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Business Standard
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Preview: India's Playing 11 dilemma for 4th Test vs England in Manchester
he high-octane five-match Test series between India and England—christened the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy —is poised to capture the imagination of cricket fans once again, with the fourth Test set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester. With the series finely balanced, England lead 2–1, courtesy of victories at Headingley and Lord's, while India responded with a thumping win at Edgbaston, marking their first-ever Test triumph at the iconic Birmingham venue. A series full of contrasts and character What has made this series unforgettable so far is the sheer contrast in playing conditions and the way both teams have adapted. The first two Tests were dominated by batters, with runs flowing freely across both sides. Shubman Gill, India's newly appointed captain, capitalised on the batting-friendly surfaces, compiling a mountain of runs and displaying maturity beyond his years. The third Test has already entered the books as a classic—a game where momentum swung constantly and neither team could pull away until the final session of Day 5. Ultimately, England edged India by 22 runs in a thriller that left fans breathless. With each match delivering its own storyline, the rivalry has moved beyond tactics—into the realm of character and resilience. Social media aptly coined it ' Bazbrawl ', a term that captures both the combative spirit and moments of high-class cricket from batters and bowlers alike. One of the most admired efforts came from England skipper Ben Stokes, who earned high praise from India pacer Mohammed Siraj for bowling two extended 10-over spells on the final day at Lord's. 'Hats off to him,' Siraj said. 'As a fast bowler, that was a top effort.' As is now a hallmark of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era, England have once again named their Playing XI two days ahead of the Test. India, on the other hand, are waiting to assess pitch conditions and player fitness before locking in their combination. With injuries clouding multiple positions, including that of Rishabh Pant and Akash Deep, the team management is treading cautiously. What lies ahead at Old Trafford? With just a day before the toss, fans eagerly await a clearer picture of India's Playing XI, pitch conditions, and whether any debutants may get a call-up. Business Standard breaks down India's potential line-up and the tactical puzzles ahead of this pivotal clash at Old Trafford. Shadow of injury looms over India's pacer pool As India's pace battery went full throttle during their first outdoor training session ahead of the fourth Test, Akash Deep cut a quiet, uncertain figure. Fresh off a bowling fitness assessment under the watchful eye of bowling coach Morne Morkel, the Bengal pacer did not get the green light to bowl in the nets. Still nursing the groin strain he sustained during the Lord's Test, Akash briefly rolled his arm over before stepping aside—his body language betraying more than words ever could. With his participation hanging in the balance, the Indian camp faces a critical decision for the third pacer's role. Anshul Kamboj added to main squad, debut on the horizon? Alongside Prasidh Krishna, the uncapped Anshul Kamboj went full tilt in the nets—fired up and potentially on the brink of a dream debut. Initially called up as a cover for the Akash Deep, the Haryana pacer was formally inducted into the main squad on Monday. Bowling alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur, Kamboj impressed with his pace and consistency, sending down intense spells for close to an hour. He also padded up for a quick batting stint, suggesting he could provide some resistance with the bat or hit some important runs like Akash Deep. Siraj leads the intensity, Bumrah warms up cautiously If there was a pecking order on display, Mohammed Siraj made sure he led from the front. He bowled with fierce rhythm against India's top-order trio—Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant—hitting hard lengths and constantly challenging the bat. Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, appeared more cautious. Initially finding the practice surface too slippery, he moved to the centre wicket for additional overs in the outfield, likely to ensure match-day readiness without compromising on footing. Pant keeps and bats pain-free: Good news for India In what will come as a relief for Indian fans and selectors alike, Rishabh Pant appeared to have fully recovered from the finger discomfort that kept him from donning the gloves at Lord's. On Monday, the wicketkeeper-batter not only completed a pain-free keeping session, but also batted with ease for nearly an hour. His fluency with the bat and characteristic banter—this time shared with skipper Shubman Gill—was on full display, signalling a likely return to full duties in the fourth Test at Old Trafford. Nair vs Sudharsan: The middle-order puzzle continues The training session also revived the selection debate around Karun Nair, who batted with focus and resolve, attempting to strengthen his claim to the No. 3 slot. But Sai Sudharsan, his likely challenger, was not far behind—solid in the nets and sharp during slip catching drills, indicating his readiness for getting another chance in India's XI. With Nitish Kumar Reddy heading back home due to a knee injury, team balance and batting depth remain under review. Jaiswal joins slip cordon duties In another quiet subplot, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has largely focused on his top-order batting role, was seen doing catching drills in the slips. His presence there hints at a reshuffled cordon, possibly in response to fielding changes following Nitish Reddy's exit. Jaiswal dropped as many as four catches in the first Test at Headingley, which India lost by five wickets.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meet Rory McIlroy's billionaire neighbor with 7,000 cars, 39 tigers and $15K haircut habit
Rory McIlroy had added a posh $9 million mansion to his portfolio of homes, and while the UK neighborhood is packed with plenty of wealthy figures, there's one neighbor in particular who leads an opulent lifestyle that's gonna be hard for the 2025 Masters champion to contend with. The professional golfer, 36, and his wife, Erica Stoll, 37, purchased the luxury Wentworth estate back in 2023 after announcing that they wanted to leave the US for a quieter life in the UK. The couple has been living in a $11 million mansion in the iconic Bear's Club Community in Juniper, Florida, since 2012. After winning the 2025 Masters back in April, McIlroy, who is originally from Northern Ireland, brought his wife and their daughter, Poppy, 4, along to check the status of the renovations. The couple reportedly spent several million dollars on the construction of their dream home. "We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and been since trying to settle in, and it's amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you, and sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while," McIlroy told The Telegraph on July 9. "There's a detachment from the sort of week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here," he said regarding his new pad. "You play PGA Tour golf for the first 25, 30 weeks of the year, and you need to completely get away from it—because this world of golf can become all-encompassing." "In this last fortnight, I felt like I could detach and sort of hide in a way. I needed that. My game needed that." Meet Rory McIlroy's billionaire neighbor who has over 7,000 cars and 30 Bengal tigers The estate is housed in an area with several other high-profile names, including Elton John and British singer and actor Cliff Richard. However, billionaire Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 79, who lives next door, takes the cake for having one of the highest net worths at an estimated $30 billion, per Celebrity Net Worth. According to the "Mirror," the Sultan owns over 7,000 cars, including more than 500 Rolls-Royces, as well as a private zoo that boasts 30 Bengal tigers and an extensive range of exotic birds. When you reach billionaire status, good haircuts clearly become a priority, as the outlet reports that McIlroy's new neighbor dishes out over $20,000 (USD) to regularly fly his personal barber, who works at London's Dorchester Hotel, out for a trim. MORE: Rory McIlroy is officially a magician at the Open Championship Bolkiah was crowned the Sultan of Brunei in 1968 and is now the longest-reigning monarch in the world, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. He primarily resides in the Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei, a residence considered the world's largest palace, boasting a staggering 1,788 rooms. In addition to his role as Prime Minister of Brunei, the Sultan also holds several other positions in finance and defense. MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS: Deion Sanders breaks silence on health amid undisclosed illness Babe Ruth card from his early years sells for record price Conor McGregor reignites romance with fiancée Dee Devlin after affair rumors swirl Klay Thompson flaunts luxury watch gift from 'sweet' girlfriend Megan Thee Stallion Cavinder twins share first update after undergoing breast augmentation together
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
What happens to India's combination for do-or-die Manchester Test with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Akash Deep ruled out
India's preparations for the fourth Test against England in Manchester hit a major roadblock on Sunday after as many as three players were left injured. Two of those players have been practically ruled out of the tour. The Old Trafford Test will begin on July 23, and the game will be a do-or-die affair for the tourists, who earlier lost the third match at Lord's, thus trailing 1-2 in the series. The fourth Test will begin on July 23 Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh received stitches on his hand after being hit by a ball in the nets earlier last week. The Indian Express reported on Sunday that he might take 10 days to recover, implying that while he is ruled out of contention for a spot in the XI for the fourth Test, he stands highly unlikely for a return even in the series finale at The Oval, which will begin on July 31. Hence, the selectors reportedly added Anshul Kamboj as a cover. The same report highlighted that fellow pacer Akash Deep, who was the hero in India's 336-run win in Birmingham with his record 10-wicket match haul, remains doubtful for the game in Manchester after being seen struggling with a groin niggle in the third Test. Later, Hindustan Times reported that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy suffered an injury while training in the gym on Sunday. He then underwent scans, which revealed significant ligament damage. He, too, has been all but ruled out of the tour. What happens to India's combination now for the Manchester Test? A triple injury blow, coupled with uncertainty over Rishabh Pant's availability after his finger injury at Lord's, has triggered a major selection headache for the fourth Test. India are likely to call back Shardul Thakur into the playing XI to replace injured Nitish. The Mumbai all-rounder played in the series opener in Leeds last month, before being dropped. He had scored just four runs and picked up two wickets in that game. Akash's injury has left the chatter around Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj's workload in limbo. If anything, the Bengal fast bowler's injury has made Bumrah's selection for the fourth Test a certainty, and Siraj will accompany him. However, with Arshdeep down with an injury, India could pick Harshit Rana as Akash's replacement. The Delhi speedster was a last-minute addition to the Indian squad ahead of the match at Headingley, after his India A tour game performance. The other possibility is handing Kuldeep Yadav his first game on the tour. Although this would be a much-anticipated move by the management, it would leave India thin in the pace department, given that the XI already has two spinners—all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Given his template, head coach Gautam Gambhir is unlikely to compromise on dropping one of the spin-bowling all-rounders for a specialist leggie. The third possibility is handing Kamboj a debut cap. He impressed with his performance in the two India A matches and his show in the last Ranji Trophy season. However, that would likely raise the question of hierarchy, given that Harshit was India's first choice as a backup pacer in the squad. Pant brushed aside all the talk around his injury after he took to social media to post a video of his training session, captioned: "If calm had a sound, it would be this." The vice-captain, who was replaced by Dhruv Jurel for keeping duties in both innings in the Lord's Test, was seen in fielding drills, playing football and even batting in the nets during a training session before the Manchester game. India's likely XI for 4th Test against England: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
India's mounting injury woes ahead of 4th Test: From Nitish Reddy blow to Rishabh Pant worry
India's injury list is mounting by the day with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of the remaining two Tests. Having headed to England with Jasprit Bumrah unavailable to play more than three Tests because of workload management, India will have to shuffle their options in Manchester to stay alive in the series. And, if they do win at Old Trafford with Bumrah in the XI, they'd have a huge call to make before the fifth Test. After suffering a side-strain during the white-ball series against England at home, Nitish spent a considerable time at the NCA before being cleared to feature in the IPL. But he bowled just 30 deliveries in the entire edition before heading to England. After playing the two India A games, he played the previous two Tests before suffering an injury to his ligament on Sunday that is set to cut short his tour. The left-arm pacer was in contention to get a look-in towards the business end of the series, but a cut on his bowling hand during a net session has ruled him out at least for the fourth Test. The selectors have sent Anshul Kamboj, who impressed during the A series before the Test tour, as a cover and he is now in the mix as well. After an impressive show at Edgbaston, the Bengal seamer was seen struggling at Lord's. It is understood that Akash is grappling with a groin niggle which makes him an unlikely starter in Manchester. With uncertainty around Bumrah for the fifth Test, India are keeping their fingers crossed on Akash's quick recovery. If not, they may have to send an SOS to selectors again. Since he came back into the fold after the horrific accident, the team management and selectors have kept an eye on his workload. The priority has been to make him play Tests and heading to Old Trafford, it would be interesting to see if Pant starts as a wicketkeeper or as a specialist batsman. He suffered a hand injury, which made Dhruv Jurel keep wickets in the third Test. While scans have showed no major worries, it remains a concern for India.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Mohammed Shami included alongside Akash Deep in Bengal's probables for upcoming domestic season
Besides Shami and Akash, Bengal have also included pacer Mukesh Kumar, top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, spin-bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed and wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel for the upcoming domestic season. read more Mohammed Shami had played domestic cricket for Bengal in the 2024-25 domestic season after a year's gap due to an ankle injury. PTI Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action since IPL 2025 and is not part of India's ongoing Test tour of England, was on Saturday named in Bengal's 50-member list of probables for the upcoming domestic season. The list, released by the Cricket Association of Bengal, also includes pacer Akash Deep and top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, who are both currently touring England with the Indian team. It also includes right-arm seamer Mukesh Kumar and senior batter Anustup Majumdar, who is likely to lead Bengal again. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Spin bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed, who is currently recovering from an injury sustained in the Bengal Pro League T20, and wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel are also among the probables who will attend a preseason camp, the date and venue of which is yet to be announced. Shami could also feature for East Zone in the season-opening Duleep Trophy, which returns to its traditional inter-zonal format this year and begins on August 28. The tournament may mark Shami's return to competitive cricket. The 33-year-old Shami, who has played 64 Tests, 108 ODIs and 25 T20Is, last turned out for India in their triumphant campaign in the Champions Trophy early this year after recovering from an ankle injury. He picked up nine wickets in five matches – joint-highest for India alongside Varun Chakravarthy, who took his nine in just three games – as India defeated New Zealand in the final. But Shami was below par in the IPL where he turned out for his new franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad and managed just six wickets in nine innings at an economy rate of 11.23. He had earlier returned to international cricket in the T20I series at home against England in January this year, having last played in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shami had made domestic comeback with Bengal in the last season where he played across all formats, but was not picked for the tour of Australia. Bengal's probables Mohammed Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Anustup Majumdar, Sudip Chatterjee, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Abishek Porel (wk), Shakir Habib Gandhi (wk), Kazi Junaid Saifi, Shahbaz Ahamed, Pradipta Pramanik, Writtick Chatterjee, Karan Lal, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Sindhu Jaiswal, Ishan Porel, Mohammed Kaif, Subham Chatterjee, Sumanta Gupta, Chinmoy Jain, Ranjot Singh Khaira, Ankur Paul, Rahul Kundu, Aditya Purohit, Gaurav Singh Chauhan, Saurabh Kumar Singh, Aishik Patel, Priyanshu Srivastava, Ankit Chatterjee, Saksham Chaudhary, Aamir Gani, Vikash Singh (Junior), Rishabh Chaudhary, Raju Halder, Shreyan Chakraborty, Sourav Halder, Rahul Prasad, Ankit Mishra, Subham Sarkar, Vishal Bhati, Rohit, Rohit Kumar, Rishabh Vivek, Sumit Mohanta, Kanishk Seth, Sandipan Das (Junior), Sayan Ghosh, Nuruddin Mondal, Soummyadip Mandal and Yudhajit Guha.
