Latest news with #AaronFinch
NDTV
03-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Ex-Australia Batter Slams India For Leaving Out Star For 2nd England Test. It's Not Jasprit Bumrah
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has voiced his disbelief over India's decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test at Edgbaston, questioning the wisdom of leaving out the world's premier fast bowler in a crucial contest. With India trailing 0-1 in the five-match Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy series, the absence of Bumrah, who has been the leader of India's bowling attack, has sparked debate among experts and fans alike. "If Bumrah was fit to play then surely you need to pick the best bowler in the world?" Finch posted on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the toss. "At the very least Kuldeep has to be in the XI if you're worried about taking 20 wickets. Yes, he might be more expensive but he's the next best attacking option!" If Bumrah was fit to play then surely you need to pick the best bowler in the world? At the very least Kuldeep has the be in the XI if you're worried about taking 20 wickets. Yes, he might be more expensive but he's the next best attacking option! — Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) July 2, 2025 India captain Shubman Gill revealed at the toss that Bumrah's exclusion was a workload management decision, with the management opting to preserve him for the Lord's Test, where they feel the conditions will suit him better. Akash Deep was brought in as Bumrah's replacement to make his Test debut. India made two other changes, with Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy coming in for B Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur, thereby adding depth to the batting line-up but arguably weakening the bowling unit. The decision, however, has raised eyebrows beyond Finch. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad expressed surprise at seeing India take the field without their most potent weapon, especially after Bumrah's fine display in Leeds. "A week is a very good time off for a fast bowler. (Bumrah's omission) does surprise me and what also surprised me was him saying before the series he will only play three of the five Tests. You keep those cards close to your chest and play each week as it comes. They will definitely want Bumrah at Lord's because of the movement you can get through the air, so can they risk him here?" he said.
News18
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
'If Bumrah Was Fit...': Finch Questions India's Decision To Bench Jasprit-Kuldeep
Aaron Finch has criticised India's decision to bench Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England, questioning the choice. Former Australian cricketer Aaron Finch has slammed India's decision to bench ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, saying that if he was fit, then the Indian team should have picked 'the best bowler in the world', or at least Kuldeep Yadav. Given that India were 0-1 down in the five-match series, the second Test became an important point in the tie. With just a three-day break for the third Test at the Lord's, Bumrah 's participation became doubtful because of workload management. India decided to go with Washington Sundar as an option to extend their batting over a specialist spinner in Kuldeep. 'If Bumrah was fit to play, then surely you need to pick the best bowler in the world? At the very least, Kuldeep has the be in the XI if you're worried about taking 20 wickets," Finch tweeted on Thursday afternoon. If Bumrah was fit to play then surely you need to pick the best bowler in the world? At the very least Kuldeep has the be in the XI if you're worried about taking 20 wickets. Yes, he might be more expensive but he's the next best attacking option!— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) July 2, 2025 Before the toss, the boundary ropes being brought in caught the eye of many at Edgbaston. With premier match winner Bumrah rested from the game, India brought in Akash Deep in his place while making two interesting changes, leaving out Sai Sudharsan for Sundar and replacing Shardul Thakur with Nitish Kumar Reddy. First Published: July 02, 2025, 19:18 IST
India Gazette
09-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"The way he's playing has been concern...": Aaron Finch on Labuschagne's batting
New Delhi [India] June 9 (ANI): Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch reflected on the challenge of Aussie batter Marnus Labuschagne's struggles to score runs at number three. He pointed out concerns about Labuschagne's recent form and a decline in strike rate over the past 18 months. 'Well, it's a difficult one because Marnas hasn't scored the runs at number three, and the way that he's been playing has probably been the concern for me. I mean, his strike rate has plummeted over the last 18 months,' Aaron Finch said in a video posted by ESPNcricinfo. 'He's not putting any pressure back on the opposition at all, and when you're batting in that position, you have to be prepared to counter-attack at certain times.' Labuschagne has made only 935 runs in 36 innings with best score of 111 at an average of 28.33, including a century and eight fifties. He backed Australian batter Sam Konstas to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja in the WTC final against South Africa on June 11. He also praised Cameron Green and said he can bat at number three. 'Cam Green's a pretty good player. Beau Webster took his opportunity at number six. Maybe Konstas comes back into the side to open the batting, and you throw Cam Green at three, and you almost push that for the next cycle of the WTC as well. Steve Smith's backing great Nick at four, Travis Head at five. It's a good side still, and there's plenty of options, which is good,' he added. Pat Cummins-led Australia will be looking to retain the mace that they claimed after defeating India in the previous edition of the World Test Championship Final at the Oval in June 2023. Australia squad for WTC final: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett. (ANI)
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
MLC 2025: San Francisco Unicorns history, top performers, schedule, squad
San Francisco Unicorns reached the final of the 2024 MLC. MLC 2025: The San Francisco Unicorns' journey in Major League Cricket (MLC) has been a tale of resilience and revival. After a disappointing debut in 2023—where they missed out on the playoffs and finished fifth—they bounced back in spectacular fashion in 2024, making a deep run to the final before falling just short of the title. As the 2025 season kicks off on June 12, the Unicorns will be eager to put the heartbreak of last year's final behind them and launch a fresh title charge. They begin their campaign with a blockbuster clash against reigning champions Washington Freedom at the Oakland Coliseum in California Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! . PERFORMANCE IN 2023 Matches: 5 Wins: 2 Losses: 3 Tied: 0 No Result: 0 Points: 4 Position: 5th Under the leadership of Aaron Finch, the Unicorns began their MLC campaign with promise, defeating MI New York by 22 runs in their opening match. However, their momentum faltered with a 35-run loss to Seattle Orcas in their second game. They responded with a solid 21-run victory over the LA Knight Riders but were unable to maintain consistency. Consecutive defeats—by 30 runs to Washington Freedom and by 3 wickets to Texas Super Kings—ended their playoff hopes. With just 2 wins from 5 matches, the Unicorns placed fifth in the six-team standings. Bombay Sport Exchange Episode 1: Interview with Sanjog Gupta, CEO (Sports) at JioStar PERFORMANCE IN 2024 Matches: 7 Wins: 5 Losses: 1 Tied: 0 No Result: 1 Points: 11 Position: 2nd A key change ahead of the 2024 season was the appointment of New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson as captain—a move that paid rich dividends. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tecno Pova Curve 5G - 144hz Curve Feels Like No Phone Before TECNO Mobile Buy Now Undo The Unicorns began the season on a high, defeating the LA Knight Riders by 6 wickets. They stumbled in their second match, losing to Texas Super Kings by 7 wickets. Their third fixture, again against LA Knight Riders, was washed out due to rain, earning them a single point. That's when the real turnaround began. The Unicorns went on a four-match winning streak, beating Seattle Orcas by 23 runs, MI New York by 3 runs, and Washington Freedom twice—first by 6 wickets and then by 7 wickets—to storm into the playoffs. In the Qualifier, however, Washington Freedom turned the tables, handing the Unicorns a 9-wicket defeat. But the Unicorns stayed alive by edging out Texas Super Kings by 10 runs in the Eliminator, booking a place in the final. Facing Washington Freedom for the third time in the tournament, the Unicorns fell short when it mattered most. In a one-sided final, they lost by 96 runs and finished as runners-up in a remarkable comeback season. STANDOUT PERFORMERS Finn Allen: Finn Allen emerged as the batting mainstay for the San Francisco Unicorns in the 2024 season. The explosive opener amassed 306 runs in 9 matches at an average of 34.00 and a blistering strike rate of 187.73. He finished as the team's highest run-scorer, with one century and two half-centuries to his name. Allen's dynamic performances at the top were pivotal to the Unicorns' resurgence and run to the final. Hassan Khan: All-rounder Hassan Khan played a crucial role in the Unicorns' turnaround season with his impactful contributions in both departments. He scored 204 runs and was the team's second-highest run-scorer, while also finishing as their leading wicket-taker with 10 dismissals. His consistent all-round performances made him one of the most valuable players in the Unicorns' 2024 campaign. SQUAD IN 2025 Finn Allen, Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sherfane Rutherford, Corey Anderson, Karima Gore, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Tajinder Singh, Jahmar Hamilton, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins, Brody Couch, Carmi le Roux, Hassan Khan, Liam Plunkett, Haris Rauf, Matt Henry, Abrar Ahmed CAPTAIN: Corey Anderson COACH: Shane Watson SCHEDULE San Francisco Unicorns - MLC 2025 Fixtures vs Washington Freedom – 1st Match Date: June 12 (Thu) Venue: Oakland Coliseum, California Time: June 13, 01:00 AM GMT / 6:30 AM IST / 6:00 PM LOCAL vs Los Angeles Knight Riders – 3rd Match Date: June 14 (Sat) Venue: Oakland Coliseum, California Time: June 15, 09:00 PM GMT / 2:30 AM IST (Jun 16) / 2:00 PM LOCAL vs MI New York – 6th Match Date: June 15 (Sun) Venue: Oakland Coliseum, California Time: June 16, 01:00 AM GMT / 6:30 AM IST / 6:00 PM LOCAL vs Texas Super Kings – 10th Match Date: June 20 (Fri) Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas Time: June 21, 12:00 AM GMT / 5:30 AM IST / 7:00 PM LOCAL (Jun 20) vs MI New York – 14th Match Date: June 23 (Mon) Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas Time: June 24, 12:00 AM GMT / 5:30 AM IST / 7:00 PM LOCAL (Jun 23) vs Seattle Orcas – 16th Match Date: June 25 (Wed) Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas Time: June 26, 12:00 AM GMT / 5:30 AM IST / 7:00 PM LOCAL (Jun 25) vs Washington Freedom – 19th Match Date: June 28 (Sat) Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas Time: June 29, 08:00 PM GMT / 1:30 AM IST (Jun 30) / 3:00 PM LOCAL vs Seattle Orcas – 22nd Match Date: July 1 (Tue) Venue: Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida Time: July 2, 11:00 PM GMT / 4:30 AM IST (Jul 3) / 7:00 PM LOCAL vs Texas Super Kings – 25th Match Date: July 4 (Fri) Venue: Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida Time: July 5, 07:00 PM GMT / 12:30 AM IST (Jul 6) / 3:00 PM LOCAL vs Los Angeles Knight Riders – 30th Match Date: July 6 (Sun) vs Central Broward Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida Time: July 7, 11:00 PM GMT / 4:30 AM IST (Jul 8) / 7:00 PM LOCAL
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
MLC's U.S. Debut and the IPL Blueprint for Success
Cricket, referred to as a religion in countries like India, for decades has been struggling to get firm footing in the United States. With a multicultural population and conventional sporting infrastructure existing for football, basketball, and baseball, cricket has remained on the sidelines for decades. That picture is slowly changing. The launch of Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2023 was a turning point — not just as another domestic league but as a genuine attempt to place cricket into the US sporting ecosystem. MLC has taken its baby steps, backed by large investments and growing international interest. Yet, to move from niche league to global phenomenon, MLC should follow in the footsteps of its much more successful counterpart, the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Humble Beginnings of MLC MLC officially started in July 2023 with six franchises, the Texas Super Kings, Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, Seattle Orcas, San Francisco Unicorns, and Washington Freedom. The USA Cricket-supported league, sponsored by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE), was launched to grow T20 cricket in the US through a professional domestic league. The crowning jewel of MLC's opening days was its ambitious players' draft, during which both foreign stars and talented domestic players were scooped up. Kieron Pollard, Aaron Finch, and Sunil Narine gave the league international credibility. More importantly, the tournament offered a stage for young American cricketers to gain visibility and experience, just as the IPL has done for Indian talent. However, MLC is still a small fish in a big pond. Cricket popularity in the US is largely confined to immigrant communities, and wide mainstream acceptance is lacking. The league must also deal with limited infrastructure, media attention, and competition from American sports giants. But there is optimism. Part of that optimism lies in following the blueprint for the success of the IPL. For in-depth coverage, expert analysis, and the latest updates on Major League Cricket and other developments in the sports betting world, go to . IPL: A Blueprint of Success The Indian Premier League, launched by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008, transformed how cricket was consumed and commercialized. IPL was not the inaugural T20 league, yet it was the first to blend sport and entertainment so effectively on such a grand scale. It became one of the richest sports leagues in the world within a few years' time. India already has a gigantic fanbase, good domestic circuits like the Ranji Trophy, and a cricket-obsessed culture. It was fertile ground for the IPL to germinate instantly. Bollywood stars, business tycoons, and cricket legends owned teams, and a bit of glamour was added to it, drawing in non-cricket fans. The BCCI's savvy handling of media rights turned the IPL into a financial juggernaut. Lucrative TV deals brought in billions, with digital rights now playing an increasingly important role. Young players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Ruturaj Gaikwad used the IPL as a springboard to international cricket. The league attracted the world's best players, raising the competitive standard and making each match globally relevant. What MLC Can Learn from the IPL While the MLC cannot just copy and paste the IPL's model due to differences in contexts, there are several important things it can learn and strategically implement. IPL's success also has a lot to do with India's strong domestic cricket setup. MLC must invest in youth academies, school-level tournaments, and college cricket in order to build a long-term talent pool. The league is important, but the broader goal must be to build a more robust cricket ecosystem at every level in the US. IPL exists due to regional loyalty. Franchises are tied to places, and supporters develop emotional connections to their franchises. MLC must replicate this by emphasising city-based fan engagement and community work. Through free clinics, school visits, and local tournaments, this loyalty can be built. Since there are over 4 million Indian-Americans in the US, MLC has an inbuilt cricket-following crowd. Engaging with this community through cultural festivals, Indian food, music, and Bollywood entertainment incorporation on match days can help recreate the carnival-like atmosphere of IPL games. One of IPL's biggest successes has been the commercialization of broadcast rights. MLC needs to seek negotiations with both streaming platforms and traditional broadcasters for long-term contracts, along with having its presence on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Extensive availability of highlights, player stories, and behind-the-scenes content can generate hype. Like the IPL, MLC must continue to attract international cricket stars. The likes of Andre Russell, Faf du Plessis, and Rashid Khan give the league credibility. Yet it also needs to work on developing homegrown stars that can be the face of American cricket — players who resonate with the fans not just on talent, but personality. That said, the timing is right. The US was set to co-host the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, and cricket is set to be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics . These events can serve as catalysts to push MLC and the sport further into the American mainstream. IPL was not an overnight success. It took vision, investment, cultural appropriateness, and pushy marketing. MLC is still in its early stages but has made some headway. With a strategy — grounded in local growth and international knowledge — Major League Cricket can carve out its own niche in the United States sports landscape.
