Test cricket isn't dying, it's just waiting for big fights to bring back its glory
Kohli has quit Tests; others are leaving the format early for flashier T20s. And so, South Africa's challenge to Australia at WTC final is special. There's no cricket without grinding grit. Test cricket isn't dying, it's waiting for big fights to bring back its glory, one session at a time.
CBSE's mother tongue rule must align with Indian parents' aspirations for English-medium schools
CBSE's push for mother tongue as medium of instruction at primary level is well-intentioned and can improve cognitive growth among children. What's worrisome is its hasty rollout. It mounts logistical stress on schools to make teachers and textbooks readily available. Such measures must align with parents' aspirations for English-medium schools.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Pat Cummins scripts history with 6/28 in WTC final
Australia skipper Pat Cummins etched his name into the record books with a sensational spell of fast bowling, claiming 6/28 against South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on Thursday at Lord's. With this performance, Cummins not only helped Australia bowl out South Africa for a paltry 138, giving them a crucial 74-run first-innings lead, but also achieved multiple historic milestones. Cummins became only the eighth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test cricket, reaching the 300-wicket mark in just 68 matches. This feat also included his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Speaking after bundling the Proteas, Cummins reflected on the performance and the records, saying, ' It's great, got some family as well here, which is nice. Came out after lunch with them looking good and bowled well. Pretty happy to have a decent lead at the moment. It's way more than I could have asked for, for any fast bowler 300 is a big number, niggles, injuries and played for a long time, so pretty happy. When the ball is soft, it's easier to bat but it still feels like the odd ball is nipping, feel we bowled well.' In achieving this fifer, Cummins broke a 33-year-old record held by England's Bob Willis, who had the best bowling figures by a captain at Lord's with 6/101 against India in 1992. Cummins now holds that record with his 6/28, setting a new benchmark at the iconic venue. Moreover, Cummins created another unique record, becoming the only Aussie captain in fact, the only captain in general with a five-wicket haul in an ICC tournament knockout and final. Under his captaincy, Cummins has now claimed 15 wickets across ICC finals and knockout matches, highlighting his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Goal disallowed, India lose 1-2 to Argentina for fourth straight defeat in FIH Pro League
India's late goal from penalty was disallowed in dramatic circumstances and Jugraj Singh failed to score after it was retaken as they lost 1-2 to Argentina for their fourth successive defeat in the European leg of FIH Pro League hockey here on Thursday. Drag-flicker Jugraj struck in the fourth minute off the first penalty corner of the match to give India the lead but Tomas Domene (9th and 49th) scored a brace, both from PCs, to hand Argentina the win. Down 1-2 in the fourth and final quarter, India earned a penalty stroke two minutes from the final hooter and Jugraj was successful in sounding the board. Argentina asked for a video referral on the ground that Jugraj's left foot was well ahead of the ball while he took the stroke. The video umpire ruled in Argentina's favour but India captain Hardik Singh asked the referee to check whether the Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago was already ahead of the goal-line before Jugraj took the stroke. This time, India got a favourable decision from the video umpire. Jugraj was allowed to retake the stroke but his shot was saved this time by Santiago. India's regular captain Harmanpreet Singh missed the game due to a finger tissue injury sustained in the previous match. In his absence, vice-captain Hardik led the team. Argentina got as many as eight PCs while India earned just three. Before the start of the match, the two teams observed a minute's silence to pay respect to the victims of the tragic crash of the London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew in Ahmedabad earlier in the day. Argentina started the game with high pressing and greater ball possession, but India responded with sharp passing and swift circle entries. This early momentum earned India a penalty corner, which Jugraj converted with a powerful drag flick to hand them the lead in the fourth minute. Argentina quickly earned a penalty corner of their own, but Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak stood tall, making a crucial save. Moments later, Pathak was called into action again, diving to deny another Argentine penalty corner. However, the Argentines got third time lucky as Domene fired home to level the score in the ninth minute. The first quarter ended evenly poised at 1-1. The second quarter saw Argentina pushing forward with early circle entries, but India's defence held firm to thwart their advances. India responded by intercepting passes and launching speedy counter-attacks, putting pressure on Argentina's goalkeeper Santiago, who stood his ground with key saves. Argentina, too, found themselves in promising positions but failed to convert their chances. Despite the end-to-end action, neither side could break the deadlock in the second quarter, and the teams went into half time with the score still level at 1-1. The third quarter saw both teams adopting a cautious approach, focusing on maintaining possession and controlling the tempo of the game. Much of the action unfolded in the midfield, with both India and Argentina finding it difficult to penetrate each other's defensive lines. As a result, clear-cut chances were few and far between, and neither side managed to create any substantial threats in the attacking circle. The evenly contested third quarter ended without any change to the scoreline. Argentina came out strong in the fourth and final quarter, applying relentless pressure on India's defence with aggressive pressing. Their efforts soon bore fruit as Domene struck his second goal of the match in the 49th minute, once again converting a penalty corner to give Argentina a 2-1 lead. Trailing for the first time in the game, India shifted to a long-passing strategy in search of an equaliser. However, Argentina remained compact at the back, successfully absorbing the pressure and denying India any clear breakthroughs. India's best opportunity came in the dying moments when they were awarded a penalty stroke with less than two minutes left on the clock. Jugraj first scored from the stroke, but it was disallowed and he failed to score on the retake. As a result of the loss, India now sit fifth in the points table with 15 points from 12 matches. They will next play against Australia on June 14. India had lost to the same opponents 3-4 on Wednesday. Before that, India had lost 1-2 and 2-3 to Olympic champions Netherlands here during this European tour of the Pro League. This was India's fourth and last match here, and they will now travel to Antwerp in Belgium to face formidable Australia on Saturday.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
De Bruyne signs with Serie A champion Napoli after 10 seasons at Man City
Two-time Premier League player of the season Kevin De Bruyne signed as a free agent with Serie A champion Napoli on Thursday. 'KING KEV IS HERE,' Napoli declared in a series of posts on X. The 33-year-old De Bruyne's contract at Manchester City expired. Napoli did not announce the length of his new contract. Around 150 fans welcomed De Bruyne on his arrival at a clinic in Rome for his medical. They chanted his name before also singing about Napoli being champion after the player had gone into the facility. At Napoli, De Bruyne will reunite with Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku. And follow in the footsteps of former Napoli great Dries Mertens, an ex-Belgium international. In Napoli's midfield, De Bruyne can team with Serie A player of the year Scott McTominay, who made a highly successful move from Manchester United. Known as one of soccer's most complete midfielders, De Bruyne was named the best player in the Premier League for the 2019-2020 and 2021-22 seasons. In 10 seasons at City, he helped the English club to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League trophy. The addition of De Bruyne may have been one of the reasons that convinced Napoli coach Antonio Conte to stay on for another season after considering rejoining Juventus.
