Wednesday, May 06
Ravindra Jadeja was overlooked for the ODIs in Australia but returned for the recently-concluded series against South Africa. Pipped by Axar Patel for the series Down Under, the 37-year-old managed to pick only one wicket in the three games and contributed 56 runs with the bat in the two innings he batted.
On this day in 1981, England's Geoffrey Boycott shattered Garry Sobers' long-standing Test run-scoring record in Delhi. Needing 82, Boycott achieved his 22nd century, reaching 8,037 runs. This milestone marked a significant moment before his subsequent, abrupt retirement from the game.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans to complain to the ICC over Indian Under-19 players’ conduct during the Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 final. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi and mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed accused Indian players of provocation and acting against cricket’s spirit. Pakistan won the final by 191 runs, claiming their second U19 Asia Cup title.
A baffling umpiring decision by Aleem Dar in 2007 saw AB de Villiers given not out despite a clear edge caught by Sachin Tendulkar. The incident, during a rain-affected match against India in Belfast, remains a talking point, with de Villiers himself later admitting he hit his pads.
History was etched in T20 Internationals as Indonesian pacer Gede Priandana achieved an unprecedented feat, claiming five wickets in a single over during the match against Cambodia. This remarkable performance, which included a hat-trick, saw Cambodia collapse and secured a significant victory for Indonesia. Priandana's achievement surpasses previous records held by renowned bowlers.
Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has reached number one in T20I bowlers. South African captain Laura Wolvaardt has reclaimed the top spot in ODI batters. Both players achieved these rankings after strong recent performances. Other Indian players Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana also feature prominently. South African and Irish players also saw improvements in the rankings.
Shubman Gill faces a stark career shift, axed from the T20 World Cup squad despite recent captaincy roles. Questions arise about his inclusion in a strong lineup, with experts suggesting his T20 explosiveness was overestimated. Gill's recent form and injuries impacted his selection, leaving him to focus on other formats.
Shubman Gill will represent Punjab in two Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures on January 3 and 6 before joining the ODI squad against New Zealand. He has also expressed his desire to participate in the remaining Ranji Trophy matches for Punjab. This domestic stint precedes his involvement in the IPL, having been axed from the T20I World Cup squad.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has critiqued England captain Ben Stokes' technique against spin, citing recurring issues. Ashwin observed that Stokes, like many Western batters, relies heavily on sweeps due to a perceived weakness in defensive play against spinners. He emphasized the importance of meeting the ball rather than playing off the back foot.
Bengaluru fans will miss Virat Kohli's Vijay Hazare Trophy return as the Karnataka government plans to hold the match behind closed doors due to security concerns. A previous stampede incident has made authorities cautious, leading to the decision to bar spectators from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, despite initial proposals for limited public access.
