Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar showed his support for Team India's decision to bring in Ravindra Jadeja in place of Ravichandran Ashwin for the third test match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Bangar praised Jadeja's prowess in overseas conditions and highlighted his valuable contributions with both the bat and ball. However, questions remain whether Jadeja's past success in spin-friendly wickets will translate to the fast-paced 'Gabba' pitch. The match was off to a slow start with rain interrupting play after only 13.2 overs were bowled.
Australia vs India: A Tale of Two Spinners
The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between Australia and India has witnessed a pivotal shift in India's bowling strategy. Ravichandran Ashwin, a seasoned off-spinner who has tormented Australia in the past, has been replaced by Ravindra Jadeja for the third Test match. This decision has sparked a flurry of debate on the merits of each spinner and their suitability for the Gabba pitch.
Former India Batting Coach's Perspective:
Sanjay Bangar, India's former batting coach, has expressed his support for the team's decision. Bangar lauded Jadeja's ability to perform in overseas conditions, particularly in the batting department. He emphasized Jadeja's contributions with the ball, especially his guile and variations.
Jadeja's Previous Success:
Jadeja has a proven track record of success on spin-friendly wickets. In the 2017 tour of Australia, he played a crucial role in India's historic win at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he scored a half-century and picked up 8 wickets. Subsequently, in the 2019 tour, he played a similar role in India's victory at the Ranchi Test.
Concerns over Gabba Pitch:
However, doubts linger over whether Jadeja's past success will translate to the Gabba pitch, which is known for its bounce and pace. The Gabba has been a happy hunting ground for Australia in recent years, with the home team winning their last 10 Tests there.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Why was Ashwin dropped for the third Test?
A: Ashwin's recent performance has been underwhelming, and the team management believes Jadeja's all-round ability is better suited for Gabba conditions.
2. Has Jadeja ever played at the Gabba before?
A: Yes, Jadeja has played at the Gabba in the past, most notably in the 2017 Boxing Day Test, where he took 4 wickets.
3. What are Jadeja's strengths as a bowler?
A: Jadeja is renowned for his accuracy, variety, and ability to turn the ball both ways. He also poses a threat with his left-arm spin to right-handed batsmen.
4. How will the Gabba pitch affect Jadeja's bowling?
A: The Gabba's bounce and pace could pose a challenge for Jadeja, as he may struggle to get the ball to turn as much as he does on slower wickets.
5. Who is expected to take the lead bowling role for India?
A: Axar Patel is another left-arm spinner in the squad, and he is likely to share the workload with Jadeja. However, Jadeja's experience and all-round ability make him the frontrunner for the lead role.
Karnataka has become the second team after Tamil Nadu to win five Vijay Hazare Trophy titles, after they clinched a thrilling 36-run victory over Vidarbha in the final. Ravichandran Smaran's century and fifties from Krishnan Shrijith and Abhinav Manohar helped Karnataka post a big total of 348 for 6 while batting first. Despite in-form opener Dhruv Shorey's third consecutive hundred, Vidarbha's chase fell short at 312 in the 48th over.
In a thrilling finale, Karnataka emerged victorious in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs. Dhruv Shorey's brilliant century went in vain as Karnataka's Smaran Ravichandran and K Shrijith drove the team to a massive total of 348. Despite a valiant effort from Harsh Dubey, Vidarbha failed to keep up with the required rate and eventually fell short. This win marks Karnataka's third Vijay Hazare Trophy title.
In a surprising turn of events, Newcastle United's new manager Eddie Howe, previously of Bournemouth, pointed to "fatigue" as the reason for his team's 4-1 loss against his former club. The match report, which is only available to UK viewers, captures Howe's reaction to the loss and his assessment of the team's performance. Despite a brilliant equalizing goal from Newcastle's Alex Miley, Howe acknowledges that Bournemouth was the stronger team and suggests that Newcastle may need to work on their endurance in future games.
In an exciting final match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karnataka's young brigade, led by R. Smaran, demonstrated their potential and determination by defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs. Despite Vidarbha's strong batting with a third century by Dhruv Shorey and an impressive finish by Harsh Dubey, Karnataka's resolve to invest in their young players paid off as they claimed their record-equalling fifth title, tying with Tamil Nadu.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola had nothing but praise for Justin Kluivert as he scored a stunning hat-trick to lead his team to an incredible 4-1 win against Newcastle United in the Premier League. The game ended with an absolute thriller as Kluivert's performance left fans in awe and secured Bournemouth's place in the top of the table.
Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert scored a hat-trick in a stunning 4-1 victory over Newcastle at St. James' Park. The young forward's impressive treble propelled his team to their tenth unbeaten game in the Premier League, while also shattering the Magpies' nine-match winning streak. Kluivert's memorable performance not only secured a vital win for Bournemouth, but also left his father Patrick in the dust with two more Premier League goals scored at St. James' Park than his father managed in his brief spell with the Magpies.
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, TNT Sports displayed a series of fan social media posts during Bournemouth player Justin Kluivert's post-match interview with Jules Breach. The unexpected move came after Bournemouth secured a 4-1 victory against Newcastle, drawing them level on points with fifth-place Chelsea. As fans at home left the game scratching their heads, this latest twist in the world of sports has left everyone wondering what surprises TNT Sports has in store next.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's luggage and kit bag have arrived at the Delhi team's hotel in Rajkot ahead of their Ranji Trophy clash against Saurashtra. Pant, who had made a fabulous comeback to Test cricket last year after a life-threatening accident, is set to participate in the tournament for the first time since 2017/18. Meanwhile, Delhi's star player Virat Kohli may join the team for their second match against Railways, but his playing is dependent on his availability.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed his disappointment over top order batter Sanju Samson not being included in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite his impressive performance in T20Is, Samson was overlooked in favor of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as keepers. Pathan also discussed the omission of fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and the rise of young talent Shubman Gill in the team.
The Premier League faced another controversial VAR decision as the technology intervened to disallow Bournemouth's third goal against Newcastle. At first, Dango Ouattara's strike seemed to have increased the Cherries' lead to two goals, but a VAR review showed that the ball had gone out of play in the build-up. The decision was ultimately deemed correct and the Premier League released a statement on the incident shortly after.