Explained: Why The India-Pakistan Asia Cup Clash Cannot Be Cancelled Despite Backlash
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Deccan Herald
5 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy: With Sai Sudharsan & Karun Nair, India's No. 3 issue sticks out like a sore thumb
Bengaluru: Amidst a plethora of superlative efforts by the Indian batters throughout the just-concluded England vs India series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the performance of the No. 3 batters -- Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair -- stuck out like a sore Sudharsan (140 runs in 6 innings at an average of 23.33) and Karun Nair (111 runs in 4 innings at 27.75) neither could anchor the innings after a good start at the top of the order nor could they stabilise after early both were batting out of their comfort zone. While Sudharsan made himself a name worth a call to the Test squad due to his exploits as an opener, Nair has primarily given his best below No. said, in an era where there are two-three worthies competing for each position in the country, the trick is to adapt and grab the spot. Both Nair and Sudharsan, despite getting a few good starts, couldn't go on to play an innings substantive enough to secure their Trophy: Young India passes tough English test .While the team management might show more patience with Sudharsan given his age, the 33-year-old Nair will have to hope his brief but assured stints in the crease and a crucial half-century in the first innings of The Oval Test in the toughest batting conditions of the series, throw him another brings us back to India's No. 3 conundrum that has prolonged for too long to be Cheteshwar Pujara's last Test in June 2023 at The Oval against Australia, India have tried as many as six players over the last two years and five across the last 10 Tests (see the table) without much success. Skipper Shubman Gill, who demanded and got the No. 3 slot following the axing of Pujara, the most successful No. 3 batter after the peerless Rahul Dravid, experienced mixed results before deciding to occupy the No. 4 spot following the retirement of Virat Gill, Nair and Sudharsan, India have also used Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul, the man for all seasons and positions, on a make-shift basis with no encouraging one of the most prolific batting displays in the history of Test cricket, the nagging issue wouldn't have been lost on Gill and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir who know too well the importance of No. 3 position and the impact it can have on the batting line-up, especially in the SENA countries, if a reliable batter is not by modern greats like Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara and Kane Williamson, the No. 3 spot is a bridge between the top and the middle order with the job of either stabilising an innings in case of an early loss or building on a foundation laid by the openers. Often expected to play long innings -- whether to see off the difficult phase or to tire out opposition's bowlers -- they are required to possess the attributes of both an opener and a middle-order batter with technical excellence assuming as much importance as temperament..A weak No. 3 can expose the middle-order too early while a reliable one adds stability and resilience. The position, therefore, is critical not only in terms of tactic but also mindsets of the following India were lucky to offset the failure of No. 3s in England, partly due to the flat nature of the pitches in most Tests, they will not get the similar conditions every time and everywhere.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Pakistan pulls out of Hockey Asia Cup in Rajgir
The Pakistan men's hockey team will not be taking part in the Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7, according to a Hockey India official. Speaking to Sportstar on Wednesday, an official from Hockey India said that even though the Indian Government was willing to provide visas to Pakistan, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) refused, citing security reasons. 'In fact, PHF has written a letter to Asian Hockey Federation on Wednesday, saying that it won't be able to complete in the Asia Cup due to security reasons. We have invited Bangladesh now,' the source said. Pakistan's participation in the competition — a qualifying event for the 2026 World Cup — had been uncertain given the continued tensions between the two nations, with the PHF making it clear that it had security concerns and even suggesting moving the tournament elsewhere as an option. This was despite the Indian government's assurances in early July that no Pakistan team would be stopped from travelling to India. Officials had claimed as late as July-end that the Pakistan team had already applied for visas. However, the Pakistan government had recently ordered that no invitation to travel to India should be accepted by any sports federation without its explicit approval. The decision also casts a shadow on Pakistan's participation in the Junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai in November-December. Pakistan had also missed out on the JWC in 2016 – which India won – after the Pathankot and Uri terror attacks. Interestingly, Pakistan last travelled to India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, finishing fifth in the six-team competition. (with inputs from Uthra Ganesan).
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First Post
3 hours ago
- First Post
Kabaddi meets Hockey: PKL team Gujarat Giants and Indian Men's Hockey Team come together for special crossover in Bengaluru
In what was a cross-learning experience, players and coaches discussed the shared physical and tactical demands of hockey and kabaddi, including strength, speed, agility, and tactical awareness. read more PKL team Gujarat Giants and Indian Men's Hockey Team come together for special crossover in Bengaluru. ANI As part of their pre-season preparations for Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants had a special interaction with the Indian Men's Hockey Team at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru. Gujarat Giants players, Himanshu Jaglan, Rakesh, Parteek Dahiya, Nitin Panwar and V Ajith Kumar along with the Head Coach Jaivir Sharma, Assistant Coach Varinder Singh Sandhu and Fitness Trainer Abhishek Parihar, drew inspiration from the Indian Team Hockey team and even tried their hand at hockey, while the hockey players experienced kabaddi drills in return. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In what was a cross-learning experience, players and coaches discussed the shared physical and tactical demands of hockey and kabaddi, including strength, speed, agility, and tactical awareness. The teams also exchanged insights on strength and conditioning, injury prevention, and ways in which training methods from one sport can benefit performance in the other. Also Read | Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly ready to bail out national hockey team, but at a significant cost Much to everyone's delight, Indian Men's Hockey Team Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Chief Coach Craig Fulton even tried their hand at raiding. The fun-inducing and engaging exchange was full of banter, camaraderie and brought smiles across both teams, as the hockey team enjoyed the challenge of a new sport following an intense training session on the turf. Both teams are currently preparing for their upcoming challenges, the Indian Men's Hockey Team for their Australia tour and the Asia Cup, and the Gujarat Giants for the new PKL season. The session concluded with an exchange of jerseys as a gesture of mutual respect. Gujarat Giants, who are currently having their pre-season camp at Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, Bengaluru, will begin their PKL campaign against U Mumba on August 30 in Vizag.
