'You want to see how people react to different situations. There is a fine balance that you need to maintain, something we have managed to do for the last few years.'
Opting to bat after winning the toss, India struggled on a slow pitch and crawled to 224-8 with Virat Kohli (67) and Kedar Jadhav (52) managing half-centuries against a disciplined Afghan attack.
'Yes, toss definitely is going to be a factor in this tournament especially. If the dew keeps creeping in in the later half the game, you need those extra runs in the first half then.'
Would like points to be doubled for away Test wins, says Kohli
Legendary English all-rounder Ian Botham says captain Virat Kohli is the "right guy" to take Indian cricket forward but rates Ben Stokes as the world's best player at the moment. One of the game's finest all-rounders, Botham has represented England with distinction during a stellar career, the highlight of which was heroics in the 1981 Ashes series.
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar says it was not a surprise that India struggled to wipe off the bottom half of the Sri Lankan batting line up since it was team's old habit and the pitch also tends to settle on the second and third day of a Test match, making batting easier.
This team will be 'our template' going ahead, Indian captain Virat Kohli said after the rain-marred opener against England ended in a draw on Sunday, meaning they will stick to the 4-1 pace-spin combination in the remainder of five-Test series.
Kohli's deputy Ajinkya Rahane will lead India in the final three Tests.
Ross Taylor scored an unbeaten hundred but India captain Virat Kohli believes it was Tom Latham's 48-ball 69 that took away the momentum from his side in the high-scoring first ODI against New Zealand, in Hamilton, on Wednesday. After being whitewashed 5-0 in the T20I series, New Zealand returned to winning ways with a splendid four-wicket victory that gave them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
India captain Virat Kohli said the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash has impacted his outlook towards life, which he feels, is sometimes taken for granted in pursuit of control over the future. Bryant, a two-time Olympic gold-medallist and one of the most decorated basketball players of all time, died in a helicopter crash last month along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who was also a budding hoopster.
Kohli also confirmed Shikhar Dhawan would remain the team's third opener, with KL Rahul partnering Rohit Sharma at the top.
Rahul is likely to continue behind the wickets again in Friday's Twenty20 series opener in Auckland.
India launched their campaign in the Champions Trophy with a resounding 124-run victory over Pakistan, in Birmingham on Sunday, extending their dominance over the arch-rivals in major International Cricket Council tournaments.
India captain Virat Kohli and his team mates would be ready to spend two weeks in quarantine in Australia if that helped the tour go ahead as planned later this year, a top official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India said. A cash-strapped Cricket Australia (CA) is banking heavily on the series, reportedly worth A$300 million ($195 million), to help it cope with an acute financial crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
India's Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah unmoved
Kohli was happy that Rahul batted at No 5 and also kept wickets
India captain Virat Kohli said that his team is not looking to strengthen its T20 World Cup preparations in the ODI series against New Zealand as he believes the upcoming Indian Premier League is the 'right platform' for it.
Steve Waugh said that Kohli is loved by the fans for his attitude of not being intimidated by an opposition.
The 31-year-old dasher, who is currently the world No.1 in both the Test and ODI formats, was speaking at a promotional event in Mumbai.
Former India batsman Sandeep Patil on Wednesday joined the bandwagon of past and present cricketers to oppose the idea of four-day Tests, saying the five-day game tests the character of an individual. He said it is up to the International Cricket Council to take a call on the proposal but for him there should not be any tinkering on the five-day format.
Virat Kohli smashed Lahiru Kumara for a six to seal a clinical victory which came with 15 balls to spare
The first T20 International between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Sunday was abandoned due to damp patches on the track, with Assam Cricket Association (ACA) groundsmen failing to prevent the rain water from seeping into the covers. The umpires held several inspections but the dampness on the pitch did not allow a single ball to be bowled, much to the disappointment of a strong 35000 crowd at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, which was hosting only its second T20I.
Virat Kohli will soon be seen wearing No 18 on his white flannels as the ICC has allowed Test-playing nations to have the players sport their names and numbers on their jerseys.
Kohli made 160 not out from 159 balls as India, who had been put into bat, posted 303 for six in their 50 overs, before restricting their hosts to 179 all out to take a 3-0 lead in the series.
Dhaka is due to host two official T20 matches in March next year to mark the birth centenary of Bangladesh's Father of Nation, Mujibur Rahaman.
Rohit's 162-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane dragged the hosts back into the contest, before England dismissed both in the final session.
Committee of Administrators (COA) member Diana Edulji believes that the BCCI did the right thing by calling truce on the 'DRS Controversy' as it would have 'shifted focus' from India's win in Bengaluru.
Ponting made the comment in reference to India captain Virat Kohli's leadership skills in the context of India's recently-concluded Test tour of England, which the visitors lost 1-4.
Captain Virat Kohli unveiled Team India's new jersey for the 2019 World Cup, saying the 'new team kit is a testament to our style of play'.
Embattled India captain Virat Kohli called on the fans to back his team following consecutive losses to England in the ongoing Test series, hoping that they 'never give up' on the side.
India captain Virat Kohli was happy with a clinical performance in the third ODI and hinted at making some changes in the playing XI providing game time to all those who have not yet figured in the playing XI in the ongoing series.
If the home fans had hoped the change in format would bring a change in fortune, they were left bitterly disappointed with India breezing to their 217-run target in under 29 overs.
Steve Smith overtook India's Cheteshwar Pujara to grab the No 3 spot in the ICC rankings
Sourav Ganguly remains a man at peace with the world even after news spread on Tuesday that Ravi Shastri is applying for the Indian cricket team coaching job.
He is the first Indian player since Sachin Tendulkar in June 2011 to lead the rankings and ends Steve Smith's 32-month spell at the top.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels cricket needs to played in more countries if the game has to make its way into the Olympics.
Rohit Sharma, who is the vice-captain of the Indian ODI team, has donated Rs 45 lakh and Rs 25 lakh to the and CM's Relief Fund (Maharashtra) respectively. He has given Rs 5 lakh to 'Zomato Feeding India', which is helping families affected by the ongoing national lockdown, and another Rs 5 lakh to help aid the welfare of stray dogs.
Here are pictures of the two teams sweating it out at practice...
The proposed standalone Test between India and England should be treated as the series-deciding fifth match that was cancelled last week owing to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian camp, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said on Monday and ruled out the possibility of it being treated as a one-off game.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has reclaimed the No.1 position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's Test Player Rankings after leading his side to the ICC World Test Championship title in Southampton last week.
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