Dukes Ball Debate Heats Up Ahead of 4th India-England Test
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As India prepares for the crucial 4th Test against England, the spotlight returns to the Dukes ball. Is it fair? Is it consistent? On , News18's @sanjaysuri88 speaks exclusively to Dilip Jajodia—the man behind the Dukes ball.Hear his take on the controversy, the evolution of the red ball, and what makes the Dukes different from the SG and Kookaburra.
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India Today
a minute ago
- India Today
Oval Test: Lion-hearted Siraj, brave Jaiswal inspire Indian fightback in thriller
If you're an Indian fan, chances are you may have lost all hope after witnessing the opening session on Day 2 of the Oval Test. Trailing England 1-2 heading into the series finale, India desperately needed a strong showing in their first innings to keep their hopes of levelling the series alive. However, they endured what was arguably their worst session of the tour on Friday morning-losing their last four wickets for just six runs and conceding 109 runs in 16 overs. | Oval Test, Day 2 Highlights - Scorecard |advertisementEven the most devoted Indian cricket fan might have considered switching off the television and planning a weekend that didn't involve watching the Anderson-Tendulkar then came a lion-hearted effort from Mohammed Siraj, ably supported by Prasidh Krishna, to script an almost implausible comeback with the ball. In the absence of their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj and Prasidh dug deep and ensured that England were dismissed for 247. Tempers flared, words were exchanged and the Test match, much like the rest of the series, ebbed and flowed on Day 2. Yes, England did take a lead-but the 23-run advantage looked far less daunting than what they had been threatening earlier, especially when Duckett and Crawley were in full flow, scoring at over seven runs an over during their explosive opening picked up four wickets, taking his tally to a series-leading 18, while Prasidh delivered a vastly improved performance in the second session to claim four wickets of his own-including that of the rampaging Crawley, who seemed on course for a rapid massive!Mohammed Siraj gets the huge breakthrough, Joe Root is gone!#ENGvIND 5th TEST, DAY 2 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 1, 2025By the close of play, India had turned the tables, ending the day with a 52-run lead after reaching 75 for 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a brisk half-century, riding his luck after being dropped twice-once on 20 and again on lost No. 3 Sai Sudharsan with just 20 minutes left in the extended final session. In a tactical move, captain Shubman Gill opted not to walk in and instead sent in Akash Deep as play was called off 15 minutes before the scheduled close after England captain Ollie Pope refused to bring on his spinners when the fading light was not good enough to operate with fast bowlers. It was a questionable decision, and India headed into stumps with their nightwatchman still at the crease alongside the well-set extended India's advantage with a fluent fifty. While the young opener certainly enjoyed a bit of luck, he ensured the scoreboard kept ticking. Unafraid to take risks, Jaiswal recognised that a purely defensive approach might not suit the spicy pitch at The meets its match ball #SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @ybj_19 Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 1, 2025SIRAJ STEPS UP IN BUMRAH'S ABSENCE, AGAINIndia appeared to miss Jasprit Bumrah more than ever as England dominated the opening session, threatening to bat the visitors out of the contest. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley took an aggressive approach, standing well outside their crease to negate swing and playing with fearless intent, which completely unsettled the Indian pace raced to fifty in just 7.1 overs, compounding India's woes. The morning began with India losing overnight batters Karun Nair and Washington Sundar cheaply, and ended with them conceding nearly half their total in was at his audacious best-charging down the track against the quicks and executing reverse scoops with ease. He struck five fours and two sixes before falling to Akash Deep while attempting another reverse scoop. That dismissal turned out to be the only bright spot for India in an otherwise forgettable first the lunch break offered India a much-needed breather after the onslaught. When they returned for the second session, there was a noticeable shift in their approach. The bowlers were more patient, choosing to let the helpful conditions at The Oval assist them rather than going in search of extravagant transformation was immediate. Prasidh Krishna, who had gone for 31 runs in his five overs in the first session, struck the first blow after lunch-removing the dangerous Zak Crawley for 64 with a short ball. Crawley, caught off guard by the extra pace, fell to a delivery that was consistently clocking over 145 it was Mohammed Siraj's turn. The Hyderabad pacer produced a fiery spell to dismiss Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Jacob Bethell. He ramped up the pace and cleverly used scrambled seam and angles from the crease to extract movement off the surface. Both Pope and Root were outdone by balls that deviated sharply after third wicket-Bethell-was a searing yorker that left the young left-hander, standing in for the injured Ben Stokes, with no answer. Siraj's three-wicket burst was central to India's dominance in the post-lunch collapsed from 109 for 1 to 215 for 7 in that session, with Siraj's lion-hearted spell dragging India back into the match. He bowled eight overs on the trot, showing remarkable stamina despite the physical toll of having played all five Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Brook waged a lone battle for England, scoring a controlled half-century to ensure the hosts edged into the lead. But even he couldn't escape Siraj's wrath, falling to the pacer who finished with an impressive four-wicket haul."Siraj has a big heart. And with a heart like that, you can push through pain, push through fatigue, and deliver spells like this," said former India fast bowler Varun Aaron on JioHotstar."An eight-over burst in the fifth Test, bowled at that intensity-he was touching 140 kph throughout. Watching him charge in was a sight for sore eyes. It was beautiful."England were also hampered by the absence of Chris Woakes, who was ruled out after dislocating his shoulder on Day 1, leaving them a batter eventually secured a lead of 52 runs by stumps, but all eyes will now be on the crucial first session on Saturday. The team that seizes the advantage in the morning could well dictate the direction of the Test. India will be keen to set England a target in excess of 250, mindful of their ability to chase in the fourth innings in the Bazball era.- EndsTune InYou May Also Like
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a minute ago
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US Presidential Fitness Test: Who are the 30 athletes backing Trump's school fitness campaign?
Image credits: X On Thursday, the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test for American children. The test, which was a fixture in public schools for decades, analysed the youth's health and athleticism through 1-mile runs, sit-ups and stretching exercises. 'This is a wonderful tradition, and we're bringing it back,' said the POTUS about the fitness test that was started in 1966 but was phased out during the Obama administration. 'President Trump wants every young American to have the opportunity to emphasize healthy, active lifestyles — creating a culture of strength and excellence for years to come,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN in a statement. Along with the test, the executive order signed by him also reinvigorated a national sports council that he stocked with current and former athletes and other prominent figures from the athletic world. Supporting him in his decision were athletes present at the event, who will also be formal members of the council: Bryson DeChambeau, golfer at LIV Golf League Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Lawrence Taylor, Former New York Giants linebacker Cody Campbell, former college football player Paul Levesque, 14-time World Champion Annika Sorenstam, Swedish professional golfer Stephen Soloway, New Jersey physician Jack Nicklaus, retired golfer Gary Player, retired golfer Tony Romo, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles running back Wayne Gretzky, hockey legend Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League Other members of the 30-member council are yet to be declared, and according to Trump, this council will also develop criteria for the Presidential Fitness Award. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Emergency Generators in Dire Dawa: (Prices May Surprise You) Emergency Generator | Search Ads Search Now Undo The fitness test was first introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, creating a school-based program that rewards "excellence in physical education". However, it was abandoned by former President Obama and replaced with an assessment called the FitnessGram that focused on improving individual health. The then-first lady Michelle Obama also promoted her "Let's Move" initiative that aimed at reducing childhood obesity through diet and exercise.
Hindustan Times
a minute ago
- Hindustan Times
Sai Sudharsan stops midway, turns back to give Ben Duckett a mouthful, Harry Brook tells him to go away
Things keep getting intense in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. In the final few minutes of the second day of the fifth and final Test between India and England, Sai Sudharsan and Ben Duckett engaged in an intense confrontation after the former lost his wicket off the bowling of Gut Atkinson. The left-handed batter was adjudged leg-before wicket by the on-field umpire Ahsan Raza, and after discussing with the non-striker Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young left-handed opener went for a review. Sai Sudharsan and Ben Duckett were involved in a war of words after the former lost his wicket(Action Images via Reuters) However, the replays showed three reds, and Sai Sudharsan had to walk back after scoring just 11 runs off 29 balls. The good-length delivery angled into the middle and leg stump. The ball kept low, and Sudharsan was unable to get his bat down in time. Sudharsan walked back after seeing the replays on the big screen, but he walked back to the middle to have a word or two with Ben Duckett, who seemingly provoked him. The duo exchanged words before Harry Brook came in to mediate and separate the two players. England's stand-in captain, Ollie Pope, also came charging in to separate Duckett and Sai Sudharsan. This episode adds to the on-field spice between the England and India players. On Day 2, Joe Root was involved in a heated exchange with Prasidh Krishna. KL Rahul heard a mouthful from on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena after he stood up for his teammate. Also Read: Kumar Dharmasena livid, orders KL Rahul to meet him after match following heated debate Earlier, Akash Deep also gave a send-off to Ben Duckett after he placed his hand around the left-handed batter's shoulder after taking his wicket. Oval Test hangs in the balance At stumps on Day 2, India's score read 75/2 with the visitors leading by 52 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep are unbeaten on 51 and 4, respectively. Earlier, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna scalped four wickets each as India bundled out England for 245. The hosts took a lead of 23 runs owing to half-centuries by Zak Crawley and Harry Brook. England won the toss in the Oval Test and decided to bowl first. India posted 224 runs in the first innings after Karun Nair slammed his maiden Test half-century. Gus Atkinson returned with five wickets for the hosts, who are leading the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-1.
