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  Former Indian pace bowler Zaheer Khan admits that speedster Jasprit Bumrah should have won the man of the match award after showcasing his brilliant performance throughout the first Test. Notably, Joe Root was named the man of the match for scoring 173 runs in both innings as well. Jasprit Bumrah bagged four wickets in the first innings as India restricted England for a mere total of 183. In the second innings, He claimed a fifer in the longer format and he ended the first Test in Nottingham with the figures of 9/118. Bumrah also contributed with the bat as he scored 28 runs off 34 balls, which helped India to have a lead to 95 runs. Virat Kohli said after the Test that the runs scored by Bumrah were crucial at that moment. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Zaheer Khan said: “If I had to pick only one player of the match, then definitely I would go with Bumrah. Reason is clear for that. He set the tone of the Test match from the first over. Yes, Joe Root is a very big player, he played...

  The first Test between India and England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham has ended in a draw as the rain has played the spoilsports. India was required 157 runs to win the match on the final day but the play didn’t take place at all. While the second Test will begin on Thursday (August 12), former England captain Michael Vaughan has revealed his preferred England’s playing XI. However, England’s batting order has come under the scanner as they have failed to step up. Only their captain Joe Root did well and their over dependency cost him the match as well. And, England coach Chris Silverwood has also opened up on this. While the players like Haseeb Hameed got a chance and Zak Crawley and Dan Lawrence struggled to get back in their form also. He added in his piece for the Telegraph: “I will start with Dan Lawrence. He needs to find a method for getting in for 25 balls. Every single Test innings he has played, even when he has scored runs, the first 25 balls have been chaotic. La...

Former player turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has said that he believed someone else should come in place of KL Rahul in India’s first Test in Nottingham. Notably, Rahul had last featured in the longer format for India almost two years ago as well. However, with Shubman Gill has been ruled out and Mayank Agarwal suffered a concussion before the first Test, KL Rahul got the chance as an opener and grabbed the opportunity quite well. While reviewing the first Test on Sony Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar stated that he was extremely impressed with KL Rahul’s performance. He said: “I was impressed as well as extremely happy for KL Rahul. I have been regularly saying that he failed in Test matches for 4-5 series, so I was feeling that someone else should be given a chance in the Indian Test squad or Test XI because KL Rahul was not giving good performances in Test cricket.” He also applauded how KL Rahul has left behind his poor form and played a brilliant knock in the first inningsas w...

  Veteran Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has applauded young Indian keeper Rishabh Pant for his amazing glovework in the first Test against England in Nottingham. According to Akmal, keeping is a very tough in England but Rishabh Pant has done an outstanding job. Rishabh Pant has proved his worth once again behind the stumps in the Test against England which eventually ended up in a draw due to rain. He was involved in the first three dismissals in the second innings as England’s top order crumbled under pressure. Rishabh Pant also grabbed the catch to dismiss the England captain Joe Root off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling who had scored a fine century as well. He also grabbed three crucial catches in the first innings of England as well. While praising Rishabh Pant for his brilliant glove work behind the stumps, Akmal said on his YouTube channel: “Rishabh Pant deserves a lot of credit. It is very difficult to keep wickets in England and he has been outstanding. He to...

  Team India opener KL Rahul has stated that constant rain and weather-related breaks during the first Test against England in Nottingham has posed a challenge to Team India's quest to remain focused on the game. He, however, praised the team for maintaining focus despite all the interruptions throughout the match. The first Test between India and England has ended in a draw on Sunday after consistent rain played a spoilsport and no game could take place on the final day. While he was asked how Team India maintained the right mindset amid the rain breaks, KL Rahul said: “It was a challenging pitch, and weather conditions being as they were, going in and going out weren't easy for us to get our focus back. The switch on and switch off was very challenging. So it was great to see that we held our focus, and in the field, I think, our energy was great. Everything that we prepared for one and half months (post WTC final) fell in place, and hopefully we can keep getting better.”...

  Former India speedster Zaheer Khan has shared that the healthy competition between veteran India spinner R Ashwin and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been helping India and he stated that it is good for the team only. He again shared that they both are working hard on their skills to fix their spot in the playing XI for overseas Tests as well. While speaking on Cricbuzz chatter, Zaheer Khan said: “I feel the healthy competition between Ashwin and Jadeja has been good for India. Both of them are constantly trying to improve their games. In overseas Tests, only one spinner can play in the playing XI on most occasions. Here Jadeja should get full marks. He has worked very hard on his game.” “Even today, when he was batting, we could see he had the right approach. I mean, when KL Rahul was at the crease, he played sensible cricket. When English bowlers used bouncers, he did not lose his concentration and played with control. Even when he started to play aggressively in the end, h...

  Pace bowler Jaydev Unadkat was in great form during the Ranji season of 2019-20, where not only he claimed 67 wickets, but also led his side Saurashtra to the title win as well. He was in sensational form in the Indian Premier League this season as well until Covid-19 has brought everything to a standstill, including the Indian Premier League this season. With his stunning performance, the 29-year-old pacer was hoping for an India call-up, who has played his last Test in 2010 against South Africa as well. But unfortunately he couldn’t find a place – be it for the series against Australia or England, whereas youngsters were selected as well. Team India will soon tour to the UK where they will play the inaugural WTC final and a five-match Test series against England. Even, Jaydev Unadkat also expressed his disappointment recently in interviews as well. While speaking to the Times of India, the coach of Saurashtra during the successful run, Karsan Ghavri said: “I asked a sele...

  KC Kariappa, the little known spinner from Bengaluru made headlines in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 auctions after KKR bought him on the back of some fine performance in a zonal T20 league. He was 21-year old then. While his IPL career didn’t take off, he shared his experiences recently alongside his debut under the captain Gautam Gambhir and recalled the memories as well. “Gambhir was a very good captain. He was a little strict in terms of bowling discipline, and effort on the field was something he wouldn’t compromise,” Cariappa told Sportskeeda. “Outside the field, he didn’t bother you. On the field, you had to give your 100% and that’s what I loved.” Notably, Cariappa’s maiden wicket was none other than the legend AB de Villiers. However, later was replaced by Sunil Narine who soon came in the limelight with his stunning bowling. However, he revealed that he didn’t get too many chances in the IPL even when he had played for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). H...

  Former Pakistan speedster Mohammad Amir made headlines ever since he announced his retirement in December 2020. However, he has also expressed his desire to play in the Indian Premier League . And, the 29-year-old pace bowler has revealed that he would try to get British citizenship and try to play in the cash-rich T20 league as well. However, another former pacer Shoaib Akhtar has reacted to these statements by Amir as well. “Sometimes you have good days and sometimes you have bad days. Amir should have realised that papa Mickey Arthur will not always be there to safeguard him. Sometimes you have to grow up. I am saying this for Amir. Sometimes you have to grow up. You don’t let it go but you mature enough to realise that the management is not according to my wishes, now I have to raise my performance and level of hard work,” Shoaib Akhtar said while speaking on PTV. Meanwhile, Akhtar gave the example of Hafeez, who silenced his critics by amassing crucial runs as well. His ...

  Talented India opener Shubman Gill has said that assessing the changing conditions in England and playing accordingly will be the key for him during the upcoming Test matches. While they will take on New Zealand in the much-awaited inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final in June, it will be followed by the fibe-match Test series against England in August-September as well. “As an opener, not just in England but everywhere, you need to know how to play out sessions. Playing sessions is very important. It has been seen in England that whenever it is cloudy, the ball swings a lot. When there is sun, the pitch becomes good for batting. It is necessary to assess conditions as opener,” said Shubman Gill while speaking to India TV. The 21-year-old youngster, who made his Test debut in Australia last year and has played seven Test matches so far, amassing 378 runs, has added that India’s performance in Australia where they won the Test series 2-1 will give them the much-neede...

  Rohit Sharma , one of the best limited-overs openers has started showing his capabilities in the longer format as well in recent times. While Team India are ready to tour England for six Tests starting June 18, Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad shared that he might face challenge there. However, so far, as an opener, Rohit has a sensational run in Test cricket but the swing-friendly conditions in England will test his temperament as well. While he may face some problems against the moving delivery, his coach believes he can adjust his game to fight against odds. Notably, Team India have been in a good form in the Tests as they beat Australia last year whereas thrashed England at home earlier this year as well. “He just has to focus harder there, play every ball to its merit because there will be significant movement,” Lad told Sportskeeda. “But talking about the recent home series against England on turning tracks, Rohit played proper cricketing shots while others ...

  Veteran New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult, who will lead the pace attack for his team, has ended his mandatory isolation period in New Zealand after returning from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and he will bowl for a week in Mount Maunganui before leaving for England to join his teammates as well. Notably, New Zealand will first take on England for a two-match Tests series next month and then they will play the much-awaited inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final against India as well within a space of three weeks as well. Trent Boult, who did not travel to Maldives from India like his national teammates Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner and Kyle Jamieson did, will miss the first Test against England but he will be featured in the second Test which will be beginning June 10 as well. And, his absence will give an opportunity to the left-arm pacer Neil Wagner to play alongside Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson as well.   “One of the things that I’ve been doing s...

  New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has said that his team’s immediate focus is on the two-match Test series against England but there is a “lot of excitement” for the upcoming inaugural World Test Championship final against India which they will pay after the series. “The first challenge, which is the first Test against a very strong side (England), is what we need to be focussing on, and I know as a group that is what we will be talking about,” said Williamson on icc-cricket.com. “At the same time, we are playing three Tests quite close together so there is in the back of your mind an eye on that (WTC final), which is a really exciting opportunity.” New Zealand will play against England in the opening Test at Lord’s from June 2, while the second Test will be played at Birmingham from June 10. The Kiwis then play against India in the inaugural WTC final at Southampton from June 18-22 as well. However, the Williamson-led team is currently undergoing the quarantine period at t...

  Former Australia batsman as well as the batting coach of Chennai Super Kings, Michael Hussey has recently said that it would be difficult to play T20 World Cup in India this year because of the current situation in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, on May 4, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 was postponed due to the surge of COVID-19 cases inside the bio-bubbles. After it was postponed, Hussey, who earlier tested positive for coronavirus and later recovered has now finally returned to Australia. "I think it's going to be very difficult in my view to play T20 World Cup in India. We're talking about eight teams in the IPL . I think there are probably a similar number; maybe more teams coming in from overseas for the T20 World Cup, there'd be more venues. As I said earlier, if they're playing in different cities, that is when the risk goes up," Hussey told Fox Cricket. "I think they'll have to look some pretty big contingency p...

  Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has recently shared that India spinner Kuldeep Yadav is short of confidence and he can get back his rhythm by playing in the longest format as well. Notably, the young spinner has been going through a rough patch who found it difficult to get a place in the playing XI in India's recent series as well. He was dropped from the Test squad for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand and then the five-match Test series against England as well. However, Butt, has reckoned that not getting to play many matches in the longer format has hampered his rhythm. However, he called Kudeep a "quality bowler" and also suggested that he should get back to domestic cricket to get back his form again. "At times, lesser appearances in the longer format haunt you. When you keep playing the shorter formats continuously, your line and length tend to get affected because you're always thinking of getting through your ...

  Swashbuckling England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler has recently picked up his all-time IPL XI. Notably, IPL 2021 got suspended this season due to the surge of COVID-19 cases inside bio-bubble as well. However, the opener has played a key role for Rajasthan Royals in the cash-rich league as well. Jos Buttler made his debut in the league with Mumbai Indians in 2016 under Rohit Sharma . However, after that, Rajasthan Royals bought him in the 2018 mega auction as well. Recently, he slammed a century too just before the league got postponed indefinitely with an immediate effect due to COVID-19. However, despite being played under   the new captain Sanju Samson for Rajasthan Royals, he didn’t pick him in his team. He didn’t even name one of the IPL’s consistent performers Suresh Raina, one of the vital cogs of Chennai Super Kings. But, the captain of CSK, MS Dhoni got a spot in Buttler’s team. Apart from him, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has also got a place in ...

  The Australian players that participated in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League 2021 , including Michael Hussey, will reach Australia on Monday. Meanwhile, Hussey, the batting coach of Chennai Super Kings had earlier tested positive for COVID-19 in New Delhi, where they were playing before the season was suspended due to the surge of cases inside bio-bubble. However, Hussey was flown to Chennai in an air-ambulance where he has recovered well and returned negative tests and has been cleared to fly as well. ESPNcricinfo has reported that he will fly a commercial flight via Doha whereas other players including Steve Smith, David Warner and Pat Cummins are currently in Maldives. They will take a chartered flight for their country, arranged by the BCCI and after reaching Australia, all of them will have to go through quarantine as well.   “The public will see our best Australian cricketers as almost superheroes. They’re brilliant athletes, great cricketers but they...

  India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has recently said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped him to get his “rhythm back” after a long injury layoff. Shami has sustained an injury on the elbow by a delivery from Australian pace bowler Pat Cummins while batting during the first Test in Adelaide in December. Later, he was ruled out of the rest of the series as well as India’s home series against England after that as well.   “The experience over the years has helped me learn to look after my body. I know how much training is needed, how to keep myself hydrated etc — all these factors must have also helped,” Shami told Gulf News. However, he returned during the now-suspended IPL after four months and did quite well for Punjab Kings as well, where he picked up eight wickets in as many matches. Currently, Shami is looking forward to doing well in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand next month in England and then the five-match Tes...

  Delhi Capitals’s (DC) rookie pace bowler Avesh Khan is preparing himself for the upcoming England series after being added in the standby players’ list along with three other players – Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna and Arzan Nagwaswalla. He has already impressed everyone with his skills in all the game he has played for Delhi in the now-postponed 14th edition of the Indian Premier League . He picked up 14 wickets, the joint second-highest along with Rajasthan Royals’ all-rounder Chris Morris. It was only three wickets less than Royal Challenger Bangalores’ (RCB) pacer Harshal Patel who topped the bowling chart before the cash-rich league was suspended. However, the young pacer has told that he has travelled with the Indian team before as well. However, he said that he will make sure to be match fit in every way possible so that if an opportunity comes he could give his 100 percent in the game. Notably, during the Australia tour last year, a lot of injuries took place in...