Latest news with #post-Kohli-Rohit
India Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
King to Prince: Shubman Gill echoes Virat Kohli with century on Test captaincy debut
In 2014, a young Virat Kohli began his Test captaincy career with a century in Adelaide. Four years later, he repeated the feat in England — a hard-fought hundred at Edgbaston in his first Test as captain on English soil. Now, Shubman Gill has followed in his June 20 at Headingley, Gill marked his first Test as India's red-ball captain with a composed 140-ball century, leading the way just as Kohli had done before him. Taking over the No.4 position vacated by Kohli himself, Gill made a powerful statement — not only as a batter but as the new face of India's Test vs IND, 1st Test Day 1: Updates Before the match, Gill was clear about his personal goals amid the added responsibility. 'I want to be the best batter in this series,' he said — a mindset he brought with him to the middle, unfazed by the pressure of captaincy or started brightly on Day 1, with both openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul off to a fluent start with their 91-run stand. But England struck back before lunch. KL Rahul, who looked in rhythm, fell to Brydon Carse, and debutant Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for a duck by Ben Stokes. Standing on 92 for 2 at lunch, India were briefly under when Gill walked in — facing not just an England attack in home conditions, but also the burden of expectation. His overseas record had drawn criticism, averaging 25.70 in SENA countries with only two fifties, both in Australia. In England, he had managed just 88 runs across three Tests at an average of 14.66. But at Headingley, Gill looked determined to shift that at No.4, Gill began cautiously while allowing Jaiswal to keep the runs flowing. But once settled, he began showing his range — reaching his fifty in just 56 balls, with effortless timing and crisp shot selection. After Jaiswal was dismissed for 101, Gill took charge, controlling the innings with help from vice-captain Rishabh Pant at the other doing so, Gill became just the fifth Indian captain to score a Test century in England, joining a select club that includes Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Mohammed Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, and Virat Kohli. That this came in his very first match as captain — and at the historic Headingley — only added weight to the innings wasn't flashy, but it was controlled and authoritative. It was built on awareness — of the situation, of his own game, and of the responsibility on his shoulders. There was no captain's armband, but there was leadership written all over the was a start that mirrored Kohli's in many ways — but with Gill's own quiet imprint. For a side seeking direction in the post-Kohli-Rohit era, Day 1 of the Headingley Test might just have offered a glimpse of what the future looks like.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Ben Stokes bursts out laughing after Rishabh Pant smacks him down the ground for four
Ben Stokes reacts to Rishabh Pant's smashing four after coming on for Yashasvi Jaiswal (Image via X/@mufaddal_vohra) Rishabh Pant wasted no time in getting to work at Headingley on Friday, delivering a powerful shot just moments after Yashasvi Jaiswal's fine century came to an end. Jaiswal, who had anchored India's innings with a composed yet commanding 101 off 159 balls, fell to England captain Ben Stokes — giving the hosts a much-needed breakthrough after a testing first session. The young opener's knock, his fifth Test century and third against England, showcased his growing stature as India's next batting mainstay in the post-Kohli-Rohit era. After his wicket, Pant walked in with India looking to build on Jaiswal's platform and wasted no time stamping his authority. Facing Stokes, the wicketkeeper-batter pushed his first delivery to the on-side, but stepped out of the crease and drove it straight back past the bowler for a crisp four down the ground in the second ball he faced. The shot drew a big laugh from Stokes himself. The England skipper, amused by Pant's typically fearless approach, exchanged a few words and chuckled, while Pant stayed focused, eyes set on steering India to a big first-innings total. Pant, coming in at number five and acting as the vice-captain of this young Indian team, will look to make the most of his innings on Day 1. He is joined by captain Shubman Gill, who has announced his arrival as captain with a solid half century. Yashasvi Jaiswal's Coach on England Prep, Opening Partner, & Playing Under Gill With the series marking the start of India's new Test cycle under Shubman Gill's leadership, Pant's presence in the middle promises more fireworks as the visitors aim to post an imposing score and set the tone for the rest of the series. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Headingley Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal slams third ton vs England, continues dream run in red-ball cricket
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Pic credit: BCCI) Young India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his prolific form in Test cricket , bringing up his fifth Test century on Day 1 of the first Test against England at Headingley on Friday. Jaiswal reached the milestone in 144 balls, showcasing maturity and flair as he cracked 16 fours and a six in another commanding innings. The 23-year-old southpaw's innings reinforced his growing reputation as one of India's most dependable red-ball batters in the post-Kohli-Rohit era. This was Jaiswal's third century against England, having scored two tons in the home series last year, where he finished as the leading run-scorer. He has now firmly established himself as a thorn in England's plans, seamlessly adapting to conditions both at home and away. On a sun-drenched day in Leeds, Jaiswal combined aggression with patience, capitalising on a solid start after KL Rahul's early dismissal. His partnership with captain Shubman Gill , who also scored a fluent half-century, set the tone for a promising Indian innings in what marks the beginning of a new era in Indian Test cricket. Jaiswal's hundred was not just another milestone, but a statement of intent as Team India rebuilds its Test batting unit following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Jeff Bezos No Longer World's Second-Richest!
'Ginormous talent pool': Ben Stokes warns against underestimating India in post-Kohli-Rohit era On the eve of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy opener in Leeds, England captain Ben Stokes dismissed the notion that India would be weaker without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin. Stokes said India's 'ginormous' talent pool ensures their replacements will be just as challenging. He acknowledged Jasprit Bumrah's threat but emphasised England's focus remains on the entire team. With Shubman Gill leading a new-look India, the five-Test series promises a compelling contest. 959 views | 3 hours ago
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
India vs England: Can Bazball outplay India's new era? Key battles and what to expect
Director of cricket Rob Key, selector Luke Wright, captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum speak during a nets session at Headingley. (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum has been a team reborn: fearless, unapologetic, and often breathtaking. Since their bold reinvention in 2022, the Three Lions have gone from tactical conservatism to swashbuckling spectacle. The world calls it "Bazball"; England, somewhat sheepishly, calls it just "how we play. " Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'It's a phrase created by the media,' Stokes said earlier last year. 'Baz hates it.' McCullum went further, insisting that 'Bazball' wasn't about chaos but 'thoughtful, calculated pressure.' Poll Which aspect of England's team is the most concerning heading into the India series? Overdependence on Joe Root Inexperience among new players Lack of a proven spin bowler Absence of Anderson and Broad Regardless of semantics, the method has yielded results: 15 wins in 20 Tests, a strike rate of nearly 74 for their top seven batters, and a renewed swagger in whites. But now comes the real exam: a five-Test showdown against India at home, a side led by Shubman Gill's calm demeanour, Jasprit Bumrah's unrelenting pace, Rishabh Pant's fearless flair, and an increasingly deep spin arsenal. For all the "Bazball" hype, cracks remain in the English setup; and India will be itching to probe them. 'Ginormous talent pool': Ben Stokes warns against underestimating India in post-Kohli-Rohit era 1. Bazball's high-risk nature: All-in or all out? England's aggressive template works brilliantly -- until it doesn't. The ultra-positive batting style offers no room for conservatism or survival. On seaming pitches under English skies or against disciplined bowling units like India's, all-out aggression can quickly spiral into all-out collapse. The absence of an effective Plan B has been England's Achilles' heel as they swing hard, and sometimes miss harder. 2. An ageing dependency: Joe Root as the pillar In a team full of strokemakers, Joe Root remains the anchor. Since Bazball's inception, his 3,000+ runs at an average north of 57 are the glue that holds the side together. But that's precisely the problem. The team depends on him disproportionately. If Root fails, the England middle-order often crumbles. Against India's high-skill attack, even a player of Root's calibre may find the burden too heavy. IND vs ENG: Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum engage in intense discussion between Headingley Test 3. Life without Anderson and Broad This summer marks a turning point: no James Anderson, no Stuart Broad, a sentence that would have sounded unimaginable for over a decade. The new crop, Sam Cook, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, is promising, but raw. Without the calming presence of two generational greats, England's attack lacks the kind of psychological edge that Broad and Anderson brought, especially in crunch sessions. 4. The Spin Equation: Still not solved England's long-standing spin conundrum remains unresolved. Shoaib Bashir, the teenage off-spinner, is talented but untested. In a long series against players like Pant, Jaiswal and Gill, who feast on spin, he may find himself targeted early and often. The lack of a seasoned spinner in home conditions is a tactical vulnerability India is almost certain to exploit. Nick Knight EXCLUSIVE: On Shubman Gill and absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in England 5. Middle-order uncertainty Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, and Zak Crawley have all enjoyed purple patches. But when the ball moves or when scoreboard pressure mounts, their flamboyance often becomes fragility. Crawley averages under 40, and the same goes for Brook in the home conditions, and Pope, though improved, still lacks that air of inevitability. 6. Inexperience in the ranks England's squad is dotted with talent but short on scars. Names like Jamie Smith, Jacob Bethell, and Shoaib Bashir suggest a team looking to the future. But in a long, gruelling Test series, that lack of big-match experience could hurt. India's seasoned core, from Pant and Jadeja to Shubman and Bumrah, offers a battle-hardened edge. "Bazball" has redefined England's identity, but this India series could be its most rigorous stress test. There is confidence, there is firepower but also overdependence, inexperience, and tactical gaps. If India expose them early, "Bazball" could unravel quickly. The question isn't whether England can win; it's whether they can adapt when their philosophy is cornered. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
