Latest news with #Border-Gavaskar
Hans India
7 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Sai: I have looked up to Washington for inspiration
Beckenham: Washington Sundar's meteoric rise from age-group to international cricket in a quick span of time was an inspiration for his younger state-mate B Sai Sudharsan, who is all set to make his Test debut against England at Leeds on June 20. In 2016, Washington was playing more as a specialist batter for India U-19 in the junior World Cup and within a year and half, he was playing his first ODI as an 18-year-old. In 2021, he made his Test debut as a 20-year-old and was one of the heroes of the Border-Gavaskar triumph. Sai Sudharsan, who is two years junior to Washington, spoke about how his 'senior's' journey goaded him to work harder in order to achieve his goal of donning India colours. 'I had played a few games against him (junior level). So, it's always special. We have looked up to him a lot and the way he went up and played for the country, it was real quick, I had that in my mind,' Sai Sudharsan told on sidelines of the intra-squad warm-up game with a beaming Washington by his side. 'He (Washington) did well in the IPL. Then he played for the country, so it was great motivation for me, that someone from Chennai (is playing for India). Knowing him and playing with him since we were young, it made me feel I also want to do it the same way. He was an inspiration,' the stylish southpaw's admiration for Washington was there to be seen. Washington, who has played 9 Tests, 23 ODIs and 54 T20Is for India, also spoke about the time when Sai Sudharsan was coming through the ranks as this talented cricketer from Chennai. 'Lot of my coaches and friends as well, constantly spoke about his (Sai Sudharsan's) growth in his cricketing career, always grown, only managed to get better,' Washington said. 'Every time I watched him (Sudharsan) on TV, there was a lot to take from his skill-set, kind of work ethic, which definitely inspired a lot of kids,' he said.
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Business Standard
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Rahul to Gill: Indian players eyeing multiple records during ENG Tests
India's 2025 tour of England promises more than just high-quality Test cricket; it brings with it a series of personal milestones for some of the country's top players. With legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from Test cricket, the spotlight now shifts to a new generation eager to stamp its mark on one of the toughest away tours. From Shubman Gill's run tally to KL Rahul's international landmark and Rishabh Pant's comeback journey, the five-match Test series, spread across historic venues such as Lord's, The Oval and Old Trafford, will be a defining stretch for many. Coaches and teammates alike believe that while the absence of senior stalwarts will be felt, the hunger for legacy-building among the current crop is stronger than ever. Gill, Jaiswal nearing major Test landmarks New captain Shubman Gill needs just 107 runs to cross 2,000 Test runs. Though his average reads 35.05 across 32 matches, his form in English conditions has drawn concern, with only 88 runs in three Tests. Yet, team insiders reportedly back Gill to "turn it around" under pressure. His deputy in the youth brigade, Yashasvi Jaiswal, is just 202 runs away from reaching the same landmark, boasting a much healthier average of 52.88. He also has recent confidence from scoring 712 runs against England in India last year. KL Rahul closes in on 9,000 international runs India's most experienced batter now, KL Rahul, is 435 runs short of the 9,000-run milestone in international cricket. After an encouraging outing in the practice match—where he struck 116 and 51—coaches believe he is set for a 'career-defining' series. With 17 international centuries to his name, Rahul aims to anchor a fragile middle order. Pant, Jadeja, Siraj ready for milestones Rishabh Pant, now vice-captain, is eyeing 3,000 Test runs, needing just 52 more. Despite a poor IPL and a modest Border-Gavaskar series, team sources feel Pant's 'natural game is essential' in English conditions. Ravindra Jadeja, with 6,691 international runs, could breach the 7,000-run mark with consistent contributions. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj, one of India's most improved pacers, is just 15 wickets away from 200 international scalps—a feat expected to come in English conditions, where he has already impressed previously.
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Business Standard
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
I wanted to replicate what Sundar did for the national team: Sai Sudharsan
B Sai Sudharsan, the elegant left-hander from Tamil Nadu, is set to achieve a long-cherished dream when he makes his Test debut for India in the upcoming series against England at Leeds on June 20. As he prepares for this milestone moment, Sudharsan credits a large part of his motivation and ambition to fellow Chennai cricketer Washington Sundar, whose rapid rise from age-group cricket to the senior Indian team left a lasting impression on him. Watching someone from his own city succeed at the international level gave Sudharsan the belief that he, too, could follow the same path with enough dedication and hard work. Washington's rise sparked belief in Chennai cricket circles Back in 2016, Washington Sundar represented India in the U-19 World Cup primarily as a batter. Within a year and a half, he was playing international cricket as a teenager. His Test debut in 2021, during the iconic Border-Gavaskar series, and his match-winning performances at just 20 years of age served as a turning point in Sudharsan's mindset. The left-hander, who is two years younger than Sundar, recalled watching his senior's rapid ascent and feeling deeply inspired. Sudharsan said he had played against Washington in age-group matches and admired the pace at which he moved up the ladder. Seeing someone he had shared the field with wear the India jersey sparked a strong desire to walk the same road. Motivation born from familiarity and friendship The fact that both cricketers hail from Chennai only deepened the connection. According to Sudharsan, knowing Washington personally and observing his journey up close made the goal of representing India seem tangible. He often visualised himself replicating that journey, striving to emulate the same path to the top. Sundar impressed by Sudharsan's growth Washington, now an experienced international with nine Tests, 23 ODIs and 54 T20Is under his belt, acknowledged that Sudharsan's steady rise had become a talking point in Chennai's cricketing circles. He revealed that coaches and peers often spoke about Sudharsan's consistent improvement, and he himself saw plenty to admire in the youngster's technique and work ethic. Sundar noted that every time he watched Sudharsan on television, it was clear the youngster's game had evolved. His dedication and discipline, Sundar said, served as inspiration not just for him but also for many upcoming cricketers in the region. Chennai's cricketing legacy finds new light As India's next generation takes shape, the camaraderie between Washington Sundar and B Sai Sudharsan highlights a new chapter in Tamil Nadu cricket. For Sudharsan, the journey that began with watching Sundar make it to the national team is now coming full circle—with his own debut just days away.
The Age
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘At what point do we stop picking him': Axe hovers over Labuschagne but fellow opener safe for Ashes
'He's a big part of the future of the team,' McDonald said of Labuschagne. 'Anyone that averages 46 in Test cricket at that age is important. We've got older players there who are closer to the end than the start, we've got some younger players coming in, and you definitely want guys that have got 60-odd Test matches. 'At that age, he's really important. If he can get his game in order for the next five years, he can underpin that batting order. At the moment, he'd be disappointed with the returns, he's missed out on big scores. 'He threatened at the MCG, got a pair of 70s, and if they'd been a pair of hundreds then the conversation shifts as well. We're confident he can return to his best, hence why we keep picking him. It's at what point do we stop picking him.' As for Khawaja, who sculpted a double century in Sri Lanka earlier in the year between struggles against Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada, McDonald pointed to how David Warner dominated Pakistan at home in his final series. 'He's on contract, he's an important player, he gives us stability at his best at the top, and we like to look at our players at their best,' McDonald said. 'No doubt a couple of failures here and people then start to talk about 'maybe it's the end'. I don't see an end date with the way he's training, the way he's preparing, the way he's moving. Loading 'He went back to Shield cricket and got a hundred last year, so I think he's got plenty of runs left in him, but it'll come down to his inner drive and the way he prepares. It was a bit the same with Davey as well. 'The way he moved, we saw some positives in that, we saw that runs were around the corner, and I think from memory he was the leading run scorer against Pakistan in his last series for Australia. So we feel as though Usman's got a big part to play.' Though Pat Cummins' team did enough to qualify for the final, they also had numerous significant reverses. A 2-0 Ashes lead in England became a 2-2 tie with a fortunate draw in Manchester, Shamar Joseph led West Indies to a victory in Brisbane, and India's first up thrashing of Australia in Perth last year turned the Border-Gavaskar series into a trying one for the hosts. Plus, a 2-0 victory in New Zealand was closer than the scoreline suggested. Loading 'We're not a perfect team, and we haven't been across the journey – we've found ways to win, and unfortunately this time we couldn't conjure that up,' McDonald said. Australia may call in a batting reinforcement as cover for Steve Smith in the Caribbean but will wait a few days to see how his finger settles down from the traumas of the past 36 hours. 'He's going to travel with us,' McDonald said. 'I think it's just really about assessing what he can do and what he's capable of doing. There'll be a splint that is on that finger for a period of time, and then it'll be about what his function looks like. 'If Steve wasn't available for the first Test match, I think that would lend itself to having extra batting coverage because if we lost another player, then we'd be short in terms of what we have on the bench and available.
Sydney Morning Herald
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘At what point do we stop picking him': Axe hovers over Labuschagne but fellow opener safe for Ashes
'He's a big part of the future of the team,' McDonald said of Labuschagne. 'Anyone that averages 46 in Test cricket at that age is important. We've got older players there who are closer to the end than the start, we've got some younger players coming in, and you definitely want guys that have got 60-odd Test matches. 'At that age, he's really important. If he can get his game in order for the next five years, he can underpin that batting order. At the moment, he'd be disappointed with the returns, he's missed out on big scores. 'He threatened at the MCG, got a pair of 70s, and if they'd been a pair of hundreds then the conversation shifts as well. We're confident he can return to his best, hence why we keep picking him. It's at what point do we stop picking him.' As for Khawaja, who sculpted a double century in Sri Lanka earlier in the year between struggles against Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada, McDonald pointed to how David Warner dominated Pakistan at home in his final series. 'He's on contract, he's an important player, he gives us stability at his best at the top, and we like to look at our players at their best,' McDonald said. 'No doubt a couple of failures here and people then start to talk about 'maybe it's the end'. I don't see an end date with the way he's training, the way he's preparing, the way he's moving. Loading 'He went back to Shield cricket and got a hundred last year, so I think he's got plenty of runs left in him, but it'll come down to his inner drive and the way he prepares. It was a bit the same with Davey as well. 'The way he moved, we saw some positives in that, we saw that runs were around the corner, and I think from memory he was the leading run scorer against Pakistan in his last series for Australia. So we feel as though Usman's got a big part to play.' Though Pat Cummins' team did enough to qualify for the final, they also had numerous significant reverses. A 2-0 Ashes lead in England became a 2-2 tie with a fortunate draw in Manchester, Shamar Joseph led West Indies to a victory in Brisbane, and India's first up thrashing of Australia in Perth last year turned the Border-Gavaskar series into a trying one for the hosts. Plus, a 2-0 victory in New Zealand was closer than the scoreline suggested. Loading 'We're not a perfect team, and we haven't been across the journey – we've found ways to win, and unfortunately this time we couldn't conjure that up,' McDonald said. Australia may call in a batting reinforcement as cover for Steve Smith in the Caribbean but will wait a few days to see how his finger settles down from the traumas of the past 36 hours. 'He's going to travel with us,' McDonald said. 'I think it's just really about assessing what he can do and what he's capable of doing. There'll be a splint that is on that finger for a period of time, and then it'll be about what his function looks like. 'If Steve wasn't available for the first Test match, I think that would lend itself to having extra batting coverage because if we lost another player, then we'd be short in terms of what we have on the bench and available.
