WCL 2025: India vs Pakistan match called off after cricketers back out
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Indian Express
5 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Washington Sundar, Ben Stokes and a handshake at Old Trafford: Why Test cricket is still beautiful
Washington Sundar is no stranger to extraordinary things. In his first Test with India six down, almost 200 behind Australia, he combined with virtual newbie Shardul Thakur to lay the first step for the now-famous Brisbane heist. But a century is a century, and Washington Sundar's first was even more special because the hero of Brisbane was now among India's saviours at Old Trafford. So, when the English captain offered a handshake, an admission that his tired team had given up trying to win, Washington and his partner Ravindra Jadeja, who was also closing in on a century, were right to deny him any moral high ground. More than an hour of the game was left; why not savour the spoils of hard-earned battle? If the issue was that of the spirit of the game, the question could well be asked who hurt that in the first place – the Indian batsman who chose to carry on, for personal goals, or the English skipper who took their refusal to call it a day as an affront and asked part-timer Harry Brook to serve donkey drops. The last half hour was an anti-climax, the only period when the Old Trafford match wasn't engrossing. Till then, everything that the English and Indian cricketers had done showcased a perfect response to the perennial question asked of Test cricket: Why play a game that goes on for five days – 35 hours, sometimes more – and yet produces no result? Test cricket essentially is a sport in which a team of 11 ideally attempts to beat their competitors, failing which, they try to avoid defeat. The entertainment in a fight to the finish is, of course, unmistakable. The first three Test matches of the India-England series were great examples of such contests. But there is also something spectacular about a team fighting with its back to the wall to come up equal at the end. That's why former England captain Alistair Cook put the hammer on the nail when he said in times to come, the Old Trafford Test will be remembered for, not happened during the closing hours, but for Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja's rearguard action. There was, however, much for the lovers of the game's longer version before India's best all-rounder and the man touted to be his successor came together. The team lost the services of Rishabh Pant in the first few hours, a turn of events that only the free-spirited wicketkeeper could have scripted. Batting with nonchalant ease, he decided to reverse sweep Chris Woakes, who can occasionally make the ball talk even in the evening of his career. The shot boomeranged onto Pant's feet, leaving it with a gash the size of a table tennis ball – it turned out to be a fracture. But the Indian wicket keeper, who seems to have made it a habit to push the pain barrier higher, delayed putting his injured limb in a cast. He came back to bat, scored a 50, helped his team add runs and spent precious time at the crease. This was much more than heroics. It may not have been apparent then, but the battle of attrition, which the match turned out to be, actually began with Pant's defiance. These seemingly small moments are also why its devotees savour Test cricket. There was also Washington Sundar, even before he had made his mark with the bat. Two drifters, that would have made the classicists among off-spinners proud, snapped out the centurion Joe Root and England's newest prodigy Harry Brook, and made sure that the poms had to fight extra hard for the lead. Of course, what happened after India were 0 for 2 in the first over of their second innings, 311 runs behind in the first innings, is sure to be part of cricket's lore. Reams have already been written on Shubman Gill's coming of age as a batsman, and consistency, at last, seems to be making friends with K L Rahul. Spare a thought for the English team, though. The ifs and buts are another reason that make test cricket beautiful. What may have happened had Liam Dawson held on to a difficult chance when Gill had not passed 50 or the chance offered by Jadeja, first ball, had struck in Joe Root's hands? Or what may have happened had the pitch, that had begun to play tricks, not gone for a lunchtime nap on the fifth day, from which it would never wake up. And, spare a thought for Ben Stokes. It would be a pity if the English captain's petulance in the last half hour is even a footnote in the annals of the match. He was the only bowler that batsmen could never be sure against, often willing his body to come up with sharply swerving induckers or wickedly climbing bouncers. And, bat with the tail to score a wonderful century and extend England's lead to a point that a draw was the only option for India's batters. Stokes was rightly the Man of the Match. But even one of the greatest ambassador's of the modern day game would admit – perhaps grudgingly – a draw was a victory for the Indian team.
India.com
5 minutes ago
- India.com
Shubman Gill goes past Virat Kohli and Steve Smith with century, equals Sachin and Don Bradman's record of...
Shubman Gill goes past Virat Kohli and Steve Smith with century, equals Sachin and Don Bradman's record of... New Delhi: Shubman Gill scored his ninth Test century and fourth century of this series in the ongoing Test series against England. 25-year-old Gill has become only the third captain in Test history to score four centuries in a single series. Earlier this feat was achieved by Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar. First Indian to score a century in Manchester after 35 years Gill has become the first Indian batsman to score a century in Manchester in 35 years. Before him, this feat was achieved by Sachin Tendulkar at the age of 17. He has also become only the third Indian after Gavaskar and Virat Kohli to score four centuries in a series. Unique record in the first series as captain Gill has become the first player to score four centuries in his first series after becoming captain. Earlier, Don Bradman, Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Greg Chappell and Warrick Armstrong had scored three centuries each. Gill has scored more than 700 runs in this series so far. Gill took control of the innings after 0/2 in the first over Gill scored a century with great restraint. He came to bat when the team was 0/2 in the first over itself. He stopped his natural aggressive play and completed his century with the help of 12 fours in 228 balls. During this, he pulled the team out of trouble. Rahul and Gill gave strength, England got a lead of 311 runs KL Rahul shared a partnership of 188 runs with Gill. Rahul was out LBW on Ben Stokes' ball after scoring 90 runs in 230 balls. Gill also returned to the pavilion after scoring 103 runs just before lunch. India was trailing by 311 runs in the first innings and was on the verge of defeat. England dominated, Stokes did wonders with bat and ball England scored 669 runs in the first innings. Ben Stokes played a brilliant innings of 141 runs after taking five wickets. His performance helped England take a massive 311-run lead in the first innings, putting India in danger of an innings defeat.
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First Post
5 minutes ago
- First Post
Australian media slams Ben Stokes and England team after Manchester Test drama vs India: 'Spare us the whinging'
Ben Stokes and England have drawn massive flak worldwide, including from Australian Media, who went hard on their Ashes rivals with flashy headliners and merciless feature articles. read more Team India sealed an epic draw at Old Trafford on Day 5 of the 4th Test against England. While the match continued the spree of thrill and would be remembered for the brilliance Indian batters displayed in the face of adversity, the immediate aftermath is filled with reactions related to Ben Stokes' handshake incident. Stokes and England have drawn unanimous flak from fans and experts for trying to call it a day when Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were near their centuries. The drama ensued when 15 overs were left in the day and both Jadeja and Sundar were batting in their 80s. India had garnered a decent lead, and only one outcome seemed in sight. India declined England's offer and finally shook hands after both the batters achieved the personal milestone of scoring a ton in England. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Australian Media taunts Ben Stokes and England The snub from the Indians irked England, and the reaction of their players turned sour on the field, drawing widespread criticism, including from the Australian media, which launched a scathing attack on their Ashes rivals with flashy headliners and merciless features. Fox Cricket took a swipe with the headline that read 'Spirit… of what? How pompous England exposed Bazball's great double standard.' The article slammed England's moral posturing: 'England bang on about the Laws of the Game, as written by the MCC at Lord's. But when opposition teams follow those laws to England's disadvantage? Time to awaken the 'Spirit' again. Give it a prod. Shake some sense into them. Play fair, old boy!' Brisbane Times delivered a critical piece titled 'Spare us the whinging, England. The only thing embarrassing about Old Trafford was your tantrum.' The article pointed out the irony of England, who claim to be the guardians of Test cricket, prioritising results over entertainment. The Herald Sun's editorial harshly criticised England's behaviour, labelling it 'unsportsmanlike' for their reaction to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar's match-saving efforts. Code Sports criticised England, saying they were experiencing an 'identity crisis' ahead of the Ashes tour, and mocked their reaction to Jadeja and Sundar prioritising their centuries over a handshake. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
