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Fitness cloud over Jasprit Bumrah after he walks off mid-session on Day 3

A fresh wave of concern swept through the Indian camp on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah walked off the field mid-session, raising fears of another potential injury setback. Bumrah left the field shortly after taking the second new ball towards the close of the second session, just after Bumrah bowled the 92nd over. Having delivered only a single over with the second new ball, the right-arm pacer made his way back to the dressing room. While there was no immediate official statement from the team management, speculation grew over a possible injury scare, given Bumrah’s troubled injury history. There is this video shared by a user on r/cricket (Reddit). The caption that accompanied it stated that Bumrah tripped while coming down the stairs. That is how he hurt is ankle. Even Ravi Shastri mentioned it on comms. #ENGvsIND #Bumrah pic.twitter.com/YD7fgczV0u — Darpan Tikiya (@DarpanTikiya) July 25, 2025 The 30-year-old has only recently returned to full fitness following a long layoff due to a back injury that kept him out of last year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy decider and the Champions Trophy. His presence has been crucial for India throughout the ongoing England series, and any hint of discomfort is a cause for alarm. Jasprit bumrah just bowled 1 over from the new ball. Another injury concern? — RCBXTRA (@RCBXTRAOFFICIA) July 25, 2025 Although Bumrah did return to the field around the 98th over, he appeared to be in visible discomfort. Observers noted that he was hobbling slightly and seemed unable to put full weight on his left ankle. While fielding in the deep, he stretched and moved gingerly, further fueling rumours of an injury. Under ICC regulations, since he had spent time off the field, he was not permitted to bowl immediately upon his return. India’s injury woes did not end with Bumrah. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was replaced by Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps after suffering a toe injury earlier in the match. The nature and severity of Pant's injury are yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj also appeared to be struggling. The fast bowler left the field just before the tea interval, reportedly nursing discomfort in his hamstring. As the physios monitored the trio, England pressed on. At the tea break, the hosts had reached a commanding 432 for four, with Joe Root batting on 120* and skipper Ben Stokes on 36*. The Indian bowling unit, depleted and worn out, looked increasingly ineffective as England continued to build a substantial lead.

25 July,2025 09:29 PM IST | Manchester | mid-day online correspondent
Joe Root (Pic: AFP)

Clinical Root leaves India chasing shadows with milestone ton

Joe Root delivered yet another masterclass with the bat as he notched up his 38th Test century, powering England to 433 for four at tea on Day 3 of the fourth Test against India. With Root’s unbeaten 121 and an unbroken 84-run partnership with captain Ben Stokes (36*), England secured a 75-run first-innings lead and tightened their grip on the match. Resuming on 225 for two in the morning, Root and Ollie Pope picked up from where they left off, showing complete command over the Indian attack. The pair added 107 runs in a wicketless first session, taking England to 332 for two at lunch. The Indian bowlers, inconsistent and lacking intensity, allowed both batsmen to score freely, with Jasprit Bumrah and company guilty of bowling too many deliveries on the pads or short of a length. Bumrah’s opening delivery of the day, a full ball on the pads, was flicked for four by Root, a sign of things to come. Neither Bumrah nor Siraj managed to build sustained pressure, and debutant Anshul Kamboj remained ineffective, although he did create a chance early on that Dhruv Jurel, standing behind the stumps, failed to grab when Pope was on 48. After lunch, India finally found some respite through off-spinner Washington Sundar, who struck twice in quick succession. First, he had Pope caught at first slip for a well-made 71 off 128 balls, before dismissing Harry Brook for just 3 with a clever piece of bowling that saw the batter stumped. Both wickets came after India surprisingly opted to continue with spin from both ends despite taking the second new ball. But Root remained unfazed. Calm and composed, he reached his century, his 38th in Test cricket, with a glance down the leg side off Kamboj. With that boundary, he also laid the foundation for England’s eventual first-innings lead. Minutes later, the 34-year-old scripted another milestone, overtaking Australia’s Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar. Root’s knock was a study in balance and precision. He used the reverse sweep effectively against both Jadeja and Sundar and looked comfortable playing off the back foot on a surface offering little assistance to the bowlers. Adding to India’s concerns was Bumrah’s brief absence from the field just after the second new ball was taken. The pacer bowled only one over before walking off and was not allowed to bowl again until after the tea break due to regulations. (With PTI inputs)

25 July,2025 08:48 PM IST | Manchester | mid-day online correspondent
The incident unfolded during the 54th over of England’s innings (Pic: Screengrab/X)

Ravindra Jadeja rebukes Anshul Kamboj as missed backup hands Joe Root a life

Tensions flared in the Indian camp on Day 3 of the fourth Test as Ravindra Jadeja openly reprimanded young debutant Anshul Kamboj for a costly fielding lapse that allowed Joe Root a crucial reprieve. The incident, which unfolded during the 54th over of England’s innings, added to India's frustration as the visitors failed to break the resolve of Root and Ollie Pope in the morning session. England were in a commanding position at lunch, reaching 332 for two, just 26 runs behind India’s first-innings score of 358. Root, unbeaten on 63, and Pope, on a well-compiled 70, had added 135 runs for the third wicket without offering the bowlers a clear opportunity. But one chance did present itself, and India failed to capitalise. pic.twitter.com/Fh7dXQIX4S — Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) July 25, 2025 The moment came when Root steered a delivery from Mohammed Siraj towards the gully region. The fielder there got a hand to it, slightly slowing the ball down, before Jadeja collected it and fired a throw at the stumps. Root, well short of his ground, would have been run out had someone been backing up. But there was no one near the stumps. The ball rolled past the target, and Kamboj, stationed at mid-on, had to chase it down and retrieve it. Jadeja was visibly furious with the young pacer. According to the team’s fielding setup, Kamboj should have been backing up the throw near the stumps, and his absence cost India a golden opportunity to dismiss the in-form Root. Jadeja didn’t hide his displeasure, making his frustration known in full view of the cameras. This misfield only added to India’s woes on a morning dominated by England. Root, who resumed the day on 11, used the reprieve to further solidify England’s grip on the match. In doing so, he etched another chapter in his illustrious career by overtaking Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis to move into third place on the all-time list of Test run-scorers. The 34-year-old, playing his 157th Test, now trails only Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar (15,921) in the pantheon of Test greats, both of whom have retired. Root’s composed knock was complemented by Pope, who resumed on 20 and batted fluently throughout the session. England had resumed the day at 225 for two, buoyed by an explosive 166-run opening stand between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett on Day 2. With the pitch flattening and India’s bowlers struggling to find rhythm, the hosts appear poised to take a first-innings lead, and with it, a stranglehold on the match.

25 July,2025 06:38 PM IST | Manchester | mid-day online correspondent
Joe Root (Pic: AFP)

Joe Root, Ollie Pope pinish wayward India in wicketless session on Day 3

England wrested control of the fourth Test on a docile morning in Ranchi, as seasoned campaigners Joe Root and Ollie Pope compiled fluent half-centuries to lead a dominant response to India’s first-innings total. With neither batsman offering a chance throughout the morning session on Day 3, England reached a commanding 332 for two at lunch, trailing India by just 26 runs and eyeing a significant lead. Root, batting on 63 off 115 deliveries, and Pope, on a confident 71 off 123 balls, shared an unbroken 135-run stand that frustrated the Indian bowlers and gradually shifted momentum in England’s favour. The duo batted with assurance, punishing erratic lines and length from the Indian attack that failed to pose any real threat on a largely benign surface. India, who had ended Day 2 with little to cheer after England closed in on 225 for two, continued to lack penetration on the third morning. Jasprit Bumrah, expected to lead the charge, was inconsistent and offered far too many loose deliveries. A full ball on Root’s pads early in the day was casually flicked to the boundary, and a few overs later, both Pope and Root capitalised on short balls, pulling them effortlessly for fours. Besides a couple of deliveries that either kept low or reared up from the surface, one from the James Anderson End and another from the opposite side, the pitch remained largely placid. But it was the lack of sustained pressure from the Indian bowlers that allowed the English pair to bat freely. Anshul Kamboj, playing just his second day in Test cricket, showed glimpses of promise and even created a half-chance early in the session. However, wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel couldn’t latch onto a sharp offering when Pope was on 48. Meanwhile, Root quietly etched his name further into cricketing history. With a single off Mohammed Siraj in the 58th over, the Yorkshireman moved past Rahul Dravid to become the third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. He is now within striking distance of overtaking Ricky Ponting, with only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar ahead of him. India’s tactical decisions were also puzzling. Off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar was introduced as late as the 69th over, by which time the English batters had firmly settled in. Root wasted no time in putting the pressure back on Sundar, reverse-sweeping his second ball for four. With the pitch offering minimal assistance and the Indian bowlers appearing short on ideas, England’s stronghold on the game only tightened as the morning wore on.

25 July,2025 05:54 PM IST | Manchester | mid-day online correspondent
N Jagadeesan with MS Dhoni (Pic: CSK)

Not Ishan Kishan, ex-CSK batter to replace Rishabh Pant for Ind vs Eng series

Persistent concerns surrounding the fitness of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant have now materialised, as he is likely to be ruled out for the remainder of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Despite sustaining a toe fracture on the opening day of the fourth Test in Manchester, the 27-year-old displayed immense grit by scoring a resilient half-century on Day 2. However, his injury has cast serious doubts over his availability for the series finale. In an official statement, the BCCI confirmed that Pant would not be donning the gloves for the rest of the fourth Test. "Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper," BCCI said in its latest update. "Despite his injury, Rishabh Pant has joined the team on Day 2 and will be available to bat as per team requirements." With only a brief four-day interval between the fourth and fifth Tests, Pant’s continued participation appears increasingly doubtful. According to a media report, Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan is on the verge of being named as Pant’s replacement. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter later confirmed to mid-day that he has earned a call-up to the national team. Jagadeesan brings solid domestic experience, having played 52 first-class matches, during which he has accumulated 3373 runs, taken 133 catches, and effected 14 stumpings. The selection committee had initially considered Ishan Kishan as a possible replacement. However, the Jharkhand cricketer has been ruled out due to injury. Kishan, who was part of the India A squad touring England, was slated to attend a promotional event on Friday. The event was cancelled, with organisers citing his travel to London for the Test match. Despite this, no official statement was issued regarding his availability. A report later clarified that Kishan had informed the BCCI of his injury and would not be in contention. Although the BCCI has yet to officially announce Jagadeesan’s inclusion, his presence in the squad now seems inevitable given Pant's condition and Kishan’s unavailability. The team management is expected to make a formal announcement ahead of the fifth and final Test.

25 July,2025 05:37 PM IST | Manchester | mid-day online correspondent
Abhishek Nayar (R)

UP Warriorz appoint Abhishek Nayar as head coach ahead of upcoming WPL season

Former India men’s team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar was on Friday appointed as the head coach of the Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise UP Warriorz ahead of the tournament’s fourth season.  Nayar takes over from Jon Lewis, who had served as the head coach of the Warriorz for the first three seasons. The decision to part ways with Lewis signals a strategic shift for the franchise as they aim to rebuild and improve their performance in the upcoming edition. Though this is Nayar’s first official stint as head coach in the WPL, he is no stranger to the Warriorz setup. He had previously been involved with the team during off-season training camps in Bengaluru following the league’s inaugural season. Nayar's appointment comes shortly after his exit from the Indian men’s team, where he served as an assistant coach. His tenure with the national side was cut short less than a year into the role. Despite that setback, Nayar remains a respected figure in Indian cricket circles, known for his player development skills and his role in shaping young talents, especially during his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and at the KKR Academy. Speaking on his appointment, Nayar said, "I really enjoyed my time working with the UP Warriorz before and I'm thrilled to take on this new role. WPL is a fantastic platform for women's cricket and I'm looking forward to working closely with the management to build a strong team. "UP Warriorz already have a strong foundation in place, and I believe we can build something truly special. There is incredible potential and I will give it my all to help win their first-ever title this season." Nayar, who represented Mumbai with distinction in first-class cricket, also played three ODIs for India before his retirement in 2019. Since then, he has made a name for himself in coaching and was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders support staff as their assistant coach during their triumphant IPL campaign in 2024. Several high-profile cricketers such as Dinesh Karthik and KL Rahul have talked about the positive turn that Nayar brought about in their game. He has also served as the coach of the KKR academy in 2018 and was the head coach of Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in Caribbean Premier League in 2022. Nayar was appointed as the Indian men's team's assistant coach after Gambhir Gambhir became its head coach and was part of the team that won the Champions Trophy in the UAE earlier this year. However, his contract was terminated after that and he returned as KKR's assistant coach for IPL 2025.

25 July,2025 05:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Yash Dayal (Pic: AFP)

RCB pacer Yash Dayal accused of raping minor; FIR registered in Jaipur

Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Yash Dayal has been named in a fresh FIR filed by the Jaipur Police, accusing him of raping a minor. This new case adds to the growing legal troubles faced by the 27-year-old cricketer, who is already under investigation in a separate case of sexual exploitation filed by a woman in Ghaziabad. The complainant in that case has alleged that Dayal misled her with false promises of marriage during a five-year-long relationship. The latest charges stem from a complaint lodged at the Sanganer Sadar police station in Jaipur. According to Station House Officer Anil Jaiman, the FIR was officially registered on Wednesday. As per the victim’s account, the first incident of sexual assault occurred in 2023 when she was 17 years old. She further alleged that a second incident took place in April this year at a hotel located in the Sitapura area of Jaipur. "FIR was registered against Yash Dayal for rape under relevant sections of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) act and the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)," he said on Friday. "She alleged that the cricketer had promised help and support in her career. He contacted her in April this year when he was in Jaipur for IPL and called her to the hotel where he allegedly raped her again," the SHO said, adding that the matter was under investigation. Dayal, a medium pacer hailing from Uttar Pradesh, has built a steady reputation in India’s domestic cricket circuit. He made his first-class debut in 2018 for Uttar Pradesh and has since featured in 27 matches, taking 84 wickets. In the T20 format, Dayal has played 71 matches and has 66 wickets to his name. His consistent performances at the domestic level earned him a spot in the IPL, where he began his career with Gujarat Titans in 2022. In the 2024 IPL players’ auction, Dayal was picked up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a significant sum of Rs 5 crore. He was retained by the franchise for the following season as well and played a crucial role in their campaign under captain Rajat Patidar. The RCB management and the BCCI are yet to issue an official statement on the matter. (With PTI inputs)

25 July,2025 04:44 PM IST | Jaipur | mid-day online correspondent
AB de Villiers (Pic: Instagram/gc_southafricachampions)

AB de Villiers slams an unbeaten 116 runs; guides SA to a 10-wicket win

In the World Championship of Legends match against England Champions, South Africa Champions skipper AB de Villiers smashed an unbeaten knock in Leicester. South Africa were made to chase a target of 153 runs against England. Opening the innings for the Proteas, de Villiers and Hashim Amla delivered match-winning knocks. Facing 51 deliveries, AB de Villiers scored an unbeaten 116 runs, which was laced with 15 boundaries and seven maximums. On the other hand, Amla played a supportive knock, which came in 25 balls. He accumulated 29 runs with the help of four boundaries. The duo chase the target in 12.2 overs without losing any wickets. Taking to Instagram:           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by World Championship Of Legends | WCL (@worldchampionshipoflegends) Stuart Meaker turned out to be the expensive bowler for the English side. Bowling three overs, he was smashed for 37 runs. Liam Plunkett conceded 35 runs in two overs, followed by Ravi Bopara's 18 runs in the same number of overs. Dimitri Mascarenhas and Samit Patel were smashed for 19 and 11 runs, respectively, in one over each. Ajmal Shahzad, too, leaked 31 runs in 3.2 overs. Batting first, England posted a total of 152 runs for the loss of six wickets. Opening the innings, Phil Mustard scored 39 runs off 33 deliveries, with the help of three boundaries and a maximum. Fellow opening batsman, Bopara, departed early after scoring seven runs in six balls, including a maximum. Moeen Ali scored 10 runs after facing 11 balls and smashed two boundaries. Samit Patel and skipper Eoin Morgan delivered decent knocks. Facing 16 balls, Samit garnered 24 runs, which was laced with three boundaries. On the other hand, Morgan played a knock of 20 runs in 14 balls, including two boundaries and a maximum. Ian Bell, Tim Ambrose, and Liam Plunkett registered the scores of seven, 19 and 13 runs, respectively. Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir claimed two wickets each. Completing his quota of four overs, Parnell conceded 36 runs for two wickets. Tahir, on the other hand, leaked 17 runs in four overs. Duanne Olivier and Chris Morris, too, registered one scalp each to their names. JP Duminy and Hardus Viljoen went wicketless in the match against England.

25 July,2025 02:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ben Stokes (Pic: X/@ICC)

Ind vs Eng 4th Test: Ben Stokes set to achieve these two milestones

In the ongoing fourth Test match against Team India, England skipper Ben Stokes will be eyeing another two milestones. In India's first innings of the fourth Test, Stokes already registered a five-wicket haul while bowling 24 overs, during which, he was smashed for 72 runs. With this, he became the fourth cricketer in the format's history to score 10 or more centuries, and take at least five five-wicket hauls. The other three players on the list are West Indies' Garfield Sobers, England's Ian Botham, and South Africa's Jacques Kallis. Ahead of Day 3, the 34-year-old is just 109 runs shy of completing 7000 runs in the traditional format of the game. So far, having represented the 'Three Lions' in 115 Test matches, the left-hander has scored 6891 runs. He also has 13 centuries and 35 half-centuries in the format. Additionally, he is falling short by just one boundary to complete his tally of 800 fours. With a total of 799 fours, Stokes has also smashed 133 maximums in the format. Earlier, Team India was bowled out for 358 runs in 114.1 overs. England's opening duo, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, delivered stunning knocks. Facing 113 deliveries, Crawley smashed 84 runs, including 13 boundaries and a maximum. On the other hand, Duckett missed his century by just six runs. He faced 100 balls and smashed 13 boundaries. Ollie Pope and Joe Root will resume Day 3 with the overnight score of 225 runs for the loss of two wickets in 46 overs. England still trail India's total of 358 by 133 runs. Earlier, Rishabh Pant's half-century was the highlight of India's innings, as he came out to bat despite his foot being injured. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Pant were the three half-centurions for India. KL Rahul and Shardul Thakur, too, registered scores of 46 and 41 runs, respectively. The hosts' skipper Stokes registered a five-wicket haul, followed by Jofra Archer's three wickets. Chris Woakes and Liam Dawson, too, registered one scalp each to their names. The ongoing game is a do-or-die contest for the visitors, as they are already trailing by 1-2 in the five-match Test series.

25 July,2025 02:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley (Pic: X/@ICC)

'I just tried to play every ball on its merit...': Crawley reflects on his knock

On Day 2 of the fourth Test match against Team India, England's opening batsmen, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett delivered dominating knocks at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. After bowling India out for 358 runs, the English duo smashed half-centuries. Facing 113 balls, Zak Crawley scored 84 runs, including 13 boundaries and a maximum. On the other hand, Ben Duckett missed his well-deserved century by just six runs. Having played 100 deliveries, he smashed 13 boundaries. Reflecting on his knock, Crawley told Sky Sports, "I just tried to play every ball on its merit. I think I premeditated too much in the last few games. I just have to trust my instincts that I am going to defend a good ball and attack in my areas". "I felt I did that today and judged length pretty well. Some of my dismissals have been half-hearted. They have looked aggressive, but in my mind, too half-hearted, but I hit it today," he added. Crawley also heaped praise on his opening partner, Duckett, by saying he is a phenomenal thinker of the game. "Duckett is extremely good, an unbelievable player, and we talk a lot out in the middle about how we are going to go about it. He is a phenomenal thinker about the game and hits it in areas where it is hard to contain him. I just try to stay with him and hit a couple of nice drives. He is the leader of the partnership," said the 27-year-old. The second day of the Manchester Test saw the partnership between openers Duckett and Crawley help England score 225 runs for the loss of two wickets at the end of the play against India in the ongoing fourth Test of the five-match series at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday, July 24. With Ollie Pope and Joe Root unbeaten on the crease, England still trails India's total of 358 by 133 runs. Earlier, Rishabh Pant's half-century was the highlight of India's innings, as he came out to bat despite his foot being injured to score 54 in 75 balls. (With ANI Inputs)

25 July,2025 02:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Jasprit Bumrah (Pic: File Pic)

'Jasprit Bumrah bowled from wrong end': Ricky Ponting castigates India's tactics

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting expressed disappointment with how Team India chose the wrong end for their lead pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, during Day 2 of the fourth Test match against England. "I think even watching now, Bumrah, I think, is bowling from the wrong end. All the wickets, most of the wickets, have fallen from the Statham end. And he's done most of his work bowling from the Anderson end," Ponting said on Sky Sports. "So they've been, they were off execution wise. And I think tactically have been off a little bit as well," he added. Further speaking, the former cricketer also feels that it was not the right decision to hand the new ball to pacer Anshul Kamboj, who made his debut in the match. "They got scored off on both sides of the wicket, didn't they? You know, we broadly talked then about how they bowled to Pope. I think they were tactically off as well. I don't think Kamboj shouldn't have taken the new ball. Yeah, I didn't like that from the start," said the veteran of 168 Test matches. Ponting feels that Team India also fell tactically wrong on Day 2 of the all-important clash. "He was, I mean, and Duckett's five of his first six boundaries were behind square leg side. So they got it tactically wrong there," said the 50-year-old. In the initial phase of England's innings, their opening duo, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, delivered stunning knocks. Facing 113 deliveries, Crawley smashed 84 runs, which was laced with 13 boundaries and a maximum. On the other hand, Duckett missed his century by just six runs. He faced 100 balls and smashed 13 boundaries. Ollie Pope and Joe Root will resume Day 3 with the overnight score of 225 runs for the loss of two wickets in 46 overs. Earlier, India was bowled out for 358 runs in 114.1 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Rishabh Pant were the three half-centurions for India. KL Rahul and Shardul Thakur, too, registered scores of 46 and 41 runs, respectively. The hosts' skipper Ben Stokes registered a five-wicket haul, followed by Jofra Archer's three wickets. Chris Woakes and Liam Dawson, too, registered one scalp each to their names. (With ANI Inputs)

25 July,2025 12:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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