Ipl 2018 letest updates

Mohammed Shami was dismissed for a duck by Rahkeem Cornwall in the first innings of the second Test between India and the West Indies.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2PzdaHu

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

“Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but I am happy that I could contribute to the team’s success. Maybe, one day will come when I will cross that three-figure mark,” said Hanuma Vihari at the end of the first Test in Antigua as he fell seven runs short of a well-deserved maiden Test ton. The Andhra batsman didn’t have to wait very long; Saturday was that day when he would cross that three-figure mark which he dedicated to his late father, who passed away when Vihari was 12 years of age.

While Jasprit Bumrah has exclusively featured in India’s overseas Tests — since India are trying to manage the workload of the greatest fast bowling talent to emerge from there — Vihari has been a prisoner of the schedule and has played all his six Tests away from home. He has been moved around the order too, and has tried to do his best to keep the contenders for the sixth spot in the line up at bay, and his century at Sabina Park would go a long way to cement it.

Vihari said that he “did not sleep very well” as Day 1 action in Jamaica ended with him on 42. If he was feeling any tiredness, he would get a jolt as he would lose his partner Rishabh Pant on the first delivery of Day 2. At 264/6, with Ravindra Jadeja and the bowlers to come, on a pitch that still provided movement and the ball just seven overs old, Vihari couldn’t afford to think about his hundred as he had to ensure India reached a comfortable score.

India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said that he was very happy for Vihari — a player who has done well in first-class cricket and could turn that into a pretty decent start in international cricket as well. Followers of Indian cricket have heard of him for a while and one would think he must be a veteran of the domestic scene in his thirties but he is just a young man of 25.

He boasts a fantastic first-class record, averaging almost 60, with a best of an undefeated 302. He performed quite well on the India A's tour of England in 2018 which put him on the selectors’ watchlist of back-up batsmen and would soon be included in India’s Test squad for the last two Tests in England last year.

Vihari received special mentions from skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri on his contribution as a makeshift opener, and his performances with India A on the tour to West Indies prior to this Test series, and his ability to bowl off-spin, got him selected for the contentious and competitive sixth spot for the Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

During the second innings in Antigua, as he approached his first Test hundred and the team looked to declare, Vihari tried to score quickly to get to his 90s and then coast to the landmark. However, it didn’t exactly work out the way he wanted.

In Jamaica, Vihari reached lunch at 84, and with no pressure of declaration, he knew he had time on his side. However, he was made to work quite hard to get going after lunch by a rejuvenated Shannon Gabriel and the ever consistent Jason Holder. It took him 11 deliveries to reach 86, and he was stuck on that score for 31 deliveries before he received a gift from Gabriel on the pads that he put it away to the midwicket delivery.

More than all the attractive drives, sweeps and flicks he had played in a terrific innings, it was this passage of play that highlighted the true credentials of Vihari as a Test batsman — that he was willing to bide his time for the right delivery and not being consumed by the desire to get to a major personal milestone. Eight of the 31 deliveries were left alone, few others defended safely and the rest found the fielders.

“I was patient,” said Vihari at the end of the day, and credited the opposition for “bowling well after lunch” and make him earn his runs. Ishant Sharma was an equal contributor to the partnership as the two one-time Sunrisers Hyderabad members and now Delhi Capitals teammates realised over a 100 runs, which would make Vihari comment, tongue firmly in cheek, that “(Ishant) looked more like a batsman than me.”

Ishant and Vihari reached their personal milestones; the former was welcomed with hooting and hollering from the Indian dressing room and the latter with a standing ovation reflective of the respect Vihari has already earned amongst his teammates for his thoughtful batsmanship.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2zKjb9a

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Jasprit Bumrah joined spinner Harbhajan Singh and left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan as the only Indians to take Test hat-tricks.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/34grvvC

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Jasprit Bumrah has always been infatuated about improving his skills. Last year after being ruled out of T20 and ODI series in England due to a fractured finger, he returned home with a box of Dukes balls. Unable to bowl, Bumrah spent his time by acquainting himself to Dukes ball by resting and running his index and middle fingers down the seam.

What was the purpose of it? Burmah had never bowled with the Dukes ball and wanted to make sure the skin on his fingers was familiar with the prominent seam. Bumrah had heard how the pronounced Dukes ball seam had been inflicting minor cuts on the Indian bowler's fingertips and he wanted to ensure his fingers were seasoned for the challenge ahead.

On Saturday evening as most of India dozed off, Bumrah hooped the Dukes ball like a magician as he became the only third Indian bowler to claim a hat-trick to finish the day with figures of 6-16. Ever since his finger gripping project in India, Bumrah has picked a wicket every 38 balls with the Dukes ball.

It just further exemplifies his maturity and his constant drive to improve. Bumrah might be blessed with a unique action, but his evolving skills are a credit to his mind and hard work. Above all, he has the brains to outsmart the batsmen.

Last week in Antigua, he terrorised the West Indies left-handers with inswingers. At Sabina Park, he tortured them by shaping the ball away from the bat. Dwayne Bravo was a victim of Bumrah's sheer brilliance. Bumrah had uprooted his off-stump with a prodigious inswinger in the previous innings, so he knew the left-hander would be anticipating the ball angling towards him. Bravo had even changed his guard, but what he did not foresee is the delivery that jagged across him. Burmah meant it and got it his reward.

Shamarh Brooks would have seen Bumrah uprooting stumps with the outswinger from the dressing room a few days ago, so he was ambushed by the one that swung late and cannoned into his pads. Roston Chase also looked amused as his first ball tailed in late to strike him in front of his stumps. In a space of three balls, Burmah had perhaps scarred the West Indies top-order for life. His mind is far too advanced. His dexterity is far too supreme.

A toe-crushing yorker and a crunchy nip-backer would have been satisfactory for most bowlers in the world, but not Bumrah. He wanted to evolve and kept picking people's mind. Bumrah developed an outswinger with the aid of RP Singh. The former Indian quick solidified his wrist position and showed him how to manipulate it at release point.

But while others might have tried it immediately on the grand stage, Bumrah waited patiently until he had mastered it. The perplexed look on Keaton's Jenning's face as he shouldered arms to one that cut back at him in Southampton Test was a sight to behold.

"Lot of hard-work and practice goes into that (bowling the outswinger). I always had the inswinger but the more I played the more confident I got. Playing with the Dukes ball in England helped me a lot too. It has helped my confidence," he said after the first match.

Bumrah now faces a healthy conundrum — does he execute an outswinger or the inswinger? He can now accomplish both by a slight manipulation of his wrists. It is an art that not many have managed to master in the history of the game. Only 12 Test matches in his career, Bumrah has conquered it. But perhaps above all, it is the intellectual thrill in watching Bumrah unleashing his weapons that makes him far superior to anyone in the world.

"(We are) always trying to evolve as a bowler and always trying to do new things and when the ball is not swinging maybe try and use the seam to get the movement. A lot of communication goes between the bowlers and sometimes you just need to hit good areas and everything else will follow", he said.

Those close to Bumrah say he is a fast learner and one thought that constantly lingers in his mind is 'what next?' A toe crushing yorker, sharp bouncer, a slower ball, an inswinger, an outswinger, and even a Test hat-trick — seriously what next? Bumrah probably knows it already or perhaps with the big home season coming up he will just start flicking the SG ball in his fingers.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2POmhEn

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Shikhar Dhawan has been added to the India A squad for the fourth and fifth one-day against South Africa A.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/32bWVRO

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Rahkeem Cornwall broke the previous record held by Australia's Warwick Armstrong who weighed 133-139 kgs.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2NFVRBV

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Ravichandran Ashwin needs eight more victims to match Muttiah Muralitharan's feat of being fastest to 350 Test wickets.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2zyJrDG

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Ben Stokes revealed he never supported any football club before a special gesture made for him by Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2ND0fBs

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Ravi Shastri has been posting pictures from all parts of the West Indies as India's tour of the islands draws to a close.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2UedSsj

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Ambati Rayudu has written to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), saying his decision to retire was an emotional one and that he now is available for selection.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2ZoNK3R

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Sachin Tendulkar took time off a shooting stint to play cricket with the crew, only to be surprised by two Bollywood stars.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/30LQOng

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Thiruvananthapuram: Ishan Kishan blasted a blistering 24-ball 55 as India 'A' beat South Africa 'A' by two wickets in the rain-hit second unofficial ODI to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series here on Saturday.

Chasing 163 to win in a rain-curtailed match, the hosts scampered home with an over to spare, thanks to Kishan's heroics and Krunal Pandya's crucial 15-ball 23. Kishan hit five boundaries and four sixes in his innings, while Pandya's knock comprised a six and a four.

Sent into bat, South Africa 'A' posted 162 for 5 in 21 overs with George Linde top-scoring with a power-packed 52 not out which was studded with one four and five sixes. Kishan, who plays for Jharkhand in domestic cricket, walked in with India 'A' in a spot of bother at 57 for 3.

He went on the attack from the word go and scored a magnificent six early on. He hammered the spinners nonchalantly and when the pacy Junior Dala bowled short, he swivelled around and smacked him for a big six.

His stunning assault made his team's task of chasing down what appeared to be a stiff target easy. Earlier, Anmolpreet Singh (30, 19 balls, 2X4, 2X6) set the tone for the chase along with Shubman Gill (21) after the quick dismissal of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (1).

However, India A were reduced to 57 for three in the ninth over. After Kishan's fall, the hosts lost three wickets in the space of eight balls before Pandya ensured the win. There was some confusion when Axar Patel, the hero of the first match, was declared caught behind with the umpire later reversing the decision and calling him back.

Patel, however, fell soon after, going for a big hit off Junior Dala, caught by Janneman Malan on the boundary for 10. Earlier, Linde's pyrotechnics had helped South Africa 'A' reach 162 for 5 in 20 overs after India A sent both the openers back by the end of the fourth over.

Linde reached his half-century in 24 balls to power the visiting team's late surge. Skipper Temba Bavuma (40, 33 balls, 6 fours) and Heinrich Klaasen (31, 27 balls, 3 sixes) also provided the impetus to the SA 'A innings.

Bavuma, a regular in the Proteas Test squad, showed his class with some superb shots while Klaasen hammered the big hits before being done in by a yorker from Deepak Chahar. In the end, Linde's fireworks enabled SA 'A' go past the 150-mark.

Brief scores: South Africa 'A': 162 for 5 in 21 overs (George Linde 52 not out, Temba Bavuma 40, Heinrich Klaasen 31, Axar Patel 1/19) lost to India 'A': 163 for 8 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 55, Anmolpreet Singh 30, Krunal Pandya 23 not out, Junior Dala 2/25).

MoM: Ishan Kishan.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2zFOSkk

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Derby: Mitchell Starc pressed his case for an Ashes berth with a four-wicket haul as Australia completed their preparations for next week's fourth Test at Old Trafford with a comfortable win by an innings and 54-runs over Derbyshire on Saturday.

Starc, yet to feature in the Ashes, ended the match 15 minutes before lunch on the third day in Derby with two wickets in two balls. He had  Hamidullah Qadri caught in the slips by Matthew Wade before clean bowling Dustin Melton.

With Derbyshire paceman Tony Palladino unable to bat because of an ankle injury, the match ended with Derbyshire 112 all out.

Left-arm fast bowler Starc finished with figures of 4-39 in 10.4 overs.

Australia came into this three-day game after a stunning one-wicket loss in the third Test at Headingley where England all-rounder Ben Stokes's superb 135 not out saw the hosts level the five-match series at 1-1.

Derbyshire resumed Saturday on 53-3, 113 runs behind Australia's first innings 338.

Australia opener Marcus Harris was off the field with a stomach illness. After Australia star batsman Steve Smith had made 23 on Friday in his first competitive innings since returning from a concussion on Friday, the attention turned to Starc.

Australia's World Cup spearhead could be recalled for the fourth Test, with the pitch at Old Trafford expected to be the quickest of the series. But it was fellow paceman Michael Neser, uncapped at Test level, who struck first on Saturday when he bowled Alex Hughes for 11 to leave Derbyshire 58-4.

After a brief rain break, fast bowler Peter Siddle — looking to regain his Test place after being omitted at Headingley — had Harvey Hosein (eight) caught behind by diving wicketkeeper Alex Carey, added to the squad for this match to deputise behind the stumps for Tim Paine.

Australia captain Paine was one of several frontline players rested from this match including opening batsman David Warner and the Headingley attack of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Mitchell Marsh, like Starc, pushing for his first Test of the series, then took two wickets in three balls to reduce Derbyshire to 99-7. He had left-hander Leus du Plooy, who made 86 in Derbyshire's first innings, lbw for 37 and then bowled Alfie Gleadall for a second-ball duck.

This was former Australia captain Smith's first match since being hit on his unprotected neck by a 92 mph bouncer from England fast bowler Jofra Archer in the drawn second Test at Lord's.

But against Derbyshire, he batted with a stem guard neck protector on his helmet despite previously saying he felt uncomfortable using one. The 30-year-old Smith is set to return to Test duty at Old Trafford.

His absence was a blow to Australia at Headingley given Smith's sparkling form in his first Test series since completing a 12-month ban for his part in a ball-tampering incident in South Africa that cost him the captaincy.

Smith had scored two centuries — 144 and 142 — in Australia's 251-run win in the first Test at Edgbaston and made 92 at Lord's after retiring hurt on 80 when felled by Archer.

In order to accommodate Smith and Marnus Labuschagne — who has made three successive Test fifties since coming in as a concussion substitute for Smith at Lord's — in Manchester, Australia may leave out Harris and promote Usman Khawaja to open with Warner.

Both Harris (64) and stand-in skipper Khawaja (72) made fifties in Australia's innings before they were involved in a mix-up that saw Harris run out. Khawaja averages 96.8 in the seven Test innings in which he has opened.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2ZCL9yt

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

India vs West Indies, LIVE Cricket Score, 2nd Test, Day 2 at Jamaica Latest Updates: Follow this space for the latest update on the second day of the second and final West Indies-India Test at Jamaica.

Day 1 report: India reached stumps at 264-5 on Friday after a tight opening day of the second and final test against the West Indies as opposing captains Virat Kohli and Jason Holder led their sides with bat and ball.

After Holder won the toss and put India in, Kohli top-scored with 76, while his counterpart struck with three key wickets at vital times to end with 3-39 from an economical 20 overs.

Hanuma Vihari, who made 93 as India won the first test, again proved difficult to dislodge, going to stumps on 42 not out off 80 deliveries. Rishabh Pant was undefeated on 27, with the pair putting on 62 runs so far for the sixth wicket.

The visitors reached 0-36 in the seventh over before paceman Holder brought himself on and struck with his fifth ball, having K.L. Rahul caught at slip for 13.

Debutant off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall broke through to have Cheteshwar Pujara caught at point for six in the 17th over to reduce India to 2-46, but this brought captain Kholi together with Mayank Agarwal for a steadying partnership of 69.

Agarwal got to 55 off 127 balls before their stand ended at 3-115 midway through the second session, with Holder having the opener caught at slip.

Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane put on another 49 runs for the fourth wicket to take India past tea, before Rahane was caught by debutant wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton off Kemar Roach for 24.

Kohli became Holder's third wicket 13 overs later at 5-202, Hamilton taking another catch to end a sterling inning, off 163 balls, including 10 fours.

Vihari and Pant (27 not out) frustrated the bowlers to put on 62 before stumps, on an engrossing first day in which the West Indies battled hard to rebound from a crushing first test defeat and end with a series draw.

India won the first test by 318 runs. It was its biggest away win by runs in test cricket, and Kohli's 27th win from 47 tests as India captain, equaling M.S. Dhoni's record for wins at the helm of the national team.

Full Teams:

India Team Players: Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, Cheteshwara Pujara, KL Rahul, Ishant Sharma, Hanuma Vihari

West Indies Team Players: Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer,  Kemar Roach, Jahmar Hamilton

With inputs from AP

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2ZGwwdx

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

India A recorded a two-wicket victory over South Africa A in the second one-day to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2MMiS6w

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed that top executives from the Australian and English boards will visit the country for security briefings in September and October.

The PCB said that Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Earl Edings and chief executive Kevin Roberts will be in Pakistan from 16-18 September followed by the arrival of England and Wales Cricket Board's CEO and director in October.

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani conveyed this to the members of the Board of Governors at a meeting in Lahore on Friday.

According to Mani, the visiting Australian and English officials will be given complete security briefings. The idea is to convince them to send their teams to Pakistan and help them complete the revival of international cricket in Pakistan, where no Test-playing nation has set foot since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 in Lahore.

It will be the first time that top officials of the Australian and English cricket boards will have back-to-back visits to Pakistan since that March day a decade ago.

A surplus budget for the remaining months of the fiscal year 2019/20 was also approved at the meeting while a nomination committee has also been formed to recommend independent directors for the Board of Governors.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2LeHH9j

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Chennai: Out-of-favour India batsman Murali Vijay on Saturday said he is under no pressure to get back to the national side and would look to contribute to whichever team he is playing for.

Vijay last played for India in the second Test against Australia at Perth in December 2018.

The 35-year-old has played 61 Tests, scoring 3,982 runs at an average of 38.28 with a top score of 167.

"Of course, I don't put any limitations to my dreams. I am not under any pressure (to get back in the Indian side.) I have given four comebacks to the national team. I am enjoying the space I am in right now," Vijay told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the Junior Super Kings tournament.

"I'm honest with my preparation. It is a team sport and I know how to make a comeback. I have done it before. I know how to do that. Let us see how it goes."

The 35-year-old, who will play for English County team Somerset in the last three Championship matches of the season, said he enjoys competitive cricket.

"I play cricket for just pride and sheer passion. I don't look forward to playing for India or the World XI. My funda is to play cricket at a higher level. If it is of a good competition, I am going to enjoy that."

"Any cricket is good for me and my aim is to contribute to whichever teams I play for. And this is what I have done over a period of 15 years and nothing changes in that aspect," he added.
The stylish right-hander, who was in good form in the Tamil Nadu Premier League T20 tournament last month, said he was looking forward to the forthcoming domestic season.

"I understand the importance of momentum. We create momentum while playing. You can't sit and create momentum. After a long time, we are playing together for the state in Vijay Hazare and it's going to be an exciting time for all of us because we all want to win tournaments and prove that TN is one of the best in the country."

"We all have the pride to play for our state and we need to pull up our socks and put up a good show," he added.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2LdGtLm

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

WI vs IND 2nd Test Day 2 LIVE Score: Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant resume on the second morning with their sixth-wicket partnership already worth 62 runs.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2zANn6S

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Kumar Dharmasena was originally appointed as the TV umpire for the fourth Test match but will now stand on-field with Marais Erasmus in both the remaining matches.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2ZwMSdy

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board could announce its new team management next week with Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis favourites to be named head coach and bowling coach.

Mohsin Khan is likely to be appointed as the chief selector.

A source in the PCB said that the five-member panel appointed by the board to interview prospective candidates for the team management positions had nearly concluded its work.

"They will now have deliberations on finalizing their recommendations and it appears as if Misbah is a favourite to be named head coach with Waqar as the bowling coach," he said.

The source said the panel, headed by former captain Intikhab Alam and which also included PCB CEO Wasim Khan, had interviewed most candidates including Misbah, Waqar, Dean Jones, Johan Botha, Courtney Walsh, Yasir Arafat and some others in the last two days directly or on the video link.

"Mohsin who has remained a chief selector and interim head coach in the past was invited by the board to give an interview to the panel which indicates he will be given some major responsibility next week," the source said.

He said Mohsin who was keen on becoming head coach could be named chief selector or team manager.

"The fact that Mohsin was called all the way to Lahore and the fact that he stepped down from the cricket committee after an understanding with the board means he will get some responsibility," the source said.

He confirmed that former captain, Rashid Latif, had been offered the job of chief selector but he turned it down after both sides could not agree on a financial package. "I don't think Misbah would have applied if he had not reached an understanding over his terms and conditions for the job with the board," the source said.

Misbah has made it clear to the board he should be given a remuneration package which is better than the ones given to foreign coaches in the past.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2ZC2E5L

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Rahkeem Cornwall, at 140 kg, became the heaviest cricketer to play international cricket.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2ZDpAxv

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Kingston: West Indies all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall said making Cheteshwar Pujara his first victim on his debut Test was a good feeling to have.

Cornwall, the new 'giant' of world cricket, became the heaviest Test cricketer after he made his debut in the second match of the ongoing series between India and West Indies.

The 26-year-old bowled 27 overs, giving away just 69 runs on the opening day of the second Test.

The off-spinner struck in only his third over by taking the big wicket of Pujara.

"Good feeling to get him as my first Test wicket. It was nothing really new to me but it was a good feeling," Cornwall said at the press conference.

"It was a good feeling of making my debut. I think the ball comes on really nice in the start. I have to work hard and put the ball into right areas," he added.

Put into bat, India were reduced to 46 for two in the opening session before captain Virat Kohli (76) and opener Mayank Agarwal (55) rebuilt the innings.

West Indies captain Jason Holder picked up three wickets while Cornwall took his first wicket in the form of Pujara (6).

Apart from picking up the wicket of Pujara, Cornwall took two catches to remove India openers Agarwal and KL Rahul.

"Our seamers bowled well and when I was asked to bowl, I have to do the same. It was a good feeling to get my first Test wicket," Cornwall said.

"We thought the pitch had a lot of moisture so we thought once we get the first chance to bowl, we can get the early wickets. The toss went in our favour. It was a good day on the first day of Test cricket," he added.

At the close of play on the first day, India were 264 for five with Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant unbeaten on 42 and 27, respectively.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2HBUzE1

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Kieron Pollard said Hardik Pandya has come a long way and conservative people always have negative things to say about guys like him.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2Li4GiA

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Kingston: Opener Mayank Agarwal said India were in a "great position" after reaching 264 for five in challenging conditions on the first day of the second Test against West Indies.

Agarwal, who scored 55, reached his third Test half-century with an edge to the boundary.

"The conditions were challenging. I thought the first session - the ball was doing a bit. Kemar Roach and (Jason) Holder bowled great areas. It wasn't easy - there was a lot of moisture and the ball was doing a bit," Agarwal said at the press conference.

"We are in a great position. To have just lost five wickets on a track like that was a good effort from our side."

Put into bat on a tricky Sabina Park pitch, India were reduced to 46 for two in the opening session, but Virat Kohli and (76) Agarwal worked hard to rebuild the innings.

"I think Holder is bowling great areas, he is not giving you an inch. He is there pegging in those areas, pegging on length and short of length. And you know he doesn't give free deliveries for you to score off of," he said.

"So, the pressure is always there even if you defend him off - the first spell he bowled six-seven overs in that he's given three or four maidens, so as a batsman you know you're not getting much out of him."

West Indies' debutant Rahkeem Cornwall bowled 27 out of the 90 overs during the day, giving away just 69 runs while piling the pressure on the Indian batsmen and taking the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara.

"Rakheem is very, very (consistent), he forms good clusters and he keeps bowling those areas, keeps bowling those areas. I thought it wasn't very easy to score off him.

"We took our time and it was very important for Virat and me to actually get a partnership going and it was important that one of us went on to score big," Agarwal said.

"He definitely gets a lot more bounce compared to many other spinners. He just keeps hitting those lengths."

Agarwal added his captain batted well to "negate the time before lunch and then to come out after lunch with that kind of positivity was amazing - he gets a lot of intensity when he comes to bat."

The conditions got better for batsmen as the day progressed.

"I can say it got a little better to bat on after the first session - the wicket got a lot harder as the sun beat down - the wicket lost some of its moisture.

"It just kept getting a little better to bat on, but I think credit must be given to the West Indian bowlers, especially Roach and Holder - they kept coming and kept coming and kept bowling tight lines," he said.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2zDYwnj

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

India were 264 for five at stumps on Day 1, though Mayank Agarwal feels they are in a "great position" in challenging conditions at Sabina Park.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2LaHFPI

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Hundred all out! That’s a telling scoreline. It tells the story of how much pride is now left in the present West Indies squad.

The itinerant Indians shot out Jason Holder’s boys for that paltry score after setting them a target of 418 runs, in the first Test, at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, in Antigua, recently. Jasprit Bumrah returned figures of 8-4-7-5 in that second knock, while Ishant Sharma (3-31) and Mohammad Shami (2-13) contributed to the rout. The batsmen put up a pathetic show and one couldn’t help but feel sorry for the sharp decline in West Indies’ batting standards.

In fact, the West Indies teams in the latter half of the twentieth century thrived on pride and self-worth. Dominated by whites for a long time, when players of the calibre of the 3Ws, Gary Sobers, Wes Hall, Rohan Kanhai and others emerged from the shadows, the Caribbean players performed essentially for pride. Clive Lloyd’s team of the 1970s and 80s was a feared one, with some great batsmen like Gordon Greenidge, Des Haynes, Viv Richards and others, besides dreaded pacemen like Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner etc in their ranks. Winning and self-esteem were deeply intertwined in their psyche.

That pride, that determination has now gone missing. The present West Indies Test squad is what the late Dilip Sardesai would have termed a ‘Popatwadi side’.

It was in 1990, if I am not mistaken, that Greg Thomas, the England quick bowler had said to Richards, in a County match, “It’s red, round and weighs 5 ½ ounces,” after beating him with the new ball a few times. The next ball was hoisted out of the ground and into a river close by. Walking down the wicket, with his usual swag, Richards had said to Thomas, “You know what it looks like, don’t you Greg? Go fetch it, man.” That for me was Caribbean pride.

In an Australia-World XI match at Melbourne, in 1972, Dennis ‘The Menace’ Lillee had promised to show Sobers how quick he could bowl after the former had been bounced out by the great all-rounder. “I’ll look forward to it,” Sobers had told Lillee. Scoring a masterly 254, he had reserved special punishment for the big fast bowler in that knock. That for me was Caribbean pride.

Balvinder Singh Sandhu tells the story of a Test match in the West Indies in 1983. Petering out into a tame draw, the only interest left in that match was whether Kapil Dev would get to his hundred, when Sandhu walked in to bat without a helmet over his turbaned head. When the skipper saw that he hadn’t worn a helmet, he was furious. “Bloody hell, sardar, they’ll blow your brains off. Where’s your helmet?” “Everybody is packed and ready to move, paaji,” he had replied. “There are no helmets in the dressing room.” Joel Garner, who had seen this as an insult, bowled six bouncers at Sandhu. He survived, Kapil Dev got his hundred and the match was called off. Garner wasn’t bothered about another wicket in his kitty; his pride had been hurt!

In 1976, when the West Indies led by Clive Lloyd toured England, Tony Greig, the England captain had told reporters, before the series began, that he would make the tourists grovel. Angered by his statement, the West Indies won the 5-Test series 3-0 and made Greig grovel instead. That for me was Caribbean pride.

When I watch the West Indies batting now, I am reminded of that famous Johnny Walker song from the Bollywood movie, Mr & Mrs ’55: “Jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji.” What a fall from those heady days, when batsmen and fast bowlers from the West Indies dominated world cricket.

Jofra Archer was born in Bridgetown, Barbados on All Fools Day in 1995. But he was no fool. He knew there was no pride left in West Indies cricket, after representing the islands at the Under 19 level. He therefore opted to play for England. Archer played a significant role in England’s first-ever World Cup win and is now contributing substantially to a probable, come-from-behind, Ashes series win. He takes pride in his performances.

We were told, before the series against India commenced that Brian Lara, one of the finest batsmen the world has seen, was preparing the West Indies players psychologically for the challenges ahead. If he has been working on their mental game, as reported, then it doesn’t seem to have worked.

After the rout in the first Test at Antigua, Richards came out in praise of Bumrah. He said that he would prefer facing Lillee rather than the Indian opening bowler. Curtly Ambrose, the big fast bowler who claimed 405 wickets in 98 Tests said, “The pace, the aggression, the hostility, the craft. The way he outclasses the batsmen, the way he out-thinks them, he could have been one of us.” Roberts too felt that the West Indies team of his times could have done with somebody like Bumrah, with his freak action and game sense.

I am sure a lot of Indian fans are happy that Richards, Ambrose and Roberts have praised the Indian pace ace for his skills and his wily, cricketing brain. But if I were a follower of the game in the Caribbean Isles, I would have liked the legends to come out with their opinion and eulogy after the series was over. In all probability, the West Indies top order would be working on sorting him out and getting a strategy in place before the second Test, which will have commenced in Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica on 30 August. In that sense, I therefore believe that the icons would have done their team a bit of disservice, ahead of that Test.

Australia’s past players have been frugal in their praise for England’s bowlers, especially Archer, who have helped their side fight their way back into the series. In Ashes series, neither England nor Australia likes to cede an inch of space to the other. Some of West Indies’ past players, who have gone over the top with praise for Bumrah, were the ones who were offended by Greig’s ‘grovel’ statement in 1976. Therefore, they would have done their team a favour by keeping the praise a bit subdued till the end of the series.

Sometimes I wonder if the ‘lack-of-pride’ bug has also bitten the legends. Where are those men from the West Indies who, not long ago, would cackle and do the high-fives when an opposition batsman danced to chin music? Commentating during the first Test, as Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach bowled to the Indians, Sunil Gavaskar asked, “Where are the bouncers?” That, in one sentence, sums up the timidity that now pervades cricket on the Caribbean Isles.

The author is a caricaturist and sportswriter. A former fast bowler, coach and sports administrator, he doesn’t believe in calling a spade a shovel

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2HA7s1y

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

The track at Sabina Park in Kingston, in times gone by, when West Indies ruled the cricket world, used to have a sheen that intimidated the visiting teams for the pace it held. As West Indies were looking to square the series at Jamaica after being thrashed at Antigua, a pitch that bore a very different look from its past welcomed the teams; green grass with a bit of moisture with cracks already visible.

Jason Holder, on a more placid wicket in Antigua used a four-man seam attack but at Jamaica, decided that he along with Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel would be sufficient to take the seam bowling duties and handed debut to Antiguan Rahkeem Cornwall who would bowl 27 out of the 90 overs on his first day of Test cricket.

Holder has had to carry a lot of responsibilities in this West Indian side: be a capable third seamer that can switch between attack and defense; bat by taking his time or look to score fast lower down the order; marshal the troops as the captain. That is a lot to put on any one player’s plate but he keeps showing up, every game.

As he won the toss - again - and decided to bowl first - again, the Gabriel that Holder would’ve wanted to take advantage of the pitch that was “challenging” went missing. And so, it would be Holder that stepped up in the breach to slow the Indian charge by dismissing KL Rahul in his very first over of the Test.

Holder hit that nagging length and used his height to generate bounce and skill to produce sideways movement from a supportive pitch, and caught Rahul unsure of how to deal with the delivery. The edge produced off a tentative defensive prod would be swallowed by Cornwall, and the combo would repeat the act to dismiss the other Indian opener Mayank Agarwal too, in the second session.

Agarwal was full of praise for the trouble Holder caused to the Indian batsmen by controlling scoring with his immaculate control of length and keeping batsmen honest with his ability to generate disconcerting bounce. “[He] is bowling great areas. He is not giving you an inch. He was pegging [away] at length and short of length. He doesn’t give you many easy deliveries to score off, so the pressure is always there. Even if you defend him off, he has bowled a 6-7 overs spell and [he has bowled] three or four maidens. As a batsman, you know you are not getting much out of him.”

As West Indies made inroads and kept Virat Kohli quiet, they would be kicking themselves for not having taken more wickets in the first session. As the day wore on and the moisture from the pitch evaporated from the hot Jamaican sun, the pitch “got a little better to bat on.” Having negotiated his way through some early troubles, Kohli had gotten into his stride.

Gorgeous strokes flowed from the “MRF Genius” bat of Kohli; straight drive that pinged the boundaries, majestic cover drives that scorched the turf, and fabulously working wrists flicking fuller length deliveries to midwicket fence. India dominated the second session making 85 runs for the loss of only Agarwal.

Even as a seemingly luckless Roach removed Rahane, Kohli’s wicket held the key. The Indian captain seemed well-set for his 26th Test hundred when, in the final session of the day, in his 18th over, Holder would change up the tactic briefly on Kohli.

He came around the wicket for four deliveries, one of them hitting Kohli on his hand, and went back over the wicket. The last ball of that over would see Holder attempt to get some lateral movement; the ball zipped past the bat of the well-set Indian skipper. Kohli had faced 159 deliveries at that point. To beat that good a batsman, that far into his innings, with a ball that was 71-overs old? Holder was fantastic on the day, with the ball.

With his very next delivery, Holder removed Kohli with conventional outswing off a ball delivered perfectly at good length. While the previous delivery beat the inside edge, this delivery took the outside to strand Kohli 24 short of what would have been a well-deserved century.

Even as Gabriel and Roach bowled higher percentage of their deliveries that the Indians were not in control of, Holder mixed deliveries that batsmen were able to handle but deny them scoring opportunities, and bowl those that could pluck wickets. In all, in the 120 deliveries that Holder sent down for the day, the batsmen were not in control for only 15 but that produced three dismissals. The figures of 20-6-39-3 clearly indicates the ability of Holder to shut down scoring while also taking wickets. Rightly, Agarwal would credit Holder for he “just kept coming” at the batsmen, “bowling tight lines” throughout the day.

Despite the inspirational effort from Holder, India would be the happier team at the close of play having survived on a tough wicket and made 264 runs while losing just five wickets. Holder will need his senior bowlers to chip in with early wickets on Day 2 to claw West Indies back in the contest. Else, like the way the sheen has vanished from the Sabina Park surface, Holder’s masterful bowling on Day 1 would too, from the memory of those who witnessed it.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2ML6qUH

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the T20I series against South Africa

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3481DSx

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

After being spotted in Jaipur, MS Dhoni has now been seen in the United States (US) along with his India teammate Kedar Jadhav.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2MIdHVb

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

India outplayed the West Indies in all departments to record a massive 318-run win in the first Test.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2zvimkA

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

India scored a massive 318-run win in the first Test with the West Indies and picked up 60 World Test Championship points.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2UbIvys

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Jasprit Bumrah was in the thick of things as India crushed the West Indies by a massive 318 runs in the first Test at Antigua.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/32eOQMy

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Rahul Dravid's NCA appointment led to the elevation of Paras Mhambrey as the head coach of the India U-19 team.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2HweGnb

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Ben Stokes scored a sensational unbeaten century to guide England to an improbable one-wicket win over Australia in the 3rd Ashes Test.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2Lgsq6s

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

India vs West Indies, LIVE Cricket Score, 2nd Test, Day 1 at Jamaica Latest Updates: West Indies are all out and it's an emphatic victory by 318 runs for India in their World Test Championship opener.

Preview: India will hope to end their tour of the US and the Caribbean on a high with a victory in the second and the final Test against the West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica starting Friday.

The Indian team have been at their dominant best in their ongoing tour, the victories somewhat helping ease the pain of the semi-final defeat to New Zealand in the recently-concluded ICC World Cup.

India have won all three T20Is, all matches in the one-day series except the first one which ended in a no-result, and began their ICC World Test Championship campaign with a 318-run thrashing of the hosts to move to the top of the championship points table. Winning the second Test will see Virat Kohli's side end their tour undefeated, a feat they had last achieved in the 2017 tour of Sri Lanka.

While the West Indies looked competitive early in the Test, reducing the visitors to 25/3 at one stage and their tail-enders taking their score to 222 to reduce the deficit to 75, the second essays of the two teams could not have been more one-sided. Ajinkya Rahane bounced back to form by hitting his first century in two years, with Kohli declaring the second innings at 343/7, setting the Windies a 419-run target.

A lethal spell from Jasprit Bumrah then blew the Windies away as they were shot out for 100 — their lowest Test total against India — as the match ended inside four days.

Full Team Squads:

India Team Players: Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Rishabh Pant, Cheteshwara Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Hanuma Vihari, Umesh Yadav

West Indies Team Players: Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brook, John Cambell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich,  Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer,  Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2PoMoBu

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Ravichandran Ashwin needs eight more victims to match Muttiah Muralitharan's feat of being fastest to 350 Test wickets.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2zyJrDG

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

WI vs IND 2nd Test Day 1 LIVE Score: India lead the two-Test series 1-0.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2Ldis5W

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Ben Stokes revealed he never supported any football club before a special gesture made for him by Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2ND0fBs

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

New Delhi: The BCCI on Friday congratulated this year's Arjuna awardees in cricket - all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and spinner Poonam Yadav - and lauded the two players' consistent performances for their respective teams.

While Poonam received the honour from President Ram Nath Kovind during Thursday's award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Jadeja was a notable absentee due to national duty in the ongoing away Test series against the West Indies.

Vinod Rai, who heads the three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) running BCCI right now, said both the cricketers "have raised the bar with their on-field performances."

"The award will further motivate them to do well and it will also inspire other young cricketers in the country to keep striving hard," Rai added.

His CoA colleague and former women's captain Diana Edulji called Poonam phenomenal for being the highest wicket-taker in the women's T20 format last year.

"Poonam has been consistently doing well. She was phenomenal in 2018 and finished with 35 T20I wickets, the most by any cricketer in a calendar year," Edulji said.

"I also congratulate Ravindra Jadeja for his all-round show," she added.

CoA's third member Ravindra Thodge wished the two players the best for their future.

"I congratulate them for this sporting honour. Ravindra Jadeja is only the third Indian cricketer to have 2000 plus runs and 150 wickets in ODIs. Both the cricketers are among the top 10 in the global rankings and I wish to see them climb up the ladder once again," Thodge said.

The BCCI had sent their nominations to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports earlier this year in April.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2ZCoOAX

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

India vs West Indies at Jamaica weather update, India tour of West Indies 2019: The last time West Indies and India played a Test at Jamaica was in 2016. That match is remembered by one and all for the team from the Caribbean found Roston Chase.

Playing only his second Test then, Chase scored an unbeaten 137 off 269 deliveries and kept up his vigil at the crease to save the Test for the home side. This time around though, the home side need a win to save the series, their batsmen need to pull off a turnaround of sorts considering their abject surrender to the Indian seam bowlers in the first Test.

While the West Indies seam bowlers deserve the plaudits for their performances where Kemar Roach has looked menacing with the new ball and Shannon Gabriel complemented him well, it is the batsmen which need to step up to the task at hand.

That was something which they failed at miserably, considering their highest scorer in the second innings was Kemar Roach who slogged away to a creditable 38 which included five sixes.

West Indies have stuck to preparing tracks which complement seam bowling for some time now. The pitch at Sabina Park falls in the same boat. West Indies last played here against Bangladesh and routed them inside three days.

Against India though, it's a different game altogether and the hosts would have been mindful of that while preparing the pitch.

For India, there will be some nagging worries ahead of the second Test. KL Rahul needs to get to a milestone, some milestone, even a fifty would do at this point to suggest that he can remain in the scheme of things in the long haul.

He has been getting starts but failing to convert them as an opener is a worry. There is a reason to think that Virat Kohli will play him again since he scored 44 and 38 in the first Test and looked set until he gave his wicket away.

For the West Indies, it will be interesting to see if they make any changes. Keemo Paul and Rahkeem Cornwall could get a spot in the playing 11 as the home side goes for broke here with the odds stacked against them.

As for the weather, according to Accuweather, there will likely be intermittent periods of cloudy weather and sunshine with rain on the cards, especially heading into the afternoon stretch of play. The wind speed will also be on the ascendant which could assist the seam bowlers in attaining some swing in the air.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2NCFSEF

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Kingston: India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane says scoring his 10th Test century after a drought of two years was special and he became "a bit emotional" after reaching the feat in Antigua.

Rahane played match-winning knocks of 81 and 102 in the first Test against the West Indies which India won by a huge margin of 381 runs in Antigua.

"I thought the 10th hundred was really special. I wasn't thinking about any particular celebration, it came out automatically. I was a little bit emotional," Rahane said told reporters here.

Coming into the Test series, Rahane's form was a subject of widespread debate but the India Test vice-captain silenced his critics in style.

"It took me two years to get that 10th hundred. As I said the process always matters to me a lot. Preparations before each and every series are very important. I was actually doing that throughout the two years," he said.

India were reeling at 25 for 3 in the first innings when Rahane came out to bat and the right-hander said he saw it as an opportunity to do something special for the team.

"We were under pressure. I thought the West Indies bowled really well throughout that day. It was an opportunity for me to do something special for my team. I think because of the situation I wasn't thinking about myself because it was important to get that partnership going — one player had to bat and we knew that," he said.

"I thought it was something special for me personally as well because we knew we were in a difficult position at that point of time and happily we did really well and came back strongly from that point."

Rahane, whose previous ton had come way back in 2017 against Sri Lanka, said he wasn't thinking about personal milestones but was focussed on stitching a partnership to consolidate the team's lead.

"It definitely felt really special for me I got to know what it takes to get a century after two years. I've been working really hard on my batting," he said. "But I wasn't thinking much about my hundred or a milestone for me. What was important was to get my team into a good position, we were 140 runs ahead with three wickets down. That partnership with Virat (Kohli) was really crucial."

Rahane was also lavish in his praise for all-rounder Hanuman Vihari.

"Vihari did very well in the India A tours and he did really well in the domestic circuit. So it's good that players who actually did well consistently over a period of time in domestic cricket are doing well at the international level," he said.

"At the same time Rohit is also a quality player, a special player — it's hard to see him miss out on a Test match," he added.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2ZoXoDB

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

New Delhi: India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has thanked the government for honouring him with the Arjuna award and said the recognition will always inspire him to give his best for the country on the cricket field.

Jadeja is among the 19 sportspersons who were presented with the Arjuna award this year.

"First of all, I would like to thank the Government of India for honouring me with the Arjuna award. I would also like to congratulate the other winners as well. They've performed brilliantly in their fields," Jadeja said in a video message posted on the BCCI's Twitter handle.

All-rounder @imjadeja's special message after being conferred with the Arjuna Award 🙏🙏 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/6k6jmdDKMv

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2019

"My sincere effort always will be to lift the reputation of the Indian team and my country whenever I play for India. I will always try to win matches for the team and make the country proud."

Jadeja missed the National Awards ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday on the occasion of National Sports Day as he is currently at the Caribbean with the national team.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2PoqKgv

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Ravi Shastri has been posting pictures from all parts of the West Indies as India's tour of the islands draws to a close.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2UedSsj

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

The squad for India’s three-match home T20I series against South Africa was announced on Thursday, 29 August. The 15-man squad had little on unexpected lines, with MS Dhoni continuing to be left out of the mix and Jasprit Bumrah being rested.

Bumrah’s rest, arguably, has got something to do with the three Tests that follow the T20Is, which gain prominence as India’s first major Test under the inaugural World Test Championship cycle. But with the countdown to next year’s ICC T20 World Cup in Australia ticking fast, the shortest format assumes great significance as teams hope to set their plans (and personnel) in place.

The T20I leg of South Africa’s tour of India will be played out between 15 and 22 September, with Dharamsala, Mohali and Bengaluru hosting the games.

Five talking points from the 15-man squad named for India’s three-match T20I series against South Africa:

Can Khaleel/Saini/Chahar unsettle Bhuvi/Shami?

The standout decision from the latest act of MSK Prasad and team is the one to field an entirely raw set of fast bowlers for the South Africa T20Is.

Navdeep Saini made his India debut during the 3-0 whitewash of West Indies at the start of August, a series that also gave Deepak Chahar his second international cap, while Khaleel Ahmed – the most ‘experienced’ of the pacers chosen – has all of 11 T20Is under his belt.

But the move to field the as-yet unseasoned trio (internationally speaking) reflects how India have embraced their need of fine-tuning the T20I setup to stake best claim at the twin T20 World Cups coming up over the next two years.

It isn’t just Bumrah who is missing from the lineup; Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was part of the team for the West Indies T20Is, and Mohammed Shami miss out too – while they are the senior claimants to the fast-bowling spots, both might start looking over their shoulders if their younger counterparts put in an impressive shift versus the Proteas.

Saini made an instant mark against West Indies, picking up five wickets in three games – including a match winning spell of 3/17 on debut – while Chahar’s sole outing in Florida was an individual success too, as he prized out the Windies top order with stunning returns of 3-1-4-3. Khaleel, meanwhile, remains a steady presence in the mix owing to his ‘x-factor’ of being one of few left-arm seamers around the scene in Indian cricket.

At least two of the three will play each of the games, if not all three – rest assured, Messrs Kumar and Shami will be keen observers.

Who does Hardik replace in the XI?

Aside from trusting their young pace stocks, the other most notable headline from Thursday’s squad announcement was the return of Hardik Pandya after a lengthy rest for the entirety of the tour to the Caribbean. Given Pandya’s run-in with injuries in the last 12 months, it was a wise choice to make at the end of a taxing four-month spell thanks to the IPL and World Cup.

Now that he’s back, there’s no doubt about the younger of the Pandyas reclaiming his spot as India’s go-to all-rounder in limited overs cricket, but something interesting happened in Hardik’s absence in the Americas.

India, so long accustomed to fielding only the five compulsory bowling options, finally looked liked realising the futility of that tactic in the crash-and-bang format, and went in with at least six genuine bowling picks in all three games – automatically increasing the quota of all-rounders in the XI.

Krunal Pandya and Washington Sundar featured in all three games, with Ravindra Jadeja taking the third all-round berth for the first two outings before Chahar cousins, Deepak and Rahul, made the cut for the final T20I.

By the looks and form of it, Krunal should be a guaranteed starter along with Hardik, which ostensibly signals room only for one out of Jadeja and Sundar.

Jadeja is the much-more seasoned campaigner, with the added benefit of being the best fielder in the country at the moment. But do India want to go in with two largely similar bowlers in Krunal and him? Or could Sundar, who was handed the new ball twice at Lauderhill – both times to instant impact – be given the nod?

Go spin-heavy for the Proteas, or prepare a pace battery for Australia 2020

There could yet be room for both Jadeja and Sundar, or potentially Rahul Chahar too, if India decide to hand South Africa a trial by spin – but that may not be the smartest tactic, for two-fold reasons.

Looking at the immediate picture, the T20Is versus South Africa are to be played at Dharamsala, Mohali and Bengaluru; none of the three venues provide surfaces particularly conducive to spin-bowling, with the short boundaries of Dharamsala and Bengaluru also making it a T20 death-bed of sorts.

Looking at the bigger picture, even 14 months out from the T20 World Cup, India will know that they are highly unlikely to field anything more than two spinners when it comes around on the start-of-season tracks Down Under.

With the Pandya brothers appearing to be quite a lock-in at numbers six and seven, what then becomes India’s ideal or optimal bowling attack to tackle the Proteas?

At least two out of Khaleel, Saini and Deepak Chahar are certainties, but could India consider fielding all three, giving them four pace options with the addition of Hardik? Or do you field only two of them, while also handing a berth to two out of Jadeja, Sundar and Rahul Chahar?

It will be an intriguing tactical choice for Kohli and co. to make, but the make-up of the squad, in this author’s opinion, makes it clear that the vision is more 2020 than 2019.

Is Rahul’s back-up role a two-pronged one?

It was made amply clear over the limited overs legs against West Indies that KL Rahul’s role is to provide back-up to the established opening pairing of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

Despite coming into the tour on the back of a run-laden World Cup after replacing the injured Dhawan, Rahul played just once in six limited overs outings, when Sharma was rested for the third T20I with the series already in the bag.

While it means lesser game-time, the perceived decision provides greater clarity to a batsman who was having to adjust to an unaccustomed role batting in the middle-order when he was picked among the final 15 for the World Cup.

In this T20I camp, though, Rahul possibly bears a second, potentially as important, role – that of back-up wicketkeeper – as MS Dhoni’s continued absence (what’s with that limbo, huh?) leaves Rishabh Pant as the sole full-time ‘keeper-batsman in the fold.

There is no doubting Pant’s spot in the lineup, but no squad these days can be made without cover for a position as specific as that of the glovesman, and there is, clearly, no other alternative as far as a back-up to Pant is concerned.

While Rahul may be looked at as a part-timer, his record while donning both gloves for both Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore – in three seasons since he became a bit of a regular behind the stumps - is average of over 50 with the bat, while hitting his runs at a healthy strike rate in excess of 145.

How do Pandey/Iyer get adequate game-time?

Manish Pandey and Shreyas Iyer, for the time-being, appear to have the team management’s backing as the middle-order batting bets for both limited overs formats; Pandey got the sole position in the T20Is against West Indies with Iyer serving as back-up, while the duo swapped roles when it came to the ODIs.

While Iyer staked his claim in the one-dayers, possibly making one middle-order spot his own for the conceivable future with composed half-centuries both times he batted, there wasn’t enough opportunity available for Pandey to make a telling impression in the T20Is.

Fielded at number five, the soon-to-be 30-year-old was guilty of not making the most of his chances, as reflected by scores of 19, 6 and 2 not out – but with his number typically coming right at the close of the innings, there wasn’t much scope for him to alter the course of proceedings either.

With India’s top-three set in stone, and Pant likely to have the backing for the number four spot (especially after his match-winning 65 in the third T20I against West Indies), India might have to figure out an alternative route to provide Pandey, Iyer or any other number-five incumbent adequate time to settle into their role.

There might still be more than a year left to the World Cup, but a year can go by very quickly – as India only recently found out through their shambles of a number four hunt for the 50-over World Cup.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2Lgv3W6

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Ambati Rayudu has written to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), saying his decision to retire was an emotional one and that he now is available for selection.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2ZoNK3R

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

"Each batter's just got to look at themselves seriously in the mirror, and we've just got to find solutions."

After Jasprit Bumrah sent down the stumps clattering and cartwheeling at Antigua, West Indies captain Jason Holder succinctly put it out that their batsmen need some soul searching.

It was a straightforward assessment. Capitulating to 100 (at one stage they were 50/9) could be a confidence shatterer, especially when you are at least looking to make a statement following ODI and T20I series losses on the tour.

Failure to maintain sustained pressure coupled with batting failure led to West Indies' downfall in the first Test. It also magnified the focus on the shot selection and application. In the first innings, the batsmen tried to apply themselves. They got moderate starts but then threw away their wickets. On a good batting pitch, they gifted their wickets through poor shot selection rather than getting out to unplayable deliveries. With the West Indies batsmen, it seems the adrenaline is always rushing and that is something they need to control.

In the second innings, they encountered a rampaging Bumrah who was making the ball dance devilishly off the pitch and in the air. Yes, some of those deliveries seemed unplayable but as Holder said, they've just got to find the solutions, more so because they are up against one of the best bowling lineups in the world.

Occupation of the crease for longer periods along with the elimination of soft dismissals is the key going into the second Test. The Windies stitched just one 50-run stand, that too arrived for the last wicket between Kemar Roach and Miguel Cummins when the match was long lost. While India had two century stands and three fifty-plus stands. Therein lied the difference.

The likes of Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Darren Bravo haven't lived up to expectations. Hope hasn't scored a century in two years. Hetmyer is still searching for the three figures in Test cricket. Bravo last scored a ton way back in 2016. Windies want their batting to fire collectively. Their batting clicked, especially their top-order in their last series against England which was a crucial support to their revitalised bowling lineup.

Roston Chase will be looking to lead the way in the batting line-up inspired by happy memories of the past. It was his terrific rearguard century that conjured an improbable draw for the Windies when these two sides met at Kingston last time. He had also scalped a five-for in the first innings. The Barbadian averages 69.50 with the bat and 25 with the ball at this venue.

One of the traits that have made India the No. 1 side in Tests is their ability to maintain sustained pressure and stranglehold on the opposition once they are in the ascendancy.  It is one thing the Windies need to learn.

After opting to bowl first at North Sound, the hosts reduced India to 25/3 and then 207/7 but then let the foot off the pedal and allowed India to post 297, struggling to get the lower-order out. In the second innings, they had sent back the Indian top-order for 81 and then allowed them to pile on 343/7 before Virat Kohli finally declared.

The two dropped catches of Ajinkya Rahane stung them as much. Kemar Roach's relentless threat kept the Indian batsmen on their toes which is the template the rest of the West Indies bowlers need to follow.

They still have the faith in their batsmen and have opted to make just one change to the squad, bringing in pacer Keemo Paul, who missed out due to ankle injury in the first Test, in place of Miguel Cummins.

The batsmen test their willow on the eve of the 2nd Test in Jamaica - Lets do this fellas 😎😎 #TeamIndia #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/qpd215CfRf

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 29, 2019

India wriggled out of tough situations in the North Sound Test and then slowly gained ascendancy which emphasised why they are the best in the world.

The biggest takeaway for them was Rahane's return to form who, despite being slightly lucky, once again reminded of his worth by bringing in a mix of caution and aggression and scoring 183 runs in the match, including a century in the second innings.

While there was much debate about Ravichandran Ashwin not being included in the starting eleven, Ravindra Jadeja vindicated team management's decision with a crucial half-century dragging India out of trouble and then picking up two wickets in the first innings.

After an impressive World Cup showing, Jadeja has momentum on his side and could be the key going into the second Test as well.

While India belted out a comprehensive win in the end at North Sound, they do need to peek into areas of improvement further.

There would be expectations from the top order after it failed to fire in the first Test. KL Rahul got starts but couldn't convert. And, just like the West Indies batsmen, they would look to work on the shot selection with batsmen getting out to soft dismissals. In the absence of Prithvi Shaw, Rahul would look to make most of the opportunities at his doorstep.

The Sabina Park generally assists pace and bounce so it will be interesting to see if both India and West Indies would still be interested in bringing in the extra spinner and leave out a pacer.

Pitch for the 2nd test match tomorrow: India vs West Indies. pic.twitter.com/vTsNCfdnav

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) August 29, 2019

The Indian pace attack will again be the biggest threat for the West Indies batsmen. Ishant Sharma led the way in the first innings with a five-for while Bumrah in the second with staggering figures of 8-4-7-5, Shami played the perfect second fiddle. With the guile, movement and pace of the trio, there is no respite for the batsmen, there is constant pressure which is the beauty of this Indian bowling line-up.

West Indies haven't had a good time at Sabina Park of late with three losses, one draw and one win in their last five Tests. However, Holder will derive inspiration from his heroics the last time he played at the venue where he picked up 11 wickets to guide West Indies to victory against Bangladesh last year.

India have happy memories of this ground. It was at Kingston that they broke the 35-year duck to win their first Test series since 1971 in the Caribbean. It was their first ever win at the venue as well after nine attempts. Five years later, they came back to beat the Windies again. And they were very close to making it three in three in 2016 before Chase's brilliance defied them.

India start off as favourites as they look to garner 120 points from the series while West Indies would hope that the mirror which Holder was talking about, provides them the solution they desperately need.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2UeCT6u

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

West Indies will look to draw level when they take on India at Sabina Park, Kingston in the 2nd and final Test of the series.

The West Indies batsmen will need to put in a much-improved performance in the second Test after capitulating to 100 in the first Test. They were ripped apart by Jasprit Bumrah in the second innings and if they want to fight back, they will need to apply themselves and improve their shot selection.

Time and again, West Indies have lacked patience and that's cost them dearly. In the first innings, they somewhat showed a little application but the batsmen kept getting out to poor shots.

Also in the field, they dropped a couple of crucial catches of Ajinkya Rahane which hurt them badly. The bowlers couldn't maintain sustained intensity. West Indies have made one change to the squad with Keemo Paul coming back from injury in place of Miguel Cummins.

India, on the other hand, bounced back well after being on the back foot to start off. Ravindra Jadeja proved his worth with a crucial half-century in the first innings and then scalped two wickets. Ajinkya Rahane's return to form was a huge shot in the arm for India.

The top order didn't contribute heavily and they would be looking to make amends at Kingston.

The last time these two teams met at Sabina Park, Roston Chase scored a brilliant ton to salvage an improbable draw for the hosts. Overall, West Indies have had an upper hand at the venue with 6 wins from 12 matches with four matches ending in a draw.

However, the tables have turned and India will start off as favourites as they look to amass full 120 points from the series in the ICC World Test Championship.

When is the second Test between West Indies and India?

The second Test between West Indies and India will begin on 30 August.

Where is the match being played?

The match will be played at Sabina Park, Kingston in Jamaica.

What time does the match begin?

The match begins at 8:00 PM IST with toss taking place at 7.30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will broadcast the West Indies vs India second Test?

The match will be broadcast on Sony Ten 1 & Sony Ten 1 HD in English and Sony Ten 3 & Sony Ten 3 HD in Hindi.

How do I watch online the match online?

The match will be live-streamed on SonyLiv. You can also catch live updates on Firstpost.com.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2Zo3Yu0

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News

Ajantha Mendis took six wickets and was awarded the man-of-the-match for leading Sri Lanka to the 2008 Asia Cup triumph over India.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/30D4TTM

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Australia's star batsman Steve Smith will return to action on Thursday after missing the third Ashes Test because of concussion.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2NDMN0q

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Sitanshu Kotak and Paras Mhambrey have been named as the head coaches of India A and India U19 teams respectively.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2L9iZ8Y

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

According to some media reports, the selectors have decided to "move forward" and give maximum chances to Rishabh Pant keeping in mind the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2LcN5IO

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Steve Smith, who suffered a concussion after being hit on the neck by Jofra Archer during the second Ashes Test, thought of the death of Phil Hughes when he was struck.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2NEcdLe

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Ben Stokes not only helped England clinch an Ashes series saving victory in Headingley but also became a popular search on Wikipedia.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2ZxoBD9

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Keemo Paul became available for selection after recovering from an ankle injury which forced him to sit out of the series opener in Antigua.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/30Fju1d

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

The Indian cricketers have been sharing pictures on social media of themselves around beautiful beaches as the team tours the West Indies.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2NwM5lk

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

As India wrapped Antigua Test inside four days, players and support staff members got a day off. Making use of the opportunity, Ravi Shastri on Monday posted a picture on Twitter from the "Coco Bay" in Antigua.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2ZsY1H9

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

The PCB had advertised for the head coach's position on August 9 and Monday was the last date to apply for the post.

from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2L9XuVt

Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com

Bengaluru: Hyderabad right-hander Akshath Reddy hit a superb 146 as India Green dominated proceedings on the opening day of their Duleep Trophy match against India Red, reaching 308 for 4 at stumps on Thursday.

Reddy, who has 4,700 runs in 68 first-class matches with 14 tons, hit 17 fours and 3 sixes from the 248 balls he faced.

India Green captain Faiz Fazal won the toss and opted to bat in the final league match and his side got off to a confident start.

Reddy and Fazal put on 41 runs before the India Green captain fell to Avesh Khan, going for a pull to be caught at fine-leg by Sandeep Warrier for 18 (40 balls, 3x4).

Reddy, who was joined by Delhi batsman Dhruv Shorey, grew in confidence and the duo took India Green to 114 for one at lunch. Reddy reached his half-century from 90 balls.

Shorey (44 from 77 balls, 6x4s, 1x6) fell in the third over after lunch, nicking one from Khan to the 'keeper KS Bharat.

This brought Reddy and Mumbai's Siddhesh Lad together and they were involved in a fruitful 137-run partnership for the third wicket as both played lovely shots on both sides of the wicket.

Vidarbha off-spinner Akshay Wakhare gave India Green the much-needed breakthrough, getting Lad, caught by Karun Nair, for 64 (116 balls, 8x4s, 2x6s).

Reddy completed his 100 with a boundary off Aditya Sarwate and continued to keep the scoreboard moving, with some superb shots.

Wakhare struck again in the 84th over, by getting rid of the cenutrion Reddy, having him caught by Mahipal Lomor.

Uttar Pradesh youngster Priyam Garg (30 batting) and Akshay Wadkar (5 batting) ensured that India Green did not suffer any further losses.

For India Red, Avesh Khan and Wakhare finished with two wickets each among the six bowlers used by captain Priyank Panchal.

India Red (3 points before this game) have already booked a spot in the final to be played at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here from 4 September.

Brief Scores:

India Green: 308 for 4 in 90 overs (Akshath Reddy 146, Siddhesh Lad 64, Dhruv Shorey 44; Avesh Khan 2/35, Akshay Wakhare 2/78) vs India Red.

from Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News https://ift.tt/2HzRO6m

Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News