India roared back into contention on an exhilarating day two of the fifth and final Test at The Oval on Friday as their seamers restricted England to a 23-run lead.
For years, the cricket world has speculated about a supposed rift between star spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh, fueled by Ashwin's ascension in the Indian team as Harbhajan's career wound down.
England gained the upper hand after a rain-hit first day of the final Test against India at The Oval on Thursday
The cricketing ecosystem has learned to survive the prolonged absence of Kohli and Rohit -- at least in two formats -- in this interim period.
Shubman Gill scored a record-breaking 269 and their seamers struck early to put the tourists in a commanding position at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between India and the West Indies, in Ahmedabad, on Thursday.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained the team's rationale behind playing an all-rounder at No 8 rather than fielding a specialist bowler.
The inclusion of Gill in the squad has raised doubts in the minds of management about who will open the innings for their side, along with left-hand batter Abhishek, in the tournament.
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As India head into a series-deciding fifth Test, questions over Gambhir's tactics and temperament are growing louder.
Sachin Tendulkar praised Nitish Kumar Reddy for his brilliant unbeaten 105 against Australia in the fourth Test
Glimpses from Team India's nets in Perth on Tuesday.
Managing a draw from the brink of defeat would give India a psychological edge over England in the fifth and final Test, said head coach Gautam Gambhir.
South Africa will aim for their first Test victory in India in more than 15 years.
From Jasprit Bumrah's much-anticipated return to the all-rounder conundrum, the playing XI could very well hold the key to seizing control of this historic series.
'We just wanted to have that extra bit of cushion in the bowling.'
Images from Day 1 of the second Test between India and South Africa, in Guwahati, on Saturday.
'Virat has been helping me a lot on different occasions'
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said that Powerplay overs will be crucial in the five-match T20 International series against Australia.
all-rounder Washington Sundar, who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off-spin, was picked following a trial by the franchise a few days ago after Ravichandran Ashwin was ruled out of IPL-10 with an injury.
Joe Root has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings after his stellar efforts helped England secure a 22-run victory over India at Lord's, according to the official website of the ICC.
India crushed West Indies by an innings and 140 runs inside three days in the first Test to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, in Ahmedabad, on Saturday.
The third ODI, a day-night match, will be held on Sunday at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
Reddy took to social media with a witty post dedicated to his teammate Mohammed Siraj, adding a lighthearted touch to his incredible achievement.
SL executed their plans well against the Indian batters, who are not the cleverest performers on rank turners, while not many are though.
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Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will depend heavily on his spin troika as India gear up for yet another demolition act of Pakistan in what promises to be an intense and tense Super 4 face-off of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene on Friday said star pacer Jasprit Bumrah was still recuperating from a back injury and that the team was waiting for him to be cleared by the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
The Indian squad is packed with quality players but either wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal or Washington Sundar should have found place in the home team's line-up, reckons 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh.
Gavaskar said India need to put their "head down" and try and get as close as possible to Australia's total. R
Out of favour India batter Hanuma Vihari will be leading the South Zone squad in the upcoming Duleep Trophy tournament.
Even as the conditions changed, bright sunshine alternating with gloom, the Indian batters gritted their teeth and fought it out.
New Zealand's bowlers exploited the favorable conditions at the Wankhede Stadium, decimating India's top order in the early overs.
It is understood that Kohli, Rahane, Shami, Jadeja will be sweating it out at the nets alongside Ashwin, who has already bowled a whopping 58 overs and taken seven wickets in a County game for Surrey last week.
After India captain Shubman Gill had scored another masterful century at Edgbaston, India fast bowlers Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj blew away England's top order.
India included two debutants -- Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy -- while leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Raina also laid emphasis on how Kuldeep Yadav could be a lynchpin in India's success.
