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.
Suresh Raina backed the young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play Test cricket in the future but is not sure if his coaches or IPL team owners want him to pursue red-ball cricket at this stage of his career.
Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath has underscored the critical role of Test cricket in developing depth within the game, despite the growing popularity of the T20 format. Speaking at an awards ceremony, Srinath advised young players to prioritise Test cricket, noting the difficulty for T20 specialists to transition to the longer format. He also stressed the responsibility of cricket associations, parents, and coaches in guiding emerging talent.
Tilak Varma, despite his white-ball success, expresses a strong desire to play Test cricket for India, considering red-ball cricket his true strength. He discusses the challenges of balancing international white-ball commitments with domestic red-ball opportunities and his eagerness to participate in the Duleep Trophy final amidst a tight schedule.
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.
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.
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.
Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal discusses his approach to cementing a place in the Indian Test XI, acknowledging limited opportunities despite his recent back-to-back hundreds in Sri Lanka. He emphasises the importance of consistent performance and his readiness to seize opportunities, drawing insights from conversations with Rahul Dravid.
Shubman Gill hailed Sri Lanka's gritty resistance after Sonal Dinusha's second century forced India to settle for a draw in the second Test.
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh discusses his aspirations for Test cricket, acknowledging his limited first-class appearances but asserting his readiness. He highlights the importance of understanding body mechanics, managing workload, and adapting to various pitch conditions. Arshdeep also touches upon the strong contingent of Punjab players in Indian cricket and his preparations for upcoming international assignments like the T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games.
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.
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.
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.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to play domestic first-class cricket for OGDCL in the President's Trophy to address his prolonged dip in Test form. Azam has struggled to score centuries since December 2022 and has faced criticism for his inability to convert starts, prompting him to seek PCB's help to participate in the longer format domestically.
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.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that his mother's homemade baked banana wafers were his go-to comfort food for midnight cravings during Test matches, helping him cope with the nervousness of the longest format.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly defends veteran pacer Mohammed Shami against claims of neglect by selectors, praising his domestic performances. Ganguly also expresses optimism about Ishan Kishan's potential return to Test cricket, highlighting his strong form in recent domestic finals.
England captain Joe Root has surpassed Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most half-centuries in Test cricket, achieving his 69th fifty during England's eight-wicket victory over Pakistan.
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.
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.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to play his first domestic first-class match since 2019, a move that follows the Pakistan Cricket Board's controversial decision to send back seven players and sack coaches after the recent Test tour of England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is poised for a significant overhaul under chairman Mohsin Naqvi, with anticipated changes to the national selection committee and the release of key personnel like Aqib Javed and Wahab Riaz. This comes amidst a losing streak and internal turmoil, prompting radical measures to improve the team's performance and administrative efficiency.
Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting expresses concern over the diminishing role of One Day International (ODI) cricket due to the rapid expansion of T20 Internationals and franchise leagues worldwide. While he believes Test cricket will remain strong with support from major cricketing nations, Ponting fears the 50-over format will be played less frequently. David Warner also weighs in on the challenges and opportunities presented by the crowded T20 calendar.
Alyssa Healy concluded her international cricket career with a Test victory over India, advocating for the expansion of women's Test cricket.
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.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports of 'discipline and conduct' issues during the ongoing tour of England, which saw seven players recalled after successive Test losses.
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.
Glenn Maxwell has named Virat Kohli the best-ever ODI batter, praising his exceptional timing, control and gap-finding ability while highlighting his remarkable record in successful run-chases.
The latest ICC Test rankings show Indian captain Shubman Gill dropping two places to ninth among batters, while Jasprit Bumrah fell one spot to third among bowlers.
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)'.
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.
India have never looked so vulnerable in Test cricket in recent times. They need a complete reset of their approach to Test cricket, and perhaps a new coach with fresh ideas could revitalise Shubman Gill and his boys.
