part-time spinners. But you need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win," Lee said. 'India don't want to bow down' Lee described the Indian team as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down" to anyone, cautioning his compatriots who will take on the Asian giants from November 22. Lee's remarks came after India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test earlier this week. "This day and age, India is a powerhouse that don't want to bow down. They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis. They know they can beat anyone on any given day," Lee said. Commenting on India's outing in the Bengaluru Test against the Kiwis, Lee felt that they might have got influenced by 'Bazball', leading to playing some loose shots. "India just didn't go into their shell. Maybe it's Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world," he noted. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots." India's decision to bat first in overcast conditions raised eyebrows, as the team was bowled out for 46 in the first innings of the opening Test, its lowest Test score at home. Lee said the side needs to "weigh up the risk factor" and added the Indians should have judged the conditions better. "But, you've got to weigh up the risk factor as well. There are times when you've got to go, 'Okay, well, maybe the big shots aren't working today'. "Maybe, just rein it in a little bit. I don't think they sort of summed up the conditions as quickly as what they should have done," Lee said. India play two more Tests against New Zealand -- Pune (October 24-28) and Mumbai (November 1-5) -- before leaving for Australia. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 October,2024 07:23 AM IST | Sydney | PTIIt is no secret that Sarfaraz Khan is a pro at finding runs via unorthodox methods and in areas rarely accessed by Indian Test batters. The first Test in Bengaluru was an illustration of this aspect – where 96 of his 150 runs in the second innings came behind the wicket. With supple wrists, solid bat swing, and nimble footwork, Sarfaraz brought out an array of ramp shots, cuts and sweeps through the square of the wicket, especially in the third-man region, to leave the viewers in awe at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium – the venue where he first shot into limelight as a teenager in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Aakash Chopra, the former India opener, on Wednesday dissected Sarfaraz’s unique technique of getting big runs in the longer format. “The way Sarfaraz plays is very different. Usually, we talk about going behind the ball and when you go behind the ball, you tend to play more towards the front.” “He is a short guy who always stays beside the ball. He doesn't move much on the back foot because he is short in height, so the good-length delivery becomes a short-pitched ball for him. So, that allows him to play the horizontal bat shots very easily and because he always stays beside the line, he has that room to play,” said Chopra, an expert with JioCinema & Sports18, to IANS in a select virtual interaction on Wednesday. He also thinks bowling line-ups are yet to figure out how to formulate plans for countering a heavy run-making batter like Sarfaraz. “He has got this unique technique in which he has a lot of confidence and is extremely successful. Till now, people have not understood him actually.” Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Virat Kohli’s iconic 'shot of the century' at MCG completes two years “In first-class cricket, they might still understand that you can play with the third man in the beginning, get the point fielder back and you don't have to bowl a short ball, to try make him drive. But till now, at least New Zealand couldn't figure it out in the first Test match, and by the time they did, it was too late.” “So, it is a unique way of playing and that's what I think cricket keeps showing and throwing at us that whatever understanding you have about the game, it can be changed any day. People can be so successful with unique techniques - they used to say after seeing Jasprit Bumrah's action that he would get injured every third day. But that's the beauty of our sport I feel - that you keep getting different surprises in regular intervals,” added Chopra. After the eight-wicket defeat in Bengaluru, India added off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar to their squad and whether he gets to play on a slow-turning black-soil pitch at Pune wasn’t given away by head coach Gautam Gambhir on the eve of the game. Chopra found Washington’s inclusion, despite the presence of Ravichandran Ashwin, as an interesting decision. “There are a lot of hypotheses around it, and we are trying to think what could be their case. I am not privy to any inside information either. If Ashwin is playing, do you really need two off-spinners? A left-arm spinner and a wrist spinner in Kuldeep? If that is where India is going, then maybe Siraj is not playing.” “Once we reach Pune, we will find if it is actually a rank-turner that has been prepared. If yes, India does not need to actually play another fast bowler. So, all things are up in the air right now. With one selection, of course, it has led to a lot of confusion for the people on the outside.” “I am sure the team knows what they are doing, and what kind of pitch has been dished out. It is just that we are trying to figure out the combination, new addition and stuff like that. But honestly, I have got no 100% answer with regards to why Washy is there. If he is there, what exactly is going to happen?” With India 1-0 behind in the series, the Test at Pune is a chance for them to come back from behind. Chopra stated this can happen, provided India doesn’t repeat the mistakes committed with the bat and ball in their eight-wicket defeat in Bengaluru. “If we batted well enough and better in the first Test match, we would have won the game there as well. I was very confident and bullish about it. It's okay if we collapse once, but if we collapse twice in a single Test match, especially after being 408/3 in the second innings, then it's very difficult to bounce back.” “In bowling, we allowed a partnership (between Tim Southee and Rachin Ravindra) to prosper. Unfortunately, they all happened in the same match. So, India will try to rectify those things, as if we do man-to-man marking, we know that India is a better side.” All eyes will be on Ravindra, who shone in Bengaluru with an excellent 134 and a sparkling 39 not out. Chopra signed off by explaining the standout points for him about Ravindra’s batting in Tests, especially in his takedown of the Indian spin bowling line-up. “He has batted beautifully. I mean, it won't be an exaggeration to say that he played spin like an Indian batter. He didn't look like somebody who was born and brought up in New Zealand. His hands are very, very soft, crafty and flexible, apart from very precise foot movement. His command over his defence, the confidence that he has and then the shots that he possesses were impressive.” “Two more points stood out: one is, that he has played spin like we Indians would, and second was the maturity with which he actually played because if you look at his career, it is a very young career. A lot of people tend to struggle the first time when they visit India, especially in the longer format. But Rachin Ravindra looked absolutely at ease. So, kudos to him for the way he has actually batted.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 October,2024 07:19 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSRishabh Pant has 'no injury concerns' and is set to keep wickets for India while the team will decide on Jasprit Bumrah's workload after the IND vs NZ 2nd Test starting on Thursday, said head coach Gautam Gambhir. Pant copped a blow on the second day of the opening Test in Bengaluru and was replaced by Dhruv Jurel behind the wickets. Pant returned to score a fine century but did not keep wickets. Pant had a hit at the nets and also had a wicket-keeping drill with Gambhir on Tuesday. "Absolutely," Gambhir said on Wednesday when asked if everything was fine with the wicketkeeper-batter. "I think he's going to keep wickets tomorrow. (There are) no other fitness concerns," he added. Bumrah has played each of the three Tests at home this season and with the Australia tour less than a month away, India will decide on resting the ace fast bowler after the IND vs NZ 2nd Test. "Once the series is over, we still have around 10 or 12 days before the (first) Test starts in Australia. That is enough break for our fast bowlers as well. But we will still monitor after this Test match where Jasprit Bumrah is," Gambhir said. "But it's not only about Jasprit Bumrah. It's about with all the fast bowlers as well. We want to keep them fresh. We know that obviously we've got a long tour and an important tour of Australia. "Workload management will definitely depend on what the outcome of this Test match is and how much have they bowled in this match," he added. Also Read: Will it be caution over ambition for India in Pune? Gambhir said that Shubman Gill, who missed the Bengaluru Test due to stiffness in his neck, will play the IND vs NZ 2nd Test as the No. 3 batter has attained full match fitness. "Shubman Gill isn't coming into the side, he was already there. He was injured in the last match. It's not the case that he's new to the team. Because of the injury, he didn't play the last match. He had an issue with his neck. "Given how he performed against Bangladesh, he will come back into the playing XI. The rest of the team will be decided tomorrow (Thursday morning before toss)," he said. Gambhir underlined his coaching philosophy of putting more emphasis on wins even against all odds, as India staged a remarkable fightback in Bengaluru. "This is why we call cricket and sports as big levellers. If you enjoyed such days as we did in Kanpur, then you will have to accept such days as we did in Bangalore," he said. "But the good thing was that despite being all out for 46, we were still looking to win the Test, that was important. This is the way we want to play cricket. I have said before (also) that our first option will always be to win and the second option will be to draw." "There was no such intention in the second innings that we were looking to play out the next two-and-a-half days. We were thinking about how to make the match out of it and if you ask me, we were probably 100 runs away," he added. Also Read: India's middle order conundrum: Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul - who fits the bill? Gambhir said India showed the intent with which they want to play Test cricket in the opening match. "I don't think there will be many teams who will be thinking like this even after being shot out for 46, when you have to bat more than two-and-a-half days but this is the quality (we have) and this is the kind of cricket we want to play in the future," he said. Gambhir said batting to save a Test is not likely anymore since T20 cricket has made batters more aggressive. "To a certain extent, it's good because when I batted in Napier, the T20 format was just introduced," said India's 2007 T20 World Cup winner. "Now, with so much of T20 cricket around, you expect players to be more aggressive. The game has changed and we have to accept that as well. We will need a lot of temperament and a lot of mental toughness to bat for two or two-and-a-half days. "But again, if the decision of the leadership group or the team management is to just go there and still try to win the game, that is very important." "Had we decided to bat two-and-a-half days, the guys would have batted much differently. But the intention was always to make the game out of it, irrespective of where we are (and) how much behind we are in the game," he added. (With agency inputs)
23 October,2024 02:52 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentTwo years ago today, India's high-stakes T20 World Cup 2022 contest with arch-rivals Pakistan was laden with the drama, intensity, and fervour that such encounters typically promise, marking a contest that will resonate in the memories of fans for years to come. Stalwart Virat Kohli orchestrated an incredible comeback for India, leading them to a thrilling victory in a match fraught with tension. Chasing a target of 160 runs, India’s innings began in a dismal fashion, as Pakistan’s formidable pace attack, spearheaded by Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, quickly reduced the Indian batting lineup to a precarious 31 for 4 within the first seven overs. Key players KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed early, leaving the Indian team in a daunting predicament. Matters worsened when Axar Patel was run out shortly thereafter, intensifying the pressure on the remaining batsmen. At this critical juncture, with Pakistan seemingly in control, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya took it upon themselves to engineer a rescue operation. 🗓️ #OnThisDay in 2022!📍 Melbourne Cricket Ground 🏟️Virat Kohli's iconic 82* in a roller coaster 🎢 encounter powered #TeamIndia to a memorable win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 👏🏻👏🏻@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/muMaJEG0vf — BCCI (@BCCI) October 23, 2024 "𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙮 𝙂𝙤𝙙." 🫡#OnThisDay in 2022, when all the odds were stacked against us, King Kohli delivered a historic innings on the grandest stage against 🇵🇰, etching his name in cricket lore and making the 🇮🇳… pic.twitter.com/jnKJkn3yxn — Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) October 23, 2024 2 years ago 23 october The greatest T20I inning THE DAY WHEN VIRAT KOHLI OWNED AT MCG..!!🐐 pic.twitter.com/OiURKgFKrL — Ramvijay Yadav (@Ramvijay4046) October 23, 2024 #OTD: This is cinema 🤌Virat Kohli in God Mode 🔥pic.twitter.com/klj4UOdAaZ — The Cinéprism (@TheCineprism) October 23, 2024 From:"Dil Dil Pakistan"To:"Chak de India"The legend made it happen(82*).#ViratKohli #INDvsPAK2022pic.twitter.com/iWPdLxqmvo — Kuwar Prateek Singh (@PrateekRajwada) October 23, 2024 The duo showcased a masterclass in composure and strategy, deftly managing the mounting scoreboard pressure while curbing their natural aggressive instincts. Their partnership blossomed into a remarkable 113-run alliance, which not only steadied the ship but also reignited India’s hopes of victory. As the match approached its climax, India still required 48 runs from the final three overs, a task that appeared increasingly insurmountable. However, the game took a dramatic turn in the 19th over, when Kohli unleashed his brilliance against Haris Rauf, launching two breathtaking sixes that swung the momentum back in India’s favour. The first was a stunning back-foot punch over long-on, and the second—a deft flick over fine-leg—sent the MCG crowd into raptures. Suddenly, the equation shifted, with India needing just 16 runs from the last six deliveries. Also Read: Will it be caution over ambition for India in Pune? As pressure mounted on Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz, the left-arm spinner, was assigned the daunting task of defending those 16 runs in the final over. The tension escalated further when Hardik Pandya was dismissed on the very first ball, amplifying the anxiety within the Indian camp. Kohli, undeterred, struck the fourth delivery—a waist-high no-ball—over the boundary for a spectacular six, keeping India’s hopes alive. Following this, the free-hit delivery allowed India to scramble for three byes, maintaining the momentum. The T20 World Cup 2022 match teetered precariously as Dinesh Karthik fell victim to a stumping, leaving India with just two runs required from the final two balls. Enter R. Ashwin, who displayed remarkable poise under pressure. He let a wide delivery pass before calmly chipping the last ball over mid-off, clinching an extraordinary victory for India. The MCG erupted in jubilation as Kohli finished unbeaten on 82 runs off 53 balls, etching his name into the annals of cricketing lore.
23 October,2024 01:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
India's home domination hit a rare roadblock after fine contributions from Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, and William O'Rourke took centre stage in New Zealand's eight-wicket win in the first Test at Bengaluru on Sunday, their maiden win on Indian soil after 36 years. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s assurance on India coming out stronger in the remaining two Tests remains credible given how India has, now and then, bounced back with vengeance after tasting defeat. A Test match loss at home is indeed a rare occurrence in Indian cricket. The defeat in Bengaluru has certainly sent ripples through the team management as they prepare for the upcoming second Test in Pune starting Thursday. With a sense of urgency that only a loss can induce, the management will be scrambling to recalibrate their approach. One cannot help but anticipate a change in the playing XI, and it seems almost unavoidable. India’s performance has taken a hit, and the Gahunje pitch in Pune is likely to present a different challenge compared to the Bengaluru surface. Enter the ‘Shubman Gill factor’. The 25-year-old top-order batter is expected to return fit and ready to make an impact. If the team continues with the combination of five batters, a wicketkeeper, and five specialist bowlers, someone’s head will inevitably roll, most likely that of KL Rahul. After Sarfaraz Khan’s explosive 150, the call for change grows even louder. This series was always bound to be layered, like an onion that brings tears to one’s eyes. India must keep a keen eye on the World Test Championship (WTC) table and the upcoming series against Australia while managing the workload of Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. Also Read: 'Should take it in right spirit': Ex-Mumbai coach Pandit on Shaw's omission from Mumbai squad Sharma has already hinted at the need for caution with Pant, who, despite not keeping wickets in the first Test, contributed a vital 99 runs. The question looms: will the management take the risk of playing him in Pune? Adding another layer of intrigue is the inclusion of Washington Sundar, a left-handed batter and off-spinner, into the squad. However, his participation raises questions about whom he will replace: R. Ashwin, the seasoned off-spinner, or the left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav? This is particularly pressing if both Pant and Rahul find themselves on the sidelines. Sundar’s impressive Ranji Trophy performance (152 runs and 6/88 in both innings against Delhi) could provide the middle order with much-needed depth and flexibility. And let’s not forget Axar Patel, whose inclusion also needs consideration. Meanwhile, resting a match-winner like Yashasvi Jaiswal at this juncture would seem like throwing away a winning lottery ticket. Besides, the thought of giving Akash Deep a chance in place of the underwhelming Mohammed Siraj might appear desperate, yet it carries long-term benefits. With questions surrounding Mohammed Shami's availability for the tour Down Under, Akash Deep could gain invaluable experience by playing as a third pacer in Australia. Bumrah, fresh off the Bengaluru defeat, now finds himself in a position where he cannot be rested to give both Siraj and Akash game time together. And let's not forget that Pant’s impressive 99 came only after he received injections to numb the pain from his knee injury. While India waits with bated breath for Pant’s recovery, it’s worth noting that the BCCI's medical team is optimistic he will be ready to don the wicketkeeping gloves in Pune. But what if he doesn’t? What if the management, in their wisdom, decides to prioritise caution over ambition? Will they risk his fitness for the sake of a match that could either elevate them or further entrench them in mediocrity? “We have been carefully monitoring his injury. With an important series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) ahead of us, we cannot certainly take such things lightly. It is still not decided, but for the time being, let’s say that we want to keep him aside. He is a great batsman and an important part of the squad, the board is yet to take a decision,” a BCCI source told Mid-Day on Tuesday. Also Read: India's middle order conundrum: Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul - who fits the bill? The entire situation teeters on the edge of absurdity, where the stakes are monumental but the decisions feel precarious. So, as the team prepares for the second Test, one can only speculate how the changes will unfold. Will India play it safe and maintain the status quo, or will they gamble on fresh talent? As fans, we’re left to watch this drama unfold, hoping for brilliance but bracing for mediocrity. Each decision made in the lead-up to the Pune Test will echo far beyond the confines of the ground, potentially shaping the trajectory of Indian cricket in the near future.
23 October,2024 11:55 AM IST | Pune | Srijanee MajumdarADVERTISEMENT
