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CLOSE IN: Indian Cricket is ticking the right boxes ( IANS Column)
India managed to win the Test series against England. They now stand tall having protected the famous “Final Frontier”, a bastion that 17 attempts by teams have failed to conquer. The last time India were defeated was in March 2012 against England side led by Alistair Cook
Ben Stokes, the present England captain along with Brendan McCullum, the coach by his side, studied, planned and analyzed a combination and approach that could bring them victory. They had one aim and that was to emulate England’s success over a decade ago.
India, were bamboozled and castled in the very 1st Test match. However, the knowledge of the home conditions and their superior bowling attack was what got them to win.
The 5th and final Test match will be played on the 7th of March’24 in the picture postcard setting of the mountain ranges of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. Conditions there would have suited England to the tee. However, with the series decided, the only significant outcome of this match is the points that will accrue to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship’25.
Looking back, England did have India on the hop, especially when they had a first innings lead in the 4th Test match in Ranchi. Their batting collapsed in the 2nd innings and England, known for their present aggressive nature, seemed to be like rabbits caught in the headlights. The way to bat on the surface was showcased to them by the young Dhruv Jurel and the tenacious Kuldeep Yadav. Their partnership was instrumental in India narrowing the 1st innings deficit and one that put the Indian side into a positive state of mind. However, the England side failed to learn from them.
The great Tennis player, Martina Navratilova, correctly said that “every game in life is actually played on a 6-inch ground-the space between your two ears”. England succumbed mentally, whereas, India rose to capture it.
The most daunting thought in the minds of every Indian cricket enthusiast was “ what will happen to Indian cricket when their stalwarts call it a day”. Ajit Agarkar and his band of selectors should be given kudos for solving this issue. An Indian win without Virat Kohli, Md. Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishaan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and the absence, in few of the matches, of KL.l Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer was simply remarkable.
When one talks of transformation, the most challenging aspect of it is implementation. Fortunately for Indian cricket, due to injuries and other reasons, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep along with Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav were able to establish themselves into the Indian Test side. The wonderful fall-out of their success would be the opening of doors for other domestic cricketers performing magnificently well at home. The success of the newcomers to Test cricket should give the present and future selectors the confidence to experiment further.
There is a positive buzz that has emerged as regards Test match cricket. The old, fuddy duddy way of playing it has transformed into a far more risky and aggressive approach. The limited overs cricket has brought about shots and strokes that have made Test captains scratch their heads to set a field. Batting has a 360 degrees concept to it now. For one to be able to scoop over the keeper, to a ball pitched on a good length in line with the wicket, would have been an impossible task to fathom earlier.
This takes one back to one of India’s greatest batsmen, Ranjit Sinhji, who played for England when India was still not a Test playing nation. During his days, one hit the cricket ball in front of the wicket. The Indian subtle wrist was what Ranji utilised and invented the only shot ever by an Indian, “The leg Glance”. The cricket world of yesteryears were awestruck as to how Ranjit could play it so consistently and with such ease and accuracy. The novel shots that are making Test cricket a feast to enjoy presently, are just the ingredients, like the leg glance, to revive the conventional and regal form of the game.
The BCCI is finally ticking the right boxes to establish the importance of red ball cricket. The most powerful cricket body in the world has taken the first step. They have insisted that all Indian players need to play the Ranji Trophy tournament, if they are not involved in playing for the country. Two of India’s International cricketers faced the wrath, as they disobeyed it. Both Shreyas Iyer and Ishaan Kishan were not given a BCCI contract recently. This should be a good example to many others who seem to be focusing more on their IPL contracts rather than their Ranji Trophy State side. Indian domestic cricket is the source and pillar of Indian cricket and needs all cricketers to bless it.
Furthermore, the BCCI is increasing the match fees given to players for Test matches. One gathers 25 lakhs per match is on the cards, however, the most wonderful initiative taken is by increasing the Ranji trophy fees for domestic cricketers by 3 times. At present it is 40K a day. This is truly a progressive gesture for over 500 cricketers playing domestic cricket, most of whom are not a part of the lucrative IPL.
This is just the right way to save the true and conventional form of the game of cricket, “ Red Ball cricket”.
One was further pleased to see the number of school kids present at the stadiums where the Test matches were being held. The love and nuances of the game for most cricket lovers and cricketers has come about through watching the sport as kids. This is precisely how cricket has grown and been popularized over the years.
Well done BCCI, you have definitely ticked the right boxes!
(Yajurvindra Singh is a former India cricketer. The views expressed are personal)
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) The eighth meet of the 2024 Wanda Diamond League is set to take place on Sunday at the Charlety Stadium in Paris, France. The premier track-and-field meet will feature Paris 2024-qualified Kishore Jena and Avinash Sable. Kishore Jena will be competing in the men’s javelin throw against the likes of Anderson Peters (Grenada), Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic), Julian Weber (Germany), and Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan).
Avinash Sable will eye a strong finish in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase against a participating field of 17 runners, including the likes of Simon Kiprop Koech (Kenya), Abraham Kibiwot (Kenya), Ryuji Miura (Japan), and Daniel Arce (Spain).
The men’s pole vault event will feature Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis, who set a new world record (6.24m) at this season’s Xiamen event. Along with him, five Olympic champions, six world champions, and 12 reigning European champions are set to compete in Paris.
Earlier, reigning Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra had clarified that the Paris Diamond League was not part of his calendar and he is focused on getting ready for the Paris Olympics.
Diamond Disciplines at Paris 2024:
Men: Pole vault, javelin throw, 110 metres hurdles, 400 metres hurdles, 200 metres, 800 metres, 3000m steeplechase
Women: High jump, discus throw, long jump, 100 metres, 400 metres, 1500 metres, 3000 metres steeplechase
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Diamond League 2024 – Paris live coverage and broadcast:
When: July 7, 2024
Where: Charlety Stadium, Paris, France
Time: 7:30 PM onwards
Live streaming in India: JioCinema
TV broadcast in India: Sports18 – 3
–IANS
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Johor (Malaysia), July 6 (IANS) Top Indian star Abhay Singh will feature in two finals at the Asian Doubles Squash Championships in Johor, Malaysia, on Sunday. On Saturday, he and Velavan Senthilkumar, the top seeds, stormed into the Men’s Doubles title round with a commanding 11-9, 11-2 win over the Japanese pair of Tomotaka Endo and Naoki Hayashi in 23 minutes in the last-four stage.
Later, Asian Games medallist Abhay and the experienced Joshna Chinappa, the third seeds, defeated the Hong Kong pair of Cheng Nga Ching and Lai Cheuk Nam Matthew of Hong Kong 11-8, 11-10 in the Mixed Doubles semifinals.
“I’m very pleased to be in both finals, winning two gold medals was the goal before we came here so that’s what we are focused on tomorrow,” Abhay said.
“The men’s match was a comfortable 2-0 while the mixed match was a bit challenging, but still pleased to come through without dropping a game. Being in another final of an Asian Championship is an honour, looking forward to converting them both,” he added.
Abhay and Joshna will meet second seed Tong Tsz Wing and Tang Ming Hong of Hong Kong for the Mixed Doubles title and Abhay and Velavan will lock horns with second seed Ong Sai Hung and Syafiq Kamal of Malaysia in the men’s doubles final.
“Solid performances by both pairs to reach the finals. Once the Asian Championships were announced the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) along with our strategic partner HCL held the National Championships from where the pairs were selected,” SRFI secretary-general Cyrus Poncha said.
–IANS
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Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) Head Coach Chaoba Devi announced a 23-member squad, who will travel to Myanmar for the two FIFA-friendly matches. The Blue Tigresses will play against hosts Myanmar on July 9 and 12, respectively.
“My team is a mix of senior and junior players. I am satisfied with the combination of the squad. After playing Uzbekistan last month, we started our National camp within the next 10 days. All the players are fit, which is a good sign. They didn’t want to relax, they were undergoing intense training at their respective clubs,” said coach Devi.
The Blue Tigresses were last seen in action during the tour of Uzbekistan for two friendly matches against the hosts on May 31 and June 4. They lost one match and drew the second one. Coach Chaoba is aware of the areas that needed more work and said, “As a coach, after Turkey and Uzbekistan, we were facing problems in defending aerial balls. We were trying to improve in this area in the camp.
“We trained at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata for two weeks and played two practice matches. Those matches proved to be good. We also used young players in the starting eleven. They gave their full efforts and fought to keep their positions. There are healthy competitions among the players to be in the starting XI. We need some youngsters who can run and face difficult situations, like Mousumi Murmur and Aruna Bag. I am happy they have improved a lot in a short time,” the coach said
“We played with Uzbekistan last month which was also a higher-ranked team. Playing against higher ranked teams benefits our players as they can have intense matches and get ready to play in big tournaments. In the first match, we lost badly. All of us found it unacceptable. The girls gave their hundred per cent, and we drew the second match. The girls have the potential, and we are trying to get the best out of them,” she said.
India are currently 67th in the FIFA Rankings, while Myanmar are 54th. The Indian women’s team played five matches between February to May.
India will naturally benefit from playing two higher-ranked teams in two months, the coach said, “Ranking does matter. The federation is also trying to arrange for more exposure tours. If we play more such games, the team will improve. We need to play quality games.”
“A well laid out plan should be there. We need to inform the girls well in time to keep them prepared. There is a lot of activity going on around Indian women’s football, and we need future players. We have scouted talents from IWL and IWL 2. We coaches can get the best of the talents and select the best ones,” Chaoba added.
Th 23-member squad for Myanmar friendlies:
Goalkeepers: Shreya Hooda, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi.
Defenders: Loitongbam Ashalata Devi,Hemam Shilky Devi, Sanju,Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, Aruna Bag.
Midfielders: Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Neha, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Mousumi Murmu.
Forwards: Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti, Rimpa Haldar.
–IANS
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London, July 6 (IANS) West Ham United have announced the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers central defender Maximilian Kilman.
The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a seven-year contract at London Stadium after spending six hugely successful years at Molineux, where he played under new Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui and was named captain last year.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be a West Ham United player. As soon as I was aware of the interest from the Club, it was an opportunity I was keen to pursue, so I couldn’t be more delighted to be here,” said Kilman to the West Ham media team.
Possessing plenty of Premier League experience, Kilman has forged a strong reputation as a hugely talented and reliable defender with more than 150 appearances at Wolves, where he played his part in their run to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals in 2019/20.
“I really enjoyed working with Julen during his time at Wolves – he’s a top-class coach and someone I learned a lot from, and I am confident I will continue to improve as a player under his management here,” added the 27-year-old.
Having started his career at non-league Maidenhead United, where he was managed by Hammers legend Alan Devonshire, Kilman has thrived ever since moving up to the top flight with his August 2018 move to the Midlands, and is now thrilled to be taking the next step of his career in east London.
“Having spoken at length to both Julen and Tim [Steidten], I was hugely encouraged about the ambition of the Club and their plans for the future. They want to make a big noise here at West Ham and as a new player coming in, that’s an incredible thing to hear,” concluded Kilman.
–IANS
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Calgary (Canada), July 6 (IANS) Indian shuttler Priyanshu Rajawat knocked out world no. 4 Anders Antonsen in the quarter-final of the Canada Open to advance to the semifinals.
Rajawat outclassed Antonsen 21-11, 17-21, 21-19 in a competitive one-hour and 19-minute quarterfinal on Friday night (IST). It was also his first win over a top-10 ranked player. He will now lock horns with France’s Alex Lanier in his second World Tour Super 500 semifinal.
In the first game, the 22-year-old Indian shuttler took a 7-4 lead against Antonsen before the score was tied at 9-9. Following that, Rajawat took five straight points to reclaim the lead. The Danish made a valiant effort to rally, but Rajawat eventually won the opening game with seven straight points.
The second game saw Antonsen proving his class with a strong comeback. Rajawat matched the competitiveness of his opponent with a 17-17 score before Antonsen unleashed his true potential with four consecutive points to take the match to a decider.
Rajawat led the final game 5-1 at one point, but Antonsen answered with six straight points to lead the game at 7-5. Although Rajawat made a spirited comeback, earning three points, the seasoned Dane led by just a slim margin at the mid-game break, 11–10. It was a close battle between the two players until Rajawat closed the gap with back-to-back points at 19-19 to win the match.
Rajawat continued his stellar run in the tournament with another win over a higher-ranked opponent. Earlier, he defeated world number 24 Rasmus Gemke of Denmark and Japan’s Takuma Obayashi, ranked 33rd in the previous matches.
He remains the sole Indian in the competition after the women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand made a quarterfinal exit. The third-seeded Indians lost to Chinese Taipei’s Pei Shan Hsieh and En-Tzu Hung 18-21, 21-19, 16-21 in the quarterfinal.
–IANS
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