The Dhawal Kulkarni Story
For generations in Indian cricket, it was a given that the place for batting brilliance had always been in the bastions of Mumbai. However, at one point, it was a young, anonymous fast bowler from the city of dreams who broke all that was known and went about winning everyone’s hearts. Not that this young wonder was a just any pacer, rather he was Dhawal Kulkarni, the most inspiring story of dedication and hardwork that now, is told to all the young fast bowlers in Mumbai. Dhawal Kulkarni’s Early Yet Impressive Years In Domestic Cricket The journey started in the under-17 Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2005-06, when a tall and lean boy with a pace clocking mid-130’s emerged as a force to reckon with. While Mumbai was known for its batting masterclass, Dhawal Kulkarni brought a refreshing change by storming into the domestic circuit with his lethal pace. He was soon noticed by the selectors and had fantastic performances at the Under-19 state level, where he took 8 for 47 against Tamil Nadu, which got him into the India U-19 team for the 2007 tour to Sri Lanka. There, Kulkarni again stunned everyone and got himself a place in the Mumbai Ranji Team for the 2008 season, where his debut season was phenomenal. Dhawal Kulkarni ended the season as the Ranji Trophy’s highest wicket-taker, with 42 wickets, playing an important role in Mumbai’s title-winning campaign. Dhawal Kulkarni’s Maiden India Call-Up Dhawal’s career didn’t stop there. His exceptional rise led him to the national team, with a call-up for the India Test squad in 2009 for the tour of New Zealand. However, it was in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season that he made history for himself. Dhawal has led Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy win by taking the match-winning five-wicket hauls both in the semifinal and final, out of which his spell is worth mentioning of 5/32 against Saurashtra in the finals. His performances were so consistent that he was soon called into the India A team for the 2014 Quadrangular series, where he played an important role in India’s title win. Dhawal Kulkarni Shines With Both Bat And Ball At The Rajasthan Royals Dhawal Kulkarni’s IPL journey started with the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2008, however he truly found himself as the lead bowler of a bowling attack the year he joined the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014. His line and length immaculate, Dhawal was one of the most dependable bowlers for the Royals, often coming up when it mattered the most – delivering crucial breakthroughs. Dhawal was bowling brilliantly. What came as a shock to everyone was his batting. He struck some serious blows out of the park in one of the games against the Chennai Super Kings in Dubai. With such high-scoring nature of IPL 2014, Dhawal’s bowling economy rate of 8.18 stood out as he showed how to control the game and stop the runs from flowing. Dhawal Kulkarni’s International Debut September 02, 2014 will always have some fond memories. Dhawal Kulkarni made his international debut in September 2014 when India toured England. In the home series that was held later the same year at home against Sri Lanka, Dhawal performed even better, taking eight wickets at an average of just 18.62. His career reached a new height when he represented India at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia. Dhawal Kulkarni At IPL 2015 Dhawal Kulkarni continued to dominate in the IPL. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals in 2015, he single-handedly dismantled the batting line-up of Sunrisers Hyderabad with figures of 2/9 in three overs, providing the critical breakthroughs when his team needed it most. Dhawal Kulkarni Blows RCB Top Order In IPL 2016 In IPL 2016, the Rajasthan Royals were suspended along with the Chennai Super Kings due to obvious reasons and Dhawal Kulkarni found himself donning the orange kit of the newly established Gujarat Lions. Speaking of Dhawal at the Gujarat Lions, how can we even forget him dismantling the ferocious Royal Challengers Bengaluru top order. Dhawal and his Gujarat Lions were up against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in front of a daunting Chinnaswamy crowd in the playoffs of IPL 2016. The dangerous looking Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle were out to bat. We all know Virat was only upto smashing every bowler for a four or a six in IPL 2016. Dhawal Kulkarni was given the charge to handle the new ball. He marked his run-up in the second over of the innings and soon dismissed Virat Kohli for a duck. Dhawal soon came in for his second over and bamboozled the dangerous looking Chris Gayle this time for a score of 9 off 11. https://www.iplt20.com/video/5031 Dhawal was breathing fire. He went on dismissing KL Rahul for a duck the very next ball. It seemed that Dhawal was bowling rockets at the RCB batters and RCB were falling like a pack of cards in front of Dhawal Kulkarni. Dhawal’s fourth wicket came in the form of Sachin Baby. Through the innings Dhawal Kulkarni made sure that RCB was completely under pressure. Dhawal Kulkarni roared at Chinnaswamy as the lead bowler for the Gujarat Lions. Dhawal Kulkarni continued with the Gujarat Lions for IPL 2017 as well. Dhawal Kulkarni Shows Athleticism In IPL 2019 Dhawal was back with the Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2018-2019 season. Dhawal’s 2019 IPL season will always be remembered for his outstanding catch at long-off against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH just needed 82 off 55 and were right in the hunt while chasing a target of 199. SRH’s Jonny Bairstow was set on 45 off 27 deliveries with the intention to go hard and cross the boundary rope as much as he can. However there was no escape. Dhawal Kulkarni was at the boundary and his fielding was as tight as that of a high security prison. Dhawal took a screamer just as the ball was going to cross the boundary ropes. Bairstow was
How A Scientific Vest Is Changing The Way Team India Trains?
The Indian Cricket Team has landed on the Australian shores at Perth and have begun their practice for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While training, most of us would have probably noticed a couple of players from the Indian Cricket Team wearing a vest and would have raised questions on what the vest is all about. Well, the vest is completely backed by sports science and is changing the way the Indian Cricket Team trains. The Role Of The Scientific Vest In Sports Technology At first glance, it might appear to be a sports bra that has crossed the gender divide, worn by both male and female athletes. But in reality, it is a sports wearable technology—a compression vest designed with a small device no bigger than the palm of your hand, nestled in a pouch between the shoulder blades. This device, though barely noticeable to those who wear it, has revolutionised how athletes prepare for their sport, especially in team-based games. This is the world of the GPS tracker—a piece of sports technology that has unified the diverse realm of professional sports and transformed how athletes train, analyse and perform. Today, nearly every elite athlete in team sports around the globe relies on this innovation. Evolution Of The Scientific Vest When sports science first introduced the GPS tracker into athletic performance, its primary function was simple: measure the distance an athlete covered during a game. But sports technology has come a long way since then. Modern devices, now equipped with accelerometers, track not just the distance but the frequency and intensity of an athlete’s accelerations and decelerations. Gyroscopes and magnetometers work in tandem to map body movements in 3D, monitor directional changes and even capture an athlete’s exact position on the field. Additionally, heart rate monitors provide crucial data that, when processed by sophisticated algorithms, help measure training intensity and assess fatigue levels. How Does The Scientific Vest Enhance Performance? The beauty of this sports wearable technology lies in how the data collected is utilised. All the metrics from an athlete’s movements are sent to a central database where analysts can track progress in real time. This allows for immediate performance feedback, as well as long-term comparisons of training data over weeks and months. The ability to observe fatigue levels or detect early signs of injury offers coaches and trainers valuable insights to optimise an athlete’s conditioning and prevent overexertion. The Birth Of The Scientific Vest The journey of the scientific vest began in 2000 with a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Cooperative Research Centres, which aimed to develop sports technology for use in real-world settings. The initial prototypes were large and impractical, so they were initially used on rowing boats to measure roll, pitch and yaw. It wasn’t until 2002 that the devices became small enough to be taped to an athlete’s body. Early models were quite basic, measuring little more than the distance covered during a training session. However, over the next few years, the device was further refined and by 2006, the technology was commercialised and ready for use in professional sports. Widespread Use Of Scientific Vest In Contemporary Sports Today, sports wearable technology by Catapult Sports is a staple in nearly every elite sports team across 39 different sports, including popular teams in India’s football and hockey leagues. The company has become a leader in sports science, providing data-driven insights that help coaches and athletes optimise their training routines, monitor recovery and even prevent injuries. Once players began to wear it for matches, coaches had another rich vein of data to mine from; now they could do with great precision exactly what they’ve always wanted to do: mimic the match environment during training. You Are Being Tracked The GPS vest now dictates every aspect of an athlete’s life across most team sports, but it was first wholeheartedly embraced by football clubs. Initially, players wore it only for training. By 2015, teams began to wear them under their jerseys during official matches. At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, teams were allowed to transmit the data real-time during matches and analysts could share the player information with the coaches. Like F1 cars, footballers now cannot take a step on the pitch without telemetry shadowing them. Thanks to sports technology and the scientific vest, the landscape of sports science has dramatically changed. What was once a simple tool for measuring distance has evolved into a comprehensive system that tracks the minutiae of athletic performance. As teams continue to embrace sports wearable technology, the future of training looks increasingly data-driven, personalised and precise. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SA vs IND: Sanju Samson Becomes The 1st Indian To Do This
While no one ever doubted his ability to score, concerns were only about him grabbing the opportunity. And boy, did Sanju Samson do it in style. Sanju Samson smashed his second T20I hundred in as many games, putting the South African attack to sword at Kingsmead with some extraordinary hitting. Samson Delivers It Back-To-Back Sanju Samson continued his scorching form as he completed two consecutive T20I centuries, taking India to a commanding position in the on-going series against South Africa at Kingsmead. The wicketkeeper-batter who had made an explosive 111 off 47 balls against Bangladesh in his previous outing, produced another masterclass in aggressive batting when he amassed a scintillating 100 off just 47 balls to lead India to set a daunting target. Samson Gives A Fiery Start To The Innings Samson’s scorching knock off 47 balls came as an onslaught from the very start. He raced to 35 runs from just 20 balls in the Powerplay, displaying excellent timing and power. Even after the field spread out, Samson’s intent remained clear as he launched into Nqaba Peter, smashing back-to-back sixes in the eighth over. The South African bowlers had little answer as Samson continued accelerating, cruising past the 50-run mark before setting his eye on three figures. Samson Breaks New Records Blistering hundred by Samson sets new records for Indian cricket. He became the first Indian to hit back-to-back T20I centuries and also registered the highest T20I score for India against South Africa. His performance included a devastating display of power hitting, smashing 10 sixes and 7 fours, at an astonishing strike rate of 214.00. Samson’s Shift From Middle-Order To Opening A transformation has been real for Samson after being seen largely as a middle-order batter. The 29-year-old batsman was patchy for some time and then was given the responsibility of opening the batting for India in T20 Internationals where he has produced rich dividends in matches played thus far. The adaptability with which he has performed in the top order has been worth gold, while even the fact that he managed consecutive centuries speaks to how crucial he is becoming for India’s T20I team. It is, in fact, one of his best plays that has sealed his place as one of the most thrilling T20 talents in India. He has raised himself to greater heights simply because of his fearlessness and now refuses to take on the bowlers around the globe; thus, making his remarkable strides in the shortest format of the game worth noticing by the cricketing world. Samson Sets Benchmark Other than being the first Indian to score successive T20I hundreds, Samson also set a new benchmark for Indian players against South Africa with his hundred standing as the highest ever hundred scored by an Indian in T20Is against the Proteas. He also registered the second-fastest T20I hundred against South Africa, thereby making it crystal clear that he is capable of delivering in high-pressure situations. What’s In Store For Samson Sanju Samson is the bright star India is looking for, for them to extend their dominance in T20I cricket. His splendid form is the glimpse of what he may become, however more importantly, a pronouncement of things to come in Indian T20 cricket, with Samson now firmly established as one of the leaders to watch out for in cricket. With the series on, all eyes would be glued to Sanju Samson as he looks to possibly continue that kind of form in this series and carry India further up the T20I leaderboard. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
A Matter Of Patience And Faith For The Indian Cricket Team
New Zealand had an upper hand over the Indian Cricket Team in the third test match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. It turned out to be a 3-0 whitewash. Indians are not accustomed to such sort of loss at home so the outpour has been pretty strong too. However, as a die-hard fan, it’s very important to take a step back and evaluate the bigger picture. Does this loss indicate a downfall of intent, lack of leadership or poor coaching? Let’s dive into these pressing concerns with a balanced perspective. 1. Has The Indian Cricket Team Lost Its Intent? It is easy to get frustrated when the team we respect so much does not perform as per our expectations. However the difference between losing intent and losing to a good opponent is a world of difference. India did not lose because they lacked intent. New Zealand played super disciplined cricket that checked India’s aggression at bay. Moments of victory and defeat go hand in hand in sports. Every game, lost or won, presents an opportunity for introspection. The Indian Cricket Team would have come back to attack the next series with more precision and intent, as is their norm after suffering defeats. India is a side which draws momentum from losses and infuses that into their next match. This could just give them the fuel to rise against Australia in the much-hyped Border-Gavaskar series. So, instead of doubting their intentions, maybe we should believe in their resilience and wait for them to display it. 2. Should Rohit Sharma Be Sacked As India’s Test Captain? A big no.This is the most debated question, however Rohit Sharma’s contribution to the Indian Cricket Team is more than just a win-loss record. Rohit is someone who brings aggression and inspiration to his role and leads by example. He is a great player who does not care to place his wicket on the line for the team, something that is rarely seen in modern-day cricket. The leadership brand he delivers is of a willingness to counter-attack to set the tone for a bold innings. Every captain has ups and downs. What distinguishes them is that they can support their players through it all. The very fact that Rohit gives confidence to younger cricketers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel and Aakash Deep all of whom have already gone on to become talent prospects under his mentorship he has proven to be players’ captain who trusts other teammates and creates a nourishing atmosphere that goes onto create long-term success although it also brings short term failure. Fans can now look past the last couple of losses and remember how many times Rohit’s leadership has instilled fearlessness into the Indian Cricket Team. And patience, they say, is a test of loyalty. I do not think we need to forget the devotion for the game in Rohit Sharma when we talk about him. 3. Is The Current Coaching Panel Not Up To The Mark? Judging the coaching panel after a few series would be rather premature. Coaching at national level often needs time to make an impact and success isn’t what you can expect instantly. It would be a different ball game indeed, however Gautam Gambhir has shown what potential he holds as a tactician in his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), guiding them to the trophy in 2024. Fans must remember that each coaching team brings a different vision to the table and for Gambhir and his unit to establish theirs, they require time and trust. Success stories are seldom built overnight and a hasty judgment only undermines their efforts. Just as we have seen past coaches shape the team over seasons, Gambhir and his panel need a chance to build their legacy. With defeat, come accusations and despair. Each of the players, coaches and leaders has put in years of practice and sacrifice to bring themselves to that playing field. So let us rally behind them with understanding and encouragement rather than bash them. As in life, the sadness makes the wins that much sweeter in sport. The Indian Cricket Team’s journey was full of heart-stopping moments of glory and times of learning. Now, when they are at a crossroads, they need their supporters to stand with them and not bashing them. After all, faith is not tested in the moments of victory however in times of adversity. Let’s hold on to that faith and let’s watch the Indian Cricket Team bounce back. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND vs AUS: Who Is Abhimanyu Easwaran?
The entry of Abhimanyu Easwaran into the Indian Cricket Team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 is the best form of a saga of grit and patience. An eleven-year long journey of toil and excellence on the domestic cricket circuit finally earned the Bengal opener the potential to merge into the exclusive group of those who would be representing India in the Border-Gavaskar Series. To Easwaran, this is much more than a selection – it’s a welcome recognition after so long of his contributions and his pursuit to break through the glass ceiling of Indian Cricket. Abhimanyu Easwaran – Batting Mainstay For Bengal Easwaran began with Bengal, establishing himself as a mainstay of the batting lineup. His technical finesse and steady temperament earned him the right-hand opener slot very quickly, as he developed a record of excellence across first-class cricket. Easwaran has played for India A in the Deodhar Trophy during 2018-19. He made his T20 debut in 2016-17. That season was his rising as he scored 861 runs in a mere six games to become Bengal’s leading run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19. Thereby, making his spot in the top order opener dependable in the domestic circuit. Breaking Into First Class in the Duleep Trophy Abhimanyu Easwaran was selected in India Red for the Duleep Trophy in August 2019. He produced one of the finest knocks during the final. Easwaran hit 153 runs and won the match for India Red against India Green. That put him into national limelight, however yet the doors for an India call-up had not been opened. The numbers did the talking, though. Easwaran’s statistical records over the years speak for themselves. Over eleven years of first-class cricket, he scored 7,316 runs at an average of 48.5 with 25 centuries and 29 fifties. These numbers normally would cement a player’s place in the national side. However in a country like India, which is brimming with batting talent, Easwaran was constantly fighting to get selected. He was generally on the periphery either as a standby or as a reserve player. To be more specific, for the 2021 test match series at home against England, Easwaran had been included in the Indian Cricket Team squad as one of the standby players. Though near, he still had to wait to receive his test cap. Consistency In The Domestic Circuit As recently as in 2024, Easwaran continued his domestic supremacy by hammering an century off 154 balls against India D representing India B in the Duleep Trophy. Before that, he was undefeated in 157 while in another round against India C further increasing his credentials of making it to national selections. India Call Up That day finally arrived when, on October 25th 2024, came in. Easwaran had been named in India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad against Australia. It is not only a personal achievement however a strength for domestic cricket. The boy from Dehradun to the Indian Cricket Team is the best definition of resilience and patience one needs to achieve any height. Easwaran’s selection is not just a prize but a celebration of his decade-long efforts for Indian cricket and with skill and composure that has bewitched everyone, he now stands ready to prove his mettle on the grandest stage of all as he is set to take on the likes of Australian fast bowlers, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the BGT 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND vs NZ: Sports Technology Advancements Provoked Sarfaraz To Appeal For DRS
The day one of the second test match between India and New Zealand witnessed timely intervention from India’s Sarfaraz Khan to convince his captain, Rohit Sharma to go for the review at the Decision Review System (DRS) that actually proved to be vital for the Indian Cricket Team. The dismissal, overturned from not out, of Will Young against New Zealand was the turning point of the day. That this has been the game-changer wherein Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his second scalp of the morning speaks largely to just how DRS has reshaped modern-day cricket. How is DRS technology changing the landscape of contemporary cricket? The integration of DRS in modern cricket alters the way teams strategize their decisions on the field. Just a few years back, decisions provided by umpires were final and often became controversial. With DRS, there is an improvisation that allows players and teams to challenge close calls. The change in the game now has made players play an active role concerning decision-making. DRS gives fair play and adds to the level of transparency in places of decision in the game. How technology in cricket has benefitted Players, Umpires and Match Referees? For players like Sarfaraz Khan, the DRS system meant they could influence the game directly, providing information to their captain. That this was in fact an example where wicketkeepers like Rishabh Pant were not solely responsible for calls. Technological advancements in cricket are not limited only to DRS. All of them have been game-changers for players, umpires and match referees. For instance, ultra-edge, ball-tracking systems and Hawk-Eye can help the umpires make tough decisions. Snickometer and HotSpot proved to be very useful tools in checking minor edges or bat-pad touches that one may miss with his naked eyes. Thus, not only do these innovations decrease errors but also they ease a bit of burden from umpires who can now make decisions based on technological support. Snickometer Invented by English computer scientist Allan Plaskett in the mid-1990s, the Snickometer was first broadcast on UK Channel 4 in 1999, accompanied by such technologies as Hawk-Eye and the Red Zone. The Snickometer helps umpires decide whether or not the ball has made contact with the bat by measuring differences in magnitude of sound waves. Renamed “Ultra Edge” after its premiere, it eventually lost first position to the more advanced Real-Time Snicko in 2013. Hawk-Eye Hawk-Eye is ball-tracking technology which predicts whether a delivery would have hit the stumps had it not been obstructed by the batsman, most of the times his pad. It is really crucial in making LBW decisions. It was developed by British computer scientist Paul Hawkins and launched in 2001. Ten years later, the Sony company bought the technology, so it plays a leading role in making modern sports officiating more high-tech. Hot Spot Hot Spot is a television imaging technology which employs infrared cameras to detect whether or not the batsman has made contact with the ball. The first part of this technology was invented by French scientist Nicholas Bion. A Melbourne-based company BBG Sports introduced Hot Spot into cricket. Data Analytics The ICC employs analytics software such as SAP HANA Cloud Platform and SAP Lumira to analyze scorecard statistics, player performances, profiles and other key data. Techniques in data mining are also applied to determine dynamic rankings for players. The main idea is to enable real-time, engaging statistics for the fans through the ICC app and website. How is sports technology taking the game of cricket forward? The match referees and analysts also gain from technological integration. This allows them to carefully watch the incidents that occur in the field and assess the players’ adherence to the rules before disciplining them when necessary. Detailed data analytics assist teams in planning. Coaches and players can then study the strengths and weaknesses or patterns of the opponents as an edge in competition. Technology advancements are changing the way fans experience the game. Slow-motion replays, tracking of the ball, virtual reality just make the viewing experience far more immersive and gives fans access to a whole new perspective in action and cricket becomes widely appealing across borders. In other words, cricket would just adapt new equipment to include more as a sure and fair principle of the game, thus raising the enjoyment quotient for a player who plays the game today. To Sarfaraz Khan and all those like him, DRS and all the technological assistance means he will be able to tap instinct, analytic ability and above everything else, bring the balance in which to propel the game on. On the first day of the second test match in Pune, for example, we observed changes in cricket that surely is going to take the game forward. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
BGT 2024: Rohit Sharma’s Participation Uncertain In The First Two Tests
Indian Cricket Team Captain – Rohit Sharma might not be available for early matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 due to personal reasons. Rohit Sharma To Miss These Many Matches Sources revealed that Rohit Sharma has already informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his situation. With this, he will, therefore, have to miss at least one of the first two test matches or quite probably, both the test matches in the five-match series which will get under way on November 22, 2024. When Will Rohit Sharma Join The Team? While reports suggest that the BCCI is aware of the situation where Rohit may miss a couple of games in the series owing to a personal reason, little is known of this particular issue. There is still hope that he will be able to sort out the problem and make it into the series with his fellow mates.. How It May Affect The Team India may receive in a high-pressure series against the reigning World Test Championship Winners – Australia. Rohit Sharma had to be present. India may face a huge problem without him, both leadership vise as well as batting as the tourists eye good performance on the Australian soil. Who Might Lead In Rohit’s Absence? There is no official statement from the BCCI regarding who might be at the help of affairs for India in the absence of Rohit Sharma. However, guys like Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav (if selected for the red ball side) are in the train. Fans and teammates are excitedly waiting for the BGT 2024-25, along with updates on Rohit Sharma’s situation. Everybody wants an early resolution so that he can join the squad for the complete five tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Ravichandran Ashwin Creates World Record By Spinning A Web
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin on Monday became the first bowler to bag at least 50 wickets in each of the three World Test Championship (WTC) cycles played so far. The incredible feat came with the dismissal of Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan for nine runs, which took him to 182 WTC wickets overall, six short of Nathan Lyon’s record of 187-the most in WTC history. Let’s take a glance at Ashwin’s amazing WTC record so far: RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN’S RECORD IN THE WTC CYCLE MATCHES WICKETS BEST FIGURES 2019-2021 14 71 7-145 2021-2023 13 61 6-91 2023-2025* 10* 50* 7-71 TOTAL 37* 182* 7-71 (*Running) Ashwin Closes in on All-Time WTC Records Ashwin has now become the second-highest wicket-taker in WTC history, with 182 wickets after a little over 37 matches. Nathan Lyon of Australia still remains on the top rung with 187 dismissals, but Ashwin still needs a few more wickets to surpass that figure. And if Ashwin takes two more wickets in the current match, then he will become the first cricketer to cross Josh Hazlewood’s record for most wickets in the ongoing WTC cycle (2023-25), where Hazlewood tops the list with 51 wickets in 11 matches. MOST WICKETS IN WTC HISTORY PLAYER COUNTRY WICKETS Nathan Lyon Australia 187* Ravichandran Ashwin India 182* Pat Cummins Australia 175* Mitchell Starc Australia 147* Stuart Broad England 134 (*Running) WTC 2023-25: Battle for Most Wickets Taken Ashwin enters the race with 50 wickets in 10 games as he reaches the second spot. He is a wicket away from moving past Australia’s Josh Hazlewood in the WTC cycle, and he is set to finish the series short of doing so. MOST WICKETS IN WTC 2023-2025 CYCLE PLAYER COUNTRY WICKETS Josh Hazlewood Australia 51* Ravichandran Ashwin India 50* Pat Cummins Australia 48* Mitchell Starc Australia 48* Chris Woakes England 43* (*Running) IND vs BAN: Ashwin Levels Zaheer Khan’s Record Second wicket in Bangladesh’s first innings also took him to level with Zaheer Khan for India-Bangladesh Test wickets. Each now stands with 31 wickets taken across this Test rivalry. MOST WICKETS IN IND vs BAN TEST SERIES PLAYER COUNTRY WICKETS Ravichandran Ashwin India 31* Zaheer Khan India 31 Ishant Sharma India 25* Umesh Yadav India 22* Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh 21 (*Running) Ashwin In Pursuit of Test Cricket Milestones Ashwin, who had taken 6/88 in the first test of this series, is inching closer to yet another coveted milestone. He needs three more wickets to complete his 38th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Should he do it here, he would also surpass Shane Warne’s record so far who had 37 five-wicket hauls in his career. Ashwin’s record string of performances and the fact that he had always delivered on the biggest stages made him one of the most decorated spinners in the world, but with history books continually being rewritten, the question remained how much further he would be able to take such remarkable records. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND vs BAN: India Scripts History With Fastest Fifty In Test Match Cricket
Forget slow and steady; this was full-throttle fireworks at the bat, as the Indian Cricket Team shattered records for the fastest team fifty and the fastest team hundred in test cricket history on day four against Bangladesh in Kanpur. These are matches that even experts would have deemed too patience-intensive; think again! Blistering Start By Openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, not more eager than a kid in a candy store, exploded out of the blocks. In three overs, they reached the milestone of fifty runs, catching everyone, both fans and bowlers, in a state of shock. That was just the beginning by Rohit himself to a 19-run juggernaut from just six balls, while Jaiswal was the live wire, racing to 30 runs from a mere 13 deliveries. It was like viewing a firecracker display—exciting, colourful and leaving you wondering what just happened! Rohit’s whirlwind innings ended when he was clean bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 23 runs off 11 balls, however by then, the damage was done. Indian batters Flexing Their Muscle Somebody said, “Slow and steady wins the race.” Not today! After their blistering start, the Indian Cricket Team surpassed 100 in just 10.1 overs. This scintillating feat broke the record set by them itself-only against West Indies-in 2023, when they reached 100 runs in 12.2 overs. Overriding Earlier Records FASTEST TEAM 50S RECORDED IN TEST MATCH CRICKET Rank Team Opponent Location Year 1 India Bangladesh Kanpur 2024 2 England West Indies Nottingham 2024 3 England West Indies Birmingham 2024 4 England South Africa The Oval 1994 5 England Sri Lanka Menchester 2002 The most delicious twist of all is that India’s record-breaking fifty also meant they over-rode England’s earlier record of 4.2 overs for the fastest fifty, which was only this July against the West Indies at Trent Bridge. India not only took away from England their status as the fastest team to fifty but also sounded a loud message: they are here to make test match cricket exciting again. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND vs BAN: What To Expect In The 2nd Test
With India winning the toss and bowling first against Bangladesh in the second and final test starting today, 27th September, 2024, all eyes will rest on India’s fast bowling cartel to deliver on a surface that holds a lot of moisture. India would be running in the 2nd test unchanged. For the hosts, the object of defeating Bangladesh 2-0 on board would be desired with an average like the Bangla Tigers after a convincing win in Chennai-an all-round bravery of Ravichandran Ashwin and Shubman Gill’s century along with Rishabh Pant’s return to form. Kohli and Rohit’s Form Although India plays dominant cricket, Kohli and Rohit did not impress much in the first test match, which was tested by Bangladesh pacers Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed. Kohli’s return saw underwhelming play, however enthusiasts can expect more caution from Kohli with his batting on the traditionally slow Green Park pitch. Pitch Conditions and Team Composition It is a black soil wicket, under overcast conditions. Traditionally it will tend to play slow and low with a higher first innings total expected. The scores may decline as the game progresses. There is enough of grass on the deck to provide the seamers the movement. Bangladesh Playing XI Changes Bangladesh, on their part, would look to change things around after fighting stiff competition from India’s bowling attack. Shakib Al Hasan is reportedly injured in the finger however is still featuring in the line-up. Bangladesh have injected left-arm spinner Taijul Islam into their attack to strengthen the bowling. Weather Ahead Thick humidity all throughout. The weather forecast is rain therefore the challenge is huge for both teams. India is keen to continue its unbeaten run against Bangladesh in test cricket, while visitors will require nothing short of extraordinary efforts to alter the tide in their favor. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
