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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Jasprit Bumrah under fire for ‘pick-and-choose' act, refusing to step up vs ENG: 'He'll get 6/10, was below expectation'
Jasprit Bumrah has been scrutinised for picking and choosing matches during the England tour as part of workload management strategies. The premier pacer played three Tests on the tour and missed the Edgbaston and Oval clashes, notably those were the two contests where India emerged victorious. He picked 14 wickets, including a couple of five-wicket hauls, but his effort didn't help India win any Test on the tour. Jasprit Bumrah picked 14 wickets in the three Tests he played on the England tour.(Reuters) Bumrah started the series with a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Headingley Test but failed to replicate the same performance in the second innings and remained wicketless, where India had to defend a 371-run target. The hosts successfully chased it down, marking only their second‑highest successful fourth‑innings run chase in England. He also etched his name onto the Lord's honours board with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, but couldn't replicate the same impact in the second, managing just two wickets as India fell to another defeat. His outing in Manchester was equally underwhelming, returning with just two scalps while England amassed a massive 669 in their first innings. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who had previously questioned the selective use of Jasprit Bumrah, has once again taken a dig at both the pacer and the team management for being overly careful with his workload. '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 five overs. Just one more over, the sixth, could have pushed harder. I felt he held back a little there. There was also some pick-and-choose, which I've always been against, and that was visible too," Pathan said on his YouTube channel. 'Bumrah didn't quite live up to number one bowler tag' Pathan asserted that Bumrah did perform in the three matches he played, but stated that he still didn't live up to the expectations of being the number-one ranked bowler. 'To be fair, whenever he played, he did perform. He took a five-wicket haul and got his name on the Lord's honours board. But when you are the number one bowler, there's an expectation of number one-level performance, and I felt he didn't quite live up to that,' he concluded. The former India all-rounder didn't hold back. For the individual performances on the tour, he received only six out of ten ratings. 'Bumrah will get six out of ten. Why? The reason is that when you're a senior player, there is a lot of responsibility on you to win matches. He played in three Tests, and India didn't win any of them," he added. Pathan justified his average rating for Bumrah by highlighting the pacer's performances across the three Tests he featured in during the series. 'Let's go back to the first Test. He took five wickets in the first innings but didn't get a single wicket in the second innings. At that crucial time, when your main match-winner is expected to step up and win the game, it's up to him to find a way, whether it's over the wicket, around the wicket, yorkers, slower balls, bouncers, to create pressure. In the Leeds Test, we didn't see that pressure being built. England ended up scoring heavily, and Bumrah didn't take a single wicket, which was a bit surprising. And this didn't happen just once,' he continued.
India.com
31-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Nathan Lyon Backs Bowler With 142 Wickets In 39 Matches As Englands Best Spinner,
Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has thrown his support behind England's Jack Leach, hailing him as the country's best spin bowler, despite Leach's limited appearances in recent years. Known widely for his iconic last-wicket partnership with Ben Stokes during the Headingley Test in the 2019 Ashes, Leach has had a turbulent run in the Bazball era, battling injuries and falling down the pecking order. Speaking at a recent sponsorship event, Lyon was clear in his assessment: 'In my eyes, Jack Leach is still their best spinner.' While acknowledging Shoaib Bashir's talent, Lyon pointed out the challenges of bowling spin in Australia: 'It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who haven't done it in the past in these conditions.' Lyon added that he wasn't about to offer strategic tips to England's bowlers: 'But I'm not going to let my secrets out so they come out and perform well out here. Our guys know how to play spin really well in this country. That's probably what helped me produce my skill to where it is at the moment. I know I'll keep trying getting better, and we'll see how their spinners go.' About Leach Leach, now 34, has played 39 Tests and picked up 142 wickets. He was absent from the 2023 Ashes series in England due to a back injury but is currently enjoying an excellent County Championship season, leading the first division wicket charts with 39 scalps at an average of 24.76, including two six-wicket hauls. Despite this form, England seem to be looking beyond him. Leach revealed, 'I obviously played with Jimmy Anderson last year at Lancashire, and they basically said that they're picking Bashir to do what I do. So I took a little bit of pride out of Jimmy respecting a little bit of what I've been able to do in my career. But Bashir has been okay.' England are also experimenting with Jacob Bethell, a promising left-arm spinner and batsman, who is expected to feature in the current Test at The Oval. 'Jacob Bethell is playing this Test match (tonight at The Oval) and he looks like he'll take up the spin bowling from Liam Dawson,' Lyon noted. Leach's return has been as much a mental battle as a physical one. After suffering a knee injury in 2023, he considered stepping away from Test cricket until a timely call from captain Ben Stokes changed his mind. 'It reminded me I was going about things in the right way, and gave me confidence I had still had something to offer the team. That gave me good motivation for the remainder of the summer,' Leach told the Daily Mail
News18
27-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
India's Team Selection Influenced More By Gambhir Than Gill? 'We Didn't Have...'
Last Updated: Sunil Gavaskar has insisted the captain should decide team selection, not the coach, amid the debate over Kuldeep Yadav's exclusion. Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has said that at the end of the day, it is the captain's team and should have the final say in selecting the final XI and not even the coach should be able to influence it, pointing out how during his playing days, there was no coach and the captain's decision was the final one. Gavaskar believes that Gill may not have had the final say in selecting the playing XI, a decision he insists should rest solely with the skipper and not be influenced by anyone else. The continued omission of Kuldeep Yadav has triggered intense debate, after Joe Root's record-breaking hundred in the ongoing fourth Test. 'At the end of the day, it is the captain's team. You can't say that he didn't want somebody like, in Shardul Thakur's case or Kuldeep Yadav's case, that he didn't want them, maybe Shubman didn't want Shardul in the team and wanted Kuldeep," Gavaskar said while speaking on Sony Sports. Despite boasting a strong matchup against Root, having dismissed him twice in three deliveries across two limited-overs matches seven years back at Manchester and Lord's, Kuldeep has remained sidelined throughout the series. The general perception is that head coach Gautam Gambhir has pushed for bowlers who can contribute with the bat, after India's collapse in the Headingley Test, where they slumped from 430/3 to 471 all out in 11 overs. 'He (Gill) should have had him (Kuldeep) in the team. He is the captain. People are going to talk about him and his captaincy out there. So, it's got to be his call," Gavaskar said. 'I know that for the sake of showing everything is honky dory, these things might not come out. The fact is that the captain is responsible. He is the one who is going to be leading the XI players," Gavaskar added. The former Indian cricketer further said that things worked differently during his time as skipper, when team selections were the captain's prerogative and the concept of a coach didn't exist, as it was all about managers and assistant managers. 'We didn't have coaches. We just had former players as managers or assistant managers of the team. They were the kind of people whom you went up to and talked to; they gave you some advice at lunchtime or the end of the day's play or on the eve of the game," Gavaskar said. view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 12:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
24-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Sai Sudharsan shows promise, but needs to solve his leg-side Achilles heel
We all know the story of the mighty Achilles. The Greek mythology character was known as one of the bravest and strongest warriors, seemingly unstoppable and without weaknesses. As the story goes, his mother, Thetis, decided to make Achilles immortal by dipping him in the River Styx. However, she held him by the heel, leaving that one spot eventually, became his downfall. Paris, guided by Apollo, struck an arrow to his heel and ended the life of the invincible when you look at how Sai Sudharsan has burst onto the Indian cricket scene, there seem to be some parallels with that of a brave warrior. Despite not having the most impressive first-class record — 1987 runs from 30 matches — it was in the IPL that the Tamil Nadu batter made a name for himself. Not known to be a big-hitter or slogger, the 23-year-old relied on timing and elegant strokeplay to make his mark. The IPL 2025 season showcased the best of Sudharsan, as he amassed 759 runs in 15 matches and walked away with the Orange Cap. Before this, he impressed on the India A tour to Australia, scoring a hundred in one of the unofficial Tests — triggering louder calls for his inclusion in the Test Read: Manchester Test: India's gritty start undone after nasty injury to Rishabh PantThen came the moment Sudharsan and everyone had been waiting for. He was brought in as the new No.3 for India in the Headingley Test. And in the most anti-climactic fashion, the southpaw was dismissed for a duck in his first-ever Test innings. It wasn't an unplayable delivery — just a harmless ball down the leg side, which he he managed 30 in the second innings, the Tamil Nadu batter was dropped and had to wait until the Manchester Test for another chance. England, however, had found a plan — they kept targeting him with short-pitched deliveries and balls down the leg side, which seemed to bring about his vs ENG, 4th Test: Day 1 UpdatesFor someone of Sudharsan's immense talent, this appears to be his Achilles heel — a weakness that he must address. The youngster himself spoke about it after the day's play and, with a smile, admitted:"The honest answer would be I didn't know how I edged it down the leg. But yeah, this England team, we know they are trying to do it quite often to a lot of batters and probably even this side as well. Even wide outside, they give a half-volley to make us drive, or down the leg, they will try to make us commit a mistake."advertisement"I was a bit aware when coming into this game, but it helped," said said, this takes nothing away from the innings the 23-year-old played. He produced a sublime knock full of elegant moments and exquisite shots. His 61 off 151 balls was a masterclass and a reminder of why he belongs at this once again, it was one pull shot too many that led to his dismissal — Ben Stokes got the better of what does Sudharsan need to do?Curb your natural tendencyTest cricket often demands restraint — unless you're Rishabh Pant, most players need to hold back and play each ball on merit. Sudharsan is naturally an attacking player, though his calm demeanour might mask that so far in his Test dismissals, Sudharsan has looked a little too eager to get runs, resulting in soft dismissals. Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking to broadcasters, pointed out how the pull shot seems like a compulsory stroke for Sudharsan — something he'll need to resist, especially in overseas a negative part is that he plays that full shot compulsorily sometimes. I mean, he has been leaving the ball, he will have to realise that, in overseas conditions, that's a risky shot. It's his scoring opportunity, but when to play and when not to play. Look at the situation the team is in, and that's when you make that decision. It is an instinctive shot, but sometimes you need to curb your instincts, and he has been able to do that. So there are more positives for him because he has got runs now, he has been defending well, and he has been leaving the ball well. So there are more positives when you spend enough time at the crease.""This is the shot which we has to work a bit more because England team is quite used to using that strategy of short pitch deliveries and that's where he will have to improve. He realised that he shouldn't have done that. He should have been under a bit more control, and that's the shot which you can't control all the time. So when do you play that and when you don't need to, that's, that is something that you have to learn," said Sudharsan attempts to pull Ben Stokes but is cramped for room and top-edges to Brydon Carse at long leg.235-4 England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 23, 2025advertisementSudharsan Shows PromiseAs mentioned earlier, despite this one flaw, Sudharsan has immense promise. Pujara noted how well he left the ball and how calm and composed he looked at the crease — all good signs for someone batting at No.3 for was especially impressed by the way Sudharsan handled pressure — a critical trait for a long-term Test batter."I've seen him in first-class cricket. That's how he bats. He is an attacking player, but today he was taking the right balls to hit. He runs well within the wicket. That is a big positive for him, but the way he drives, the way he plays his shots, which was very impressive to see.""But at the same time handling that pressure because when you just played one Test match and then you are getting an opportunity to bat again in English conditions, that's the toughest time. Because even if you are playing on a flat pitch, and he wasn't playing on a flat pitch, but even if you're playing on a flat pitch, then that pressure is always building on you. But he has shown that he can handle the pressure. He can stay composed and he was batting like how he bats in first-class cricket. That's a big positive," said for Sudharsan, the talent and skill are there for everyone to see. The only concern is that small flaw — the figurative Achilles heel. One that must be corrected quickly, before oppositions start aiming for it every single time.- EndsMust Watch
NDTV
19-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"His Job Wasn't To Leave...": Ravindra Jadeja's Valiant Knock In 3rd Test Blasted By Controversial Ex-India Coach
Former India head coach Greg Chappell questioned whether Ravindra Jadeja's disciplined knock of 61 not out off 181 balls was the right approach in the chase of 193 in the third Test against England at Lord's, citing that the all-rounder had to take calculated risks and not just block boundaries. On the final day's play, Jadeja was at his gritty and defiant best to hit his fourth successive fifty in Tests. But that valiant effort went in vain as India lost by 22 runs at Lord's and now find themselves 2-1 behind in the five-match series against England. 'The Lord's Test also provided a telling moment with the way Jadeja was managed late in the match. Left with the tail, Jadeja did what many specialist batters do in that situation: he shielded the tail, farmed the strike, and played conservatively. On the surface, it was a disciplined innings. But was it the right one?' 'The truth is, Jadeja was the only recognised batter left. If India were to chase down the target, he had to take calculated risks. His job wasn't to leave balls and collect singles - it was to win the match. That clarity should have come from the dressing room, from the captain.' 'He needed to be told directly: 'You are the man who has to get this done. The tail's job is to hang in there with you, but you must go for the win',' wrote Chappell in his column for ESPNcricinfo on Saturday. Jadeja also shared defiant partnerships of 35 and 23 coming off 132 and 80 deliveries with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj respectively. But Chappell chose to recall how England faced a similar situation and skipper Ben Stokes went the aggressive way to ensure his team won over Australia in the famous Headingley Test in 2019. 'We saw exactly that from England's Ben Stokes against Australia in Leeds in 2019. In a similar situation, he backed himself and produced one of the best innings of the past 50 years. Importantly, Stokes played that innings knowing that, succeed or fail, his team and leadership would have his back. That's the mindset that needs to be fostered in any great team,' he concluded.
