The third Test at Lord's could well be the series' turning point. This isn't just about team combinations or tactical tweaks anymore. The pitch has emerged as a defining factor -- one that could tilt the balance of power in a contest hanging delicately at 1-1.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has offered his thoughts to solve India's selection dilemma ahead of the fourth Test against England in Manchester, scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
Handed the reins of a depleted Indian side in his maiden stint as Test captain, the 24-year-old has been tasked with breaking a 17-year drought without the experience of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli by his side.
Broken foot, unbroken in spirit: Pant gives update
Travis Head conceded that he was immensely fortunate to survive a fine spell from Jasprit Bumrah on the Day 2 of the third Test in Brisbane on Sunday.
Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev on Saturday said the England series will serve as a valuable learning experience for young India skipper Shubman Gill and urged critics to give him some time to grow into the leadership role.
Australia opener Nathan McSweeney is gearing up for a challenging debut against India's premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
On the podcast, Shastri named Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli in his top five.
Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah was on Friday named vice-captain of India for the upcoming three-match home Test series against New Zealand, strongly indicating his possible elevation to the leadership role when the team travels to Australia from next month.
An injury-plagued India could be forced to depart from their preferred template when they takes on a reinvigorated England in the fourth Test starting in Manchester on Wednesday.
Jasprit Bumrah, was captured in an adorable video beaming as he greeted his wife Sanjana Ganesan and their son Angad at the Kensington Oval ground in Barbados.
India equal England's first-innings score of 387 with Test in balance
'I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.'
Despite the ups and downs, The Oval remains a ground of rich memories and monumental moments for Indian cricket.
India suffered a 1-3 defeat in the five-match series in Australia, bringing to an end their decade-long dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
B Sai Sudharsan is set to become the rookie face in the Test squad along with T20 specialist left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh.
'There might have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries come in and 'would he come back the same?', but I think he's actually come back better.'
'It's going to be a real challenge, it's actually absolutely the litmus test as a touring team.'
After a cautious start, Crawley and Duckett punished the straying Indian bowlers with an array of crisp boundaries. The pair blunted the new ball and raced to 77 without loss at tea.
Ravindra Jadeja continued his renaissance as a batter, delivering his best-ever outing during the recent Test series in England and joining a list of legends
Pictures of the meet were splashed across social media as Indian captain Shubman Gill looked like a happy chappy meeting United captain Bruno Fernandes.
England openers' delaying tactics at Lord's not within spirit of the game: Shubman Gill
As India gear up for the fourth Test at Old Trafford, former captain Ajinkya Rahane has raised a tactical alarm: the team's all-rounder-heavy approach might be hurting their chances.
With two days still to play, England are firm favourites to secure the win in Manchester, one that would seal victory in the five-match series with one test still to come.
England's scoring rate of 2.91 runs per over during the second session was the second-slowest in a home Test in the Bazball era, only behind their 2.72 per over effort against New Zealand at Lord's in 2022.
Legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni picked Jasprit Bumrah as his favourite bowler, but the multiple World Cup-winning former Indian skipper refrained from selecting between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as batsman of his choice
India should seriously consider playing Kuldeep but it will be selection dilemma: Harmison
Names of Bumrah, Jadeja should be considered for India captaincy: Ashwin
'We thought they deserved a century there (about the decision to not shake hands). Every match going till the last session on the last day.'
Shubman Gill was "extremely proud" of the fight that his team put up after being down and out but rued the absence of one fifty partnership and Rishabh Pant's first innings run-out in their 22-run defeat against England in the third Test at the Lord's.
As COVID-19 cases rise again across India, Nita Ambani was seen reinforcing safety protocols in a moment that quickly went viral.
Hussain recalled the Lord's Test in 2021 and Virat's 'pep talk' to fire up his players on the final morning as the visitors thrashed the hosts and registered a memorable win.
Led by Shubman Gill, a defiant India put on a mentally strong and technically disciplined response to keep the series alive with England 2-1 up. While there were plenty of positives to take forward, a few concerns continue to linger as the series heads to a decider at The Oval.
Maybe Shubman Gill didn't want Shardul Thakur , wanted Kuldeep Yadav: Sunil Gavaskar questions captain's say in XI
Sanjay Bangar says selectors would be vindicated if India win series against England
'When the bowling changes were needed at important stages, he didn't do it and I think because of that MI went on the backfoot.'
Mohammed Siraj credited fellow seamer Akash Deep for playing a big role in his six-wicket haul during Day 3 of the second Test against England in Birmingham.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels Zak Crawley's time-wasting tactics at the end of the third day in the ongoing third Test was "as good a piece" he has ever seen, but said India can't complain as the visitors employed the same approach on the second day at Lord's.
No wonder Jasprit Bumrah's dil goes 'boom boom' each time he sees her.
Pandya did admit that execution on part of MI bowlers was off the mark.
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