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Indian Football Team Gears Up for Crucial World Cup Qualifier in Abha

At 2,470 metres above sea level, it would perhaps be the first time each one of the Blue Tigers would play at such a high altitude….reports Asian Lite News

With their chances bright of making, it to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the Indian senior men’s football team has travelled to Saudi Arabia to this town, nicknamed the Bride of the Mountain, for an away match against Afghanistan.

The temperature was a pleasant 20 degrees Celsius on the first day of training for the Blue Tigers, who travelled to the capital of the Asir province for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match late on March 21 (early on March 22 morning).

At 2,470 metres above sea level, it would perhaps be the first time each one of the Blue Tigers would play at such a high altitude. Acclimatisation to such conditions had to be the first order of business, and so, the national team landed in Abha as early as possible after the ISL paused for the international break. Led by skipper Sunil Chhetri, all 25 of the Indian team members underwent their first training session on Saturday evening.

“Since our match will kick off at 22:00 here, we have moved our daily schedule forward a few hours so that players can adjust their biorhythm accordingly,” said head coach Igor Stimac. The kick-off has been set at late night due to Ramadan.

This international break sees the first India call-up for three players — defenders Amey Ranawade and Jay Gupta, and winger Imran Khan. India head coach Igor Stimac opened up about their qualities which impressed him the most, making them worthy of donning the India blue.

“Amey was in our plans a long time ago before he suffered an injury. He is an intelligent young player with good ability and needs time to start picking up experience at this level.

“Jay has shown interesting offensive capabilities but we still need to work a lot on his defensive shape and positioning. Imran, we believe, can add something extra to the competition for midfield positions. He’s been consistent in taking shots from a distance and creating danger so we need to check how good he can be at this level,” he said.

Stimac believes this is the chance for the new boys to prove themselves, play consistently and keep earning future call-ups. “I don’t expect miracles from anyone. We believe in process and patient work. This will serve us to see how they respond to our demands and if we can count on them in the future,” said the Croatian.

But the doors of the national team aren’t open to only players in the Indian Super League. The eyes of the coaching staff are on the entire Indian footballing pyramid. Stimac spent his last week in India, watching various ISL, I-League and local matches. Sharing his observations, he said, “I watch all the games throughout the season but this time, I especially went to see some of our youngsters playing in the I-League.

“My dear Mahesh (Gawali) is responsible for following I-League players and I wanted to see some of the boys he mentioned to me play live like David (Lalhlansanga) and Bikash (Sagolsem) of Mohammedan (Sporting), Sourav of Gokulam (Kerala FC) and Edmund (Lalrindika) of Inter Kashi. I’m happy with what I have seen and we will keep following their progress,” he said.

“The problem is that the I-League calendar wasn’t adjusted to FIFA windows and clubs need them now, so they will miss this opportunity of representing the U23s in Malaysia. But I am sure this will change soon,” added Stimac.

FIFA Boosts Football Development Funding

The FIFA Council unanimously approved the Annual Report 2023 and the increase of investment in football development to 2.25 billion U.S. dollars, the world football governing body announced on Thursday.

FIFA confirmed that the budget for the 2023-2026 cycle is almost seven times as much as the investment in the development programs prior to 2016.

The Annual Report will be submitted to the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 17, 2024 for final approval.

The Congress will hold a vote on the host(s) of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Bangkok after FIFA received a bid from Brazil, a joint bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as a joint bid from Mexico and the United States.

The FIFA Council also supported the FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s call to fight racism in football, FIFA said.

ALSO READ: Cricket Ascends to New Heights!

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Cricket Ascends to New Heights!

Cricket, as one says is a religion in India. This may have been an understatement earlier, but it has soared to such heights to give it a true meaning now…reports Asian Lite News

The most wonderful development in sports, at present, revolves around the game of cricket. Cricket lovers, from the relatively few cricket-playing countries in the world, have now moved to every nook and corner of the globe. It is through these cricket-loving followers that the game is growing and soaring to new heights.

India has become the centre-point of the game’s popularity and has now touched and crossed all genders, castes, religions and any other adverse taboos related to it. Cricket has become the focal point on which Indians rich or poor, old or young, from streets to farms, cities to villages have taken it to be the sport to revel in.

Cricket, as one says is a religion in India. This may have been an understatement earlier, but it has soared to such heights to give it a true meaning now.

Red-ball cricket was the sole proprietor of the game, the white-ball brought in a change and now the hard tennis ball has come to stay. The five days of cricket are gradually moving towards a 10 overs affair, one in which one’s strength, hand-eye coordination and aggression, play a far greater importance than the skills and technique required earlier.

Hyderabad, May 18 (ANI): Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Virat Kohli celebrates his century during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, in Hyderabad on Thursday. (ANI Photo/ Digital Restriction)

The television and digital screen has Indian cricket being showcased in all forms of its avatar. The screen had India playing Test cricket against England which they won with style and flair.

The Indian and International women cricketers are playing the popular WPL T20. The last stage of the domestic Ranji Trophy was also in progress and has now been won for the 42nd time by Mumbai.

The Indian actors were playing a serious Celebrity Cricket League amongst themselves. Not to be missed even in their old age, former cricketers are playing the Legends League.

The new entrant that has taken the street players to the stadium in Mumbai has been the Indian Street Players League (ISPL), the T10 tennis-ball cricket league. With Sachin Tendulkar playing and endorsing it, the tournament has sowed the seeds of another form of cricket that could see a huge rise in the popularity of the game. Especially, as it is far safer to play it, rather than facing a hard leather cricket ball.

Tennis ball cricket is not a novel idea, every cricketer and cricket-lover has in his cricket journey been a part of it. In India, it was the cheapest form of the game, in which one required just a ball and a wooden bat to play.

The cricket battles between buildings in Mumbai, streets, villages, and local establishments around India have been as seriously fought as one sees in stadiums in an international match. For it to now transcend into the stadiums around the country will be quite a journey.

The most encouraging and positive movement in the expansion of the game of cricket has recently been seen through women and girls finally getting the platform to play it seriously in India.

The second edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India has been a super success. Unknown and young Indian cricketers are blossoming through it and many more will emerge in the near future.

Women’s cricket around the world is progressing by huge strides and India, one feels, will be the hub of its growth in years to come. The Indian women’s cricket stars are now as revered as the men, their popularity is what will drive the young girls of tomorrow into a game that parents earlier had restricted them to do so.

The British, through their world dominance at one time, may have spread, introduced and established cricket where they were present, however, the phenomenal rise that one sees now shows how the royal and wonderful game is now rising on its own.

The popularity of Test cricket and the characteristics it embedded were a strong base for the sport to establish itself. The transformation that has taken place through the shorter version of it, has been phenomenally successful.

The staunch old followers and connoisseurs of cricket may find the change rather concerning. However, as one says, change is inevitable and they will need to change as well. Cricket has found a new lease of life through it and every form of the game seems to have something different to enjoy and relish.

The cricket-playing nations have all established themselves. However, the growth of cricket will come forth from the countries one never imagined would delve into it. The United States of America, the Middle East and Europe are the new serious entrants into the sport. They are all establishing their T20 and T10 leagues.

The Major League cricket tournament in the United States has a few of the richest and most established international companies supporting it. The International League (IL) T20 also endorsed as the DP World ILT20 is a rich cricket tournament sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board. Whereas, in Europe, I was privileged to witness the European Cricket League, a T10 tournament, played between 31 European countries.

Cricket is gradually growing and leaping towards becoming a sport that is capturing the interest and hearts of people worldwide.

It has the character, the class and the royal pedigree to grow even further. The World Cup T20 in June 2024 and the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 in the United States will be just the right note to hit, to put cricket into the big league of sport. After all, it was at St. George’s Cricket Ground in New York in 1844 that the first-ever international cricket match was held between the US and Canada.

Cricket truly is soaring to new heights.

ALSO READ: ‘Return Feels Like Debut’

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‘Return Feels Like Debut’

Pant has been cleared by the NCA to play as a wicketkeeper-batter, though DC picked other keeping options in Abishek Porel, Ricky Bhui and Kumar Kushagra in case he doesn’t keep wickets initially…reports Asian Lite News

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant said he feels like it’s his debut all over again ahead of his return to competitive cricketing action after 14 long months. He was declared fit by the BCCI on Tuesday to participate in the upcoming edition of the IPL.

Pant underwent an extensive rehabilitation and recovery process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru following a life-threatening road accident in December 2022. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time. It feels like I’m going to make my debut again. To be able to play cricket again after everything I’ve been through is nothing short of a miracle.

“I’m grateful to all my well-wishers and fans, and most importantly, the BCCI and staff at NCA. All their love and support continues to give me immense strength,” said Pant in a release issued by the franchise ahead of joining DC’s pre-season camp in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

Pant has been cleared by the NCA to play as a wicketkeeper-batter, though DC picked other keeping options in Abishek Porel, Ricky Bhui and Kumar Kushagra in case he doesn’t keep wickets initially. DC will play their first two home games – against Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders – at Visakhapatnam.

“I’m excited to return to Delhi Capitals & the IPL – a tournament I enjoy so much. Our team owners and support staff have been by my side throughout with their full support, guidance and co-operation at every step, for which I am deeply grateful. I can’t wait to re-unite with my DC family and play in front of the fans again,” said Pant.

Pant’s availability means his return to cricket could come on March 23, when Delhi open their season with an away match against Punjab Kings at Mohali. “We’re delighted to welcome Rishabh back to the Delhi Capitals family. The kind of grit and resilience he has displayed in overcoming challenges is inspirational to say the least.

“We’re humbled to have been a part of his journey to recovery, which has been exceptional. Rishabh’s return is one of the most highly anticipated ones in recent times, and I can’t wait to see him compete again,” said Parth Jindal, DC’s Chairman & Co-owner.

“Rishabh’s return is tremendous news not just for all of us at Delhi Capitals, but for Indian cricket. We’re glad to have assisted and supported him whenever there was a requirement. We are tremendously excited to see him back in DC colours, and can’t wait to watch him entertain the fans. Our best wishes are with him,” added Kiran Grandhi, DC co-owner.

ALSO READ: Ashwin Explains Why Rohit Stands Out

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Ashwin Explains Why Rohit Stands Out

Sharing the experience of the day, Ashwin talked about Rohit Sharma on his YouTube channel and said ‘there’s something in him that makes him a leader….reports Asian Lite News

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed the support he got from skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid when he had to fly back home due to a medical emergency in the family during the third Test at Rajkot.

Ashwin had to withdraw from the second Test after the second day’s play because of a family medical emergency and missed the entire day three, with the statement of his overnight withdrawal from the match. Ashwin had picked his 500th Test wicket in the form of England opener Zak Crawley on Day Two of the third Test in Rajkot becoming the second fastest to the milestone.

However, Ashwin rejoined the squad on Day 4 of the third Test after being unavailable for the third day. Sharing the experience of the day, Ashwin talked about Rohit Sharma on his YouTube channel and said ‘there’s something in him that makes him a leader.’

“When I got the news about my mother, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid came to my room and arranged a charter flight at 9:30 pm. I have played under many captains but there’s something in him that makes him a leader,” Ashwin said on his YT channel. “Rohit has got a good heart, someone with five IPL titles, God doesn’t give it easy – he should get something bigger than all that, which God will give him, In such a selfish society, a man who thinks about someone else’s well-being is a rarity,” he added.

Ashwin, who debuted in Tests in November 2011 against the West Indies, became the 14th Indian player to play 100 Test matches for India in the fifth Test at Dharamshala.

The veteran off-spinner also became just the second bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan to achieve 500 wickets in less than 100 Test matches.

India clinched the five-match Test series against England 4-1 after losing the first Test at Hyderabad

ALSO READ: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Unbeaten 95 Powers Mumbai Indians to Victory

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Kohli in WC Doubt: Agarkar Holds Key

The national selectors and the team management are ready to take some harsh decisions ahead of the tournament….reports Asian Lite News

Virat Kohli might get snubbed from the T20 World Cup squad, and his selection hangs now on chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s decision, say a report.

According to The Telegraph, the national selectors and the team management are ready to take some harsh decisions ahead of the tournament. The BCCI doesn’t want to get involved in this and has left it to the selection committee and the team management to take a call.

“It remains a very delicate matter and not many are willing to get involved,” the report stated.

Kohli played his last T20I series against Afghanistan in January where he scored 29 & 0 in two matches. It is understood that Agarkar had a chat with Virat before the series regarding the change in the T20I approach that Virat implemented in the T20I series against Afghans.

The West Indies’ slow wickets are also seen to be an unsuitable surface for him. Nothing has been suggested regarding a change in plans despite the selectors’ prolonged flirting with the subject.

With selection hanging on Agarkar, Virat will have to perform exceedingly well in the upcoming Indian Premier League. It will once more be up to Agarkar to take up the cause and persuade Kohli that he needs to create room for the next generation.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah had confirmed Rohit as captain for the World Cup during the Rajkot Test but remained silent on Kohli. “We will discuss Virat’s role in due course,” Shah said.

It is believed that younger players like Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav are better equipped to lead the team. It is also anticipated that Hardik Pandya, who has been out since the middle of the October ODI World Cup, will return to action.

A few days before the final Test in Dharamsala, Rinku joined team India players for a photo shoot for the T20 World Cup. Rinku has had an incredible performance in the 15 T20 internationals, with a strike-rate of 176.23.

Although the wicketkeeper’s position is still up for debate, it is understood that the selectors have shortlisted the individuals. Although his fitness is still an issue, KL Rahul appears to be the best option.

Another player who has gained attention is Dhruv Jurel, who will be keenly monitored during the Indian Premier League after making an encouraging debut in the Test series against England.

India had played well, winning 4-1 at home in the T20I series against Australia in November, under Surya’s captaincy. After the first game washed out, the three-match series in South Africa was tied 1-1.

The provisional squads for the T20 World Cup have to be sent to the ICC by the first week of May. India have been kept in Group A alongside Pakistan, USA and Canada. India will start their campaign against Canada on June 5.

ALSO READ: England’s Batting Debacle Echoes, Hussain Warns

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Indian Startup Ecosystem Flourishes

Nearly 32 early and growth-stage startups raised more than $384 million last week, startup news portal Entrackr reported on Saturday….reports Asian Lite News

At least 27 startups in India raised about $307.8 million this week, which includes 17 early-stage and seven growth-stage companies.

Nearly 32 early and growth-stage startups raised more than $384 million last week, startup news portal Entrackr reported on Saturday.

Seventeen early-stage startups raised about $166.8 million, like mPokket, Ema, Hunch and Rozana, among others.

Startups based in Delhi-NCR led the funding with 10 deals, followed by Bengaluru at 9 deals.

Digital lending platform mPokket raised up to Rs 500 crore (around $60 million) in debt capital from BPEA Credit’s private credit platform.

mPokket said that the funds will be used to meet the growing credit demand from its 24 million registered customer base while accelerating product development in the career accelerator and insurance verticals.

Rural e-commerce startup Rozana received $22.5 million in the latest funding round. The round was led by the investment firm Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) with participation from the VC firm Fireside Ventures and existing investors.

“With this funding, we will continue building out our logistics and supply chain infrastructure to reach new districts and empower rural communities with access to essential products,” Ankur Dahiya, CEO and Co-founder of Rozana, said in a statement.

Generative AI solutions provider Ema announced a $25 million funding round and the launch of a novel “universal AI employee.”

More than 1.14 lakh startups in India have created over 12 lakh jobs so far, the Finance Ministry said in its latest review of the Indian economy.

ALSO READ: Indian Startups Raise $307.8 Million in Funding This Week

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England’s Batting Debacle Echoes, Hussain Warns

Hussain urged England to get better in individual performances and not focus on the Bazball strategy…reports Asian Lite News

Following England’s 4-1 Test series loss to India, former captain Nasser Hussain has pointed out that the visitors’ batting collapses on the tour will be the main issue which the team think-tank needs to solve.

England had won the series opener in Hyderabad by 28 runs, but after that, batting collapses of 6-68 in Visakhapatnam, 8-95 in Rajkot, 7-35 in Ranchi, and 9-118 in Dharamshala ensured the Ben Stokes-led side couldn’t win the series against a dominating Indian team.

“The batting collapses will be the main issue from this tour. There have been so many occasions where they have got off to decent starts and the middle order has then collapsed. It can happen in India but the pitches in this series have been brilliant so England can have no complaints about that.

“Plus, they won three tosses out of five. They will look at those collapses and say, ‘what could we have done differently in those positions to make sure it doesn’t happen again?’ because it did happen again,” said Hussain on Sky Sports after the end of fifth and final Test at Dharamshala, where England lost by an innings and 64 runs.

He also urged England to get better in individual performances and not focus on the Bazball strategy, citing how Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav have made improvements. “There is too much said and written about Bazball. We get lost in that term and the team do not like it. It is about individual performances in those conditions.

“The reason James Anderson, who took his 700th wicket in the Test, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who took nine wickets in his 100th Test, have ended up greats of the game is because they are constantly trying to improve. After a poor Ashes series, Jimmy wanted to increase his run-up speed going into the crease, feeling he needed a bit more zip at the age of 41.

“Ashwin is learning all the time, about seam positions and how to deliver the ball. You also look at Version Two of India spinner Kuldeep Yadav. That is so much better than Version One because he has tried to improve.

“Try to learn why you collapsed. Why does Zak Crawley keep getting starts and then getting out? Does Ben Duckett need to charge the bowler when the ball is so new and spinning? Ollie Pope – a brilliant 196, then nothing else. Look at your own game and improve. That is how you get better as players and better as a team.”

Hussain signed off by saying Anderson reaching 700 Test wickets is a ‘phenomenal’ achievement and Shane Warne’s tally of 708 wickets will be now in his sights to surpass. “There will be fast bowlers in club cricket, professional cricket that will be looking at Anderson in unbelievable admiration.

“If you have ever seen a fast bowler take his boots off in the corner of a dressing room and seen blood seeping through their socks, you will realise what a fast bowler goes through in international cricket. Fitness, skill, longevity. The skill of Jimmy Anderson is unbelievable and the great Shane Warne, with 708 Test wickets, will be the next man in his sights.”

ALSO READ: Didi buries Cong alliance hopes

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Harmanpreet Kaur’s Unbeaten 95 Powers Mumbai Indians to Victory

Electing to bat first, Gujarat Giants posted a strong score of 190/7 in 20 overs, riding on blazing half-centuries by skipper Beth Mooney (66 off 35 balls) and Dayalan Hemalatha (74 off 40 balls)…reports Asian Lite News

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with an unbeaten 95 as she helped Mumbai Indians come up with a strong finish and overcome Gujarat Giants by seven wickets in Match 16 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Saturday.

With this win, Mumbai Indians rose to the top of the points table and also qualified for the Playoffs, raising 10 points from seven matches, winning five wins and losing two. After suffering their fifth defeat in six matches, Gujarat Giants remained at the bottom of the points table with two points.

Electing to bat first, Gujarat Giants posted a strong score of 190/7 in 20 overs, riding on blazing half-centuries by skipper Beth Mooney (66 off 35 balls) and Dayalan Hemalatha (74 off 40 balls).

In reply, Mumbai Indians were down to 98/3 in the 14th over before Harmanpreet Kaur and Amelia Kerr raised 93 runs for the fourth wicket, scoring 75 runs in 30-odd balls with Harmanpreet Kaur going great guns. Mumbai Indians eventually managed to reach 191/3 with just one ball to spare.

Mumbai Indians had started their chase of the target of 191 on a bring note with Yastika Bhatia (49) and Hayley Matthews (18) raising 50 runs for the opening wicket before Matthews was out, caught by Sneh Rana off Tanuja Kanwar. Nat Sciver-Brunt also fell quickly, caught by Sneh Rana off Shahnam MD with the score reading 57.

Yastika and Harmanpreet took the score to 98 runs before the former was caught and bowled by Ashleigh Gardner for 49, her knock coming off 36 balls, hitting eight boundaries and one six.

Harmanpreet Kaur continued to keep Mumbai Indians hopes alive, scoring runs freely as she completed her half-century off 33 balls, hitting six boundaries and one maximum. Harmanpreet and Amelia Kerr added 50 runs for the fourth wicket off just 22 balls with Harman blazing 36 runs and Kerr adding nine runs in the process.

Mumbai Indians reached 150 runs in the 18th over and went on as Harmanpreet Kaur changed the complexion of the match by hammering 24 runs off the 18th over bowled by Sneh Rana. With 47 runs needed off 18 balls, Harmanpreet Kaur struck Rana for three fours and two sixes off her India teammate. She struck Tajuna Kanwar for a six in the next over as Mumbai Indians scored 10 runs.

With 13 needed off the last six balls, Harmanpreet launched Ashleigh Gardner for a six off the first delivery and a six off the next delivery as they reached 191 with singles off three off the last four balls.

Earlier, Mooney and Hemalata raised 121 runs for the second wicket partnership, with Mooney scoring 66 (8×4, 3×6) and Hemalatha adding 74 (9×4, 2×6). Mooney completed her fifty off 27 balls while Hemalatha reached the mark off 28 balls. they took the score to 139 before Mooney was bowled by Sajeevan Sajana. Bharati Fulmali blazed 21 off 13 balls as Gujarat Giants reached a competitive score.

They could have won the match but for the magical innings by Harmanpreet Kaur.

Brief scores:

Gujarat Giants 190/7 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 66, Dayalan Hemalatha 74; Saika Ishaque 2-31) lost to 191/3 in 19.5 overs (Yastika Bhatia 49, Harmanpreet Kaur 95 not out; Ashleigh Gardner 1-22) by seven wickets.

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Baffled by ‘Bazball’ Ahead of Final Test

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Rohit Sharma Baffled by ‘Bazball’ Ahead of Final Test

India are 3-1 up in the series and will look to end the series on a high note with a win at Dharamshala…reports Asian Lite News

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma admits that he is still puzzled by the term “bazball” despite praising England’s valiant approach and aggressive mindset of play ahead of the fifth and final Test match at HPCA starting on Thursday.

Ever since Brendon McCullum took over as England’s head coach and Ben Stokes assumed the captaincy, their unconventional approach to Test cricket, dubbed “bazball,” had captured imaginations worldwide.

However, after India beat England by five wickets in Ranchi to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the 5-Test series, it marked the first Test series loss for England since McCullum took over the major role.

“I just don’t know what bazball means. I haven’t seen wild swinging from anyone. England have played better cricket than they were here last time. But I still don’t know what bazball means,” said Rohit Sharma in the press-conference.

But the India captain wasn’t one to miss a chance to inject some humour into the proceedings. When England opener Ben Duckett praised Yashasvi Jaiswal for his attacking cricket, Rohit couldn’t resist reminding him of the flamboyant Rishabh Pant, who was known for his audacious strokeplay.

“When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they’re playing differently than how other people play Test cricket,” Duckett had said in the third Test.

Rohit reminded Duckett about India wicketkeeper-batter Pant, who is currently out of action due to multiple injuries he suffered during a car crash in December 2022.

“There was a guy called Rishabh Pant in our team, probably Ben Duckett hasn’t seen him play,” Rohit said.

As the conversation turned to the series itself, Rohit reflected on India’s ability to bounce back from tough situations. Indeed, it had been a rollercoaster ride with moments of brilliance and resilience.

“It has been a series of comebacks for us. Whenever we were put under pressure we were able to put the pressure back on the opposition. That was pleasing for me,” he said.

India are 3-1 up in the series and will look to end the series on a high note with a win at Dharamshala

ALSO READ: Ashwin Gears Up for 100th Test

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Bumrah Tops, Hazlewood, Lyon Follow

The Aussie duo shared 14 wickets between them in Australia’s emphatic 172-run victory in the opening Test in Wellington….reports Asian Lite News

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon have narrowed the gap with ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the latest ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings following their exceptional performance in the opening game against New Zealand.

With India pace spearhead Bumrah leading the way on the list for Test bowlers, both pacer Hazlewood (up one place to fourth) and spinner Nathan Lyon (up two spots to sixth) have been rewarded for the performance in Wellington.

The Aussie duo shared 14 wickets between them in Australia’s emphatic 172-run victory in the opening Test in Wellington.

Hazlewood picked a pair of New Zealand wickets in each innings while Lyon helped himself to 10 scalps in total as Australia dominated the contest at Basin Reserve.

New Zealand’s Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips each collected a five-wicket haul during that first Test against Australia, with the former moving up seven places to 18th on the list for Test bowlers and the latter improving 19 spots to 48th.

In the batting chart, Australia batter Cameron Green has advanced towards the top 20 after his unbeaten century helped Australia defeat New Zealand by 172 runs in the first Test in Wellington.

Green, who was named Player of the Match for his 174 not out in the first innings, has moved up 22 places to 23rd position.

New Zealand batter Kane Williamson remained on top of the batting chart despite scores of just zero and nine in Wellington while Steve Smith, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne slipped down the rankings.

Smith has dropped a position to third (behind Joe Root) after scores of 31 and zero, the first time he has gone below 800 rating points since 2014. Labuschagne is out of the top 10 for the first time since December 2019 after managing just three runs in the match.

With Head also slipping one slot, India batters Virat Kohli (one spot to be placed eight, Yashaswi Jaiswal (up two places to 10th) and Rohit Sharma (up two places to 11th) have all gained in the rankings.

The latest weekly update to the men’s rankings also considers performances in the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Ireland in Abu Dhabi.

Mark Adair has moved up 30 slots to 69th position among bowlers after finishing with an eight-wicket match haul that helped Ireland win their first Test in history.

Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Paul Stirling and Andy McBrine have all moved up within the top 100 in the batting rankings.

Afghanistan batter Hashmatullah Shahidi has gained five slots to reach 81st position while Naveed Zadran has moved up 32 places to reach 79th position among bowlers.

ALSO READ: Bairstow Set for 100th Test, Calls It ‘Hell Lot’