Category: Cricket

Former Australian cricketers Brett Lee and Brad Haddin were surprised by Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Many didn’t expect him to leave the game while the series was still going, especially since it was tied at 1-1 with two matches left to play.

Ashwin didn’t play in the Perth and Brisbane Tests, and when he got a chance in Adelaide, the pitch didn’t help spinners much. He took his last wicket, dismissing Mitchell Marsh, and finished with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches. This makes him the second-highest wicket-taker for India, just behind Anil Kumble.

Brett Lee speculated that Ashwin might have been told by team management that he wouldn’t get to play in the remaining matches. “The last spinner who retired midway through a series in Australia was Graeme Swann. Ashwin might have been informed he wouldn’t play again in this series, leading him to retire on his own terms,” Lee said on Fox Cricket.

Brad Haddin also praised Ashwin but suggested that he might have felt frustrated with how the spinning options changed during the series. “When Ashwin gets a chance to explain, we’ll understand better; it seems he was a bit frustrated. He has always been keen to improve and has earned the right to make his own decision,” Haddin mentioned after the Test match.

Brisbane – Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar is not happy with R Ashwin’s decision to retire right now. He thinks Ashwin should have waited until the Test series against Australia was over. This is important because India is now one player short for the remaining two matches in the series, which is currently tied at 1-1.

R Ashwin shocked everyone when he announced he was retiring immediately after the third Test ended in a draw. Gavaskar, speaking to the broadcasters, said, “He could have waited until the series was over and then said he wouldn’t be available anymore. This leaves the team short just like when MS Dhoni retired during the third Test in 2014–15.”

Gavaskar explained that the selection committee picks players with a plan. If anyone gets injured, they need extra players from the reserves to step in. He believes Ashwin could have helped in the final Test in Sydney, where spinners often perform really well. “You never know, he might have been really useful there,” Gavaskar said. He also mentioned that it’s unusual for a player to retire in the middle of a series.

In the series, India first chose to play Washington Sundar instead of Ashwin. Although Ashwin played the second Test in Adelaide, he did not do well. When asked if Washington is being prepared to take Ashwin’s place, Gavaskar replied, “Maybe Washington Sundar is ahead of him.”

Rohit Sharma mentioned Ashwin would be leaving soon, marking the end of a fantastic career for Ashwin. Gavaskar said, “He has been an incredible cricketer.”

This article comes from an automated news agency feed with no changes to the text.

On Tuesday, Jasprit Bumrah broke a record set by Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev when he took two quick wickets during Australia’s second innings in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With these wickets, Bumrah became the Asian bowler with the most wickets in Australia—52 wickets in just 10 Test matches!

In his impressive performance, Bumrah first bowled out Usman Khawaja in the third over with a clever delivery that hit the inside edge and then knocked down the off stump. Just one over later, he took down Marnus Labuschagne with a well-placed length ball, and Rishabh Pant caught the edge behind the stumps.

Bumrah’s achievements do not stop there. He has been the best bowler in the series, capturing 21 wickets in six innings at an extraordinary average of 10.71, much better than opponents like Mitchell Starc. This makes Bumrah the sixth Indian bowler ever to take 20 or more wickets on a tour of Australia.

His total includes two five-wicket hauls—one in Perth, where he led the team in place of Rohit Sharma, and the second in Brisbane. Remarkably, Bumrah matched his wicket tally from the 2018/19 series, becoming only the second Indian bowler to achieve this milestone in Australia. Anil Kumble was the first, with 24 wickets in 2003/04 and 20 in 2007/08.

Brisbane, Australia — Travis Head helped Australia finish India’s first innings at 260 runs, giving Australia an 185-run lead on the last day of the third cricket test on Wednesday. However, more cricket wasn’t possible because of lightning and heavy rain at the Gabba.

After four days of play, India was at 252-9 in their first innings, needing to make up 193 runs. Thankfully, India scored quickly towards the end to avoid following on and let Australia bat again—if the weather allowed it.

The series is tied at 1-1, but this crucial test match turned into a rain-filled disappointment. Rain delays have caused problems, and tickets have been refunded for about 35,000 fans who attended the first day since not enough overs were played. Just 13 overs were bowled on the first day, and there were eight rain stoppages on the third day.

On Tuesday, rain kept interrupting the game. Play ended after only 58 overs were bowled that day, and Wednesday didn’t seem any better.

Unfortunately, Australia might have to play with one less bowler since Josh Hazlewood hurt his calf. He could only bowl one over before leaving the field. Hazlewood was already late to play and looked uncomfortable when he bowled.

Cricket Australia’s performance director, Ben Oliver, mentioned, “Josh was fit for this match but got a new calf injury during warm-up.” Scott Boland, who took five wickets in Adelaide, is expected to return for the test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on December 26.

India won the first test by 295 runs in Perth, while Australia rebounded to take the second day-night test in Adelaide by 10 wickets.

Indian cricketer KL Rahul praised his teammate Ravindra Jadeja for his impressive 77 runs during the fourth day of the Brisbane Test. After sitting out the first two Tests, Jadeja got a chance to play and helped India avoid follow-on, even though his bowling didn’t go as planned.

Jadeja and Rahul teamed up to score 67 runs together when India faced a tough situation after skipper Rohit Sharma’s early exit. Rahul was full of praise for Jadeja’s talent as a lower-order batsman. “Jadeja was fantastic today. He has been a key player for us for many years,” Rahul said. “I was glad to build a partnership with him when he came to bat.”

Rahul emphasized the importance of Jadeja’s innings. He said it helped stabilize the team and allowed them to score enough runs to avoid follow-on. “Every run was valuable for us. Jadeja made it possible for us to get ahead,” Rahul explained.

Jadeja has a history of rescuing India with his batting, including crucial runs against England earlier this year and a 199-run partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin against Bangladesh.

Rahul noted that while people often focus on Jadeja’s bowling, they should also recognize his solid batting skills. “Jadeja knows what to do at the right time. He just keeps it simple and gets the job done,” Rahul added. “I really enjoy batting and practicing with him.”

If you’re a cricket fan in India, get ready for some great news! The famous former cricketer Robin Uthappa, who helped India win the T20 World Cup in 2007, is now part of the commentary team for SA20 Season 3. Joining him are other cricket stars like Kevin Pietersen, Shaun Pollock, and Stuart Broad.

The team also includes former South African players Chris Morris and Ashwell Prince. Don’t miss Mpumelelo “Pommie” Mbangwa, who is known for his smooth voice and expert analysis of the game. Fans will also see the beloved AB de Villiers, a former captain of the South African team, bringing his knowledge of the game to the broadcast.

Robin Uthappa has played in the IPL for well-known teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, and Chennai Super Kings. His experience means he will share exciting insights into this popular 20-over format.

Julia Stuart, a familiar face in Premier League shows, will be on the field reporting live and sharing the crowd’s excitement. Award-winning host Motshidisi Mohono will also join the commentary, along with Natalie Germanos and voices like Mark Nicholas and Mike Haysman.

With this amazing commentary team, SA20 is ready to give cricket fans an unforgettable experience. Here’s the lineup of analysts for SA20:

– Robin Uthappa
– Mark Nicholas
– Kevin Pietersen
– Mike Haysman
– Mark Butcher
– Stuart Broad
– Natalie Germanos
– Chris Morris
– Shaun Pollock
– Mpumelelo “Pommie” Mbangwa
– Vernon Philander
– AB de Villiers
– Ashwell Prince
– Nikhil Uttamchandani
– Kriya Gangiah
– Julia Stuart
– Motshidisi Mohono

This season promises to bring cricket to life with thrilling commentary and expert analysis!

New Delhi, India: The Haryana Gladiators, the newest cricket team joining the Legend 90 League, are ready to show their strength! This exciting tournament will take place in February 2025, featuring a unique 90-ball game format.

Recently, the Gladiators unveiled their logo, which shows a powerful lion. This lion stands for courage, strength, and resilience. The franchise is owned by Shubh Infra, a real estate company. Harish Garg, the Director of Shubh Infra, is very confident in the team’s potential. “The Haryana Gladiators are more than just a cricket team; they symbolize the fighting spirit and pride of Haryana. We believe they will set a great example in this exciting league,” he said.

Sunny Sehgal, another Director at Shubh Infra, shared his thoughts too. “With our roaring lion logo, we’re sending a strong message: the Gladiators are ready to fight and win! Fans can expect amazing cricket from us in the Legend 90 League,” he added.

The Legend 90 League is set to change how fans enjoy cricket. Recently, famous former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh attended the league’s launch event. As its brand ambassador, Harbhajan expressed his excitement and said this league will bring fans closer to the game and their favorite cricketers.

The league will have 7 teams and showcase the talents of 90 legendary players. With its thrilling format and involvement of iconic cricketers, the Legend 90 League is sure to be an amazing sports event!

In modern cricket, players are told to be brave and play freely. But can India hold their ground and save the Brisbane Test match? The truth is, cricketers need to adapt to the pitch conditions. While Australia’s pitches are usually good for batting, things have changed since December 2021, especially with the new Kookaburra ball.

This new ball, designed to make the game more exciting, has actually made it harder for batsmen to succeed. It has a different inner lining and extra lacquer, which keeps it harder for longer. This change makes it easier for bowlers to get movement, making batting tricky.

Steve Smith, a top Australian player, noticed this too. He said, “Since they changed the ball in 2021, batting has become more difficult, and the pitches are greener now.” This means that Indian batsmen need to rethink their strategies. While KL Rahul seems to have adjusted, others, like the top-order players, have struggled to do the same.

For example, India was struggling in their innings at various points: they went 73/6 in Perth, 109/6 in Adelaide, and now 74/5 in Brisbane. Luck is important, but it has to be earned.

Smith emphasized that the first 35 overs are crucial and hard for batsmen due to the ball’s movement. He mentioned that it’s one of the toughest times he has faced in his career. stats show that batting averages have dropped since 2021, indicating that players need to be more careful.

Rahul, who has been India’s best performer, believes that tightening defense is key. He said, “We need to respect that the first 30 overs are for the bowlers, and after that, we can take more risks with an older ball.”

If India’s players don’t improve their approach soon, they might face serious trouble in this series.

The ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 is entering a crucial stage! Recently, New Zealand and England wrapped up a three-match Test series, with both teams no longer in the race for the title. Right now, India and Australia, the finalists from last year, are competing hard in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while South Africa is preparing for a tough series against Pakistan at home.

Australia briefly claimed the top spot in the 2023-25 standings after South Africa won against Sri Lanka, but South Africa managed to take the lead with a strong victory. They are looking like the favorites to make it to the final at Lord’s next year!

In the recent England vs. New Zealand series, both teams faced penalties for a slow over-rate, leading New Zealand to drop in rankings. Despite winning the final Test by 423 runs, New Zealand finished fourth in the overall standings.

Here’s how the teams currently stand:

– 1st – South Africa: 63.33% of possible points
– Remaining matches: 2 against Pakistan
– Best possible finish: 69.44%

– 2nd – Australia: 60.71% of possible points
– Remaining matches: 2 against India and 2 against Sri Lanka
– Best possible finish: 71.05%

– 3rd – India: 57.29% of possible points
– Remaining matches: 3 against Australia
– Best possible finish: 64.04%

– 4th – New Zealand: 48.21% of possible points
– Finished with a strong win, but still ended 4th overall.

– 5th – Sri Lanka: 45.45% of possible points
– Remaining matches: 2 against Australia
– Best possible finish: 53.85%

– 6th – England: 43.18% of possible points
– Finished below the top teams, ending up 6th.

– 7th – Pakistan: 33.33% of possible points
– Remaining matches: 2 against South Africa and 2 against West Indies
– Best possible finish: 52.38%

– 8th – Bangladesh: 31.25% of possible points
– Finished their matches but need better results in the future.

– 9th – West Indies: 24.24% of possible points
– Remaining matches: 2 against Pakistan
– Best possible finish: 35.90%

It has been an exciting series so far, and we can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds!