India will need to be ruthless and tactful in equal measure while dealing with an unpredictable England when the third chapter of a riveting Test series begins in Rajkot on Thursday.
Hurt India eye sweeping changes in approach against England's 'Bazball' in second Test
Veteran English seamer James Anderson says his team might be compelled to open with two spinners in the upcoming five-Test series against India as it looks for ways to counter the traditionally spin-friendly conditions in the host country.
Uncapped young spinner Tom Hartley feels England have taken a 'bit of a punt' by picking him for the Test tour of India.
India will secure a series victory with a win against England in the third Test beginning in Ranchi on Friday but they must do so without their pace spearhead against a touring side looking to uphold their aggressive style of play.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2nd Test between England and Sri Lanka, at Lord's, on Sunday.
Gus Atkinson scored a superb maiden century as England's lower order collected quick runs against a ragged Sri Lanka bowling attack to post 427
Stokes, who is still recovering from a knee surgery, hasn't bowled since the second Ashes Test in June last year.
England captain bowled a peach of a delivery, his first in competitive cricket in past nine months, to remove Rohit
Moeen Ali said Chennai Super Kings will always have an edge over their opponents because of the unpredictable strategies of their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
England have retained old warhorse James Anderson who is seven shy of reaching the landmark 700 wickets and become the first pacer to achieve the feat.
'To also have the benefit of Joe's bowling out here is obviously massive. I'm surprised he's not actually mentioned he's nipped above me, but I think we're just two people who don't really care about stuff like that.'
Prolific opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his maiden Test double hundred in the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, becoming the third youngest Indian to achieve the feat in his nascent-but-remarkable career.
Dharamsala is colder than usual for this time of the year keeping the pacers interested but considering no grass has been left on the surface.
Images from Day 3 of the fourth Test between India and England in Ranchi on Sunday, February 25.
This is Ravichandran Ashwin's sixth stint at the top of the rankings. He first became number one in December 2015.
'You have to have a plan and use every delivery wisely. I was very happy to execute it today and happy to contribute on that pitch.'
India's bid to win a 17th consecutive home Test series, however, hinges on the success of their three-pronged spin attack comprising Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
James Anderson, England's greatest fast bowler with an unparalleled longevity and nearly 1000 international wickets, says he has learned a few elements of pace bowling, including reverse swing, from Indian great Zaheer Khan.
After England tore the prediction books for an epochal 28-run victory in Hyderabad in the first Test, India now find themselves in a tight space, mentally and technically, ahead of the second match starting in four days in Visakhapatnam.
England captain Ben Stokes on Saturday said staying true to the 'Bazball' approach did not work and conceded that India were too good in their own conditions, always finding a way to wriggle out of tight curves.
Young turks Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill made the difference with the bat, while Jasprit Bumrah was devastating with the ball.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the third Test against England?
Images from Day 2 of the second Test between India and England at Visakhapatnam.
Can the subcontinent giants maintain their 12-year invincibility?
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second Test against England?
India bowled England out for 218 and cruised to 135/1 in their robust reply to seize early control of the fifth and final test.
The last time England toured India, back in early 2021, Joe Root's team went back home beaten and bruised 3-1.
The bond between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Karachi-born Mohammad Bashir aka 'Chacha Chicago' blossomed during the 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan and has only grown stronger since then. Such is the attachment that Bashir has flown to Manchester from Chicago (approximately 6000 kms) for Sunday's high-octane Indo-Pak contest without a match ticket.
The military establishment is in no mood to forgive or forget Imran's anti-military utterances, observes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RAW, India's external intelligence agency.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, in his first public meeting in Jammu after quitting Congress, announced to launch his own political outfit that will focus on the restoration of full statehood.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday launched a veiled attack on Congress leaders and said he gave sweat and blood for the party unlike those who are spreading 'falsehood' through social media.
