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
IND vs BAN: Shubman Gill’s Fifth Test Ton Justifies His ‘Prince’ Tag
Shubman Gill arrived on the scene like a cricketing superhero during the 1st test match at Chennai scoring a scintillating 119* off 176 deliveries. When it really mattered, Shubman Gill rose to the occasion. With India looking pretty comfortable, Shubman Gill felt it was high time to take it up a notch and show everyone why he is one of the promising young batsmen in international cricket today and gave his fifth test-match hundred off just 161 balls. Not a moment out of place in his innings; he was cautious and aggressive at the same time, like a tightrope walker with decades of experience. Gill And Pant To The Rescue It was with Rishabh Pant that the pair transformed the pitch to their own playground, treating spectators to some kind of spread of flair and finesse which would make even the most stoic cricket fan crack a smile. Gill Dealing In Boundaries For all that Bangladesh’s spinners could do, Shubman Gill seemed to have a magic wand; he found boundaries when they appeared as elusive as a needle in a haystack. Every one of those fours and sixes was a psychological blow to the opposition. A Century Worth Celebrating This was not just any century; after a string of dazzling performances, he proved that Shubman Gill is no one-hit wonder. He showed he could conquer test cricket while waving the bat like a ballet dancer, reminding all of greats who came before. The future looks bright for Gill When the crowds erupted in cheers, the Chennai crowd knew that Shubman Gill was running up scores not only but, with every stroke, writing a script for the future of Indian cricket and one that promises excitement, flair, and a whole lot of fun. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
5 Times Ravichandran Ashwin Saved India in Test Cricket
We all are aware of Ravichandran Ashwin’s ability to spin a web and trap the opposition, especially when playing for the Indian Cricket Team in the whites. However, very little do we speak of Ashwin rescuing the Indian Cricket Team in crucial test matches – not with the ball we are talking about, but with the bat. Just what he proved once again in the on-going 1st test match against Bangladesh at Chennai, his all-round ability has been crucial to India’s success over all these years. Ravichandran Ashwin piled on a mammoth score of 113 off 133 deliveries and saved the Indian Cricket Team from a batting collapse. Alongside him was Ravindra Jadeja who supported him with a steady 86 run knock coming off his bat off 124 deliveries. Here are five such instances when Ravichandran Ashwin’s batting heroics pulled India out of trouble in test cricket. 1. 106 vs England, Chennai (2021) At a precarious 106/6 with a lead of 301 runs, Ravichandran Ashwin’s century (106 off 148) in the second innings helped India set an uphill target of 481, which England could not chase and India emerged victorious by 317 runs. 2. 124 vs West Indies, Kolkata (2013) The score card read India 156/6 in their second innings with the West Indies posting 234 in the first innings. Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma combined to help India amass 453. India thus went on to win by an innings and 51 runs. 3. 91* vs England, Kolkata (2012) After posting 523, England had made it clear in their batting that it was going to be tricky for India to see them off. It was 122/6 in the second innings, and after this, it was not the best of days for Indians as Ravichandran Ashwin batted his way to an unbeaten 91 to take India to a respectable score of 247. 4. 118 vs West Indies, St. Lucia (2016) Ravichandran Ashwin’s 118, coupled with Wriddhiman Saha’s 104, helped India recover from 87/4 to 353, after which it gained momentum for a 237-run win. 5. 72 vs England, Mohali (2016) When India was in trouble at 156/5, Ravichandran Ashwin’s subdued 72 got India to a total of 417, which gave the team a comfortable victory over England. These performances aptly describe the treasure bag Ravichandran Ashwin brings out under pressure and thereby proves he is more than a world-class bowler. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Generated $1.39 Billion Economic Impact
Move over Bollywood – the real blockbuster of 2023 was the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and it didn’t just break hearts, it broke the bank too! India Cashes In On Cricket Fever A mind boggling USD 1.39 billion-that’s Rs 11,637 crore-was the economic impact of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 held across India last October-November, according to a Nielsen report commissioned by the ICC. Yes, folks, cricket isn’t just a game here – it’s an economy! Tourism Scores Big It so happened that the real MVPs weren’t just Virat Kohli or Steve Smith but the tourism. As high as $861.4 million was raked in through hotels, restaurants, and travel services. Be it a street-side ‘chai’ establishment or a buffet at a 5-star hotel, the cricket action spilled over into every other business, feeding everyone a slice of the money pie. Who needs the Taj Mahal when one gets a match at the Wankhede Stadium? This translated to nearly 1.25 million spectators in the stadiums, 75% of whom watched an ICC 50-over game for the very first time. It just seems like cricket turns casual viewers into ardent fans-or at least into experts in stadium snacks! Tourists or Superfans? Why Not Both! This also gave India’s international tourism a fillip: 19% of international visitors came onto Indian soil for the first time, simply because they love cricket! As many as 68% of them are ready to shout from the rooftops-or at least Instagram-that India is a must-visit spot. Jobs Galore – Cricket’s Economic Sixer The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 wasn’t all about swanky cricket kits, nor was it: over 48,000 jobs it created. From installing stadiums to serving dosas, cricket set many hands to work. So, the next time someone says that watching sports doesn’t pay off, show them the receipts-this cricket fest actually brought the goods! Australia’s Party Crasher Moment In the end, Australia might have taken the World Cup home and broken India’s unbeaten run, however the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 left India winning big-not just in passion, but in cold, hard cash! The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Yash Dayal’s Maiden Test Match Call-Up After 5 Sixes Nightmare
Imagine being the guy whose name resonates with school buses, not in cheers, but rather in taunts. Such was life for nearly a year for Yash Dayal after Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Rinku Singh smashed him for five consecutive sixes in an IPL 2023 game where Dayal was representing the Gujrat Titans (GT). His quiet neighborhood in Allahabad had a new anthem overnight: “Rinkuuuuu Singh, Rinkuuu Singh, five sixes, five sixes!” His father, Chanderpal Dayal, too, stopped going outdoors, lest he became the subject of lots of fun and ridicule. His mother, Radha, stopped eating altogether, trying to understand why her son wasn’t saying a word. Family Power-Up Mode Activated! While most would’ve crumbled, Yash Dayal’s family went full “motivational speaker” on him. His father cited Stuart Broad, who bounced back after being smashed for six sixes by Yuvraj Singh and explained to Yash that he soon is going to represent India. Yash Dayal went into overdrive-changing from “the guy who got hit for five sixes” to “the guy taking wickets for fun.“ RCB to the Rescue Released by the Gujarat Titans, Yash Dayal found a new home in Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as IPL 2024 came around. Boy, did he deliver! With 15 wickets in 14 matches, Dayal wasn’t the punchline anymore; he was one of the main guys who took RCB into the playoffs and showed them that he was made of sterner stuff. Redemption Arc: Duleep Trophy Edition The ultimate revenge of Yash Dayal was not some viral social media post but a spell of fire in the Duleep Trophy 2024, in which he knocked over Mayank Agarwal and Riyan Parag in a jiffy. The selectors could no longer look the other way-the call-up came for the India Test squad for the Bangladesh series beginning on September 19, 2024. From Taunts to Triumph It has been a fairytale-like ride from five-sixes humiliation to Test cricket glory for Yash’s family. A chance to make his test match debut, Yash Dayal’s story is about how the best comebacks always happen after the toughest blows-or, in this case, five massive sixes. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND vs BAN: Rahul & Pant Return, Yash Dayal’s Big Break
Good news for all the cricket lovers out there! India’s squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh has been announced, and the familiar arsenal is back. First, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant return after being ruled out because of injuries. Both are geared up to light the field once again in the two-match series, starting in Chennai on September 19 at the iconic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. With these two heavyweights being thrown into the mix, things just got a lot more interesting. Pant’s Road to Redemption Remember that heart-stopping car accident which sent Rishabh Pant into exile? Well, he is back with a bang! Making his Test comeback after almost a year, Pant is fresh off a solid half-century for India B in the Duleep Trophy and has got redemption on his mind; Bangladesh might just be the perfect playground for his return to form. Yash Dayal is the new kid on the block. The left-arm pacer among the squad headlines for a Test call-up for the very first time! Big moment to say the least, while Pant and Rahul steal the spotlight; Dayal gets his chance to make a name for himself on the grand stage. Shami Sits Out, Akash Steps In While the experienced pacer Mohammed Shami is still recovering from Achilles surgery, Akash Deep replaces him, having shaken up England’s lineup with nine wickets on his debut. He will surely be hoping to work a little magic again against Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s Wave of Victory By the way, Bangladesh are not arriving in India on a whimper, but on a clean sweep of Pakistan 2-0 at home for the first time. This is going to be one fiery series. Team India Squad For Test Matches vs Bangladesh Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye