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India Gazette
12 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"Life has come full circle": Karun Nair reflects on his return to India's Test fold
Leeds [UK], June 20 (ANI): 'Life has come full circle' is how Karun Nair sees his return to the Indian team. He declared he is 'ready' for the five-match gruelling Test series against England, which will kick off on Friday at Headingley. In 2018, Karun boarded the plane that flew to England but couldn't earn a spot in the final XI throughout the tour. In the aftermath of the series, Karun was dropped from the Test fold and put in the hard yards in the domestic setup to climb his way back to the team. After dazzling in the last Ranji Trophy season, Karun returned to the side seven years later for a tour of England, the same venue that marked his exit from the team. The retirements of batting bigwigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opened enough space for his return as India eyes its first Test win at Headingley since 2002 under the brand new leadership of Shubman Gill. 'Life has come to a full circle. I went out of the team in England, and now I am coming back to the team in England, so it has been a while, and I am trying to embrace that,' the 33-year-old batter said in a video posted by the BCCI. Throughout this phase, Karun never lost belief, kept his hunger intact, and finally got back on the team after seeing all his teammates. As he prepares for another opportunity to cement his place in the team, Karun feels honoured to wear the Indian jersey again. 'My first thought when I woke up was I want to play Test cricket, I want to play for India again. That's probably what kept me going and kept me hungry, the driving force to go to training every day to go to practice every day. Never losing that belief and having that target to reach was something that helped me. Feeling honoured to wear this jersey and honoured to represent my country,' he said. 'When I saw everyone for the first time, that's where I really felt it, that I am finally in the team. Till then, it was like a wait for me to kind of start feeling that I had made it again. Don't chase perfection; try and dream big. Have that belief in yourself that anything can happen at any point of time. Hi, this is Karun Nair, and I am ready to go,' he added. India's squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav. (ANI)
India Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
ENG vs IND: Ollie Pope reveals bold plan to counter Jasprit Bumrah
England vice-captain Ollie Pope has revealed his brave plan to counter India's Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the 1st Test match at Headingley. Pope, who was confirmed as England's No. 3 batter in the first Test between the two sides, has explained how he wants to neutralise the threat that the fast bowler brings with who has been dismissed by Bumrah 5 times in the 9 Test matches that they have played against each other, said that the main target was to not let Bumrah bowl six balls straight at a single batter. Pope has a horrendous record against the India pacer. He has batted in 9 matches against Bumrah, scored 86 runs against the pacer, and has been dismissed 5 times. He got out to Bumrah twice in the same Test at The Oval back in 2022, when Bumrah captained the Indian to The Times before the first Test match, Pope said that Bumrah was an extremely difficult fast bowler to face in Test cricket due to his position of releasing the ball and the kind of skills that he possesses. 'Maybe getting my trigger in a bit earlier just to give myself a bit more time. He's one of those bowlers that, with his action and where he releases it from, doesn't necessarily clock the high speeds that some of the guys clock, but it certainly feels like it's that bit quicker. With the skills he's got as well, it's being aware of that,' Pope said ahead of the opening Test match at explained that he would like to rotate the strike efficiently against Bumrah and not let him bowl six balls at the same how can I rotate and get to the other end? And my partner's thinking the same, so he [Bumrah] doesn't get six balls at you in a row and use all his skills. He's a highly skilled bowler, one of the best in the world, if not the best,' Pope said.'There's no hiding behind that. But I'm sure everyone has different methods to try and nullify his main threats and figure out their scoring areas. It's really about keeping it as simple as possible,' he last time England played India, they were hammered away from home. Rohit Sharma's team staged an incredible comeback after losing the first Test match in Hyderabad. Shubman Gill's Indian team would hope to emulate the same success in England in the 5 matches that they play against Ben Stokes' side.1st Test: England's Playing XI vs IndiaZak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Watch
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
"Virat and Sharma massive losses": England's all-rounder Brydon Carse
Leeds [UK], June 18 (ANI): England's bowling all-rounder Brydon Carse believed India will field a 'strong' playing XI despite the 'massive' loss of the batting bigwigs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the first Test of the five-match series, which kicks off on Friday at Headingley. India was left bereft of its batting wizards for the five gruelling Tests in England after Rohit and Virat bid adieu to the red-ball format last month. With the addition of Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair, the tourists infused youth and new skills into the squad to compensate for the lost experience. Even though India is missing heavy artillery from its arsenal, which has done the job for them in the last decade, Carse believes the depth and quality of Indian cricket will pose them a challenge that they will be ready for. 'Obviously, Virat and Sharma are massive losses for their batting lineup. They are experienced players over a number of years. World-class batters. But the depth of Indian cricket have and the quality and players coming through, they will without a doubt put up a strong XI and we will be ready for whatever challenge that brings,' Carse told reporters on Wednesday. 'They are one of the best teams in the world. To have that opportunity to play against the quality of players naturally, as a sportsman, you raise your level, and you want to be as competitive as ever,' he added. Carse returned to England's playing XI after nursing a toe injury, which kept him out of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe last month. Carse will play his first home Test after scything 27 wickets across five matches in Pakistan and New Zealand last year. The 29-year-old sees the series opener against India as an opportunity to flaunt his groove and put his skillset on display in his home conditions. 'I think it is a great opportunity. We still have a healthy stock of bowling to pick from. It is another opportunity in home conditions to show the different skills I can bring to the team,' he said. England Playing XI for the 1st Test against India: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
No Jacob Bethell, Chris Woakes returns from injury as England name XI for 1st Test vs India in Headingley
England have finalised their playing XI for the first Test against India at Headingley, opting for stability over experimentation as vice-captain Ollie Pope retains the No. 3 spot, while Jacob Bethell misses out on a spot. The decision comes as England prepare to launch their World Test Championship campaign with the five-Test series against Shubman Gill's men; the clash precedes another high-stakes series, the Ashes, scheduled to begin Down Under in November. Pope's inclusion comes despite persistent questions around his returns against top-tier opposition. While he struck a commanding 171 in the previous Test against Zimbabwe, his record against India is hardly impressive. In four matches on home soil against India, he averages 21 with 147 runs to his name. Bethell, 21, had emerged as a possible option after a solid run that included three half-centuries against New Zealand and a recent 82 in the ODI series against West Indies. However, his lack of a first-class century and limited red-ball experience appear to have swayed the selectors in favour of caution. Bethell's exclusion will raise eyebrows, particularly after Ben Stokes had previously suggested the youngster was in line for a spot, comments he later walked back, claiming they were misinterpreted. The bowling department sees Chris Woakes return to the XI after recovering from an ankle injury, joined by Brydon Carse, who will be playing his first home Test. With Gus Atkinson sidelined due to a hamstring issue, Carse could partner Woakes with the new ball; an unfamiliar role in Tests, but one he performed capably during the ODI series against West Indies. Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir complete the pace-spin balance, with Jamie Smith continuing as wicketkeeper. Sam Cook and Jamie Overton are the seamers to miss out, while Atkinson remains in the frame to return later in the series. Jofra Archer's red-ball comeback also looms on the horizon, with a County Championship appearance lined up this weekend. India, yet to reveal their playing XI, will field a fresh top order with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both retired from the format. Rishabh Pant confirmed in the press conference on Wednesday that Shubman Gill will be India's new no. 4, while the wicketkeeper-batter will continue to bat at 5. There remains suspense on India's new no. 3, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul set to occupy the opening spots. Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: England name playing XI for first Test against India; Chris Woakes returns
England captain Ben Stokes (Photo by) England have announced their playing XI for the opening match of the much-anticipated five-Test series against India, starting Friday, June 20, at Headingley in Leeds. The match also marks the beginning of the rebranded Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, and kicks off the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle for both sides. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! All-rounder Chris Woakes returns to the Test side for the first time since December, bringing much-needed experience to the English lower order and seam attack. Also making headlines is the inclusion of Brydon Carse , who will play his first home Test after five overseas appearances. England XI for 1st Test vs India 1. Zak Crawley, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Ollie Pope, 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Ben Stokes (capt), 7. Jamie Smith (WK), 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Brydon Carse, 10. Josh Tongue, 11. Shoaib Bashir The selection underscores England's faith in a balanced attack and a young but dynamic middle order. With Jamie Smith behind the stumps and Woakes and Carse included, skipper Ben Stokes has multiple bowling options at his disposal. Nick Knight EXCLUSIVE: On Shubman Gill and absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in England India, meanwhile, have not won a Test series in England since 2007. Their last tour ended in a 2-2 draw after the postponed 2021 series was wrapped up in 2022. With Shubman Gill now leading a side in transition, India's youthful squad is hoping to break the drought. Whether India can finally overcome the English challenge remains to be seen, but with England's XI set and packed with firepower, the series opener at Headingley promises fireworks. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
