Saturday, July 04
Ahead of the first Test against England, the BCCI released a video showcasing the Indian squad's lighter side. Players like captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and others shared their thoughts on England, ranging from the iconic Duke's ball and unpredictable weather to the charm of English summers and cultural experiences.
Rishabh Pant confirmed Shubman Gill will bat at No.4 in the first Test against England, filling Virat Kohli's spot, while Pant remains at No.5. This reshuffling follows the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Kohli, marking a significant change in India's batting order. The No.3 position is yet to be decided.
Swing has always proven to be India’s nemesis. The old adage of Test cricket, “give the first hour to bowlers and dominate the rest of the day,” doesn’t work when you are playing in England. But the question is: will Shubman Gill-led India be able to do it? TimesofIndia.com examines the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian team ahead of the first Test at Headingley.
In the summer of 1911, an Indian cricket team, led by the young Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and featuring the remarkable Palwankar Baloo, embarked on their first tour of England. Despite facing seasoned English players and challenging conditions, the team, a diverse mix of Parsis, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, managed to secure six wins in twenty-three first-class matches.
South Africa's cricket team received a hero's welcome in Johannesburg after their World Test Championship victory, their first major ICC trophy since 1998. Aiden Markram's century and Kagiso Rabada's nine wickets were crucial in the win against Australia. Looking forward, a new-look Proteas squad, including uncapped players, will face Zimbabwe in a two-Test series.
England's 'Bazball' approach faces a significant challenge in the upcoming five-Test series against India. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England has showcased aggressive, result-oriented cricket, boasting a remarkable 75% win rate at home. Key players like Joe Root and Ollie Pope have thrived, while maintaining high averages and strike rates.
Geoffrey Boycott believes Virat Kohli's Test retirement is a bigger blow to India than Rohit Sharma's, citing Kohli's consistent performance and talismanic presence. Boycott urges England to temper their "Bazball" approach, emphasizing the importance of winning over entertaining, especially against a transitioning Indian team. He cautions England against overconfidence despite their recent win.
IND vs ENG 1st Test predicted playing XI: India’s five-Test tour of England, beginning on June 20 in Leeds, marks the dawn of a new chapter. With stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having retired from Test cricket, a fresh-faced squad under Shubman Gill’s captaincy is ready to prove its mettle in one of the game’s toughest conditions.
The Bombay High Court has upheld arbitral awards exceeding Rs 538 crore in favour of the defunct Kochi Tuskers IPL franchise, dismissing BCCI's challenge. Justice Chagla emphasised the limited scope of court intervention in arbitration matters. Kochi Tuskers had played the 2011 season of the IPL before being terminated a year later.
TimesofIndia.com caught up with former England spinner Monty Panesar, who played 50 Tests and took 167 wickets, for an in-depth chat about Gambhir’s big challenge, India’s new captain Shubman Gill, the team’s prospects in England, Kuldeep Yadav’s potential impact, and more.
