England

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

Danijones18 hours ago09 mins

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.

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

Danijones20 hours ago07 mins

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.

Bumrah five-for gives India the edge after Brook show

Danijones2 days ago09 mins

Kolkata: A streaky but bold 99 from Harry Brook and some late order resilience helped England slash India’s first innings lead to just six runs but a solid 66-run second wicket partnership between KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan meant India ended the third day of the first Test on a strong 90/2 at Headingley. India’s Jasprit Bumrah picked up his 14th five-wicket haul on Day 3 of the 1st Test match against England, at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds on Sunday. (BCCI) Jasprit Bumrah braved some ordinary catching from the slip cordon to still finish with 5/83, equalling Kapil Dev’s record of most five-wicket hauls (12) for an Indian in away Tests, playing almost half Tests (34, compared to Kapil’s 66) to reach that mark. It was followed up by a solid batting response from India on a grey Yorkshire day. When rain intervened with almost an hour still left for the day, India were ahead by 96 runs. Sudharsan was dropped by Ben Duckett off Josh Tongue’s bowling at backward point when he was on 24 before he clipped an inswinging delivery from Ben Stokes to Zak Crawley at short midwicket. The reprieve went with the general theme of the day as Brook used three lives to score at a stupendous rate to almost take England past India’s first innings. After a rare Bumrah overstep saved him on Saturday, Brook was dropped twice on Sunday — Rishabh Pant grassing a catch off Ravindra Jadeja on 46, and on 80 Yashasvi Jaiswal spilling a shoulder-level edge at gully. Brook wasn’t one to waste those opportunities, and despite Mohammed Siraj trying to distract him by constantly giving him an earful, he remained steadfastly aggressive. He had survived a leg-before appeal off Jadeja’s bowling but once the new ball was taken, Brook started to cut loose. Siraj had been hit for consecutive boundaries before Jaiswal dropped Brook at gully. Siraj returned, only to be hoisted over his head for a towering six, followed by a square cut hit so hard that deep point had given up the chase the moment the ball flew off the bat. The only thing that worked the entire day for Indian fast bowlers was the short ball trap to the leg-side, as this time Brook couldn’t outgun Shardul Thakur at deep backward square leg after pulling Prasidh Krishna. That was Prasidh’s third wicket of the innings as he picked up centurion Ollie Pope in the first session with a short and wide ball that deserved to be punished but instead only got edged to Pant behind the stumps. England however continued to chip away at India’s total as Stokes and then Jamie Smith helped the hosts score 118 runs in the 28 overs of the first session. Stokes was scalped by Siraj but Smith then took on India’s bowling, carting Prasidh for a four and a massive six over square-leg to keep England moving. That six however sparked a brainwave, albeit at the cost of a few more runs, as Prasidh parked a fielder and kept testing Smith. He finally fell, but not without some athleticism from Jadeja, who threw the ball to Sudharsan once he realised he was tipping over the boundary rope. Once Brook too holed out at the same spot, India had got a foothold in England’s innings. Or so they thought. Chris Woakes, who has a century to his name, against India at Lord’s in 2018, added 55 runs for the eighth wicket with Brydon Carse in just 7.2 overs, leaving India knackered. Resisting the bowling is one thing, but Woakes was batting as well as a specialist, especially when he drove Bumrah for a four. And when Woakes hammered Prasidh for a boundary to help England past the 400 mark, India looked slightly ruffled. Encouraged by Woakes’s fight, Carse too managed a couple of boundaries before Woakes clobbered Prasidh for a six. The fifty-run stand was raised in only 36 balls as England raced to India’s total. Once Siraj cleaned up Carse with a yorker though, Bumrah made short work of Woakes and Josh Tongue to complete his third five-wicket haul on English soil. With two days still left, the Test was now heading for a one-innings shootout. So, it was important that India got off to a steady start. But Carse stepped up to the mark quickly, sending back the in-form Jaiswal in the fourth over. It was a sensational delivery as well, Carse hitting short of a good length and making the ball seam away late. Already on the move, Jaiswal couldn’t help but push at it. KL Rahul was batting like his life depended on it, showing immaculate class and technique in getting behind every delivery and playing with a straight bat. When Woakes shortened his length, Rahul made room and cut. When he bowled fuller, Rahul just caressed the ball through covers for four. Top of the line though was the boundary he scored off Carse, showing the full face of the bat for an on drive that whistled past Sudharsan. And when he followed it up with an equally exquisite boundary through cover for another four, Rahul was looking unstoppable. For the better part of his brief innings, Sudharsan too was looking promising. Till Stokes successfully tried that leg-side trap again.

India’s woeful catching lets England off the hook

Danijones2 days ago07 mins

Kolkata: Harry Brook led a charmed life at Headingley, till he ran out of luck. There is no greater agony than to be dismissed one run short of a hundred at a ground one has grown up playing cricket. But it’s also true Brook had no business lasting as long as he did. India’s woeful catching gave him two lives, at two very curious junctures of the day. Both came behind the wicket, by the wicketkeeper and then gully, positions you are probability-wise more assured of these catches being taken. This, however, was also a strange day where easy catches were dropped and stupendous catches manufactured. But that doesn’t lessen the damage by any extent. Four catches were dropped off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling alone on Day 3 of the First Test against England at Leeds. (AP) At the end of the Test, when every hour’s play is expected to be audited and dissected, the dropped catches will hurt most. Because if there was ever a day worse than others to drop catches it was Sunday at Leeds, in the first of a five-match Test series, having got a first-innings total big enough to make England sweat. Both chances off Brook should have been held, both critically spaced out in the context of England’s first-innings chase. The first came in the 72nd over, off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling. It was a flighted delivery that held its line, and Brook, trying to defend off his front foot, ended up edging it. The bounce was discerning but these are catches that must be taken at this level. Hard and high hands from Pant meant Brook was let off. Lesson 101 of keeping wicket to spinners is to rise as late as possible so that the eye level moves with that of the ball. This being Jadeja, who tends to bowl quicker through the air when the ball isn’t gripping as well as in India, the timing of the wicketkeeper’s rise becomes doubly important. Pant, never quite the stickler for the basics, ended up being horribly placed for the edge. Brook was on 46 then. By the time he was dropped again, Brook was on 80. In between, he had added 73 runs with Jamie Smith, blunted out Jasprit Bumrah and gone after Mohammed Siraj successfully to prompt quick bowling changes. Bumrah was summoned, and once again he was hitting the right lengths. Sensing that Brook was trying to hang back in his crease, Bumrah tried a short of length delivery and almost out of instinct Brook just hung his bat out at it. It flew off the bat but Jaiswal dropped the catch at gully, bringing the grand total of dropped catches off Bumrah to four. And this was probably the easiest, given the ball was travelling at shoulder height. Those two lives essentially helped Brook score 53 more runs and take England to 398/7 from 300/5. Who knows what kind of lead India would have won had Brook been caught by Pant? Only twice did the Indian fielding look smart — when Brook was finally caught at deep backward square leg, and when Smith was caught by Sai Sudharsan through a lovely combination catch. That catch was all Jadeja though, and a nice shakeup from the shock of seeing him grassing Ben Duckett at backward point on Sunday. To throw the ball back to Sudharsan while going over the boundary is something Jadeja can do in his sleep, and so it would be unfair to probably judge everyone by his standard. In total, four catches went down at the slip, Jaiswal being at the end of two of them involving Pope and Brook. Chances of edges to the slip cordon increase at venues where the ball is swinging with a fair degree of carry. Concentrating on slip catching is also relatively easier overseas since the decibel level is almost always less than in India. Which should make it all the more difficult for India to live with the fact that both Pope and Brook — centurion and near-centurion in England’s innings — reached there partly because of the lives given to them.

The almost innings: Rahul’s grit, class, and a familiar ending

Danijones4 days ago06 mins

Kolkata: Fact: Four of India’s five highest opening partnerships in England this century have featured KL Rahul. Fact: Seven of Rahul’s eight Test hundreds have come as an opener, six of them away from home. Fact: The rate of fifty and hundred conversion—seven hundreds and 14 fifties in 54 innings – doesn’t live up to the promise Rahul has long held. Almost 60 Tests into his career, that remains an enduring truth. Friday, then, added another chapter to the theme of what could have been – had Rahul been more judicious. India’s KL Rahul put on 91 runs for the first wicket with Jaiswal, making 42 from 78 balls with eight fours. (AP) Vexing, indeed, was how it all ended. Until that wide, full-pitched delivery from Brydon Carse found a thick edge en route to Joe Root, Rahul looked to have his game locked in. There was that one expansive drive in the fourth over off Carse, where a thick outside edge flew through the gully region, but little after that suggested Rahul was vulnerable. He shouldered arms to deliveries that nipped away sharply, blocked those that came in, and appeared completely in the zone – one that could nag England into rethinking their tactics. Ben Stokes bringing himself on as early as the 16th over was evidence of the impatience creeping into England’s approach, with India cruising at 52 without loss. Off his first ball, Stokes nearly broke Rahul’s concentration with a good-length delivery angling into off-stump but leaving him late after pitching. Rahul initially looked committed to the shot, then pulled the bat away at the last moment. Three balls later, he was drawn into a big drive, but Stokes again got the ball to move away. The cat-and-mouse game continued. Then, Stokes induced another drive – but this time Rahul connected cleanly, the ball flying over the slip cordon for four. Rahul again drove the next ball but this time with a better degree of command and so the thick edge rolled past gully. It wasn’t until the following over that Rahul truly got on top of Stokes, predictably through another drive. High elbow, toe pointed to mid-off, a high backlift translating into a flowing shot worthy of framing – Rahul was beginning to come into his own. And with it, came a steady uptick in runs. Perhaps because we’re not used to seeing it, we don’t often acknowledge it enough but Rahul has often been the reason India have batted out challenging first sessions with authority. The line between success and failure was often razor-thin, and Rahul quietly faded into the afterglow of someone else’s brilliance. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s start was explosive, if a little streaky. Rahul, by contrast, was rock solid early, before gradually shifting gears. Jaiswal will take the headlines – but spare a thought for Rahul. Not often do you find a batter finally assured of his place in the eleven after playing for more than a decade. Which is why this series finally feels like the one where Rahul’s career could truly take flight. It could have started at Headingley – day one of the first Test, after all the hard yards had been put in. So, when Carse returned, and Rahul immediately carted him for a boundary, you could sense it happening. It was perhaps Rahul’s classiest shot of the innings: a length ball picked early, the bat opened to carve it through cover point for a sumptuous boundary. But Carse went back to the classic tactic of throwing the ball wide, and waiting for the batter to err. Probably too full to be driven like that? Or maybe just a lapse in concentration? Either way, Rahul can’t quite be faulted for backing himself. Sometimes, even with the right intent, things don’t unfold the way you want them to. No one knows that better than KL Rahul.

Exclusive | If Jasprit Bumrah is even 75–80% fit, I’d still want him in the XI: Ex-England captain David Gower | Cricket News

Danijones4 days ago015 mins

Jasprit Bumrah of India during a nets session. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) NEW DELHI: When India take the field against England in the opening Test at Headingley in Leeds, new Test captain Shubman Gill will be counting on his premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah to do what he does best: strike early, rattle the English batters, knock over stumps, induce edges, and most importantly, give India a 1-0 lead in the series.However, with BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirming that Bumrah will not feature in all five Tests, Gill will have to manage his spearhead’s workload smartly and deploy him strategically across the series.Former England captain David Gower believes Gill must be tactical in how he uses Bumrah, India’s biggest bowling weapon. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Bumrah has an impressive record in England, with 37 wickets in 9 Tests. Overall, he has picked up 60 wickets in 14 Tests against England.As India gear up for the high-profile five-match series starting June 20, TimesofIndia.com caught up with the legendary Gower, who represented England in 117 Tests, scoring 8,231 runs at an average of 44.25, including 18 centuries and 39 half-centuries.India are travelling to England with a relatively inexperienced squad, led by Shubman Gill. Should they be underestimated? Do you think this team can go there and create history?Let’s put it this way—every team travels intending to make history and do well. I remember, many years ago, when we toured India, Australia, or even the West Indies—though that was rarer—we didn’t expect to win. But every team travels with positive thoughts. Yes, when you lose two of your greatest players from the past decade, like India have, you do lose some experience. Take Virat Kohli, for example. A couple of tours ago, he struggled in England, then came back and used that experience to produce fantastic cricket. You need to acquire that experience, and quickly. International cricket conditions vary, but perhaps not as much as they used to. It’s not quite as daunting for Indian players to come to England now as it was 20–30 years ago. India’s first Test win in England came quite late—it was under Ajit Wadekar. But in the last 20–30 years, there has been a lot of good history. A positive attitude will help. That said, England will certainly be pleased not to be facing those two Indian greats this time. On paper, it makes their task a bit easier. But England won’t take this series lightly. India remain strong—even with change and transition, teams can surprise people. Poll Should India be underestimated due to their relatively inexperienced squad? It’s Shubman Gill’s first assignment as a Test captain, and that too in England. Do you think he’ll be under pressure?Every captain is under pressure. And these days, it’s perhaps even more intense than in my time. Ultimately, it’s the results that dictate the reaction from fans and media. In my day, we had newspapers and a bit of TV to deal with. Now, there are thousands of media outlets and social media reactions are instant. The good news for Shubman is that there’s usually a degree of understanding when a new captain takes over, especially under such circumstances. Teams often rally behind a new captain—they’re all in the same boat. As a captain, yes, you have to lead and make decisions, but you shouldn’t be alone. Teammates should be encouraged to contribute ideas. That collective spirit is essential. As a player, Shubman’s runs have mostly come in India. He didn’t have a great tour of Australia, so that might weigh on his mind. He is a beautiful player, but getting runs now is vital to solidify his position as captain. Of course, England’s bowling attack is still good, despite some injuries and form concerns. Shubman will need to find his method against them. That’s part of the challenge.India are going through a transition. For Gautam Gambhir, as the new coach, do you think this series will be a big test? He’ll also be guiding Shubman Gill on his first tour as Test captain.Absolutely. The relationship between a new captain and the coach is crucial. They must be on the same page. Captaincy is about communication—instilling plans in the players, and making them work. If the coach and captain are aligned, it becomes easier. If not, it can be tricky. That’s why you appoint experienced people—to offer wisdom and guidance. That said, I still believe the captain should lead. He’s the one making decisions on the field, adjusting bowling changes, responding in real-time. Good off-field support helps, but it’s Shubman’s job to establish himself as the leader.KL Rahul is now the most senior batter in the squad, and Karun Nair has made a comeback after seven years. Do you think they’ll be the ones to shoulder the batting responsibility? Yes. When you lose two greats, the next senior players become vital. I’ve always enjoyed watching KL Rahul. He’s human—he’ll make mistakes—but he’s a very good player. This is a great opportunity for him to use his experience and support the new captain. No matter how cricket evolves, certain truths remain. Good leadership matters, but so does individual responsibility. Every player must take ownership of their batting, bowling, fielding—and contribute ideas. That’s how a team becomes successful.Jasprit Bumrah may not be available for all five Tests. What should India’s approach be with him? Should he play early or be preserved for the later stages?Jasprit Bumrah is a fantastic bowler—world-class. His fitness is crucial. If I were England, I’d prefer he doesn’t play at all! If India need to manage his workload, they must be strategic—look at pitch conditions, the opposition, and figure out where he can make the most impact. English pitches are usually decent—not overly bowler-friendly—so someone of Bumrah’s quality can be the difference. If he’s even 75–80% fit, I’d still want him in the XI. India will need to be smart and flexible, depending on how he’s feeling and what conditions…

I didn’t want to be considered for captaincy: Bumrah

Danijones7 days ago08 mins

New Delhi: The energy in the Indian dressing room will be different as India take on England in the five-Test series starting at Leeds on Friday. New captain Shubman Gill leads a side that is fairly inexperienced. Jasprit Bumrah will be an important senior and his fitness and wicket-taking will be crucial for India. Jasprit Bumrah revealed that he had ruled out Test captaincy during as part of his workload management, and had informed the BCCI of his desire to prioritise his bowling responsibilities. (PTI) Eyebrows were raised when Bumrah, who led India in two Tests in Australia, was not appointed Test captain to succeed Rohit Sharma. Bumrah missed the Champions Trophy earlier this year as he was recovering from a stress reaction of the back he suffered during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney in January. He only returned to action after Mumbai Indians’ first four games in IPL 2025. Announcing Gill as skipper of an 18-member Test squad on May 24, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said: “Bumrah is more important to us as a player. We want him fit. There’s always that extra burden when you’re leading, managing 15-16 other people… We’d rather have him bowling as well as he does… He’s aware of it and he’d rather look after himself and be bowling fit.” It had indicated a need to manage the bowling spearhead’s workload. Bumrah, in an interview with Sky Sports Cricket, revealed that he had opted out of the captaincy race when BCCI was in the decision-making process for that reason. “There’s no fancy stories to it. There is no controversy or a headlining statement that I was sacked or I was not looked at,” he told former India stumper Dinesh Karthik. “Before Rohit and Virat retired, I had spoken to the BCCI during the IPL about my workload going forward in a five-match series. I’ve spoken to the people who have managed my back, I’ve spoken to the surgeon as well, who’s always spoken to me about how smart I have to be about the workloads. “And then we came to the conclusion that I have to be smarter. So, I called the BCCI and said I don’t want to be looked at in a leadership role because I won’t be able to give all matches coming to a five-match Test series.” Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul are among the seniors in the squad after the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin. Gill, who averages 14.66 in three matches in England, will be under pressure to make his mark as a batter in seaming conditions. Although Gill has expressed confidence leading the side and has the confidence of his team-mates and coach, he will still have to prove himself both as captain and batter. BCCI have invested in him, keeping in mind the big picture of the team’s long-term development. “The BCCI was looking at me, at (for) leadership (role),” Bumrah said. “But then I had to say no as it’s not fair for the team if in a five-Test series, three matches somebody is leading and two matches somebody else is leading. I always wanted to put the team first, even if me being there as a player offers a lot more, just not as a captain.” Bumrah said he would be more capable of making an impact contributing as a player, despite not having the captain’s tag. It is to focus on prolonging his Test career. “Captaincy is a post. But you always have leaders in the team, and I wanted to do that. But if I’m not careful, I don’t know about the future and I don’t want to be in a situation where I have to abruptly go away from this format. So, I thought that for continuity, and it is only fair to the team that you know the team goes in that direction where they look long-term and I could help in whatever way I can.” Bumrah said he does not judge fast bowlers for picking and choosing formats to manage their workload in modern cricket. However, for him Test cricket remains the priority but he wants to excel in all formats. He clarified that it is decided that he will play not more than three Tests. Coach Gautam Gambhir has said it has not been decided which were the Tests Bumrah would play. “We will plan on the go but three Tests is what I am looking at. The first (Test) is definitely on,” Bumrah said. “The rest we will see how things are, what is the workload and scenario… but yes, three Tests is what I can manage at this moment. Hopefully, in the games that I play, I give my absolute best.”

EXCLUSIVE | ‘Your main job is to perform… captaincy is secondary’: Ex-England captain Graham Gooch on Shubman Gill | Cricket News

Danijones1 week ago014 mins

Shubman Gill (left) and Graham Gooch (BCCI | File) Leeds: India are set to face England in the first Test of the five-match series in Leeds from June 20. The Shubman Gill-led unit has been preparing for over two weeks now and even featured in an intra-squad game in Beckenham. Ahead of the series opener, TimesofIndia.com spoke to former England captain Graham Gooch who, in a free-wheeling chat, spoke at length about captaincy, challenge for Shubman Gill, why England have a point to prove and what one can expect from the pitches this summer.Excerpts…The England tour starts a new era in Indian cricket. Your thoughts on the side under Shubman Gill. He is just 25 and still work-in-progress as a Test batter. Will leading the inexperienced side be a real challenge for him?It’s a new era, isn’t it? My view is that if one door closes, another one opens. I’m sure they’ll give a good account of themselves. Talent in the Indian cricket team is undoubted. It’s just that there’s some big shoes to fill with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring. It will be a big loss if Bumrah doesn’t lead the attack in all the games. I mean, obviously, he’s a world-class bowler. The pressure will be on, but some of the younger players will have to step up. And the captain, it’s a great honour to captain your country, and I’m sure he’ll (Gill) handle it in a good way.Having led England and then the kind of success you had with the bat during the period, what would be the one piece of advice you will give to Gill? Not every player is able to handle the pressure of captaincy.I don’t quite agree with the pressure. Some people are not up to the pressure. I don’t agree with that sentiment. I believe that being made captain of your country is the greatest honour a performer can receive. Because you’re not just captain of the other 10 players, you’re captain of your sport. So your responsibility as a role model and as an ambassador to set the tone for your country’s cricket system, from professional cricketers down to cricketers who play zonal cricket in your country, and the youngsters, the boys and girls who aspire to play for India or for representative teams, your responsibility is to set the tone and be an example for all the cricketers in your country. Poll Do you believe Shubman Gill will successfully lead the inexperienced Indian team against England? So it’s more than just a captain in a team. I think that honour should inspire you as a player. It certainly has inspired me. I don’t always subscribe to the view that it’s more pressure. You’ve got to do it your own way and you’ve got to be yourself, not copy anyone. I think the most important thing for a captain is you’ve got to perform. Your main job in the team is to perform, with the bat in his case. So he has to do that. Captaincy is secondary to performing. And if you perform well yourself, that makes the captaincy easier.A lot is being said about the Indian team but you reckon England, too, will have a point to prove? They didn’t have a good series against India last time the two sides met in the longest format.I think England have a point to prove because whereas I’m in favour of the type of cricket they’re trying to play, exciting, expressive, on the front foot type cricket, to set the tone of the game, to take the game to the opposition. I’m in favour of that, but the record suggests that they’ve had some spectacular series where they’ve won and they’ve lost some as well.I think the big factor for England is, whereas you want to go on the attacker’s map, they’ve done a great job. When you need to play smart in test cricket, you have to play smart. Does that make sense? You can’t go all out attack every time. You have to play the situation. If such a situation requires you to dig in a bit, then you have to dig in. But England, over the last few years, have gone on the attack possibly too much. But the general principle of what they’re trying to do, I think it’s good for test cricket. Because as we all know, test cricket is under pressure from franchise cricket, hugely.Do you think this aggressive style of cricket also opens up plenty of opportunities for the inexperienced Indian unit? England could leave some doors open because of the cricket they play.I think Ben Stokes’ stated aim is that he doesn’t want to draw any test matches. He’s not interested in drawing the test if he can’t win it. Which leaves a bit of a question. Sometimes it’s impossible to win the test. The hardest thing in a five-day test is to create a winning opportunity. It doesn’t mean you always take that winning opportunity. But you play for two, three, four days even to create a winning opportunity maybe on the last day. And England play for that.And they’ve stated to all the world, or Ben Stokes has, that that’s the way he wants to play. So sometimes you can find yourself in a difficult situation in a test where maybe you have to save the game or whatever. You have to play every situation individually. So that gives the opposition, not an advantage, but they know how England want to play. So they know they’re going to go all out and they’re not interested in a draw.How much say will the absence of two stalwarts of Indian cricket – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – will have on the series? Do you reckon England have a slight edge because they don’t have to worry about two world class cricketers?The home advantage gives England a slight edge, yeah. Because we’re used to those conditions. Although a different bowling…

India tour of England: ‘Share Bumrah’s workload’; Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun | Cricket News

Danijones1 week ago09 mins

Jasprit Bumrah (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) As the Indian team’s bowling coach, Bharat Arun was at the centre of the pace-bowling revolution in India. He oversaw the golden generation of fast bowling in Test cricket that gave India some of the most remarkable overseas wins. As he sat down with TOI to analyse India’s bowling attack for the England tour, he emphasised not dwelling on past glory. Excerpts from the conversation…What do you make of India’s bowling attack?It’s got great potential if you look at Arshdeep Singh. Akash Deep is a very good swing bowler. Prasidh Krishna is doing well. We have depth with two good fast-bowling all-rounders and three spin-bowling all-rounders.Among the main pacers, only Bumrah and Siraj have played Tests in England, and Bumrah will not be available for the entire series. How difficult is it to plan for a series like that when your premier bowler is not available for the entire series?I would like to look ahead. Yes, we enjoyed the services of Bumrah, Shami, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar, and Umesh Yadav. Instead of going to England saying Bumrah will not play all Tests, I see there is a challenge for the other bowlers to rally around him. If they bowl really well and keep Bumrah’s workload levels down, then he has a chance to play all five Tests. If he takes the brunt of the workload, then I’m afraid he will not be available for all matches. Kuldeep Yadav hints at spin-friendly wicket ahead of England Test series How important is it to give this inexperienced attack a clear plan for the entire series to follow, like you did in Australia in 2020-21 where you didn’thave the senior bowlers?More than giving a plan for the entire series, I would look at it match to match because the conditions can vary in England. Also, England have announced the team only for the first match, so the team can also be different. It’s not only about having a good plan. It is also about preparing your bowlers to work towards that plan.You had a big influence on Siraj since his Hyderabad days. He has not had those big spells in Test cricket. He’s been more of a support bowler or a third pacer…It’s a great opportunity for Siraj. He’s got enough experience under his belt. I have seen him bowl some exceptional spells, like the one he bowled in the Lord’s Test, which we won last time. It’s time for Siraj to put his hand up and say, ‘I’m going to be the frontline bowler of our country’. He’s got the skill set. It’s now what kind of mindset he has that is going to be vital. He’s pretty smart. Siraj is someone who can be a captain’s delight who will give his all. It’s good to be aggressive, but controlling it is going to be key. He’s had a good IPL. He looked in good rhythm.How important is it not to get obsessed with a big batter like Joe Root when you plan for a series? Playing at this level, you’re bound to come across great batters. For these batters, the most important thing is the planning for the first 30 minutes. There can be vulnerable zones that all these batters do have. If the planning is right, then you sharpen the axe by execution at practice.The key to being successful in England is to be very consistent and accurate. There are two ways you could create pressure. One is by getting wickets. Secondly, make scoring as difficult as possible. You cannot be leaking runs all the time and expect to create pressure. Also, bowling in partnerships is important. How we hand over a spell, maintaining that pressure so that the next bowler who comes in is also bowling to sustain the pressure is going to be very important.How important is it for the batting to find a way to score 300-plus scores to give these bowlers a chance?It is an opportunity for KL Rahul to step in and say, ‘let me take the bulk of this responsibility. The onus is on me.’ The captain himself, Shubman Gill, is a very capable batter. Sai Sudharsan has County experience where he’s done very well. Rishabh is the most experienced batter. It will be interesting to see if they can now put their hand up. We lost a Southampton Test in 2018 because Moeen Ali out-bowled our spinners. How important is it to give the spinners as much a role as pacers in England?We have experience in Ravindra Jadeja. England don’t have too many left-handers. It’s going to be either Kuldeep or Jadeja depending on the conditions. Kuldeep, with his wrist spin, can trouble the Englishmen. They would look at Jadeja, who adds value with the bat. This is a relatively inexperienced batting lineup.There was a time when your management thought that Kuldeep could be the No. 1 Test bowler overseas. What do you make of him now?Earlier, the speeds at which he was bowling were not conducive when he was playing overseas. That is one aspect he’s worked really hard on. Kuldeep is ready now. He’s done exceptionally well whenever he has played at home. In England, there would definitely be some assistance to spinners in the second innings. That is where Kuldeep can be most dangerous.

Kuldeep hopeful spin will matter in the England Tests

Danijones1 week ago07 mins

New Delhi: As India go into their five-Test series in England that starts at Leeds on June 20, there is a sense of anticipation around the relatively inexperienced side. They have not won a series in England since 2007, but this feels like the start of a new era. Kuldeep Yadav during a practice session ahead of the Test series against England. (BCCI) Fast bowlers will be expected to lead the bowling attack, but wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav is hopeful there will be enough assistance in the pitches for spin to play a key role. India are playing an intra-squad four-day match in Beckenham in the final build-up. This will be India’s first series without several seniors – Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin. The left-arm wrist spinner, who has played only one Test in England – that too as a strange selection for a rain-hit Lord’s Test in 2018 which India lost by an innings and all wickets, barring Cheteshwar Pujara’s run out, fell to pacers. This time though he is expected to play a crucial role in a team entering an era of transition. “There is always excitement when you are playing overseas as a spinner. I go in with an attacking mindset and if the wicket and conditions are good, it is helpful,” Kuldeep told a media conference at Beckenham on Day 3. “Although I don’t worry too much about the conditions, if there is a little assistance, it feels good to bowl.” The Shubman Gill-led team is largely young, but he has the experienced KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja to rely on. “Playing alongside Jadeja is an honour. Jadeja and Ashwin have been brilliant. When I made my debut, they helped me even then. We still chat a lot about how to bowl to certain batters and the way the English batters play. “I am spending a lot of time with him (Jadeja). Not only on the field, but outside as well. It actually helped me a lot in terms of tactics and field placements, which we’ve been talking about. He has given some tips as well.” Having played alongside Gill at Kolkata Knight Riders, Kuldeep is familiar with Gill’s thinking. “Shubman has played under many seniors. He used to be actively involved in discussions with Rohit Sharma, not just in Test cricket but even in ODIs in the last year. I am sure he has learnt a lot.” He added: “As a leader, he looks motivated. He was highly involved in lifting the spirits of the team in the last 3-4 sessions (in the India vs India A game). He looks ready to lead.” Secure environment Yadav acknowledged that the absence of seniors has left a void but sees it is an opportunity for the youngsters to perform and settle in the team. However, as players jostle to make a mark, the dressing room can become a competitive and daunting place. Gill, in an interview to Sky Sports Cricket on Sunday, said he is focused on building a relaxed atmosphere. “Apart from the silverware and the trophies, I would ideally like to build a culture where everyone is very secure and happy. I know it can be a very difficult environment, especially with all the competition and the number of matches that we play, but if I’m able to do that…that would be my goal,” he said. “They (management) are not expecting me to do something that I’m not capable of. But you definitely have some expectations from yourself as a leader and as a player.” In the last two IPL seasons, Gill as Gujarat Titans skipper has worked with coach Ashish Nehra, who is known to be totally involved at every point. Gill outlined the difference between him and India head coach Gautam Gambhir. “Ashu pa is very hands on, very animated and very expressive in terms of his personality, and your personality kind of reflects on your coaching style as well. Gautam bhai is very determined, committed and also very clear in his communication, what he wants from the players and what kind of mindset he would want the players to have.” There seems to be promise and confidence in the words of the players and Gill and Gambhir. The first test of the transition will be how effectively the team performs at the start of a challenging series.