More
    Home Blog Page 808

    Ravindra Jadeja Dismissed Steve Smith with ‘the Best’ Direct Hit

    0
    Steve Smith Dismissal by Jadeja
    Steve Smith Dismissal by Jadeja

    Australia were all out for 338 on Day 2 of the SCG Test, with the last wicket of the innings falling through a spectacular fielding effort from Ravindra Jadeja to dismiss Steve Smith. Smith struck form with a 131, and he was the last man out in the hosts’ innings.

    Jadeja dismissed Steve Smith 

    The last wicket fell when Smith was trying to stretch out the innings as long as possible, batting with Number 11 Josh Hazlewood. He tried to take a second run after having pushed the ball to the leg side, but he had not accounted for Ravindra Jadeja running in from deep square leg.

    The throw was a direct hit, giving Smith no chance to complete his second run.

    Sanjay Manjrekar praises Jadeja

    The famous Indian commentator Sanjay Manjrekar makes a creepy comment on Steve’s dismissal. “Seemingly impossible that only Jadeja the fielder could have made possible. Not just the accuracy of the throw but the sheer speed of the throw was the key to that run-out. Absolutely brilliant!” tweeted Sanjay Manjrekar.

    Jaddu’s view on direct hit dismissal

    Asked what will he like to watch, the four wickets he got or the run-out, the senior all-rounder replied: “I will rewind and play this run-out as this is my best effort. A direct hit from outside the 30-yard circle and that’s like a moment that gives you that satisfaction.”

    “Three or four-wicket hauls are fine but this run-out will stay with me,” said the Saurashtra all-rounder.

     

    BBL 2020: Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights | AS Won by 60 Runs

    0
    BBL 2020 Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights
    BBL 2020 Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights

    BBL 2020 Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights: Both the team lock their horns to play the 29th league match of BBL 2020. Melbourne Renegades is in pressure to win the match in order to avoid the dangerous position in the BBL 2020 points table.

    Match: Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers

    Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

    Toss Details: Adelaide Strikers won the toss and opt to bat

    Playing XI

    Adelaide Strikers

    Philip Salt, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey(w/c), Jonathan Wells, Jake Weatherald, Ryan Gibson, Rashid Khan, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle, Harry Conway.

    Melbourne Renegades

    Aaron Finch(c), Sam Harper(w), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Beau Webster, Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim, Jack Prestwidge, Josh Lalor, Noor Ahmad, Kane Richardson.

    BBL 2020 Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights

    Adelaide Strikers Batting

    Renshaw and Philip Salt get into the crease to lead Adelaide Strikers. Imad Wasim opens the attack on behalf of Melbourne Renegades.

    Renshaw and Philip Salt need to build an impressive opening partnership to make a massive run target. But in an alternate K Richardson in the 4th over dismissed Philip Salt for 8 runs and makes the first blow for Adelaide Strikers.

    Matt Renshaw and skipper Alex join hands for the first wicket and starts to lead Adelaide Strikers. The duo as expected makes an impressive partnership and leads Adelaide Strikers to score 68 runs for the second wicket down.

    Nabi makes that blow by dismissing Renshaw for 35 runs. At the end of the 10 overs, Adelaide Strikers scored 70 runs for 2 wickets loss. Imad Wasim soon in the followed over dismissed Wells and Carey for 2 and 24 runs and loads pressure over the batting unit.

    Ryan Gibson and Jake Weatherald join hands and lead Adelaide Strikers to score massive 171 runs for 5 wickets loss at the end of the 20 overs.

    Melbourne Renegades Batting

    Finch and Mackenzie Harvey get in to lead Melbourne Renegades to chase the target of 172 runs. Conway opens the bowling attack on behalf of Adelaide Strikers.

    Conway in the very first delivery dismissed the skipper Finch and makes a massive blow for the Melbourne Renegades. Mackenzie Harvey and Sam Harper join hands and expected to lead Melbourne Renegades to make a massive opening partnership.

    The duo leads Melbourne Renegades to score 38 runs for 1 wicket loss at the end of the 5th over. Adelaide Strikers needs to break the partnership in order to restrict the run flow. Briggs in the 10th over dismissed  Sam Harper for 31 runs and breaks the partnership.

    At the end of the 10th over Melbourne Renegades scored 68 runs for 2 wickets loss. Melbourne Renegades needs 104 runs in 10 overs. Wes Agar in the followed over dismissed Mackenzie Harvey for 34 runs.

    Melbourne Renegades struggles to face Adelaide Strikers’ aggressive bowling attack. Melbourne Renegades starts to lose wickets in back to back overs and lost all the 10 wickets while scoring 111 runs.

    Adelaide Strikers beat Melbourne Renegades by 60 runs.

    Watch BBL 2020 Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers Highlights

    Player of the Match

    Ryan Gibson

    It was a nice little period for me. Good to spend some time out in the middle which I haven’t done much lately. It was about playing proper cricketing shots as we knew it was a good batting surface.

    It (the season) has been a bit of a whirlwind and great to be part of this team. The class that we have with our bowlers, we know we can defend anything. Playing at home in front of our home crowd is massive, hopefully, this is the jump-start we needed to go deep in the tournament.

    Rishabh Pant Injured, Replaced by Saha in the Ongoing Test vs Australia

    0
    Rishabh Pant injured in 3rd Test vs Australia
    Rishabh Pant injured in 3rd Test vs Australia

    India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has been taken for scans after he injured with a hit on the right elbow by Pat Cummins on day three of Australia vs India Test. Wriddhiman Saha has come in as the concussion substitute for Pant after India were bowled out for 244.

    Rishabh Pant injured in 3rd Test of Australia vs India

    It all happened on the penultimate delivery of the 85th over when Pant’s attempt to pull Cummins brought a substantial amount of discomfort for him. With the ball not bouncing as much as expected, Pant ended up playing over the ball and resultantly missing it.

    In the process, the ball went on to hit his left elbow causing severe pain. With the southpaw immediately falling down, he received medical attention from the Indian physio which caused a significant delay.

    After receiving the medical treatment and visibly getting taped on the elbow, Pant resumed batting. Still looking in pain, the 23-year old player was soon dismissed by Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood after the former edged a fuller delivery to David Warner at first slip.

    Rishabh Pant replaced by Saha

    Pant has not been good with the gloves on as he faced backlash for dropping crucial catches. Looks like a good scenario for India with Saha donning the gloves. Saha is rated as a better gloveman compared to Pant and hence it could be a blessing in disguise for India.

     

    Jadeja’s Curly Hair and Beard: Melinda Farrell Reaction

    0
    Australian fans love Jadeja's Curly Hair
    Australian fans love Jadeja's Curly Hair

    Ravindra Jadeja‘s curly hair and beard have made some new fans for him from Australia. Jadeja certainly made an impact on Day 2 of the third Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground with his bowling and fielding prowess.

    However, the guy seems to be making fans Down Under with his grooming as well.

    Australian fans love Jadeja’s Curly Hair

    Freelance presenter, journalist, and commentator Melinda Farrell went on Twitter to voice her astute observation about the ongoing Test match between the two cricketing giants in Sydney, more specifically, that about Jadeja.

    “One more important thing about Jadeja that I’ve observed this series. He now has the best hair in men’s international cricket. I feel very strongly about this,” she tweeted.

    Her followers and some other fans of the game happened to agree with her:

    Ravindra Jadeja was clearly the best player in the Indian squad during Australia’s first batting innings. Having gone wicket-less on Day 1, the all-rounder scalped four of them on Friday followed by a staggering run-out to dismiss Steve Smith and wrap up their batting lineup for a total of 337.

    Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle described Jadeja as a ‘three-dimensional player’ and could not have been more accurate. We have already seen his brilliance with the ball and on the field. Given his form with the bat in limited-overs cricket for the country during the Australia tour, he is expected to play a key role in India’s attempt to go 2-1 for the series.

    Also read: Ravindra Jadeja and Sarah Taylor Conversation: Late Night Twitter Chat

    Couple of UAE Cricketers Test Positive for Covid19

    0
    Chirag Suri
    Chirag Suri

    UAE cricketers Chirag Suri (vice-captain) and uncapped left-arm spinner Aryan Lakra have tested positive for Covid19, ahead of the team’s ODI series against Ireland.

    UAE Cricketers Tests COVID19 Positive

    Emirates Cricket Board are hosting Ireland for a four-match ODI series commencing today at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Ireland have won the toss and elected to bat in the first ODI.

    According to a statement from the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), “Both players are currently in isolation, are being monitored and are in good health.”

    It is as yet unclear what impact – if any – the development will have on the series, which began today, in Abu Dhabi, where all four matches will be played. The ECB’s statement suggested things will go ahead as planned, with “all areas immediately and thoroughly sanitized as per existing protocols” and “no further positive tests returned”.

    Suri was making a comeback following injury for this series, while Lakra was one of four new faces in the 17-man squad, alongside Alishan Sharafu, Kashif Daud, and Adithya Shetty.

    Following the UAE series, Ireland will remain in the country to play ODIs against Afghanistan. Since the New Year, the daily number of fresh Covid-19 cases in the country has averaged around 2000.

    The series will be played out entirely at one venue, something that has become a familiar sight for cricket fans as the sport comes to grips with the ‘new normal’ in a world still attempting to fully deal with the issues caused by Covid-19.

    Ireland’s last international matches came in July-August 2020 when they toured England for a three-match ODI series played out entirely at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, with the hosts running out 2-1 winners.

    By contrast, UAE have had to wait nearly a year to get back to the cricket field. Their last international outing came in a ACC Twenty20 Cup encounter against Kuwait on February 27, 2020 in which they emerged victorious by 102 runs.

    Playing XI

    Ireland 

    Paul Stirling, Gareth Delany, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Harry Tector, Kevin O Brien, Lorcan Tucker(w), Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young.

    UAE 

    Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza (c), Muhammad Usman, Vriitya Aravind(w), Chundangapoyil Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Zawar Farid, Palaniapan Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Kashif Daud.

    Also read: Afghanistan-Ireland ODI Series Rescheduled Due to Delayed Visas

    Afghanistan-Ireland ODI Series Rescheduled Due to Delayed Visas

    0
    Afghanistan-Ireland ODI series rescheduled due to delayed visas
    Afghanistan-Ireland ODI series rescheduled due to delayed visas

    Cricket Ireland has moved the fixtures of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, which was slated to begin on January 18.

    The three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Ireland, which was scheduled to start on January 18, has been rescheduled due to the delayed arrival of the hosts in the UAE.

    Ireland-Afghanistan ODI Rescheduled

    The three ODIs, which are part of ICC’s World Cup Super League, were scheduled to be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 18, 21, and 23 but the start has been postponed by three days The ODIs will now be played on January 21, 24 and 26 at the same venue.

    Ireland
    Ireland

    Richard Holdsworth, High-performance director for Cricket Ireland, said that they have agreed to the new fixtures. ”We were pleased to accommodate the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s request for a slight extension of the tour understanding that the delayed arrival time of the Afghan side, combined with their quarantine requirements meant that the previous schedule could not be achieved,” said Holdsworth on Wednesday.

    He adds that “We are pleased that after discussions over recent days, an agreement was reached on keeping the series in Abu Dhabi after the Afghanistan squad’s visas came through,” he added.

    We are thankful to the Emirates Cricket Board and Abu Dhabi Sports Council in working with us to ensure the series will be played in a safe and healthy environment.”

    Prior to that, Ireland will be up against UAE, before they move on to the matches against Afghanistan.

    Ireland vs UAE

    Ireland will lock horns with UAE before they play Afghanistan in the World Cup Super League fixtures later this month. On Wednesday, Ireland pacer David Delany left the squad after complaining of knee pain following training in Abu Dhabi.

    Meanwhile, Josh Little will join the Irish side on Thursday. Little was originally named in the 16-man squad, but in mid-December, he was forced to self-isolate after a close contact tested positive.

    The four-match Abu Dhabi ODI series between UAE and Ireland will begin on Friday.

    Also read: Cricket Ireland Announced the Squad for ODI Series vs UAE, Afghanistan

    BBL 2020: Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder Highlights | BH Won by 5 Wickets

    0
    BBL 2020 Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder Highlights
    BBL 2020 Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder Highlights

    BBL 2020 Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder Highlights: Both the team lock their horns to play the 28th league match of the BBL 2020 tournament. Sydney Thunder needs to win the match in order to claim the top position in the BBL 2020 points table.

    Match: Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder

    Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane

    Toss Details: Sydney Thunder won the toss and opt to bat

    Playing XI

    Sydney Thunder 

    Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson(c), Sam Billings(w), Oliver Davies, Ben Cutting, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Adam Milne, Tanveer Sangha.

    Brisbane Heat

    Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Joe Denly, Jack Wildermuth, Jimmy Peirson(w/c), Lewis Gregory, James Bazley, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

    BBL 2020 Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder Highlights

    Sydney Thunder Batting

    Khawaja and Hales get into lead Sydney Thunder. Xavier Bartlett opens the bowling attack. Xavier Bartlett in the very first over dismissed Khawaja for a duck and makes the first blow for the Sydney Thunder.

    Callum Ferguson and Alex Hales join hands and lead Sydney Thunder to score 40 runs for 1 wicket loss at the end of the 5th over. Soon the duo makes the 50 run stand and poses threat over the Brisbane Heat bowlers.

    Mujeeb soon in the 9th over dismissed Hales for 46 runs and breaks the partnership. At the end of the 10 overs, Sydney Thunders scored 81 runs for 2 wickets loss. Mujeeb again makes another blow by dismissing Ferguson for 35 runs.

    In the very next over Steketee dismissed Oliver Davies for a duck. Mujeeb again in the 14th over dismissed Billings for 22 runs and makes Sydney Thunder to score 118 runs for 5 wickets loss at the end of the 15th over.

    While losing back to back wickets Sydney Thunder scored 174 runs for 8 wickets loss at the end of the innings.

    Brisbane Heat Batting

    Bryant and Chris Lynn get into the crease to lead Brisbane Heat. While McAndrew opens the bowling attack on behalf of Sydney Thunder.

    Chris Green in the 4th over dismissed Bryant for 15 runs and makes the first blow for the Brisbane Heat. At the end of the 5th over Brisbane Heat scored 50 runs for 1 wicket loss. In the very next over Brisbane Heat loses another wicket in the form of Chris Lynn while scoring 30 runs.

    Joe Denly and Joe Burns join hands and lead for another wicket loss. At the end of the 10th Brisbane Heat scored 99 runs for 2 wickets loss. The duo join hands and leads Brisbane Heat to score 126 runs for the same 2 wickets loss.

    Sangha in the 15th over dismissed Denly and Gregory in back to back deliveries and loads pressure over the Brisbane Heat. Jimmy Peirson join hands with Joe Burns and makes the match-winning partnership. At the mid of the 20th over Brisbane Heat claims the victory by beating Sydney Thunder by 5 wickets.

    Watch BBL 2020 Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder Highlights

    Man of the match 

    Mujeeb Ur Rahman

     

     

     

     

     

     

    BBL 2020: Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Highlights | MS Won by 10 Runs

    0
    BBL 2020 Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Highlights
    BBL 2020 Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Highlights

    BBL 2020 Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Highlights: Both the team lock their horns to play the 27th league match of BBL 2020. Melbourne Stars need to win the match in order to secure a safe spot in the BBL 2020 points table.

    Match: Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes

    Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart

    Toss Details: Hobart Hurricanes won the toss and opt to bowl

    Playing XI

    Hobart Hurricanes

    Ben McDermott(w), D Arcy Short, Dawid Malan, Peter Handscomb(c), Colin Ingram, Tim David, Johan Botha, Nathan Ellis, Scott Boland, Riley Meredith, Sandeep Lamichhane.

    Melbourne Stars

    Andre Fletcher, Marcus Stoinis, Nick Larkin, Hilton Cartwright, Nicholas Pooran(w), Glenn Maxwell(c), Seb Gotch, Adam Zampa, Liam Hatcher, Sam Rainbird, Billy Stanlake.

    BBL 2020 Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Highlights

    Melbourne Stars Batting

    Andre Fletcher and Stoinis get into the crease to lead Melbourne Stars. Riley Meredith opens the attack on behalf of Hobart Hurricanes. As expected Riley Meredith makes the first blow for Melbourne Stars by dismissing dangerous Andre Fletcher for 10 runs.

    Nick Larkin then join hands with Stoinis for the first wicket and expected to make an impressive partnership. Riley Meredith in the last delivery of the 5th over makes another blow by dismissing Larkin for 4 runs.

    Skipper Maxwell get into the yard but soon Lamichhane in the 8th over dismissed Maxwell for 6 runs and loads pressure over Melbourne Stars. Melbourne Stars needs to make a massive partnership in order to make a massive run target.

    Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran join hands and make the must needed partnership. In the mid of the 12th over Stoinis reached his 14th BBL half-century. In the followed over the duo smashes a massive 21 runs off the single over and poses threat over the bowling unit.

    In the followed over Nathan Ellis dismissed Pooran for 26 runs and breaks the partnership. At the end of the 15th over Melbourne Stars scored 120 runs for 4 wickets loss. The opening batsman Stoinis stands unbeaten throughout the innings by scoring 97 runs from just 55 deliveries.

    At the end of the 20 overs, Melbourne Stars scored 183 runs for 6 wickets loss. 

    Hobart Hurricanes Batting

    McDermott and D Arcy Short gert into lead Hobart Hurricanes to chase down the massive target of 184 runs. Rainbird opens the attack on behalf of Melbourne Stars.

    Melbourne Stars needs to pick the early wickets in order to restrict Hobart Hurricanes to make a massive run chase partnership. Rainbird in the 5th over makes the first blow for Hobart Hurricanes by dismissing D Arcy Short for 8 runs.

    Ben McDermott then join hands with Dawid Malan and leads Hobart Hurricanes. The duo join hands for the first wicket. The duo leads Hobart Hurricanes to score 60 runs for 1 wicket loss.

    Melbourne Stars gets in pressure to break the partnership. Zampa in the mid of the 13th over dismissed Malan for 26 runs and breaks the partnership. Liam Hatchermakes the 17th over as expensive by letting Hobart Hurricanes to score 17 runs off the over.

    In the followed over Stanlake dismissed Ingram and breaks the dangerous partnership. Liam Hatcher again in the 19th over dismissed McDermott for 91 runs who played in his peak form.

    Without McDermott, Hobart Hurricanes lost the match by 10 runs.

    Watch BBL 2020 Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes Highlights

    Man of the match 

    Marcus Stoinis

     

     

     

     

    Sachin Tendulkar Extends Support to McGrath Foundation

    0
    Sachin gifted an autographed India Test jersey to Glenn McGrath.
    Sachin gifted an autographed India Test jersey to Glenn McGrath.

    Former Indian captain and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar extended his support to former Australian rival Glenn McGrath, a day before the commencement of ‘Pink Test’ between Australia and India in Sydney.

    The master-blaster gifted an autographed India Test jersey to McGrath which will be auctioned by the ‘McGrath Foundation’.

    Sachin Support Glenn McGrath

    Taking it to Twitter, Tendulkar shared a picture with the former Australian pacer, with both holding the autographed jersey.

    “Happy to lend my support to @McGrathFdn’s noble efforts during the #PinkTest to help patients dealing with breast cancer. It was wonderful meeting Glenn McGrath after long. My best wishes to him, his team & especially the nurses who are the backbone of this initiative,” wrote Tendulkar while giving his best wishes to Mcgrath.

    The Sydney Test at the New Year’s Eve is known as the ‘Pink Test’ as it majorly raises funds for the McGrath Foundation. It’s a breast cancer charity formed by the former Australia pacer in memory of his late wife Jane.

    In the lead-up to the iconic Pink Test, the McGrath Foundation called on Australia to help keep the ‘pink’ in the Pink Test by buying virtual Pink Seats to help raise 1 million dollars to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses.

    Pink Seats

    McGrath has asked people from across Australia to show their support for people with breast cancer by buying virtual Pink Seats.

    “The Pink Test has become a national phenomenon and we always look forward to seeing people pinking up with our bandanas to help bathe the SCG in pink as a symbolic show of support for those experiencing breast cancer and raising much-needed funds for the McGrath Foundation.

    But the reality is the Pink Test will look a little bit different this year. There will be less people in the crowd and sadly, we won’t have our much-loved volunteers on the ground collecting donations,” McGrath said in a statement.

    Recognised as one of the biggest charitable sporting events in the world over the last 13 years, the Pink Test partnership between the McGrath Foundation, Cricket Australia and the SCG Trust symbolises the best in the sport coming together to make a difference to those living with breast cancer.

    In third India vs Australia 3rd Test, Steve Smith looked dangerous and his understudy Marnus Labuschagne struck an unbeaten half-century as the hosts reached 166 for two on a rain-marred opening day of the third Test here.

    This was after debutant Will Pucovski, riding on some luck, made 62 on debut to break the shackles for the under-fire side.

    Ganguly Discharged from Hospital After Treatment for Cardiac Arrest

    0
    Ganguly discharged from hospital
    Ganguly discharged from hospital

    The president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former India captain Sourav Ganguly was discharged from the Woodlands hospital in Kolkata on Thursday.

    Sourav Ganguly Discharged from Hospital

    Ganguly, who was admitted to the hospital after suffering a mild cardiac arrest walked out while being accompanied by his wife Dona. “I am absolutely fine and hope that I will resume my work soon,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India president and the former national captain told reporters.

    “I also hope to fly soon,” he added.

    Ganguly suffered a heart attack while working out in his regular gym session on Saturday and was rushed to the Woodlands hospital in Kolkata. The BCCI chief underwent an angioplasty operation.

    “His heart today is as strong as it was when Sourav was 20 years old,” cardiac surgeon Devi Shetty told reporters.

    “Sourav can participate in a marathon, fly a plane, or even get back to cricket if he wants without this event being any setback.”

    However, Ganguly’s cardiac arrest was followed by a series of events on social media platforms as many accused an oil brand of which Ganguly is a brand ambassador of making false claims about a healthy heart through a cricket icon. The oil advertisements were pulled off the air because of the incident.

    The company said it was “a very unfortunate incident and can happen with anyone” as they confirmed a halt in the commercials.

    Ganguly retired from Test cricket in 2008 having scored 7,212 runs including 16 centuries. He also scored 11,363 runs in 311 one-day internationals. The former Indian captain is now the president of BCCI.

    Jasprit Bumrah Hands Test Cap to Debutant Navdeep Saini in Sydney

    0
    Bumrah Hands in the cap for Navdeep Saini 
    Bumrah Hands in the cap for Navdeep Saini 

    Navdeep Saini received his maiden India cap from the young Jasprit Bumrah in earlier to the 3rd Test vs Australia.

    Usually, a senior member of the team or a support staff hands maiden Test caps to debutants but Team India tasked another young bowler who is only 16 Tests old to do the honors at the SCG on Thursday.

    Notably, in Australia, former greats are invited to hand over Test caps to debutants and it was the assistant coach and former player Andrew McDonald who did the honours for debutant opener Will Pucovski on Thursday.

    Bumrah Hands in the cap for Navdeep Saini 

    Jasprit Bumrah is being seen as the leader of this Indian bowling attack under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy. With Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav missing out due to injuries, Bumrah has been tasked with the responsibility of leading the pace attack.

    It was a heartwarming moment as Bumrah came up with a short and sweet message for Saini before handing him the 299th India Test cap.

    “He has done a lot of hard work. He has come up the hard way. Well deserved and go well,” Bumrah can be heard telling Saini during the team huddle in Sydney. The young debutant was cheered on and applauded by the rest of the team, including head coach Ravi Shastri who gave a pat on Saini’s back after he received the Test cap.

     

    Saini came into the reckoning for the 3rd Test after impressing at the nets. The fast bowler had an ordinary ODI series and even had a back niggle but Umesh Yadav’s injury in the 2nd Test meant there was a spot in the bowling unit and Saini has made the most of the opportunity that was up for grabs.

    Notably, Saini made his limited-overs debut in August 2019 and had to wait for more than a year for his Test cap. The Haryana-born pacer has put in the hard yards after making his first-class debut as early as 2013. Saini has played 46 first-class matches and picked up 128 wickets.

    28-year-old Saini has often credited former India opener Gautam Gambhir for his rise in competitive cricket. It reportedly was Gambhir who saw Saini bowl at the nets and spoke to the Delhi Districts Cricket Association for giving the Haryana pacer a spot in the Delhi domestic teams.

    Australia vs India 3rd Test: Siraj Gets Emotional During National Anthem

    0
    Siraj
    Siraj

    Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, who made his Test debut during the rd Test between India Australia(7-December-2020) at Melbourne, got emotional when the national anthem was being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

    Mohammed Siraj Emotional moment in Australia vs India test

    The lanky fast bowler was seen wiping his tears rolling down his face when both teams lined up for their anthems. His bowling partner Jasprit Bumrah tried to lighten him up.

    The Hyderabad bowler, who lost his father during the start of the tour, has been exceptional with the ball in his debut Test match and has managed to get better of David Warner in the ongoing match as well. It was Siraj’s second over when he forced Warner to hand an easy catch to Cheteshwar Pujara at the slip.

    With his outstanding performance in the Boxing Day Test, he became the first debutant for India in seven years to pick five wickets in a Test match when he finished with a haul of five wickets for 77 runs in 36.3 overs.

    Mohammed Shami, who Siraj replaced in this Test, was the last India bowler to take at least five wickets in a debut Test when he got a nine-wicket haul against West Indies in Kolkata in November 2013.

    Meanwhile, Siraj was also seen getting emotional when he made his international debut during the second T20I against New Zealand in Rajkot in 2017. Siraj was picked in the starting XI in place of Ashish Nehra who had announced that he would be retiring from the game after the first T20I.

    The occasion seemed to have dawned on the then 23-year-old when he lined up with the rest of the team for the national anthem. Videos showed that Siraj got emotional towards the end of the national anthem and was rubbing his eyes.