Before the storm, India’s calculated Test-like calm

Before the storm, India’s calculated Test-like calm

Kolkata: In the first session on Day 4, India added 63 runs in nearly 25 overs. The first 100 runs of the fourth-wicket partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant consumed 194 balls. These are numbers you could relate to in Test cricket. Note however the small discrepancy in India’s scoring rate across two innings of the first test. On a spicy Headingley pitch that was occasionally under cloud cover, India had ended the first innings with a run rate of 4.16. Batting becomes comparatively easier in the second innings with the pitch easing up and the outfield quickening but India still chose to be cautious for a while after Shubman Gill played on to his stumps. India’s KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant stitched a 195-run partnership in the second innings at Leeds. (AP) It was not without reason. Reflect on the few years of the Stokes-McCullum axis and you know how England prefer to operate in Test cricket, with an unconditional commitment towards playing the sport without any hang-ups. It is a rallying call their players have responded to with an audacity that has spurred fantastic victories and riveting finishes. But it’s also a one-dimensional outlook without any contingency. Slowing down the pace of the game thus was a brilliant way of asking questions of England they don’t want to answer. The dismissal of Gill could have led to more wickets. Rahul was patience incarnate but Pant was at the other end, and you know it’s not always chanceless from him. But England were flat throughout. The scorecard will never dwell on the breakup of the innings showing this detail but those 194 balls underscored the practicality of winning a Test that India resorted to. England, for all their philosophy of playing entertaining cricket, weren’t fooling anyone too. The bowling was uninspiring, field placements even more predictable as England slowly slipped into a state where they were waiting for a mistake rather than forcing India to make it. At the heart of it was the first session, not too madcap, not too frenetic, just absorbing enough to keep everyone interested. One day left, 90 overs theoretically. There is forecast for rain but England nowadays need around 50 overs to overhaul 300-plus chases. But what often gets overlooked in the hype over their chasing belligerence is how conveniently the concept of playing time is relegated to the backburner. Which is why England found it difficult to embrace India’s tactic of slowing down the pace of their second innings. Rahul and Pant leaving the ball — a dour, boring, process — for the bulk of the first session, rendered England’s tactic useless. While India were ticking the right boxes, England were leaving too many loose ends. Slip catching was one such area. To straightaway attack the batter’s outside edge after lunch is an age-old tactic that England didn’t pay enough attention to. Pant was on 31, still trying to find the right way of playing in the conditions, but England played into his hands by starting with no slip fielders to Josh Tongue. First ball after lunch Pant could have easily edged off Tongue but Stokes failed to react. Next over from Tongue, Pant did get an edge that should have been a regulation catch at first slip. Instead, it raced away to the boundary. Chance missed, Stokes should have ideally doubled down on the close-in fielding. But so unusually was he focused on being defensive, spreading the field around, that he never woke up to the fact that Pant could again risk runs behind the wicket. Which happened, again to Tongue around an hour into the second session. Pant walloping two sixes against Shoaib Bashir should have been the cue that he was warming up to play big shots. But Stokes missed it again. This time Pant’s edge flew through the vacant second slip area. Cricket is still a game of taking 20 wickets. So, to miss two chances this big in order to save boundaries is a mighty departure for an England side known to play high-risk, high-reward cricket. That, notwithstanding how this Test pans out, is a win in itself.

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Shaw parts ways with Mumbai, set to join Maharashtra

Shaw parts ways with Mumbai, set to join Maharashtra

Prithvi Shaw. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO: K. MURALI KUMAR Prithvi Shaw, the opener who was dropped from the Mumbai squad midway through the last season, is set to join Maharashtra after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). MCA secretary Abhay Hadap confirmed to The Hindu that the association has issued the NOC. “Shaw has been an exceptional talent and has contributed significantly to Mumbai cricket. We respect his decision and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” Hadap later wrote in a statement. While the Maharashtra Cricket Association officials were tight-lipped when asked for a comment, multiple sources confirmed that Shaw signing for the State “is just a formality and it will be made official later this week”. Shaw, who scored a hundred on his Mumbai debut in the 2016-17 semifinal and then on Test debut in 2018, has had a topsy-turvy career, owing to a combination of fitness and discipline issues. Despite leading Mumbai to the Vijay Hazare Trophy title in 2020-21, Shaw hasn’t been able to revive his international career. In 2024-25, he was dropped on fitness grounds midway through the ground. While he couldn’t reclaim his spot in the Mumbai squad for the remaining season across formats, he also went unsold in the Indian Premier League auction. With Maharashtra set to announce a surprising signing as a coach, it will bank on Shaw to combine with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top of the order in a move that could revive the former’s fortunes. Published – June 23, 2025 08:16 pm IST

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Pant-astic knock! Rishabh Pant creates history, becomes first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match | Cricket News

Pant-astic knock! Rishabh Pant creates history, becomes first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match | Cricket News

Rishabh Pant (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant continued his scintillating form, smashing his eighth Test century on Day 4 of the first Test against England at Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Monday. Pant created history and became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score centuries in both innings of a Test match. Remarkably, this was Pant’s second century of the match, following his 134 in the first innings — marking back-to-back hundreds in the same Test.With this feat, Pant has joined an elite list of visiting batters who have recorded five consecutive 50-plus scores in England. The list includes greats like Don Bradman, Hansie Cronje, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kumar Sangakkara, and Daryl Mitchell. The record is led by Australia’s Steven Smith, who has seven such scores.Only two designated wicketkeepers have scored centuries in both innings of a Test match: Andy Flower (142 & 199* vs South Africa, Harare 2001) and Pant (134 & 118 vs England, Headingley 2025). Pant joined this elite club with his back-to-back centuries, becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to achieve the rare feat. Player Scores Opponent Venue Year Andy Flower 142 & 199* South Africa Harare 2001 Rishabh Pant 134 & 118 England Headingley 2025 Only a select group of Indian batters have scored centuries in both innings of a Test match. The elite list includes Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar (three times), Rahul Dravid (twice), Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, and now Pant. Hundreds in each innings of a Test for India Vijay HazareSunil Gavaskar (3)Rahul Dravid (2)Virat KohliAjinkya RahaneRohit SharmaRishabh Pant (Pant is the first Indian batter to achieve the feat in England)

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Key is to keep fast bowlers fit through the year: Kumaran

Key is to keep fast bowlers fit through the year: Kumaran

Kumaran is the new TN bowling coach. | Photo Credit: M. PERIASAMY For more than a decade, former India pacer T. Kumaran has been in the United States, building an extensive coaching resume that includes stints with the USA senior and under-19 teams, as well as training kids. Now, the 49-year-old is back to his roots in Tamil Nadu and was appointed as the senior team’s bowling coach last month. “I am excited to be back in TN. I have worked closely with Robin Singh (currently a TNCA Consultant) in USA cricket, and when he broached this idea, I was happy at the chance to be a part of a professional set-up,” said Kumaran about his new role. “I have always dreamed of winning the Ranji Trophy, but during my playing days, we only reached the semifinals. Now, as a coach, I hope to help TN achieve that.” Over the last fortnight, Kumaran has been closely watching the players in the ongoing TNPL in preparation for the upcoming season and is pleased by the fast bowling stock he has seen so far. “One thing that has stood out so far is that the quicks are fitter and taller than what we used to have during my time. I have been observing how they are bowling in different situations and conditions. At the same time, I also want to see how they fare in the TNCA first division because that will be crucial and whether they can bowl long spells.” Explaining what his focus areas will be, he said: “The main thing is to keep the fast bowlers fit through the year with emphasis on good recovery and workload management. Running fitness is a key to that. We also need to have a good bench strength, which is important to win the Ranji Trophy.” Kumaran, who played eight ODIs for India (1999-2000), said: “I did not have a long international career. Now, I want to share my knowledge with these boys and develop them so that they can have that. We have had an R. Ashwin, who took more than 500 Test wickets, and I want to develop more cricketers like him.” Published – June 23, 2025 07:28 pm IST

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IND vs ENG Test | 'Monk at work' - KL Rahul slams 9th Test century, 3rd in England | Cricket News

IND vs ENG Test | ‘Monk at work’ – KL Rahul slams 9th Test century, 3rd in England | Cricket News

India’s KL Rahul bats on day four of the first cricket test match between England and India at Headingley in Leeds, England, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Opener KL Rahul on Monday slammed his ninth Test century and third in England on the fourth day of the first Test match at Headingley. The opener, who threw away his wicket in the first innings after scoring a silky 42, reached his milestone off 202 balls. His unbeaten knock is studded with 13 boundaries. The 33-year-old Rahul looked solid throughout his knock as India extended their overall lead. India were off to a disastrous start as they lost skipper Shubman Gill seven balls into the day’s play, but the English bowlers did not taste further success in the first session, though they kept testing the two batters with their probing line and length. Rahul looked calm, composed, and self-assured at the other end, helping India swell the lead brick by brick, even as Pant seemed to tone down his attacking approach and blocked without any difficulty. India’s Day 3 Test Review: Cloudy skies ahead | Weather twist at Headingley Luck also smiled on Rahul as Harry Brook dropped him at gully after the batter tried to steer a quick Josh Tongue delivery. Earlier, Rahul had scored centuries at The Oval in 2018 and Lord’s in 2021. Interestingly, only one of his nine to date has come at home.Most 100s in SENA Countries for India in Tests:17 – Sachin Tendulkar12 – Virat Kohli10 – Rahul Dravid8 – Sunil Gavaskar6* – Mohammad Azharuddin, KL Rahul

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Rishabh Pant can also bat like Cheteshwar Pujara: Sanjay Manjrekar

Rishabh Pant can also bat like Cheteshwar Pujara: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former India cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has said that Rishabh Pant can even bat like Cheteshwar Pujara. Pant is known for his aggressive strokeplay in Test cricket as he boasts a strike rate of 73.62 in the longest format. However, contrary to popular belief, the star batter showed great resilience in the ongoing first Test against England as he curbed his instincts and played out crucial passages of play defensively. Pant’s adaptability earned him plaudits from Manjrekar, who hailed him for his ability to bat defensively. ENG vs IND 1st Test Day 4 Updates “Risabh Pant is a great cricketing mind, so he got obsessed with the strong wind and he was trying to play everything there. He wasn’t quite convincing in the way he did it, so he decided enough of it and after that he went the other extreme where it was all block, block, blocked with a straight bat and not one shot did he play in that fashion. So this is what you get with. This is a guy who can actually bat like a Pujara for an hour or two,” said Manjrekar on Jiohotstar. Pant walked in to bat early on Day 4 as captain Shubman Gill was dismissed in just the second over of the day against Brydon Carse. After arriving at the crease, Pant began his innings in the usual fashion as he danced down the track against Chris Woakes on just the second delivery and got an outside edge which flew over slips for a boundary. The southpaw went on to survive two more close chances as a top edge flew towards the fine leg boundary for a four and an inside edge on his pads helped him survive an lbw appeal. Following two close calls, Pant decided to go in his shell, as he was heard saying something to himself on the stump mic and went on to play the rest of the first session without taking any risks. He got involved in a crucial stand with KL Rahul as the duo took India’s lead past 150 by lunch. – Ends Published By: Rishabh Beniwal Published On: Jun 23, 2025

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Ind vs Eng 1st Test Day 4: Rahul and Pant’s tons set up intriguing final day

Ind vs Eng 1st Test Day 4: Rahul and Pant’s tons set up intriguing final day

Rishabh Pant bats as wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and Harry Brook of England look on during day four of the 1st Rothesay Test Match between England and India at Headingley on June 23, 2025, in Leeds, England. | Photo Credit: Getty Images When Rishabh Pant bats, it feels like he is capturing the thrill of life. He is endlessly fascinating, mostly exhilarating, occasionally staid and never boring. Yet, for all the razzmatazz he brings, his presence in the middle is uniquely comforting. No Indian batter in recent times has played as many match-turning knocks as Pant in Test whites. Day four of the opening Test against England at Headingley provided another opportunity for the dashing batter to showcase his worth. The southpaw did not disappoint, scoring his second ton of the match (118, 140b, 15×4, 3×6) to join a select band of six other Indians to have achieved the feat (Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma). With Rahul (137, 247b, 18×4) — whose style and methods are in direct aesthetic confrontation to Pant’s but no less effective — he combined for 195 first-rate, fourth-wicket runs (in 280 balls). The partnership helped India leave England with a 371-run target to chase. The hosts reached 21 for no loss at stumps, setting up a mouth-watering last day even as the threat of rain looms large. Curiously, Leeds is the only ground in the world where targets of 350 or more have been chased successfully twice. Earlier on Monday (June 23, 2025), Shubman Gill had fallen off the seventh ball of the morning, and under typical English bowling conditions, Pant, alongside overnight batter Rahul, had to ensure that India did not crumble in the second essay and allow England a solid hold. The duo managed that superbly. Pant started in familiar fashion. He tried to hoick Chris Woakes the second ball he faced, but the cherry flew over the slip cordon. His next two boundaries were also streaky, an imbalanced slap down the ground and a top-edge. An attempted falling ramp shot over short-fine nearly cost him, but the ball hit the bat before thudding on to his pads. But he soon buckled down, perhaps influenced by Rahul’s stoic, but towering, demeanour. As Brydon Carse bowled a menacing line, Rahul conducted a batting clinic. He left the ball outside off supremely well and played those coming in with the softest of hands. The drop by Harry Brook at gully on 58 off Josh Tongue was the one jarring note, but Rahul was unaffected. In the first two hours, he added 25 runs but by consuming 82 balls, he had thwarted England’s advance. After the break, as Pant gave himself the license to break free, Rahul played the ideal foil. While Pant cut Tongue for four, caned offie Shoaib Bashir for two sixes in an over and pulled Carse in front of square, Rahul was unflappable, attacking only the bad balls, like the short one he pulled off Bashir for a boundary to move into the 90s. A steer to the third-man fence took Rahul to 97 and soon he completed his ninth century – seventh outside the subcontinent — with a hard-run double. Nearly seven overs passed with Pant in the 90s — an inordinately long time by his standards — but he too soon tasted ecstasy with a quick single to point. Rishabh Pant walks off after being caught by England’s Zak Crawley off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir. | Photo Credit: Action Images via Reuters Before Pant was caught out at long-on off Bashir, he smashed Joe Root for two fours and a six. A symbolic knock-out punch? Time will tell. Published – June 23, 2025 06:33 pm IST

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