Monday, June 22
England's Ben Stokes achieved a monumental feat, joining Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis as the only players with 7,000+ Test runs and 200+ wickets. He marked the milestone during the fourth Test against India, also scoring his 14th Test century. Stokes recently surpassed 11,000 international runs and leads the series' wicket tally with 16.
Jasprit Bumrah endured a tough outing in the fourth Test against England, conceding over 100 runs for the first time in his Test career. His pace has visibly dropped, with only one delivery exceeding 140 kmph. A minor ankle injury further hampered his performance, raising concerns about his fitness despite taking 14 wickets in the series.
Amidst England's strong performance in the fourth Test, India's coach Gautam Gambhir took time to celebrate his wife Natasha's 41st birthday, sharing a heartfelt message on social media. Joe Root's impressive 150 propelled England to a commanding lead, while Gambhir faces increasing scrutiny over team selections and India's struggles in the series, with fans questioning the absence of key players.
England's Kevin Pietersen sparked a debate by asserting that batting in cricket today is easier than 20-25 years ago, citing a decline in bowling quality. He listed legendary bowlers from the past, challenging fans to name ten modern bowlers who compare. His comments follow Joe Root's record-breaking performance, fueling discussions on how flat pitches and rule changes impact batting statistics.
India commemorated the anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, honouring the Indian armed forces' bravery and victory in the 1999 Kargil War. Former cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, along with IPL teams such as Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, paid tribute to the soldiers' sacrifices on social media.
Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has strongly criticised Gautam Gambhir's team selection strategy during the ongoing Test series against England, particularly in the fourth Test. Sidhu expressed frustration over the frequent changes in the team composition, which he believes has disrupted the team's rhythm and hindered their ability to perform collectively.
