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Tag: World Test Championship

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‘Our time will come’: Rohit Sharma remains optimistic despite decade-long ICC Trophy drought | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian captain Rohit Sharma expresses a strong belief that the team's moment to secure an elusive ICC trophy is on the horizon. The disappointment of the recent World Cup 2023 final loss to Australia extended India's pursuit of an ICC title to a decade, with their last triumph occurring in the 2013 Champions Trophy under the leadership of MS Dhoni.Despite the prolonged wait, Rohit remains optimistic, emphasising that the team is confident in their abilities and is determined to break the title drought. The captain's unwavering belief suggests a resilient and positive mindset within the Indian cricket team as they continue their quest for international success."The last three years have been great. Except winning the finals of ICC trophies, we have won everything," Rohit said ...
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India vs England Test Series: Zaheer Khan Excited to See if England Stick to Their Attacking Style | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The five-Test series between India and England begins in Hyderabad on January 25. Former left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan expressed his excitement about watching the visitors maintain their attacking style of play, known as "Bazball," in the sub-continental climate.India have emerged victorious in 16 consecutive Test series at home ever since they lost 1-2 to England in 2012."You don't often see a five-Test series taking place these days. Bazball will remain in focus, and we'll see whether England's approach will remain the same. The kind of pitches that we'll be playing on will also be another point of discussion for sure. But both teams will be eager to prove their supremacy," said Zaheer to JioCinema.Former left-arm spinner for India, Pragyan Ojha, thinks the Bazball strat...
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1st Test: Australia crush West Indies by 10 wickets at Adelaide Oval | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: World champions Australia clinched a resounding victory over a depleted West Indies side by 10 wickets inside seven sessions at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. Josh Hazlewood emerged as the star performer, claiming an impressive five-wicket haul with figures of 5/35.The match witnessed a dramatic incident as Usman Khawaja was forced to retire hurt after a blow to the head by West Indies debutant Shamar Joseph, just one run shy of victory.Marnus Labuschagne then sealed the win for Australia off the second ball he faced.Australia's dominance was evident throughout the match, with a substantial first-innings lead of 95 putting them firmly in control of the low-scoring contest. Hazlewood's dismantling of the West Indies top order on Thursday set the tone for the inevitable victory.W...
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In aftermath of the Cape Town rapid-fire Test, former Australia captain Ian Chappell bats for trimming down format to four days

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell, who played as many as 75 Tests, is batting in favor of trimming the longest format of the game from five to four days, a necessary move born out of “a lack of competitiveness” among a lot of Test playing teams. “Discussion is gaining momentum for four-day Tests in the wake of five-day games lasting slightly longer than a 50-over match. There are valid arguments about the increasing costs and for the introduction of four-day Tests, but why isn’t the tardy pace of play being addressed?” Chappell scathed in his recent column for ESPN Cricinfo. Even though the former cricketer and broadcaster was all praise for the aggressive tactics deployed by Ben Stokes and England to make the game more entertaining, Chappell conceded that the problem at hand was th...
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‘World Test Championship has made it worse for Test cricket’ | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former England Test batter Mark Butcher has expressed his criticism of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC), stating that the tournament has done more harm than good to the longest format of the game.Butcher, speaking on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, voiced his concerns about the impact of the WTC on Test cricket. 'WTC has made it worse'He believes that the bilateral series need to capture the imagination of fans and players to maintain competitiveness and interest, which the World Test Championship has not achieved effectively."The point is that your bilateral series have to capture the imagination of the fans and the players of the two countries that are playing in it, and then the wider cricket watching public. And the only way they ...
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WTC has made it worse for Test cricket: Butcher

Former England Test batter Mark Butcher feels the ICC could have focussed on other relevant issues to secure the future of Test cricket instead of introducing the WTC. File | Photo Credit: AFP Former England Test batter Mark Butcher feels the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) has done more harm than good to the longest format.South Africa recently named a depleted squad for the Test series in New Zealand with their top cricketers contracted to play in the second season of the SA20 as the dates of the two events are clashing."One of the things that's made this even more inevitable is something that they've done to try to salvage Test match cricket, which is the World Test Championship," Butcher said on the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast."The point is that your bilateral series have to c...
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‘Hope I put a smile on everyone’s face…’: David Warner bids emotional farewell | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Australia's star opener, David Warner, bid an emotional farewell to Test cricket on Saturday as his illustrious career came to a close at his home stadium with a resounding eight-wicket triumph against Pakistan, sealing a 3-0 series whitewash.In a heartfelt post-match interview with the host broadcaster, Warner reflected on his Test career, expressed gratitude towards his teammates, and acknowledged the pivotal role his family played in his cricketing journey."It's pretty much a dream come true. You win 3-0 and cap off what's been a great 18 months to 2 years for the Australian cricket team. World Test Championship win, Ashes series draw, and then the World Cup. To come here and finish 3-0 is an outstanding achievement. I'm proud to be with a bunch of great cricketers here," ...
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India back on top spot in World Test Championship standings | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As India clinched a historic Test win in Cape Town on Thursday, Rohit Sharma and Co. moved back to the top spot in the latest ICC World Test Championship standings.Having secured 12 points after their first-ever victory at the Newlands, India reclaimed the No.1 position in the WTC table.After an embarrassing innings defeat against the Proteas side in Centurion, India slipped to fifth spot but now with the comprehensive win in the second Test, India moved up in the WTC table.As the rollercoaster second Test got done and dusted inside 5 sessions, India shared the 2-Test series with South Africa.After winning the Centurion Test, South Africa grabbed the top spot of the WTC25 standings but the loss on Thursday meant their win percentage fell down to 50 percent, the same as New Ze...
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’10 straight wins and then one bad day’: Sunil Gavaskar sums up Team India’s outstanding show in 2023 | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar hailed India's outstanding performance in the year gone by as he summed up the team's heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup final as just one bad day after unbelievable 10 successive victories.The men's team lifted the Asia Cup trophy and secured the gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Despite these successes, the Rohit Sharma-led side faced defeats against Australia in both the World Test Championship (WTC) and the World Cup finals."That's been the most exciting aspect of cricket apart from, of course, what we saw in the World Cup. The 10 straight wins, and, then, just that one bad day, which sadly happened to be the finals of the World Cup. So really some exciting times in 2023," Gavaskar said on the Star Sports show 'Follow t...
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India vs South Africa, 1st Test: India fined for slow over-rate, docked two WTC points – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As if their most devastating loss to South Africa in the opening Test at Centurion was not enough, India were fined 10% of their match fees and lost two significant World Test Championship (WTC) points.India lost the first of the two Test matches in South Africa by an innings and 32 runs, exhibiting a complete and utter capitulation in the span of three days."Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration," the ICC said in a release on Friday.As per the Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which is in context to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match f...
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IND vs SA: Team India docked crucial World Test Championship points for slow over rate

Team India have been penalised by the International Cricket Council for having a slow over-rate in the first Test match against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. India lost the first Test of the two-match Test series by an innings and 32 runs. After being asked to bat first, the tourists could only post 245 runs on the board courtesy KL Rahul’s fighting century. South Africa then responded by scoring 408 runs, thanks to Dean Elgar, who has announced his retirement after this series, hammering 185 runs. In the second innings, only Virat Kohli (76) and Shubman Gill (26) could manage to get into double digits as India folded for 131 runs. According to a statement by the ICC, Rohit Sharma’s side has been docked two crucial ICC World Test Championship points in the opening ...
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AUS vs PAK first Test | Pakistan digs in as Lyon edges closer to 500 Test wickets

Nathan Lyon moves with three wickets of joining the elite 500 club on December 15 as Pakistan dug deep to stay in touch on day two of the opening Test in Perth. | Photo Credit: AP Australian spin king Nathan Lyon moved to within three wickets of joining the elite 500 club on December 15 as Pakistan dug deep to stay in touch on day two of the opening Test in Perth. At stumps, the visitors were 132-2, trailing by 355, with a dogged Imam-ul-Haq not out 38 and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad on seven after they lost skipper Shan Masood late on. But it was a slow grind with their runs coming off 53 overs after Aamer Jamal took 6-111 on debut to help dismiss the hosts for 487. Mitchell Marsh starred with 90 after David Warner’s defiant 164 on day one. Abdullah Shafique was the first to fall in...
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Watch: Pakistani players load luggage in a truck at airport after reaching Australia | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistani cricket players were seen loading their luggage, including kit bags, into the back of a truck upon their arrival in Australia for the upcoming three-Test series.The unusual sight of players handling their own belongings in this manner raised eyebrows, prompting speculation and curiosity about the circumstances.Surprisingly, no representatives from the Pakistan embassy or Cricket Australia were present to welcome the team upon their arrival. The absence of a formal welcome could potentially impact the morale of the team, prompting speculation and concern about the overall arrangements for their stay and the series ahead.Senior player Mohammad Rizwan was seen helping the teammates in loading the kit bags and later also obliged fans with s...
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With WTC points at stake, India to field full-strength squad for Test series in South Africa

With World Test Championship points on the line, a full-strength squad is likely to be picked for the longest format when the squads for the tour of South Africa are selected in New Delhi on Thursday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior selection committee will pick four teams which includes India A, India T20I team, India ODI team and Indian Test team for the tour of the Rainbow Nation. Virat Kohli has already informed the Indian board that he won’t be available for the white-ball leg of the tour but will play the two-Test series in Centurion and Cape Town starting December 26. The selection committee is likely to put more emphasis on Test cricket and a full-strength squad will be available. South Africa remains the final frontier for India as they have never won a...
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BCCI extends Dravid’s contract but tenure yet to be decided, Laxman to remain at NCA

India’s coach Rahul Dravid looks on during a practice session at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 17, 2023, ahead of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) final match against Australia on November 19. | Photo Credit: AFP The BCCI on November 29 extended the contract of Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid in order to maintain continuity following the senior side's stupendous performance in the ODI World Cup where it won 10 games in a row before losing the final. However, there was no mention of how long his new tenure would be in the press release issued by the BCCI. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India announces the extension of contracts for head coach Rahul Dravid and the support staff of Team India (senior men)," the sport'...
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India to tour Sri Lanka next year for six-match white-ball series | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Indian team will make its yearly ritual tour of the islands in the middle of 2024 for a brief six-match white-ball series, giving the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and its host broadcaster cause for celebration, the board announced on Wednesday.Crisis-ridden Sri Lanka CricketThe ICC has also moved the U-19 World Cup to South Africaand blacklisted SLC for government meddling.Nonetheless, the national teams-both male and female-will be permitted to complete their bilateral obligations.Busy season ahead for IndiaIndia is scheduled to visit for three ODI and T20I matches each in July and August, which is essentially the country's cricket season, according to the 2024 calendar that SLC issued.The 52 international matches that the Indian men's national team is scheduled to play in 20...
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IND vs AUS T20Is | There’s always light at the end of the tunnel, says Suryakumar Yadav

India’s Suryakumar Yadav speaking at the press conference ahead of the first T20I between India and Australia in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR On the eve of his first series as India captain, Suryakumar Yadav was in good spirits despite the heartbreak of the World Cup final against Australia three days ago.“It is disappointing, but in the end when you look back at the journey it was a great campaign. Every member, not only the players but even the support staff and the whole of India, was proud of how everyone displayed their talent on the ground. The brand of cricket which we played throughout the tournament is a positive we can be very proud of,” said Suryakumar. On the challenges of playing a series soon after the final, he said, “It is difficult. It will take time. I mea...
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Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra return as New Zealand name spin-heavy Test squad for Bangladesh tour

New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra (left) with his teammate Mitchell Santner during the ongoing ODI World Cup. | Photo Credit: Giri KVS Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner was on Tuesday recalled to the Test squad after more than two years as New Zealand selectors picked a spin-heavy side for the two-match series in Bangladesh, beginning later this month.Santner, who played the last of his 24 Tests against England at Lord's in June 2021, joins Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi as the front-line spinners.Off-spinning all-rounders Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips also returned to boost their spin options on the back of impressive performances at the ongoing World Cup in India.Ravindra is in stellar form, amassing 523 runs, including three centuries, in eight matches at the World Cup while also picking...
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India vs Australia: I end up training more at home than when I am with the Indian team, says Mohammed Shami | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Seamer Mohammed Shami claimed career-best figures of 5/51 in India's five-wicket victory against Australia in the opening one-day international in Mohali on Friday.Shami took a break after the World Test Championship and skipped the two Tests and three one-day internationals in the West Indies."It was important to take that break because I had played back-to-back games continuously for 7-8 months.At the back of my head, I felt I needed a break for a series."I discussed with coach (Rahul Dravid) and captain (Rohit Sharma) and took a break (from the West Indies series). But my break never seemed like a break for me because I have an elaborate training set-up at home (Sahaspur in UP's Amroha) and I end up training more at home than when I am with the Indian team," he stated afte...
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Ravichandran Ashwin: I try to keep negativity away from my thought process | Cricket News – Times of India

India's star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin tells TOI why he is not stressed about selection matters or the prospect of being left out of the upcoming ODI World Cup squad...CHENNAI: When India's white-ball spinners were finding it tough to deal with West Indiesbatters, consequently losing the T20 series 2-3, the No. 1 spinner in the country, Ravichandran Ashwin, was playing a TNCA league match for his club at the non-descript India Pistons ground on the southern fringes of Chennai.The offspinner, with 489 Test wickets and 151 ODI scalps, has been through a lot in the last few months. The 36-year-old was not considered for the World Test Championship final, came back strong in the West Indies Test series after that, and now he is not in India's scheme of things for the World Cup in Octo...