"Hope India will win today": Mohammad Azharuddin ahead of Day 5 of Birmingham Test
Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep rattled England's top-order with the new ball yet again, leaving India seven wickets shy of going level in the series after the end of the fourth day, thoroughly dominated by the tourists at Edgbaston on Saturday.
England posted 72/3 in 16 overs, 556 runs short of victory, with Harry Brook and Ollie Pope unbeaten on scores of 15(15) and 24(44). India needs to scythe seven scalps on the final day to restore parity at 1-1 in the five-match series.
Speaking to ANI about India's chances to win the game, Azharuddin said, 'India had a very good day and I hope they will win the game today. All the players batted well, but I think the bowlers did a really good job. Kudos to Shubman Gill for playing so well. Rishabh Pant also did a good job. I wish the team well, and hopefully, after this win, they will get more confident... Looking forward to a win by the Indian team. We have a great set of youngsters...'
Gill pressed the accelerator in the second innings to construct a knock of 161 in 162 balls, with 13 fours and eight sixes, which was just as mesmerising.
On the other hand, Pant delivered an entertaining, counter-attacking and crucial 65 in 58 balls, with eight fours and three sixes.
Coming to the match, England once again opted to field first.
After getting KL Rahul (2) early, an 80-run stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal (87 in 107 balls, with 13 fours) and Karun Nair (31 in 50 balls, with five fours) helped India gain some footing in the match. Skipper Shubman Gill had valuable partnerships of 203 runs with Ravindra Jadeja (89 in 137 balls, with 10 fours and a six) and a 144-run stand against Washington Sundar (42 in 103 balls, with three fours and a six), helping India towards 587, scoring 269 in 387 balls himself, with 30 fours and three sixes.
Shoaib Bashir (3/167) was the pick of the bowlers for England, while Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue also managed two each.
In England's first innings, India had them on the ropes with 84/5. However, a 303-run stand between Harry Brook (158 in 234 balls, with 17 fours and a six) and wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith (184* in 207 balls, with 21 fours and four sixes) sent India on an endless hunt for leather and answers. However, Siraj (6/70) and Akash Deep (4/88) got something out of the new ball and tumbled down the last five wickets for 20 runs, bundling them down for 407 runs, gaining a 180-run lead.
India's response was a swift half-century partnership between Jaiswal (28 in 22 balls, with six fours) and KL Rahul, who also continued his good run with a 10-boundary-filled 55 in 84 balls. A 110-run stand for the fourth wicket between Rishabh Pant (65 in 58 balls, with eight fours and three sixes) and Gill upped the attack, while Gill managed yet another epic 175-run stand with Jadeja, scoring 161 in 162 balls, with 13 fours and eight sixes. Jadeja scored an unbeaten 69* in 118 balls, with five fours and a six. India declared at 427/6, leading by 607 runs and setting England a monstrous 608 runs to win.
England ended the fourth day at 72/3, with Harry Brook (15*) and Ollie Pope (24*) unbeaten. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian women's ice hockey team wins bronze at IIHF Asia Cup
New Delhi: For a nation with scarce year-round ice facilities, a podium finish for the Indian women's ice hockey team is a story of dedication against all odds. Representational image. (AP) The Indian team carved their name into history last month, clinching bronze at the IIHF Asia Cup in Al Ain, UAE, with a commanding 3–1 win over Thailand in the third-place playoff. The team's path wasn't easy — from battling stereotypes to training in challenging conditions — yet they are turning things around. Captain Tsewang Chuskit recalls early taunts: 'Some uncles asked, 'What are you doing playing with the boys? This isn't a girl's game.'' For forward Diskit C Angmo, the journey began by simply watching her brother play. 'I didn't know girls could even play hockey,' she said. 'It became more important to prove the world wrong than to prove myself right,' said forward Diskit Angmo. Rinchen Dolma returned to the game just five months after giving birth. Facing taunts like 'You're a mother now, go home,' she stormed the rink, scored a goal, and made a defiant statement: 'I'll come here with my baby, and I'll show you what scoring a goal really means.' Assistant coach Ali Amir reflected: ''You're a girl, you'll get married, go to someone else's house — what will you play?'' But the players pushed past the doubters to earn India a proud moment on the world stage. 'When the anthem played and the flag was hoisted, I felt pride like never before,' he added. 'What I couldn't achieve as a player, I achieved as a coach — thanks to these incredible women.' Sonam Angmo summed it up, 'We're playing for the country. Even when the support was missing, we stood strong. This medal is for everyone who believed in us.' Their journey — marked by struggle, stereotypes, and sheer grit — has now become a beacon of inspiration for athletes across the nation and has been beautifully captured in the form of a powerful four-minute film titled Sound of Courage by Pocket FM, the world's largest audio series platform. Watch their beautiful journey captured in the form of a powerful four-minute film titled Sound of Courage.
Hindustan Times
3 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
FC Goa show will and skill to qualify for ACL2
Kolkata: In the worst of times for football in India, trust the players to provide succour. The women have earned seats at the high table of Asian football. On Thursday, FC Goa followed them, beating Al-Seeb of Oman 2-1 in an Asian Champions League Two qualifier. They will join Mohun Bagan Super Giant and it will be the first time two Indian clubs will be in the main round of Asia's new tier two competition. FC Goa's Sandesh Jhingan in action against Al-Seeb on Wednesday. (Nikhil Patil/AFC) 'We had to grind it out but we are going to the Asian Champions League Two and I am excited,' said Sandesh Jhingan in a flash interview to official broadcaster Khel Now TV. Dejan Drazic and Borja Herrera were first among equals in a performance that combined heart with tactical nous against a team that started with nine players from the Oman national side. On a heavy pitch, Drazic put Goa ahead in the 24th minute with a lob that melded chutzpah and composure. It came against the run of play after Herrera's long pass beat Al-Seeb's high line. Javier Siverio made it 2-0 in the 53rd following a spell of domination but once Al-Seeb scored through Nasser Sultan Al-Rawahi in the 61st, FC Goa effectively deployed a low block and delaying tactics to defend for nearly 36 minutes, including seven minutes of second-half stoppage time. They could also have scored in the 81st but on the turn, Siverio shot out. It was Herrera's industry, taking on players, turning inside and finding Siverio with a pin-point pass that had led to the move. Drazic's tendency to mar a good evening by brain fade nearly hit FC Goa again. It was his pass to nowhere that had given Bengaluru FC a goal and a berth in the 2024-25 ISL final. Against Al-Seeb, Drazic's 43rd minute hand ball had Chinese referee Zhang Lei awarding a penalty which he changed to a free-kick after consulting his assistant who felt the connection had happened outside the area though replays suggested otherwise. Al-Seeb attacked full backs Aakash Sangwan and Boris Singh through Zahir Sulaiman, underlapping left-back Ali Al-Busaidi and midfielder Salaah Al Yahyaei but missing was the final ball. Of the kind Herrera found, first for Drazic, who put in a tremendous shift, and then for Siverio with the outside of his boot. Siverio connected with a header after goalie Ahmed Al-Rawahi left his line and failed to collect. The goal came following a corner-kick won by Drazic driving inside from the left. 'They are a fantastic side but we were also dangerous when we arrived (in the box),' said FC Goa coach Manolo Marquez savouring the win after a difficult few months as India coach.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 minutes ago
- First Post
Zaheer Khan meets Rohit Sharma amid reports of leaving LSG ahead of IPL 2026
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has reportedly parted ways with Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026. The report claims that LSG will appoint a new mentor who will get a bigger role of overseeing sister franchises as well. Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan has reportedly parted ways with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Zaheer joined the franchise last year as a mentor, replacing Gautam Gambhir, who took over India's head coach after Rahul Dravid's departure. Zaheer also worked as the bowling coach of LSG. Zaheer Khan leaves LSG? According to a report in the Times of India, LSG is planning to give a bigger role to a new mentor who will also oversee RPSG Group's other franchises, including Durban's Super Giants in SA20 and Manchester Originals in The Hundred. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, currently in the UK, is expected to announce a Director of Cricket to manage these teams. 'LSG is set to part ways with Zaheer Khan and the new mentor will be given a bigger role to monitor RPSG Group's other franchises,' a source was quoted as saying to TOI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier reports suggested that head coach Justin Langer could be replaced, with Zaheer Khan possibly stepping in as the new head coach of Lucknow Super Giants following a disappointing IPL 2025 season. However, at the time of writing this story, both the head coach and mentor positions are vacant on LSG's official Wikipedia page. Zaheer's reported departure comes after a few changes in LSG's coaching setup. Last month, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun was appointed as the new bowling coach. Zaheer had replaced South Africa pacer Morne Morkel in his dual role at Lucknow. Morkel went on to join Gambhir in the Indian team as bowling coach. Zaheer meets Rohit, Yuvraj Meanwhile, Zaheer shared met former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma and two-time World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh recently. He shared a photo on social media with the caption, 'Buggi night with Shana log.' Zaheer previously served as Mumbai Indians' Director of Cricket from 2018 to 2022 before taking on the role of Head of Global Development of the same franchise.
