Indian Test team captain Rohit Sharma believes it is unfair to place all the expectations on spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja and has called on other players to contribute as well. This comes after India's series defeat against New Zealand on home soil, where the hosts were outplayed on a spin-friendly track. While Ashwin and Jadeja have been crucial to India's dominant streak at home, Rohit emphasizes the importance of a collective effort in winning Test matches.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, India's renowned spin bowlers, have dominated at home for years with their impressive skills. However, their recent struggle in the Test series against New Zealand highlights the challenges of aging in the competitive world of cricket. Their reduced effectiveness was a key factor in India's series loss, highlighting the team's dependence on them. Captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged their flaws but also sympathized with the pressure they face to maintain their high standards. As India looks to rebuild their spin attack, the fall of this once formidable partnership serves as a reminder of cricket's unforgiving nature.
In the ongoing second Test of India vs New Zealand in Pune, Ravindra Jadeja showcased his exceptional fielding skills with a run out reminiscent of MS Dhoni's signature style. The incident, which happened on Day 3, saw Jadeja displaying excellent reflexes and awareness as he palmed the ball towards the stump, catching Will O'Rourke short of his crease. The comparisons with former India captain Dhoni were quick to arise, with fans taking to Twitter to express their admiration and love for both the players' remarkable abilities on the field.
In a dominating performance, New Zealand's left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner took 7 wickets for 53 runs in 19.3 overs, leading his team to bowl out India for a lowly total of 156 in the first innings of the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The top scorer for India was allrounder Ravindra Jadeja with 38 runs, while youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill contributed 30 runs each. India had earlier bowled out New Zealand for 259, with Washington Sundar taking 7 wickets for 59 runs. IBNS, a news agency that strives to present objective and well-sourced news, aims to provide factual information without any bias, judgment, or preaching.
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee were unbeaten at lunch on Day 3 of the first Test against India, extending the visitors' lead to 299 runs. Ravindra, who hails from Bengaluru, showed his prowess in playing spinners on the tricky pitch, while Southee provided solid support. Despite the Indian pacers' improved performance, the Kiwis managed to hold their ground thanks to Ravindra's impressive knock.
In a surprise announcement, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has been confirmed to be the next Jam Saheb of Jamnagar, Gujarat. This role has been passed down from current Maharaja Jam Saheb's cousin, and it is seen as a great boon for the people of Jamnagar. The royal family has a deep connection to cricket, with prestigious trophies named after their relatives, K.S. Ranjitsinhji and K.S. Duleepsinhji.
The prestigious title of Jamsaheb of Nawanagar, formerly known as Jamnagar, has been passed down to former cricketer Ajay Jadeja, belonging to the royal family of Jamnagar. Jadeja's relatives have a long-standing legacy in the sport, with tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy named after them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently paid his respects to the previous Jam Saheb, highlighting the significance of the royal family and their contributions to Indian cricket.
After a hiatus, the highly sought after Duleep Trophy is back to kick off the domestic first-class season in India. With the country playing 10 Test matches in the next four months, the competition holds more significance than ever, as top cricketers compete for a spot in the national team. While some established players have been rested, it will be an opportunity for the selectors to assess young talents and make necessary changes for the upcoming matches.
India's wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the first round of Duleep Trophy due to a groin injury sustained in the ongoing All-India Buchi Babu Tournament. He will be replaced by Sanju Samson in India D team, while Suryakumar Yadav and Prasidh Krishna will also miss the opening matches due to injuries. BCCI is closely monitoring their conditions and a further evaluation next week will determine their availability for the second round.
India's fielding coach T Dilip has praised Suryakumar Yadav for his outstanding catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa. Dilip credited Yadav's decision-making and awareness for the game-changing catch, where he showed excellent control while catching the ball near the ropes and then releasing it while keeping himself in play. Dilip also spoke about the team's strong bond between experienced and young players and the hard work put in by the players and the coaching staff.