Indian Test team captain Rohit Sharma believes it is unfair to place all the expectations on spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja and has called on other players to contribute as well. This comes after India's series defeat against New Zealand on home soil, where the hosts were outplayed on a spin-friendly track. While Ashwin and Jadeja have been crucial to India's dominant streak at home, Rohit emphasizes the importance of a collective effort in winning Test matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja: The Linchpins of India's Spin Prowess
India's Test team has long been renowned for its formidable spin attack, with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja forming the cornerstone of its success. However, after a recent series defeat against New Zealand at home, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has expressed concerns about overreliance on the duo.
The Burden of Expectations
Ashwin and Jadeja have been instrumental in India's remarkable home record in Test cricket, boasting a combined 1,054 wickets. Their ability to extract spin and control the game's tempo has made them indispensable. However, Sharma believes that it is unfair to place all the expectations on their shoulders.
"It's not fair to only expect Ashwin and Jadeja to win us Test matches," Sharma stated. "We need everyone to contribute, not just the spinners."
Collective Responsibility
Sharma emphasized the importance of a collective effort in Test victories. He believes that other bowlers and batsmen must step up and play their roles effectively.
"We need our pacers to be more consistent and take wickets. Our batsmen need to score big runs and give us enough runs to work with," Sharma explained.
Past Performances
Ashwin and Jadeja's dominance in home conditions has been a key factor in India's recent success. In the last five years, they have taken 499 wickets at an average of 21.33 on Indian soil.
However, in the recent series against New Zealand, their impact was diminished. Ashwin managed only four wickets, while Jadeja went wicketless. This suggests that teams are finding ways to neutralize the duo's threat.
Changing Dynamics
The changing landscape of Test cricket may also be influencing the effectiveness of India's spin twins. Batters are now better equipped to tackle spin, and the use of technology has made it easier to study their variations.
To maintain their dominance, Ashwin and Jadeja will need to adapt their strategies and continue to innovate.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who are Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja?
They are India's premier spin bowlers, known for their ability to extract spin and control the game's tempo.
2. What is their combined Test wicket tally?
1,054
3. Why is Rohit Sharma concerned about overreliance on Ashwin and Jadeja?
It places an unfair burden on them and can lead to complacency among other players.
4. What does Sharma believe needs to change?
Other bowlers and batsmen need to step up and contribute more significantly.
5. Are Ashwin and Jadeja's performances declining?
Their recent form suggests that teams are finding ways to neutralize their threat, but they remain key players for India.
Australia's captain Alyssa Healy's poor performance behind the wickets was overshadowed by her exceptional batting skills as she led her team to a comfortable 10-wicket win against Bangladesh in their Women's World Cup match. Her opening partner Phoebe Litchfield also remained unbeaten on 84 as Australia chased down the target of 199 in just 24.5 overs. Healy, who was named Player of the Match in their previous game against India, also praised her teammate Alana King for her impressive bowling performance.
During a match on the latest episode of AEW Dynamite, one of the leaders of La Facción Ingobernable reportedly dislocated his elbow after getting caught on the bottom rope. Despite the injury, he managed to continue with the post-match beatdown. It is uncertain if the injury will affect his future matches, including one scheduled for the following day in Mexico. Viewers can catch up on all the details of the incident and the rest of the AEW episode here.
After major flight delays and security restrictions, star Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill landed in Perth for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Along with the rest of the team, they will face off against Australia starting on October 19 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide and Sydney. Questions about the future of Rohit and Kohli in the ODI team have sparked debate among fans.
Former New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, has been signed on as the strategic advisor for IPL team, Lucknow Super Giants. He will be replacing Zaheer Khan and will be working with the likes of Justin Langer and Rishabh Pant. Williamson's appointment comes after a three-month-long process that began during his time in the UK, where he was also involved in the Hundred. The Super Giants will be looking to improve their performance after a seventh-place finish in IPL 2025.
Amidst speculations of his retirement, Virat Kohli, the iconic former captain of the Indian cricket team, took to social media to share a powerful message of resilience. With the first match of the Australian ODI series approaching, all eyes are on Kohli and his fellow veteran teammate Rohit Sharma, who will be returning to the squad as a player but not as captain. As the two legends approach the end of their international careers, fans are eagerly waiting to see how they fare on the field.
Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer has collaborated with the faith-tech platform Bhagavad Gita for All, highlighting the use of the Gita's teachings for improved performance and mental wellness. With over 10,000 books sold and 1 lakh users on its mobile app, the platform aims to bring ancient wisdom into daily life through modern tech. Iyer's composure and focus on the field make him a perfect fit for this partnership, which also aims to reach Gen Z and Millennials for high-performance training.
The city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India has been recommended as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games by the Commonwealth Sport's Executive Board. This decision is set to be finalized on November 26 at the body's General Assembly, after being sent to the full membership of Commonwealth Sport. Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, expressed his pride and gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their vision and commitment towards making Ahmedabad the Sporting Capital of India.
Despite two goals from Ronaldo, Portugal was unable to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo's impressive performance, including his 40th and 41st World Cup qualifying goals, wasn't enough to overcome Hungary's late equalizer. Portugal will have to wait until November for another chance to qualify, with hopes of giving their star player one final shot at a major tournament.
In a heated match between India and Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, the Blue Tigers suffered a painful defeat as they failed to capitalize on their chances. Despite an early goal from Lallianzuala Chhangte, India's hopes were extinguished as Song Ui-young scored twice for Singapore, sealing their first win of the qualifying campaign. With just two points from four matches, India's chances of advancing to the next round now hang by a thread, as they would need to win all their remaining matches and hope for other results to go their way.
In a thrilling AFC Asian Cup qualifier match, Singapore stunned India with a 2-1 away victory, effectively ending the latter's hopes of qualification. Despite India's early lead through a stunning goal from Chhangte, Song Ui-young's clinical brace secured the win for Singapore. The result leaves India at the bottom of their group, while Singapore stays within reach of group leaders Hong Kong. India's missed chances ultimately proved costly, as their promising front-foot approach fell short in the end.