India have the potential to become dominant in women’s Test cricket considering how they played in their one-off Test against England, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has said.
Brad Hogg Praises Indian Women Team
“I think Indian women were fantastic. The way that they saved the Test match, they had the fight right till the end. They don’t have much experience in that regard as what England do. They are not too off the mark. I am really looking forward to them playing against Australia,” Hogg said in a video uploaded on his Youtube channel.
In what was India’s first Test in seven years, Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia batted out more than 31 overs in a ninth-wicket stand to bring out a draw after India were forced to follow on by England.
Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia made a 81 run-stand
With both players making their Test debut, Rana was unbeaten on 80 off 154 balls while Bhatia scored 44 off 88. Their stand was on 104 when the two teams shook hands.
“With the youth that is coming through right now, I would probably give them four years before they start to get dominant like the men’s team. They might be the team to beat in four years’ time and might knock Australia off the mantle in that regard,” he added.
Hogg said that women’s Tests should last five days and the series should consist of more than one match.
“I think they should play five-day Test matches. I also feel there should be more than one game in a series, there should be a three-match Test series. Women’s cricket is improving and the only way in which you can improve more is by playing more Test cricket,”he said.
Shafali Verma is the player of the match for her knocks of 95 and 63. Here’s what the teenager says:
Thanks to our team for supporting me in my journey. I was just thinking to play to my strengths, and with confidence, and according to my cricket, that’s it. (Seniors) are always giving my experience and they compliment me before going out to bat. That’s so much for me. I was so disappointed (to miss the hundred). I just want to be a good cricketer for my side.
Rishabh Pant dismissed for 4 runs in WTC 2021 finals
Former India batsman VVS Laxman said Rishabh Pant will learn from his dismissal in the first innings of the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand, calling him to show patience and discipline.
Pant fell chasing a wide ball from Kyle Jamieson to edge to the slip cordon for 4 off 22 balls.
VVS Laxman on Rishabh Pant dismissal
“We were aware of the challenge that Rishabh Pant is going to face. He is a naturally aggressive batsman. On this kind of surface, you have to mix caution with aggression. You have to know what are areas you can target the bowlers. You have to show patience and discipline,” Laxman said on Star Sports’ lunch show.
“Unfortunately, on this surface, you cannot free your arms like the way you can do in sub-continent. But this is something you expect from Rishabh Pant,” he added.
“This is something I am sure, he will learn. When he was walking back after getting out, he was disappointed with himself. He was talking to himself, showing through action, that he had to leave that delivery.
“I think this was the ideal situation for Rishabh Pant to stamp his authority like the way he did in Australia. Because these are different conditions than the conditions in Australia. You have to respect the good ball, especially when you know the bowler is on top of you by swinging the ball and getting the lateral movement of the wicket.”
New Zealand’s bowlers ran through India to bowl them out for 217 on the third day.
Neither skipper Virat Kohli (44), nor his deputy Ajinkya Rahane (49) could complete their half-centuries. Kyle Jamieson picked up a five-wicket haul.
The first day’s play was washed out while the second day’s play ended early due to bad light. As of the current situation New Zealand scored 101 runs for 2 wickets loss.
The Indian cricket board (Board of Control for Cricket in India) on Sunday pledged a donation of Rs 10 crore for the training and preparations of the country’s Olympic-bound athletes.
BCCI donates 10 crores to Olympic-bound athletes.
“BCCI has decided to extend support to the Indian Olympic Association and has pledged a monetary gesture of Rs. 10 crores,”the cricket board said in a tweet, as the decision was taken at the BCCI’s Apex Council meeting attended by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.
“The summer Olympics is scheduled to be held in Tokyo from 23 July to 8th August 2021. The BCCI has decided to support Indian athletes in every form and manner it can. In that spirit, based on the request received from the IOA/MYAS, the Apex Council of BCCI has decided to extend support to the Indian Olympic Association and has pledged a monetary gesture of Rs. 10 crores,” BCCI said in a statement.
The Apex Council has decided to form a committee to look into the issue of compensation for Indian domestic cricketers for domestic season 2020 and 2021.
“Yes, BCCI will be helping out the Olympic contingent. An amount of Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned by the Apex Council,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.
“It (fund) will be used for the preparation and other contingency purposes of our elite athletes who have qualified for the Tokyo Games. The modalities of the payment will be finalized after talking to the Sports Ministry and Indian Olympic Association (IOA).” The Tokyo Olympic Games will begin on July 23.
It is understood that post-departure of Li Ning as the kit sponsor, the amount donated by the BCCI will certainly help in multiple ways for the contingent in covering various costs which includes training and preparation.
“The BCCI has always believed in helping in the development of Olympic Sports and this is not the first time that a big amount is being donated,” he said.
Ajinkya Rahane dismissed for 49 runs in WTC 2021 finals
Ajinkya Rahane’s dismissal for 49 on Day 3 of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton became a topic of discussion on Sunday.
VVS Laxman Advices Ajinkya Rahane
Kane Williamson’s genius captaincy came to the fore in the set-up of Rahane’s dismissal, with the New Zealand skipper setting up the trap for the India batsman after a discussion with Kiwi speedster Neil Wagner.
Rahane is known to be a compulsive hooker of the ball. He never shies away from playing the short ball whenever the ball is pitched short, which at times brings about his downfall like it did on Sunday in the WTC final.
VVS Laxman
It was a perfect execution of the field set-up by Williamson and a perfect execution of a short one from Jamieson that sent back Rahane for 49.
Speaking on Star Sports during Lunch, former India cricketer VVS Laxman praised Williamson’s captaincy while also highlighted Rahane’s mistakes. Laxman further recalled a piece of advice from Sachin Tendulkar to explain one area where Rahane needs to improve upon.
“I am always impressed with Kane Williamson’s captaincy. I thought that Ajinkya Rahane was getting his eye in, he was batting much better, he looked more assured on the crease as compared to yesterday. But this is something that has become a pattern with Ajinkya Rahane’s batting. It was the same game plan that New Zealand used against him in Christchurch. This is something he requires to understand,” Laxman said.
Sachin Tendulkar scored 51 centuries in test match
“You talked about the planning between Neil Wagner and Kane Williamson. There was no fielder there on the fifth delivery, the one before he got out. And then a fielder was placed there and also near the backward short-leg. It forced Ajinkya Rahane to play half-hearted pull short. There was no conviction in that pull short and this would be something Ajinkya Rahane will be disappointed with,” Laxman added.
“I remember when I started my cricketing career, the great Sachin Tendulkar advised me that there are two areas that you have to be comfortable if you have to be successful.
“Number One is you know where your off stump is, you know how to play the ball when it is pitched in the corridor of uncertainty. And you also should know how to leave or defend the bouncers,” Laxman further said.
“Because if the opposition comes to know that you are a compulsive pull shot or hook shot player, they will bowl a barrage of bouncers at you and have the field set to make you play that shot. And it is always going to be a low percentage shot,” he signed off.
India were bowled out for 217 with Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson picking a five-wicket haul in the match.
Ravichandran Ashwin retirement plan: Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says competition always brings out the best in him and the day he feels he has lost that urge to improve his craft, he will quit the sport.
Ravichandran Ashwin retirement plan
“The beauty about Test cricket is you are always aspiring to be perfect but you can settle for excellence, so that`s pretty much I think I do,”Ashwin was quoted as saying by the ICC ahead of the ongoing World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand here.
“I think whatever I have achieved so far in my career is because of that attitude, did not settle for anything, constantly looking to improve. “I maintained that if I don`t like doing different things and if I lose the patience to do something new or get satisfied then I might not play the sport anymore,” he said.
R Ashwin became the fastest bowler to take 300 Test wickets (54th match)
The 34-year-old from Chennai, who has bagged 409 Test wickets so far, said that he doesn’t enjoy controversy but if poked he doesn’t hesitate to give it back on the field with his performance.
“It`s not like that I enjoy controversy but I enjoy a fight and that pretty much sums up why I am here,” he said.
“I don’t celebrate victories as much as I ideally should because for me victory is an incident and is coincidental to planning and practice. I sit and think about what can be better,” Ashwin said.
By his own admission, Ashwin doesn`t like to talk much about his own performances as for him playing the sport and excelling in it is his profession. “I don`t really read or dwell on my performances to be very honest.
To be brutally honest I just hate the fact that I am who I am because of what I do. In India you get a lot of adulation but I am just another normal person who finds peace and happiness playing the sport,” he said.
Ashwin reached the 400 wickets club in the 3rd Test match of India vs England Test series
“It is just absolutely wonderful that I can ply my trade and feed my family and I get paid so well. This is a sport that gives meaning for me to live. “I am too excited about it. I don`t time for people rating me or not rating me, it`s just another person`s opinion and that`s just brutally how I live my life.”
Bumrah Praises Ashwin
India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah considers Ashwin as one of the greats of the game.
“I think he (Ashwin) is one of the greats of the game because if you look at his records, it speaks for itself. He has done well with the bat as well as with the ball. He has taken more than 400 Test wickets so that doesn`t come by chance,” he said.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bharat Arun Praises Ashwin
India bowling coach Bharat Arun also lavished praise on Ashwin’s work ethic and said he is never satisfied and wants to learn new things daily.
“Ashwin is not very happy with whatever he does, he always loves to come out of his comfort zone and learn new things, develop different angles and that`s what makes him so special,” Arun said.
Bharat Arun chat with Ashwin
“He understands his bowling most often. What bowlers actually and think they are doing are two different things, so Ashwin understands his bowling to bridge this gap.
“So once a bowler bridges this gap he has a bigger chance to innovate and that’s made very special,” he added.
Virat Kohli playing with black armband in WTC21 finals
The Indian players taking the field against New Zealand in the World Test Championship final at the Ageas Bowl sported black armbands as a mark of respect for track legend Milkha Singh, who passed away in Chandigarh on Friday night.
Team India Mourns for Milkha Singh
India skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday mourned the demise of Milkha Singh and said the track legend’s legacy inspired the whole nation to aim for excellence.
“A legacy that inspired a whole nation to aim for excellence. To never give up and chase your dreams. Rest in Peace #MilkhaSingh ji. You will never be forgotten,” Kohli shared a picture of him with the legendary athlete on Twitter.
A legacy that inspired a whole nation to aim for excellence. To never give up and chase your dreams. Rest in Peace #MilkhaSingh ji 🙏. You will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/IXVmM86Hiv
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said the legend made young Indians dream of becoming an athlete. “Extremely saddened by this news ..RIP, India’s one of the greatest sportsmen… you have made young Indians dream of becoming an athlete… had the privilege of knowing you so closely..”he wrote on Twitter.
Extremely saddened by this news ..RIP ,India’s one of the greatest sportsman..you have made young Indians dream of becoming an athlete..had the privilege of knowing you so closely .. pic.twitter.com/mbEk9WPDBd
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said Milkha made everyone believe that nothing is impossible. “Saddened to learn about Milkha Singhji’s demise. He inspired a generation of Indians and made us believe that nothing is impossible. Condolences to @JeevMilkhaSingh,” Jay Shah tweeted.
Saddened to learn about Milkha Singhji’s demise. He inspired a generation of Indians and made us believe that nothing is impossible. Condolences to @JeevMilkhaSingh
Shahid Afridi has lashed out at his countryman and former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf in an old video which has resurfaced on social media.
Afridi said that keeping a beard and wearing a cap is a big thing for a Muslim but it is also necessary to have good intentions. In the video, Afridi even said that “Yusuf is no longer a cricketer… but belongs to Tablighi Jamaat.”
Shahid Afridi Slams Mohammad Yousuf
Afridi, who played 27 Tests, 398 ODIs, and 99 T20 Internationals in his career, in an interview to Ary News, said, that Yusuf has been talking about a lot of things on TV these days.
Afridi said that Yusuf is a better cricketer than him and hoped he will be a better Muslim than him too.
“But there is one thing, he is no longer a cricketer. Now he is related to a Tablighi Jamaat. If he doesn’t care about his own respect, then he should at least think about the respect of Jamaat,”he added.
Mohammad Yousuf with Himanshu Mody and Kapil Dev
Afridi alleged that Yusuf is making wrong statements. He said Yusuf was well-liked in the country but is losing respect because he keeps making strange statements sitting at TV studios and targeting other people
Afridi agreed it was a good thing for a Muslim to have a beard and a cap but it is better to change your inner personality and be a good person.
Afridi kept training his guns on Yousuf and doubted his true intentions. “These are the same people who decided to leave the Pakistan team and play in ICL (Indian Cricket League). I also got an offer of Rs 8 crore but I refused,” the explosive opener said.
In the ICL, Yousuf did play for the Lahore Badshahs. ICL, which was funded by Zee Entertainment, was a T20 league which was a predecessor of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Mohammad Yousuf has played 90 Tests and 288 ODI matches for Pakistan. One of the best technically gifted batsmen from the sub-continent, he has a total of 7,530 runs in Test cricket with the help of 24 centuries, while in ODIs he scored a total of 9,720 runs with the help of 64 fifties and 15 centuries.
Afridi scored 1,716 runs and 48 wickets in his Test career while in ODIs he scored 8064 runs and scalped 395 wickets. Nicknamed ‘Boom Boom’, Afridi was known for hitting bowlers all across the park. He scored 1,416 runs in 99 T20 Internationals and also took 98 wickets.
New Zealand vice-captain Tom Latham explains why the team have decided to play with the announced playing XI after the first day of the WTC 2021 finals has been abandoned.
Tom Latham on WTC 2021 finals Squad
The eagerly awaited first day of the season of the match was canceled without even the toss being held here on Friday, which is set to bring the reserve day into the equation.
“Probably, doesn’t change huge amount (selection of playing XI),” Latham said during a virtual press conference when asked if losing the first day will change their approach to team selection.
“Obviously with an extra day we have got up our sleeves, the game can still go on for full five days. I guess, for us, it is about the wait and see and adapt to whatever conditions we face and ready to go when called upon.
Tom Latham
“We haven’t confirmed the final XI yet, we have to wait and see when we get the chance to look at the wicket. I am sure Kane (Williamson) and (Gary) Stead have a few contingencies planned. We have to wait for the covers to come off and get a chance to play.”
While New Zealand are yet to announce their playing XI, Virat Kohli-led India had named the team for the WTC final on Thursday.
“Obviously both teams can make changes before the toss, so both are in the same position. India have named their XI, obviously, that can change before the toss, so we have to wait and see once we get to that stage of the game,” Latham said.
There was a forecast of rain and thundershowers and heavens opened up last evening with relentless downpour continuing till afternoon. As per ICC playing conditions guidelines for the WTC final, if required the reserve sixth day can now come into effect with six hours of play lost on Day 1 itself.
“It is disappointing, the rain was forecast, unfortunately. It is one of those things that as cricketers we need to adapt, unfortunately, we can’t control, for us, it is about waiting for an opportunity to come.
“There is day 6 as well so there is a bit of extra time that we can use. So wait and see and have a look tomorrow.”
Latham said his team is not looking too far ahead.
“It is hard to predict the game this far out, when you start on day 1, you obviously want to start well and result flow on from the first and second innings,” he said.
“From our point of view, it is about when we get a chance to go out there and execute our plans best as possible and to be in a position to push the game forward.
“But yeah, it is hard to say what a perfect scenario may look like, until both the teams have batted on the surface.”
New Zealand Playing XI
Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
Dale Steyn vs Virat Kohli is a contest we have seen a few times in the past, but it was during a time when Steyn was at the peak of his bowling prowess while Kohli was a young and promising youngster on the fast track to becoming one of the world’s best.
Dale Steyn on Virat Kohli
The sight of Steyn in his peak bowling to Kohli today would have made for a fascinating viewing. Having said that, if it were to happen, or if Steyn is to still play a few matches for South Africa and come across Kohli in an ODI or T20I, how would it fare? Well, the South Africa fast bowler has the answer as he revealed his plan of bowling to India captain Kohli.
“You’ve got to play the mind games with Virat. I would look at putting somebody in at short leg. I would let him know that I’m going to come at him, come at his body, want to come quickly at him. And I’d want him to try and pull, because I feel like that’s his B game,” Steyn told Sanjay Manjrekar on ESPNCricinfo.
Dale Steyn
“I’d want him to think I’m going to go short, but I’ll probably bowl six full balls to him to be honest. I’ll probably try to get him to nick every single ball, but I’ll be telling him, ‘it’s coming I’m going to hit you in the head you know’. I’m not going to swear at him but let him know that that short leg is in business,” said Steyn.
Kohli and Steyn have shared a close camaraderie from their time in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the team which gave Steyn his IPL swansong last year.
“Whenever I meet him, he gives me the biggest hug, and it’s been consistent throughout. Even if we have to play a game before that, we are always really friendly… I think I’ve shared a great friendship with a lot of South African players over the years, and Dale has to be one of the more special ones,” Kohli had said about his RCB teammate on the eve of 2015 World Cup.
Best of Dale Steyn Bowling
The fast bowler had announced his retirement from Test cricket on August 5, 2019, in an attempt to prolong his limited-overs career. He finished his career in the longest format with 439 wickets at an outstanding average of 22.95.
However, he has continued to play for the Proteas in the T20 format; his most recent international appearance came against Australia in February 2020.
India batter Smriti Mandhana believes that more opportunities to play Tests can help cultivate a better understanding regarding approaching the closing stages of each session in a day’s play.
Smriti Mandhana on playing Test Series
In her first innings, Mandhana made 78 before her wicket became part of a collapse that started late in the final session of the second day, as India slipped from 167 for 0 to 183 for 5 – in all they lost all 10 wickets for 64.
On the opening day, England, too, had suffered a collapse after tea losing 4 for 21 before the close.
“I think that will just be an excuse to give,” Mandhana said when asked about the trend around a flurry of dismissals coming about towards the end of sessions in the match.
“But we can consider for sure that we aren’t used to batting beyond 50 overs that much. But I wouldn’t say I got out because of lack of experience in Test matches because I threw my wicket away in the last session of yesterday”.
Smriti Mandhana playing in Test match
“But, definitely, I think a slight pressure of ending the day being not out, that might play a bit of a part [in the loss of wickets in a heap] and that will come with experience. The more we play Test matches, the more we’ll get used to the conditions – one over before lunch or one over before the day’s end and all those sessions, so we can be more mature about [approaching them] and not take the pressure.”
Mandhana’s half-century in the first innings was pivotal to India putting on their highest opening stand in the format in response to England’s 396 for 9 declared.
Ninety-six runs in that record 167-run opening tally came from 17-year-old debutant Shafali Verma.
On the penultimate day of the Test – the standard length of women’s Tests is four days – Verma got India off to a brisk start in their second innings, having fallen 15 shy of their follow-on mark.
After Mandhana’s dismissal, Verma pressed on to bring up her fifty off just 63 balls. In doing so, Shafalibecame the first Indian, and the youngest player from any country, to make half-centuries in both innings on Test debut in women’s cricket.
Shafali Verma
“It’s quite impressive to watch her bat from the other end,” Mandhana said of Verma, who is also her designated opener partner in T20Is.
“I think we both are very similar [in our approach] to keep things simple, so we don’t really discuss much about batting in the middle. The way she changed her game and the kind of maturity she showed at this stage of her career, it’s very positive for Indian cricket going forward. Her shots, in T20Is I’ve always watched them from the other end. It’s amazing what she does. I hope she keeps going the way she is.”
Mandhana, who had played only two Tests before, made her debut in the format at age 17, in the Wormsley Test in August 2014.
In the India XI for the Bristol Test, she is one of the six players with prior Test experience. On Friday, she praised the performances of India’s five debutants – Taniya Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, and Verma.
“All the debutants have really got onto a good start,” Mandhana said.
“In general, everyone was excited to play this Test match, and not just the debutants because we all are playing after a very long time, so I think it is a really special match. But all the debutants have really stepped up – Deepti, Shafali, Pooja, and even Taniya with the catch [of opener Lauren Winfield-Hill in the first innings] – everyone has done a lot of contribution.”
Mandhana got off the mark in her second innings with a cracking punch off fast bowler Katherine Brunt that went for four through backward point.
But her 13-ball stay ended in the fifth over when she edged a wide, fullish delivery from the same bowler to be caught by Natalie Sciver at the second slip.
“Really disappointed,” she said when asked to review how the day had ended for India, on 83 for 1, forced into early stumps due to rain.
“But, of course, before the game stopped, before lunch, I got out, so definitely disappointed.
“I would have loved to stay there and come back fresh tomorrow to bat again, but that’s what the day’s cricket is, so we’ll take it. But Shafali and Deepti stitched in a good partnership at the end, so I think at the end we were in a good position.”
“The conditions changed slightly [on day three],”she said. “It was just windy, but it wasn’t swinging that much that it was not playable or something. It was good conditions to bat on still even if conditions were cloudy or overcast.
“We just needed to take a few minutes initially. Of course, I lost my wicket, but I wouldn’t say that it was a very good ball. I think I gave away my wicket because it wasn’t that great a ball.”
Rohit Sharma believes that keeping things “simple and realistic” against a quality side like New Zealand should be the way to go for the Indian team in the World Test Championship final, the opening day of which has already been affected by a heavy downpour.
Rohit Sharma on Facing NZ
Rohit, who will be opening for the first time in England, is also confident of tackling the New Zealand attack, having faced it enough in the shorter formats.
“I have played those guys and know about their strengths and weaknesses. It will all boil down to what the conditions are, what sort of situation the team is in, whether we are batting first or second,” Rohit told broadcasters ‘Star Sports’.
The marquee game’s opening session was rained out here on Friday.
“All that will count and it’s important not to overthink. Against a quality side, it is also very important to keep things simple, and realistic,”said the senior opener, who has scored 1000 plus runs in the World Test Championship cycle as an opener.
A white ball superstar, Rohit loves the traditional format for the challenges that it poses for sustained periods of play.
“You are challenged for five days and which I think doesn’t happen anywhere. Every day brings a different challenge, a longer game that needs patience, you play in different conditions and it’s not the easiest,” he said.
“You have to be mentally fresh for five days to make good decisions on the field. Physically you need to be fit to accept and overcome those challenges,” he added.
Meanwhile, on the eve of the WTC final, India announced their playing XI, with no major surprises there. Rohit Sharma along with Shubman Gill were chosen as the openers. The middle-order duties lie on the shoulders of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant. The two all-rounders are R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
The fast-bowling duties will be shared by Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan once again comes up with a distasteful tweet against team India. In his Tweet, he mentioned that “India have been saved by the weather” in the WTC 2021 final match against New Zealand.
Michael Vaughan Trolls India
The entire cricket universe lambasted ICC for choosing England as the venue for this historic clash.
Notably, persistent rains are common during the month of June in England, and hence ICC’s planning did not make sense to many ardent followers of the game, who were also miffed during the 2019 World Cup in England due to similar scenarios.
However, former England captain Michael Vaughan came up with another distasteful tweet for Team India.
“I see India have been saved by the weather,” he tweeted.
Trolling has a limit. And you have crossed that @MichaelVaughan you are respected coz you are a national cricketer of England. Dont take it as a advantage.
The familiar tweet from Vaughan got a familiar bashing from the fans. The 46-year-old had recently courted controversy after comparing Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson. Vaughan had called Williamson a greater player than Kohli and that was perfectly fine. It were the later comments which irked fans.
“I think Kane Williamson is up there with the great players across the three formats and he certainly matches Virat Kohli”.
“It’s just he doesn’t have the 100 million followers on Instagram and doesn’t earn the $30-40 million or whatever Virat gets every year for his commercial endorsements,” Vaughan had said.
However, the WTC 2021 final match is expected to kickstart from the second day as the weather turns out to be in favor.
