Latest news with #IndianTest
India Today
2 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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.
News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'When I Played Under Virat...': Shubman Gill Reveals What He Learnt From Kohli
Last Updated: Shubman Gill, India's new Test captain, aims to secure their first Test series win in England since 2007, inspired by Virat Kohli's proactive leadership. India Test skipper Shubman Gill has said that he learned a lot from the 'proactive' leadership of Virat Kohli and would look to imbibe those values when he leads India out against England for a gruelling five-match Test series starting June 20 in Leeds, in what will be his first assignment as Test captain. A transitional India will search for their maiden Test series win in England since 2007, and the first game is scheduled to take place at Leeds on June 20. With Rohit Sharma announcing his retirement from Tests, the captaincy spot was wide open and with Kohli too following the former, Gill now has a big responsibility of not just leading but also handling the team. 'When I played under Virat, I think his proactiveness in Tests with the field or with the ideas or with his thinking was something that I liked and that I picked up. If he thinks that, okay, this plan is not working, he would immediately have another plan, communicate to the bowler what he wants from them," Gill said while speaking to Sky Sports. 'They just want me to be able to express myself as a leader. I mean, that's what they have told me, there are no expectations. They are not expecting me to, you know, do something that I'm not capable of," Gill said. 'But you have some kind of expectations from yourself as a leader and as a player. So those are the expectations that I have from myself," Gill added. The star Indian batter revealed that he hid all the leadership talk even from his father, his biggest source of support in his career. 'I don't even think he (father) dreamt of me being the Indian Test captain, like even myself as well. All I remember when I was young, all my dreams were to play for India and win matches," Gill said. 'So yeah, he called me when the news broke out, I think a couple of days before. But I knew sometime before (the news flashed), but I didn't tell him because I wanted to tell him when it's official," Gill added.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Rishabh Pant torments Kent neighborhood, smacks sixes into balconies, lawns and windows
Rishabh Pant looks like he is in good batting form, and showcased it to perfect during a recent training session at the Kent County Ground. India are set to face England in a five-match Test series starting on June 20. During the session, Pant showcased his shot selection with massive sixes, which not only cleared the boundary ropes, but also crashed into rooftops, balconies and front yards of nearby government buildings. Speaking to the media, a nearby resident said, 'This is the kind of tale you usually hear in Indian mohallas, kids breaking windows with tennis ball sixes. Only difference is, this time it's not kids. It's Rishabh Pant.' In one incident, a ball was seen hanging from a balcony shade. Due to local protocal, Indian support staff can't casually step into premises to retrieve the balls. Special permission was required and a turbaned official reportedly sought access befere going to retrieve the ball from quarters. Pant is also the new Indian Test vice-captain, with Shubman Gill appointed as skipper. The upcoming series will see a new generation take over, with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin having already announced their Test retirements. Speaking on Pant's appointment, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said, 'Pant is one of our best batters in Test cricket over the last four-five years. A wicketkeeper can see the game well and that's why he is Shubman's deputy.' Pant had a disappointing IPL 2025 season, where he captained LSG, leading them to a measly seventh-placed finish. Giving his verdict on LSG's season, he recently said, 'Eventually, you have to play 40 overs of good cricket, 20 overs will definitely not save you in a T20 game, and that's been our story.' 'There were lot of injury concerns before the tournament, you can see that that is something that hurt us going through the season,' he added.
News18
01-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
Haines' Ton Leads England Lions' Fightback Against India A After Nair's Double
Last Updated: Tom Haines scored an unbeaten 103, leading England Lions' fightback to 237/2 after Karun Nair's 204 helped India A reach 557. Sussex opener Tom Haines led a strong England Lions fightback with a composed century after Karun Nair's impressive double century propelled India A to a formidable 557 on the second day of the four-day unofficial Test on Saturday. At stumps, the Lions were 237/2 in 52 overs, with the steady left-hander Haines anchoring the innings at an unbeaten 103 off 147 balls. They still trail India A by 320 runs. Haines reached his 15th first-class century late in the day, achieving the milestone in 138 balls with 11 boundaries. Following the early dismissal of Ben McKinney (16), bowled by seamer Anshul Kamboj in the sixth over, Haines, one of the most consistent and technically proficient opening batsmen in English domestic cricket, took control of the innings. Kamboj impressed in his opening spell, swinging the ball both ways and maintaining good control. Haines was joined by fellow left-hander Emilio Gay, and the pair stabilized the innings with a solid 109-run partnership throughout the entire second session. Gay, who looked fluent during his stay, narrowly missed a half-century, scoring 46 off 90 balls with eight boundaries. He was dismissed by left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, who broke the threatening stand just as India A began to feel the pressure. Max Holden then joined Haines and played with positive intent, scoring a brisk 64 off just 61 deliveries, including eight fours and a six. The duo put together a 106-run partnership, ensuring the Lions ended the day strongly. India A skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran used six bowlers in an attempt to break the Lions' momentum, but neither Haines nor Holden gave any chances, showing both composure and attacking instinct. Earlier in the day, Karun, making a return to the Indian Test setup after eight years, displayed his class with a sublime 204 off 281 balls, including 26 boundaries and a six, as India A resumed at the overnight score of 409/3. Karun, who resumed at 186, reached his 200 off 272 balls with a four over covers off pacer Eddie Jack. However, India A quickly lost the overnight batter Dhruv Jurel (94) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (7). Karun and Jurel added 195 runs for the fourth wicket before Jurel's dismissal. Karun could not continue much longer after reaching his double century, edging an incoming delivery from pacer Zaman Akhter to wicketkeeper James Rew. Following Karun's dismissal, the Lions' pacers quickly wrapped up the India A innings with regular breakthroughs. Brief scores: India A: 557 all out in 125.1 overs (Karun Nair 204, Dhruv Jurel 94, Sarfaraz Khan 92; Josh Hull 3/72, Zaman Akhter 3/73) vs England Lions: 237/2 in 52 overs (Tom Haines 103 not out, Max Holden 64 not out, Emilio Gay 46). First Published:
