Former Team India captain and head coach Rahul Dravid expressed his views that the side will benefit from the vast experience new head coach Gautam Gambhir possesses. Dravid was speaking at an event in Delhi organised by Roombr. Dravid was appointed as the Team India head coach in November 2021. Under his coaching stint, Team India finished as runners-up in the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship and the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup held at home. And then Men in Blue ended their 11-year-long trophy drought by beating South Africa by seven runs to capture their second ICC T20 World Cup title. Answering a media query, Rahul Dravid said the team will benefit from what Gautam Gambhir is going to bring to the table. Also Read: IND vs BAN 1st Test: Ravichandran Ashwin smashes century, India reaches 339 at stumps on Day 1 "I think he has got a lot of experience as a player. He has played a lot. He has obviously coached quite a bit. In any situation one brings his own experiences, knowledge to the table. I am sure the team is going to benefit what Gautam is going to bring to the table along with his team," he said. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as a head coach on July 9, just a few days after Team India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. Previously, Gambhir had guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) title as a mentor. Rahul Dravid will make a return to the Rajasthan Royals (RR), but this time as a head coach ahead of the IPL 2025. The former Royals captain and coach spent five seasons with the franchise from 2011 to 2015 and will commence with the team immediately, working with Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara to implement the franchise's overall cricketing strategy. From 2011-13 seasons, Dravid played 46 matches for the franchise, scoring 1,276 runs at an average of 29.67, with seven fifties. His best score was 66. Rahul Dravid, known as one of the greatest batsmen to represent India started his coaching career in 2014, the time when he served from captain to team's mentor. Since then, Dravid has been involved in various capacities with the National Cricket Academy (NCA), the Indian Men's U19, and the Indian Men's Senior team, leading the nation to the top of the Test, ODI and T20I rankings during his tenure, and topping it up with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup crown recently. (With ANI Inputs)
19 September,2024 06:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India's star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin smashes a crucial century on Day 1 of the IND vs BAN 1st Test. The hosts ended their Day 1 with a score of 339 runs for the loss of six wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will step out on the field on Day 2 with unbeaten scores of 102 and 86 runs, respectively. Team India recovered well from their early collapses on Day 1 of the IND vs BAN 1st Test. The Indian team lost three quick wickets. Later, the side collapsed to 176 for the loss of six wickets at tea. Opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to stabilize Team India's ship by scoring 56 runs. Also Read: Mitchell Marsh feels this Australian is about to become one of the greatest ODI players Bangladesh were in total control of the match, but spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin milked an unbeaten 195 runs in 227 deliveries. Earlier, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant tried to pull the game in their favour but were dismissed on the scores of 16 and 39 runs, respectively. Visiting speedster Hasan Mahmud claimed four wickets for 58 runs. His wicket account had the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Pant. Gill coming to bat at number three in the IND vs BAN 1st Test was unable to accumulate any runs. He returned to the pavilion on an eight-ball duck. Stalwarts Kohli and Rohit, both registered the scores of six runs. Nahid Rana (1/80) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (1/77) picked up a wicket each. But the Bangladeshi bowlers fell flat in front of Ashwin and Jadeja as they failed to pick up a single wicket in the final session of the day. Brief Scores:India: 339 for six in 80 overs (Ravichandran Ashwin 102 batting, Ravindra Jadeja 86 batting, Yashasvi Jaiswal 56; Hasan Mahmud 4/58). (With PTI Inputs)
19 September,2024 05:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAustralian skipper Mitchell Marsh hailed Adam Zampa who is set to make his 100 ODI appearance during the match against England. While talking about him in a news conference, Mitchell Marsh also highlighted Zampa's significant role in the team and his development into one of Australia's premier ODI players. "I think 100 games these days is a really special achievement," Marsh said at the pre-match press conference. "Zamps' (Adam Zampa) career has certainly had its ups and downs, being in and out of the side at times, but the way he's gone about it over the last probably four or five years is commendable," he further added. Mitchell Marsh also highlighted Adam Zampa's growth, both as a cricketer and as an individual. "The person that he's become and, more importantly for us as a team, the cricketer that he's become is something that we're really grateful for. He's certainly tracking towards being one of our greatest ever ODI players," Marsh noted. Also Read: "I always back the underdogs": Ravichandran Ashwin praises Bangladesh's triumph over Pakistan Highlighting Zampa's importance to the team, Mitchell Marsh continued, "There's no hiding the fact that he's one of our go-to men with the ball over a 50-over period. That has been one of the challenges he's taken in his stride over the last few years. He's been that person for us, and he certainly thrives off the bigger moments, which is what all great players do." Mitchell Marsh also lauded Zampa's ability to perform under pressure. "It's a real credit to the way he's gone about his work," he added. So far, featuring in 99 ODI matches, Zampa has claimed 169 wickets with the best bowling figures of five wickets for 35 runs which came against New Zealand in 2022. He also played 92 T20Is and has 111 wickets registered under his name. In the T20I bowlers' rankings, he (662 rating) is just one rating point behind Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga in fifth place, though he remained some way behind England's Adil Rashid in first (721 rating). Zampa expressed his desire to keep playing ODI cricket. "There's been a lot of questions about the ODI format and what that looks [like] going forward. In terms of playing for Australia and that drive, I think every young guy coming through still thinks that's the be-all and end-all. There are obviously those other opportunities in terms of franchise cricket, and that's good. There's been a lot said about how it's a saturated market, but all these different competitions give other guys opportunities," Zampa said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. (With ANI Inputs)
19 September,2024 03:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praises on the Bangladesh cricket team following their triumph against Pakistan in the Test series. Rohit Sharma and Co. will lock horns with Bangladesh for a two-match Test series. Ashwin acknowledged the exceptional performance of the Bangladeshi team, underscoring their rapid rise in international cricket. "They have put their hand up and said, 'look, we are a team on the rise and we are playing wonderful cricket,'" Ashwin stated before the start of the match, reflecting on Bangladesh's growing prowess on the cricket field. The Test series between Bangladesh and Pakistan was not broadcast in India, but the snippets of it were enough to impress Ravichandran Ashwin. Also Read: IN PHOTOS: Afghanistan script history with first ever win over South Africa "I am one of those guys who loves to see the underdog come out and perform. You can't call them an underdog anymore; they have played some wonderful cricket," he stated emphatically. This victory is particularly significant for Bangladesh, as it demonstrates its ability to compete at the highest level. Their recent performance against Pakistan where they whitewashed them in their backyard, is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of their impressive form, as highlighted by their strong challenge against India during their last encounter in Bangladesh. "They challenged us in Bangladesh when we were there the last time," Ashwin remarked. Ravichandran Ashwin's acknowledgement of this also claims the respect and recognition Bangladesh cricket team is earning on the global stage. Ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh, Ravichandran Ashwin has shown excitement towards it. "Really looking forward to a good series," he said, anticipating competitive and high-quality cricket from the rising team. Bangladesh (Playing XI For 1st Test): Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana. India (Playing XI For 1st Test): Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj. (With ANI Inputs)
19 September,2024 02:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
After a string of one-sided contests, the Men in Blue find itself grappling with an unexpected weakness, batting against spin. This is a far cry from the dominant performances fans have come to expect, and it raises questions about their readiness for the challenges ahead. They are poised for yet another thrilling twist as India prepare to face Bangladesh in a two-Test series starting today. Fresh off a convincing 2-0 series win against Pakistan, Bangladesh is no longer the easy target they once were. This newly competitive spirit adds another layer of concern for India as they embark on a long season filled with ten Tests and a potential spot in the World Test Championship Final. The stakes have never been higher. India boast an impressive home record of 40 wins and only four losses over the past decade. However, cracks are beginning to appear in this formidable facade, particularly over the last three years. Also Read: IND vs BAN 1st Test: Mahmud's three-wicket haul restricts India to 88/3 at lunch on Day 1 Bangladesh's captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (R) and teammmate Mominul Haque walk back to pavilion during a lunch break (Pic: AFP) The once-reliable Virat Kohli, who was a cornerstone of India’s home success since 2015, has seen his numbers against spin take a nosedive. Since 2021, Kohli's average against spin has plummeted to a mere 30 across 15 Tests. This isn’t a condemnation of his immense talent but rather a glaring statistic that both he and his fans would prefer to see addressed. Similarly, Rohit Sharma, who once feasted on spin bowling, has seen his average against slower bowlers drop significantly since 2021. While he enjoyed an astonishing average of over 90 against spin after his elevation to the opener in 2017, that number has dwindled to a more pedestrian 44 over the same timeframe. KL Rahul, who is often touted as being equally adept against both spin and pace, paints an even bleaker picture. In five home Tests over the last three years, Rahul's average against spin has plummeted to 23.40, a statistic that could raise eyebrows among selectors and fans alike. These statistics serve as a wake-up call for the Indian batting lineup, indicating a potential decline in their proficiency against spin. It is also a reminder that the ability to tackle spin bowling is a fundamental skill for players from this cricketing nation. Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, recently highlighted this very concern after the team’s disappointing performance against Sri Lankan spinners in a three-match ODI series, which ended in a 0-2 defeat. On a brighter note, there are players like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal who have shown promise. Pant boasts an impressive average of 70 over five matches, while Gill has averaged 56 over ten. Jaiswal’s staggering average of 115, albeit largely inflated by a series against England lacking a formidable spin attack, cannot be overlooked either. However, the challenge posed by Bangladesh’s left-arm spinners, including Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, is likely to test their skills. As India looks to combat Bangladesh’s bowling prowess, they will rely on the explosive approach of Rishabh Pant, who is set to make his return to Test cricket following a serious car accident in 2022. His ability to unsettle opposing bowlers will be crucial, especially against a Bangladeshi spin attack that has the potential to wreak havoc on any given day. On the bowling front, India’s lineup appears formidable. The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and the spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja is as intimidating as they come, regardless of the conditions. The question remains whether India will opt for a third seamer, choosing between Akash Deep or Yash Dayal, or if they will follow the trend of deploying an additional spinner in Kuldeep Yadav, especially given the red-soil pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Additionally, India may consider reintroducing Axar Patel into the fold, which could enhance their late-order batting capabilities against a Bangladeshi attack that includes express bowlers Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud. Meanwhile, new head coach Gautam Gambhir will be eager to set the tone for his tenure. After a rather underwhelming white-ball tour in Sri Lanka that ended with a 1-1 record, Gambhir will be driven to kick off this Test series on a winning note. His relentless pursuit of victory will undoubtedly add an intriguing dynamic to the team’s approach. Sharma may adopt a different perspective on personal milestones and pressures, but the collective effort of the team in this series will serve as a vital barometer for the challenges that lie ahead. This series, the first Test engagement for India in six months, is not just about securing victories; it is about setting a tone for a long and arduous season that could determine their fate in the World Test Championship. The focus now will be on addressing their vulnerabilities against spin and recalibrating their approach to regain their dominance. The stakes are high, the competition is fierce, and the journey ahead promises to be both challenging and rewarding. Whether they can navigate these hurdles will define not only their performance in this series but also their standing in the world of cricket for the coming year.
19 September,2024 12:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the IND vs BAN 1st Test, visitor's pacer Hasan Mahmud showcased his prowess with the ball by snapping three big wickets of the Indian batting lineup. The hosts are now on 88 runs for the loss of three wickets on Day 1 of the IND vs BAN 1st Test. Opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal and swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant are still at the crease with unbeaten 37 and 33 runs, respectively. They have so far added 54 runs for the fourth wicket, steering India to much calmer shores. Once Bangladesh elected to bowl on a muggy Chennai morning, the focus was entirely on express quick Nahid Rana, but it was the more honest Mahmud (3/14) who rattled India with a clinical spell. Rohit Sharma was saved by DRS when he was unbeaten on one run. But his innings ended with a score of six runs. The Indian skipper had little choice other than playing a wobble seam delivery that came at him on a tight angle as he edged to Najmul Hasan Shanto at second slip. Also Read: Harmalkar wins MCA Apex Council seat In the IND vs BAN 1st Test Shubman Gill was unfortunate as he returned to the pavilion without scoring any runs. His innings lasted for just eight deliveries. Stalwart Virat Kohli was dismissed on six runs in Chennai in between the cheering from the crowd. Mahmud pitched one just short of the length outside the off-stump, and the drive was not there. But the star batter chose to play an expansive drive with the ball nestling in Litton's gloves after taking a healthy edge off Kohli's bat. In the IND vs BAN 1st Test, the hosts lost three wickets for 34 runs in the first 10 overs. Gradually, a sizable crowd regained their voice as Jaiswal and Pant, who came ahead of KL Rahul, played counterattacking knocks to drag India back into the contest. They were a bit edgy to begin with as there were a few play-and-misses, edges, couple of wrong calls for singles between them, but the left-handers soon overcame it to play a few dazzling shots. Jaiswal was all classic correctness as he drove, flicked and swept pacer Taskin Ahmed and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz for boundaries to keep the board ticking. Pant, at the other end, used his timing and power to good effect to peel boundaries off Rana, and a thundering square cut off the pacer was a treat to watch. The lone moment of worry during his stay was an edge off Taskin that Shadman Islam failed to grab at first slip. (With PTI Inputs)
19 September,2024 12:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto doesn’t want his team to rest on laurels of its series victory over Pakistan but focus on process and adaptability required to beat a quality side like India in the opening Test starting Thursday. The ‘Tigers’ are on a high having come off a resounding away 2-0 series win against Pakistan, a first in country’s 24-year Test history. B’desh high on confidence “I think we played very good cricket against Pakistan, which gives us a lot of confidence. But, that is in the past,” he told reporters during the pre-match press conference here on Wednesday. “We are here to play a new series, and the dressing room believes we can play very good cricket. We are not thinking about the outcome, but just trying to follow our processes,” the 26-year-old skipper with experience of 29 Tests said. Also Read: Kamindu century rescues Sri Lanka against NZ Despite their commendable outing in Pakistan, playing India in India is a whole different game. Shanto feels conditions will hardly make a difference when a team faces a side like India which comprises world class players across departments. “I think they [India] are a very quality side. We know they have covered all the bases, like batting, bowling, and fielding. But, we are not thinking about the condition and the opponents. We are just thinking about ourselves.” Pacer Rana in focus One of Bangladesh’s players to watch out for would be pacer Nahid Rana, who surprised the Pakistanis in the second Rawalpindi Test with a match-haul of five wickets, including game-changing spell in the second innings. “Yes, he is very exciting, and the way he bowled against Pakistan is really impressive, looks very nice. But I will not put my entire focus on any individual player. “I think all the fast bowlers did a great job in Pakistan. I hope they will do something good here,” Shanto 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
19 September,2024 08:07 AM IST | Chennai | PTISri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis scored a courageous century against New Zealand Wednesday as the hosts wrestled back the initiative to reach 302 for seven at stumps on the first day of the first Test. Sri Lanka had slumped to 106 for four just after lunch but Kamindu — player of the series for Sri Lanka during their recent tour of England — provided a confident and calm performance that steadied the team. Also Read: ‘China surprised us' Kamindu said the Sri Lankans were aiming to “get close to the 350 mark” on Thursday to put them “on top of the game.” The all-rounder’s innings came to an end on 114 in the penultimate over of the day when Ajaz Patel turned the ball sharply and it popped off the glove for an easy catch at first slip. “It’s a special hundred this one, as this came in my hometown,” Kamindu said. Kamindu, known for his ability to bat and bowl with both hands, is playing in his seventh Test match. Sri Lanka were in a little trouble going into tea at 178-5, but a 103-run stand between Kusal Mendis and Kamindu rescued them. 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
19 September,2024 08:04 AM IST | Galle | AFPMumbai’s 2022-23 CK Nayudu Trophy-winning team manager Surendra Harmalkar bagged 185 votes to win the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) Apex Council member elections. Also Read: Sunny G turns funny G at book release function! Harmalkar, who represented Jolly Friends Cricket Club, beat Kansara Cricket Club’s Deepan Mistry by 90 votes for the lone councillor’s post at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. Mistry secured 95. Harmalkar, who has played office cricket for Sales Tax and represented Maharashtra in the All India Civil Services cricket tournament credited his victory to the MCA office bearers. “I’ve been attached to the MCA for several years and have contributed in different capacities. I received good support from MCA president [Ajinkya Naik], secretary [Abhay Hadap] and other officials and that made this victory possible,” Harmalkar told mid-day on Wednesday.
19 September,2024 07:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureIndia batting legend Sunil Gavaskar was at his humourous best during the book release function of Sunny G, written by mid-day contributor Debasish Datta and presented by Shyam Bhatia, at the Cricket Club of India’s CK Nayudu Banquet Hall on Wednesday. Also Read: Duleep Trophy: Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and others return for the final round When the author Datta announced that Gavaskar needs no introduction, the former India skipper expressed his disappointment in a lighter vein, and insisted that he always needs an introduction, and went on to justify the same with a series of anecdotes that had the audience in splits. “Many years ago, my uncle Madhav Mantri, who played four Tests for India, was invited to a school’s sports day presentation and the principal asked how he would like to be introduced. At that stage, I was captain of the Indian team, so my uncle told the principal to simply ask his students who their favourite cricketer is and when they reply, he can say I am his uncle. However, at the assembly hall, when the principal asked his students who their favourite cricketer was, they replied in one voice ‘Kapil Dev’,” said Gavaskar, seamlessly going into other examples that explained why he needs an introduction. “When I first came into the Indian team, the great Garfield Sobers dropped two really simple catches and I scored some runs. We beat the West Indies for the first time and there was a big celebration at the Brabourne Stadium [on the team’s return]. Ajit Wadekar was introduced as ‘the captain who outthought Sobers, Venkatraghavan, the vice-captain who bowled Sobers round his legs, Eknath Solkar, the gutsy cricketer’ and when it came to me, I was ‘the person who Garry Sobers dropped three-four times.’ The same thing happened a few months later, when we went to England. John Snow gave me a shove while I was looking for a single and I was sent sprawling and made it to the crease on my hands and knees. We beat England for the first time and again at a function back home, Wadekar was mentioned as ‘the brainiest captain’, Chandra was ‘the man who turned the game with his 6-38’ and finally, I was ‘the guy who John Snow shoved to the ground.’ Then, a few years after the 1971 twin wins, once I had invited one of the best batters of my generation Gundappa Vishwanath home for dinner. My sister fell in love with him and they got married. Then, when India started winning again and we started going to functions, here I was introduced as Gundappa Vishwanath’s brother-in-law. In fact, at the start of my career in school also, whenever I achieved something, it was said, ‘Madhav Mantri’s nephew, Madhav Mantri’s nephew.’ ”
19 September,2024 07:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin FerroThe likes of Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh will get another opportunity to enhance their red-ball credentials when the final round of Duleep Trophy matches begin here on Thursday. Also Read: India eye Chennai high! With nine points from two games, India ‘C’ sit at the top of the points table, followed by India ‘B’ (7), India ‘A’ (6) and India ‘D’ (0). Table leaders India ‘C’, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will take on Mayank Agarwal-led India ‘A’, while Abhimanyu Easwaran led India ‘B’ will face India ‘D’, whose captain is under-pressure Iyer. After being ignored for the Bangladesh series, Iyer had a point to prove but he has not been able to lead from the front thus far in the competition. The performance of India ‘D’ batter Samson and pacer Arshdeep Singh will also be tracked by the selectors. 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
19 September,2024 07:45 AM IST | Anantapur | PTIADVERTISEMENT
