Page 11 - Test Cricket

Here's what coach Gambhir said to Washington Sundar before his century

The maiden Test hundred does feel "special" and Washington Sundar, before heading out to bat early on fifth morning of the fourth Test against England, received one message from his coach Gautam Gambhir: "Just fight for the entire day." Washington (101 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (107 not out) batted for more than 55 overs to add 203 runs for the fifth wicket and kept India alive in the series with a deserving draw here on Sunday. "This Test hundred feels very special," Washington told Cheteshwar Pujara on JioHotstar. "I just wanted to fight for an entire day and that was the only message given to me by the coach (Gambhir)." Washington, who had started his junior cricket as a specialist batter, was happy that he got an opportunity to bat in the top five. "I was anyway going to bat at No. 5. I was padded up for two sessions. I was very glad that I got that opportunity. If I could bat higher up the order in future, it would be a blessing," the Chennai player said. "The chat that h

Gambhir: Generations will remember what Rishabh Pant did for this team

Head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday said the character and foundation of the current Indian team will be built on the remarkable act of courage from Rishabh Pant, who batted in the first innings of the fourth Test with a broken right foot. Pant added crucial first innings runs for the team despite batting with a fractured foot after missing a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes on day one. He managed to get a half-century, helping India post 358 on day two. Pant was not required to bat in the second innings as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar guided India to a morale-boosting draw with a century each to keep the series alive. "Rishabh already, it's been declared that he's out of the series. And one thing I want to say is that the character and the foundation of this team will be built on what Rishabh did for the team and for the country as well," said Gambhir in the post-match media interaction. "Any amount of praise is not enough for him, especially batting with a broken foot. Not

This team will make its own history: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir wants his players to make their own history rather than following anyone from the past including the India head coach himself. And, after a memorable comeback in the Manchester Test, they are moving in that direction. A 188-run stand between captain Shubman Gill and K L Rahul kept India in the fourth Test against England before Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja earned a spirited draw for the visitors with an unbeaten 203-run alliance. Asked whether Gambhir gave a pep talk to the players after day four and made a reference to his match-saving 137 in Napier back in 2009, Gambhir responded in the negative. "Look, the first thing is that I don't remember any of my knocks, that has become history. I think they should make their own history. Honestly, no one in this team will follow anyone or want to follow. They should make their own history. "They want to fight for the common man back home. And the important thing is that the way a lot of people had written us off in

Bumrah's presence in fifth Test would be a 'huge boost,' says Gill

India captain Shubman Gill said it would be a big deal for the team if pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah manages to play series-deciding fifth Test despite the team's original plan to restrict him to three matches. Bumrah, who suffered a stress reaction earlier in the year, was initially scheduled to feature in only three Tests on the long England tour to manage his workload and prevent further injuries. He missed the second Test at Edgbaston but played in the other three. With England leading the series 2-1 after a draw in Manchester, India must win at The Oval to level the five-match contest. "If he feels like he's fully fit and available for us, I think it would be a great deal for us," Gill told BBC's 'Test Match Special'. "If he's not playing, I still think we have the right kind of bowling attack," Gill added. Bumrah bowled 33 overs in the fourth Test at Old Trafford and has approximately four and a half days to recover for the final match, which begins on July 31. He has bowled

Gambhir slams Shubman critics, says team fights for 'common man back home'

India's fighting draw in the fourth Test against England brought out the combatant in Gautam Gambhir, who lambasted "critics" of new captain Shubman Gill and asserted that his team is fighting for "the common man back home". Gambhir wants his players to make their own history rather than follow anyone from the past including himself. And, after a memorable comeback in the Manchester Test, they are moving in that direction. "They want to fight for the common man back home. And the important thing is that the way a lot of people had written us off in this Test match, this is the foundation of this team," Gambhir said in the post-match press conference on Sunday. "These are characters who are sitting in this dressing room, wanting to fight for the country and they will continue to do that," said the head coach. A 188-run stand between captain Shubman Gill and K L Rahul kept India in the fourth Test against England before Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja earned a spirited draw for

Gambhir's tactics haven't eased things; he needs to relax: Manjrekar

Gautam Gambhir needs to loosen up, may be take a "chill pill", feels cricketer-turned-analyst Sanjay Manjrekar, who strongly believes that India earned a creditable draw in the fourth Test against England here despite some not-so-great tactical calls by the national team's head coach. Manjrekar didn't mince words when he said that the former southpaw hasn't strategically been on point in the red-ball format. Despite the fighting draw on Sunday, India are trailing 1-2 in the series with just one match to go. "I feel India has done well despite some of his (Gambhir) tactical decisions. Let's not forget: India lost 3-0 at home (to) New Zealand, lost comfortably to Australia (away). The fight we've seen in this team? That's down to the players. "Because tactically, Gambhir hasn't always made things easier - especially with some of his selections." Manjrekar also urged the fiery head coach not to treat every contrarian opinion as mindless criticism after the former India opener hit bac

ENG vs IND: Rishabh Pant ruled out of 5th Test in London due to injury

With Rishabh Pant ruled out, N. Jagadeesan has been named as his replacement for the final Test of the series.

All the fast bowlers fit for 5th Test in London: Gambhir | IND vs ENG

Gautam Gambhir said that no decision has been taken regarding Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the 5th Test yet and will be taken in the next days.

You want to hit a ton off Brook: When Ben Stokes failed spirit of the game

England's spirit of cricket under question in Manchester Test vs India; check out whole episode of Stokes vs Jadeja controversy during IND vs ENG Test

England vs India HIGHLIGHTS 4th Test Day 5: Centurions Jadeja, Sundar get the draw for India

4th Test | ENG vs IND HIGHLIGHTS: India and England shake hands for a draw, but only after both Jaddu and Washy reach their hundreds on the day.

ENG vs IND: Jadeja, Sundar heroics help India force gritty draw in 4th Test

Both Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar waited to complete their hundreds before shaking hands with England skipper Ben Stokes to settle for a draw in Manchester.

Bizarre cricket moment! Stokes wants to end 4th Test in draw, IND declines

Stokes' handshake was swiftly rejected by the Indian duo, who seem intent on reaching their individual milestones, with Jadeja on the brink of a century and Sundar steadily closing in on his.

ENG vs IND: England toils as Jadeja, Sundar anchor India's innings

Jadeja and Sundar reached their fifties as well just before tea with Jadeja unleashing the sword in Manchester as well.

ENG vs IND: Pant set to return to bat despite foot injury at Old Trafford

On Day 5, India currently stands at 287/4, still trailing England by 24 runs after Shubman Gill's stellar fourth century of the series was cut short before lunch

Captain Gill goes level with Don Bradman with 4th hundred of the series

Virat Kohli too had scored 4 hundreds during the 2014/15 Australia tour and Gill has got his name among the elites of world cricket.

ENG vs IND: India's struggle deepens after Gill's false shot before lunch

With Jadeja and Sundar at the crease, England look more and more into the game and will go hard at the batters post lunch.

ENG vs IND live streaming: How to watch 4th Test final day action for free?

Check all the live telecast and live streaming details for the final day of the 4th Test between England and India in Manchester here.

Gavaskar to Gill: Most runs by an Indian captain in a single Test series

Gill is also just 77 runs away from Sunil Gavaskar's all-time highest runs scored by an Indian player in a Test series record

Gavaskar hints Gambhir, not Gill, had final say in Kuldeep's exclusion

Gavaskar firmly believes that team decisions must be made by the captain, independent of external influence, including that of the head coach.

Gill surpasses Virat Kohli for most Test runs as captain against England

Kohli, who held the record with 655 runs against England in Tests, has now been overtaken by India's newly appointed skipper as he battles on England pacers to help India cut down England's lead.