The best part of Yashasvi Jaiswal's entertaining unbeaten 76 was the manner in which he completely unsettled England's troika of spinners, India's left-arm slow bowler Axar Patel reckoned after opening day's play in the first Test.
Praising Ravichandran Ashwin for becoming the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings, former spinner Venkatapathi Raju says his wicket-taking ability is amazing and he does not have to do anything different to remain a match-winner. "He (Ashwin) has got fantastic variations and he adopts himself in three formats of the game which is difficult. I think, in between he tried something which did not click and he came back to his own bowling.
The legendary Anil Kumble has heaped praise on Ravindra Jadeja for his ability to change angles and advised the batters to display more attacking intent if they have to get on top of the left-arm spinner.
Shardul Thakur's better batting ability compared to speedster Prasidh Krishna could prove to be decisive while selecting the extra pacer for World Cup but both are likely to be auditioned if India pick a 17-member squad for the Asia Cup, which is set to be named on Monday.
The suspension of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) by the ICC has cast serious doubts on the limited overs away series against India in January next year but the BCCI will wait till October to consider a back-up plan.
Head coach Rahul Dravid did not see Indian batters replying to England's 'Bazball' in kind but he said they will not be taking a backward step in the five-match Test series beginning in Hyderabad from Thursday.
India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that "under favourable conditions", the hosts will be a "hard side to beat" in the ongoing World T20. India lost to New Zealand on a turner in the opening game but beat Pakistan easily in their next game on a similar surface. "I think, we are a very good team. On our day and unde conditions favourable for us, we are going to be a pretty hard side to beat," Ashwin told bcci.tv after the team's six wicket win over Pakistan. But as exception proves the rule, it can happen with 'Men In Blue' too. "There will be exceptions. We lost a recent game in Pune against Sri Lanka and another one in Nagpur against New Zealand. On both occasions, the opposition read the game better than us," said Ashwin. Ashwin, who is known to to be a thinking cricketer, said that even though there was much turn on offer at the Eden Gardens, it wasn't as easy as it seemed.
South Africa have been traditionally weak against spinners.
Ravichandran Ashwin has been having a remarkable series against New Zealand with 20 wickets so far but India's off-spinner says he has struggled to get into rhythm at the start of his spells.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed five for 32 in South Africa's paltry first innings of 79, says the home side needs to be patient on Day 3 as things will be different in the second innings. Harish Kotian reports from Nagpur.
India's ace bowler Ravichandran Ashwin hailed M S Dhoni as an illustrious leader and said a lot of leadership lessons can be learnt from him. He also said Virat Kohli, who will now captain the Indian team in all formats, is no less a player and in the right phase to take over. "I think he (Dhoni) is going to be available as a player, his career was wonderful and illustrious. As a captain there are lot of leadership lessons from Dhoni for even big leaders out there," he told reporters in Chennai.
Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow hit half-centuries and combined in a sixth-wicket stand of 110 to launch England's fightback against India in the second Test on Saturday. - Scorecard: The pair kept the hosts at bay all morning on the third day before being separated 10 minutes before lunch as England reached 191 for six at the break, replying to India's first innings 455.
Ollie Pope embodied England's 'Bazball' making a 196 filled with sweeps, reverse sweeps and reverse scoops during the first Test, and India head coach Rahul Dravid admitted they will have to counter the unorthodox approach to make a comeback into the series.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second Test against England?
The "composed" set of newcomers in the Indian team don't need frequent advice, they need just a supportive environment to excel, said skipper Rohit Sharma after the young guns played a major part in the hosts' series-sealing win over England in the fourth Test in Ranchi on Monday.
India captain Virat Kohli said his spinners could have been more effective in the drawn third Test against Australia but for the softness of the ball used in the contest.
'Look, I'm sure the pitches will turn: it's whether or not they'll turn from day one, which potentially negates a bit of their strength in their seam attack. We know how strong they are.'
'The only chance England will have is, if they give green tops, but if they give green tops they will also struggle, because we also have very good swing bowlers'
Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming lauds the showing Chennai Super Kings players Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohit Sharma and Suresh Raina at the ongoing World Cup
Architect of India's six-wicket win over Australia, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has a solid all-round game and provides stability in the middle-order, said bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the third Test against England?
Sanju Samson laments 'one-hit' defeat
India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal feels it would be unfair to compare him and Kuldeep Yadav with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, a combination which has proved itself over the years.
Bangar said India could have been in a better position had Pandya and Ashwin applied themselves a little more. India were all out for 273 on Friday in response to England's 246.
Ravi Shastri said that it was a touching moment for him to get bestowed with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.
MSK Prasad advised the team to take the final call depending on the conditions at that time.
If Ravichandran Ashwin is being hailed as the best spinner in contemporary cricket, the 29-year-old lanky Indian owes it as much to those long fingers as to an ever-ticking brain.
Ben Duckett said England deserves credit for inspiring players in the opposition camp to bat aggressively in Test cricket.
Nathan Lyon revealed that he has been analysing ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to improve his own bowling.
- 'We will continue to target Haddin with short-pitched deliveries in the next innings and the next Test as well' - 'I have been really disciplined in my skills' - 'Against anybody in such form you hope you have some luck and get them early'
Rohit Sharma is not averse to playing three spinners against Pakistan on a huge Motera ground with big square boundaries.
A desperate India seek to restore parity against South Africa and remain consequential in the World Test Championship.
Surya was hit just above right wrist by a throwdown from Raghavendra and immediately left the nets writhing in pain.
Arun acknowledged that newcomers Kuldeep and Chahal have done exceptionally well because wrist spinners do not rely overtly on pitches and conditions.
India spinner Axar Patel has admitted that he was upset after missing out on the ODI World Cup at home due to an injury and it took him about a week to get over the disappointment and focus on recovery.
Following Joe Root's shocking dismissal, England, after being well-placed on 224/2, lost their last eight wickets for 95 runs to be bowled out for 319
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite came down heavily on his ill-equipped batting unit.
For the golden generation of Indian cricketers, this is their last chance to conquest what no other team could on eight previous tours.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the second and final Test against South Africa?
Axar has come of age as a batter, coming up with crucial performances across formats in the last three months.
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