A day after announcing his retirement from international cricket midway into the Test series against Australia, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a quiet early-morning return to the country on Thursday. Ashwin could be seen was escorted out of the Chennai International Airport by local officials as fans took photographs before he left with his family without talking to the waiting media. #WATCH | Ravichandran Ashwin says, "...I am going to play for CSK and don't be surprised if I try and aspire to play for as long as I can. I don't think Ashwin the cricketer is done, I think Ashwin the Indian cricketer has probably called it time. That's it."When asked if… https://t.co/wm7IaTfuGd pic.twitter.com/vaNvUHsNYR — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2024 Ashwin on Wednesday announced retirement with immediate effect in the middle of the five-match Test series that is locked 1-1 after three games. He will continue to play club cricket, including the IPL, where he will return to play for Chennai Super Kings next year. He signed off as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps in 106 games, placing him only behind the great Anil Kumble (619 wickets) in the overall statistics. "I do feel there is bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club-level cricket," Ashwin said in a brief statement during a joint press conference with skipper Rohit Sharma in Brisbane at the end of the drawn third Test there. Also Read: Uncertain future, family insight: Why R Ashwin chose to retire mid-series? Before boarding an evening flight for Chennai, Ashwin also addressed his teammates, assuring them of being there for them as and when they need. "The cricketer in me, the Indian cricketer, international cricketer might have come to an end, but the cricket nut in me will never come to an end," he told the dressing room in a farewell address shared by the BCCI on social media. In the limited-overs format, being part of the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning teams would count among the major highlights of his 14-year career. Ashwin played 116 ODIs for India, claiming 156 wickets, while his 65 T20 International outings yielded 72 scalps. His career began in 2010 in the one-day format before he made his Test debut a year later. (With agency inputs)
19 December,2024 11:10 AM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentRavichandran Ashwin’s unexpected decision to retire midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. At 38, Ashwin, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, has chosen to bring an end to his illustrious career after amassing 537 wickets in 106 Tests. His retirement, announced on Wednesday, was not only a personal choice but also influenced by two major factors: persistent injury problems and uncertainties regarding his future with India’s Test team. Reports have revealed that Ashwin had been wrestling with the idea of retirement for some time before making his final decision. In fact, he was already contemplating stepping away from the game before the first Test in Perth. However, he had not made a conclusive choice until recently. According to sources close to Ashwin, he informed his family of his intentions the night before making the announcement, and while they encouraged him to carefully weigh his decision, the confirmation came shortly after. One of the primary factors behind Ashwin’s retirement was his ongoing knee injury, which had been bothering him for some time. Despite his immense skill and experience, the physical toll of his injury struggles, coupled with the demands of international cricket, became too much for him to ignore. Ashwin’s age, at 38, further compounded the situation, as maintaining peak performance at this stage of his career was becoming increasingly difficult. Additionally, Ashwin’s role in the Indian team had come under scrutiny during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite his status as one of the premier spinners in world cricket, Ashwin played only one of the three Tests in the series so far. In the other two Tests, he found himself sidelined in favor of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both of whom were preferred for the conditions. This lack of a consistent place in the playing XI, especially in overseas conditions, contributed significantly to his decision to retire. It became clear to Ashwin that his future in India’s Test team was uncertain, and this realization prompted him to step away while he still had the chance to control his exit. According to reports, Ashwin made his retirement announcement individually to each of his teammates, who were taken aback by the sudden news. His decision, though carefully considered, caught many by surprise, leaving his colleagues in shock. Ashwin’s departure from international cricket marks the end of a significant era in Indian cricket, and the response from the Indian team has been one of deep surprise and respect for his remarkable contributions. Ashwin’s final Test match, ironically, was the pink-ball encounter in Adelaide, where India suffered a 10-wicket loss to Australia. During this match, Ashwin took just one wicket, that of Mitchell Marsh, finishing with modest figures of 1/53 from 18 overs. This farewell performance, while not a grand finale, is a fitting reminder of the challenges that even the best face in the twilight of their careers.
19 December,2024 11:03 AM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentExcitement is building for the biggest Women's Test match ever, with a giant pink cricket ball hot air balloon soaring over Melbourne and the MCG this morning, ahead of the CommBank Women's Ashes Day-Night Test from Jan 30-Feb 2. The balloon will be tethered in Yarra Park during the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test and fly over Melbourne before the match. "The pink cricket ball hot air balloon is a fun way to build awareness and anticipation for the Women's Ashes. The seven-match multi-format series includes T20 matches at the SCG, Manuka Oval and the Adelaide Oval and culminates in the historic first-ever Day-Night Test at the MCG starting on January 30," Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley said as quoted by a press release. Eyes up Melbourne! 🎈Yes, that was a giant pink cricket ball flying over your heads this morning, as we continue the countdown to the Day-Night Women's Ashes Test at the mighty @MCG. pic.twitter.com/RgnNjdPO5n — Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 19, 2024 "This is shaping up to be a historic Ashes series that also celebrates the 90th anniversary of the first women's Test match in December 1934. The balloon is the first of its kind and forms part of the build-up to this highly anticipated Women's Ashes series," Hockley said as the release added. Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah: The India sling king revelling in Australia Australia will start its Women's Ashes campaign in Sydney on January 12 with the first of three ODIs and conclude with a historic pink-ball Test at the MCG starting on January 30. CommBank Women's Ashes Fixture January 12: First ODI, North Sydney Oval January 14: Second ODI, CitiPower Centre January 17: Third ODI, Ninja Stadium January 20: First T20I, SCG January 23: Second T20I, Manuka Oval January 25: Third T20I, Adelaide Oval January 30 - February 2: Day-Night Test, MCG 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 December,2024 10:28 AM IST | Melbourne | AgenciesWith his 'slingshot' delivery and ability to unsettle the world's best batsmen, India's Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest fast bowlers. The 31-year-old has defied career-threatening back problems and on Wednesday overtook Kapil Dev to become India's leading Test wicket-taker in Australia. Bumrah, India's player of the series so far, took nine wickets in the third Test at Brisbane to move to 53 in Australia and past Dev's previous mark of 51. He was player of the match in India's 295-run victory in Perth in the opening Test, before the hosts levelled the series in Adelaide. He is the leading bowler on either side with 21 wickets in the series so far at a scarcely believable average of 10.90. The next best are Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins with 14 dismissals each. "I think he is definitely India's greatest fast bowler," former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said of Bumrah. 'Clearly the best' "In T20 cricket, one-day cricket and Test match cricket, he's clearly the best right now." Travis Head, who has excelled with the bat for Australia in the five-match series scoring two centuries and a fifty, went even further. "Jasprit is probably going to go down as one of the greatest fast bowlers to play the game," said Head. Bumrah, captaining in the first Test in the absence of Rohit Sharma, made life hell for the Australian batsmen on a bouncing Perth pitch. He took 5-30 from 18 overs as the hosts were shot out for 104 and followed up with 3-42 in the second innings as India won by 295 runs. His unorthodox front-on action allows him to release the ball late and he can bowl yorkers at will. Australia's quick bowler Josh Hazlewood marvelled at Bumrah's idiosyncratic style, which was honed in his childhood while practising in a small car park near his family's apartment in the city of Ahmedabad. "If you haven't faced him before, it can really unsettle you," Hazlewood said. "He lets the ball go way out in front, so he's pretty much half a yard quicker than what the actual speed gun says. "He's like a slingshot loading up and letting go." Also Read: India salvage a draw Bumrah's match haul in Perth had some pundits questioning the legality of his deliveries, which appear to be bowled with a bent elbow. Australian great and former India coach Greg Chappell soon jumped to Bumrah's defence, describing the debate as "nonsense" and deeming Bumrah's action "unequivocally clean". Bumrah has had his share of struggles and only came back into the India team last year after a serious back injury that kept him out of action in 2022 and 2023. He played a key part in India's June T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados, where he was instrumental in preventing South Africa scoring 30 runs off the last 30 balls to win the final, a performance dubbed a "masterclass" by Rohit. The seeds of his greatness were sown at his Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians, where he has been a fixture for more than a decade. Former New Zealand batsman John Wright scouted the pace bowler from his home state of Gujarat and brought him to Mumbai in 2013, when the Indians won the first of their five IPL titles. Bumrah made an instant impact by dismissing Bengaluru's star batsman Virat Kohli in his first match. Head, who fell to Bumrah in the second innings at Perth, said he loved trying to solve the conundrum that is the enigmatic bowler. "It's going to be nice to look back at your career and tell the grandkids that you faced him," he said. (With AFP inputs)
19 December,2024 09:42 AM IST | Brisbane | mid-day online correspondentModern English High School’s (Chembur) dream run in the MSSA Harris Shield cricket tournament almost culminated with a title triumph before they found themselves at the wrong end of the result against former champions Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English (Fort). Three-day final ends in tie The concluding day of the three-day final at Brabourne Stadium saw the match ending in a tie, but moments later, MSSA Cricket Secretary Nadim Memon declared Anjuman as the winners. “Along with the on-field umpires [Rupesh Khadge and Ravindra Kolape], I spoke to the Mumbai Cricket Association Umpiring Committee and they confirmed that as the match has ended in a tie, Anjuman should be declared winners on the basis of their first innings lead,” Memon told mid-day.Modern English however, claim that tournament’s regulations specify that the winner of a tie is decided on the basis of quotient. “After speaking to the umpires and understanding the playing rules of the final which states that in case of a tie, the winner should be decided on the basis of quotient, we have decided to lodge a protest with both MSSA and MCA about this decision,” Modern English coach Subramanian Doraiswamy told mid-day. Close second innings On the final day, where the second innings of both teams comprised 40 overs each, Anjuman were bowled out for 203 while Modern English finished on 207-6, exactly making up for their four-run first-innings deficit. Brief Scores: Anjuman-I-Islam Allana 267 all out in 79.1 overs & 203 all out in 38.3 overs (H Khan 57, A Khan 37; V Jobanputra 4-80) v Modern English HS 263-8 in 80 overs & 207-6 in 40 overs (K Saini 53, R Sadake 37, D Birje 37, S Naik 25*, K Gosalia 27*; Yuvan Sharma 4-72). Match tied
19 December,2024 06:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Neeraj AnandHaving won the first T20I comfortably on Sunday, India Women and Smriti Mandhana faced the wrath of the West Indies Women in the second T20I on Tuesday.The Windies secured a nine-wicket win chasing 160 and achieved it with 28 deliveries to spare to level the series with one to go on Thursday. Mandhana admitted to not bowling according to plans, “I felt that the execution as a team, as a bowling unit, could have been better. We just put our hands up and take it [the defeat]. We tried everything to stop them but Hayley is definitely a quality player. As a bowling unit, our execution could have been better and the only way we could have got them out was by applying pressure by bowling dot balls. We couldn’t do that and the pressure was never there. We did give a lot of width. We’ll work on things that we could not do right and come back stronger in the final game.” WI’s Hayley Matthews during her 85 not out against India in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday. Pic/PTI The Windies captain Hayley Matthews and her opening partner, Qiana Joseph shared 66 in just 6.4 overs to set up the win. Joseph hammered her way to 38, 36 of them coming in fours and sixes. Matthews herself finished with her fourth highest T20I score, 85 not out, 80 per cent of it coming in fours. Matthews was elated with her own performance as well as her team’s brilliant turnaround in the space of two evenings. Matthews said: “We knew we weren’t up to scratch in the first game. It was something we wanted to turn around [on Tuesday]. Just trying to be in the game really early and Deandra [Dottin] and Chinelle [Henry] with the new ball set the tone and we just tried to take that momentum right through the game.” The victory on Tuesday was actually set up by Joseph, who swung her bat at almost everything the Indians bowled. She did it on Sunday en route to a 33-ball 49 before Tuesday’s explosion. Matthews said of Joseph: “She’s someone who has come about into her role over the last few months. We saw her opening in the World Cup and made her first fifty there. She’s shining even more in India. She’s making massive contributions and has a clear role, which is to go out and be aggressive and fearless.”
19 December,2024 06:20 AM IST | Mumbai | G KrishnanAustralia captain Pat Cummins is not bothered if India walked away with momentum from the drawn third Test but is pleased that they did not let the visitors exploit better batting conditions in the first innings. Australia, who largely controlled the third Test, declared their second innings at 89/7 to set India a 275-run target but rian prevented an exciting climax. “[I] can’t say I’ve ever been scared of momentum — don’t really care about that. I think we can take a lot from this week,” he told media after the end of the contest. “A couple of great partnerships, to be sent in on a [fresh] wicket and score 450 [445] and then managing to bowl India out for 250 [260] when the wicket, the conditions were probably a little bit better. We can take a lot from that,” he said. Cummins said Ashwin’s decision midway through the series was surprising. “Yeah, [the timing] was a bit of a surprise. He’s obviously been a fantastic player all around the world really. There aren’t too many finger spinners that have that kind of longevity. He’ll go down as one of the all-time greats.” 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 December,2024 06:19 AM IST | Brisbane | PTITo no one’s great surprise, the third Test ended in a predictable stalemate, but not without the attendant drama that is such an integral part of Australia-India cricket. R Ashwin’s retirement from Test cricket was evidently the most dramatic development on Wednesday as the curtain came down on a career most glorious even as the series stayed level at 1-1 with the teams heading to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test starting next Thursday. The forecast was for thunderstorms and they don’t usually get it wrong in this part of the world, but in whatever little play was possible, India’s seamers did make a strong statement with Australia looking to force the pace for no discernible reason. India’s first innings lasted only 13 minutes on the final morning before Akash Deep’s valiant effort was halted by Travis Head, who had him stumped. By posting 260, India kept Australia’s lead down to 185. With thunderclap and lightning arriving on the back of each other, Australia’s second innings didn’t kick off until 12.40 pm and when it did, Jasprit Bumrah was again in beast mode, accounting for Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne in his first burst. With rain imminent, Australia might have been better served trying to bat out time, but they chose to adopt a different strategy, taking on the Indian quicks and losing wickets in a rush in the process. Pat Cummins applied a token declaration at 89 for seven, setting India a target of 275 in a potential 54 overs. Realistically, even a fifth of those overs appeared doubtful; when first bad light and then rain descended on the Gabba, India were eight without loss in the third over. The match was officially called off at 3.25 pm, but the outcome was known long before that. While Ashwin dominated the conversation, it was hard to understand what Australia were looking to achieve by embracing the approach they did. The decision to move Mitchell Marsh up to No. 4 was ‘tactical’, as per official word, but it served no purpose, nor did the helter-skelter batting style which presented Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj with important Test wickets. Deep in particular would have welcomed the scalps of Nathan McSweeney and Marsh, having found little reward for his outstanding first-innings bowling, while Siraj accounted for the two big fish, Steve Smith strangled down leg in his first outing at No. 6 since 2014 and Travis Head, India’s nemesis, caught off a skier attempting a pull. With dark clouds gathering, Pat Cummins chose to still bat on, and hit out. Australia’s captain smacked two fours and as many sixes before Bumrah came back for a second spell and snared him with a slower ball. The declaration came almost immediately, though why was still not obvious. Australia might seek to write off the seven wickets as being a result of their intent to force the pace but in so many ways, it defied logic and might have provided India with a window of hope going into the MCG, however tenuous that might be.
19 December,2024 06:19 AM IST | Brisbane | R KaushikIndian skipper Rohit Sharma hailed the resilience of the lower-order batters after his team managed to salvage a crucial draw in the rain-hit third Test against Australia here on Wednesday, saying it has given the side renewed confidence for the remaining series. With the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy now tied 1-1, Rohit believes the team’s morale will be high during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. “We will take that. Obviously to have interruptions like that wasn’t great, but going to Melbourne at 1-1 pretty much gives us that confidence to go out there and pull things towards us,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation. “The situation we were in just after lunch (on Day Four), needed someone to stand up and take us through, we knew with the weather, it wasn’t going to be a full game.” Opener KL Rahul once again shone, top-scoring with 84 before Ravindra Jadeja (77) put up a lower-order resistance. Then the last duo of Akash Deep (31) and Jasprit Bumrah (10 not out) put on a gritty 47-run partnership to help India avoid follow-on before they were all out for 260 in reply to Australia’s big first innings score of 445. “Credit to [Ravindra] Jadeja, the way he played and [KL] Rahul, the way he played was magnificent at the top of the order, the fight that Akash Deep and Bumrah [gave] was great to watch, we have seen them work so hard at the nets [on their batting],” Rohit 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 December,2024 06:16 AM IST | Brisbane | PTISachin Tendulkar@sachin_rt Ashwin, I’ve always admired how you approached the game with your mind and heart in perfect sync. From perfecting the carrom ball to contributing crucial runs, you always found a way to win. Watching you grow from a promising talent to one of India’s finest match-winners has been wonderful. Your journey shows that true greatness lies in never being afraid to experiment and evolve. Your legacy will inspire one and all. Wishing you all the very best for your 2nd innings. Ashwin, I’ve always admired how you approached the game with your mind and heart in perfect sync. From perfecting the carrom ball to contributing crucial runs, you always found a way to win.Watching you grow from a promising talent to one of India’s finest match-winners has been… pic.twitter.com/XawHfacaUh — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 18, 2024 Virat Kohli@imVkohli I’ve played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you’re retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me. I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey with you ash, your skill and match winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always and always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket. I’ve played with you for 14 years and when you told me today you’re retiring, it made me a bit emotional and the flashbacks of all those years playing together came to me. I’ve enjoyed every bit of the journey with you ash, your skill and match winning contributions to Indian… pic.twitter.com/QGQ2Z7pAgc — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 18, 2024 Gautam Gambhir@GautamGambhir The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world! I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler because of Ashwin! You will be missed brother! The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn’t trade for the world! I know that generations of bowlers to come will say that I became a bowler coz of Ashwin! U will be missed brother! ❤️ @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/fuATAjE8aw — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) December 18, 2024 Anil Kumble@anilkumble1074 @ashwinravi99, your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary! With over 700 international wickets and a keen cricketing mind, you are one of the finest to have graced the field. .@ashwinravi99, your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary! With over 700 international wickets and a keen cricketing mind, you are one of the finest to have graced the field. Congratulations on a stellar career, and here's to an even brighter future off the field! 👏🏽🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/60lbNnyPi8 — Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) December 18, 2024
19 December,2024 06:15 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAustralia skipper Pat Cummins has confirmed that fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood will be out of the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series due to calf injury. Hazlewood hurt his right calf during Australia’s warm-ups on Tuesday morning. He bowled one over in the opening session on Day 4 before leaving the field with calf soreness. Medical scans later confirmed he had strained his right calf, which led the pacer to miss the rest of the series. “In terms of Joshie [Hazlewood], yes, obviously not ideal. He’ll miss the series. Yeah, take a few weeks to recover and then build up again from there. So not sure exactly when that looks like, but it’ll be at least this series,” said Cummins to ABC Sport on Wednesday. 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 December,2024 06:13 AM IST | Brisbane | IANSADVERTISEMENT
