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    Jadeja Recalls the Dressing Room Talks after Adelaide Loss

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    Jadeja
    Jadeja

    Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja explains the dressing room talk after suffering a crushing defeat in the first Test in Adelaide.

    India’s defeat in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide was a hard pill to swallow for the team and also for the fans. Despite being ahead for most of the Test, the Indian batting order bowed down to the Australian pace attack on Day 3, getting bowled out for just 36 (with Mohammed Shami getting injured).

    The score was the lowest for India in Test history giving Australia a target of 90 runs, which was chased by the Tea. Team India was under immense after the mammoth collapse and it was the only Test when Virat Kohli led the team as he was set to return home for paternal leave.

    However, Team India defied all odds and fought their way back and went to defeat Australia 2-1 after a historic win at the Gabba.

    Jadeja Recalls the dressing room Talk after Adelaide loss

    While speaking to Sports Today, Ravindra Jadeja revealed the conversation that took place inside the dressing room after the Adelaide loss.

    “I think after Adelaide’s loss, it was a bit tough. You know bounce back from there. Especially in Australia, playing against Australia. It was tough as Australia’s bowling attack was very strong. That was the discussion we had in the team meeting,” Jadeja said.

    “We decided to look at it as a 3-match series from thereon. ‘Let’s forget about the first Test, it’s a three-game series for us’. We decided that we will create positive energy in the ground and boost each other’s confidence by talking, not think or talk about Adelaide Test,” Jadeja added.

    “I personally decided that I will practice batting in Australia. I had a positive mindset that whenever I will get the chance I will contribute to the team’s cause,” he further said.

    Rahane Breaks Silence on Racial Abuse Over Indian Players

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    Ajinkya Rahane opened up on the racial abuse incident in the SCG Test
    Ajinkya Rahane opened up on the racial abuse incident in the SCG Test

    Border Gavaskar trophy 2021 winning captain Ajinkya Rahane finally reveals his views on the racial abuse over Indian players. Indian bowlers Siraj and Bumrah were racially abused by Australian fans during day 3 and 4 of the third Test.

    Rahane on Racial Abuse over Indian players

    Rahane, while speaking to Sports Today, revealed why he turned down the on-field umpires’ offer to leave the field midway after Mohammed Siraj was subjected to racial abuse by the crowd in Sydney.

    “What happened in Sydney was really sad. With Siraj and a couple of others. We had to take a stand. Yes, I said that we are not going out of the field, we are here to play cricket,” Ajinkya Rahane told Boria Majumdar in an exclusive interview with Sports Today.

    “At the same time, we respect our players so if you can actually take those guys out who used bad language. We are here and we can start the game. We didn’t want to lose that momentum. At the same time, we respect our players and I am always there for my players,” Rahane added.

    Following the repeated misbehavior by the SCG crowd on Day 3 and Day 4, Cricket Australia had issued a strong statement against discrimination and hold that there’s no place in cricket for racism.

    Siraj was the main target of the spectators in the racism incident, who later went onto being India’s leading wicket-taker in the series (13 scalps). It was his debut series and he exceeded expectations with his temperament and overall skills.

    Even the likes of Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill, T Natarajan, Shardul Thakur made a mark in India’s memorable fightback and series triumph.

    Rahane-led India won the second Test at the MCG, Melbourne, showed grit, determination, and incredible resilience to earn an inspiring draw in the third Test, at the SCG. Defeated Australia at their fortress, Gabba, Brisbane, to claim the series 2-1.

    T Natarajan Recalls “Tearful Moments ” in Australia Tour

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    Times of Sports
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    Rahane Handing Over The Test Trophy To Debutant T Natarajan
    Rahane Handing Over The Test Trophy To Debutant T Natarajan

    Indian pace bowler T Natarajan opens his view on making the debut in Australia and recalls the interesting incidents that happen on the tour.

    Natarajan on his Australia tour

    “I was keen to do my job. But I didn’t expect to get an opportunity in the ODIs, was not expecting to make my debut in Australia,” Natarajan told reporters in Chinnappampatti in Salem district.

    “When I was told that I will be playing there was pressure. I wanted to make use of the opportunity. Playing and taking a wicket was like a dream.”

    T Natarajan
    T Natarajan

    Natarajan took three wickets in the series-deciding Test, playing a part in India’s incredible win. “I cannot express my happiness in words about playing for India. It was like a dream. I got a lot of support from the coaches, players. They supported and motivated me a lot. I was able to perform well because of their backing,” he said in Tamil.

    Nattu on playing under Dual captains

    Natarajan said he enjoyed playing under the captaincy of both Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, adding they both supported and encouraged him a lot.

    “Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane handled me very well. They had positive things to say and encouraged me a lot. I enjoyed playing under both of them,” he said.

    The moment when Kohli handover trophy to Nattu

    He made his ODI debut in the third and final match of the three-match series and picked up two wickets with Marnus Labuschagne being his maiden international scalp. Natarajan said he got emotional when Kohli handed the trophy to him after the team won the T20 series.

    “When Kohli handed over the trophy to me after the T20 series win, I had tears in my eyes,” he added.

    Virat Kohli hands over the trophy to T Natarajan
    Virat Kohli hands over the trophy to T Natarajan

    T Natarajan on Sharing Dressing Room with senior players

    Asked about sharing the dressing room with international players, Natarajan said it was tough initially but he was able to pick up many things from them.

    “Having played in the IPL and played alongside many Indian and foreign players helped as that experience was useful. I could communicate with them and learn from them. First, it was tough but as things went on, I was able to pick up many things,” he added.

    He said Australian opener David Warner, his captain at Sunrisers Hyderabad, had good things to say about him.

    “Warner said he was very proud of me. He was happy to see my progress. He told me during the match that you are very lucky and told me that I was doing well because my daughter had been born,” the Tamil Nadu pacer said.

    Natarajan, whose daughter was born while he was playing the IPL in UAE, said he did miss seeing her but playing for the country was a matter of pride for his family. Natarajan, a late bloomer at 29, said he first aimed at playing for Tamil Nadu.

    “My first aim was to play for Tamil Nadu, step by step everything happened, it was like a dream. Hard work is the key, it will take one places. I thank Almighty for everything.”

    Natarajan thanked his family, friends, Salem’s district cricket association, and current Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) secretary R S Ramasaamy for supporting him. He skirted a question on the racial abuse faced by his India pace colleague Mohammed Siraj in Australia, saying the seniors handled the issue.

    David Warner Praises T Natarajan in Tamil For his Impressive Debut Test

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    Times of Sports
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    David Warner praises Natarajan in Tamil
    David Warner praises Natarajan in Tamil

    Australian opener David Warner praise his IPL teammate T Natarajan for his impressive performance in the Australia Test tour. SRH retained T Natarajan in IPL 2020 for a whopping Rs. 4 crores.

    David Warner praises T Natarajan

    Natarajan became the first Indian cricketer to make his debut in all three formats – T20I, ODI, and Test – on the same tour.

    The left-arm seamer who was drafted into the India T20I side for the Australia series after an injury ruled out another uncapped cricketer Varun Chakravarthy, played all three matches before being asked by the team management to stay back as a net bowler for ODIs and Tests.

    As it turned out, Natarajan played an ODI and then went on to make his Test debut in the final Test in Brisbane after a string of injuries ruled out India’s first-XI players.

    “First thing I’d like to say is Vazhthukal Nattu, you’re an absolute legend. I’ve got so much time for you, you’re a great person on and off the field and I love having you in our team. Cheers!” Warner said on Sports Today.

    Natarajan’s brilliant performance for the Sunirsers in the IPL earned him his maiden call-up for the Indian side. Warner, who was instrumental in treating Natarajan as one of SRH’s main weapons, said he was fortunate to lead the youngster.

    “I was fortunate enough to captain Nattu. He’s an amazing guy, humble and a true gentleman. What a talent he is, we’ve just seen a guy who played unbelievably well in the IPL 2020, going on tour with the Indian team as a net bowler while sacrificing being there for the birth of his first child and then making his debut in all forms… what a magnificent achievement.

    “I couldn’t be any happier and pleased for him. I’m very pleased and excited to see what he has to offer in this year’s IPL as well. He knows what he has to do, he knows how to bowl in certain situations.”

    “The way we used him – outside the powerplay, maybe an over in the powerplay and bowling alongside Rashid Khan in partnership worked very well. I think he bowled 80 yorkers in the tournament which is an exceptional display of death bowling whenever he did come on. I’m extremely excited to see what he brings to the table this year,” Warner said.

    Natarajan’s homecoming celebration

    Natarajan got a grand reception in his village after returning from the Australia tour.

    “We saw first-hand yesterday the response that his home town gave him, it was extremely humbling to see. You had a guy there getting a thorough warm welcome for him and for what he’s achieved,” Warner said.

    India vs England, First 2 Test Matches Set to Play Behind Closed Doors

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    Times of Sports
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    England vs India Test Match
    Joe Root Virat Kohli

    The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) secretary RS Ramasaamy on Friday has announced that the first two Test matches of the four-match series between India and England will be played behind closed doors at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

    India vs England to play Behind Closed Door

    “Yes…crowd will not be allowed for the two-Test matches as a preventive measure in view of the virus situation,” he told PTI.

    Also, a circular dated January 20 has been sent out to TNCA members saying that the decision to play the matches behind closed doors was taken along with the BCCI.

    “In view of the prevailing COVID pandemic, the BCCI has decided not to take any kind of risk with the safety of the players during the forthcoming India-England Test series,” the circular read.

    “As per the BCCI directive, the first two Test matches between February 5 and February 17 being held at M A Chidambaram stadium will take place behind closed doors (No Spectators/Guests/Sub-Committee Members) as a preventive measure,” it added.

    Both the team will reach Chennai by January 27 as the players will undergo the COVID-19 tests before entering the bio-secure bubble created by BCCI.

    It must be noted that the Indian government had recently announced that outdoor sporting events could be conducted with 50 percent of spectators after following the standard operating procedures.

    The first Test is scheduled from February 5.

    India have announced the squad for the first two Tests of the series as some of the key players who missed the Australia Test series returned to the 16-member team including Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, and Ishant Sharma.

    India squad 

    Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel

    Standbys

    KS Bharat (wicketkeeper), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Chahar, Priyank Panchal

    Net bowlers

    Ankit Rajpoot, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Warrier, K Gowtham, Saurabh Kumar

    Bharat Arun Praises Jadeja as the “Complete All-rounder”

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    Times of Sports
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    Jadeja is India's Best Spinner Across Formats
    Ravindra Jadeja

    India bowling coach Bharat Arun heaps praise on Ravindra Jadeja for his unbeaten all-rounder performance in Australia tour.

    With his impressive performance, Jadeja makes a crucial inning with both bat and ball in all three formats played in Australia. That too in the 3rd Test Jadeja’s run-out dismissal of Steve Smith considered as one of the finest dismissals in 2020.

    Bharat Arun Praises Jadeja

    Jadeja, who did not feature in the first Test against Australia because of an injury, came back into the side for the second Test in Melbourne and immediately left his mark in all three departments of the game.

    “The way he is batting, Jadeja is today the most complete all-rounder we have and it is an exceptional sign for India,” Arun said in a virtual press conference on Friday.

    Jadeja
    Jadeja

    Jadeja scored an important 57 with the bat and stitched a partnership with captain Ajinkya Rahane to set up the foundation for India’s win in Melbourne. In the third Test in Sydney, he picked four wickets in the first innings and scored 28 with the bat before being hit on the thumb by a bouncer, which ruled him out of the final Test.

    “Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have been magnificent. They are number one spinners in the world plus Jadeja’s rise as an all-rounder is a huge bonus for the country. The way he is batting, Jadeja is today the most complete all-rounder we have and it is an exceptional sign for India,” Arun said in a virtual press conference on Friday.

    Jadeja Ruled out of England Series

    Jadeja is not a part of the Indian side for the first two Tests in the upcoming four-match series against England starting February 5 but various reports are suggesting that Jadeja might be ruled out of the entire series because of the fractured thumb.

    Mohammad Siraj Spotted With New BMW Car Post Australia Return

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    Siraj drives a brand new BMW Car
    Siraj drives a brand new BMW Car

    India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj on Friday posted a video of a luxury car(BMW) on his Instagram handle. The BMW car can be seen with a temporary registration plate indicating that it is brand new. Siraj also posted a video of him driving the car in Hyderabad.

    The 26-year-old pacer was one of the standout performers for India as the team recorded a second consecutive 2-1 Test series win over Australia Down Under, the earlier being on the 2018-19 tour.

    Making his debut in the second Test after Mohammed Shami was injured, Siraj was fast-tracked and became India’s lead pacer in the fourth and final Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, after Jasprit Bumrah also got injured.

    Ravi Shastri Praises Siraj

    Siraj ended up taking a five-wicket-haul in the match and was India’s highest wicket-taker in the series with 13 wickets. His contribution helped India become the first team in 32 years to beat Australia in a Test in Brisbane.

    “Find of the tour for shoring up the bowling attack the way he did — Mohd Siraj. He fought through personal loss, racial remarks and channelised them to find home in the team huddle,” said head coach Ravi Shastri said in a tweet about Siraj on Friday.

    Watch Siraj Driving his BMW car

    Siraj refused to fly back to India

    Earlier, Siraj’s father Mohammed Ghaus had passed away before the Test series began. Offered the chance to fly home, Siraj declined and chose to stay back in the bio-bubble. Now as the Indian cricket team has finally arrived home, one of the first things the 26-year old pacer did was visit the grave of his late father and pay his respect with a prayer.

    Speaking on his decision to stay back during the series, Siraj revealed that it wasn’t an easy thing to stay back but he felt strong after talking to his mother.

    “It was a tough situation, dad’s demise. I got strength after talking to mom and my focus was to realise dad’s dream. I got mentally strong with their support and felt that whatever was dad’s desire, I have to fulfill that. It got fulfilled,” Siraj had said.

    Siraj also remembered his late father during the Sydney Test. Before the match began and as the national anthems were blaring out, the cameras picked up images of a teary-eyed Siraj as he sang the anthem.

    Bishan Singh Bedi Suggests Kohli to Step Down from Captaincy

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    Times of Sports
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    Bishan Singh Bedi suggest Virat Kohli to focus on batting
    Bishan Singh Bedi suggest Virat Kohli to focus on batting

    India spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi suggests Virat Kohli to step down from captaincy. After the Virat Kohli less India’s marvelous victory over Australia many suggest Kohli to step down from Test captaincy.

    Bishan Singh Bedi Advices Kohli to step down from Captaincy

    “I hope I’m not giving the impression of bending my back to build a case for Rahane to take over as Test captain,” Bedi wrote in his column for The IE. “If anything my sincere aim is to prolong Virat Kohli’s batting career for the country.

    India beat Australia in Gabba and lifts the series trophy
    India beat Australia in Gabba and lifts the series trophy

    Shared responsibilities in cricket are different from corporate/political fields whence individuals are almost vying for cut-throat glory. In sports, especially cricket, captains can be seen swimming or sinking with the teams they lead.”

    Bedi further suggests that India can have three different captains across formats with Rahane leading in Tests while Kohli and Rohit sharing the responsibility in limited-overs cricket.

    Bedi needs Kohli to focus on his batting

    “Another ticklish thought pops up in my mind: Does India need Virat Kohli the great batsman or Virat Kohli a mediocre captain in the long run? Providence has provided us with an instant option. Rahane can lead in Tests while Kohli and Rohit Sharma can share the duties in white-ball cricket,” he said.

    Virat Kohli
    Virat Kohli

    “Maybe Kohli can offer to make an honourable way for Rahane to take over during the series against England at home. I can assure no bad blood would be caused when we ensure that the larger picture on the canvas is Indian cricket,” he added.

    Bedi, who took 266 wickets in 67 Tests, praised Rahane’s captaincy while drawing comparisons with the legendary India captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

    “Personally, I am floored with the way Rahane conjured magic from broken bodies around him,” Bedi wrote.

    “The way he handled his meagre resources reminds me of Tiger Pataudi, who throughout his captaincy tenure was woefully short of a well-rounded unit but his leadership alone gave Indian cricket fresh legs. It was Pataudi who defined an “Indianness” in our cricket. He infused in us a thrilling sense of being together in this ride.

    “The hallmark of any captain is his ability to handle the bowling resources. This is where yours truly has become an absolute “mureed” of Rahane. Three Tests is good enough time to assess a captain’s bowling changes and fielding placements. I tried hard but I couldn’t find a single Rahane move which could be questioned by armchair critics like me,” he added.

    Sridhar Opened Up on How Ravi Shastri Paved the Way for India’s Glorious Win

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    Sridhar in a youtube channel with Ashwin recalls the moment how Ravi Shastri motivated India towards a massive win against Australia
    Sridhar in a youtube channel with Ashwin recalls the moment how Ravi Shastri motivated India towards a massive win against Australia

    Fielding coach R Sridhar has opened up about how Ravi Shastri pep talks that paved the way for the Virat Kohli-less side to bounce back after the infamous 36 all-out defeat at the hands of the mighty Aussies in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

    The long-serving fielding coach has revealed what Shastri told the crestfallen side after they were bundled out for 36 – their lowest-ever innings total in the longest format.

    Sridhar Recalls the moments of Ravi Shastri

    In a youtube show conducted by R Ashwin, India’s fielding coach explains how Ravi Shastri bundled up team India together after the 1st Test loss.

    India lost the Test match in a humiliating manner and with a barrage of criticism that came their way in its immediate aftermath, the side could have easily fallen away.

    But this is where the man-management skills of Ravi Shastri came to the fore. According to R Sridhar, a day after the shambolic defeat, Shastri gatherer the entire team and urged them to wear 36 like a badge of honor.

    “After 36 all-out, you didn’t know what’s next. Then Ravi (Shastri) bhai gathered the team and said: ‘Wear this 36 like a badge on your sleeves and you will be a great team’,” Sridhar told news agency PTI.

    Watch the full episode of Ashwin and Sridhar’s chat

    Episode 1

    Sridhar also revealed that departing skipper Kohli provided some ‘lovely suggestions’ for the 2nd Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

    The Rahane-led unit turned the tables on Australia, a week later when they routed the hosts by eight wickets in the Boxing Day Test to level the rubber 1-1.

    The tourists then proceeded to pull out a draw for the ages in Sydney to ensure that we went into the final Test with the series locked at 1-1.

    Episode 2

    Then in Brisbane, the ultimate miracle happened as a heavily depleted Team India shocked the Aussies to not only chase down a record fourth-innings total of 328 at the venue but also breach the fortress after a period of 33 years to clinch their second consecutive Test series win Down Under.

    Also read: R Sridhar Explains How Virat’s Mid-night Meeting Helps India Comeback from 36 All-Out

    Virat Kohli’s Mid-Night Meet to Comeback from 36 All-Out: Coach Sridhar

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    India's fielding coach Sridhar recalls the moment of having a 12:30 AM meeting with Virat Kohli after the 1st Test vs Australia
    India's fielding coach Sridhar recalls the moment of having a 12:30 AM meeting with Virat Kohli

    India’s fielding coach R Sridhar recalled the moment when the Indian coach unit have a midnight meeting with Skipper Virat Kohli after the 36 run all out in 1st Test at Adelaide. In a youtube show hosted by R Ashwin, R Sridhar recalls the mindset of the coaches brfore the preparation of 2nd Test vs Austraia.

    Conversation between Ashwin and R Sridhar 

    R Ashwin

    Virat just came to all of us and said ‘Boys, I’m returning home.’ It was like a chat that happens at a college farewell. I thought in my mind ‘Bro, don’t go, we’ve just been bowled out for 36, we need you.’ (Laughs). What were your thoughts?

    R Sridhar

    It was midnight, around 12.30am, the night we lost the Adelaide Test.

    Virat Kohli messaged me: ‘What are you doing?’ I was shocked.

    I thought ‘why is he messaging at this time?’ and told him ‘head coach [Ravi Shastri], myself, Bharat Arun and Vikram Rathour are sitting together’.

    He said, ‘I’ll also join you’. I said, ‘no problem, come over.’ He came there and all of us started discussing.

    That’s where ‘Mission Melbourne’ began. Shastri made a point there: ‘This 36, wear it like a badge! This 36 is what will make this team great’.

    Mission Melbourne

    We were slightly confused but then we started talking about the decisions we’d have to take. Then Virat called Ajinkya the next morning and we [coaching staff] had a very good discussion.

    Watch the full video here.

    After a 36 all-out, usually teams would strengthen their batting. But Ravi Shastri, Virat and Ajinkya decided to strengthen the bowling. That’s how we replaced Virat with Ravindra Jadeja, and it was a masterstroke.

    Shastri wanted to have more left-handers. He felt because of the presence of only right-handers, the Australians kept bowling at that one spot, so if we bring in a left-hander, their lines may vary, and it may work for us tactically. So, most of the decisions were taken there and it was decided that we’ll go in with five of our best bowlers.

    India comeback with strong and win the Border Gavaskar Test series with 1-2.

    Baroda Batsman Deepak Hooda Suspended from Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

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    Deepak Hooda
    Deepak Hooda

    Baroda cricketer Deepak Hooda has been suspended from the remaining ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The announcement after Hiooda misbehaved with Baroda skipper Krunal Pandya during the net session.

    Deepak Hooda Suspended from Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

    “The apex council decided that Hooda won’t be considered to represent the Baroda team for the current domestic season. The decision was taken after considering reports from team manager and coach about the incident as well as communication with Hooda,” said Satyajit Gaekwad, chairman, BCA press and publicity committee.

    Hooda won’t be able to participate in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Tournament as well any upcoming domestic competition in the season. “Hooda can again play for Baroda for the 2021-22 season,” Gaekwad told TOI.

    BCA joint secretary, Parag Patel said, “Hooda did the wrong thing by walking out of the team without discussing his issues with the management. But banning him for the entire season was unnecessary. He could have been reprimanded for his act and then allowed to play.”

    Hooda’s Reply 

    Hooda, who has played 46 first-class and 123 T20s for Baroda had claimed that Pandya stopped him from practicing ‘showing his Dadagiri’.

    “Today I was practicing in nets and doing my preparation for tomorrow’s game with the permission of Head Coach Mr. Prabhkar. Then Krunal came in nets started misbehaving with me. I told him that I’m doing my preparation with the permission of the head coach.

    He told me that ‘I’m the captain, who is the head coach? I am the overall of the Baroda team. Then he stopped my practice showing his Dadagiri,” Hooda had alleged in a letter to BCA.

    However, BCA chief executive officer Shishir Hattangadi told Cricinfo that he spoke to Pandya as well as Baroda head coach Prabhakar Bairgond and team manager Dharmendra Arothe and found the 25-year-old exaggerating the incident.

    As per Hattangadi, Pandya had only ‘insisted’ the players, including Hooda, to do fielding drills, and Hooda instead carried on with his batting drills. An argument ensued as Pandya “exercised his authority” to maintain “decorum” of the team environment, as per Hattangadi.

    Stating Hooda’s outburst as unwarranted, the former Mumbai first-class player informed in the e-mail that he has spoken to Hooda’s IPL franchise – Kings XI Punjab – and will be writing to BCCI of his misconduct.

    BCCI Introduced a New Fitness Test For Central Contracted Players

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    BCCI launches a new running test for BCCI contracted players
    BCCI launches a new running test for BCCI contracted players

    BCCI includes a new test for the BCCI contracted players apart from the YO-YO test. Owing to the “growing physical demands of international cricket”, the Indian cricket board has introduced mandatory 2-km time trials to measure speed and endurance levels in its training program for top players.

    New Test for BCCI contracted players

    It will now be mandatory for the BCCI’s contracted players and those vying for a place in the Indian team to clear this trial, apart from the yo-yo test, to be picked in the squad.

    “The Board felt that the current fitness standard played a huge role in getting our fitness to the next level. It is important to take our fitness level to another level now. The time trial exercise will help us to compete even better. The Board will keep updating the standards every year,” a BCCI official told.

    According to the new norm, the benchmark for fast bowlers is 8 minutes and 15 seconds. For batsmen, wicket-keepers, and spinners, the standard will be 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The minimum yo-yo level for all remains at 17.1.

    To place the new norm in perspective, elite athletes are expected to complete 2 km in around 6 minutes, and amateurs in 15 minutes.

    The contracted players were informed about the new mark, which has been approved by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah, in Australia. They were told that the Board has created three windows to carry out the test this year: February, June, and August/September.

    For now, the Board has made an exemption for those who were part of the Test series in Australia. However, those who are in contention for the white-ball series against England will have to undergo this test. It will also be a key criterion in selection for the T20 World Cup, which will be held later this year.

    The test — the criteria will be updated later — will be held in the presence of a strength and conditioning member from the BCCI or National Cricket Academy.

    Former India team trainer Ramji Srinivasan says a time trial is better than the yo-yo and “most effective” test. “It is more functional towards cricket. This will test speed, threshold zones, how you plan your running pace. And you can’t cheat as this is time-based,” he said.

    BCCI’s YO-YO Test

    The BCCI had introduced the yo-yo test a few years ago, and it became a key parameter for selection to the national team. Players like Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, and Sanju Samson had failed the test before, which resulted in them being excluded from the squad.

    In the yo-yo test, two cones are placed 20 metres apart, and the athlete has to run between them when the beep goes off. The beeps become more frequent after one minute, and if the athlete fails to reach the line within that time, he is expected to catch up within two more beeps. The test is stopped if the player fails to catch up before the beeps run out.

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