The Barsapara Cricket Stadium is an international cricket venue located in Guwahati, Assam.

Also known as Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium or the Assam Cricket Association Stadium, the Barsapara Cricket Stadium was established in 2012 and has a seating capacity of around 40,000.

Owned and operated by the Assam Cricket Association, it became India's 49th international cricket venue. 

The Barsapara Cricket Stadium staged its first international cricket match, a T20 played between hosts India and Australia in October 2017. Led by David Warner, Australia won the game by eight wickets. 

It later hosted its first One-Day International (ODI) featuring India and West Indies in October 2018. The hosts won the match convincingly by eight wickets.

Since then, Barsapara Cricket Stadium has staged four T20Is and two ODIs so far.

Apart from international matches, it has also staged several Indian T20 League matches and other T20 matches in domestic as well as at club levels.

Let’s have a closer look at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats.

Barsapara Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats

Highest total

The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. During the second T20I of South Africa’s tour of India in October 2022, the Rohit Sharma-led hosts posted 237/3 in their 20 overs after being put into bat. India rode on fifties from Suryakumar Yadav (61 not out) and KL Rahul (57) along with contributions from Virat Kohli (49 not out) and Rohit Sharma (43) to post a record T20 total at the venue in Guwahati. In reply, South Africa scored 221/3 in their allotted overs and fell short by just 16 runs. India won the three match T20I series 2-1.

Lowest total

The Services cricket team registered the lowest total at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in the T20 format. Put into bat, Services could only manage 90/8 in their 20 overs against Bengal during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Elite Group match in November 2021. Wicketkeeper-batter Devender Lochab top-scored for Services with 34 not out. For Bengal, left-arm spinner Pradipta Pramanik was the wrecker-in-chief with 2/16 in his quota of four overs. Bengal later chased down the target in just 10.5 overs to register a nine-wicket victory in Guwahati.

Most runs

Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has scored the most runs at the venue in T20 cricket. Representing Mumbai, the stylish right-handed batter amassed 163 runs in three matches at an average of 54.33 and a strike rate of 141.73 in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021. His former teammate Manish Pandey features second on the list with 146 runs in six games at this ground in T20 format.

Most wickets

Shubham Agarwal, Mohit Avasthi and Krishnappa Gowtham share the record for the most wickets at this cricket ground in the T20 format. Playing for Chhattisgarh, Shubham Agarwal bagged seven wickets in just two T20 matches at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. On the other hand, Mumbai right-arm medium pacer Mohit Avasthi also claimed seven scalps in three T20 games at this venue. Meanwhile, Karnataka right-arm off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham also featured in the list with seven wickets in four T20 matches at this venue.

Highest individual score

India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad holds the record for the highest individual score at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. Opening the batting, Ruturaj Gaikwad slammed an unbeaten 123 off just 57 balls against Australia in the third T20I of a five-match T20I series in 2023. His scintillating knock was laced with 13 fours and seven maximums to power India to 222/3 in their 20 overs. However, Ruturaj’s magnificent ton went in vain as Australia chased down the target to secure a five-wicket win in Guwahati.

Best bowling figures

Chhattisgarh spinner Shubham Agarwal has the best bowling figures at this venue in the T20 format. The talented leg-spinner registered match-winning figures of 5/13 against Services during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Elite Group B match in 2021. Defending 176, Shubham Agarwal dismissed Anshul Gupta, Vikas Hathwala, Sachidanand Pandey, Devender Lochab and Rahul Singh to bowl out Services for 141 in 19.5 overs. Earlier, Chhattisgarh scored 176/3 in their allotted overs to win the match by 35 runs.

Highest partnership

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and David Miller hold the record for the highest partnership at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. Chasing 238, South Africa were reduced to 47/3 in 6.2 overs against India in the second T20I of a three-match series in October 2022. Later, Quinton de Kock and David Miller stitched an unbeaten 174-run stand for the fourth wicket in Guwahati. While de Kock scored 69 not out, Miller remained unbeaten on a 47-ball 106. Despite their incredible partnership, South Africa lost the game by 16 runs. 

Photo credit: Alamy

The JSCA International Stadium Complex is a world-class cricket venue located in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Owned and operated by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association, the JSCA International Stadium Complex was inaugurated in January 2013.

With a seating capacity of 39,000, it is the home ground of the Jharkhand cricket team.

The JSCA International Stadium Complex staged its first international match in January 2013, a One-Day International (ODI) between India and England. Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India won the ODI by seven wickets.

Three years later, it hosted its first T20 international played between India and Sri Lanka.

In March 2017, the Ranchi cricket stadium staged its first Test match as the Indian cricket team hosted Australia. The match later ended in a draw.

Since then, it hosted one more Test played between India and South Africa. The Virat Kohli-led India thrashed the Proteas in that Test.

Let’s have a look at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi Test records and stats:

JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi Stadium Test records and stats

Highest total

The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Test cricket. During the third Test of Australia’s tour of India in 2017, the hosts posted the highest total of 603/9d in their first innings at this venue. After bowling out Australia for 451 in their first innings, India rode on tons from Cheteshwar Pujara’s 202, as well as Wriddhiman Saha’s 117, along with contributions from Murali Vijay (82), KL Rahul (67) and Ravindra Jadeja (54) to register a mammoth total on the board. Despite India’s huge first innings total, the match ended in a draw in Ranchi.

Lowest total

The South Africa cricket team recorded the lowest total at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Tests. The visitors were bundled out for 133 in 48 overs in their second innings of the Ranchi Test in October 2019. Theunis de Bruyn top-scored for the Proteas with 30. For India, Mohammed Shami picked up three wickets while Umesh Yadav and Shahbaz Nadeem scalped two wickets each. Led by Virat Kohli, India earlier enforced follow-on after they bowled out South Africa for 162 in their first innings. The hosts posted 497/9d in their first innings courtesy Rohit Sharma’s 212 and Ajinkya Rahane’s 115 to win the match by an innings and 202 runs.

Most runs

India cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format. The swashbuckling right-handed batter has scored 212 runs in the solitary innings that he played at this venue in Test cricket. Cheteshwar Pujara features second on the list with 202 runs in one Test match. Among the visiting sides, Australia’s Steve Smith has the most Test runs, having scored 199 runs in two innings. 

Most wickets

India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has the most wickets at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Test cricket. The slow left-arm orthodox spinner has already bagged 12 wickets in two matches at an average of 19.41. He has one four-wicket haul and one fifer at this venue in Tests. Compatriot Umesh Yadav is second on the list with eight wickets in two Tests.

Highest individual score

Rohit Sharma holds the record for the highest individual score at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Tests. While opening the batting, Rohit Sharma slammed 212 off 255 balls in the first innings of the third Test of South Africa’s tour of India in 2019. His magnificent double century was laced with 28 fours and six maximums to help India post 497/9d. The hosts later bowled out South Africa for 162 and 133 in their two innings to win the Ranchi Test by an innings and 202 runs.

Best bowling figures in an innings

India’s star spinner Ravindra Jadeja recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in 2017. The left-arm spinner registered brilliant figures of 5/124 to help bowl out Australia for 451 in their first innings. Jadeja dismissed David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s impressive spell, Australia managed to pull off a draw in Ranchi.

Best bowling figures in a match

Ravindra Jadeja also holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. The Indian spinner took nine wickets during the third Test of Australia’s tour of India in 2017. While Jadeja took five wickets for 124 runs in the first innings, he claimed four wickets for 54 runs in the second innings. The match later ended in a draw.

Highest partnership

India’s Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane registered the highest partnership at this ground in Test cricket. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane forged a massive 267-run stand for the fourth wicket in the first innings of the third Test against South Africa in 2019. Rohit hammered 212 while Rahane scored 115. India won the Test by an innings and 202 runs.

Photo credit: Alamy

India cricket team batter Ajinkya Rahane made a return to the Test fold after the BCCI announced a 15-man squad for the World Test Championship 2023 (WTC) final against Australia in June.

Rahane, who made his red-ball debut in 2013, wasn’t a part of India’s Test squad since January 2022. His last Test was against South Africa in Cape Town last year and saw him make 9 and 1 across the two innings.

Overall, he managed just 136 runs across six innings during the three-match Test series against South Africa, and his lean run of form resulted in him being dropped from the India squad.

However, a combination of injuries to key players as well as a great run of form in the ongoing 2023 Indian T20 League campaign resulted in his comeback to India’s Test fold. 

Furthermore, Rahane also topped the run-scoring charts for Mumbai during their 2022-23 campaign having amassed 634 runs at an average of 57.63, including two centuries.

Rahane was the only surprise in India’s squad selection with Rohit Sharma set to lead the team. Besides Rahane and Rohit, the other four specialist batters who are a part of the squad are Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill. 

The likes of Shreyas Iyer and pace ace Jasprit Bumrah miss out due to back injuries that have kept them on the treatment table. Rishabh Pant, who was involved in a serious last December, is another notable absentee with KS Bharat roped in as his replacement for the WTC final.

The WTC final is slated to be held between June 7 and 11 at the Oval with a reserve day on June 12 also in hand. 

India qualified for the final following a 2-1 Test series win at home earlier this year and they will be eager to go one step further after falling short in the last WTC final against New Zealand.

India squad for WTC 2023 final

India squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat

Photo credit: Alamy

After suffering a 1-2 series defeat against South Africa in the rainbow nation, out-of-form senior India cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been dropped for the upcoming two-Test home series against Sri Lanka starting in March.

While both Pujara and Rahane were part of the Indian cricket team’s several impressive Test series victories in the last decade, the duo have struggled with their form in the last two years.

Since the start of 2020, Rajkot-born Pujara could manage just 973 runs in 38 innings at an average of 26.29. Though the Saurashtra cricketer registered eight half-centuries during this time, his last century came during the 2018-19 tour of Australia.

Similarly, Rahane has also been short of runs for the last two years, amassing 819 runs in 35 innings at an average of 24.08 with three fifties and one century during this period.

 

The below-par performances from both Pujara and Rahane forced the selectors to take a harsh decision, leading to their removal from the Test squad.

Here we look at a few players who can permanently replace Pujara and Rahane in the Indian Test playing XI:

Hanuma Vihari

While Hanuma Vihari hasn’t been the most consistent since making his Test debut against England in 2018, the 28-year-old has impressed in his short international career and is expected to be given a longer run in the middle-order in the upcoming Test matches. So far, Vihari has scored 684 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 34.20 with four fifties and one century to his name. The right-hander also had a successful South Africa tour for India A, registering scores of 54, 72*, 63, and 13* besides making a fighting unbeaten 40 in the second innings of India’s second Test against South Africa last month. Considering Vihari’s solid technique, he could become a vital cog in the middle-order for years to come.

Shreyas Iyer

Mumbai cricketer Shreyas Iyer hogged the limelight after he slammed a hundred on his Test debut against New Zealand in Kanpur. Iyer became just the 16th Indian cricketer to register a ton in their debut Test match. The 27-year-old continued to impress in the series as he amassed 202 runs in two Tests at an impressive average of 50.50. He could be a perfect replacement for Ajinkya Rahane in the middle-order but it remains to be seen if Iyer can cash in on this opportunity and finally live up to his billing as one of Indian cricket’s brightest talents.

Shubman Gill

With captain Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul expected to open the innings for India in the longest format, the team management could utilize highly-rated Shubman Gill in the middle-order. The Punjab-born cricketer has already played some scintillating innings at the top of the order, scoring 558 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 32.82.

 

 

However, experts believe that with the kind of technique that Gill possesses, he might flourish batting in the middle-order in Test cricket. While he has mostly batted as an opener in his brief Test career so far, a move down to the middle order could be just what Gill needs to start flourishing and fulfill his promise as a batter in the Indian red-ball team.

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal has performed exceedingly well when given an opportunity in the Indian Test set-up. The swashbuckling opener has accumulated 1429 runs in 19 Test matches at an average of 43.30. He has hit four tons as well as six half-centuries in his Test career so far and has performed in pressure situations and difficult conditions abroad. However, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul set to be the first choice openers in the Indian Test playing XI, Agarwal getting a spot at the top of the order seems highly unlikely although Rahane and Pujara’s exclusion may have just paved a way for him into the team at number five.

Featured photo: WILLIAM WEST /Patrick HAMILTON /Punit PARANJPE /AFP

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and England pacer James Anderson were involved in a heated exchange during the first session on Day 4 of the second Test at Lord's on Sunday.

The visitors seemed to be under the pump after losing both their in-form openers KL Rahul (5) and Rohit Sharma (21) with India reeling at 27/2 before Kohli walked into bat at No. 4 at the end of the 11th over.

The short delivery does the trick for Mark Wood as he dismisses Rohit Sharma!

He is on

are 27/2.#WTC23 | #ENGvIND | http://t.co/rhWT865o91 pic.twitter.com/zdIwKBBRU7

�?ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2021

As India felt the pressure, tempers flared between Kohli and Anderson during the 17th over of the day. Team India skipper was spotted complaining to the umpire that the veteran England fast bowler was deliberately running on the danger zone of the pitch, which further irked Anderson who later exchanged heated words with Kohli.

“You swearing at me again are you? This isn't your fu**ing backyard," Kohli was heard telling Anderson on the stump mic.

"Chirp chirp chirp. This is what old age makes you do," Kohli added after Anderson completed his fifth delivery of the over.

While at the crease, Kohli looked in good touch before poking at a delivery from England left-arm pacer Sam Curran. The Indian captain ended up giving a simple catch to wicket-keeper Jos Buttler and was dismissed for 20.

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane stitched a 100-run partnership to bring India back into the game.

#TeamIndia's lead now surpasses 1�?�?�?

A gritty stand between @cheteshwar1 & @ajinkyarahane88 is going strong. #ENGvIND

Follow the match http://t.co/KGM2YELLde pic.twitter.com/tj626YvKeN

�?BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2021

However, both Pujara (45) and Rahane (61) fell in quick succession as India found themselves in trouble again at 167/5. The hosts piled on the misery as they then went on to pick the crucial wicket of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (3) after he was cleaned up by Moeen Ali.

India ended Day 4 at 181/6 with Rishabh Pant (14) and Ishant Sharma (4) batting at the crease. The visitors lead by 154 runs with four wickets in hand heading into the fifth and final day of the second Test.

Featured photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has claimed that he has already taken two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine. The off-spinner and India Test player declared this on his YouTube channel, in a video that was uploaded on May 6. 

“The only way we can escape corona is by getting vaccinated. I have also taken both doses of the vaccine,�?said the cricketer and now active YouTuber.  He also encourages the viewers and fans to mask up and line up for vaccines. 

Ashwin, who was a part of the Delhi team during the Indian T20 league left the tournament after four games when his family was reported to have been infected by COVID-19.

This claim raises questions whether the Indian Cricket Board administered vaccines to players while they were in bio-bubbles during the T20 league which was disrupted on May 3. 

The vaccine drive in the country was opened to all citizens over 18 only from May 1. Considering Ashwin is 34 years old, and the vaccine was only legally available from the start of the month, the question is how did the Tamil-Nadu cricketer manage to get both doses as of May 6? 

The interval between the two doses of vaccine has to be anywhere between six to eight weeks, as per India’s vaccination program. With this logic, there are further doubts on the ‘how�?of Ashwin’s claim.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is encouraging its players to take the vaccine, it is not clear whether the governing board had already made arrangements for its cricketers, even before the official date. 

Interestingly, Ashwin’s Delhi T20 teammate Shikhar Dhawan posted on social media about him getting the vaccine on May 6.

Vaccinated �?Can’t thank all our frontline warriors enough for their sacrifices and dedication. Please do not hesitate and get yourself vaccinated as soon as possible. It’ll help us all defeat this virus. pic.twitter.com/0bqBnsaWRh

�?Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 6, 2021

Another teammate, Ajinkya Rahane too followed suit with a Twitter post on Saturday, May 8. 

Got my first dose of the vaccine today. I urge everyone to register and get yourself vaccinated, if you’re eligible pic.twitter.com/VH2xYcTQ1i

�?Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) May 8, 2021

It is intriguing to note that despite being in the same team, and the bubble, how could Ashwin end up taking two shots, when his colleagues have got only one?

Photo: ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP

After years of hits and misses, Team Delhi reached their maiden finals of the Indian T20 League in the 2020 edition but finished as the second-best. This was seen as a sign of rejuvenation for a team that often stalled when a winning opportunity knocked on the door.

With Rishabh Pant taking over as Delhi captain in place of the injured Shreyas Iyer, onlookers are curious if the franchise can indeed end their title drought this year. However, considering their performances last term - where they lost just two league games in the first nine before winning one in the last five, consistency is something the 23-year-old will demand from his team-mates.

Delhi kick off their Indian T20 League 2021 season against Chennai at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, April 10, and upon closer look of their squad depth, it is safe to say the franchise can possibly go the distance in the latest edition.

Team Delhi squad

Shreyas Iyer’s absence is a massive blow to Delhi’s batting strategy in the Indian T20 League but the team can somehow fill the void with some powerful knocks from Steve Smith - acquired for a meagre fee of Rs 2.20 crores.

The 2020 finalists retained 19 players and released six players - which included the likes of Alex Carey, Keemo Paul and Jason Roy - ahead of the February auctions.

 

• Are Team Mumbai equipped to win their sixth Indian T20 League title?

 

With a purse of Rs 13.40 crores, Delhi weren’t expected to do much business but by adding Smith, Sam Billings (Rs 2 crores) and Umesh Yadav (Rs 1 crore), the team bolstered their options in the batting and pace bowling sector.

England all-rounder Tom Curran was the most expensive buy at Rs 5.25 crore and much will be expected from him in a pace line-up that consists of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Ishant Sharma, besides the 33-year-old Yadav.

Team Delhi squad for Indian T20 League 2021: Shreyas Iyer (ruled out), Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (captain and wicket-keeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Woakes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Lalit Yadav, Pravin Dubey, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan, Steve Smith, Umesh Yadav, Ripal Patel, Vishnu Vinod, Lukman Meriwala, Manimaran Siddarth, Tom Curran, Sam Billings

Team Delhi strength and weakness

Strengths:

Delhi is one of the few teams whose batting line-up is quite intimidating, and their performances in the 2020 season showcased their intent to challenge for the title. The likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant will be charged with laying the foundations for match-winning totals.

 

• Can Rajasthan finally find a good balance in Indian T20 League 2021 season?

 

Prithvi Shaw, who had a forgettable campaign with Delhi last term, warmed up for the upcoming season with 800-plus runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and will look to prove his detractors wrong.

In Marcus Stoinis, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, Delhi have some quality all-rounders who can chip in runs and also take wickets to place the tide of an Indian T20 League in their favour.

The middle-order batters had smashed 1290 runs last season, the most by batsmen in the #4 - #7 slot and the addition of Sam Billings should give an exciting injection to Delhi.

Weakness:

The presence of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Ishant Sharma already made Delhi’s bowling attack something for opposition to fear. But, it is their tendency to leak runs in crucial periods - such as the death overs - which could ultimately cost them a win. They have conceded 595 runs in the powerplay overs - third-most by any team. Pant must devise an effective plan around his bowlers and see that his strengths in the batting and bowling departments are equally balanced.

• Three things Delhi should do to win their maiden title

 

 

For Rishabh Pant, there isn’t a recognised wicket-keeper back-up for him in the Delhi team. Considering the new captain will have new responsibilities to shoulder, and fatigue likely to take a toll on him, the Ricky Ponting-coached team will have to shift their team dynamics should they give the keeping duties to Sam Billings.

Who can be the highest run-scorer for Team Delhi?

Rishabh Pant has had an enjoyable 2021 so far, with a string of match-winning performances in the recent series against England convincing the management to hand him the reigns of the Delhi captaincy. The 23-year-old has stacked 2079 runs in just 68 games at an average and strike rate of 35.23 and 151.97 respectively, a sign that he is prepared to anchor Delhi’s charge for a maiden Indian T20 League crown.

Who can be the highest wicket-taker for Team Delhi?

Looking up at Delhi’s bowling options, one can simply say the Kagiso Rabada will be the champion bowler for the team in the 2021 edition. However, those who have followed the league closely, Amit Mishra will be the leading contender to play a key role in the upcoming campaign. The 38-year-old, with 160 wickets in the T20 extravaganza, featured in three games last term before a finger injury ended his campaign. Mishra is on the cusp of two major milestones - 11 wickets to become the highest wicket-taker in the Indian T20 League and five matches to become the first Delhi player with 100 appearances in the cash-rich league.

Where will Team Delhi finish in Indian T20 League 2021?

Delhi’s current team roster is an indication that they could make it into the playoffs round at the very least, and the presence of experienced figures in Dhawan, Ashwin, Smith and Rahane will be influential to their cause. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to perfect execution of their strengths and that is something Rishabh Pant will need to work in tandem with head coach Ricky Ponting.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Sajjad Hussain

There’s absolutely no margin for error for England at this moment. While they are already out of the World Test Championship, they will look to salvage something positive from the fourth and final Test match of their tour of India.

Joe Root’s men were thrashed in the third Test at the newly reconstructed Motera Stadium and were rightly criticised for their team selection, meaning that we could well and truly witness some major changes in the final Test. I reckon the final Test will be nothing like the third, as both the teams will do their homework this time. The unexpected nature of Motera’s pitch did take everyone by surprise, but if what I’m reading of late about the pitch is true, we are in for a delight.

That said, here I give you my four picks who I believe can deliver a Man of the Match performance in the final Test.

Ajinkya Rahane

India’s Test vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane is due a big innings. Since scoring that century against Australia in Melbourne, Rahane has scored just one half-century across nine Test innings, with scores of 22, 4, 37, 24, 1, 0, 67, 10 and 7. His record against England isn’t particularly good, especially at home, where he has scored just 148 runs in six Tests at a lowly average of 14.80. Point being, I’m expecting Rahane to put on a commanding show against the Englishmen in the final Test. While the odds aren’t in his favour, considering his frailties against spin of late, a different nature of Motera’s pitch this time may work in his favour.

Axar Patel

Two Tests, 18 wickets and a bowling average of 9.44 definitely speaks volume about the kind of start Axar Patel has got. The left-arm spinner skimmed through England’s batting unit in both Test matches as if he was playing some local tournament. Root’s team simply had no answers to his round-arm bowling action and I expect him to lay down a similar threat in the final match of the Test series. Patel has bagged three consecutive five-fers against England, and he has proved to be the perfect replacement for the injured Ravindra Jadeja. Axar alongside Ravichandran Ashwin has been a sheer treat to watch. The duo has been simply unplayable in both the games they have played together.

Jack Leach

Jack Leach might not have been as successful as Patel and Ashwin, but he has arguably been England’s best bowler in the ongoing Test series. The left-arm spinner has picked 16 wickets at an average of 26.75 in the three matches and has been a total menace for the Indian top-order. Leach has dismissed Rohit Sharma four times, Cheteshwar Pujara three times and has gotten better of Virat Kohli too. Despite not playing in the subcontinent as frequently, the off-spinner has adapted to the conditions pretty quickly and has also been a consistent performer for the Three Lions.

Joe Root

Following his match-winning double century in the first Test, England captain, Joe Root went on a rather rare blip with the bat, but compensated for the drop in form with a brilliant five-fer in the recently concluded Test at Motera. England will be desperate for a win and with the others around him not contributing as much, the onus will certainly come on Root to provide England another solid foundation for the team’s middle-order to capitalise. Now, his decisions in the last Test attracted heavy criticism, but Root is rightly expected to put on a much-improved performance. I expect him to score big in the fourth Test.

Feature image courtesy: SportsAdda

Indian cricket team opener Rohit Sharma smashed his seventh Test hundred to put the hosts in a strong position in the second Test against England on Saturday.

The right-handed batsman counter-attacked the England bowling on a pitch that offered turn from the first session. 

Rohit (161) stitched a 162-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (67) for the fifth wicket to help India post 300 for six wickets at the end of the first day’s play at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. India's wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant (33) and debutant Axar Patel (5) were still batting at the crease.

That's Stumps on Day 1 of the 2nd @Paytm #INDvENG Test! @ImRo45's 161 & @ajinkyarahane88's 67 guide #TeamIndia to 300/6. @RishabhPant17 & debutant @akshar2026 will resume the play on Day 2.

Scorecard http://t.co/Hr7Zk2kjNC pic.twitter.com/scONdNQl2W

�?BCCI (@BCCI) February 13, 2021

Interestingly, this was Rohit’s first Test century in over a year and after eight Test innings.

Meanwhile, former cricketers and fans took to Twitter to hail the swashbuckling innings of Rohit.

Pure Ton @ImRo45 !! What a player to watch ... like all the great sports people ... he makes it look so simple & easy which it certainly isn’t !!! #INDvsENG

�?Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 13, 2021

Such a special player. Rohit Sharma was just born to bat. His batting today is an illustration.

�?Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 13, 2021

Not changed my opinion about Rohit Sharma from 3 years ago ... http://t.co/ucuKp2oQNz

�?Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) February 13, 2021

Well played @ImRo45 One of most satisfying century in challenging conditions. Also shows the importance of positive intent, decisive footwork when batting on a tough pitch. Now convert this into a biggie. #INDvsENG #class #elegance @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/h9yGqmKJvs

�?VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 13, 2021

Top class @ImRo45 you are a beauty. Brilliant 100 #INDvsENG

�?Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 13, 2021

Masterclass from @ImRo45

�?Charlotte Edwards (@C_Edwards23) February 13, 2021

208* vs - Wedding anniversary gift
118 vs - @ritssajdeh's birthday gift
115 vs - Valentine's day gift (2018)
161 vs - Valentine’s day gift (2021)

Just #Rohika things #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #INDvENG @ImRo45 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/EqmSnzVmkS

�?Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 13, 2021

Earlier in the day, India had lost Shubman Gill (0), Cheteshwar Pujara (21) and Virat Kohli in the first session. 

☝️ Cheteshwar Pujara
☝️ Virat Kohli

India have lost two big wickets in back-to-back overs! #INDvENG | http://t.co/DSmqrU68EB pic.twitter.com/HNFJNJLMDL

�?ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2021

Rohit and Rahane handled the England bowlers with ease as they made sure Team India didn’t lose any more wickets in the second session.

A wicketless session for England!

Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane share an unbeaten 103-run partnership to take India to 189/3 at tea on day one.#INDvENG | http://t.co/DSmqrU68EB pic.twitter.com/pF1obS4XrW

�?ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2021

Kohli-led India had won the crucial toss on a dry wicket and elected to bat in the morning. The hosts made three changes in their playing XI from the first Test at the same venue. 

India decided to rest their premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and brought in Mohammed Siraj. Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Axar Patel made his Test debut replacing Washington Sundar.

Axar Patel makes his Test debut for India

He gets his cap from Virat Kohli.#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/LowHqxx0jx

�?ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2021

On the other hand, chinaman Kuldeep Yadav was included in the playing XI after almost two years in place of left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem. 

For England, pace bowler Stuart Broad came in for James Anderson while Olly Stone replaced the injured Jofra Archer. The visitors also included all-rounder Moeen Ali in place of Dom Bess and wicket-keeper Ben Foakes for Jos Buttler.

Joe Root's England had defeated India by 227 runs in the first Test, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ICC

India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane gave an emotional speech in the dressing room after the visitors scripted a historic Test series win against Australia at The Gabba.

Rahane-led Team India defeated the Aussies by three wickets in the fourth and final Test in Brisbane to clinch the series 2-1, thereby retaining the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Chasing a mammoth 328 on the final day of the Test, the Indian cricket team rode on the match-winning innings from Rishabh Pant (89 not out), Shubman Gill (91) and Cheteshwar Pujara (56) to breach the Gabba fortress and end the hosts�?32-year-long unbeaten run at the venue. 

After being bundled out for a record low score of 36 in the opening Test in Adelaide, India orchestrated an epic comeback to win the series Down Under.

Rahane called it a “massive, massive moment�?for his players and hailed them for performing as a unit.

As we draw curtains on our historic triumph and start our preparations for the home series, here’s Captain @ajinkyarahane88‘s address to #TeamIndia from the Gabba dressing room.

Full http://t.co/Sh2tkR5c7j pic.twitter.com/l7wr6UXSxq

�?BCCI (@BCCI) January 23, 2021

“It is a massive, massive moment for us. The way we, after what happened in Adelaide, came back from Melbourne onwards �?it was really good to see. It wasn’t just one or two, but every one who put an effort. In all the three matches, everyone contributed. It was actually very good to see,�?said Rahane while addressing his teammates.

Rahane also urged Kuldeep Yadav, who did not feature in any of the Test matches, to keep working hard and said that his time will come. 

"I just want to mention Kuldeep Yadav and Kartik Tyagi. Kuldeep, I know it was tough for you, you did not play a game here but your attitude was really good. Your time will come, just keep working hard. Kartik you were fantastic,"  he added.

Meanwhile, Team India moved to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings following their historic series win in Australia.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @BCCI