The usually mobbed Indian cricket team likes training in a relaxed atmosphere and that was evident in their body language as the players went about their business in their only practice session at the Kent County Cricket Ground before the fourth Test in Manchester.
Sitanshu Kotak did not rule out India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the must-win fifth and final Test against England.
England vice-captain Ollie Pope won't be surprised if Joe Root overtakes Sachin Tendulkar and becomes the all-time leading run-getter in Tests.
'I'm sure those few terrorists who are continuing to operate in the Valley are not reading books.' 'Are they trying to tell us that there are certain people who first intellectualise themselves and then go about picking up guns?' 'It is absolutely absurd.'
Arshdeep Singh suffers injury during practice ahead of Manchester Test.
While the young Indian team showed great resolve to earn a creditable draw in England, the series exposed several weaknesses that need urgent attention.
rediffGURU Patrick D'souza helps you pick the right management course and business college.
"That is the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of and witnessed," says England head coach McCullum.
The 24-year-old Jurel stepped in as keeper twice during the series - once after Pant took a blow to his finger in the third Test at Lord's, and again in the Manchester Test when Pant sustained a foot injury that ruled him out.
Woakes came out with his left hand wrapped in a sling and tucked inside his sweater at the fall of the penultimate wicket with the fifth Test - which India won narrowly - tantalisingly placed.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained the team's rationale behind playing an all-rounder at No 8 rather than fielding a specialist bowler.
Long lost brothers, downtrodden masses, a long forgotten prophecy, and a psychotic drug cartel out for blood, Kingdom plays out with the familiar ethos of umpteen films we have seen. But the execution is slick, notes Arjun Menon.
'...he's not shown any obvious signs of dismissal and he's played stylishly.'
The over rate regulations must be modified according to the playing conditions in different continents, England Test captain Ben Stokes said on Tuesday, arguing that current rules unfairly penalise pace-heavy attacks.
'There will be guys that get opportunities. We've obviously got a few guys missing for this series (for) a well-earned rest.'
England have only drawn one from 35 Tests in the McCullum-Stokes regime, with one of their exhilarating run chases in that spell coming when they reached 378 against India in 2022 -- the only time India have lost when defending Test totals of more than 350.
Jasprit Bumrah had made himself available for three of the five Tests in England and the Indian team management felt it was right to honour the star pacer's call considering his workload, said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
Shubman Gill was extremely consistent with thought process, respected good balls: Sachin Tendulkar
'What the Americans want is to destabilise Iran. For destabilising Iran, you need access. 'One access is through Iraq. The other access is through Pakistan.'
Former England captain Michael Atherton suggested India could include three spinners for the must-win fourth Test against England at Manchester, starting on July 23.
McLaren's Lando Norris edged out championship-leading teammate and Formula One title rival Oscar Piastri to take pole position for what could be a wet and chaotic Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Joe Root now finds himself second only to Tendulkar in the list of all-time Test run-getters as he reflected on the Indian maestro's legacy his own journey as a youngster inspired by the Indian icon.
India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was taken off the field after copping a blow on his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep off England pacer Chris Woakes on the opening day of the fourth Test in Manchester on Wednesday.
Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen will join the Australian on the front row.
'Whenever present-day politics do get involved, history sinks to the level of a morality play, with advocates for this or that cause seeking to praise their heroes or condemn their villains.'
'Militants are taking over the administration. Fundamentalists have been released from jail.'
Cricket minnows Italy are on the cusp of sealing their first appearance at the Twenty20 World Cup after stunning Scotland in the European qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
''South Africa have got some world class batters and obviously they've got some unbelievable bowlers there as well so it's going to be a good challenge and obviously it's a one-off Test match.'
'You need the drishti, the experience. I am beginning to see things differently.'
India pacer Prasidh Krishna relished the banter with 'good mate' Joe Root on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test, and said riling up England's batting mainstay was part of the team's plans.
On the field too, the depth and talent is unmatched. Mushtaq acknowledged the gulf between India and the Rest.
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'Had those decisions gone our way, the day looks completely different, but that is Test cricket and we move on.'
Young Indian bowlers Charani and Goud have transitioned into international cricket seamlessly: Rana
Smriti Irani is the oxygen of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. When the camera zooms in on her, you'd momentarily forget she is a feisty politician in real life, notes Divya Nair.
'There will be things that happen between the two teams but both teams know there's a line you can't cross but it's not really been troubled too much'
Wriddhiman Saha is all set to enter the coaching arena with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) showing interest in hiring him as the head coach of the Under-23 state team.
Konstas has been drafted in to replace Marnus Labuschagne, who opened in the World Test Championship final alongside Khawaja but failed to impress as Australia lost to South Africa by five wickets.
'He has got speed, a lot of endurance, he is mentally very tough.'
'Nitish is our premium batting all-rounder at the moment. So I would say it's a very good chance to play this Test.'
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