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I’ve enjoyed the opener’s role: Rahul

I’ve enjoyed the opener’s role: Rahul

Eight of Rahul’s nine Test hundreds have come at the top of the order. | Photo Credit: ANI In the last 18 months, K.L. Rahul has batted at four different positions in Tests. Perhaps, being an immensely talented batter in a line-up filled with legends and stalwarts has this outcome, for that is probably the only way to shoe-horn you in. But Rahul is at his best as an opener, a position where eight of his nine centuries have come, including the 137 (247b, 18×4) against England at Headingley on Monday. “In the last couple of years, I have forgotten what my position is,” Rahul said after the day’s play. “But I am happy to be given the responsibility [of batting at different positions]. It makes the game exciting and I can challenge myself. “The last couple of series, I have opened and I have enjoyed that. All of my early years I have been an opener and I am happy to be back.” In the 2024-25 Australia tour, the 33-year-old got five decent starts across 10 innings, but couldn’t score big. The second-innings century in Leeds, after the 42 in the first essay, would have come as a relief. “I was happy with the way I was batting in Australia but unhappy that I couldn’t convert. But that’s how the game goes. I learnt and made sure that once I get a start, I make it count.” Rahul said that he was also enjoying the role of being the seniormost batter in the current set-up. “Even with Virat [Kohli] and Rohit [Sharma], there was a culture where everyone helped each other. I have been in those situations myself where I have spoke to Virat ahead of series in England and Australia. “So the atmosphere in the dressing room is relaxing. And there are conversations like what to expect in Leeds, Lord’s… and we try and use that information.” Looking ahead to Tuesday, Rahul stated that he would have been happier with “40 to 50 runs more” but expressed hope that 370 runs will be enough. “There is definitely a result. England have said that openly. That gives us the opportunity to take wickets. It is a tricky pitch. I didn’t feel set at all while batting. It has taken a beating and it may break even more”. Published – June 24, 2025 12:48 am IST

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Former India spinner Dilip Doshi dies at the age of 77

Former India spinner Dilip Doshi dies at the age of 77

Former India spinner Dilip Doshi has passed away at the age of 77 on Monday, June 23. A close family friend of the former left-arm spinner said that Doshi died in London on Monday. Doshi represented India in 33 Tests and 15 ODIs. The former left-arm spinner is survived by a son and a daughter. Doshi was a late bloomer in international cricket and played for India from 1979-83, making his debut at the age of 32. In 33 Tests, Doshi picked up 114 wickets with six five-wicket hauls to his name. He picked up 22 wickets in the 15 ODIs he played. Making his debut in the domestic circuit in the 1968-69 season, Doshi played 238 first-class matches until his retirement in 1986, and took 898 wickets. He represented Bengal and Saurashtra during this time. Cheteshwar Pujara paid his tribute to Doshi after the end of day’s play on Monday in the Leeds Test. Pujara said that Doshi was a gem of a person and also revealed the interactions he had with the former spinner when he was playing county cricket for Sussex. The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India spinner, Dilip Doshi, who has unfortunately passed away in London. May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/odvkxV2s9a— BCCI (@BCCI) June 23, 2025 Pujara remembered how Doshi would text him when he did well for the Indian team as he had a soft corner for Saurashtra players. I’ve met him many times, a great person, gem of a person, very soft spoken. He lived here, so whenever I was playing county cricket for Sussex, I met him many times, even in London. A great personality and my condolences to his family because he will be missed. He had a soft corner for Sausrashtra players. And, whenever Sausrashtra did well, he always texted me. He always texted me when I did well for the Indian team. But yeah, I always loved interacting with him. Other reactions to Doshi’s death Former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah commented on the news and said it was an extremely painful and personal loss for him. “It is an extremely painful and personal loss for me. Dilip was not only one of the legendary cricketers, but also one of the finest human beings I have ever known. His noble heart, integrity, and priceless dedication to the game made him truly special,” said Shah. Jaydev Shah, president of Saurashtra Cricket Association, said that Doshi was like an uncle to him. “His passing is an irreparable loss to the cricketing fraternity, and to all of us who had the honour of knowing him. His legacy, both as a player and a person, will continue to live in our hearts and in the history of cricket. This is an incredibly painful and personal loss for me. He was not just a legendary cricketer- he was my uncle, my mentor, and someone I looked up to throughout my life,” said Jaydev Shah. – Ends Published On: Jun 24, 2025

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'Two good': Sanjiv Goenka lauds Rishabh Pant's aggression, gives special mention to KL Rahul | Cricket News

‘Two good’: Sanjiv Goenka lauds Rishabh Pant’s aggression, gives special mention to KL Rahul | Cricket News

Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka took to social media to celebrate as Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul slammed centuries in India’s second innings against England during the first Test at Headingley Cricket Stadium in Leeds on Monday, June 23. Pant created history by becoming only the second wicketkeeper-batsman to score centuries in both innings of a Test and the first Indian to do so in England.Pant, who currently captains the Lucknow franchise in the IPL, smashed 118 off 140 balls in the second innings. Rahul, the franchise’s first captain from 2022 to 2024, scored a patient 137 off 247 deliveries.“Two good! Back-to-back centuries for @RishabhPant17. Aggressive, audacious, brilliant. Only the second wicketkeeper in history to score a century in both innings of a Test. Congratulations also to @klrahul for his hundred,” Goenka posted on X.The duo stitched together a vital 195-run stand for the fifth wicket after India lost skipper Shubman Gill early on Day 3 for just 8. Their partnership powered India to set a target of over 350 for England.In the first innings, Pant had scored 134 in India’s total of 477. Rahul, who now holds the record for the most centuries by an Asian opener in England, made 42 after England opted to bowl first. Greenstone Lobo predicts winner of IND vs ENG series | Who Has the Astrological Edge? The Lucknow Super Giants franchise, owned by Goenka, was formed in 2022. Rahul led the team for three seasons before Pant took over the captaincy.The Rahul-Pant partnership played a crucial role in India’s dominance in the match, helping the visitors recover from an early setback and firmly take control.

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IND vs ENG: 'You just let Rishabh Pant be Rishabh Pant' - KL Rahul hails star batter after twin tons as India set England 371-run target | Cricket News

IND vs ENG: ‘You just let Rishabh Pant be Rishabh Pant’ – KL Rahul hails star batter after twin tons as India set England 371-run target | Cricket News

KL Rahul (Pic credit: Sahil Malhotra/TimesofIndia.com) Timesofindia.com in Leeds: ‘You just let Rishabh Pant be Rishabh Pant. Stand out there and admire.’ KL Rahul’s words summed up the essence of day four at Headingley, where the Indian duo of Rahul and Pant unleashed twin centuries to propel India to 364 all out in their second innings, setting England a steep 371-run target.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!By stumps, England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett had reached 21 without loss. The series opener remains delicately poised with 350 more needed by the hosts and one full day to go.Pant, who made 134 in the first innings, completed his second century of the match with a thrilling 118 off 140 balls – becoming the first Indian to hit twin tons in a Test against England and only the second wicketkeeper in history to achieve the feat. Greenstone Lobo predicts winner of IND vs ENG series | Who Has the Astrological Edge? KL Rahul, anchoring the innings with a composed 137 off 247 balls, was at his vintage best. “Was happy with the way I was batting in Australia… Unfortunately couldn’t get big runs. I learnt there that once I get starts, I’ll convert into big ones,” he said after the day’s play.On his ever-evolving role in the batting order, he admitted: “Last couple of years I have forgotten what position I am comfortable in. I am ready for whatever has been given to me. I have enjoyed my role as an opener the last couple of series.”Rahul also spoke about helping younger players adjust to English conditions. “Everyone wants to learn, get better at their game. Whoever has come and spoken to me, we’ve had lengthy conversations. It was something that used to happen earlier also.”Despite India losing their last six wickets for 31 runs, they had done enough damage. England pacer Josh Tongue, who triggered India’s late collapse, said: “It’s a shame I couldn’t get the hat-trick… but the dressing room is very positive. We have a very good batting order.”Day five promises fireworks – or a fight for survival.

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IND vs ENG Test: KL Rahul didn't just bat with Rishabh Pant — he watched over him, like an elder brother would | Cricket News

IND vs ENG Test: KL Rahul didn’t just bat with Rishabh Pant — he watched over him, like an elder brother would | Cricket News

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant (Getty Images) TimesofIndia.com in Leeds: Early in their partnership, the stump mic picked up a heartwarming conversation between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant where the former was urging his younger teammate to watch the ball closely. Pant heard him and responded, “hanji… aise nahi hai aise hi ghuma du… ball acche se dekhta hu.” (yes, it’s not that I swing wildly, I watch it nicely). From the outside, it may feel like a normal conversation between two batters looking to bail the side out of trouble after the early hiccup – Shubman Gill’s wicket – but it meant much more. It felt much more.There is a six-year age gap between KL Rahul and Pant, and while it’s not the ideal difference between siblings of an average Indian family, the camaraderie in the middle certainly felt like one. Without being authoritative, Rahul was putting the point across to Pant with an unsaid sense of assurance in his tone. The young batter was all ears and the “hanji” – hindi word for yes used while addressing someone senior to you – said and conveyed a lot more.This is an Indian dressing room undergoing transition and Rahul, as far as batting is concerned, is the only link between the past and the future. Since making his debut in 2014, the right-hander has played with the former greats, seen plenty come in and out of the side and is now witnessing the youngsters – who made their debuts in front of him – take the next step in their Test careers. Rahul, however, hasn’t turned that guiding angel for the young batters overnight.It was visible during the numerous net sessions in Australia where he would guide Yashasvi Jaiswal, speak to him constantly and maintain the chatter even when the two opened the innings together. It was a much star-studded dressing room back then but things have changed now. He is the senior pro who has taken the responsibility of making the youngsters comfortable.And he was doing just that when Pant walked out to bat under an overcast sky, windy conditions and against a bowling attack which was asking a lot of questions in the first hour of day’s play. Pant and Rahul together wasn’t going to be similar music from both ends and it was a throwback to the 90s where the audio cassettes were dominated by 2-in-1 collections. One side would have music completely different from the other. Vengaboys on one side and a Yash Chopra classic on the other meant there was something for everyone.With their own means and ways, the two drove India into a position of control. Rahul continued to be patient, calm and left the ball as well as anyone has in this part of the world. Pant, meanwhile, entered a period of self-talking where he calmed himself to weather the early storm and then returned to maverick ways before making timely returns to sensibility.Rahul faced 143 deliveries during the partnership, Pant faced 140 and the two contributed 66 and 118 runs, respectively. The contributions, however, weren’t of importance here but the manner in which they complimented each other, in spite of the different approaches, was. The elder brother in Rahul didn’t miss an opportunity to walk up to his teammate when he would sense him getting edgy – which happened far too often.With Pant, every delivery becomes an event but Rahul, having played so much cricket with the explosive left-hander, timed his chats to perfection and didn’t come across as the overbearing senior instructing from the other end. When he was leaving consecutive deliveries in the 90s, Rahul let him be. Even when he went big off Shoaib Bashir, Rahul let him be. And when the hundred finally came, the long warm hug showed how much it meant to Pant, and Rahul, as together the two batted India into a very good position in the opening Test against England. Greenstone Lobo predicts winner of IND vs ENG series | Who Has the Astrological Edge? It was shortly after that Rahul got the chance to kiss the crest on his helmet but this partnership was more than about the individual tons. Many moons ago, the two had put on a show at The Oval in 2018 when they hit hundreds vs Joe Root & Co. but it came for a side littered with superstars, led by one of the modern day-greats, Virat Kohli.The superstars have now walked into the sunset, the greats have called it a day but Rahul, who has had a ringside view to the movements and transitions, has moved up the hierarchy. He opted for Tamil when Sai Sudharsan was in the middle, Hindi for Pant and switched to Kannada for Karun Nair. The language changed but the intention remained the same.The soft-spoken tattooed youngster is now the elder brother in a very young dressing room led by a 25-year-old captain.

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Dilip Doshi, former India spinner, dies at 77 after suffering cardiac arrest

Dilip Doshi, former India spinner, dies at 77 after suffering cardiac arrest

Dilip Doshi, the former India left-arm spinner, has died at the age of 77, the BCCI confirmed on Monday. Doshi, who played 33 Tests and 15 ODIs during a four-year-long career between 1979 and 1983, breathed his last in London, where he had been residing for several decades. A cardiac arrest took his life. Doshi is survived by his wife, Kalindi, and son, Nayan. Dilip Doshi breathed his last in London(AFP) “The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India spinner, Dilip Doshi, who has unfortunately passed away in London. May his soul rest in peace,” the board posted on X. Doshi picked 114 Test wickets and 22 in ODIs. A late bloomer, Doshi remains one of the few cricketers to take 100 wickets after making his debut at 30. In fact, in his Test debut itself, Doshi registered figures of 6/103, drawing the match against a star-studded Australian team in 1979. In the same series, he grabbed a match-haul of 8/103, spinning India to a famous innings win. Earlier this month, Doshi attended the BCCI awards function and the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. SCA pays tribute “The SCA is deeply pained and very sad at the passing away of Dilip Doshi, a revered, distinguished, and prominent figure in the world of cricket. He left for his heavenly abode today in London. He has left behind a rich legacy of sportsmanship, commitment, and excellence. The legendary left-arm spinner was a stalwart of Indian cricket, renowned for his unparalleled skill and dedication to the game,” the Saurashtra Cricket Board said in a statement. “Doshi was a true and spirited Saurashtrian and a legendary left-arm leg-spinner in the cricket world. Despite his late India debut, he achieved many remarkable milestones and was a pure match-winner.” Doshi followed in the footsteps of India’s famous spin quartet of Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan and Bishan Singh Bedi. A true master of his craft, Doshi picked up 898 First-Class wickets and besides representing Saurashtra and Bengal in the Indian domestic circuit, he even played for Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire. “It is an extremely painful and personal loss for me. Dilip was not only one of the legendary cricketers, but also one of the finest human beings I have ever known. His noble heart, integrity, and priceless dedication to the game made him truly special,” Niranjan Shah, the former BCCI secretary said.

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Pant, Rahul tons help India set England 371 in Leeds Test

Pant, Rahul tons help India set England 371 in Leeds Test

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant hit contrasting centuries on the fourth day to set England 371 to win the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. In reply, England batted out six overs for 21/0, setting up this Test for all four results on Tuesday where they have 90 overs to score 350 runs. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant struck fine centuries before India were all out for 364 in their second innings in Leeds. (AP) This was Pant’s second hundred of the game, making him only the second wicketkeeper, after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower (141 and 199* v South Africa – Harare, 2001) to achieve this feat in Tests. You also know it’s a special Test if five Indians have scored hundreds across two innings in an unprecedented feat, that too at Leeds, the theatre of two of the most absurd Test results in history. More invigorating was the calm with which India batted for nearly 100 overs after the day started with the early dismissal of Shubman Gill. This turnaround, mind you, is barely nine months into the shocking home series loss to New Zealand, followed by a hiding at Australia that had expedited the transition into a younger side. We were told to brace for choppy waters, and yet here India are, daring England to do their thing. At the heart of this challenge were the two hundreds — Rahul’s ninth and Pant’s eighth – and a 195-run stand for the fourth wicket it produced, which started with quietly playing out the first session before the scoring steadily picked up. Key to this staggered scoring was Gill’s dismissal, Brydon Carse making him drag on to his stumps in what was only the second over of the day. That was the cue for Rahul to frustrate England by leaving and blocking the moving ball with expertise rarely witnessed in a visiting batter. Pant too shelved his aggression for a while, leaving England searching for more breakthroughs. Those that came their way were grassed though. Rahul was on 55 when he tried to guide Josh Tongue over gully. The ball however reared up on him and Rahul couldn’t control the shot, leading to an edge that flew to Brook who couldn’t react in time. Pant was given two reprieves, first when he edged through a vacant first slip on 31, before flirting with the first slip by edging past him when on 49. It took 83 balls for Pant to reach his fifty. Once there, Pant threw caution to the wind, taking only 47 balls to get to his second hundred of the game, 22 of those deliveries consumed in moving from 95. At the other end, Rahul was a picture of calm, playing late with soft hands, copping a few blows to the glove but keeping the ball on the ground. Stokes seemed to rile him the most, prodigiously swinging the ball. But to Rahul’s credit, he never let the main goal out of his sight. Frustrating England throughout the first session, Rahul took the reins of the game by dictating the pace of the innings. To Stokes, he punched him through covers for a sumptuous four. To Carse, he then unleashed a cut so late that third slip and gully could only watch it bissect them. A two through covers saw Rahul reach his eighth overseas hundred, his sixth outside Asia as an opener, with only Sunil Gavaskar ahead of him with 15 hundreds. This was also a personal triumph for Rahul, considering the circumstances in which he had headed into this series. By hierarchy and seniority, India’s Test captaincy should have ideally gone to Rahul but of far greater consequence was the runs left in him. A middling average in the 30s a decade into his career, there was no denying that decay had set in. To be fair, his calmness was underutilised for a long time as well, prompting him to drift between formats, not sure of his destiny. Only an innings with a rare blend of class and delicacy could have put an end to all that talk. Thankfully for him, it came in the series opener itself. Getting to his hundred was licence to break loose, and so Pant hammered Joe Root for three fours and a six in an over. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was taken for runs earlier, conceding two sixes in the 58th over. And so, when he returned after Root’s pounding, Pant quickly went after him. Only this time he found the fielder at long-on, bringing Karun Nair to the crease. He reverse-swept Bashir for four but couldn’t go past after Chris Woakes brilliantly held on to a return catch. This was where the wobble started, which to be fair isn’t new with India. India lost 7/41 in the first innings, and in the second innings too it was a worrying 6/31. Tongue took three wickets in an over but Ravindra Jadeja stayed around to contribute 12. Is 371 enough? Statistically yes. Only once though have India lost defending a 350-plus score — at Edgbaston in 2022. That is bound to hang heavy on their psyche as this Test moves into the fifth day with England raring to chase down.

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Aparajith sizzles as Super Gillies edges Grand Cholas in a thriller

Aparajith sizzles as Super Gillies edges Grand Cholas in a thriller

A quickfire half-century by B. Aparajith was the highlight of Chepauk Super Gillies’ win against Trichy Grand Cholas in a Tamil Nadu Premier League match in Tirunelveli on Monday. | Photo Credit: M. PERIASAMY Skipper B. Aparajith top-scored with 63 (40b, 1×4, 7×6) and stitched a 106-run third-wicket stand (68 balls) with Vijay Shankar (59, 46b, 6×4, 1×6) as Chepauk Super Gillies (CSG) beat Trichy Grand Cholas (TGC) by four runs in a thriller in their Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match at the Chennai Super Kings ground here on Monday. Vijay Shankar’s was a streaky, struggling innings in contrast to Aparajith’s assured knock. Aparajith smashed seven sixes – one straight off left-arm spinner Ganesh Moorthi, and six on the leg side. He hit medium-pacer Easwaran for back-to-back sixes to long- on, and pulled left-arm spinner Sanjay Yadav for two sixes to deep midwicket in the same over. Vijay Shankar, on the other hand, was dropped on 13 by Waseem Ahmed at deep midwicket off medium-pacer Rajkumar. He edged three fours and failed to connect at least four times. He brought up his maiden  TNPL fifty with authority, though, hitting a slower ball wide of long on for a six off Easwaran. The 82-run second-wicket partnership between captain J. Suresh Kumar (63, 40b, 6×4, 2×6) and J. Kousik  (45, 33b, 2×4, 3×6) was the highlight of Grand Cholas’ 179-run chase. The duo struck three sixes in an over off left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas – both hitting to deep midwicket once, besides Kousik hitting to long on. CSG medium-pacer Prem Kumar (three for 42) accounted for both of them, getting Kousik bowled while Suresh Kumar holed out to Dinesh Raj at deep midwicket. CSG’s debutant left-arm seamer Rohith Suthar successfully defended 11 in the last over. The scores: Chepauk Super Gillies 178/5 in 20 overs (B. Aparajith 63, Vijay Shankar 59) bt Trichy Grand Cholas 174/7 in 20 overs (J. Suresh Kumar 63, J. Kousik 45, Prem Kumar 3/42). Toss: Grand  Cholas. Tuesday’s match: Lyca Kovai Kings vs Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans (7.15 p.m.). Published – June 23, 2025 11:36 pm IST

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Watch: KL Rahul shows off his multilingual skills during 2nd innings hundred in Leeds

Watch: KL Rahul shows off his multilingual skills during 2nd innings hundred in Leeds

KL Rahul showed off his multilingual skills during the course of his second-innings hundred against England in the Leeds Test. Rahul scored a magnificent 137 and shared partnerships with Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant and Karun Nair during the course of his knock, with all three men coming from different states. In the video that has gone viral on social media, Rahul was seen taking to Sudharsan in Tamil. The Indian opener told the youngster from Tamil Nadu that there was some good bounce on the track and he would need to be cautious. “Machi, nalla bounce irikke. (There is some good bounce on the track.),” Rahul was seen telling Sudharsan. When it came to Pant, Rahul was seen constantly talking to Pant during their 195-run stand and calming his partner down in hindi. The Indian opener was constantly chatting with his vice-captain to ensure that India had the upper hand in the second session. When it came to his close friend Karun, the duo were seen talking in Kannada. Rahul’s multilingual skills impress Dinesh Karthik Dinesh Karthik, who was on commentary duty with Sky Sports, was impressed by the versatility shown by Rahul while talking to his teammates. “He’s speaking Tamil to Sai sudharshan, speaking in Hindi to Rishabh and now he’s speaking in kannada to Karun Nair. Not only versatile in batting but also in languages,” said Karthik. When it came to the batting, Rahul was just a class apart from others. The Indian opener personified calmness and got to his hundred in 202 balls. He went past Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid to be the Indian opener with the most hundreds in England. Rahul’s hundred helped India reach 365 in the second innings and set a target of 371 for England to chase. – Ends Published On: Jun 23, 2025 Tune In

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