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Tag: baseball

  • India vs England 5th Test: 'There Was Guy Called Rishabh Pant,' Rohit Sharma Takes Witty Dig At Ben Duckett's Baseball Comment For Yashasvi Jaiswal | cricket news

    India's captain, Rohit Sharma, faced the press confidently ahead of the 5th Test against England in Dharamsala. When questioned about England batsman Ben Duckett's remarks regarding the credit for Yashasvi Jaiswal's aggressive batting, Rohit responded assertively. He reminded everyone, with a touch of humor, of Rishabh Pant's explosive batting prowess. Rohit suggested that perhaps the England team, particularly Ben Duckett, had not witnessed Pant's batting displays, leading to such comments. In his response, Rohit skillfully delivered a message while maintaining a light-hearted tone, emphasizing India's strength in batting, particularly Pant's aggressive style.

    “There was a guy called Rishabh Pant in our team, probably Ben Duckett hasn't seen him play,” Rohit said when asked about the comment made by the England batsman. (IND vs ENG 5th Test: Rohit Sharma Makes Big Statement On Playing 11 As Rajat Patidar Is Likely To Play In Dharamsala)

    Yashasvi Jaiswal has been India's standout performer in the series, amassing 655 runs in four matches with an impressive average of 94.57 and a strike-rate of 78.63. During the Rajkot Test, his boundary-laden innings caught the attention of England's Ben Duckett, who attributed Jaiswal's aggressive approach to the influence of England's 'Bazball' style of play.

    “When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they're playing differently than how other people play Test cricket,” Duckett had said.

    Rohit Sharma said, “there was a guy named Rishabh Pant in our team, probably Ben Duckett hasn't seen him playing.” (On Duckett's statement of Jaiswal learning from England). pic.twitter.com/pp5wvmF9iq Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 6, 2024

    No praise is enough for Ravichandran Ashwin, said captain Rohit Sharma on Wednesday, praising the off-spinner ahead of his 100th Test as a “rare” talent critical for the team's success. The fifth and final Test against England, starting on Thursday, is inconsequential to the final outcome of the series as India have already taken an unbeaten 3-1 lead. But it has become significant due to the 100-Test milestone set to be achieved by Ashwin and England batsman Jonny Bairstow.

    “(It's a) big achievement for any player to play 100 Tests. It is a big milestone. He has been a match winner for us. What he has done for us, no praise is enough,” Rohit said on the eve of the match.

    “His performances over the last five-seven years, every series he has contributed. It is rare to have players like him,” he added.

    “I want to congratulate him for his 100 test landmark, of course to get near it as the toss hasn't happened. It feels good to reap rewards of your hard work,” the skipper said.

    They have been national teammates for close to a decade and half but it was more than 20 years back when a then precocious Mumbai off-spinner Rohit was pitted against talented opener Ashwin in Vijay Merchant (U-16) and Cooch Behar Trophy (U- 19).

    “As a captain, I have seen him since U-19, U-17 days. He batted at that time, was an opener and then he started bowling. And I used to bowl (off-spin) and then became a batsman, so it became up and down for us but it has been good for Indian cricket.”

    Ashwin, the “cricket scientist”, has evolved a lot in these 14 years, feels Rohit.

    “As a cricketer, he (Ashwin) has evolved in his game and he has a lot of intelligence and if you get a player like this in the team then you don't have to think too much. If you give the ball to him , then he drives the game. How to bowl, what field to set and what to do, I am talking about the planning during the game.”

    The Indian skipper also spoke about how process-driven R Ashwin is.

    “What you see on the field is the result of a lot of off-field stuff and the work done on one's bowling. I have often seen him bowling with just one stump before a match — one hour 45 minutes before a game. Bowling at one stump a day before a Test. This is cricket's basics. I have seen him bowl regularly at one stump and this has been a process for him. And the biggest thing is that he is a big team player and we saw that in Rajkot Test, when it was a difficult situation for him, but he called and said 'I want to come back and do something for the team'. You see this rarely, and when you have players like this, then your head is held high. ”

    Ashwin, who recently became only the second Indian after Anil Kumble to cross 500 wickets in the game's longest format, made his Test debut in 2011 and has enjoyed more highs than lows during a 13-year journey.

  • Dear Ben Duckett, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Fiery Double-Hundred Is Not Baseball-Inspired; Here’s Proof | cricket news

    Dear Ben Duckett, I hope this letter finds you well. First of all, commiserations on the loss in the third Test vs India in Rajkot. You were exceptional in the first innings where you constructed a superb 153 off 151 balls. That was one electrifying innings of yours where you dominated from Ball number one. Even Jasprit Bumrah could not stop you. The authority with which you batted reflected the true nature of the current style of cricket England have adopted in the Tests. Bazball, which you and the English media likes to call it.

    We, outside of England, have no problem with it. You guys have created a style of cricket that is rarely seen in a team for such a long time. And honestly, congratulations for that.

    Test cricket has seen players like Virender Sehwag, Adam Gilchrist, Kevin Pietersen, and most recently Rishabh Pant play with a sense of urgency and clarity in their head. But for a team to collectively play the same style is probably the first time. And I must admit that while this brand of cricket is attached with huge risks, like we saw in the 2nd innings in Rajkot, continuing to take these risks shows your courage.

    Also Read | Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Sensational Six-Hitting Spree Against James Anderson

    Having said that, your comments after Day 3 didn’t land well in India and elsewhere, including your own country. While no one is denying that Bazball has actually created a storm, to take undue credit for any aggressive display of batting by the opponents does not look great on English cricket.

    Jaisball supremacy _ _

    Yashasvi Jaiswal _ scores another mighty ton in the #IDFCFirstBankTestSeries! __#INDvENG #JioCinemaSports #BazBowled pic.twitter.com/FTufkA6YqJ — JioCinema (@JioCinema) February 17, 2024

    While you rightly called Yashasvi ‘a superstar in the making’ after his 100 in the second innings, you were completely wrong when you said, “When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they’re playing differently than how other people play Test cricket.”

    Do you know the strike rate of Yashasvi before this England series began? I am assuming the answer is a ‘No’. So here’s a quick look: Jaiswal had batted with a strike rate of 75 thrice in the seven innings before the home series vs you all. Two of these innings were played with strike rate of over 120.

    Yashaswi’s first-class average and Test strike rate is nearing 70. The point is this: while Yashasvi showed great urgency and was helped by a lucid track to score runs freely, also thanks to some poor bowling by England, if tomorrow the situation arises where he needs to dig in the whole day to save a Test match, he will do that. This is playing for a draw or time. This, I’m pretty sure, you guys don’t associate with Bazball.

    Many of former English cricketers like Nick Knight, Michael Vaughan feel that while Bazball is exciting, one must admit that England have got carried away by the name, at times. Remember that despite Bazball, you have not really won anything substantial except maybe the series in Pakistan. Remember the Ashes? When you guys could have beaten Aussies at home?

    England lost the last 18 wickets for 234 inside 75 overs .. a warning sign to them in tough conditions against a good side that if you give them a sniff things can escalate very quickly .. India have been brilliant this last 2 days .. # INDvENG — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 18, 2024

    Even when this England team have lost in the last 2 years you have always been able to take positives .. or they haven’t been hammered .. this is looking like a wake up call that surely sends a message you can’t just play one way against quality teams .. #INDvENG — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 18, 2024

    Here’s what Vaughan said on your team’s performance after the Rajkot Test: “Even when this England team have lost in the last 2 years you have always been able to take positives .. or they haven’t been hammered … this is looking like a wakeup call that surely sends a message you can’t just play one way against quality teams.”

    Vaughan also reminded you that just because you have started playing attacking cricket from the last two years, it does not mean that the world was not playing this style ever before. “Duckett also reckons they deserve credit for the way Yashasvi Jaiswal is batting, as if no player in history has ever played an attacking shot. They talk about not playing for the draw, but to me that’s disrespectful to Test cricket. The draw is a Crucial part of the game, and in the five-Test contest has often provided the bedrock of some great series victories,” Vaughan said.

    Former England cricketer Nick Knight had warned you guys of not playing an ‘extreme’ version of ‘Bazball’ before the series, underlining the setback England faced in the last Ashes. Knight wrote in his Dafa News column, “I am sure Indian fans are curious to see ‘Bazball’. I think they have watched England play this brand of cricket and are familiar with it. I think in the Ashes summer, the England team played extreme Bazball but now they must play a more refined Bazball to be effective. A refined ‘Bazball’ is to find the right moment to express yourself and put the opposition under extreme pressure. There were a couple of times in the Ashes series where they got the focus wrong. If they learn from that experience and find the right moment to fire, they can benefit from it. Perhaps when the condition suits England, you will see them attack the India bowlers. That will make for a great watch.”

    I know that any style of cricket is brutally criticized after a loss. But the crux of this open letter to you is to send a reminder that England are not ‘inspiring’ the world yet to play a certain style of cricket. Every team has its own DNA and it would not change overnight. Various factors like changes in domestic cricket, nature of pitches, board’s word have a role to play on how a team plays on the ground.

    So, while England are free to play Bazball and hopefully they reach the top playing it and dominate the world cricket too. But one must admit that baseball is still a work in progress. If you guys, go on to win a World Test Championship one day and two to three teams decide to fully adopt Bazball, then you can take this credit. For now, we are happy playing Jais-Ball.

    Thanks and regards,

    A cricket enthusiast.

  • ‘Thrill And Frustrating In Equal Measure,’ Former England Captain On ‘Bazball’ | cricket news

    Following the end of day three play of the third Test between India and England, former England skipper Nasser Hussain said that Joe Root’s dismissal while playing a reverse scoop reflects what team’s highly-attacking, positive and result-oriented ‘Bazball’ approach is- ” thrilling and frustrating in equal measure”.

    After opener Ben Duckett slammed a century on day two, England batting could not capitalize on the fine start and lost their eight wickets for just 95 runs. A key highlight of England’s collapse was Root losing his wicket while attempting a reverse scoop. Later, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill reached their century and half-century respectively, to end the day on a high and Three Lions endured another frustrating day despite a fine start. (Why Team India Is Wearing Black Arm Band In India vs England 3rd Test Day 3?)

    Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Hussain said that people felt that Root does not sit suitable with England’s ‘Bazball’ school of cricket, but the average of 51 under skipper Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, a rise from his average of 49 proves it. wrong. So, it is England’s approach that gives both thrill and frustration in equal parts.

    “After the first two Tests against India, we said that Root might not be suited to Bazball. But the stats say otherwise. He averages 51 under this regime and he averaged 49 before that. His dismissive sort of sums up where we are with Bazball It will thrill and frustrate in equal measure,” said Hussain.

    “Joe Root’s latest Bazball shot is the stupidest in English Test cricket history”

    The Telegraph

    pic.twitter.com/tp1AGj5rlW Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) February 17, 2024

    “When he is playing those reverse-scoops to the first ball of the day of an Ashes Test, we all jump up and applaud. When he does it to Bumrah here and gets out, we all say ‘what a disgrace’,” he added. (Sarfaraz Khan Wears 97 Number Of Jersey As Dedication To Father; Know How)

    The former skipper said that Root will look at the timing of his shot, especially in the absence of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is out of this test due to personal reasons. Hussain said that ‘Bazball’ is about soaking pressure as well and Root should have taken the game deep and used the shot later.

    “One thing Joe will look at is the timing of that shot. Ashwin was not there, India are down a bowler; Ravindra Jadeja is playing off the back of an injury; Jasprit Bumrah is playing three Tests in a row and there is talk of him needing a rest. Bazball is about being attacking but it is also about soaking up pressure. Get Bumrah into his second or third spell, take it deep and then play the shot later in the day,” said Hussain.

    Hussain backed Root to assess his dismissal and make a comeback, “That is what makes him a great player. He will come back. He will be absolutely fine,” concluded Hussain. This tour continues to be a disappointing affair for England’s premier batter, who has managed just 29, 2, 5, 16 and 18 in five innings so far.

    Since his double century, a knock of 218 in the first Chennai Test during the last tour to India back in February 2021, Root has had an abysmal record in Asian conditions. In 17 Test innings played in Asia since then, Root has scored just 345 runs at an average of 20.29, with just one half-century. His best score has been 73.

    Root though has a fine overall record in Asia, scoring 3,843 runs in Asia across 70 international matches at an average of 46.30, with six centuries and 23 fifties in 92 innings. His best score is 228. In 26 Tests in Asia since his debut in 2012, Root has made 2,187 runs in 26 matches and 50 innings at an average of 45.56. with five centuries and 10 fifties. His best score is 228.

    Root has been dismissed by Bumrah three times out of five in this series. Overall in 21 innings, Root has scored 254 runs against Bumrah at an average of 28.22. Bumrah has dismissed Root nine times. A key question arising from Root’s poor recent shot selection is if the aggressive and unorthodox cricketing shots have led to Root’s decline in Tests?

    The numbers do not suggest so. In 21 Tests played under skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum’s leadership, Root has made 1,597 runs at an average of 51.51, with five centuries and seven fifties in 36 innings. His best score is 176.

    Coming to the match, England were bundled out for 319 in their first innings in reply to India’s 445. Opener Ben Duckett (153 in 151 balls, with 23 fours and two sixes) led the way for England, but besides skipper Ben Stokes (41 in 89 balls, with six fours) and Ollie Pope (39 in 55 balls, with five fours and a six), none of the batters could stick around and play a long inning.

    Mohammad Siraj (4/84), Ravindra Jadeja (2/51) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/77) contributed to the bowling attack while Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin took a wicket each. India started with a 126-run lead. Yashasvi Jaiswal came up with another stellar knock in the second innings and scored a century while Shubman Gill scored another half-century, ending India’s day at 196/2 and a 322-run lead.