Sports Schedule -- August 6
Representational image (Image: News18)
Sports Schedule for Wednesday, August 6 CRICKET: * Stories related to the just-concluded Test series between India and England.
* Stories related to India and international cricket.
SURFING: *ASF Asian Surfing Championships in Chennai.
BOXING: *U22 Asian Championships in Bangkok.
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India.com
a few seconds ago
- India.com
Two-Tier Test Cricket Model: ICCs Proposal Faces Resistance From ECB And CA Over WTC Reforms
Test cricket, the sport's oldest and most revered format, finds itself at a pivotal juncture. With the ICC forming a working group to reimagine the structure of the World Test Championship (WTC) ahead of the 2027-29 cycle, a two-tier model is back on the discussion table. Led by former New Zealand batter and NZC Board representative Roger Twose, the group is tasked with evaluating ways to enhance the competitiveness and relevance of Test cricket in an era increasingly dominated by franchise T20 leagues. This renewed proposal has already triggered polarizing reactions from cricket's powerhouses, particularly the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA), who fear that restructuring may dilute the format's commercial and cultural appeal. Speaking during the England-India Test at The Oval, ECB chairman Richard Thompson voiced strong reservations about a two-tier structure, especially one that risks traditional rivalries such as the Ashes or contests against India. His concern: relegation to Division Two could potentially sideline England from marquee bilateral series, leading to significant commercial fallout. 'We wouldn't want, as England, to fall into Division Two and not play Australia or India. That couldn't happen,' Thompson told BBC's Test Match Special. 'There has to be a sense that common sense needs to play out here.' Thompson acknowledged the WTC has injected meaning into the Test calendar but believes improving the current system may offer more promise than restructuring it entirely. He cited South Africa's triumphant underdog story in the 2023-25 WTC final against Australia as proof that lesser-resourced teams can compete and win—if supported adequately. Cricket Australia: Open to Change, But with Caveats Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg struck a more flexible tone but echoed similar concerns. In an interview with SEN Radio, Greenberg emphasized the shared responsibility among top-tier nations to strengthen Test cricket globally, particularly in traditional strongholds like the West Indies, Pakistan, and South Africa. 'My open mind is in reference to: if [the two-tier model] helps grow the opportunities for other countries to be stronger in Test cricket, then I'm open to it,' Greenberg said. 'But if it has the opposite effect, I wouldn't be supportive.' Greenberg noted that many CEOs from Full Member boards are aware that some level of reform is inevitable if Test cricket is to retain its value amid a saturated international calendar and the rise of white-ball dominance. The ICC's Dilemma: Meaningful Reform vs Market Realities The ICC's working group is expected to make recommendations soon, though details remain under wraps. Sanjog Gupta, the newly appointed ICC CEO, is likely to play a key role in steering the discussions, especially with media rights negotiations for the 2027-31 cycle looming. The challenge is multifaceted: How to ensure competitive balance across all Test-playing nations? Can relegation and promotion be fairly implemented without punishing teams going through a temporary slump? Will top-tier broadcasters and sponsors support a model where iconic rivalries may no longer be guaranteed? Olympics 2028: Another Hurdle for Red-Ball Cricket Richard Thompson also flagged a looming scheduling clash with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will make its debut. 'What happens when our best 11 cricketers have to go to LA for two weeks in the middle of July?' he asked, underlining how a congested international window could further strain bilateral Test engagements.
India.com
a few seconds ago
- India.com
Poora Khol Diye Pasha: Asaduddin Owaisis Viral Praise For Mohammed Siraj After England Heroics
Mohammed Siraj's scintillating performance in the recently concluded five-match Test series between India and England has taken the cricketing world by storm. The fast bowler from Hyderabad emerged as India's standout performer, claiming a remarkable 23 wickets across five Tests. His sheer resilience and determination proved pivotal in helping India draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2, with the final Test at The Oval producing a heart-pounding finish. Thank you so much sir always cheering for me. — Mohammed Siraj (@mdsirajofficial) August 6, 2025 With his nine-wicket haul (4+5) in the fifth Test, Siraj not only dismantled England's batting lineup but also earned Player of the Match honours, underlining his evolution into a genuine match-winner for India in red-ball cricket. 'Poora Khol Diye Pasha': Asaduddin Owaisi's Viral Compliment As India celebrated a sensational six-run victory in the final Test at The Oval, Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi took to social media to praise his fellow Hyderabadi. In a tweet that quickly went viral, Owaisi posted, 'Always a winner @mdsirajofficial! As we say in Hyderabadi, poora khol diye Pasha!' – a phrase that loosely translates to 'he absolutely ripped them apart.' Siraj's humble and heartfelt reply – 'Thank you so much sir Always cheering for me' – further cemented his image as a grounded and fan-favourite figure in Indian cricket. A Workhorse with a Warrior's Heart While Siraj's numbers speak volumes – 185.3 overs bowled, 23 wickets, a career-best performance in the fifth Test – it was his attitude under pressure that truly separated him from the pack. Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali summed it up best, saying, 'Siraj's big heart and refusal to back down make him a nightmare for any batter. His energy, aggression, and control have matured to world-class levels.' Siraj's contribution wasn't just statistical. He cleaned up England's tail when India needed it most, especially in the final innings when every run mattered. With the match on a knife's edge, it was Siraj who delivered, bowling with venom and precision. Stars Align: Kohli, Tendulkar, and Shah Shower Praise Siraj's performance did not go unnoticed among Indian cricket's elite. Virat Kohli, his former captain, posted: 'Resilience and determination from Siraj and Prasidh has given us this phenomenal victory. Special mention to Siraj, who will put everything on the line for the team.' Jay Shah and Sachin Tendulkar also lauded his efforts on social media, with fans flooding platforms with tributes, memes, and compilations celebrating what many called a 'Siraj Series.' Ranking Rise: Siraj Climbs ICC Test Ladder Following his standout series, Siraj has made a significant leap in the ICC Test Bowler Rankings, jumping 12 places from No. 27 to No. 15. It's a testament to his growing stature as one of the premier pacers in world cricket. From being India's second or third seam option a few years ago, he's now become an indispensable asset, especially in overseas conditions.
India.com
30 minutes ago
- India.com
Why Jasprit Bumrah Skipped Crucial Tests Against England – Irfan Pathan Questions Workload Management
In what was expected to be a defining Test series between India and England, one narrative has stirred up heated debate among fans and experts alike — the performance and availability of Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has publicly criticised Bumrah for what he terms a 'pick and choose' approach during the five-match Test series in England, questioning both his commitment and the team management's workload strategy. Bumrah's Partial Participation Raises Eyebrows Ahead of the high-stakes series, the BCCI had announced that Jasprit Bumrah would not feature in all five Tests, citing workload management. As it unfolded, Bumrah played only three out of five Tests — missing the final two at Edgbaston and The Oval, where India remarkably turned the series around and secured victories. While he bagged 14 wickets in three appearances, including two five-wicket hauls at Headingley and Lord's, his overall impact fell short of expectations. Pathan, unimpressed by the strategic rotation, questioned Bumrah's absence from key fixtures and suggested that the pacer didn't rise to the occasion when India needed him most. 'There were moments, like when a sixth over was needed. I spoke about this during commentary as well. Joe Root had been dismissed by him 11 times, and in that Lord's Test, Bumrah bowled just five overs. Just one more could have made a difference,' Pathan remarked on his YouTube channel. A Tale of Two Innings: Standout Starts, Silent Finishes Pathan broke down Bumrah's outings with sharp analysis. In the first Test at Headingley, Bumrah began strongly with a five-wicket haul in the first innings. However, when the match hung in the balance, defending a target of 371 runs, he went wicketless. England chased down the target — their second-highest fourth-innings chase at home — raising concerns about India's bowling depth and Bumrah's inability to apply pressure in crunch moments. Similarly, at Lord's, Bumrah's initial five-wicket spell etched his name on the honours board, but his inability to sustain momentum in the second innings — managing only two wickets — allowed England to seize control. His final appearance in Manchester was notably underwhelming, returning with just two scalps while England piled on 669 runs in their first innings. "He'll Get 6/10" – Pathan's Harsh Rating Sparks Debate While Bumrah's supporters highlight his wicket tally and early-match breakthroughs, Irfan Pathan was unsparing in his assessment. Calling on the expectations placed upon a senior bowler and leader of the attack, Pathan rated Bumrah just six out of ten for the series. 'You're the No.1 ranked bowler in the world. That comes with responsibility. When matches are on the line, you're expected to deliver. In all three Tests he played, India didn't win. That says something.' Team Management Also In the Line of Fire Pathan didn't just single out Bumrah. He also took a dig at the Indian team management for being overly cautious with his workload. 'I've always been against this 'pick and choose' mentality. If a player is fit and firing, and the team needs him, he should play. Managing fitness is important, but not at the cost of match-winning opportunities,' he added. Is Bumrah's Management Hurting Team India? The debate over workload vs. performance continues to simmer in Indian cricket. While it is common for fast bowlers to be rotated to avoid injuries, selectively missing critical matches — especially when the series is still alive — doesn't sit well with fans or former players. The question now is whether India's most lethal pacer is being overprotected or underperforming under pressure. Either way, Jasprit Bumrah's England tour will be remembered as one of what could have been, rather than what was delivered.
