Latest news with #Ashwin
Pink Villa
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Pink Villa
R. Ashwin's wife Prithi Narayanan ‘woke up with many mixed feelings' amid India's first Test match against England
Ravichandran Ashwin's wife, Prithi Narayanan, opened up about feeling bittersweet amid India's first Test match against England. The ace bowler's partner took to her social media platform to express her emotions, as Ashwin would not return to play the long-form cricket in his white jersey. Narayanan's Instagram story came before the Indian Cricket team geared up to play their five-match test series against England. The bowler for the Indian cricket team stepped out of Test cricket after being the second-highest wicket-taker. Prithi Ashwin's social media story amid India's first Test cricket As for Narayanan's Instagram story, the wife of R. Ashwin wrote, "Test match day for India and I woke up with many, many mixed feelings :) have to find a way to love it and unlearn the only way I knew to." Meanwhile, the spin bowler's retirement left a deep impact on the Indian cricket team. The cricketer bowled his last against Australia, in Brisbane, for the longest form. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, too, followed Ashwin's footsteps a few months later. The last time Ashwin, Kohli, and Sharma were absent from the field was in 2011, when M.S. Dhoni led the team in the Oval Cricket stadium. With three of the best cricketers stepping away from the Test format, the fans will witness new entrants in action. Sai Sudarshan has stepped in for his Test debut, while Karun Nair, too, has entered the game against England after a 7-year hiatus. Apart from Ashwin, Virat and Rohit, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have also been left out, though they have not announced their retirement yet. As for the update on the match, England Captain Ben Stokes has won the toss and chosen to bowl first.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
R Ashwin's Wife Posts Cryptic Message Ahead Of 1st India vs England Test
Former Indian cricket team spinner R Ashwin's wife Prithi Narayanan posted a cryptic message on social media ahead of Day 1 of the first Test encounter against England on Friday. This was the first time that India was playing a Test series without the illustrious trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ashwin. While Ashwin retired mid-way into the Test series against Australia, both Kohli and Rohit announced their retirement ahead of the five-match Test series against England. As a result, it was a somewhat new-look India side that took the pitch against England with Sai Sudharsan becoming the latest debutant. Prithi took to social media to post a message that echoed the emotion felt by many cricket fans as she wrote on her Instagram story - "Test match day for India, and I woke up with many mixed feelings. Have to find a different way to love it and unlearn the only way I knew to". India have handed B Sai Sudharsan his Test debut as England won the toss and elected to bowl in the first Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Headingley on Friday. The five-match series also marks the start of a new World Test Championship cycle for both India and England. Sudharsan, who represents Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, has played in the County Championship for Surrey, and will make his Test debut on June 20, a day where Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly (both 1996) and Virat Kohli (2011) made their entry into the longer format for India. He becomes India's 317th men's Test cricketer and will bat at number three in Leeds. Sudharsan got his cap from Cheteshwar Pujara, who is in England as a commentator for the series. Karun Nair will bat at number six, and marks a stupendous return to the Test team for the first time after March 2017. Shardul Thakur is set to bat at number eight, in the seam-bowling all-rounder's slot, after getting the nod over Nitish Kumar Reddy. Prasidh Krishna joins Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the fast-bowling attack and Ravindra Jadeja being the sole specialist spin-bowling all-rounder means there's no space for Kuldeep Yadav. The match in Leeds also marks Shubman Gill's debut as India's Test captain. "We'd have bowled first as well. It has been a dry summer, so although there might be a little bit in it in the first session, it's going to be a really good batting wicket after that.' "The sun is out; it looks like it's going to be a good batting day for us. Preparation has been amazing. All the boys are feeling in a really good space mentally and physically," he said. England skipper Ben Stokes said the preparation for a crucial series against India has been mixed but they are now 'raring to go'. "Headingley is generally a very good cricket wicket, we've had some great games here over the years and hopefully we can use the early conditions and get a bit out of it." "We're all excited, we're all ready to go. The preparation has been mixed, to be honest. We've had some lads playing county cricket, but we've had a really good three days building up to this Test match and everyone is raring to go," he added. Playing XIs India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna
NDTV
12 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Ben Stokes' Honest Admission On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's Absence: "Doesn't Mean That We..."
Ahead of the first Test of the five-match series, England captain Ben Stokes said that despite being without their three experienced players - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R. Ashwin - it is not going to be easy for the hosts to dominate the Shubman Gill-led team because of the gigantic talent pool of the Indian cricket. Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from the red-ball format last month, while Ashwin called time on his international career last year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Gill's era, which is starting with the new World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle for India at Headingley on Friday, India have a herculean task of filling the big boots of the stalwarts and approaching the future with a clear mindset. "There's been a lot said about no Rohit (Sharma), no Virat (Kohli) and no Ashwin. That doesn't mean that we think it's going to be any easier than it ever has been against India. The pool of talent that Indian cricket has is just ginormous," Stokes said in the press conference on the eve of the series opener. "So, although Virat, Rohit, and Ashwin have done amazing things for their country on the field, that doesn't mean that whoever comes in to replace those individuals are going to be any less hard to bowl that out back in just because of how big the pool of talent is in India. I've spent a lot of time out of the IPL, so I know that there's a lot of it. Obviously, three massive names, three people who have done wonderful things for their country, but it's not going to be any easier for us because of those three big names out here," he added. Stokes added that his side's sole focus is limited to the India series and not thinking beyond. "Well, look, I think first and foremost, obviously it's five games against India that we're focusing on. We know it's going to be tough, as always against India. Five Test matches are very demanding on the body. So, yeah, we'll be focusing on these five games first," he said. On Chris Woakes leading the pace attack in the first Test, the all-rounder said his inclusion adds value to their side. "Since me and Baz (Brendon McCullum) have been together, I don't think we have lost a game when Chris Woakes played. Good to have him. "So, again, that just proves how valuable a cricketer is to any team that he turned out for. I think he, being the leader of the attack, is going to thrive off that responsibility. And, yeah, he's a quality critic, as you know, the relentless that he has with the ball, whether that be a new ball or a ball," he added. Stokes returned to competitive cricket last month after recovering from a left hamstring injury and is feeling "great" physically. "Physically, well, I mean, when I was 20, I didn't even know what stiffness or anything was. Obviously, now, 34, you know, everything is just naturally just a little bit harder to do," he said. "But I've worked hard to be where I am here today and, you know, physically where I'm at. It's great, you know, ready to go and just a bit more sensible, I guess, about my build-up. You know, work hard for, you know, the first two training days, two days out, and then, you know, sort of very, very chill than like the day before, just to make sure that everything is going to go come game day," Stokes added.
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Ashwin's wife stirs the internet after not seeing husband, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India Test XI: 'Unlearn'
It is a bittersweet feeling as the whites are back! India are back to playing Test cricket, and an exciting challenge awaits in the UK as the Shubman Gill-led young side gears up to square off against Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's 'Bazball'. However, one cannot deny the void left by the retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the longest format. The Indian side would be without their three senior-most pros, and fans have to get used to not seeing the experienced trioka. Ahead of the first Test between India and England in Headingley, Leeds, Ravichandran Ashwin's wife had a mixed reaction to India returning to the longest and toughest format. She echoed the same feelings as several other Indian fans, possibly hinting towards the absence of Ashwin, Virat and Rohit. Ashwin retired from the longest format midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in December 2024. He bid adieu to international cricket after the third Test at the Gabba, Brisbane. Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in international cricket, only behind Anil Kumble. On the other hand, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from Tests just days ahead of the squad announcement for the England series. Both Rohit and Virat had a terrible time in Australia as the duo struggled for runs. Also Read: IND vs ENG LIVE Updates: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul begin proceedings for India However, it will take time to get used to not seeing Ashwin, Rohit and Virat in whites and making the team win from improbable situations. "Test match day for India, and I woke up with many mixed feelings. Have to find a different way to love it and unlearn the only way I knew to," Prithi Narayanan wrote on Instagram Stories. In the first Test in Leeds, Headingley, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first. Speaking of the visitors, India handed a debut to Sai Sudharsan while Karun Nair returns to the Test side after 11 years. Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja are playing as the all-rounders while Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj are playing as out-and-out seam bowlers. Also Read: Sai Sudharsan makes debut on same date as Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli At the toss, Shubman Gill said, 'Would've bowled first as well, might be a bit tough in the first session but it should be good to bat on later. Sun is out, should be a good batting deck for us. Preparation has been amazing, we played a practice game in Beckenham, lads are feeling great. Sai makes his debut, Karun comes in. Sai will bat at three.' On the other hand, Ben Stokes said, 'We'll bowl. Headingley is a very good cricket wicket, we've had some really good games here. Want to try and use the early conditions.' 'Been a long time coming, bit strange that this is just the second series but we're ready. It's been mixed, some lads have played county cricket, we've had three days of really good cricket. Usual suspects in the top seven, Woakes, Brydon, Bashir, Tongue and myself make up the bowling,' he added.
India.com
15 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
India Vs England In Tests: Who Had The Upper Hand Over The Last 10 Series?
photoDetails english 2918879 Over the past two decades, the Test rivalry between India and England has seen shifting dominance. As the 2025 series in England begins, the rivalry remains intense, with historical records, individual brilliance, and the World Test Championship stakes all in play. Let's look at the results of the last 10 series. Updated:Jun 20, 2025, 01:05 PM IST 2024 (India) – India won 4–1 1 / 10 India bounced back after losing the opening Test in Hyderabad to dominate the rest of the series. Strong performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal, spinners Ashwin and Jadeja, and captain Rohit Sharma helped India clinch the series 4–1. 2021–22 (England) – Series drawn 2–2 2 / 10 India led 2–1 before the final Test was postponed due to COVID. The rescheduled 5th Test in 2022 was won by England, leveling the series 2–2. Joe Root was in outstanding form, while Bumrah and Siraj impressed for India. 2020–21 (India) – India won 3–1 3 / 10 England won the first Test in Chennai, but India dominated the next three with spin-friendly pitches in Chennai and Ahmedabad. Ashwin and Axar Patel took a flurry of wickets, securing India's place in the WTC final. 2018 (England) – England won 4–1 4 / 10 Despite Virat Kohli's superb batting (593 runs), India lost key moments in the series. James Anderson and Sam Curran were standouts for England as they clinched the series 4–1. 2014 (England) – England won 3–1 5 / 10 India started strong with a win at Lord's, but collapsed in the final three Tests. Joe Root and Gary Ballance shone with the bat, while Ishant Sharma's spell at Lord's was a highlight for India. 2012 (England) – England won 2–1 6 / 10 After losing the opening Test, England bounced back with Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen leading a batting revival. England's spinners, especially Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann, dominated the series. 2008 (India) – India won 1–0 7 / 10 India won the series with strong all-round performances under MS Dhoni. The series was overshadowed by the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which postponed the second Test but was eventually resumed and won by India. 2007 (England) – India won 1–0 8 / 10 Rahul Dravid led India to a historic series win in England—their first in 21 years. Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble played crucial roles, and India won the Nottingham Test to seal the series. 2006 (England) – Series drawn 1–1 9 / 10 A competitive series where both teams managed a win each. India showed resilience away from home, with key contributions from the middle order and seamers. 2005 (India) – India won 1–0 (Not a full Test series vs England) 10 / 10 This is not a major bilateral Test series between India and England, often excluded from full-series lists. All Images: X, ESPN Cricinfo
