Leeds, England: A new chapter in Indian Test cricket is set to unfold on Friday, June 20, as Shubman Gill leads the team in his first Test as captain against England. This series, also marking the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle for both sides, is particularly significant as India enters without any of the stalwarts who defined their Test cricket for the past 14 years: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rohit Sharma. Their abrupt retirements have thrust a largely new generation into the spotlight, starting with a challenging away series in England. Despite…
Author: Raghav Mutdeyja
Sachin Tendulkar has revealed his suggestion for a “Pataudi Medal of Excellence” to be awarded to the winning captain of the India vs. England Test series, a move aimed at preserving the legacy of former India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, even as the series trophy has been renamed the “Tendulkar and James Anderson trophy.” Tendulkar expressed his pride in the new trophy, which now bears his and James Anderson’s names. However, he emphasized his immediate concern upon learning of the change was to ensure the Pataudi legacy remained. “The call that I made immediately after that was to the…
Injured Brendan Doggett Out of West Indies Tests, Sean Abbott Called Up Brendan Doggett has been ruled out of Australia’s upcoming Test series against the West Indies due due to a minor hip injury, with Sean Abbott named as his replacement. Doggett, who served as the traveling reserve for the recent World Test Championship final, was slated to join the squad in the Caribbean but will now return to Australia for recovery. Doggett concluded the 2024-25 season with impressive match figures of 11 for 140 in the Sheffield Shield final for South Australia, a performance that significantly boosted his standing…
South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, has declared that his team “created our own reality” by becoming World Test Champions, a triumph he believes holds immense significance beyond the immediate moment and will reignite national passion for Test and first-class cricket. For Conrad, this victory carries a deep personal resonance. Both he and his late father, Sedick Conrad, were denied the opportunity to represent South Africa during the Apartheid era. Recalling his father’s passing exactly three months before the WTC final’s opening day, Conrad emotionally shared his father’s long-held wish: “With two runs to go, I remember the old man…
Kuldeep Yadav Praises Test Captain Shubman Gill: “He’s Fully Ready to Lead Us” Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has expressed strong confidence in Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, stating that Gill is “fully ready to lead” the team. Kuldeep, who has been spending significant time with fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja both on and off the field, also shared insights into his preparations and expectations for India’s upcoming five-match Test series in England. Learning from Jadeja and Aiming for Impact in England Kuldeep’s sole Test appearance in England was at Lord’s in 2018, where he went wicketless. However, he has…
South Africa has definitively shed their long-standing “chokers” tag, securing their first-ever world title by winning the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Captain Temba Bavuma and centurion Aiden Markram played pivotal roles in a composed fourth-day chase, despite attempts from the Australian team to unsettle them. Resuming on Day 4 needing 69 runs for victory, the tension was palpable as Australian players verbally reminded the South Africans that the job was not yet done. Bavuma notably edged Pat Cummins behind with 65 runs still required, and Tristan Stubbs survived a close call when Mitchell Starc’s delivery trimmed his bail…
MCC Outlaws “Bunny Hop” Boundary Catches: New Rule to Reshape Fielding The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced a significant change to its boundary catching rule, effectively banning the controversial “bunny hop” technique seen in spectacular catches like those by Michael Neser and Tom Banton (with Matt Renshaw’s assistance) in the Big Bash League (BBL). This new regulation will be integrated into the ICC Playing Conditions this month and formally into the MCC’s Laws of Cricket in October 2026. Under the revised rule, a fielder who is airborne after being outside the boundary can only touch the ball once while…
South Africa is within touching distance of their first World Test Championship title, needing just 69 more runs on the fourth day, thanks to a magnificent, unconquered 143-run partnership between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. Markram reached his eighth Test century (156 balls) in the dying moments of Day 3, while Bavuma displayed immense grit, defying a hamstring injury to guide his team. This crucial second-wicket stand, forged over 38 overs of impeccably controlled batting, effectively repelled Australia’s attack on a pitch that, under consistent sunshine, was at its most batsman-friendly throughout the Test. The resilience shown by Markram and…
It leaves him a major doubt for the upcoming tour of the West Indies Steven Smith, Australia’s star batsman, is a major doubt for the upcoming Test tour of the West Indies after suffering a compound dislocation of his right little finger during the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. The injury occurred on the third day when Smith, fielding at first slip and wearing a helmet due to his close proximity to the batsman, spilled a sharp chance from South Africa captain Temba Bavuma off Mitchell Starc’s bowling. Recognizing the severity immediately, Smith left the field in considerable pain…
India top-order batter will be available from late July until end of season India’s top-order batter Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to join Yorkshire for the remainder of the English domestic season, participating in both the County Championship and the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. The 28-year-old, who captains Chennai Super Kings, is expected to be available from late July until the season’s end. Gaikwad, currently part of the India A squad touring England, has a strong first-class record with an average of 41.77 and seven centuries. His List A record is even more impressive, averaging 56.15 with 16 hundreds. He has…