Page 60 - Test Cricket

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Jaiswal was focused on playing every session

Young India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal struck a career-best unbeaten 179 on the opening day of the second Test against England here on Friday and the left-hander said his focus was on batting sessions, while dispatching bad balls. The 22-year-old's magnificent knock, his second century in six Tests, took India to 336 for 6 from 93 overs when the stumps were drawn. "I wanted to play it session by session. When they were bowling well, I just wanted to get through that spell. However, I wanted to convert the loose balls, and play till the end," Jaiswal said after the day's play. "Rahul (Dravid) sir and Rohit (Sharma) bhai kept giving me the confidence and told me to convert this into a big innings, and stay till the end," said the youngster who decorated his innings with 17 fours and five sixes off 257 balls. He made 171 on his Test debut against the West Indies last year. Unlike the series opener in Hyderabad where Jaiswal made 80, here he ensured that he converted his strong start int

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: 'Always knew...' - Shoaib Bashir opens up on visa row

The "slight hassle" caused by a visa delay for the India tour is very much a thing of the past for 20-year-old England debutant Shoaib Bashir, who is chuffed about Rohit Sharma being his first Test wicket. Bashir, who is of Pakistan heritage, could not travel with the England squad to Hyderabad from Abu Dhabi for the series opener due to a visa delay. He joined the team in the middle of the Hyderabad Test before witnessing a special win. On Friday, the 6'4 tall off-spinner showed what he was capable of and why skipper Ben Stokes picked him in the squad after watching a video clip of his bowling on social media. Bashir, who played only six first class games before getting his big break, was England's best spinner on the opening day, returned figures of two for 100 in 28 overs. He also bowled the most number of overs on the day. "It's been a very special, special day. For all that I've been through in the last two to three years, it made it even more special. To get Rohit Sharma out

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Jaiswal's stroke-filled ton takes India to 225/3 at Tea

Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal struck a high-quality hundred to push India to 225 for three at tea on day one of the second Test against England here on Friday. Jaiswal (125 batting off 185 balls) changed the tempo of the innings with his attractive strokeplay in the second session in which India collected 122 runs in 32 overs. Shreyas Iyer (27 off 59) was the lone batter to be dismissed in the afternoon. The southpaw, who took 89 balls to reach his half-century in the morning, took another 62 deliveries to complete his second Test century. The 22-year-old had made 171 on his Test debut in the Caribbean last year. Jaiswal and debutant Rajat Patidar (25 batting off 47) were at the crease at tea. The standout feature of Jaiswal's innings was his ability to hit the ground and aerial shots with equal ease. His fearless approach was best summed when he stepped out to smash let-arm spinner Tom Hartley for a six over long on to get to three figures. He raised his arms in celebration with

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Siraj rested to manage workload, Avesh rejoins team

Mohammed Siraj has been given a break from the second Test against England, keeping in mind his heavy workload over the past few months, the Indian team management announced on Friday. Avesh Khan, who was released to play Ranji Trophy during first Test, has rejoined the squad. "Mohd. Siraj has been released from the India squad for the second Test against England in Vizag. The decision was taken keeping in mind the duration of the series and the amount of cricket he has played in recent times. "He will be available for selection for the third Test in Rajkot. Avesh Khan has re-joined the team for the 2nd Test," the BCCI stated in a media release. "Siraj has been rested so that he can spend some time at home before he comes back and is available for the third Test," skipper Rohit Sharma said at the toss.

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Sarfaraz Khan hopes to join Richards, Kohli, Miandad

The mountain of runs that he scored in domestic circuit might have opened the doors of Indian cricket to him, but for Sarfaraz Khan the learning never stops as he aspires to join the league of legends like Virat Kohli, Viv Richards and Javed Miandad. Sarfaraz has been recently drafted into the India squad for the second Test against England starting here from Friday after KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were ruled out due to injuries. The prolific Mumbai batter turned into a fan-boy while discussing his learning process. "I like to watch Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Sir Vivian Richards, and even Javed Miandad because my dad has told me that I play like him. I watch Joe Root's batting also. "Anyone who is succeeding, I am watching them to see how they are doing it so I can learn and apply it. I want to continue doing this, whether it's in the Ranji Trophy or playing for India in the future," Sarfaraz told JioCinema. But then there is a real-life hero for Sarfaraz -- his father Naushad

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Vizag pitch report, stats, win and loss records

Only two Tests have been played at this ground so far and India has won both of them, beating South Africa by 203 runs in 2019 and England by 246 runs in 2016

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Two changes in England's Playing 11 for Vizag Test

Jack Leach's injury and James Anderson's ability to use the old ball for reverse swing, forced the English team management to make two changes in their playing 11 for the second Test vs India

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights: Jaiswal 179* guides India to 336/6

India vs England 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: Yashasvi Jaiswal reached his highest score in Test cricket as he remained unbeaten on 179 to guide the Indian team to 336/6 at stumps on Day 1 at Vizag

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: KS Bharat unveils India's plan to counter England

There is no panic in the injury-hit Indian camp, declared wicketkeeper K S Bharat on Thursday, asserting that the home side has made fresh plans to deal with England's attacking approach, including employing the sweep shot as and when required in the second Test here. Bharat, who will be playing in front of his home crowd, said the team has worked on its shortcomings in the series-opener in which England staged a sensational comeback to win the game by 28 runs. Led by Ollie Pope, England batters threw the Indian spinners off their plans with a barrage of sweeps and reverse sweeps. They are set to maintain that intensity in the Test beginning here on Friday. "They really played very well. Credit to them. Ollie Pope really played good shots," Bharat said in the pre-match press conference. India would be without star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and top batter K L Rahul due to injuries. "In our team meetings we spoke about the things we could have done better and yes, we certainly hav

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: I'm relentlessly trying to learn from Kohli - Patidar

Expected to make his India debut against England in the second Test here, prolific middle-order batter Rajat Patidar says he prides himself in being a good learner and has been trying to upgrade his skills by observing the iconic Virat Kohli. The injury-forced absence of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja is set to finally open a window of opportunity for the 30-year-old, who has scored tons of runs for Madhya Pradesh in the domestic circuit. "I always observe his (Kohli) batting from back of the nets, especially his footwork and body movement while batting. I try to learn and add these things into my batting," Patidar told BCCI.TV referring to the time spent with Kohli in their IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli has opted out of the first two Tests owing to personal reasons. "It is not easy but I am relentlessly after it," Patidar said about his pursuit of excellence. The right-hander from Indore also revealed that sharing the dressing room with chief coach Rahul Dravid and ..

IND-ENG 2nd Test: Sarfaraz or Rajat? Who should replace Rahul in India's XI

While Sarfaraz has the potential to unsettle English spinners with his unconventional shots in the second Test, Patidar has impressed the management with his temperament and conventional style of play

India vs England 2nd Test Playing 11: Rajat Patidar makes debut for India

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Playing 11: Mohammed Siraj has been rested, and Mukesh Kumar replaced him in India's XI while Kuldeep Yadav playing in place of injured Ravindra Jadeja. Patidar replaces KL Rahul.

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Here's how Indian batters preparing for Vizag Test

Indian batters are not known for their sweeping skills but they made a conscious effort to practise that shot in their opening net session ahead of the second Test against England beginning here on Friday. Barring skipper Rohit Sharma, not many Indian batters resorted to the sweep shot in the opening Test which the hosts lost to England by 28 runs, only their fourth defeat at home since 2013. Sweeps and reverse sweeps on the other hand have emerged as a strong weapon for England batters against the champion Indian spinners who were at the receiving end in the second innings of Hyderabad Test. Gill, Patidar go big on sweeps ================== All Indian squad members turned up for the opening session that took place in the afternoon. Struggling for runs, Shubman Gill was seen practising both the conventional and reverse sweep. For someone who has all the shots, he was criticised for his defensive play in the series opener. In line to make his debut on Friday, Rajat Patidar too we

WTC 2023-25 Points Table: India slip to fifth spot after Hyderabad loss

India have dropped to fifth behind Bangladesh in the World Test Championship standings after their shock 28-run defeat to England in the first Test in Hyderabad. India were briefly on top after drawing the two-Test series South Africa before being overtaken by Australia following their victory over Pakistan. Rohit Sharma's men have suffered in terms of accumulated percentage points, going down from 54.16 after the South Africa series to 43.33 currently. Chasing 231 for a win in the fourth innings, India were all out for 202 in the first Test in Hyderabad on Sunday. England's Tom Hartley (7/62) spun a web around the home team batters to cause a collapse. The rare defeat at home took Rohit Sharma's side down to fifth spot in the latest WTC rankings headed by Australia with 55 percentage points. India currently have 43.33 percentage points in their kitty. Australia's sensational eight-run defeat to the West Indies in Brisbane on Sunday did not have much impact on them as they continue

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul ruled out of Vizag game

While Jadeja sustained a hamstring injury during the first Test in Hyderabad, Rahaul has complained of a right quadriceps pain

IND vs ENG Test: Bumrah handed demerit point for breaching code of conduct

The indecent occurred during the 81st over of England's second innings as Bumrah deliberately stood in the way of English batter Ollie Pope while he was completing a single

IND vs ENG 1st Test: Rahul Dravid doesn't want to be harsh on youngsters

Rahul Dravid doesn't want to be "too harsh" while judging the younger crop of batters but the India head coach wants them to develop their own methods for countering spin-friendly conditions. India were all out for 202 in pursuit of 231 with English spinners taking all 10 wickets on a surface that offered significant help to slow bowlers without being diabolical. Shubman Gill, who had a wonderful run in white-ball cricket over the last year, faltered twice against England left-arm spinner Tom Hartley in the first red-ball assignment of the year at home. "I wouldn't be so harsh to judge them. But it was a challenging wicket, and it's been a bit of a challenge for some of our young batsman to adapt. But you know, they've got the skill," Dravid said in his post-match press meet. However, the batting legend expressed satisfaction about the way junior batters have been progressing. "They've come here by scoring a lot of runs in domestic cricket. They are being picked on merit. Sometime

IND vs ENG 1st Test: For Pope, reverse sweep as good as defensive shot

Ollie Pope, whose sensational 196 formed the core of England's 28-run win over India in the first Test here, said on Sunday that he practiced those sweeps and reverse sweeps extensively before arriving on these shores. England were nestled at Abu Dhabi before coming to India as they mainly trained behind the doors immersing themselves in training to tame sub-continental conditions. "They're very skilled bowlers. If you try and defend each ball, there's probably more of a chance to get out, rather than play with cross-bat shots. We've practised those shots enough before coming here. I think you have to just commit to it. "It could be as safe as defence, playing a reverse sweep or a sweep. Then it is also going to lead to more half-volleys too from the bowlers," Pope, who was later adjudged player of the match, said during his post-match press meet. The Essex cricketer said their base camp at Abu Dhabi created a lot of confidence among the group. "We put in all that work in Abu Dhab

IND vs ENG 1st Test: Definitely greatest triumph as captain for Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes rated the 28-run victory over India in the first Test here on Sunday as the finest moment yet in his time as the England captain. Fuelled by Ollie Pope's epic 196 and debutant left-arm spinner Tom Hartley's seven-wicket haul, England roared back into the match even after conceding a massive 190-run first innings lead. "Since I've taken the captaincy on, we've had a lot of fantastic moments as a team. We've had a lot of great victories. "We've been involved in some amazing games. But I think where we are and who we're playing against, this victory is definitely our greatest triumph since I've been captain," said Stokes in the post-match press meet. Stokes kept faith in Hartley despite a below-par outing in the first innings. The Durham man explained the rationale. "I was willing to give him the longer spell regardless of what had happened (in the first innings) because I knew I was going to have to turn back to him at some point throughout this Test match. "Whether or

IND vs ENG 1st Test: Tom Hartley didn't find a lot of help from the wicket

Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley said Sunday the strip used for the first Test against India didn't offer much to the tweakers and he had to "keep a cool head" to make his debut memorable with a seven-wicket haul in a famous England victory. Hartley's 7/62 fashioned England's memorable 28-run win on the fourth day of the Test here. India's chase of 231 went horribly south once Hartley spun into the home team top-order, igniting a rot that saw them getting bowled out for 202 in the final over of the day. "It's unbelievable, will not sink in for a while to be honest. I don't think there was a lot of help, I had to keep a cool head," Hartley told the broadcaster after the win. "It was a tough one (on the first innings bowling effort), it didn't spin as much as I thought, and I had a chat with Stokes, McCullum and the team management." He said said Ben Stokes had asked him to bowl into the surface. "The dressing room has great vibes, it's a fantastic dressing room, one of the best. It's