Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Rahane expects change in India's fortunes on turning Chennai track

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane hopes they can level the four-test series against England by flexing their spin muscles in the second match beginning on Saturday on a more spin-friendly track at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium.

England triumphed by 227 runs at the same venue earlier this week with skipper Joe Root producing a spin masterclass with a double hundred.


Root and his team mates employed the sweep shot -- both traditional and reverse -- to negate turn with only off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin managing to trouble them occasionally.

Rahane told reporters on Friday that the new track chosen for the second test looked more to their liking.

"It looks completely different. I'm sure it will turn from day one, but again we'll have to wait and see how it plays in the first session," he said.

"We have to forget what happened in the first test and focus on this, and play good cricket.

"We know these conditions really well. We have to put our best foot forward tomorrow and play as a team."

Against an India lineup known for their proficiency with spin, England off-spinner Dom Bess claimed 4-76 in the first innings while left-arm spinner Jack Leach returned the same figures in the second.

Rahane said they cannot not just blindly copy England's template to try to dominate the spinners in the second match.

"England came up with some plans playing sweep and reverse sweep, but it's not necessary that we are going to play similar shots," the middle-order batsman explained.

"It's all about what they bowl and how we attack their line and length and play our game."

Fit-again spinner Axar Patel is likely to make his test debut on Saturday, while India could also be tempted to play left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, ahead of all-rounder Washington Sundar.

Rahane said they had faith in their spin attack, led by veteran Ashwin.

"If you see their second innings, all our spinners, especially Ashwin, bowled really well," Rahane said of the opening test.

"In India, if the ball is turning, oppositions are under pressure. We are not too concerned how our spinners are bowling.

"I'm sure they'll come up with a plan tomorrow and bowl really well."

More For You

WTC-winners-Reuters

Australia's Pat Cummins celebrates with the ICC Test Mace on the podium along with teammates after winning the World Test Championship final in 2023. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

ICC increases prize money for WTC final; winners to get $3.6 million

THE WINNERS of next month’s World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa will receive $3.6 million, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday after raising the prize money.

The ICC has increased the prize pool significantly. In the previous WTC final held in 2023, Australia won $1.6 million after beating India, who took home $800,000 as runners-up.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kohli reflects on retirement: "Not easy, but feels right"

Virat Kohli

Kohli reflects on retirement: "Not easy, but feels right"

VIRAT KOHLI, one of the finest cricketers of the modern era, officially drew the curtain on his Test career on Monday (12), leaving behind a legacy that will be hard to match.

The announcement came in an emotional message on Instagram to his 271 million followers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Overton

England’s Jamie Overton (Chennai Super Kings) is among the players who will miss the latter part of the tournament, which is scheduled to end on June 3.

Getty Images

IPL allows temporary replacements after Overton, Fraser-McGurk withdraw

THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL) has announced that teams will now be allowed to bring in temporary replacements for the rest of the tournament, following the withdrawal of several overseas players.

The IPL resumes on Saturday after being paused due to the India-Pakistan conflict. The new schedule overlaps with international fixtures, leading to the unavailability of multiple players.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan Super League to resume after ceasefire

Vendors pack their belongings as they leave Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium following the postponement of the Pakistan Super League match after the alleged shooting of a drone outside the stadium in Rawalpindi on May 8. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Pakistan Super League to resume after ceasefire

THE Pakistan Super League (PSL) will resume on May 17 after being postponed last week due to attacks between India and Pakistan. Australian cricketer David Warner has confirmed he will return to play.

The match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings, scheduled for May 8, was postponed after a drone attack occurred near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less
ipl

The other venues for the remaining league matches are Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Getty Images

Remainder of IPL to be held from May 17 to June 3

THE REMAINDER of the Indian Premier League will be held from May 17 to June 3 across six venues, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Monday.

The tournament was paused last week due to clashes between India and Pakistan. Following a ceasefire agreement, the BCCI has decided to conduct the 17 remaining matches.

Keep ReadingShow less