Former Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas has called on cricket authorities to actively work towards preserving Test and 50-over formats, warning that they are 'dying' amidst the growing global preference for T20s and franchise leagues.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Indian and fourth overall player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.
England Test captain Joe Root has surpassed Steve Smith to become the leading fielder in Test cricket with 219 catches, and also equalled Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most fifties in the longest format with his 68th half-century.
Rishabh Pant has surpassed Adam Gilchrist to become the third-highest six-hitter in Test cricket, achieving the feat during India's second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Ian Botham delivered the Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture in Kolkata, emphasising the importance of Test cricket and praising Virat Kohli's dedication to the format.
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can revive Test cricket if nurtured properly, urging patience and warning against excessive scrutiny of the young star.
Ravichandran Ashwin has called for urgent measures to safeguard Test cricket, stressing the importance of first-class cricket as the pathway to the longest format and warning that young players need stronger incentives to pursue red-ball careers.
England captain Ben Stokes criticised the Lord's pitch after the first Test against New Zealand, saying bowler-friendly surfaces and four-day finishes are not ideal for Test cricket's long-term future.
Devdutt Padikkal on Tuesday asserted that Test cricket remains his "ultimate goal", and subtle technical adjustments to his batting has helped him make an instant impact in the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
India skipper Shubman Gill has shed light on the team's meticulous approach to player fitness, explaining that while constant monitoring is in place, risk-avoiding decisions are sometimes necessary, especially in the demanding format of Test cricket, to protect both the player and the team's long-term interests.
Former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy advocates for the expansion of red-ball cricket in the women's game, citing India's emphatic 270-run victory over England at Lord's. She urges the BCCI to revive longer-format domestic competitions across all age groups, emphasizing that Test cricket is crucial for developing technically sound players.
Cheteshwar Pujara suggests earmarking 25-30 domestic players for Test cricket, even if they aren't part of the Indian Premier League, while acknowledging the rise of white-ball specialists.
Debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar said that his maiden Test appearance taught him that consistency and patience are the biggest virtues in the longest format.
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has said that teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be encouraged to play Test cricket following his breakthrough IPL season.
Cricket Australia is exploring the possibility of hosting an Ashes Test match in India in the future, following its decision to bring the Big Bash League opener to Chennai. While no immediate plans are in place, CA chief executive Todd Greenberg highlighted strong relationships with the ECB and BCCI and the growing strength of Test cricket involving Australia, England, and India. He acknowledged logistical challenges due to the packed global cricket calendar.
The era of 'randomly' scheduling bilateral series is over, but the ODI format can continue to survive and thrive with its place 'inextricably' linked to the World Cup, said ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta in an interview to PTI.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his bewilderment at how the current generation of cricketers, primarily raised on T20 cricket, has managed to seamlessly adapt to the rigorous demands of Test cricket. He compared their transition to pop singers mastering classical ragas, highlighting the significant technical and mental adjustments required. Manjrekar's comments come as young Indian players, many with IPL backgrounds, are actively participating in Test series, showcasing their versatility across formats.
Watch Rishabh Pant closely and one can see that his ability to clear the boundary comes from his hand speed, powerful wrists, swing of the bat and remarkable balance. Above all, he has the courage to play those shots despite the fact that Test batting manuals never demand them.
Suryakumar Yadav discusses his desire to play Test cricket, his challenges with the ODI format, and his comfort and mastery in T20 cricket in an exclusive interview.
India completed their 600th Test with a 165-run win over Sri Lanka. Here's how India evolved from early struggles into a modern Test cricket powerhouse.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes the exploding popularity of T20 leagues, particularly the IPL, poses a significant threat to the future of bilateral international cricket, stating that '70 per cent (people are watching club cricket instead of international cricket)'.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Khan has criticised the current generation of pacers for their lack of skill development, attributing it to Pakistan's decline in Test cricket. He emphasised the importance of artful bowling over mere speed and highlighted how T20 cricket and internal politics are hindering player development.
Alyssa Healy concluded her international cricket career with a Test victory over India, advocating for the expansion of women's Test cricket.
Eran Wickramaratne, chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket's interim committee, has called for a revision of the ICC's Future Tours Programme to allow Sri Lanka to play more Test matches against cricketing powerhouses like India, England, and Australia, citing the financial dependence on India and the desire to excel in the format.
A maiden Test century is never just about three figures. It is a reflection of patience, perseverance, self-belief and the courage to wait for the right moment.
Joe Root equalled Sachin Tendulkar's record of 68 Test fifties against Pakistan, adding another milestone to his remarkable career while returning as England captain.
Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test win on Australian soil, powered by Tanzid Hasan's century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes India's recent Test struggles stem from the departure of senior players, emphasising the need for a core of seven to eight experienced cricketers in the longer format.
Mitchell Starc surpassed Rangana Herath to become the most successful left-handed bowler in Test history with 434 wickets.
Australia is set to host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in the country's tropical north, marking the first time since 2003.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes the aggressive batting approach fostered by the T20 era has come at the expense of patience, leading to a decline in marathon innings in Test cricket by younger players.
Saransh Jain, India's Test cap No. 320, prioritised red-ball cricket over an IPL contract, a decision lauded by his coach Chandrakant Pandit, which ultimately led to his Test debut against Sri Lanka.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has achieved a rare feat in Test cricket, becoming only the fourth player in history to score over 4,000 runs and take 350 wickets. He joins an exclusive club alongside legends like Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Daniel Vettori, reaching the milestone during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Pandya has played 11 Test matches for India, scoring 532 runs at an average of 31.29 with a century and four fifties, along with 17 wickets at an average of 31.05 under his belt.
Sri Lanka's head coach Gary Kirsten expressed satisfaction with his team's developing approach to Test cricket despite a loss to India. He highlighted the team's fight and resilience, particularly after a poor start in their first innings, and praised young batter Sonal Dinusha. Kirsten also provided an update on key player injuries ahead of the next Test.
Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja advised debutant Saransh Jain to treat his maiden Test match as another First-Class game, urging him to enjoy the moment without pressure. Saransh, the 320th player to represent India in Tests, expressed his happiness at receiving his cap from an all-rounder like Jadeja and dedicated his cricketing journey to his father.
Keshav Maharaj hails Manav Suthar as a rare left-arm spin talent, praising his control and variations while backing him to carry India's Test spin legacy.
Already, the knives are out for Gautam Gambhir because of his poor record as coach in Test matches, and a potential defeat in Sri Lanka could prove to be the killer blow.
Kapil backs India in T20s, stresses focus on Test cricket
Top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a big toe injury. The injury, sustained during the India A tour last month, requires further healing time, leading to his withdrawal from the squad.
