The forthcoming golden jubilee celebrations of the first Test match held at the Wankhede Stadium promise to be a grand affair, replete with novel initiatives. The festivities begin tomorrow with a match between the Association and the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai (SJAM) and shall reach its zenith on January 19 with a performance by the esteemed musical duo of Ajay-Atul. Also Read: Coach Murray ready to face Djokovic ire We First initiatives Under the stewardship of a novel breed of administrators over the past five years, the Association has witnessed the inception of various ideas, all emblazoned with the motto, We First. The inaugural corporate trophy in the aftermath of the pandemic, a special league tournament for MCA clubs to commemorate the birth centenary of Madhav Mantri, cash prizes from quarter-finals to club teams, floodlit local finals and probably the most laudable endeavour of all — acknowledging the tireless efforts of its groundstaff (this generously supported by Cadbury Mondelez), introduction of online registration for players, honouring batting legend Sunil Gavaskar with an air-conditioned box, naming of a stand to honour another cricket legend, Dilip Vengsarkar are some of the noteworthy actions of the MCA. But during the last five years, the MCA somehow missed an opportunity to double the meagre gratis/pension for former Mumbai players (Rs 10,000 up to 70 years of age and Rs 20,000 to 70 and above). Tyson-like scheme needed Whilst the forthcoming performance by Ajay-Atul shall undoubtedly prove melodious to the ears of those in attendance, an announcement of a scheme akin to the BCA-Mafatlal Bowling Scheme helmed by the late Frank Tyson, which nurtured the talents of illustrious cricketers such as Abey Kuruvilla, Paras Mhambrey, and many others, would doubtless sound more melodious to the ears of the Mumbai’s cricket lovers. That scheme not only produced long-serving bowlers, it also opened up opportunities for some of them to turn coaches. While the Association celebrates 50 years of the iconic ground, is there any victory for cricket amidst the festivities, I wonder. Jagdish Achrekar was Hon Treasurer of the MCA before the last elections in 2022
11 January,2025 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Jagdish AchrekarPratika Rawal showcased maturity beyond her experience, while Tejal Hasabnis capped a memorable comeback, posting a fifty each, as India outplayed an inexperienced Ireland by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match women’s ODI series here on Friday. Rawal anchored the modest run chase of 239 after stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana’s brisk 41, smashing 10 fours and one six for a career-best 89 (96 balls).Hasabnis, who last played an ODI against New Zealand in October 2024, struck her first fifty after her comeback, remaining unbeaten on 53 off 46 balls with the help of nine boundaries. Crucial 116-run stand Rawal and Hasabnis put together a match-winning 116-run partnership from 84 balls with India winning the match with 93 balls to spare. Smriti Mandhana Also Read: "He hasn’t scored a lot of runs, but he didn’t play like someone without runs": Ashwin's remarks on Rishabh Pant Earlier, butter-fingered India let Ireland off the hook with their pathetic fielding as visiting skipper Gaby Lewis carved out a classy 92 to lift her team to a respectable 238-7. Opting to bat, Ireland were in deep trouble at 56-4 in the 14th over, but Lewis and Leah Paul (59 off 73 balls) added 117 runs for the fifth wicket to steer their team to safety. Mandhana was not pleased that India let Ireland off the hook due to fielding lapses, saying they should have restricted their opponents to under 180. “We need to get better at fielding. We should have restricted them to 180, will be aiming to do that going forward. We have to go out there and execute our plans, that’s going to be important,” Mandhana said during the post-match presentation. The captain, however, praised the bowling unit for performing well on the placid wicket. “To bowl on these sort of wickets, which have nothing in it, the bowlers did a really good job... The way they executed the slower balls and bouncers. Every game here on, we need to execute.” Mandhana provided an explosive start with her 29-ball 41 before Rawal showed immense maturity to anchor the chase. “Really happy for our batters. Tejal finished off well. It was a perfect day for us. Matches are won by the things we do behind the scene. Need to stick to our routine and do all the right things,” she added. ‘Wasn’t thinking about ton’ Rawal, who made her debut in the preceding series against the West Indies, missed a maiden century by just 11 runs. The 24-year-old, however, said she never had the century in mind. “I am not thinking about the results, not thinking about the big numbers, just taking it one match at a time. Whenever the ball is in my slot, I try to hit boundaries. Otherwise, I just try to push it down the ground,” she said. Brief scoresIreland 238-7 in 50 overs (G Lewis 92, L Paul 59; P Mishra 2-56) lost to India 241-4 in 34.3 overs (P Rawal 89, T Hasabnis 53*, S Mandhana 41; A Maguire 3-57) by six wickets 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
11 January,2025 07:53 AM IST | Rajkot | PTIIndian spin legend R Ashwin feels Rishabh Pant will score a century in every game if the maverick India wicketkeeper-batter is able to curb his extravagance and impetuosity as he has got “one of the best defences” in world cricket. Hailing Pant’s ability to singlehandedly turn a match on its head, Ashwin said a lot of his shots are high-risk, something that is not allowing him to realise his full potential. Also Read: Osaka to play Australian Open after ‘devastating’ injury pullout Pant scored the second-fastest Test fifty by an Indian during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney recently. “We have to tell him properly what he has to do if he has to bat solid or bat with intent. He hasn’t scored a lot of runs, but he didn’t play like someone without runs. He has a lot of time on his hands. Pant is yet to realise his fullest potential,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel. “He has all the shots — reverse sweep, slog sweep, everything — but the problem is that all these shots are high-risk shots. With his defence, he will surely score runs every game if he faces 200 balls. “The point is finding that middle game. If he combines all of it, he will score 100 runs every game. He has to find that middle game,” the recently-retired cricketer 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
11 January,2025 07:47 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIIndia's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has sparked widespread speculation with an intriguing post on his Instagram story, leaving the internet abuzz. Jadeja shared an image of his Test jersey, which has since gone viral on X (formerly Twitter). The cryptic post has left many fans wondering about its significance, with some even speculating that the spin-bowling all-rounder may be announcing his retirement from Test cricket. One comment on X read, 'Any hint?', while another fan posted, 'Happy Retirement Jaddu'. Ravindra Jadeja's Instagram story. ๐๐ฎ๐ณ pic.twitter.com/vacB7do0HB — Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 10, 2025 Jadeja's post comes at a time when he has already retired from T20I cricket after India's World Cup title victory in June last year. Despite this, he remains an active member of India's Test and ODI squads. However, his recent performances have come under scrutiny, particularly following India's disappointing 1-3 loss in the Test series against Australia. The 34-year-old failed to make an impact as an all-rounder in the series, picking up just four wickets across three matches and contributing only 135 runs at an average of 27 with the bat. His lackluster performance has led to growing speculation about his future in the national team. According to reports, Jadeja's form is under review, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee may soon make a decision regarding his future in the longer format. Some reports suggest that the selectors are looking to move beyond the veteran all-rounder. India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is reportedly focused on building a 'strong base' for the 2027 ODI World Cup and is keen to expose emerging talent to international cricket, as reported by a source close to the BCCI. The focus seems to be on giving more opportunities to younger, identified players as the team looks ahead to future global events. India is set to return to international action with a five-match T20I series and three ODIs against England, starting January 22 in Kolkata. Following this, the team will travel to Dubai to kick off its Champions Trophy campaign. The squads for these upcoming assignments have yet to be announced, and Jadeja's participation remains uncertain amid ongoing speculations about his career.
10 January,2025 10:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRavichandran Ashwin, whose recent retirement sent shockwaves through the cricket world and left his fans in disbelief, made a comment that could spark widespread debate. During a speech at the graduation ceremony of a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu, where the use of Hindi has long been a sensitive and contentious issue, Ashwin remarked that Hindi is 'not our national language, but an official language'. Tamil Nadu: Former off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says, "...I thought I'd say it all. It's (Hindi) not our national language; It's an official language. Okay, anyway"(09/01/2025) pic.twitter.com/bR47icWZEU — IANS (@ians_india) January 10, 2025 Speaking to the students, Ashwin asked if they would be willing to pose questions in Hindi if they were not comfortable with English or Tamil. “English students in the house – give me a yay,” he said, receiving a loud cheer. “Tamil?” The response was a resounding roar from the students. “Okay, Hindi?” At this point, the audience fell silent. “I thought I should say this. Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language,” Ashwin continued, speaking in Tamil. This comment has the potential to reignite a long-standing debate, especially as several opposition parties, including Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, have accused the central government of attempting to impose Hindi in southern states. At the same event, Ashwin also touched upon the topic of Team India's captaincy, offering a measured and diplomatic response. "When someone says I can't do it, I wake up to accomplish it, but if they say I can, I lose interest," Ashwin explained. Reflecting on his own journey, Ashwin shared insights from his background, having completed his engineering studies. He encouraged the students to persevere and remain focused on their goals, even when faced with challenges. "Had any engineering staff told me I couldn’t become captain, I would have worked harder," he said, urging the graduates to stay determined and not let doubt deter them. “If you are a student, you will never stop. If you aren’t, learning will cease, and excellence will just be a word in your cupboard,” he added, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and perseverance.
10 January,2025 07:44 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentIndia pacer Varun Aaron, who was once regarded as the country's fastest bowler before injuries hampered his promising career, announced retirement from 'representative cricket' on Friday after his home state Jharkhand's campaign ended in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 35-year-old Aaron made the announcement on social media after Jharkhand failed to go beyond the preliminary stage of the marquee domestic one-day event. After a dazzling start, Aaron struggled with erratic form, which was made worse by injury breakdowns, and he had not represented India since 2015. And that’s a wrap!! Thanks for all the love. pic.twitter.com/Yze3JReX06 — Varun Aaron (@VarunAaron) January 10, 2025 "For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket," Aaron posted on his Instagram account At just 21, Aaron burst onto the scene during the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his raw pace and making a mark with a blistering 153kph delivery against Gujarat in the final. His ability to consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 150kph quickly caught the attention of the Indian cricketing fraternity and he soon made his international debut in an ODI against England in Mumbai in 2011. This was followed by a Test debut at the same venue against the West Indies, again in 2011. However, the relentless demands of bowling at high speed took a significant toll on his body. He played nine ODIs and as many Tests, taking 29 wickets across the two formats for India. Over the course of his career, he endured as many as eight back stress fractures and three foot fractures, which severely hampered his progress. Injuries had forced him to give up red-ball cricket last year. "Over the years, I've had to push both my physical and mental limits to recover from numerous career-threatening injuries, having to come back time and again, this was only possible thanks to the relentless dedication of the physios, trainers, and coaches at the National Cricket Academy. "I'd also like to thank the BCCI, JSCA (Jharkhand State Cricket Association) , Red Bull, SG Cricket, and MRF Tyres for their invaluable support during critical junctures in my career. "As I bid farewell to a pursuit that has consumed me completely, I now look forward to savouring the smaller joys in life while staying deeply connected to the game that has given me everything. "Fast Bowling has been my first love, and though I step off the field, it will always be a part of who I am," he added. Among his memorable moments in the game, he had grabbed headlines by breaking Stuart Broad's nose with a bouncer during a Test match in 2014. Broad had tried to pull the delivery but the ball took the edge and sneaked inside the grill of his helmet to hit him on the nose. Despite not making the Indian team since 2015, Aaron continued to bowl in domestic cricket. He picked 141 wickets at an average of 26.47 and an economy rate of 5.44 in 88 List A matches. He also snared 93 wickets at an economy rate of 8.53 in the 95 T20s he played. Aaron also played nine seasons of the IPL between 2011 and 2022, turning out for with Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans. In his final season, he won the title with Gujarat Titans in 2022. (With agency inputs)
10 January,2025 07:19 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIndia defeated Ireland by six wickets in the first women's ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series on Friday. Opting to bat, Ireland skipper Gaby Lewis struck a fine 92 and shared a 117-run partnership with Leah Paul (59) as the visitors scored 238 for 7. ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ช๐ถ๐ป! ๐ ๐A solid show from #TeamIndia to seal a 6โฃ-wicket victory over Ireland in the series opener! ๐ ๐Scorecard โถ๏ธ https://t.co/bcSIVpjnlo#INDvIRE | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/ttWtOphIzO — BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 10, 2025 India opener Pratika Rawal (89) and Tejal Hasabnis ( 53 not out) then scored fifties to help the hosts overhaul the target in 34.3 overs. Earlier, Lewis scored her runs off 129 deliveries, studded with 15 boundaries, as she almost single-handedly guided Ireland to a fighting total after they were reduced to 56 for 4 in the 14th over. Spinner Priya Mishra was the most successful India bowler, returning figures of 2/56. Deepti Sharma (1/41) and Titas Sadhu (1/48) took a wicket each. Brief Scores: Ireland 238 for 7 in 50 overs (Gaby Lewis 92, Leah Paul 59; Priya Mishra 2/56) India 241 for 4 in 34.3 overs (Pratika Rawal 89, Tejal Hasabnis 53 not out; Aimee Maguire 3/57) (With agency inputs)
10 January,2025 05:44 PM IST | Rajkot | mid-day online correspondentJust like the Indian Premier League has proved to be a breeding ground for future India players, South African legend AB de Villiers is confident that the Betway SA20 will strengthen the South African team in future. “There is a lot of potential [in South Africa] and lots of talent, so I feel if you have a strong domestic system, and Betway SA20 is a strong tournament, you will breed really good cricketers from that tournament. These players will gain from that experience and this will ultimately end up in the Proteas side gaining from the SA20 and possibly going on to win a World Cup. I think a really good SA20 this year can help cement itself as a really good domestic tournament globally that will attract a lot of attention from all corners of the world,” De Villiers, the brand ambassador of SA20, said recently during an online media interaction ahead of the third edition of the six-team tournament that gets underway on January 9 and will be telecast on the Star Sports network. De Villiers also felt that while it’s in the BCCI’s hands to permit Indian players to participate in foreign league, SA20 is a great even for some of the just-retired Indian greats who are hugely popular all over the world. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who retired from international cricket in 2023, will be the first Indian player to feature in SA20 when he represents Paar Royals. “I’d love to see more Indian players involved in SA20. We know Dinesh Karthik will be here this year, which is fantastic, and it's great for the tournament. Hopefully, the BCCI will allow us to get more Indian players in the future to come and join the fun at SA20," added AB de Villiers.
10 January,2025 05:24 PM IST | Mumbai | Ashwin FerroCricketing legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Rohit Sharma, will be part of the Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) grand celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Wankhede Stadium on January 19. The event will commence on January 12. The other stalwarts who are expected on the occasion are former skipper Ravi Shastri, Ajinkya Rahane, Dilip Vengsarkar, Suryakumar Yadav and Diana Edulji. The main event will also feature Mumbai's legendary men's and women's players from domestic and international cricket. "As we mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic Wankhede Stadium, I warmly invite all cricket fans to be part of this momentous occasion. Our legendary heroes will join us in the celebrations, and together, we will pay tribute to the rich legacy of the Wankhede Stadium which is a pride of Mumbai," said MCA president Ajinkya Naik in a release. The MCA will release a coffee table book on January 19, while a commemorative postal stamp will also be issued. MCA will also felicitate the groundsmen and members of the Mumbai team, which played the first first-class match at the Wankhede Stadium in 1974. (With agency inputs)
10 January,2025 03:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAustralia's stand-in skipper for the Sri Lanka series, Steve Smith is not bothered by people's opinions about his act in the sandpaper incident and he further said that he is comfortable in his own skin. Steve Smith, who was looking after the leadership duties in the 2018 Cape Town Test match against South Africa, will again lead the pack in Pat Cummins' absence against Sri Lanka. Traditional former opening batsman David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were also found guilty of ball-tempering in 2018. Following the incident, the players received a ban for certain periods. Steve Smith also served a two-year leadership ban for his role in the scandal. He has since led Australia on four occasions in Tests versus England in Adelaide (2021), against the West Indies in Perth (2022) and two away Tests versus India in 2023. Also Read: George Bailey feels this Australian star could open the innings in Sri Lanka series While Cricket Australia (CA) considers the matter closed, some sections still feel that Steve Smith should not be allowed to lead the national team. "I mean, everyone's entitled to their opinion," Smith told Sydney Morning Herald. "They can say whatever they like. I'm pretty comfortable in my own skin. (The environment) around the team has been good for a long time. I get on well with everyone inside. People are entitled to their opinion. They can say what they want," he added. While Australia finally claimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after four attempts, defeating India 1-3 in the five-match series recently, Steve Smith missed the 10,000 Test-run mark by just one run. He said while it was a "cool win" in the series, missing a personal landmark by just one run was painful. "It was a cool summer to be a part of... and particularly after the way we fought back from Perth (defeat). Just as a collective, it was a really cool win. Our bowlers were unbelievable. Scotty Boland, the way he came in, was exceptional. He's unbelievable at the moment," said Smith.Smith was left stranded at 9,999 runs in the fifth Test at Sydney after being dismissed by Prasidh Krishna in both innings. "One run... it hurt a little bit at the time. It would have been nice to have ticked that off in front of all my friends and family here at my home ground, but hopefully, I can knock it off first thing in Galle (Sri Lanka, first Test). "I probably let it wander (in my mind) too much throughout the game. It's a cool milestone to tick off," he added. (With PTI Inputs)
10 January,2025 01:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAustralia's swashbuckling batsman Travis Head could open the innings for the side in the two Test matches against Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Sam Konstas is also likely to get more opportunities to prove his skills, said the chairman of selectors George Bailey. Travis Head who had a great run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Team India in the middle order, has been tested in the opener's slot on the sub-continent. Travis Head had come in for an injured David Warner during the 2023 tour of India and scored 223 runs at 55.75 in five innings at the top of the order. "Trav's an option (to open). We've got a number of options and there's been a few preliminary discussions around where that may land, and that may depend on the makeup of that first XI," George Bailey told cricket.com.au. "I think (head coach) Andrew (McDonald,) and (stand-in captain) Steve (Smith) will settle on that in due course, once we hit Sri Lanka," he added. Australia announced a 16-member squad on Thursday with several fresh faces added to the group that played India in the fifth and final Test at Sydney last week. Australia won the marquee series 3-1. Also Read: Robin Uthappa blames this star Indian player to cut short Yuvraj's career Steve Smith will be leading the Australian pack as regular skipper Pat Cummins is on leave for the birth of his second child. With 19-year-old Konstas turning heads with his refreshing style of batting during the Border-Gavaskar Tests, Bailey said the youngster's ability to read match situations quickly would help him excel in Sri Lanka, his maiden international tour. "What we have seen is he's (Konstas) a quick learner. (He) absorbs a lot of information," George Bailey said. "So (we're) expecting him to get to get a lot out of it. I know from his spin play in Australia, and the opportunities he's (had) in different parts of the world, we think he's got a game that's well suited, and a technique that can stand up." "But that's one of the exciting things about this tour we will learn a bit more about his game in different conditions to what he's just faced in Australia," he added. George Bailey further spoke about Nathan McSweeney, who is there for the Sri Lanka Test series. The chairman said that McSweeney handled his exclusion quite well and will remain in the scheme of things despite an underwhelming show as an opening batsman. The debutant had a trial by fire against Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, failing to put up a decent score in the first three games. "We still view (McSweeney) as a great Test prospect, and a long-term Test prospect. "I think at times when someone is left out of a team or squad, there's a view that they fall out of favour, or down the pecking order, but that wasn't the case with Nathan," said George Bailey. "I think it shows the character... and the sort of person he is, the way he responded and spoke so well about (being dropped) publicly pretty soon after it happened." (With PTI Inputs)
10 January,2025 11:56 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
