The Indian pacer received strong boos from the home crowd as he came on to bowl at The Gabba on December 14. Siraj recently was fined 20 per cent of his match fee for his heated exchange with Head and was also given a demerit point for breaching ICC’s Code of Conduct.

India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first in order to take advantage of the overcast conditions at The Gabba with his pica trio of Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep.

As soon as Siraj was handed the ball, he started getting relentlessly booed by the crowd in Brisbane. This further intensified the rivalry between the pacer and the Australian supporters.

It is expected that fans wouldn’t be too kind to Siraj in the upcoming Tests in Melbourne and Sydney either. It will be interesting to see how the pacer can cope against such an immense amount of pressure.

The post WATCH: Mohammed Siraj gets relentlessly booed by the crowd in Brisbane appeared first on Cricket Country.

The Men in Blue would compete in the warm-up games against Australia and New Zealand ahead of the biggest clash against their arch-rivals Pakistan which would take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23rd. This will he be the third meeting between these sides after their clash at T20 World Cup 2021 opener.

Both teams won one match against each other during the latest Asia Cup. Men in Blue would be entering the tournament without their key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. This is also the biggest critical point the Indian side is facing ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan’s World Cup-winning pacer gave a statement on the Indian side and the match between IND vs PAK to the media and doubted Team India’s strength following the omission of Bumrah from the squad.

Aaqib Javed said “India ki halat jo hain na woh bhi kuch aachi form main nehin hain. Unke batting bhi struggle kar raha hain, aur Bumrah ke bager bowling waisi nehin hain ki aap soche ki…ki ek impact hota hain bowler ka jo Shaheen ka hai ya Haris ka hain. Yeh impact ka bara pressure hota hain, fark padta hain. Unke jo abhi bowlers hain woh aam medium pace bowlers hain. Ha Pandya ek hain jo game kisibhi waqt change kar sakta hain”

He did acknowledge Hardik Pandya and said he posses the ability to change the game at any movement and would be the real ace of the Indian squad.

The post India Ki Halat Jo Hain Achi Nhi Hai: Pakistan’s Great Makes Huge Statement Ahead Of IND vs PAK appeared first on Cricket Country.

In the duo’s absence, senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been used in the death overs in last three matches. But he hasn’t been effective, conceding 16, 14 and 19 runs (against Australia) in the 19th overs of India’s last three matches. It is now expected that Bumrah will be coming for the second T20I at Nagpur.

“See after the Asia cup, I thought there were more wounds, deeper wounds. But this match (against Australia) actually has given me a lot of positives. The bowling issues will be easily addressed with Mohammed Shami being available and Bumrah coming back.”

“So, there were real important positives. After the Asia cup, I was slightly disheartened and pessimistic. But after this loss to Australia, I’m not that depressed,” said Manjrekar on ‘Sports Over The Top’ show on Sports18.

Manjrekar felt pacer Harshal Patel, who went for 49 runs in his four overs of T20I comeback at Mohali, including being hit for 22 runs in the 18th over, might struggle on pitches of Australia. “Harshal is someone we’ve seen for a number of years. We’ve seen him in the IPL as well. He’s a guy who rebels when the pitch is dry when his slower ball becomes really slow and becomes very difficult to play.”

“Last time his slower balls were going at around 120kmph. So, it’s not a huge drop in pace. So, Harshal is a worry if the pitch is flat, bouncy and pacy. That’s what you’ll get in Australia. So that’s another thing that India will be mindful of, the skills of Harshal in Australia.”

With India now 1-0 behind in the three-match series, they will next face Australia in the second T20I at VCA Stadium, Nagpur on Friday.

The post There Were Real Important Positives: Sanjay Manjrekar After India’s Loss vs Australia In 1st T20I appeared first on Cricket Country.

The 32-year-old looked a tad vulnerable around the off-stump in the first two Tests and one can expect him to present a tighter technique when the ball is pitched on the fourth stump at Headingley. The form of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane had also been a cause of concern for India but that has been put to rest after the experienced duo batted for almost 50 overs on day four of the Lord’s Test and were responsible for taking the game to the final day before the Indian pacers scripted a famous win.

Turning the heat 🔥🔛 at Headingley 🏟️💪🏻#TeamIndia 🇮🇳 | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/cxNjZFIqh0

BCCI (@BCCI) August 22, 2021

The performance of openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul has been the biggest plus for India in the batting department. Both have showed remarkable temperament and technique in testing conditions to give the team a solid start.

Rahul, who was drafted into the team in place of injured Mayank Agarwal, has grown in confidence with each innings and seem to be sure about which balls to play and which ones to leave, which is critical for success in English conditions.

Rohit too has looked in sublime touch and only needs to figure when to play his trademark pull shot, having fallen to that stroke twice in the series so far.

Rishabh Pant will play the way he plays and Ravindra Jadeja has also done a decent job at number seven. It can be said that he is playing in the team more as a batsman than as a left-arm spinner.

Reliving Lord’s triumph from the dressing room 👏 👏

The range of emotions, the reactions & the aura in the #TeamIndia dressing room post the historic win at the @HomeOfCricket. 👍 👍 – by @RajalArora

Watch this special feature 🎥 👇 #ENGvINDhttps://t.co/9WFzGX4rDi pic.twitter.com/uR63cLS7j4

BCCI (@BCCI) August 17, 2021

With conditions expected to be cold and favourable for the pacers at Headingley, India are expected to retain the four-prong pace attack, leaving no space for R Ashwin once again.

Shardul Thakur is fully fit but it is unlikely that Kohli will make any changes in the pace attack which won India the game on day five at Lord’s.

Ishant Sharma, who had not played the opening Test, was really impressive at Lord’s and the hugely experienced pacer is likely to be preferred over Thakur, who is the lesser bowler compared to Ishant but the better batsman.

The potency of the world-class attack has been increased by Mohammad Siraj, who was sensational on day five and has impressed many with his relentless accuracy.

India last played here in 2002 when they registered a famous win by an innings and 46 runs. None of the current players have the experience of playing on this ground and it will be interesting to see how they adapt to the challenge.

England, on the other hand, will be hoping their batting woes will subside with the inclusion of white-ball specialist Dawid Malan. Malan last played a Test three years ago but is expected to deliver considering his rich first-class experience.

The southpaw will bat at number three, moving Haseeb Hameed up the order to open alongside Rory Burns. England batsmen have to find a way to score and help skipper Joe Root, who has made of the bulk of the team’s runs so far.

Mark Wood, who troubled the Indian batsmen with his extra pace, is injured and that puts Saqib Mahmood in good position to make his Test debut on Wednesday.

Ahead of the game, Root confirmed that barring Wood, the team is not facing any fitness issues with lead pacer James Anderson also in good shape.

Root has also hinted that his players will not be drawn into needless exchanges with the opposition players after things got heated up at Lord’s with India getting more out of the verbal battles.

IND vs ENG SQUADS

India: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav.

England: Joe Root (C), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson.

(With PTI Inputs)

The post IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Virat Kohli Aims For Big Knock as Confident India Eyeing Unassailable Series Lead Against Struggling England appeared first on Cricket Country.

Asked whether the current pace attack is the best, Kapil said, “Do I have to say that?

“Aisa pace attack humne dekha nahi tha, socha bhi nahi tha (we have not seen such a pace attack and never thought about it). So, one does not have to say anything and yes without any doubt, in the last four-five years the fast bowlers have changed the face of Indian cricket,” he said.

India currently boast of a lethal pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Deepak Chahar and Navdeep Saini.

In the absence of Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the ongoing Test series against South Africa due to a stress fracture in his back, Shami stood up and ran through the visiting team’s batting line up in the first match in Visakhapatnam.

“No issues about that (not being in the top 10 bowlers). How effective he (Shami) has been for the team is more important. You have seen him. Great to see him doing well and that’s the bottom line,” Kapil said during a promotional event on Thursday.

READ: For us to be the No. 1 team, we have to accept any conditions: Bharat Arun

Kapil said it was heartening to see India producing such world-class fast bowlers. “Today it is about their life. I am proud of the quality of Indian fast bowlers. They have come in numbers,” he said.

Kapil credited Indian Premier League (IPL) for providing young pacers a platform to showcase their talent.

“It takes time to develop a pace attack. It feels good to witness the amount of cricket that is being played now. Because of IPL so many fast bowlers have got an opportunity,” he said.

“When you play more cricket, more players will come up. It is important to give youngsters opportunity to show their talent.”

The former World Cup-winning skipper also praised India’s bench strength. He said it was pleasing to see Rohit Sharma finally making his mark in Test cricket. “It is good to see he (Rohit) getting runs,” he said.

Kapil also feels that it should be left to MS Dhoni to take a call on his future in consultation with the national selectors. “That is his (Dhoni’s) call. How can we say anything about his future? He has to take a call or the selectors have to take a call. He is a such a great cricketer,” he concluded.

The post Proud of the quality of India’s fast bowlers: Kapil Dev appeared first on Cricket Country.

Sydney: India captain Virat Kohli Monday said he is on the lookout for three more pacers as relentless as the current crop to manage the workload of the attack that played a crucial role in the team’s maiden Test series triumph in Australia.

The attack comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma has been hailed as India’s best ever. Not only in Australia, the fast bowlers had done their job even in England and South Africa, but the batsmen let them down in the two preceding tours.

“It’s important to take care of these guys especially manage workloads, that’s going to be our priority going forward. But even more so, finding three more guys who can bowl as fast as and as relentless as these guys,” said Kohli in his post-match interaction on Monday.

ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri hits out at Sunil Gavaskar’s comments after historic series win in Australia

“We already are in the process of identifying (three pacers), and then keep them ready, make them travel with the team, make them understand the importance of Test cricket, what areas to bowl, what the mind-set should be. Because once you create this kind of a culture in the team, you want it to continue.”

Kohli said it is imperative to think about the future teams. “The effort is all around. Even on the outside, you need to keep scouting people who can take that legacy forward and not just end in a season. So, we are already in the process of identifying how we can extend this legacy and culture for as long as possible, and set up a system so that it continues for many more years to come.”

The skipper said that some of the bowlers need a good break now, which is indicative the Bumrah might be rotated during the upcoming ODIs.

ALSO READ: Never been more proud of a team than this one: Virat Kohli

“I think the most important thing is to look after these guys because they deserve a good break now. They deserved to be looked after because they are the reason we are sitting here having won in Australia for the first time,” said the skipper.

Kohli hopes the success in Australia will inspire the next generation to become world-class Test cricketers.

“I see this series as a stepping-stone for this team to inspire the next lot of Test cricketers. To be passionate about Test cricket firstly, because if the Indian team respects Test cricket we know the fans are going to come in and watch Test cricket. So, the vision is to promote Test cricket back home, to make kids realise that there is no greater satisfaction than playing Test cricket and winning series like these,” the skipper said.

ALSO READ: ‘Best Indian team I’ve been part of’ says Man of the Series Cheteshwar Pujara

“In a world where a lot of people want the easy stuff, matches that finish in the evening, I think it’s important to spread that message. As long as the purest format stays alive cricket will be healthy. And to promote that we have to play the kind of cricket we have played here. If we play for boring draws, no results, the game is going nowhere,” he added.

The post Vision is to make kids realise that there is no greater satisfaction than playing Test cricket: Virat Kohli appeared first on Cricket Country.