Latest news with #Dukes
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Sport
- Time of India
India vs England 1st Test: Why June 20 means so much to Indian cricket
There's something about June 20 that seems to script destiny in Indian Test cricket. On this very day in 1996, two future legends — and Sourav Ganguly began their Test journeys at Lord's. In 2011, it was who made his long-awaited Test debut in the West Indies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And now, in 2025, the tradition continues as Sai Sudharsan walks out in whites for the first time, debuting against England at Headingley. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The 23-year-old southpaw was handed India's Test Cap No. 317 on Friday, as Shubman Gill elected to bat first in overcast conditions. With Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin now retired from the longest format, this marks the beginning of a bold new phase in . WV Raman backs Shubman Gill to fire in England: 'He needs the right support' Sudharsan comes into the match riding a wave of form. He was the Orange Cap winner in IPL 2025, showcasing a temperament and technique that belies his age. Though his first-class average of 39.93 may not leap off the page, his hunger, timing, and ability to adapt have made him a key figure in India's rebuilding plans. Quiz: Playing at No. 3, a spot once owned by Dravid — Sudharsan's role now symbolises continuity and change. As he prepares to face the swinging Dukes ball under English skies, he carries with him not just promise, but history. India's playing XI: , KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. A new story begins, on a date already etched in Indian cricket folklore.
India.com
8 hours ago
- Climate
- India.com
India vs England 1st Test Pitch Report: Will The Green Leeds Surface Aid Swing Or Support Bazball?
As the cricketing world gears up for the high-voltage India vs England 1st Test at Headingley, all eyes are on the pitch conditions at Leeds, which may very well dictate the flow of this five-match Test series. With Shubman Gill set to make his captaincy debut and England sticking to their fearless Bazball strategy, the narrative promises both tension and transition. Two days before the first ball is bowled at Headingley Stadium, the pitch was covered with a lush green grass layer. While such a surface traditionally spells doom for batters—especially with the Dukes ball swinging in cloudy conditions—what makes this situation intriguing is the hot and dry Leeds weather leading up to the game. Despite the green top, the pitch has spent considerable time under covers, indicating a conservative approach by ground staff. This decision was likely influenced by the unpredictability of English weather and the importance of hosting the series opener on a balanced surface. Groundsman's Take: A Batting-Friendly Surface on the Cards Richard Robinson, Head of Grounds at Headingley, revealed England's intention to play on a "good surface" that facilitates stroke play. "They're looking for a surface where they can hit through the line of the ball," he noted—clearly suggesting an effort to assist England's ultra-aggressive Bazball approach. While the surface may assist seamers in the opening hour, especially with any early morning moisture, it is expected to flatten out by Day 2, providing value for shots and aiding batting line-ups on both sides. This evolving nature of the pitch could lead to an evenly poised contest rather than a typical English swing-fest. India's Transition Era Begins Without Rohit, Kohli, Ashwin For India, the match isn't just about testing skills in foreign conditions—it marks the beginning of a new era. With Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin now retired from Test cricket, India fields a fresh core led by Shubman Gill, whose overseas record remains under scrutiny. Gill, averaging just 14.66 in England, has been handed the mantle at a pivotal juncture. However, he sounded upbeat in the pre-match press conference, stating, 'I want to be the best batter in the series.' He will bat at No. 4, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are likely to open the innings. India's probable playing XI could also feature Karun Nair at No. 3, returning to the Test setup after seven years. The inclusion of Dhruv Jurel as a potential sixth batter, Ravindra Jadeja for balance, and one of Shardul Thakur or Nitish Reddy to support the bowling attack, reflects the team's search for a winning formula. England's XI Without Anderson-Broad Pair; Pope Gets Backing England, meanwhile, unveiled their playing XI early. Notably, the absence of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, and injury to Gus Atkinson, has left the pace attack reliant on Chris Woakes and a relatively inexperienced support cast. However, England's batting core looks solid, with Ollie Pope preferred over Jacob Bethell, despite the latter's stellar domestic form. Backed by a familiar system and home advantage, England will hope the surface stays true to their batting-first game plan. Edgbaston Pitch Forecast: Bowl First, Bat Big While often confused with Headingley, Edgbaston in Leeds has been the surprising host this time. Reports confirm that while there was a green tinge, it's likely to be trimmed before the toss. Expect early movement on Day 1, with conditions easing out from Day 2 onwards, especially given the hot and humid forecast. Experts suggest that bowling first may be advantageous, capitalizing on early seam before setting up a large first-innings total. India's Headingley Record: History Offers Hope India's last outing at Headingley in 2021 ended in disappointment with a crushing innings defeat. However, memories of the iconic 2002 victory, under Sourav Ganguly's leadership, still linger. The Men in Blue will hope to recreate that magic, this time under a youthful skipper charting a bold new course.
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Data Shows India Struggles Most When the Ball Swings Less in England: A Stats Feature
A new era for Indian Test cricket begins on June 20, when the side starts its five-match series against England in Leeds. For a new-look Indian batting order, now without the experience of the recently retired Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, English conditions will present a stern examination. Newly appointed captain Shubman Gill and his fellow batters will have their techniques tested by the moving ball in England's swing-friendly environment. Swing has long been a defining feature of Test cricket in England. This is enabled by the country's near-perpetual overcast skies, the generally lush and unabrasive outfields, and the firm nature of its pitches. These factors combine to ensure that swing persists throughout a Test match and is more pronounced on average than in any other SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) country. Notably, swing in England tends to remain consistent regardless of ball age. The red cherry continues to move more in the air across innings than it typically does elsewhere in the SENA group. This phenomenon is further amplified by the use of the Dukes ball. Its pronounced seam and greater durability allow for more sustained and pronounced movement in the air. Conversely, reverse swing is relatively rare in England. The milder weather and softer outfields reduce the chances of the ball scuffing up enough to reverse appreciably. For Indian batters, who have grown up playing in conditions far less conducive to swing, the English question has long been a perplexing one. India's top-order batters have averaged just 30.31 in England across 121 Tests since 1932 — their second-lowest return in any country, ahead of only South Africa (28.88). While Indian batting began to improve in England in the 1970s and peaked in the 2000s, the trend has reversed in recent times. Since 2010, India has played 23 Tests in England — across four bilateral series and two World Test Championship finals. In these matches, its top-order average has slumped to 28.69 — only four teams have fared worse in that span. It is also India's third-lowest average in any country during this period. Interestingly, India's struggles are more pronounced when the ball swings less. Since 2010, Indian top-seven batters in England average just 25.23 when the ball swings under 0.75° — only West Indies has done worse. India's averages remain subpar even in higher swing brackets (0.75–1.50° and 1.50–2.25°). Virat Kohli summed up the challenge of batting in England during the 2021 series: 'You can never say in England that now you are set. You have to put your ego in your pocket. You need good decision-making because conditions in England are the toughest in the world, in my opinion.' Kohli's own journey in England was marked by extremes. In 2014, he averaged just 13.40 across five Tests. Four years later, he bounced back with a superb 593-run series, including two centuries and three fifties. That turnaround, Kohli said, came from understanding that batting in England demands sustained focus: 'The conditions are not like in other places where, once you reach 30 or 40, you can start picking balls to hit. In England, you have to bat the way you did for your first 30 runs and repeat the same template for as long as possible. This discipline and patience are essential. If you're not patient in England, you can get out at any time — regardless of your experience or the number of runs you have.' While this advice is sound in theory, executing it is far from easy — especially for a largely inexperienced Indian line-up in 2025. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Washington Sundar are all yet to play a Test in England. One small consolation for the visitor is the absence of England's legendary swing duo — James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The pair has taken a combined 169 wickets against India at home, at an average of just 23.41. Even so, for Gill and company, this series promises to be as tough a baptism as Test cricket gets. Related Topics India vs England
NDTV
16 hours ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Ahead Of Captaincy Debut, Shubman Gill Told To 'Improve' By Hero Of India's Last Test Series Win In England
India's Test batting has been historically vulnerable to England's swing and seam bowling, resulting in only three series victories for the visitors across many years of touring the country. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring from Tests, India's young batters face a stern examination when the upcoming series starts at Headingley in Leeds on Friday. The essential guide to batting successfully in England is uncomplicated, but the Indian batters have previously struggled with patience, particularly when the Dukes ball is swinging – either in the air or off the pitch, thus unsettling them further. In England's swing bowling conditions, the newly appointed captain, Shubman Gill, and his fellow batsmen will have their batting techniques rigorously tested. Wasim Jaffer, the former India opener who was a part of the team that won the Test series in England 1-0 in 2007, explains the uniqueness behind the country presenting varied challenges to batters when the series moves from north to south and on various grounds. 'I feel that England is a place where conditions change from time to time. When the sun rises, the conditions become completely flat. When it is overcast, then the ball starts to move around,' said Jaffer in an exclusive conversation with IANS. 'So, generally, it is not like that in other countries, where the conditions change so much, and you get a lot of rain even in the summer in England. Apart from that, I feel every ground has its own uniqueness - there is a slope in Lords while The Oval is a good batting wicket.' 'Then in the north, you go to Old Trafford, and even in Headingley, where there is the first Test match, now I am hearing that it is very hot. So, we might get to see a little bit of (conducive) batting in those conditions. But there, the ball moves around a little bit, and the bowlers get a little help. So, these are the challenges batters face when conditions change," he added. Jaffer believes many players will be familiar with playing in a five-match Test series, citing their experience of being in Australia, but he feels that playing the same number of matches in England presents a greater challenge. 'In England, the Dukes ball, the ball keeps moving around. So, you will have to play a little late.' 'You always have to know in England, it is such a place, that you can never easily feel that, 'Brother, I am set, so a big score will be made'. It's because suddenly, the ball will start moving. The Dukes ball also helps in reverse swing,' he added. The onus will also be on openers to ensure India have a great start to their batting innings in England. When India led England 2-1 in 2021, before the series came to a halt, the visitors succeeded due to the impressive batting of openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, who faced upwards of 1500 balls. While Rahul hit a fine century in India's roaring win at Lord's, Rohit had also hit a match-winning 127 in a heavy victory at The Oval. Rahul's strength lies in his ability to assess the line and length of deliveries and then be adept at leaving a lot of balls, particularly at the beginning of his time at the crease. His combination of patience, solid technique, and temperament has resulted in recent good outcomes in Tests. With Rohit not there, Rahul will not only have to replicate what his keys to success were in 2021, but also mentor his young opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal as the latter navigates the challenges of opening in Tests in England, after playing in the West Indies, South Africa and Australia. 'The initial 30-45 minutes, I think, is the most crucial part. You have to play a little late. You don't need to poke at the ball, and there is no need to reach for the ball. In England, there is a little sideways movement. So, the later you play, and the closer to the body, that is better. I think, knowing your off-stump is also going to be very important, because, generally, the bowling line of English bowlers is generally around off-stump or fourth stump.' 'So, again, that will be very important - knowing where your off-stump is, which ball to play and which to leave. Plus, your footwork needs to be precise. You don't want to be caught in the crease very often. So, either you go forward or you go back. Scoring opportunities, when you get them, you need to pounce on that.' 'These are the things that I am sure the players who have spent so much time in England, who have played practice games, and practiced so far, I am sure they will adjust to that. I think the first Test is going to be very crucial and for India to come and do well in the first Test match is where they will get that confidence, and this is going to come very handy,' elaborated Jaffer, who feels the current line-up is filled with potential to do good on tour. Coming to Jaiswal, who was iffy in the two India 'A' matches against England Lions with scores of 24, 64, 17, and 5, and flashed hard away from the body, Jaffer is hoping that he will do well after acing the Australian challenge. 'The way he made runs in Australia - it was a big challenge for him to play against the Australian bowling attack. But he came out with flying colours.' 'Though he has not played in a Test match in England, he has experience of playing there with India U19 and 'A' teams. But a Test match is a Test match, and I feel that with his technique and temperament, he should do well, because, technically, he is good. Then his temperament is good, and I feel that he would be looking to tick a box in his career here when he comes out with flying colours.' The onus will also be on skipper Shubman Gill, who will occupy the number four spot, a place where stalwarts like Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Gundappa Viswanath, and Dilip Vengsarkar previously batted. One of the obvious issues with Gill in Tests has been his being slow on playing on the front foot, with the fast bowlers getting one to nip back in to castle him or trap him plumb lbw. Jaffer, the highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy's history, was the Punjab head coach when Gill hit 102 against Karnataka in Bengaluru earlier this year – a knock where he needed to rein in, before getting his runs. Getting the Test captaincy will also help Gill turn a corner in making runs in overseas conditions, feels Jaffer. 'I could feel that captainship is not going to burden him. It's probably challenging him to get better. Test cricket is one place where he needs to improve his numbers. He knows that, especially away from home and this is a big tour. I feel knowing his character and temperament, he'll be looking very desperately to score runs and win this series. So, I feel, he'll be one of those players where captainship will make him a better batsman.' Coming to England, Jaffer pointed out that Joe Root is undoubtedly the main guy that India should be looking to dislodge, even as others, including skipper Ben Stokes, are in indifferent batting form. 'You don't get that assurance from everyone. Even Harry Brook hasn't scored that much amount of runs, even though he's an exciting player.' 'So, if India bowls well with Jasprit, Siraj, Prasidh, and Shardul, then I think India has the potential to put pressure on that England batting line-up. This is a very inexperienced England side with Stuart Broad and James Anderson not there, so India can put pressure on their bowling attack too.' 'I feel it's going to be a very balanced series. You can't say that England has the upper hand and India will be underdogs. I feel India will be looking to impose themselves because it's a new team. There's not much baggage, and a new leader is there. So, I feel it's going to be an exciting series,' he concluded.
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
England vs India: Sachin Tendulkar, Cheteshwar Pujara explain what it would take to adjust to red-ball cricket so soon after IPL
Even the original schedule for the Indian Premier League 2025 season final (May 25) didn't leave much room for India's players to prepare for England, but the postponement to June 3 meant it was further cut short. A few of players, whose teams didn't make it to the playoffs, headed to England early to play for India A but a majority of the squad have had just over two weeks of turnaround time, including the likes of key batters in Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant to name a few. They had just the solitary intra-squad match to get ready for what is going to be a tough exercise facing the Dukes ball over the next month and a half across five Tests. Speaking to The Indian Express, former India captain and all-time great Sachin Tendulkar elaborated what it would take to make adjustments quickly from the slam-bang world of T20 cricket. Picking length will be paramount. 'My mindset would be to pick the length early because the difference between white ball and the red ball is picking the length,' Tendulkar said. 'Depending on the three elements I mentioned at the start (the weather, overhead condition and the pitch conditions), you decide which length you are going to attack, which you are going to defend, what length can be driven on-the-rise and what lengths you cannot do that.' 'Once you've figured out that length, then it becomes relatively easy, but that clarity needs to be there in your head. I'll not mess around with a particular length where it makes my hands start going away from my body, then I could be in trouble. So, it's not just line, but length is the key. Once you have the clarity about lengths you are going to attack or defend, then you have to pick it as early as possible.' Cheteshwar Pujara, not in the scheme of the Test squad now, spoke about the muscle memory that the IPL stars would be carrying. 'If you're coming from a white ball format, and if that's T20, then your muscle memory tends to push you to play a few more shots and your hands up a little harder,' Pujara, who has had prolific stints with Sussex in County Cricket, told The Indian Express. 'To make those necessary changes to adapt to the red ball is a bit of a challenge. And the players who are good in all three formats, they try to adapt to those things quickly. The younger players, because they don't have enough experience of playing in England, might take a little longer to adapt to those conditions.' While India will be without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – the two stalwarts who called time on their Test careers during the IPL – all eyes will on KL Rahul – now the senior-most batter in the side – Gill, and Pant. India are also likely to kick off their transition period with B Sai Sudharsan in the mix, a talent for the long term, who has already shown his immense shot-making skills during the IPL. All of them are key batters for their franchises and have to make the change in their techniques quickly. 'I think you need enough time as well. But if you look at this series, there is time but I wouldn't say that there was a lot of time,' Pujara said. 'Because if you look at the turnaround time for players who were part of the IPL, it's just about two weeks, or a little bit more. Ideally you should get three to three and a half weeks before the big Test series to prepare after IPL.' The first Test begins on Friday in Leeds and it will be interesting to see if the Indian batters can move on from the IPL hangover and get things straight away.
