Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Mohammed Siraj on Sunday rued the lack of help for bowlers in T20 cricket, saying smaller grounds and flat pitches are making 250-plus totals the new normal.
'With the reverse swinging creating opportunities for wickets for the seamers, and with the way England have played the finger spinners, India might stick to two seam bowlers and a finger spinner making way.'
Washington Sundar's bold prediction that the visitors would seal the win 'probably in the first session' turned into a haunting soundbite, as England staged a spirited comeback to snatch a 22-run victory and a 2-1 lead in the series.
It was mind over matter for Mohammed Siraj, as he pushed his physically indisposed self to the limits to earn the 'Player of the Match' award in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's four-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match in Bengaluru on Saturday.
'Whenever India bowls, Reiffel feels it's not out. Whenever India bats, he feels it's out.'
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'...he's not shown any obvious signs of dismissal and he's played stylishly.'
England were comfortably placed at 225 for two at stumps after bowling out India for 358 on the second day of the fourth Test in Manchester on Thursday.
Two fast-bowling all-rounders look to be in a battle for one spot, while a decision between Prasidh Krishna and left-armer Arshdeep Singh could be condition-dependent.
With over 500 runs, six crucial catches, the most by an Indian on the tour, Rahul led by example and lived up to his wiseman tag.
Ahead of the 2nd Test starting on Wednesday, July 2, former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin had some advice for Gill, as the visitors look to level the five-match Test series.
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Avesh Khan, who was released to play Ranji Trophy during first Test, has rejoined the squad.
India will ponder whether they want to include Washington Sundar, who is quite handy with the bat or Kuldeep Yadav, who is a much better wicket-taking option.
Joe Root's patient unbeaten 99 led England to 251-4 on an attritional and compelling first day of the third Test against India at Lord's on Thursday.
'Why let England know what's coming and what's not? Why not keep it under wraps and make them guess?'
The Indian squad, which is expected to comprise 16 members, will be one of the trickiest ones in recent times as there is a debate around who the new captain should be.
In all likelihood, Jasprit Bumrah could be given a break for the second Test to be played at Edgbaston from July 2 and return for the third Test, to be held at Lord's from July 10-14.
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Ravi Shastri picked Rishabh Pant's dismissal in the first innings and Karun Nair's wicket in the second essay as the key moments that tilted the third Test at Lord's in England's favour.
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'...If Shubman Gill had that kind of a fiery side to him, we would have seen it a little earlier. You don't have to show it when you're the captain.
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Thakur, who resumed Day 3 unbeaten, brought up his century with ease, reinforcing his case as the ideal seam-bowling all-rounder ahead of the Leeds Test.
Rahane lauded Gill's temperament under pressure, especially after India had lost the opening Test.
'There is a reason why wickets often fall after a change of bowling. It forces the batter to recalibrate. That variability isn't available to Shubman Gill with his current crop'
Akash Deep might never have risen from personal tragedy had it not been for his elder sister Akhand Jyoti, who is now fighting her own battle with Stage 3 colon cancer.
This was the first time in five years that India had put down so many chances in an innings.
Rohit Sharma failed for the second match in a row as he perished after scoring just eight against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
IMAGES from the IPL match played between SunRisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in Hyderabad on Sunday.
Despite living in close proximity to the series venues, Kohli is expected to remain absent not just on the field, but off it too.
Mohammed Siraj's inspired spell powered Gujarat Titans to an emphatic eight-wicket win against his former team Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes India is in "safe hands" and has "enough talent" to trounce England, but it will all come down to how the young-looking squad will leave a mark in the series on a territory known for being "tough".
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'Folks - your Test captain, Shubman Gill.'
'They were to disperse today but with the announcement of a ceasefire and talk of an early resumption happening, they decided to stay on in Ahmedabad.'
Gujarat Titans will be aiming for a top-two spot even as Chennai Super Kings continue planning for the future when the two teams meet in the Indian Premier League match in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
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