Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar lauded all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for taking India from “despair to domination” with their counter-attacking partnership during the first Test against Bangladesh. Ashwin and Jadeja’s rearguard performances salvaged India in the first innings of the first Test against Bangladesh, with both allrounders unbeaten at the end of the first day’s play at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here. At stumps on day one, Team India were at 339/6, with Ashwin (102*) and Jadeja (86*) looking strong after an unbeaten 195-run partnership.

Tendulkar took to X and wrote, “From despair to domination! @ashwinravi99 and @imjadeja’s knocks have turned the tide for India once again. This all-round brilliance is invaluable. Super partnership boys. #INDvBAN.”

From despair to domination! @ashwinravi99 and @imjadeja‘s knocks have turned the tide for India once again. This all-round brilliance is invaluable.

Super partnership boys. #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/eZNW6yOr8V

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 19, 2024

“@ashwinravi99’s century paired with @imjadeja’s inning turned the tide for India. Their determination and partnership were vital after that shaky start,” wrote Anil Kumble.

.@ashwinravi99‘s century paired with @imjadeja‘s inning turned the tide for India. Their determination and partnership were vital after that shaky start.#INDvBAN

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) September 19, 2024

“Serious cricketers .. @ashwinravi99 & @imjadeja .. How often at home in India do they produce magic with the Bat .. !! They will no doubt follow with the Ball as well … #INDvBAN,” wrote Vaughan.

Serious cricketers .. @ashwinravi99 & @imjadeja .. How often at home in India do they produce magic with the Bat .. !! They will no doubt follow with the Ball as well … #INDvBAN

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 19, 2024

Coming to the match, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first. The top-order collapsed and India was left at 34/3. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (56 in 118 balls, with nine fours) and Rishabh Pant (39 in 52 balls, with six fours) stitched a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket, bringing India into the game. After India was reduced to 144/6, Ashwin and Jadeja (86* in 117 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes) stitched a 195-run partnership, ending the day at 339/6.

Hasan Mahmud (4/58) was the top bowler for Bangladesh, destroying the Indian top order, removing skipper Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0) and Virat Kohli (6).

Teams:

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj.

Hinting at the possibility of taking a coaching role for Team India in future, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh said that he would love to give back to the sport which gave him such an illustrious career if given a chance and added that coaching Men in Blue is all about team management. Harbhajan’s statement comes a week after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) invited the applications for position of men’s national team head coach, with the tenure starting from July 1 this year and concluding on December 31, 2027, which will the year when the next 50-over Cricket World Cup will take place. Speaking to ANI about coaching Indian team, Harbhajan said, “I do not know if I would apply. Coaching India is about man management, not about teaching players how to drive and pull. They know it very well. You can give some guidance to them. Cricket has given me so much and If I get a chance to give it back, I would be more than happy.”

After India could not lift the ICC Cricket World Cup at home last year in November after reaching finals, the current head coach Rahul Dravid was given an extension till June, which also marks the month during which the ICC T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA will take place from June 1 to 29.

The deadline for application will be till May 27, 6 PM.

“The BCCI on Monday invited applications for the position of Head Coach of the Senior Men’s Team. Applications for the position should be submitted by 6PM IST on May 27, 2024,” said a statement from BCCI.

The selection process will include a thorough review of applications, followed by personal interviews and assessments of shortlisted candidates.

BCCI has put out the qualifications for a potential head coach as:

“Should have played a minimum of 30 Test Matches or 50 ODI’s or head coach of a full member Test playing nation, for a minimum period of 2 years; or the head coach of an Associate member/Indian Premier League (IPL) Team or equivalent international league/first class teams/national A teams, for a minimum period of 3 years; or Should have BCCI Level 3 Certification or equivalent; and should be below 60 years of age.”

India are placed in Group A of the T20 WC this year alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Ireland, Canada and co-hosts USA.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, followed by the marquee clash against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue.

India will then play the USA and Canada on June 12 and 15 respectively.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.

Harbhajan Singh recently questioned the scheduling of the ongoing season of the IPL.© YouTube

Ground staff covers the field as rain delays the IPL 2024 T20 cricket match between SRH and GT at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad, on May 16, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

If the game of cricket remains tilted heavily in the favour of batters, not many youngsters would be lining up to start bowling in a couple of years, fears spin great Anil Kumble, who advocated the need to keep biggest possible boundaries at IPL venues and use of more pronounced seam to restore the balance between bat and ball.

The score of 250 has been breached as many as eight times this season with shorter boundaries, flat pitches and impact player rule aiding the batting side.

Like the great Sunil Gavaskar, Kumble also feels that keeping the maximum possible boundaries length is need of the hour.

“It’s been really hard on the bowlers, especially the first half of the tournament. I certainly believe that you need to maximize the boundaries at every venue. Try and keep the biggest boundary possible in that venue,” India’s leading wicket taker across formats told select media in an interaction arranged by JioCinema.

“For a start, you could move the dugout into the stands. I know you’ll lose a few seats but so be it. Then the other aspect is to perhaps look at white ball to have slightly more pronounced seam so that there’s a bit more movement.

“We have seen that the ball stops swinging after maybe just the one over or even less than that sometimes. You need a balance between bat and ball. You can’t be running in and just going through the motions where in a couple of years you won’t have too many youngsters lining up to start bowling.

“Everybody wants to be a batter. You need the bowlers also to be a part of this game and the balance is very important. I expect that will also get addressed,” he said.

As per the playing conditions of the IPL, “The playing area shall be a minimum of 150 yards (137.16 metres) from boundary to boundary square of the pitch, with the shorter of the two square boundaries being a minimum 65 yards (59.43m).

“The straight boundary at both ends of the pitch shall be a minimum of 70 yards (64.00 metres). Distances shall be measured from the centre of the pitch to be used. In all cases the aim shall be to provide the largest playing area, subject to no boundary exceeding 85 yards (77.71 metres) from the centre of the pitch to be used.”

Decision to replace Rohit as MI captain was sudden

The call to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya has not worked for Mumbai Indians. Kumble feels that transition could have been completed next season when the mega auctions are due.

“The change that happened was a bit sudden. Obviously Rohit Sharma was a part of Mumbai Indians for the last 10 years and then led the team for five titles. Maybe in hindsight, maybe he could have sort of looked at Rohit to manage this year and then maybe Hardik coming in next year but the leadership obviously took that decision. But having said that, I don’t think they played good cricket,” said Kumble.

Hardik’s former team Gujarat Titans also could not make the play-offs but Kumble praised his successor Shubman Gill for his leadership in first year as captain.

“You can’t really judge (in one season), I thought he was pretty aggressive in his approach when it came to captaincy. He was always looking to take wickets and again for GT unfortunately a couple of injuries didn’t help. Shami was a big miss,” said the former India captain.

Kuldeep will be India’s number one spinner in T20 World Cup

India have picked four spinners in the T20 World Cup squad with Yuzvendra Chahal making a comeback to be the second wrist spin option alongside Kuldeep Yadav. All-rounder Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja also provide spin options.

“I don’t know who will be starting in the first game against Ireland. Kuldeep for sure. I don’t know what the pitch conditions are. I don’t think any Indian team has played in the US other than in Fort Lauderdale. So it all depends on the pitch conditions.

“I guess Kuldeep probably will be the number one spinner in that sense because he’s your wrist spinner. I’m sure there’ll be one wrist spinner who will play,” said Kumble who expects spinners to play a major role in the tournament.

If the game of cricket remains tilted heavily in the favour of batters, not many youngsters would be lining up to start bowling in a couple of years, fears spin great Anil Kumble, who advocated the need to keep biggest possible boundaries at IPL venues and use of more pronounced seam to restore the balance between bat and ball. The score of 250 has been breached as many as eight times this season with shorter boundaries, flat pitches and impact player rule aiding the batting side.

Like the great Sunil Gavaskar, Kumble also feels that keeping the maximum possible boundaries length is need of the hour.

“It’s been really hard on the bowlers, especially the first half of the tournament. I certainly believe that you need to maximize the boundaries at every venue. Try and keep the biggest boundary possible in that venue,” India’s leading wicket taker across formats told select media in an interaction arranged by JioCinema.

“For a start, you could move the dugout into the stands. I know you’ll lose a few seats but so be it. Then the other aspect is to perhaps look at white ball to have slightly more pronounced seam so that there’s a bit more movement.

“We have seen that the ball stops swinging after maybe just the one over or even less than that sometimes. You need a balance between bat and ball. You can’t be running in and just going through the motions where in a couple of years you won’t have too many youngsters lining up to start bowling.

“Everybody wants to be a batter. You need the bowlers also to be a part of this game and the balance is very important. I expect that will also get addressed,” he said.

As per the playing conditions of the IPL, “The playing area shall be a minimum of 150 yards (137.16 metres) from boundary to boundary square of the pitch, with the shorter of the two square boundaries being a minimum 65 yards (59.43 metres).

“The straight boundary at both ends of the pitch shall be a minimum of 70 yards (64.00 metres). Distances shall be measured from the centre of the pitch to be used. In all cases the aim shall be to provide the largest playing area, subject to no boundary exceeding 85 yards (77.71 metres) from the centre of the pitch to be used.”

Decision to replace Rohit as MI captain was sudden

The call to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya has not worked for Mumbai Indians. Kumble feels that transition could have been completed next season when the mega auctions are due.

“The change that happened was a bit sudden. Obviously Rohit Sharma was a part of Mumbai Indians for the last 10 years and then led the team for five titles. Maybe in hindsight, maybe he could have sort of looked at Rohit to manage this year and then maybe Hardik coming in next year but the leadership obviously took that decision. But having said that, I don’t think they played good cricket,” said Kumble.

Hardik’s former team Gujarat Titans also could not make the play-offs but Kumble praised his successor Shubman Gill for his leadership in first year as captain.

“You can’t really judge (in one season), I thought he was pretty aggressive in his approach when it came to captaincy. He was always looking to take wickets and again for GT unfortunately a couple of injuries didn’t help. Shami was a big miss,” said the former India captain.

Kuldeep will be India’s number one spinner in T20 World Cup

India have picked four spinners in the T20 World Cup squad with Yuzvendra Chahal making a comeback to be the second wrist spin option alongside Kuldeep Yadav. All-rounder Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja also provide spin options.

“I don’t know who will be starting in the first game against Ireland. Kuldeep for sure. I don’t know what the pitch conditions are. I don’t think any Indian team has played in the US other than in Fort Lauderdale. So it all depends on the pitch conditions.

“I guess Kuldeep probably will be the number one spinner in that sense because he’s your wrist spinner. I’m sure there’ll be one wrist spinner who will play,” said Kumble who expects spinners to play a major role in the tournament.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah have condoled the demise of legendary India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi and said he defined an era of cricket and his artistry on the field will always be remembered. Regarded as one of the greatest left-arm spinners in world cricket, Bedi passed away on Monday at the age of 77 years old, leaving a great legacy behind. The Amritsar-born spinner, who played domestically for Delhi, finished his career with 1,560 wickets in first-class cricket –more than any other Indian.

Deeply saddened to hear the loss of Bishan Paaji. He was someone who always had my back and who genuinely shared his thoughts on the game. Cricketing fraternity will miss him dearly. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) October 23, 2023

Union Sports Minister said that Bishan Singh Bedi’s demise is a huge loss to the cricket world.

Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of legendary India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi.

His contributions to Indian cricket and his artistry on the field will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing community.

May his… pic.twitter.com/ZrxCAtRLMr

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) October 23, 2023

“Former captain of the Indian cricket team, Bishan Singh Bedi is no more with us. It is a very sad news. We stand with his family. When I used to play for Punjab, he was the coach of our Ranji Trophy team. It is a big loss to the cricket world,” Anurag Thakur told ANI.

Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of legendary India spinner and former captain of the Indian cricket team Bishan Singh Bedi Ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) October 23, 2023

In a post on ‘X’ earlier, the union minister said the legendary spinner’s contributions to Indian cricket and his artistry on the field will always be remembered.

Deeply saddened by the demise of the legendary spinner and former captain of the Indian cricket team Bishan Singh Bedi Ji. Bedi Ji will live in our memories not only through his contribution to the cricketing world but also as the master of crafty bowling who could weave magic on…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 23, 2023

“Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of legendary India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi. His contributions to Indian cricket and his artistry on the field will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing community. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Jay Shah took to X and condoled the demise of the legendary spinner.

Sad to hear the demise of Shri Bishan Singh Bedi. Indian Cricket has lost an icon today. Bedi Sir defined an era of cricket and he left an indelible mark on the game with his artistry as a spin bowler and his impeccable character. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and…

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 23, 2023

“Sad to hear the demise of Shri Bishan Singh Bedi. Indian Cricket has lost an icon today. Bedi Sir defined an era of cricket and he left an indelible mark on the game with his artistry as a spin bowler and his impeccable character. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

BCCI also conveyed its condolences.

The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India Test Captain and legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fans in these tough times.

May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/oYdJU0cBCV

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 23, 2023

“The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India Test Captain and legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fans in these tough times. May his soul rest in peace.”

The legendary spinner had an illustrious domestic cricket career, especially with the Delhi team, in addition to his international career. He was a mentor to several spinners and made substantial contributions to the development of young talent in India. Bedi’s impact on the sport extended beyond the ground, as he became a respected commentator and an advocate for sportsmanship and fair play.

He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1970. Bedi also represented Northamptonshire in English county cricket for many years.