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RR vs LSG Predicted XIs, IPL 2024: Focus On Rajasthan, Lucknow’s 4th Overseas Picks

admin — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 04:36:53 +0000

The inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 4 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, March 24. The Royals under Sanju Samson’s leadership had a topsy-turvy campaign last season as they finished fifth in the IPL 2023 standings with seven wins and as many losses. On the other hand, the KL Rahul-led LSG will once again aim to reach the playoffs after finishing third in the IPL 2023 standings with eight wins and five losses. Ahead of a crunch game in Jaipur, we look at the predicted XIs of both sides.

RR Predicted XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in sublime touch since his international debut last year. The southpaw smashed 625 runs in 14 matches at an impressive strike rate of 163.61 in IPL 2023. Jaiswal is among the top contenders to win the Orange Cap this season.

Jos Buttler

One of the best T20 batters in the world, Jos Buttler had a dream IPL season for RR in 2022. England’s white-ball captain amassed 863 runs in 17 matches at an average of 57.53. Buttler also equalled Virat Kohli’s record of smashing four centuries in an IPL season. He could once again be the X-factor for Rajasthan this season.

Sanju Samson (captain & wicketkeeper)

Captain Sanju Samson has been a regular name among the highest run-getters every IPL season. Samson has already accumulated over 3,800 runs in 152 IPL matches at a decent strike rate of 137.19.

Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer has been going through a lean patch with the bat this year. Overall, the Caribbean hard-hitter has scored 3924 runs in 202 T20 games at a strike rate of 133.56 to date.

Dhruv Jurel

Dhruv Jurel was one of the shining lights last year for RR. With his hard-hitting abilities in the slog overs, Jurel scored 152 runs in 11 innings at an impressive strike rate of 172.72 last season.

Rovman Powell

West Indies T20I captain Rovman Powell was roped in by the Royals for INR 7.40 crore at the mini-auction in December 2023. So far, Powell has scored 3,786 runs in 209 T20 matches at a strike rate of 139.39.

Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag has been a regular starter for RR since his IPL debut in 2019. Notably, he ended up as the highest run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, scoring 510 runs in 10 innings.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the biggest match-winners for India in the last decade. In 197 IPL games, he has picked up 171 wickets at an economy rate of seven.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult was the driving force for RR in the powerplay overs in IPL 2022. Boult has taken 105 wickets in 88 IPL matches at an economy of 8.29 till date.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is the current highest wicket-taker in the IPL. The leg spinner has scalped 187 wickets in 145 IPL games at an impressive economy of 7.67.

Avesh Khan

Avesh Khan was traded in by the Royals through the trading window ahead of the mini-auction last year. The Indore-born pacer has played 47 IPL matches and bagged 55 wickets so far.

Impact Sub

Navdeep Saini/Kuldeep Sen

LSG Predicted XI

Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper)

Quinton de Kock is among the prominent overseas players in the IPL. The Proteas wicketkeeper-batter has scored more than 9,300 T20 runs in over 300 matches so far.

Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal has been one of the standout players for Karnataka in domestic cricket since 2020. The southpaw was traded in by LSG through the trading window considering he has accumulated 1,521 runs in 57 IPL matches so far.

Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda is a spin-bowling all-rounder who can bat in any position. He had a breakthrough IPL season in 2022 when he slammed 451 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 136.66.

KL Rahul (captain)

Since his debut in 2013, KL Rahul has been among the top run-getters in the IPL. After missing out on a part of the IPL 2023 season, Rahul will be gearing up a wonderful campaign this year. So far, the Karnataka batter has scored 4,163 runs in 118 IPL games.

Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran had his best IPL season last year having scored 358 runs in 15 matches at a whacking strike rate of 173. Overall, Pooran has scored over 6,500 runs in 315 T20 matches.

Marcus Stoinis

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was the highest run-getter for LSG in IPL 2023. Stoinis clobbered 408 runs in 15 matches at an impressive strike rate of 150. Hopefully, this season he can contribute with the ball as well.

Ayush Badoni

After a couple of decent domestic seasons, Ayush Badoni made a surprising IPL debut in 2022 for LSG. So far, the 24-year-old has scored 399 runs in 28 IPL matches at a strike rate of 132.

Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya was named captain soon after KL Rahul was ruled out of the IPL 2023 with injury. So far, Krunal has played 113 IPL matches with over 1,500 runs and also picked 70 wickets.

Shivam Mavi

Shivam Mavi was an important member of the Indian team that lifted the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup. The fast-bowling all-rounder has so far played 32 IPL matches picking up 30 wickets at an economy of 8.71.

Ravi Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi has been a prominent name in the LSG squad since the franchise’s IPL debut. He was the highest wicket-taker for Lucknow in IPL 2023 taking 16 wickets in 15 matches at an impressive economy of 7.74.

Naveen-ul-Haq

Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq has taken over 200 wickets in 170 T20 matches at an economy of 8.20 so far. He played a pivotal role in LSG’s success last year.

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Amit Mishra/Yash Thakur

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Cheteshwar Pujara Considered For England Tests But Not Selected – Report Reveals Reason

admin — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 11:04:06 +0000

File photo of Cheteshwar Pujara© AFP

Indian cricket team batter Cheteshwar Pujara was considered for the last three Test matches against England in the recently concluded series but chief selector Ajit Agarkar decided to go with youngster Devdutt Padikkal, according to a report. Padikkal was included in the India squad after KL Rahul was ruled out due to injury ahead of the third Test match in Rajkot. The report claimed that Pujara was considered because of his impressive domestic record but Agarkar believed that Padikkal’s height will be an added advantage against the England bowlers and he was also going well in Ranji Trophy.

“It was Agarkar who suggested Jurel’s name. The team management wasn’t too confident about him as he was still a rookie. Picking a youngster who hasn’t had much red-ball exposure at the top level straightaway into the Indian side for an important series like England was always going to be a brave call but Agarkar had seen enough to vouch for the youngster,” a BCCI source told Hindustan Times.

“There was a discussion about Cheteshwar Pujara, who was scoring runs in Ranji Trophy. The batting line-up literally had no experience. But Agarkar stood firm on looking ahead with Padikkal’s selection. He was present when he hit a fluent 150 in a Ranji Trophy and he believed that his height would come in handy against the inexperienced England spinners,” the source added.

Padikkal finally made his debut for India in the final Test in Dharamsala and the left-hander looked in control against the England bowlers as he scored a gritty 65 in the first innings.

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“You Will Have Nerves”: Devdutt Padikkal Reveals Rahul Dravid’s Message Ahead Of Debut Test

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 16:16:34 +0000

Winning wholesome praise from pundits and fans after coming up with a polished hand in his debut inning in the ongoing fifth Test against England, Devdutt Padikkal on Friday revealed the golden word of advice he received from head coach Rahul Dravid after he received his India cap from veteran Ravi Ashwin on Day 1. The elegant southpaw, who managed to translate his form for Karnataka this Ranji season into runs in his debut Test, said the words of encouragement he received from coach Dravid after earning his India Test cap helped him to construct a neat and nerveless debut fifty on Day 2 of the Dharamshala Test.

Making an impression with his composed demeanour, combined with the lazy elegance of a southpaw, Padikkal stroked a fine 65 off 103 deliveries, an innings studded with 10 four and a six.

Showing no nerves on the crease and growing in confidence with every single he ran and every boundary he stroked, Padikkal raised a 97-run stand with Sarfaraz Khan, steadying the hosts after skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill fell in quick succession in the post-Lunch session.

Revealing how Dravid words helped him fight off nerves and play with freedom in his debut Test, Padikkal, in a pitchside interview after the end of the day’s play at the HPCA stadium on Day 2, said, “Rahul Sir mentioned: ‘in the first 10-15 minutes you will have nerves, but go out and enjoy it’. Those words definitely helped me. I felt we could have batted a bit better, could have carried on a bit better in the last session.”

During his stay at the crease, the lanky Karnataka batter creamed some pleasing boundaries in between some lucky edges, settling nerves in the dressing room after the fall of two quick wickets. “I just wanted to be ready (talking about the debut blues), I got the message the previous day that there is a possibility that I could play. These opportunities are rare to come and I was ready and prepared for this challenge. I was a bit nervous going in, but I wanted to make sure that I wanted to use that energy in a positive way. It was a bit challenging at the beginning (when I walked out to bat), but I wanted to put my head down and build a partnership with Sarfaraz,” Padikkal added.

“At the start, I was a bit tentative (while batting) to get going, but once I got my eye in it got much easier. There was a bit of reverse and those are two (Anderson and Stokes) top-quality bowlers you are facing. It was challenging, but I wanted to get used to the wicket. It was challenging the last couple of years, because of my health issues (had problems with his gut health) which are well-documented, so when you are sitting at home and not doing anything, it surely wasn’t a pleasant feeling, but I wanted to make the most of the opportunity whenever it comes. It’s always great to have familiar faces (while on debut), especially,” the debutant said.

On receiving his Test cap from a teammate, who has been a veteran of many battles and is playing his 100th Test at Dharamshala, Padikkal said, “It’s a special feeling (getting his debut Test cap) no matter what the circumstances, to live in that dream is something special.”

After ruling the roost in the first two sessions of play on Day 2, the hosts ceded ground in the session after Tea as it suffered a late-order collapse to be reduced to 428/8.

After skipper Rohit and Shubhman bossed the visitors in the opening session and after Lunch, both bringing up fine centuries in the process, England made a comeback of sorts largely on the back of a four-wicket haul by Somerset off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who found appreciable purchase from the surface in the last session.

However, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah steadied the ship thereafter for the hosts, as they put up an unbeaten 45-run stand to ensure India didn’t lose any further wickets by the close of play.

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Devdutt Padikkal Reveals How ‘Words’ From Dravid ‘Helped’ Him Score Debut Test Fifty Against England

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:15:38 +0000

Winning wholesome praise from pundits and fans after coming up with a polished hand in his debut inning in the ongoing fifth Test against England, Devdutt Padikkal on Friday revealed the golden word of advice he received from head coach Rahul Dravid after he received his India cap from veteran Ravi Ashwin on Day 1. The elegant southpaw, who managed to translate his form for Karnataka this Ranji season into runs in his debut Test, said the words of encouragement he received from coach Dravid after earning his India Test cap helped him to construct a neat and nerveless debut fifty on Day 2 of the Dharamshala Test.
Making an impression with his composed demeanour, combined with the lazy elegance of a southpaw, Padikkal stroked a fine 65 off 103 deliveries, an innings studded with 10 four and a six.

Showing no nerves on the crease and growing in confidence with every single he ran and every boundary he stroked, Padikkal raised a 97-run stand with Sarfaraz Khan, steadying the hosts after skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill fell in quick succession in the post-Lunch session.

Revealing how Dravid words helped him fight off nerves and play with freedom in his debut Test, Padikkal, in a pitchside interview after the end of the day’s play at the HPCA stadium on Day 2, said, “Rahul Sir mentioned: ‘in the first 10-15 minutes you will have nerves, but go out and enjoy it’. Those words definitely helped me. I felt we could have batted a bit better, could have carried on a bit better in the last session.”

During his stay at the crease, the lanky Karnataka batter creamed some pleasing boundaries in between some lucky edges, settling nerves in the dressing room after the fall of two quick wickets.

“I just wanted to be ready (talking about the debut blues), I got the message the previous day that there is a possibility that I could play. These opportunities are rare to come and I was ready and prepared for this challenge. I was a bit nervous going in, but I wanted to make sure that I wanted to use that energy in a positive way. It was a bit challenging at the beginning (when I walked out to bat), but I wanted to put my head down and build a partnership with Sarfaraz,” Padikkal added.
“At the start, I was a bit tentative (while batting) to get going, but once I got my eye in it got much easier. There was a bit of reverse and those are two (Anderson and Stokes) top-quality bowlers you are facing. It was challenging, but I wanted to get used to the wicket. It was challenging the last couple of years, because of my health issues (had problems with his gut health) which are well-documented, so when you are sitting at home and not doing anything, it surely wasn’t a pleasant feeling, but I wanted to make the most of the opportunity whenever it comes. It’s always great to have familiar faces (while on debut), especially,” the debutant said.
On receiving his Test cap from a teammate, who has been a veteran of many battles and is playing his 100th Test at Dharamshala, Padikkal said, “It’s a special feeling (getting his debut Test cap) no matter what the circumstances, to live in that dream is something special.”
After ruling the roost in the first two sessions of play on Day 2, the hosts ceded ground in the session after Tea as it suffered a late-order collapse to be reduced to 428/8.
After skipper Rohit and Shubhman bossed the visitors in the opening session and after Lunch, both bringing up fine centuries in the process, England made a comeback of sorts largely on the back of a four-wicket haul by Somerset off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who found appreciable purchase from the surface in the last session.
However, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah steadied the ship thereafter for the hosts, as they put up an unbeaten 45-run stand to ensure India didn’t lose any further wickets by the close of play.

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Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill Put India In Driver’s Seat Despite Late Batting Collapse In Dharamsala Test

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:44:52 +0000

Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s splendid hundreds gave India complete control of the fifth Test against England despite a late batting collapse that saw the hosts end day two at 473 for eight on Friday. India lost as many as five wickets for 97 runs in the final session after Rohit (103 off 162 balls) and Gill (110 off 150 balls) shared a stroke-filled 171-run partnership off 244 balls for the second wicket. Debutant Devdutt Padikkal (65 off 103) showed a lot of class in his debut innings while Sarfaraz Khan (56 off 60) was guilty of throwing away his wicket first ball after tea. The home team, which began the day at 135 for one, led England by 255 runs at stumps. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir (4/170 in 44 overs), who was taken to the cleaners by the Indian openers, bounced back strongly to take three wickets in the final session. Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley (2/126 in 39) too was impressive towards the end of the day while Mark Wood (0/89 in 15) was the most expensive.

The pitch remains good for batting and at 376 for three at tea, India looked set to bat England out of the game before the combination of good bowling and reckless batting kept the visitors alive in the match.

India scored at close to 4.5 runs per over until slowing down significantly in the final session.

Kuldeep Yadav spun the ball a lot more than fellow Indian spinners on day one but after a tough time in the first two sessions on day two, Bashir and Co. got a lot out of the surface.

Sarfaraz tried to cut a harmless ball off Bashir and ended up giving an easy catch to Joe Root at first slip. Padikkal got a gem from the England off-spinner that spun away from middle stump to hit the top of the off-stump. Like Sarfaraz, Dhruv Jurel (15) too went for an avoidable shot and perished.

After lunch, England captain Ben Stokes bowled Rohit Sharma off his first ball in nine months to give the visitors something to cheer about.

But Sarfaraz and Padikkal then got together and ensured runs kept flowing for the home team.

Stokes, who had been bowling only in the nets thus far, finally decided to roll his arm over in a match situation after nothing went England’s way in the morning session. He had stopped bowling owing to a knee injury and had undergone surgery last year.

Bowling the second over of the afternoon session, Stokes produced a peach that seamed away a touch from good length to dislodge Rohit’s off-stump.

In the next over, James Anderson bowled Gill with a beauty that seamed back in, leaving India at 279 for three.

In his debut game, Padikkal’s off-side play stood out as he regaled the crowd with exquisite back-foot punches and cover drives.

Sarfaraz, on the other hand, started slowly before changing gears both against pace and spin. What attracted most attention was his attacking play against the express pace of Mark Wood.

His game against fast bowlers has been questioned but Sarfaraz was razor sharp on Friday as he dispatched Wood for a lofted back-drive before pulling him for a six over over backward square leg. He also played a ramp shot off Wood using the extra pace and bounce that he generated.

In the morning, skipper Rohit and Gill struck hundreds as India pressed the advantage in the game by reaching 264 for one at lunch.

Rohit and Gill walked out in the middle in bright sunshine and milked the conditions to take India well past England’s first innings total of 218.

England tried everything to contain them, whether it was employing the leg-slip for Rohit when Bashir was in operation or Wood using the odd short ball against the overnight unbeaten duo with as many as six fielders on the leg side.

However, nothing worked for the visitors despite the Barmy Army making a lot more noise compared to Indian fans at the stunning HPCA stadium. Rohit and Gill collected 129 runs from 30 overs in the two hours of play.

Rohit and Gill gave themselves an over each after start of play before going for their strokes.

Off-spinner Bashir opened the bowling alongside Anderson and was put under immense pressure by Rohit, who deposited him for a straight six and a four in his second over to set the tone.

Gill, who played some audacious strokes on the opening day, carried on in the same vein as he took two steps forward against the great Anderson for a straight six, which was followed by a square cut.

The only real chance that England had in the session went begging when Zak Crawley could not latch on to a sharp catch offered by Rohit at leg-slip.

Wood resorted to the short ball tactic against the well-set duo but that did not work either.

Rohit completed his 12th Test hundred and second of the series by flicking Tom Hartley for a single.

Two ball later, Gill followed him into three digits by slog-sweeping Bashir for a four. After completing his second ton of the series, Gill took his helmet off and bowed to the spectators in the stands including his proud father Lakhwinder.

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Ravichandran Ashwin Recalls Devdutt Padikkal’s “Physical Trauma” As Youngster Makes Test Debut

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:09:23 +0000

Youngster Devdutt Padikkal made his Test debut for India on Thursday in the Dharamshala match against England. The southpaw received his Test cap from Ravichandran Ashwin, who made 100th appearance in the format. Heaping praises on Padikkal, Ashwin advised the young batter to guard and cherish the moment and express himself on the ground. It is worth noting that left-handed batter Padikkal was included in India’s playing XI as Rajat Patidar missed the final Test match against England due to injury.

“As a very young kid who came on, burst onto the scene, captivated the imagination of a lot of people through T20 cricket, came up through the ranks as the star-studded boy from his state. He went through something that a youngster will also always find hard to go to,” said Ashwin praising Padikkal.

The youngster had to go through a lot due to a COVID-19 infection and a stomach-related health complication. From 2021 to early 2023, he kept struggling to stay fit.

“Physical trauma literally was found hanging in balance whether he would play cricket. Life has been very kind, he has fought through it. Maybe that’s what makes you a much more harder individual and a harder cricketer to go through life,” said Ashwin.

Quite a setting!

A special occasion to make your Test debut!

From a landmark man to #TeamIndia‘s newest Test entrant!

Follow the match https://t.co/jnMticF6fc #INDvENG | @ashwinravi99 | @devdpd07 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/1ihKZ1a3jD

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 7, 2024

“Today, he is standing amongst us, going to make his debut in this wonderful setting along with my 100th Test. But Dev, remember one thing, Karnataka has produced a lot of wonderful international cricketers, the man is standing opposite to you, but mind you, that’s not your burden to carry. Today is your day. Guard it, cherish it, and express yourself,” he added.

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Devdutt Padikkal: Overcoming Health Complications To Land A Dream Test Debut

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 10:06:15 +0000

Devdutt Padikkal beamed broadly while receiving his India Test cap from Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday but the happy exterior masked the struggles the 23-year-old had to go through over the last two years to reach this dream point. After making his India debut in 2021 during a T20I against Sri Lanka, Devdutt’s career graph did not go up as expected due to a COVID-19 infection and a stomach-related health complication. “Those two years (2021 to early 2023), he was struggling to stay fit and healthy. He suffered from loss of weight too. It was a constant stomach bug that was troubling him.

“We kept talking to each other over phone, and incidentally, I was also having the same condition and we were consulting the same doctor in the Jain Hospital without each other knowing,” Irfan Sait, the founder of Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC), told PTI.

“Mohammed Naseerudden, another coach here, too has been close to him and kept in touch with him during those low-mood phases.” However, Devdutt has this in-built streak of determination to hurdle over obstacles.

“I have known Devdutt from the age of 11 when he relocated to Bangalore from Hyderabad to pursue a career in cricket. He was a determined kid and the illness did not change anything.

“He worked really hard on his fitness and diet ahead of the 2023 season because he wanted to get back to the place where he was in 2020-21,” he said.

The hard work did not go in vain. The graceful left-hander had a fine 2023-24 season for Karnataka across the formats.

He opened the season scoring 119 runs in five T20s while striking at 118 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but bettered those stats in the ensuing Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Devdutt was the highest run-getter for Karnataka with 465 runs from five matches with two hundreds and three fifties. He averaged a mind-boggling 155 in that tournament and struck runs at 120.46.

But he slipped into his real self in the Ranji Trophy. Devdutt could play only four matches, courtesy his national duties, but emerged as the leading run-scorer for the state with 556 runs.

He averaged 92.66 and registered three hundreds, including a season-topping 193 against Punjab.

But his 105 for India A against England Lions at Ahmedabad and 151 against Tamil Nadu at Chennai turned the tide for him, as the latter innings was seen in person by chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

“Once KL Rahul did not pass the fitness test (ahead of the third Test against England), India needed a replacement.

“Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar held a brief discussion and the latter was mighty impressed with Devdutt after that Chennai innings and recommended his name,” said a BCCI official on conditions of anonymity.

Sait was confident that Devdutt would exploit this opening to the hilt.

“There is absolutely nothing in his life apart from cricket. I know him as a child and he has been a topper in the U14, U16 and U19 levels. He worked very hard to add batting skills after starting as an off-spinner.

“Now, the way he battled past his health complications is a tribute to his character and determination. There would not have been a happier person than me when I got a message from him about his impending first Test,” he added.

Other debutants like Dhurv Jurel, Akash Deep and Sarfaraz Khan have had their moments in this series against England. Now, it’s the turn of Devdutt to add a page to that flipbook.

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India vs England: Why Rajat Patidar Missed Out On 5th Test, Rohit Sharma Explains

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 03:58:20 +0000

Rajat Patidar missed out on 5th Test against England© BCCI/Sportzpics

The Indian cricket team announced one change in the team for the 5th Test against England in Dharamsala, with Devdutt Padikkal becoming the 314th player to represent the team in the longest format of the game. Padikkal replaced Rajat Patidar in the team, with skipper Rohit Sharma revealing at the time of the toss that the Royal Challengers Bangalore man injured himself in a training session before the final match of the series.

Though Patidar’s performance in the series so far wasn’t the best, captain Rohit had backed the batter in the press conference on the eve of the Dharamsala Test. However, Rohit himself revealed that Padikkal will be replacing Patidar in the playing XI.

“We would have batted first as well. We have done really well so far in this series and an opportunity to finish on a high. There should be good bounce on this pitch than the games before in this series. Good pitch to bat on and I don’t think it will deteriorate that much. Ash has been a real stalwart of Indian cricket. Such a proud moment for him, his nation and the family. We will be rooting for him to do the magic,” Rohit said on Thursday morning.

Rohit Sharma confirms Rajat Patidar got injured last evening, so Devdutt Padikkal is making his debut. pic.twitter.com/pLUu0NPIDJ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 7, 2024

The Patidar, Padikkal swap wasn’t the only change in the team, with Jasprit Bumrah returning to the team, in place of Akash Deep.

“Bumrah is back, Akash Deep misses out. Devdutt Padikkal makes his debut as Patidar got injured last evening,” Rohit concluded.

Giving an update on Patidar’s status, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said: “Rajat Patidar got hit on his left ankle during Team India’s practice session on 6th March, 2024. He pulled up sore on the morning of the game and was not available for selection for the 5th Test.”

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Ex-India Coach Suggests Two Huge Changes To Playing XI For Dharamsala Test

admin — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 18:09:44 +0000

Indian cricket team players in practice© AFP

Former Indian cricket team coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Devdutt Padikkal can make his debut during the fifth Test match against England in Dharamsala on Thursday. Rajat Patidar has failed to impress in the past couple of matches and in a recent interaction, Bangar said that the team management can bring in Padikkal considering the fact that India have already won the series. He also suggested that Kuldeep Yadav should make way for Jasprit Bumrah who will get a lot of help from the pitch.

“It will be slightly cold and there will be a little seam movement because of the altitude at which the ground is located. Because of that, there will be one condition-based change. Jasprit Bumrah can return in place of Kuldeep Yadav. So India will play with three fast bowlers – (Mohammed) Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep,” said Bangar during a discussion on Star Sports.

“Because Rajat (Patidar) hasn’t scored runs in three Test matches, you can see a new debutant there. The Indian team can give a chance to Devdutt Padikkal. So two changes according to me,” he added.

Test cricket will see two players featuring in their 100th game together for only the fourth time when India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow take the field.

The first such occasion was when former England captain Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart reached the landmark against the West Indies at Old Trafford back in 2000.

The second instance involved three players as South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Stephen Fleming played their 100th Test in the South Africa-New Zealand game in Centurion in 2006.

The third was Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke in the England-Australia Ashes contest in Perth in 2013.

Ashwin and Bairstow will be representing their respective teams in the fifth and final Test here from Thursday.

It will also mark only the second occasion when two players from the opposing teams will be playing their 100th Test in the same game.

(With PTI inputs)

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India’s Predicted XI vs England 5th Test: Devdutt Padikkal To Replace Rajat Patidar?

admin — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 03:59:29 +0000

The Rohit Sharma-led Team India is all set to take on England in the fifth and final Test of the five-match series, starting March 7 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. The Anthony de Mello Trophy has already been clinched by India as they head into the fifth match of the series with a 3-1 lead. England began the series on a winning note at Hyderabad. However, India bounced back with three successive wins to hand England their first Test series defeat since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took charge as coach and captain, respectively.

Heading into the Dharamsala Test, team India is mulling over the possibility give a Test cap to Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal.

Since KL Rahul has been ruled out of the final Test and Rajat Patidar has failed to impress with the bat, it seems likely that Padikkal will get the nod for the fifth Test.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who reached 500 Test wickets in Rajkot, becoming the second-fastest to the milestone in terms of Tests played, is all set to play his 100th Test at Dharamsala. Here’s a look at India’s predicted playing XI for the fifth Test against England.

India’s Predicted Playing XI against England in the Fifth Test

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been having a dream run in the ongoing series as the southpaw has amassed 655 runs in eight innings at an impressive average of 93.57.

So far, Jaiswal has smashed two hundreds and just as many fifties with his highest score being 214* at Rajkot. He is also the highest run-getter in the series.

2. Rohit Sharma (c) has had his share of ups and downs in the red-ball format since the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, the batting legend has done well to lead an inexperienced team in the absence of prominent names like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Shami.

He’s scored 297 runs in the series so far at an average of 37.12 and will be looking to lead his team by example in the final Test of the series.

3. Shubman Gill has had a rollercoaster ride in the ongoing red-ball series. After failing to score runs in the Hyderabad Test, he bounced back with a majestic hundred in the second innings at Vizag.

Gill has accumulated 342 runs in four Tests at a decent average of 48.85.

4. Devdutt Padikkal replaced an injured KL Rahul in the third Test and is likely to make his debut in the fifth. Padikkal has done well in the domestic circuit and has made 556 runs from six innings in the ongoing Ranji Trophy for Karnataka.

5. Sarfaraz Khan was a part of the 2016 U19 World Cup and earned his debut for India after accumulating plenty of runs on the domestic circuit. He scored 62 and an unbeaten 68 in his Test bow to help set up a 434-run win – India’s biggest Test win by runs.

6. Ravindra Jadeja – the world’s No.1 all-rounder in Tests – needs no introduction. He has been in a sublime touch in the ongoing series, scoring 217 runs besides also bagging 17 wickets in three Tests.

His fine performances earned him the Player of the Match award in the Rajkot Test, in which he scored a hundred and bagged a five-wicket haul.

7. Dhruv Jurel (wk) received his first Test cap in the Rajkot Test. However, Jurel made his presence felt with the bat when he joined hands with Gill for an important partnership in the fourth Test to help India to victory with a Player of the Match performance.

8. Ravichandran Ashwin is among the top wicket-takers in the series. Ashwin has grabbed 17 wickets in eight innings which included his 500th Test wicket. He bagged a five-wicket haul in the last Test and is set to play his 100th Test at Dharamsala.

9. Kuldeep Yadav – India’s premier chinaman bowler – has consistently delivered with the ball in the ongoing series. Kuldeep has scalped 12 wickets in six innings at an average of 22.58 and has also made important contributions with the bat.

10. Mohammed Siraj has had a decent Test series against the Englishmen. Siraj has picked up six wickets in three Test matches so far and can prove to be effective on the Dharamsala pitches.

11. Jasprit Bumrah – India’s go-to fast bowler in any format – has been a nightmare for the visitors, especially for Joe Root in the ongoing series. Bumrah has starred with 17 wickets in six innings at an impressive average of 13.64 and an economy of 2.87.

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