Latest news with #KuldeepYadav
Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
England vs India LIVE Cricket Score, 1st Test Day 1: Shubman Gill's IND Playing XI in focus, ENG aim to extend Leeds win streak; Toss updates
India vs England 1st Test, ENG vs IND Live Cricket Score Updates: A fresh chapter in the India-England Test rivalry will begin as the visitors draw themselves into a new era under Shubman Gill's leadership, facing Ben Stokes' Bazballers in the first match at Headingley, Leeds on Friday. While the hosts have named their XI, discussions are aplenty around India's side for the Test. With Gill firm on his idea of requiring 20 wickets to win matches in such devious conditions, it will be interesting to see if India will shed their general tendencies to rely on 'bits and pieces' players. The batters who can bowl or bowlers who can bat have formed the lower-middle order for the side overseas in recent years, with India majorly carrying only one of Mohammed Shami or Jasprit Bumrah due to injuries or other concerns. The trend was also followed in Australia, when India relied on Nitish Kumar Reddy as the fourth seamer. Similar situations could arise in England with the return of Shardul Thakur to the Test fold for the first time since 2023. With the sun unusually beating down hard on a proposed Leeds flatbed, it would be curious to see if India continue to invest in two seam all-rounders or take a calculated gamble with a Kuldeep Yadav inclusion. Despite the usual rhythm of training, a striking scene unfolded at Headingley. At one of the two nets, a less crowded space, three Indian cricketers fought hard for a spot in the upcoming first Test. Opener Abhimanyu Easwaran engaged in a spirited, banter-filled battle against left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Arshdeep Singh, all under the watchful eye of batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. This intense session was a world away from the bustling main net, where B Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, seemingly more assured of their places for Friday's opener, were honing their skills with coach Gautam Gambhir. The unexpected bright sunshine, while providing a "home away from home" feel reminiscent of Chepauk, also introduced unsettling dilemmas for the Indian squad. (READ MORE)
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
India's ex-No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara shows up during team's net session, coach Morkel lodges cheeky training complaint
Team India will usher in a new era in Test cricket when it takes the field against England on Friday at Headingley, with 25-year-old Shubman Gill leading the side for the first time in the longest format. The five-match series marks a definitive generational shift, coming in the immediate aftermath of red-ball retirements from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the last of the batting giants from the previous era. While the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane had already faded from the squad in recent years, Rohit and Kohli's exit firmly stamps the transition. But while the previous generation may have vacated the field, it hasn't disappeared entirely from the scene. Pujara, one of India's most resolute red-ball batters over the past decade, continues to stay closely connected with the team, this time, off the field. Having taken on media duties, Pujara was part of the broadcast crew during India's tour of Australia earlier this year and has now arrived in Leeds to resume his role for the India-England Test series. Ahead of the series opener, Pujara was spotted at India's training session in Headingley, catching up with members of the squad. A light-hearted moment unfolded when he met India's bowling coach Morne Morkel and spinner Kuldeep Yadav at the ground. Kuldeep and Pujara shared pleasantries first, with Morkel soon joining in. Soon, the bowling coach playfully vented about Kuldeep to Pujara. 'He's keeping me on my toes, let's be honest!' Morkel told the Indian batter, sparking a chuckle from the India duo. Kuldeep Yadav is the sole designated spinner in India's 19-member squad for the Test series against England, with Ravindra Jadeja being the spin-bowling all-rounder. Ahead of the opening Test, Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the team management face a decision-making dilemma regarding batting depth and bowling arsenal. The weather is expected to remain sunny throughout the first day, but rain could consistently hamper proceedings during the remaining four days of the match. The first Test begins at 3:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place half an hour prior.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG First Test: Onus on openers, over-reliance on Bumrah – strengths and weaknesses of Shubman Gill-led India
Jasprit Bumrah bowls during the intra-squad match as Yashasvi Jaiswal watches on. (BCCI | X) Over the years, swing and seam have proven to be India's bugbears on tours of England. In the last decade-and-half, the duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, with the support act of Sam Curran and Chris Woakes, had left Indian batters on the mat. In a couple of days' time, the Shubman Gill-led team will be up against Ben Stokes' England at Headingley in Leeds. England don't have Broad or Anderson in their ranks anymore, but the wily Chris Woakes is still around, and in Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue, they have an attack that, in home conditions, will be lethal enough to trouble the inexperienced Indian batting line-up. examines the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian team ahead of the first Test. Magical Bumrah Former England pacer Stuart Broad, in his podcast For the Love of Cricket, mentioned how the fitness of the world's best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, could decide the series' fate. "He is certainly someone England won't want to play all five Tests. Because if he does, he's going to pick up a shedload of wickets." Broad is right. No bowler in Test history has taken 200 wickets at an average under 20. Bumrah was at his magical best in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he picked up 32 wickets at 13. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Birla Evara 3 and 4 BHK from ₹ 1.75 Crore* Birla Estates Learn More Undo India will be banking on their prize asset to deliver again. Who steps up if no Bumrah? India's over-reliance on Bumrah in Australia was quite visible. No other bowler looked like taking wickets. And with no Mohammed Shami on this trip, England will have run-scoring opportunities once they've seen off Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Ajit Agarkar, India's chief selector, had made it clear that Bumrah is unlikely to play all five Tests. In that case, India's young captain, Shubman Gill, will be banking on the likes of Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and veteran Shardul Thakur to play the perfect second fiddle. The onus will also be on Kuldeep Yadav to step up. Kuldeep Yadav hints at spin-friendly wicket ahead of England Test series The last time the England "Bazballers" faced Kuldeep Yadav, they found it tough to pick his length, variations, and, to some extent, the loop. He picked 19 wickets in four Test matches on a "true wicket," not a rank-turner, and shifted the tide towards India after they were trailing 0-1 in the five-match series. Although Kuldeep won't have fond memories of England, where he had a forgettable experience on a green top at Lord's in 2018, at 30, with more maturity and improved skillsets, Kuldeep can be India's trump card. Play the Waiting Game The age-old manual of how to bat in England is simple: Wait. But the Indians don't do waiting all that well — especially when the ball swings around. The swing breaks their soul, and by the time the ball starts to curve away or shape in, Indian batters start to freeze. The balance starts to go topsy-turvy, the bat follows, and they break the thumb rule of batsmanship: never play away from your body. It will be familiar territory for the Indian batters, with the trajectory of the swinging ball winking at them. Eyes on Jaiswal and KL Rahul In the four Tests after the WTC final loss in 2021, India did well and were leading the curtailed series 2-1 in England. The reason behind India's success was the way openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul batted in that series. Rohit scored a match-winning 127 the last time India played at The Oval. The knock came in India's second innings when they were trailing by 99 runs, and it was an uncharacteristic knock from Rohit, who faced 256 deliveries, spent close to five hours at the crease, and hit only six boundaries. KL Rahul, the most experienced batter in the Indian setup, would want to emulate their success alongside the red-hot Yashasvi Jaiswal. Yashasvi Jaiswal's Coach on England Prep, Opening Partner, & Playing Under Gill Follow the Virat template India's new captain Shubman Gill's batting record away from home has come under scrutiny. Gill averages 35 in Test cricket — that is not enough for a country with such batting depth. His vulnerability against the moving ball is also well known. Gill's promotion to captaincy did not sit well with many former cricketers. Former India openers K. Srikkanth and Wasim Jaffer have questioned his credentials and have raised doubts about whether he is a certainty in India's Test XI. "He has not even secured his place in India's Test XI," Srikkanth had told , after Gill was announced as India's captain. Nick Knight EXCLUSIVE: On Shubman Gill and absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in England But Gill and other young Indian batters can take a cue from Virat Kohli — the way he batted in 2018 was a perfect example of how to tackle swing and movement. Kohli had a terrible series in 2014, scoring just 134 runs in his 10 innings. But he came back to England an altogether different batter in 2018 and finished the Test series as the top run-scorer with an impressive 593-run tally, including two centuries and three fifties. Don't Sleep in the Cordon Besides suicidal batting tendencies, India's cricketers have been afflicted with 'butter fingers', dropping easy catches. The 'butter-fingered' slip cordon has cost India several Test matches in England. Slip catching is not easy in England. The sightscreens are not that big, so you don't get a clear background. The Dukes ball swings a lot as well — keepers face a lot of issues once the ball crosses the stumps. The same problem applies to slip fielders. The ball can swing after taking the edge as well. So catching practice is going to be very crucial. They are coming off the IPL, where one hardly does slip catches. But in England, slip catching becomes key. And then, making sure the slip cordon is very sure — who is going to be at first, second, third, and fourth slip. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Jordan Warns Israel-Iran Escalation Could Spiral, Threaten Mideast And Beyond: King Abdullah
Kuldeep Yadav hints at spin-friendly wicket ahead of England Test series Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav believes spin could play a key role in the upcoming Test series in England, citing noticeable turn and bounce during practice sessions. Reflecting on the recent intra-squad match, he observed that while seamers initially found assistance due to moisture, the surface began to aid spinners more later. Kuldeep emphasised the importance of match simulation through intra-squad games, especially for players like him who've been playing T20 cricket. 'Volume is important,' he said, stressing that both pacers and spinners need to build their workload, bowling 15–20 overs to prepare for the demands of Test cricket. 207.3K views | 2 days ago
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
‘Iran Lied About Nukes': Israeli-American Journalist Drops Bombshell On Israel's Pre-emptive Strikes
Kuldeep Yadav hints at spin-friendly wicket ahead of England Test series Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav believes spin could play a key role in the upcoming Test series in England, citing noticeable turn and bounce during practice sessions. Reflecting on the recent intra-squad match, he observed that while seamers initially found assistance due to moisture, the surface began to aid spinners more later. Kuldeep emphasised the importance of match simulation through intra-squad games, especially for players like him who've been playing T20 cricket. 'Volume is important,' he said, stressing that both pacers and spinners need to build their workload, bowling 15–20 overs to prepare for the demands of Test cricket. 207.3K views | 2 days ago
