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Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Sunil Gavaskar's million-dollar reaction after Shubman Gill breaks Little Master's 46-year-old record to create history
It's not often that you eclipse some of the legends of your country. But on Thursday, Shubman Gill would go to sleep a happy, content and proud man. Not many batters begin a tour of England with a century and better it in the next game. But Gill is cut from a different cloth. He has taken to batting after Indian Test captaincy like a fish to water. Just everything seems to be falling in place. 147 at Leeds, and now a double-century at Edgbaston, a venue where India have never won a Test match. What about his doubters, you ask? Well, it seems the cat caught their tongue. Sunil Gavaskar was elated watching Shubman Gill break his record(AFP/Screengrab) On Day 2, Gill did something that hadn't been done in 23 years. After Rahul Dravid's 217 in 2002, Gill became the first Indian batter to register a double-century in England, and soon after took a slice of history with him. The year was 1979, the venue, The Oval in London. As the Test match ended in a draw, Sunil Gavaskar smashed 221 against England to record the highest score ever registered by an Indian batter. It took almost 50 years – 46 to be precise – for it to be bettered, when Gill took a single to reach 222 not out. Imagine the names that have come after Gavaskar – Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli – but none of the above names threatened that record. Until now. Also Read: IND vs ENG Live Score 2nd Test Day 2 Updates Soon after Gill broke Gavaskar's record, the camera panned to the great man in the commentary box, where he looked on elated. Gavaskar passed a huge smile when the on-air commentator mentioned his record was surpassed, and while the two broadcasts were different, the look on the legend's face told the story. He, for one, couldn't be happier that his record was surpassed with him in attendance. Watch Sunny G's reaction below: The Shubman Gill show The Gill show dominated India's solid show against England on Day 2 in Birmingham. India, resuming at 310/5, were in danger of repeating yet another batting collapse, but what transpired thereafter was something no one imagined. Gill and Ravindra Jadeja, the two overnight batters, made the most of the Edgbaston surface, which remained lifeless, to put on a partnership of 203 runs. Jadeja was marching towards what would have been his second century in England and at this venue, but fell 11 short of it for 89. But despite the breakthrough, England's bowlers were left gasping for breath as Gill took them on a ride. The new man in Washington Sundar, settled in beautifully at one end, allowing Gill to flex his muscles at the other. Gill's double-century fetched him a plethora of records. He became the first Asian captain to score a double-century in England. Gill became only the second Indian captain to achieve this feat in an overseas Test, following Virat Kohli's 200 at North Sound in 2016. Notably, Gill is the first Asian captain to score a double hundred in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia), surpassing the previous best of 193 by Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan at Lord's in 2011.


Time of India
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ravindra Jadeja: A team man who outlasted Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin in Tests
India's Ravindra Jadeja plays a shot on day one of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) in Birmingham: When Ravindra Jadeja walked out to bat in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test, India were in a delicate situation with the scorecard reading 211/5. India had lost Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the space of ten deliveries, and England were one wicket away from triggering another collapse. The collapse which was seen in both innings of the Headingley Test, and the collapse which forced India to add more depth to their batting. All the depth talk, however, would have been thrown out of the window had Jadeja not dropped anchor with captain Shubman Gill and navigated the side out of danger in the final session of the day's play. With his experience, grit, and stubborn resistance, the left-handed batter showed why he remains an asset in the longest format, a no-brainer on the team sheet, and has outlasted the likes of Virat Kohli , Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin in Tests. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Jadeja (2012), Ashwin (2011), Kohli (2011), and Rohit (2013) made their first appearances in whites close to each other, and while the last three have called it a day, the all-rounder is going strong and doesn't look like going anywhere anytime soon. Time and again, his place has come under the scanner, and shots were even fired at him after the Headingley Test. What does he do in response? He lets his performance do the talking for starters, and when the sword comes out for a little dance, it's a comforting sight to see the crisis man do the job when it matters the most. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 서재걸 '단기간에 '묵은지방' 녹이려면 ''이것'' 꼭 해야!!' 서재걸 다이어트 더 알아보기 Undo At the venue where his name is inked on the Honours Board near the reception for the century he scored three years ago, Jadeja was agonisingly close to doing a repeat before he fell eleven runs short of the magic number at the stroke of lunch on Day 2. Head down, he dragged himself to the dressing room to rapturous applause for the 203-run stand with captain Shubman Gill, which put India in a dominating position. IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Shubman Gill's statement ton, Jaiswal misses out & Karun Nair at No.3? For a dressing room undergoing transition and starting a journey under a new Test captain, Jadeja has now become the senior pro who has seen a fair share of movement during his long international career. His entry into the Indian Test dressing room came at a time when seniors like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, and Harbhajan Singh were either on their way out or getting there. With the likes of Kohli, Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara, Jadeja soon became a core member of the Test unit—both home and away—and the preferred option for overseas Test assignments. The criticism often came his way for not picking up a bag of wickets in SENA countries, but his job wasn't to be the leading wicket-taker but the support cast for the pace battery, which was put in place by Kohli and Shastri and then carried forward by Rohit and Rahul Dravid. The useful batting and gun fielding completed the package and made him the obvious choice ahead of specialist spinner R Ashwin in the squad. The off-spinner, who often competed with the left-armer for that lone spinner spot away from home, had beautifully explained what Jadeja brings to the table and why he has continued to slip under the radar and not be celebrated enough. "Jadeja always goes under the radar. He is a 'Jackpot Jango.' He is +10 in the field, also bowls well, and bats in pressure situations as well. We don't give Jadeja enough credit. Even at this age, he can cover the entire area from long-on to deep square leg while standing at mid-wicket," Ashwin had said on his YouTube channel earlier this year. He made his debut in a Playing XI where the current coach Gautam Gambhir was still the opener back in the 2012 home series vs the same opposition, England. It was a series India lost 2-1, that forced the then selectors and team management to start preparing for the future—the future which was going to have Jadeja's name consistently written on the team sheet. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.


Time of India
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: 'No time to cry'- Jasprit Bumrah's brutal response to India's six dropped catches
Jasprit Bumrah (Photo by) Jasprit Bumrah once again stood tall for India in the first Test against England at Leeds by grabbing a remarkable five-wicket haul despite a handful of dropped chances off his bowling. Bumrah finished with figures of 5 for 83 in 24.4 overs, showcasing his consistency even as fielding errors cost him potential extra wickets. During the post-match press conference, Bumrah addressed the missed opportunities, saying he chooses not to dwell on them during a game. 'It is disappointing for a moment, but you cannot sit and cry about it. You have to move on quickly. I try not to overthink it and let it go. Many of these guys are new to this level and the conditions make it tough to spot the ball sometimes. No one drops catches on purpose and they will improve. I do not want to create unnecessary pressure by reacting badly or showing anger,' Bumrah explained. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Despite three crucial dropped catches by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Bumrah's persistence earned him his tenth five-wicket haul in SENA countries, making him the first Indian to reach this milestone. He now sits just behind Pakistan's Wasim Akram, who has 11 such hauls in these challenging overseas venues. Bumrah has also equalled Kapil Dev's record of 12 five-wicket hauls in away Tests overall. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo India's Day 3 Test Review: Cloudy skies ahead | Weather twist at Headingley When asked about his decision not to take up the Indian Test captaincy, Bumrah revealed that managing his fitness was his top priority. 'It was not a big issue about captaincy. I wanted to focus on my body and spoke to my medical team. I do not want to let the team down by missing matches as a captain. There needs to be continuity in leadership and I felt it was better for me to contribute just as a player whenever I am fit. Nothing matters more than Indian cricket and winning games,' Bumrah shared. Bumrah also spoke about the Headingley pitch and England's batting, saying the surface remains good for batting with only slight variable pace and expected swing. He believes India must build a big second-innings total to create a safety cushion for the bowlers. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? Commenting on Harry Brook 's dismissal for 99 in England's first innings, Bumrah praised the English batter's approach. 'It was just fate that he got out on 99. He is a smart player. He understands conditions well and keeps the bowler guessing. He can switch from aggressive to defensive play effectively. Next time, we will try to counter him better,' he said. At the end of a rain-affected Day 3, India held a slender advantage with a lead of 96 runs. The visitors finished at 90 for 2 with KL Rahul unbeaten on 47 and captain Shubman Gill at the crease on six. With the match finely balanced, both teams will look to seize the initiative as the Test heads into its final stages at Headingley. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here


India Today
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Gavaskar, Sachin, Dravid or Kohli: Who's India's best? Sherlock Holmes investigates
The sun rose over 221B Baker Street, embracing the morning air with warmth. Inside, the faint aroma of burnt toast and strong coffee battled with the smell of tobacco from Sherlock Holmes' John Watson, bleary-eyed from a late night in a Soho disc, stumbled into the sitting room. He found Sherlock Holmes buried deep in the day's edition of the Times. Design Credit: ITGD Editorial Design advertisement'Morning,' Watson muttered, stretching his torso to shake off the stiffness of a night spent chasing whisky and women. Holmes didn't look up. Watson, curiosity roused, sidled up behind him, peering over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of what held the detective's attention. 'The great Sherlock Holmes,' Watson chuckled, 'reading about the Indian cricket team? Now who would've thought the old chap had a drop of cricket in him?'Holmes set the paper aside and leaned back in his leather lounge chair. Reaching for his violin, he plucked a single, resonant note. It was F-minor, a subtle message.'Come on, mate,' Watson pressed, grinning. You can't duck my questions like a Bumrah bouncer. "What's with the sudden interest in Indian cricket?'advertisementSherlock set the violin beside a polished human skull on the desk. 'Elementary, my dear Watson. I am unravelling the case of the fabulous four.'Watson raised an eyebrow. 'The fab four? What's that, old chap?'Holmes' lips twitched into a smirk. 'The question gripping journalists from Mumbai to Manchester: who is the greatest Indian Test batsman amongst the big four: Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Dravid, or Kohli? I intend to solve this puzzle.' Watson's eyes lit up. 'Who do you reckon it is?'Holmes reached for his pipe. 'It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. You risk twisting facts to suit theories, rather than theories to suit facts. Make a cappuccino, Watson, and we'll examine the evidence.'Watson smiled, heading for the kitchen. 'Tricky business. Fans will cry bias, whatever you conclude.' He paused, scribbling a note for his voice was stern. 'There is no 'truth' in cricket, Watson. Only facts. Those who let emotions cloud judgment are fans. Those who weigh facts dispassionately are pundits. No pundit fears a fan's ire.'advertisementWatson's smile froze. Holmes' icy gaze reminded him: when the detective's mind whirred, best not to a cappuccino beside Holmes, Watson settled for a mystery to rival their greatest cases. SHERLOCK HOLMES INVESTIGATES 'Who do you rank as the best?' Holmes sipped the cappuccino.'Never saw Gavaskar bat. I'm fond of Virat Kohli.''Recency bias,' Holmes smirked. 'A common error of the short-sighted. Look at the data.'Watson chuckled heartily. 'Data is like a bird—it'll sing the tune you fancy''We shall see.' Holmes rose and activated a digital projector. A chart flashed on the sitting room's screen, comparing the fab four's Test batting averages. 'Observe, Watson. Kohli's 46.85 trails Tendulkar's 53.79, Dravid's 52.31, and Gavaskar's 51.12.'Watson's brow creased. "Kohli played the least number of Tests, and was the earliest to retire, despite fitness and modern equipment. He has the lowest average among the fab four.'advertisement'Indeed. Now consider SENA–South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia—where pitches favor pace and swing, testing a batsman's mettle.'Another slide appeared, showing SENA averages. Watson frowned. 'Kohli's lowest outside Asia. News to me.''I omitted the West Indies, Watson. In Kohli's era, their Test side was less formidable than in Gavaskar's day.''Hold on. I'm curious about the Caribbean. Let's see those figures.'The projector shifted, revealing Kohli's average in 11 West Indies Tests. Watson's jaw dropped. 'Kohli's at the bottom again.' 'I am impressed, Watson,' Sherlock clapped slowly. 'There is one more piece of evidence–their batting in the five years before retirement. Guess what?'Watson sighed. 'Bottom again.' advertisement'Precisely. What does this suggest?' Holmes tapped tobacco into his pipe.'Fading reflexes? Declining motivation, waning drive to succeed?' Watson muttered.'Yes, and a slump. Post-Covid–damn that virus–Kohli faltered, nicked off-stump deliveries, and fell to spinners like Nathan Lyon.''You have a point, Holmes.''The power of facts. Deduction's law,' Holmes smiled. 'Kohli's Test record—low average, lesser longevity, final years' dip—places him fourth. I'd consider Vengsarkar or Sehwag, but let's keep our suspects to four.''So, Kohli isn't the greatest?''Figures don't lie. Eliminate the impossible, and what remains, however improbable, is truth,' Holmes replied, his voice low. 'He is a modern titan, with a hunger for big scores. But not the greatest.''Another cappuccino?' Watson asked, stirring his coffee.'No, a double espresso. This calls for a shot of nostalgia,' Holmes said, lifting his violin. Watson sipped in silence. The chase for truth had begun. The game was afoot. Holmes was playing his favourite game: deduction by data placed Kohli below the triumvirate—the saviour (Gavaskar), the destroyer (Tendulkar), and the protector (Dravid).But Watson wasn't done. 'Holmes, let's test the public. I'll post a poll on my blog about Kohli's legacy, then we'll tackle the other three.'Holmes raised an eyebrow. 'A public vote? Sentiment may cloud judgment, but proceed.'Watson posted at once:In a few hours, India's Test cricket will see a generational all eyes are on the future team, Virat Kohli's retirement has ignited a # would you place Kohli in the list of Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Dravid and himself?Vote here:— India Today Sports (@ITGDsports) June 19, 2025Share your vote! #FabFourDebate and stay tuned for Part 2 of this Sharma, our guest author, likes to write on cricket, cinema, music and politics. He believes they are InMust Watch

Mint
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England vs India Test series: 'It's going to be a shame not to play against him'
India will take on England in the upcoming five-match Test series beginning on June 20. India star batter, Virat Kohli announced his Test retirement just before the announcement of the squad for the new World Test Championship cycle 2025-27. Ben Stokes, England skipper has expressed what it will feel like to play a crucial game in the absence of Kohli. Ben Stokes expressed that it is a shame that Virat won't be able to compete in the Test format against Kohli anymore. He lavished praise on Virat and his fighting spirit during the game. 'What India will miss will be his fighting spirit out in the game, his competitiveness, and his desire to win. He has made number 18 his, hasn't he? It'll be a bit weird not seeing number 18 on the back of anyone of any Indian shirt, but he has been class for them for a long period of time,' Stokes said on Virat Kohli's retirement and his absence in the upcoming Test series, in a video released by England cricket. 'I did text him, saying it's going to be a shame not to play against him because I love playing against Virat. We both love playing against each other because we have that same mindset when we are out in the field — that it's a battle,' he further expressed. Earlier, there were speculations about Virat Kohli's inclusion in the Indian Test after he joined the Ranji Trophy game against the Railways. However, the star player announced his exit during the Indian Premier League and shocked the fans. Virat Kohli made his Test debut in the year 2011 against West Indies. In his career, the 36-year-old played 210 innings in the longest format of cricket and amassed 9,230 runs. He registered his highest individual score of 254*. Kohli has smashed 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 123 matches that he was a part of. Among all opponents, he has scored the second-highest runs against England. He has accumulated 1991 runs in the 50 innings played. He has registered the highest score of 235 and has hit five centuries and nine fifties against England. Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana.