Mitchell Starc, the pace bowler for Australia, has praised Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, calling him "a bit of a thorn" for their team in matches played in India and Australia. After Ashwin announced his unexpected retirement from Test cricket with 537 wickets, Starc celebrated his career and partnership with Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who also has over 500 wickets. Ashwin's contributions have been crucial in India's series victories against Australia, making him a formidable opponent in their eyes.
Ravichandran Ashwin, the off-spinner from India, has earned the reputation as a formidable opponent for the Australian men's cricket team, both in India and Australia. His retirement from Test cricket in 2022, despite having taken 537 wickets, shocked the cricketing world and drew praise from his Australian counterparts.
Ashwin has played a pivotal role in India's series victories against Australia. In the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, he claimed 23 wickets in four Tests, including a match-winning 6 for 41 in the series decider in Dharamsala. He repeated his dominance in the 2020-21 series in Australia, where he took 37 wickets in four Tests.
Mitchell Starc, Australia's pace bowler, has acknowledged Ashwin's prowess on Indian soil. "He's been a bit of a thorn in our side. His record against us in India is very impressive," Starc said. He praised Ashwin's ability to extract turn and bounce from Indian pitches.
Ashwin's impact on Test cricket has not only been limited to his rivalry with Australia. His partnership with Indian off-spinner Anil Kumble, who retired in 2008 with 619 wickets, has been a formidable force in Indian cricket. Similarly, Starc's combination with Nathan Lyon, who has taken 503 wickets, has been equally potent for Australia.
1. Why did Ravichandran Ashwin retire from Test cricket?
Ashwin announced his retirement in 2022 to focus on limited-overs cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
2. What is Ravichandran Ashwin's career record?
He has taken 537 wickets in 141 Tests, 154 wickets in 111 ODIs, and 72 wickets in 56 T20Is.
3. How many wickets did Ravichandran Ashwin take against Australia in 2017?
He took 23 wickets in four Tests in the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
4. Who is Nathan Lyon's bowling partner in the Australian team?
Nathan Lyon's bowling partner in the Australian team is Mitchell Starc.
5. What is the combined wicket tally of Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon?
Ashwin has taken 537 wickets and Lyon has taken 503 wickets, for a combined tally of 1040 wickets.
Despite being touted as the man to turn things around at Barcelona, manager Hansi Flick has failed to deliver so far. After losing to Atlético Madrid in yet another underwhelming performance, Barcelona have slipped further behind in the title race. With just one win in their last seven league matches, Flick's side is struggling to keep up with their rivals, a far cry from the success they achieved under former manager Xavi Hernández. As the season reaches its halfway point, Barcelona find themselves with just 38 points, three fewer than they had at this stage last year under Hernández.
The long-awaited rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is finally happening on Saturday, and the anticipation is through the roof. Both boxers are expected to make their ringwalks around 10pm, and the event will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports Box Office. Fans have multiple ways to book the fight, making this a must-watch event for all boxing enthusiasts.
Atletico Madrid staged a thrilling comeback against Barcelona to secure a 2-1 victory and move three points clear at the top of the LaLiga standings. Despite Barcelona taking the lead through Pedri, Atletico bounced back in the second half with goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Alexander Sorloth. This was Atletico's first away win against Barcelona in the league and their 12th consecutive victory across all competitions. With Real Madrid set to face Sevilla on Sunday, Atletico now have a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table.
After an 11-month goal drought in the Premier League, Gabriel Jesus scored a brace against Crystal Palace to solidify his place in the Arsenal squad. With five goals in two games, the former Manchester City striker has proven his worth in the title race and is ready for more opportunities. His versatility and ability to play as a number nine adds a new dimension to Arsenal's attack and gives manager Mikel Arteta a strong attacking option. With a renewed confidence and smile on his face, Jesus' message to Arteta is loud and clear - he's here to stay and make a significant impact.
Atletico Madrid secured a thrilling last-minute win over Barcelona to take control of the top spot in La Liga. The game looked to be heading towards a draw, with Barcelona in the lead in the first half and Atleti struggling to produce shots on goal. However, a late substitute, Alexander Sorloth, scored the winning goal in the 96th minute, pushing Atletico Madrid three points clear at the top of the league. This marks a significant achievement for Atleti, who have transformed from a defensively-focused team to a strong attacking force this season. The victory also puts pressure on their rivals, Real Madrid, who sit four points behind, with a game in hand.
Newcastle continues their winning streak with a 4-0 victory over Ipswich during Saturday's football match. Striker Alexander Isak, who scored four goals last week, pulled off a hat-trick and led his team to a dominating performance. Manager Eddie Howe praised Isak's performance, declaring him "world-class" and confirming that he will remain an integral part of the team's long-term plans. The win moves Newcastle into seventh place in the Premier League and sets them up for a promising season ahead.
In a dominant London derby, Arsenal secured a 5-1 victory against Crystal Palace with Gabriel Jesus leading the Gunners with two goals in four days. Arsenal's other goals came from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice, putting them just three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Ismaila Sarr's equalizer for Palace was not enough to stop Arsenal's relentless attack, with Jesus' brace leading the way.
The wrestling world is in mourning as renowned Mexican wrestler Rey Misterio Sr, real name Miguel Angel Lopez Dias, has passed away at the age of 66. The uncle of WWE superstar Rey Mysterio Jr, and great uncle of Dominik Mysterio, had an impressive career in various Mexican wrestling promotions. His passing comes just weeks after the loss of Roberto Gutierrez, Rey Mysterio Jr.'s father and Dominik's grandfather. Fans, friends, and family have expressed their condolences and fond memories on social media.
In a exhilarating match between La Liga heavyweights Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, the Blaugrana came out on top with a 2-1 victory. Goals from Rodrigo and Raphinha cemented Barcelona's dominance, while Witsel's unfortunate own goal brought Atletico back into contention. The result now puts Barcelona in second place on the league table, trailing leaders Real Madrid by just one point.
Crystal Palace's hopes of securing a win against Arsenal were dashed after a dismal performance and "terrible" defending in the box. Manager Oliver Glasner spoke out against his team's performance, stating that they were no match for Arsenal's "ruthless" attacking. The defeat is a blow for Crystal Palace, who will need to regroup and improve their defensive strategy in order to secure future wins.