Pant-Das Exchange Heats Up India-Bangladesh Test After Mahmud's Triple Strike

Pant-Das Exchange Heats Up India-Bangladesh Test After Mahmud’s Triple Strike

India vs Bangladesh: Rishabh Pant’s Heated Exchange with Litton Das After Hasan Mahmud’s Triple Strike

The opening day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai witnessed a heated exchange between wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Litton Das, following a throw that irked the Indian star.

After Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud rocked the Indian top order with a three-wicket burst, Pant, making his Test comeback after a serious car accident, found himself at the receiving end of a throw that annoyed him. The stump microphone captured the words exchanged between the two players.

“Mere ko kyu maar rahe ho?” (Why are you hitting me?) Pant was heard telling Das, to which the Bangladesh stumper replied: “Woh to fekega hi na.” (He will throw it, won’t he?)

Mahmud’s early strikes had reduced India to 34 for 3, but Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched an unbroken partnership of 54 runs to take their team to lunch at 88 for 3. However, Mahmud returned after lunch to break the fourth-wicket stand, dismissing Pant for 39.

The track, prepared with red soil and underlying moisture, assisted Mahmud’s pace bowling, and he made the most of it by dismissing Rohit Sharma (6), Virat Kohli (6), and Shubman Gill (0) before sending Pant back to the pavilion.

Both India and Bangladesh opted for a bowling combination of three pacers and two spinners, hoping to exploit the overcast conditions.

O'Rourke's Five-Wicket Haul Gives New Zealand Edge in Galle Test

O’Rourke’s Five-Wicket Haul Gives New Zealand Edge in Galle Test

New Zealand’s bowlers wrapped up Sri Lanka’s innings for 305 on the second morning of the first Test in Galle, with Will O’Rourke claiming a five-wicket haul.

Resuming on 302 for 7, Sri Lanka added just three runs before being dismissed. O’Rourke trapped Ramesh Mendis lbw for 14 and then bowled Asitha Fernando for 0 to complete his five-for. Ajaz Patel also picked up a wicket, dismissing Prabath Jayasuriya for 10.

O’Rourke’s 5 for 55 was his second five-wicket haul in four Test innings, while Ajaz and Glenn Phillips finished with two wickets each.

Rain interrupted the morning session, delaying the start of New Zealand’s innings. Only one over was possible before rain intervened again, forcing the players off the field.

Lunch was taken after just 15 minutes of play, with New Zealand trailing by 300 runs. More rain is forecast for the day, but an extended post-lunch session and a longer third session have been scheduled to make up for lost time.

Former Sri Lanka Cricketer Banned for 20 Years for Reprehensible Conduct

Former Sri Lanka Cricketer Banned for 20 Years for Reprehensible Conduct

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Dulip Samaraweera has been handed a 20-year ban by Cricket Australia (CA) for “utterly reprehensible” conduct. The ban prohibits him from holding any position within CA, state associations, or Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) clubs during that period.

Samaraweera, 52, was found to have breached CA’s Code of Conduct during his tenure as a Cricket Victoria employee. An investigation by CA’s Integrity Department was initiated following complaints about his behavior.

The investigation revealed that Samaraweera had engaged in inappropriate behavior involving a player, violating section 2.23 of CA’s Code of Conduct. The specific details of the behavior have not been disclosed.

Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins strongly condemned Samaraweera’s actions. “The conduct was utterly reprehensible and a betrayal of everything we stand for at Cricket Victoria,” Cummins said. “The victim has shown incredible courage in speaking up, and we will continue to support her.”

CA emphasized its commitment to providing a safe environment for all players and employees. “The welfare of those subjected to mistreatment is paramount,” CA stated.

Samaraweera, who played seven Tests and five ODIs for Sri Lanka, had been a long-time assistant coach for the Victoria women’s team and the Melbourne Stars WBBL franchise. He was promoted to the head coaching role for the Victoria women’s team earlier this year but resigned after just two weeks due to a disagreement over staff appointments.

The 20-year ban is a significant punishment for Samaraweera, effectively ending his coaching career in Australia. It sends a strong message that CA will not tolerate any form of misconduct or abuse within the sport.

Indian Chess Teams Extend Unbeaten Streak at Olympiad

Indian Chess Teams Extend Unbeaten Streak at Olympiad

In the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the Indian women’s team continued their impressive run with a 3-1 victory over second-seeded Georgia, while the men’s team defeated China 2.5-1.5.

Grandmaster R Vaishali and Vantika Agrawal led the charge for the women’s team, securing crucial wins against Lela Javakhishvili and Bella Khotenashvili, respectively. Despite a draw by D Harika and a loss by Divya Deshmukh, Vantika’s remarkable time management skills sealed India’s seventh consecutive victory.

The Indian women now boast an impressive 14 points out of a possible 14, extending their lead to two points over Poland, Kazakhstan, and France.

In the open section, World Championship challenger D Gukesh led the Indian men to victory over China. Playing with the white pieces, Gukesh navigated a Closed Sicilian to a drawn endgame but remained focused to exploit a mistake by Chinese top board Wei Yi.

Despite speculation of a potential clash between Gukesh and Ding Liren, the reigning world champion was rested by the Chinese team. R Praggnanandhaa drew quickly as black against Yangyi Yu, while P Harikrishna’s efforts against Wang Yue resulted in an equal rook and pawns endgame.

Arjun Erigaise’s aggressive play against Bu Xiangzhi was met with a clever piece sacrifice, forcing a draw through repetition.

With four rounds remaining, the Indian men have maintained a perfect score, matching their female counterparts. Iran is the closest pursuer with 13 points, followed by Serbia, Hungary, Armenia, and defending champions Uzbekistan with 12 points each.

In the next round, the Indian men will face Iran, while the women will take on Poland.

Gautam Gambhir Praises Rohit Sharma's Leadership and Respect in Team India

Gautam Gambhir Praises Rohit Sharma’s Leadership and Respect in Team India

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has heaped praise on skipper Rohit Sharma, describing him as a “great guy” with immense respect in the dressing room. Gambhir’s comments come ahead of India’s upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai.

Rohit Sharma has established himself as a formidable force in Test cricket since making his debut in 2013. In 59 Tests and 101 innings, he has amassed 4138 runs at an impressive average of 45.47. His leadership qualities have also been evident, guiding India to several notable victories.

Gambhir, who played alongside Rohit Sharma during their playing days, spoke highly of their relationship. “We’ve had several conversations. I believe that the team ultimately belongs to the captain because he leads on the field. My role, along with the support staff, is to assist the captain in every way possible,” Gambhir said.

He emphasized the importance of Rohit Sharma’s leadership and respect within the team. “Rohit’s leadership and respect in the dressing room are crucial. So, he’s a great guy and has got a lot of respect in that dressing room, and that is the first and foremost quality of a leader,” Gambhir added.

India will face a formidable challenge against Bangladesh, who recently whitewashed Pakistan 2-0 in their first Test series victory on Pakistani soil. The Bengal Tigers’ impressive performance has put them in top form, making them a formidable opponent for India.

The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh is crucial for India as they aim to maintain their lead in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India currently holds a point percentage of 68.52, with upcoming WTC series against New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh.

India's Pace Trio Surprises in Chennai Test Opener

India’s Pace Trio Surprises in Chennai Test Opener

India’s decision to field three pacers in the opening Test against Bangladesh at the traditionally spin-friendly MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has raised eyebrows. However, both teams’ skippers and former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik believe the pitch will offer something for the pacers to exploit.

Bangladesh’s rookie pacer Hasan Mahmud justified this belief with a three-wicket burst that reduced India to 34 for 3 inside 10 overs. The overcast skies, red-soil pitch, and moist track further supported the decision to bowl first with a pace-heavy attack.

India’s last home Test with three pacers was also against Bangladesh in 2019. The move has been successful in the past, with Australia securing convincing 10-wicket victories in two matches where India fielded a trio of fast bowlers.

The pitch report by Karthik highlighted the bounce and turn the red soil pitch would offer, with the spinners expected to come into play as the game progresses. The residual moisture underneath the pitch also gave the pacers an advantage at the start.

Both teams’ playing elevens reflect the belief in the pitch’s suitability for pace bowling. India has included Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj, while Bangladesh has opted for Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana.

India’s decision to bat first after losing the toss is a rare occurrence, with it happening only nine times previously on home soil. Out of those eight occasions, six resulted in draws.

India Resumes Test Campaign with Practice Session in Chennai

India Resumes Test Campaign with Practice Session in Chennai

India’s Test cricket campaign resumed with a practice session in Chennai ahead of the first match against Bangladesh. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, aims to reach the World Test Championship final for the third consecutive time.

Star batter Virat Kohli, who was seen having fun with Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant during the warm-up, is back in action after a brief break. Pant, who returned to Test cricket following a car accident, has been in impressive form since his comeback.

Gautam Gambhir, India’s new coach, is overseeing his first Test series. Key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja have returned to the squad.

India has opted for a three-pacer, two-spinner bowling attack, with Bumrah leading the pace attack. Ashwin and Jadeja form the spin duo.

Bangladesh, currently ranked fourth in the World Test Championship table, has also chosen a three-pacer combination. All-rounders Shakib al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz will handle the spin duties.

The second Test between Bangladesh and India is scheduled for September 27 in Kanpur, followed by a series of three Twenty20 matches.

Virat Kohli Disappoints on Home Test Return, Dismissed for 6

Virat Kohli Disappoints on Home Test Return, Dismissed for 6

Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to Test cricket on home soil ended in disappointment as he was dismissed for a mere 6 runs on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. The Indian skipper, who received a rousing ovation from the crowd at the M Chidambaram Stadium, failed to live up to expectations, playing a loose shot outside the off-stump that resulted in his dismissal. Hasan Mahmud claimed the wicket, his third of the match, as the delivery flew off Kohli’s outside edge and was safely caught by wicket-keeper Litton Das.

Kohli’s dismissal was a major setback for India, who lost three wickets early in the first session. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance, particularly Kohli’s dismissal.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl, citing the moisture on the wicket and the favorable conditions for seamers. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform well, despite the absence of some key players.

India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, indicated that he would have also chosen to bowl first if he had won the toss, acknowledging the challenging conditions. He emphasized the team’s preparation and confidence heading into the match.

The playing XIs for both teams were as follows:

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj.

The match is poised to be an exciting contest, with both teams looking to gain an early advantage in the series.

Bangladesh Bowls First in Historic Chepauk Test

Bangladesh Bowls First in Historic Chepauk Test

Bangladesh Opts to Bowl First in Historic Chepauk Test

In a historic move, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto elected to bowl first after winning the toss in the first Test against India at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. This marks the first time in 21 Tests that a team has chosen to bowl after winning the toss at this iconic venue.

The decision raised eyebrows as the Chepauk pitch is traditionally known for its spin-friendly nature, favoring teams batting first. However, Bangladesh’s decision suggests they believe their pace attack can exploit the seam-friendly conditions on offer.

India, on the other hand, has opted for a balanced attack with three seamers and two spinners. Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will provide spin support.

Bangladesh has also opted for three pacers, including Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana. The spin department will be handled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

The last time a team elected to bowl first at Chepauk was in 1982, when India chose to field against Sri Lanka. India went on to win that match by an innings and 119 runs.

The Bangladesh team will be hoping to create history by becoming the first team to win a Test match at Chepauk after bowling first. However, they face a formidable challenge against a strong Indian side that is looking to extend its unbeaten streak at home.

Injury-Prone Morris, Richardson Set for Domestic White-Ball Returns

Injury-Prone Morris, Richardson Set for Domestic White-Ball Returns

Injury-prone Australian pace duo Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson are set to make their domestic white-ball returns for Western Australia in the upcoming One-Day Cup. Morris, who has been sidelined since February with a side strain, has been named in WA’s 14-man squad for their opening matches against New South Wales and South Australia. Richardson, who has endured a string of hamstring and shoulder injuries in recent seasons, also returns to domestic 50-over cricket after playing in the IPL and Top End T20 Series over the winter.

Morris’s return is a cautious one, as he will likely only play one of the two matches next week. He will begin a gradual build-up towards a red-ball return, with the aim of being fit for the Sheffield Shield season in October. Richardson’s return is also a step forward, but it remains to be seen whether he will be ready for Shield cricket next month.

Uncontracted spinner Ashton Agar has also been named in WA’s squad, along with veteran fast bowlers Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye. Cameron Bancroft is expected to keep wicket for WA in the absence of Josh Inglis, who is on national duty. Former WA opener Josh Philippe will face his old side for the first time on Sunday after moving to New South Wales.

WA is aiming to become the first men’s team in Australian One-Day domestic history to claim four consecutive titles. They have won five of the last seven tournaments and are looking to extend their dominance.

Elsewhere, Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith will miss Tasmania’s opening two One-Day Cup matches due to injuries. Ellis is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Meredith is undergoing a scan on a side injury sustained during Australia’s tour of the UK.

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