Connect with us

Cricket

India were pretty ordinary, could have been more positive in their batting approach, says Kumble

Published

on

Hyderabad, Jan 29 (IANS) Former India captain Anil Kumble said the hosts’ were pretty ordinary and that they could have shown more positivity in their batting approach after losing the opening Test to England by 28 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Tasked with chasing down 231, India’s batters didn’t show any proactiveness with the bat and were bowled out for 202, despite some late defiance from Ravichandran Ashwin and KS Bharat. Majority of their batters fell to tame dismissals and played largely from the crease o a turning pitch as India were unable to shake off the pressure put on them by England, with debutant left-arm spinner Tom Hartley taking superb figures of 7-62.

“England were brilliant over the last two days. India were pretty ordinary. In the field, you could see that heads were dropping down while fielding. But credit to England, the way they batted, the way they came and bowled.”

“I mean Tom Hartley, debutant, first ball hit for a six and then the first five overs he was going at about seven runs an over. To come back and bat really well, take two wickets in the first innings, and seven in the second and win the match for England was absolutely fantastic.”

ALSO READ:  It’s nice to have him back, says Rahul Dravid on Bumrah's comeback before World Cup

“England have done exceptionally well. India could certainly have been more positive in their batting approach in the second innings. Once Rohit Sharma got out and Ravindra Jadeja was run out, the course of the match changed,” said Kumble on ‘Match Centre Live’ show on JioCinema and Sports18.

Apart from Hartley, vice-captain Ollie Pope was one of the big factors in England winning the match, with his magnificent 196 in the second innings changing the complexion of the game. Owais Shah, the former England batter, credited England’s youngsters, especially Pope and Hartley, in setting up a memorable come-from-behind win for the visitors’.

“If you go back to Day 1 and Day 2, England were probably outplayed a little bit. They didn’t score in the first innings. However, on Day 3, the way they picked up wickets early, got themselves back in the game and then finally of course dominated proceedings. They won back-to-back sessions with younger guys putting their hands up.”

ALSO READ:  IND v ENG: It's 100% our greatest victory in these conditions, says England captain Ben Stokes

“The young man Pope scoring 196, and then of course the debutant Hartley, seven wickets in the second innings, won the game for England. He would have been aware that the senior spinner Jack Leach was injured and took extra responsibility and put his hands up for captain Stokes.”

One of the biggest talking points from India’s batting performance has been the struggles of Shubman Gill, who has found the going tough after moving to number three position in Tests.

At Hyderabad, Gill struggled to break free before falling for 23 in first innings and in the chase of 231, the tentative right-handed batter spooned a simple catch to short mid-off against Hartley to fall for a two-ball duck.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel thinks Gill has to change his batting mindset to find success in the second Test at Visakhapatnam, starting on February 2. “The way Shubman was batting in the first innings, he was not trying to play shots. If you don’t try to score, then bowlers at the international level won’t give you too many loose deliveries.”

ALSO READ:  Anil Kumble not happy with the treatment of the wrestlers

“He has to show the skills to rotate the strike even if he’s not finding boundaries. He cannot make technical adjustments (ahead of the second Test) but can definitely change his mindset and approach towards batting.”

Zaheer Khan, the former India left-arm fast-bowler, feels time hasn’t arrived yet for Gill’s place in the Test team to be questioned. “He looked under pressure even in the first innings. Because of the calibre of the batsman that he is, we did not see the kind of flow from his batting that we are used to seeing in the first innings.”

“A batsman batting at No. 3 looks to build on the momentum and we did not see that. That shows he’s under some sort of pressure. So, he has to deal with it. But as of now, I don’t think that there is a question mark over his place in the side.”

Cricket

Head released from Australia ODI and T20I squads, Bartlett to be rested for second ODI

Published

on

By

Sydney, Feb 3 (IANS) Australia opener Travis Head has been released from both the ODI and T20I squads to “refresh” after a strenuous Test summer, and pace bowler Xavier Bartlett has been rested for the second ODI against West Indies but is anticipated to return with vigor for the third game in Canberra.

World Cup-winning quick Josh Hazlewood has been added to Australia’s squad for the second ODI against the West Indies at the SCG.

Bartlett’s impressive performance in Melbourne, where he claimed 4 for 17, marked a memorable start to his international career. However, the management’s decision to rest him for the second ODI is part of a calculated plan to manage his workload cautiously. A Cricket Australia statement said the decision formed part of his “ongoing management” after the 25-year-old Queenslander missed the first half of the domestic season following his return from a back stress injury.

The young pace sensation, who dealt with a back injury last year, is being handled judiciously, especially considering the demanding schedule with three ODIs in five days and no prior one-day or Shield cricket this season.

ALSO READ:  Shubman Gill: "Probably my best innings in the IPL so far"

The void left by Bartlett’s absence in Sydney will be filled by the inclusion of experienced World Cup-winning quick, Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood initially rested for the ODI series after a busy Test summer, is set to bolster the Australian squad.

Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson will join the squad as cover for the third ODI in Canberra on Tuesday.

Australia has not named a replacement after Head’s departure and that opens the door for potential changes in the lineup, with the promising Jake Fraser-McGurk in contention to make his ODI debut at the SCG.

Continue Reading

Cricket

2nd Test: Crawley, Duckett take England to 32/0 after Jaiswal’s 209 carries India to 396

Published

on

By

Visakhapatnam, Feb 3 (IANS) England’s openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett came out unscathed from the small period of batting for 20 minutes in the first session after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 209 carried India to a first-innings total of 396 on day two of second Test at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

At lunch, England are 32/0 in six overs and trail India by 364 runs. After seeing off Jasprit Bumrah’s opening over, Duckett’s first boundary came off an inside edge against Mukesh Kumar, while Crawley whipped the pacer for four to get off the mark. Duckett was more assured at the crease, seen from him taking three boundaries off Mukesh in the fourth over, to make it England’s session with both bat and ball.

Earlier, Jaiswal converted his overnight score of 179 not out into a maiden double century in Tests, though India missed out on reaching 400 by just four runs. Playing in just his sixth Test match, Jaiswal mixed caution and aggression in equal measure and stood tall even as his team-mates fell from the other end.

ALSO READ:  Rohit Sharma: Pens a heartfelt note of his 15 years experience

He become the third youngest Indian batter to score a double hundred in Test cricket, via a six and four off debutant England spinner Shoaib Bashir in the 102nd over. His incredible career-best knock of 209 from 290 balls was laced with 19 fours and seven sixes, before being dismissed by veteran fast-bowler James Anderson.

But it was a morning which made England happy as India’s last four wickets fell for only 32 runs. Anderson took three wickets in his miserly spell while Bashir and Rehan Ahmed also took three scalps each.

In the morning, Ravichandran Ashwin was exquisite in his cover drives off Bashir, while Jaiswal, who survived an lbw appeal off Anderson, whacked the off-spinner by dancing down the pitch to smack a six over long-on to enter the 190s. Anderson got the first wicket of the morning when he squared up Ashwin on defence and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes took the catch behind.

ALSO READ:  Shubman Gill: "Probably my best innings in the IPL so far"

Jaiswal brought up his double-hundred in style with back-to-back boundaries off Bashir – a slog-sweep over backward square leg for six was followed by sweeping a full toss for four. Jaiswal celebrated by removing his helmet, jumping with joy and blowing kisses to a weekend crowd giving him a standing ovation and chanting his name to applaud a magnificent knock by the youngster.

He then tried taking the attack against Anderson – a thick edge on being squared up went for four. But Jaiswal lost his wicket when he tried to slice off Anderson after coming down the pitch, only for deep cover to take the catch. It brought an end to a momentous knock from Jaiswal, who was rightfully given a standing ovation by everyone in the stadium on his way back to the dugout.

India’s innings ended swiftly after Jaiswal’s fall as Bumrah edged to first slip off Ahmed and Mukesh too fell in the same fashion off Bashir, as the hosts’ fell short of 400 by just four runs. With the pitch still playing relatively well, though there’s been some evidence of variable bounce for spinners when Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav were introduced into the bowling attack at the stroke of lunch, it sets up the platform nicely for a big second session.

ALSO READ:  2nd Test: Crawley, Duckett take England to 32/0 after Jaiswal’s 209 carries India to 396

Brief scores: India 396 in 112 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 209, Shubman Gill 34; James Anderson 3-47, Rehan Ahmed 3-65) lead England 32/0 in six overs (Ben Duckett 17 not out, Zak Crawley 15 not out) by 364 runs

Continue Reading

Cricket

2nd Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal slams career-best 209 as England bowl out India for 396

Published

on

By

Visakhapatnam, Feb 3 (IANS) Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal converted his overnight score of 179 not out into a maiden double century in Tests. But it wasn’t enough to take India past 400 as England bowled them out for 396 in 112 overs of their first innings on day two’s play at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Playing in just his sixth Test match, Jaiswal mixed caution and aggression in equal measure and stood tall even as his team-mates fell from the other end to become the third youngest Indian batter to score a double hundred in Test cricket, via a six and four off debutant England spinner Shoaib Bashir in the 102nd over.

His incredible career-best knock of 209 from 290 balls was laced with 19 fours and seven sixes, before being dismissed by veteran fast-bowler James Anderson. But it was a morning that would leave England happy as India’s last four wickets fell for 32 runs. Anderson took three wickets in his miserly spell while Bashir and Rehan Ahmed also took three scalps.

ALSO READ:  India slip down below Bangladesh in latest WTC points table

In the morning, Ravichandran Ashwin was exquisite in his cover drives off Bashir, while Jaiswal, who survived an lbw appeal off Anderson, whacked the off-spinner by dancing down the pitch to smack a six over long-on to enter the 190s. Anderson got the first wicket of the morning when he squared up Ashwin on defence and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes took the catch behind.

Jaiswal brought up his double-hundred in style with back-to-back boundaries off Bashir – a slog-sweep over backward square leg for six was followed by sweeping a full toss for four. He then tried taking the attack against Anderson – a thick edge on being squared up went for four.

But Jaiswal lost his wicket when he tried to slice off Anderson after coming down the pitch, only for deep cover to take the catch. It brought an end to a momentous knock from Jaiswal, who was rightfully given a standing ovation by everyone in the stadium. The end of India’s innings came swiftly as Jasprit Bumrah edged to first slip off Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar too fell in the same fashion off Bashir, as the hosts’ fell short of 400 by just four runs.

ALSO READ:  India beat Sri Lanka to win series

Brief scores: India 396 in 112 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 209, Shubman Gill 34; James Anderson 3-47, Rehan Ahmed 3-65) against England

Continue Reading

Cricket

2nd Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal becomes third-youngest Indian to score double-hundred in Tests

Published

on

By

yashasvi jaiswal first 200
yashasvi jaiswal first 200

Visakhapatnam, Feb 3 (IANS) Yashasvi Jaiswal etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history as he became the third-youngest Indian after Sunil Gavaskar and Vinod Kambli to score a double-hundred in Tests, on Day 2 of the second Test against England at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Jaiswal, aged 22 years and 77 days completed his feat in 277 balls, in the process guiding India to a 350-plus total in the first innings of the match. The opener became the first Indian since Mayank Agarwal (November 2019) to breach the double-ton mark in the longest format of the game.

The young Indian opener, known for his aggressive style of play, showcased a remarkable blend of attacking prowess and composure as he navigated the challenges posed by the English bowlers. Jaiswal’s innings became a beacon of hope for the Indian team, especially as wickets tumbled at regular intervals at the opposite end.

Not only did Jaiswal reach the coveted double-ton milestone, but he also became the first Indian left-handed batsman since Gautam Gambhir in 2008 to achieve this feat in Test cricket. The former India opener had scored 206 against Australia, and now Jaiswal follows in his footsteps with an equally remarkable innings.

ALSO READ:  India beat Sri Lanka to win series

Clocking in at 277 balls to reach the 200-run mark, Jaiswal’s innings demonstrated not only his attacking flair but also his ability to temper his aggression with patience when the situation demanded.

Former batter, Vinod Kambli remains the youngest Indian to hit a double century, when he achieved his feat at the age of 21 years and 32 days against England in Wankhede, back in 1993. The youngest double centurion in the history of Test cricket is Javed Miandad, who achieved his feat at the age of 19 years and 140 days.

Continue Reading

Cricket

2nd Test: Fifty for Jaiswal as India reach 103/2 at lunch after England’s early strikes

Published

on

By

Visakhapatnam, Feb 2 (IANS) Yashasvi Jaiswal reached 51 off 89 (not out) as India posted 103 for 2 at lunch after an early strike from debutant Shoaib Bashir and veteran pacer James Anderson on Day 1 of the second Test here at Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Yashasvi started off well attacking Joe Root on the very first ball as the off-spinner opened the bowling from the other end with Anderson. Jaiswal got to his half-century in 89 balls and is unbeaten at 51 in 92 deliveries hitting 6 fours and a maximum.

Shoaib trapped the big fish Rohit Sharma for 14 as the Indian skipper closed the face on an off-break from the debutant and tucked his leg glance straight to Ollie Pope at leg slip.

It was the moment that young Bashir had been dreaming of, his maiden Test wicket. With a skillful delivery, he outfoxed the experienced Rohit, sending him back to the pavilion and giving England the breakthrough they craved.

ALSO READ:  It’s nice to have him back, says Rahul Dravid on Bumrah's comeback before World Cup

Yashasvi began to mount a comeback, putting the English spinners under pressure. Sensing the need for experience, Stokes summoned the ever-reliable James Anderson back into the attack. The veteran seamer responded emphatically, dismissing Shubman Gill scoring 34 off 46 balls just before the lunch interval, turning the tide in their favour with the dismissal.

The breakthrough injected a renewed sense of optimism into the English camp, setting the stage for an intriguing battle in the subsequent sessions.

England, equipped with the luxury of three spinners, saw Ben Stokes orchestrating a shrewd rotation of his slow bowlers. The trio of Root, Tom Hartley, and the debutant Shoaib Bashir combined forces, applying pressure on the Indian batting lineup and stifling their scoring opportunities.

Jaiswal with 51 runs led India’s attack with Shreyas Iyer, who came out after Gill’s dismissal.

Brief scores: India 103/2 at lunch (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51 not out, Shreyas Iyer 4; James Anderson 1-19, Shoaib Bashir 1-39) against England.

ALSO READ:  Virat Kohli awarded ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2023
Continue Reading

Trending