Latest news with #Beyond23
Mint
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Gautam Gambhir - Shubman Gill sent ‘no brainer' message ahead of Edgbaston Test: ‘You have to play him…'
Team India failed to hand a defeat to the hosts during the 1st Test match at Leeds as they eventually lost the encounter by 5 wickets despite having five centurions in their ranks. As a young team under Shubman Gill's leadership looks to make a comeback in the Edgbaston Test, they will have serious doubts about the ability to take 20 wickets in the upcoming match especially given that Jasprit Bumrah may not feature in the fixture. Bumrah could be replaced in the upcoming match by left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. However, there is also a growing call in the cricket fraternity that India should include the services of wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the upcoming Test match in order to bolster the Indian bowling attack. Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has said in his Beyond 23 podcast that the inclusion of Yadav in playing XI should be a no brainer for the Edgbaston Test. "Bowling-wise, I do not want to be hard on any individual, but I think they've got to play Kuldeep Yadav. I think it is an absolute no-brainer. I think he's a wicket-taker and would have offered a lot more than what he saw the attack do in this Test," Clarke said on his podcast. 'India have done this for a while. They care so much about extra batting or stacking the batting deep, and they are willing to risk picking the number one spinner to do that. I think to win in England, you've got to look to pick 20 wickets," he added. Prior to Clarke, even former English star Nick Knight has also asked for the inclusion of Yadav for the 2nd Test match. He said, 'I would be looking for every opportunity to play Kuldeep Yadav. England will find it hard against Kuldeep. If Kuldeep is on top of his game, that could be a defining moment in the series, or moments, because England likes to be aggressive. When you want to be aggressive, you have to be certain about which way the ball is turning. If there is a little bit of assistance from the pitch, Kuldeep will be able to bowl all his varieties,'
NDTV
07-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Virat Kohli May Reverse Test Retirement On This 'One Condition', Australia Great Predicts
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke shared his views on the possibility of Virat Kohli making a retirement u-turn from Test cricket. Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last month, days ahead of the announcement of India's new captain and the squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England. The 36-year-old bid adieu to the format with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85. Kohli's announcement was a big shock for many, especially after India captain Rohit Sharma had also announced his Test retirement few days prior. However, Clarke suggested Kohli could come out of retirement if India get battered in England. "I believe this. If India go to England and get flogged, if they lose the series 5-0 for example, I think the fans will want Virat Kohli to come out of retirement and play Test cricket again. And I honestly, I think if he was asked by captain, selectors and supported by fans, if they get beaten big time in England, I think he'll come. He still loves Test cricket. I think his words, I think those words, like you could hear his passion for Test cricket is real," Clarke said on Beyond23 podcast. Clarke feels Kohli's absence might be felt in England as the 36-year-old still has a lot to offer, as far Test cricket is concerned. "He sees it as the pinnacle and he's still playing good enough cricket. He definitely made the decision to retire and whatever his reasons are, everybody comes to that time in their career. If that's the case, then so be it. But if they don't perform, if they get beaten, like I say, 5-0 in England, which I don't think they will. I think they can still win in England, even without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I think this Indian squad is a good squad," he added. However, he did not rule out the possibility of India beating England in their own den. "India is a passionate cricket country. They want to see their team win. I think they can still beat England. There you go. I think they're a good enough team. But if they don't, if they get flogged, I think there'll be a push for Virat Kohli to come out of retirement," he said.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Virat Kohli to come out of retirement and play again if…: 'He still loves Test cricket. Whatever his reasons are…'
As we get closer to the Test series between India and England – starting in 14 days – the reality that Virat Kohli will no longer be in the dressing room in whites is hitting harder. It's been almost a month since Kohli decided to retire from the format which he so dearly loved and had a passion for like no one else. Besides, he is only 36. Surely, he could have gone on for another couple of years, right? Well, only Kohli knows why he decided what he did. But rest assured, his absence will be felt in England, and more so, when someone else walks out to bat at the fall of India's second wicket in Headingley, Leeds. A few days ago, Indian cricket made one final push to change Kohli's mind when Arun Dhumal, the IPL president, urged Virat to reconsider his decision. He said he wanted Kohli to take back his retirement if his team, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, won the IPL. It's been more than 48 hours since RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy, but Kohli has been silent on the matter. However, the one thing he did make clear shortly after he became an IPL champion was how much admiration he still has for Test cricket, when he called winning the IPL 'five levels below' Test cricket. Also Read: Virat Kohli 'wasn't ready to give up Test cricket', something happened in 2 weeks; 'His relation with Gautam Gambhir...' Which is why Michael Clarke believes that we may not have seen the last of Virat Kohli in whites just yet. The former Australia World Cup-winning captain firmly feels that if the Indian team gets rogered in England, Kohli will come out of retirement. India are yet to win a Test series in England since 2007. They were whitewashed 0-4 in 2011, lost 1-3 in 2014, were humbled 1-4 in 2018 and drew 2-2 in 2021/22. With this being one of the least experienced Indian teams to ever tour England, India's wait could prolong further, and if that happens, chances are that Kohli could rethink his decision with a little bit of persuasion. "I believe this. If India go to England and get flogged, if they lose the series 5-0 for example, I think the fans will want Virat Kohli to come out of retirement and play Test cricket again. And I honestly, I think if he was asked by captain, selectors and supported by fans, if they get beaten big time in England, I think he'll come. He still loves Test cricket. I think his words, I think those words, like you could hear his passion for Test cricket is real," Clarke said on the Beyond23 podcast. Also Read: 'I saw a very different, angry Virat Kohli in Australia'; Aussie legend's fresh theory adds fuel to Test retirement saga "He sees it as the pinnacle and he's still playing good enough cricket. He definitely made the decision to retire and whatever his reasons are, everybody comes to that time in their career. If that's the case, then so be it. But if they don't perform, if they get beaten, like I say, 5-0 in England, which I don't think they will. I think they can still win in England, even without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I think this Indian squad is a good squad." One can also look at it from a point of view that, despite his declaration, Kohli has unfinished business with England. He had a forgettable tour in 2014, managing just 134 runs from five Tests, but four years later, made a tremendous comeback – arguably the best ever seen in Test cricket – when he pummelled almost 700 runs. Although India lost that series, he got the team perilously close to creating history three years later. India won the Test matches at Lord's and The Oval, and had the Trent Bridge match in their control when rain played spoilsport on the final day. The fifth Test was rescheduled due to Covid-19 the following year, which India lost to end the series 2-2. Clarke is mindful of the fact that the current Indian team is full of promise, good enough to do what no team before them has done in 18 years. But in case things go haywire, Kohli may be motivated to take his retirement back. "India is a passionate cricket country. They want to see their team win. I think they can still beat England. There you go. I think they're a good enough team. But if they don't, if they get flogged, I think there'll be a push for Virat Kohli to come out of retirement," he said.
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Jamie Smith on facing Jasprit Bumrah in upcoming IND vs ENG series: ‘Hopefully, down at No. 7, I can watch other lads go and face him first'
India will travel to England for a five-match Test series. One of the intriguing narratives to watch out for in the upcoming series, in addition to Shubman Gill's captaincy and how the young batting lineup copes with the conditions, is how England's bowling will deal with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah. The ace Indian pacer, time and again in the last few years, both overseas and home conditions, has been the go-to bowler in the red-ball format. Young England wicket-keeper batter Jamie Smith said he wants to watch how other batters handle him before he faces him. 'Hopefully, down at No. 7, I can watch other lads go and face him first. [He is] certainly a challenge there,' Smith, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo. Bumrah opened up about his much-discussed workload management, family, and much more in a recent conversation with former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke. Speaking on Clarke's podcast named Beyond 23, Bumrah said his family is more important than his career. 'For me, family is more important than my career because you know that is constant. There are two things that I take seriously. One is my family, and one is my game, but family comes first,' said Bumrah. 'I have to give priority, and I do give priority because I will not be a cricketer all the time. For them, I'm not a cricketer. I'm a human being, and you know, being a young father, seeing my son, you know, he started picking up the ball and started playing with the ball, which is not advisable at this moment,' he added. Speaking on his fitness and his body, Bumrah said: 'Obviously, it is tough for any individual to keep playing everything for so long. I've been doing it for a while, but eventually you have to understand where your body is going, what is the important tournament.
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Business Standard
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Playing all 3 formats continuously is no easy task: Jasprit Bumrah
India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is gearing up for the upcoming Test series in England, but he acknowledges the physical demands of playing across all formats. Speaking with former Australian captain Michael Clarke on the Beyond 23 podcast, Bumrah highlighted the need to eventually be selective with formats to preserve longevity. 'Playing all three formats continuously is no easy task. I've done it for a while, but at some point, you have to assess your body and prioritize key tournaments,' said the 31-year-old, who has featured in 45 Tests, 89 ODIs, 70 T20Is, and over 140 IPL games. Looking ahead, Bumrah expressed excitement over cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'That's something I'm genuinely looking forward to. Representing India at the Olympics would be a special experience,' he said. Bumrah on England tour Speaking about the England Test series, Bumrah admitted to enjoying the challenges of English conditions. 'I love bowling with the Duke ball. Conditions in England test your skills — from swing early on to reverse later.' With England adopting an aggressive 'Bazball' approach, Bumrah remains optimistic. 'Aggressive batting gives bowlers opportunities. On any given day, we can break through if we remain disciplined.' He also praised the presence of Mohammad Siraj in India's pace attack. 'Siraj brings energy and skill. His growth has been impressive, and he'll be vital in the England series.' Despite the busy schedule, Bumrah underlined the importance of staying grounded. 'Right now, my focus is on the IPL. Once we transition to Test cricket, we'll prepare accordingly.' On-field aggression, Bumrah shared, is something he channels through performance rather than words. 'I prefer to let the ball do the talking. I stay intense but respectful — focused on doing my job without unnecessary antics.'
