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The National
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Why Test cricket is not so boring, despite appearances
I'm no cricket fan. I watch it infrequently, and that too towards the end of a game – which means the last five overs or so – when you hear from seemingly every other Indian you know that there's excitement building. But the past few weeks of watching Test cricket without loathing that time in front of the TV (which is sometimes muted, depending on who the commentators are), has come as a surprise. Without getting into the weeds too much, a Test match is where two international teams play each other over five days, with each team batting twice (two innings each) with the aim of scoring more runs than the other team, while having to bowl all the batters out. Thankfully, these matches grow into the weekend. The anticipation builds. People stay put on sofas watching ball after ball, run after run, given reason occasionally to exult. The fifth and final Test match of India's tour of England starts on Thursday, ends on Monday. The series started in June and will end in August. It's been a summer of sporting distraction. To explain to cricket atheists what the fuss is can be pointless, especially as there can be instances, like last week, where after five days the match ends in a draw or a stalemate. It may be no use trying to persuade the uninterested that there is a pay-off to sticking with it, watching patiently for grit and character of these players to rise to the surface. Five days is just more demanding than a match that's over in 90 minutes, three hours or even eight hours, in any sport. Muscles begin to complain, and the consistency required can be mentally wearing for the players even as it is their job to overcome these obstacles. I don't remember the last time I voluntarily watched Test cricket. World Cup games are different; those are quicker, played over eight hours, often social affairs, and wickets always seem to fall just as you get up for a loo break. It is unremarkable perhaps to have found an interest – even astonishingly, respect – for a game that is hardly short of admirers, at least in Commonwealth countries where they are mostly played, and has been around since the 1800s. Its old-fashioned quality is partly why watching it can feel comforting. Its dipping viewership numbers, however, are understandable – especially given that Test cricket is not about instant gratification. It doesn't feel easy. It is not immediately rewarding. It requires patience, both playing it and watching it. Its essence seems to have delightfully little overlap with the constant turnover of TikTok or Insta reels. I don't remember the last time I voluntarily watched Test cricket. It is unremarkable perhaps to have found an interest – even astonishingly, respect – for a game that is hardly short of admirers Yes, you could watch 15-second highlights if you've missed chunks of the match, or just want to relive a segment of sporting excellence. But relying solely on them is taking a shortcut and not putting in the hours to 'stay with' and watch the bowlers, the fielders, the batters who've been at the crease (where they stand) for hours, chipping away, steadily accumulating runs, working for the team and displaying, you hope, at some point or another during the match: form, fitness, flair, strength, ability and determination, despite the exhaustion of playing the whole day in the sun. All these grand life themes are often on display on the field for five days. The duration though is not the least of what in the past I have found about the game to be brimming with tedium and just plain unwatchable. The monotony seemed lethal – a green field with specks in white uniform not moving around very much. The measured commentary, not too high or low pitched, little variation in tone, used to be ideal white noise to nap to (and can still be, depending on who has the microphone). Even as I can't claim to be able to tell the difference between a fielding position from a shot played or a ball delivered – what is a mid-off? what is a leg bye? why does no one yell 'Googly!' anymore? – it's not hard to know which players are having a bad day at the office, who's had a longer streak of terrible luck, and who is harnessing some preternatural gift to talk to the bat. This can be moving to watch. On a regular day, where exuberance isn't really an every-hour event, it's presumably alright to look forward to what moves you. And to root for the team that you do and see if they're up to the task. But those playing for the love of a vocation that demands all that raw stuff – endurance, steadiness of purpose and the steeliness to perform for your team and country – even as they're buoyed by several thousands of cheering fans in the stadium, and so many more remotely watching on screens, deserves a degree of admiration. It takes time perhaps to learn to see what it's about. And build an appreciation for the physical and mental calibre required. One then thinks of the work and practice that would have gone in for years before these players reach a level where they can take the stage, at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground in London, or at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, or Kolkata's Eden Gardens, or wherever. For that, regardless of the eventual score and who takes home the trophy, even an unwilling fan can at least willingly clap.
News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Joe Root Breaks Record Of Scoring Most Test 100s Against India
Last Updated: The century by Root in the ongoing Manchester Test is his 12th 100+ score in Tests against India. Steve Smith is second on the list with 11 centuries. Joe Root is in red-hot form these days, and on Friday (July 25) he entered his name in the history books by breaking the record of most Test centuries against India. The ongoing fourth India-England Test at Old Trafford in Manchester is Root's 34th Test against the Indian Team, and he now has 12 Test centuries to his name. Steve Smith is second on the list with 11 centuries in 24 Tests. Root had equalled Smith's record in the third India-England Test played at Lord's from July 10 to 14 by scoring a century (104 runs from 199 balls) in the first innings. Most Test 100s against India PLAYER TEAM MATCHES 100s Joe Root England 34 12 Steve Smith Australia 24 11 Garry Sobers West Indies 18 8 Viv Richards West Indies 28 8 Ricky Ponting Australia 29 8 The century at Old Trafford also took Root's tally of 100s to 38 in Test cricket, and he has now equalled former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara's record. Sangakkara played 134 Tests from 2000 to 2015 for Sri Lanka and scored 12,400 runs with the help of 38 centuries. Root overall has 104 50+ scores to his name in Test cricket now, which is only second to Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 119. Tendulkar played 200 Tests for India from 1989 to 2015 and scored 51 centuries and 68 fifties. Root, on the other hand, has 38 centuries and 66 fifties to his credit. Most 50+ scores in Tests After completing his 12th Test ton against the Indian team, Root would now like to break Ricky Ponting's record and become the second leading run getter in the five-day format of the game. He needs 17 more runs in the first innings to go past Ponting's tally of 13,378 runs. The overall record of scoring the most runs in Test cricket is in the name of Sachin Tendulkar. The legendary Indian batter played 200 Tests from 1989 to 2013 and amassed a total of 15,921 runs. view comments 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.com
06-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Shubman Gill's Team India create history at Edgbaston, hammer England by 336 runs to level series
Home Sports Shubman Gill's Team India create history at Edgbaston, hammer England by 336 runs to level series Shubman Gill's Team India create history at Edgbaston, hammer England by 336 runs to level series Shubman Gill's first win as a captain of the Indian Team turns out to be historic as Team India beat England for the first time in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Team India celebrating. (PIC - X) New Delhi: In the second Test match between India and England at Edgbaston in Birmingham, Shubman Gill's Team India beat England by 336 runs as they created history on this ground by winning for the first time in cricket history. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Sports News on
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rain delays India's bid to finish off England in second test at Edgbaston
India's captain Shubman Gill warms up before the start of play on day five of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Dark clouds loom over Edgbaston cricket ground as players train before the start of play on day five of the second cricket test match between England and India in Birmingham, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) A general view of the field of play with the rain covers on due to the rain ahead of day five of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) A general view of the field of play with the rain covers on due to the rain ahead of day five of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) India's captain Shubman Gill warms up before the start of play on day five of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Dark clouds loom over Edgbaston cricket ground as players train before the start of play on day five of the second cricket test match between England and India in Birmingham, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) A general view of the field of play with the rain covers on due to the rain ahead of day five of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — The start of play on Day 5 of the second test between England and India was delayed Sunday because of rain. The covers were rolled out ahead of the scheduled start at 11 a.m. local time (1000 GMT) and overs are likely to be lost, which would hurt India more than England. Advertisement England will be resuming on 72-3 and most likely looking to bat for a draw, with India having set a world-record target of 608. The home team needs 536 more runs to win. England leads the five-match series 1-0. ___ AP cricket:
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Indian sports wrap, July 6: Deepika's goal nominated for Poligras Magic Skill Award
HOCKEY Deepika's field goal against Netherlands nominated for Poligras Magic Skill Award Indian Women's Hockey Team forward Deepika has been nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award for her incredible solo field goal against World No.1, the Netherlands, during the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League season. Deepika's iconic moment took place in February 2025 during the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League when the Indian Team defeated the Netherlands in shootout after a 2-2 draw at the Kalinga Stadium. In the 35th minute, Deepika dribbled down the left flank brilliantly as she went around the Netherlands' backline, kissed the baseline, dinked the ball over a defender's stick and finished the move with a wonderful strike past the keeper and into the net. Deepika left her mark with this incredible goal against the Netherlands in the FIH Pro League 2024-25. 💪🏻 Her goal has been nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award. 🎖️ Show your support click the link below and vote for Deepika! — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 5, 2025 'That goal against the Netherlands is one of the most special moments of my career. Everything just clicked and it helped us equalise and win the game in shootout,' the 21-year-old attacker said. The winner of the Poligras Magic Skill Award is decided by hockey fans across the world through an online vote. - Team Sportstar Related Topics FIH Hockey Pro League
