Traditionally carved from top-quality willow, famous bat-makers, source the bulk of their willow wood from Kashmir.
As India got off to a strong start in the must-win fourth Test for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday, opener K L Rahul achieved a major career milestone, joining an elite list of Indian batters with 1,000 or more Test runs in England.
Sunil Gavaskar, who appeared for the first time in Test cricket 50 years ago today, March 6, 1971, was presented with a special India cap by BCCI secretary during the lunch interval on Day 3 of the fourth and final Test between India and England at the Narendra Modi stadium.
India's record-breaking chase against Australia in the Women's ODI World Cup semifinal sent a wave of pride and emotion through the country's sporting fraternity.
India made 3,809 runs in this series, which is the most ever scored by a team in a five Test series.
'I don't think size has anything to do with it. It's your mental strength -- whether you can last the distance -- that's the most important thing. Bat well, bat for long, and score runs.'
The 25-year-old captain struck 13 fours and eight sixes to make 161 off 162 balls, following up his first-innings' 269 to become only the second Indian after legendary Sunil Gavaskar to have scored a double century and a ton in a Test.
Greats likes Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev pledged their support to Indian Cricketers Association's (ICA) initiative to financially help around 30 needy players amid the nationwide lockdown, said its president Ashok Malhotra. The ICA has so far raised Rs 39 lakh to help former cricketers who are in dire need of funds.
Miandad feels that current players should watch video clips of Gavaskar's batting to know how he tackled some of the world's most fearsome fast bowlers
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar paid tribute to his former team-mate Syed Abid Ali, who passed away on Wednesday.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri, looked dapper, in a black kurta and a white stole, at the toss, two days after he turned 60.
The Indian team management has not asked for a rank turner for the opening Test of the two-match series against South Africa beginning at the Eden Gardens on Friday, Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly said on Monday.
Dean Elgar's decision backfired as South Africa were bundled out for 55 in their first innings.
'He is the best technically sound batsman I have seen till date and that too without a helmet.'
Marnus Labuschagne was bowled off an inside edge but Ravindra Jadeja had overstepped, before India erred by not opting for a DRS against the Australian right-hander.
Showing an insatiable hunger to learn and succeed, Shubman Gill turned to senior players and former greats for insights, embodying the ethos of a student of the game.
'How can an Indian match referee allow this Indian replacement? Match officials should be independent to prevent bias.'
Rishabh Pant is the first-ever wicketkeeper-batter in the history of Test cricket to score 1,000-plus in an away country.
Legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar will be back in action on a cricket field as he will feature in the inaugural International Masters League (IML), a six-team T20 competition, to be held later this year across three venues.
Sarfaraz Khan says his father Naushad, ingrained the importance of Test cricket in him.
Tahir Raj Bhasin plays Sunil Gavaskar, arguably the greatest Indian cricketer.
Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on young Nitish Kumar Reddy, calling his maiden Test century on the third day of the Boxing Day match 'one of the greatest Test knocks ever'.
'I didn't have an ego about this, I could go and talk to them, but since there were two coaches -- Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathore -- so sometimes you held back since you didn't want to confuse them with too much information.'
An annoyed Sunil Gavaskar pleaded with those questioning the Indian team selection for the upcoming Asia Cup and asserted that this 17-man squad should form the nucleus of the 15-member World Cup side.
He then explained his point of view.
Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the 'puzzling' batting approach
Badminton and cricket are two of his favourite sports. He was here with us for about an hour, Vimal Kumar said.
Chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, sprint queen P T Usha and football legend Bhaichung Bhutia are among the prominent sports personalities invited for Monday's ceremony.
'Doubtless he was the greatest opener of his era; and also one of the greatest in the history of cricket.'
Mohinder Amarnath will always be remembered as a giant-hearted cricketer who stood tall against the fiercest attacks, carried the bruises with pride, and turned every setback into a comeback.
'If we are being honest, Shreyas Iyer should be the captain in the upcoming T20 World Cup. His instinctive leadership mirrors a young Rohit Sharma.'
Sunil Gavaskar said if India captain Rohit Sharma misses the first Test against Australia, then Jasprit Bumrah should lead the side for the entire five-match series.
From the lad with spiked hair lifting the U19 World Cup to the statesman in whites scoring one final ton -- Virat Kohli's journey is one of relentless ambition, transformation, and enduring legacy.
Gavaskar also urged the BCCI to have a look at the scheduling of the Ranji Trophy, which ran from a little over two months from January 5 to March 14 this year.
Former England quick Steve Harmison believes that if batting maestro Virat Kohli were batting at his usual No. 4 position in the third Test against England at Lord's, India would have chased down the target of 193 and taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
After a brilliant 269 in 387 balls in the first innings, Gill was dismissed for an entertaining 161 off 162 balls with 13 fours and 8 sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 99.38.
From Rajkot's maidans to cricket's grandest arenas, Cheteshwar Pujara carved a niche as the bedrock of India's Test side. He is one of only 14 Indians to feature in more than 100 Tests, and his innings often defined India's most memorable triumphs.
Netizens were stunned that the child missed taking autographs of living legends Gavaskar -- the first batter to score 10,000 Test runs -- and Tendulkar -- the batter with the most number of Test runs and centuries.
'The pressure can be telling and I think that's the kind of pressure the Indian team is currently experiencing with everyone wanting them to win the Asia Cup and the World Cup.'
'We all make mistakes, but what is important is that you've got to get that out of your mind before the next ball commences.' K R Nayar recalls his many encounters with Dickie Bird, the legendary cricket umpire who passed into the ages this week.
