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India revenue vital for cricket – ECB CEO

Shahryaar Mirza
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India revenue vital for cricket – ECB CEO

Cricket News: India revenue vital for cricket – ECB CEO | ECB CEO Richard Gould in support of proposed revenue model

A meeting is set to take place in Durban in July 2023 where the financial model proposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the coming years will be discussed and voted on. The model which makes clear the ICC’s revenue-sharing plans for the 2024-2027 cycle has faced a fair bit of criticism for further widening the gap between top cricketing nations, like India, and the Associate Members.

However, the Chief Executive Officer of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Richard Gould, has come out in support of the ICC’s proposed model. In his opinion, India helps in the growth of cricket as a sport altogether and brings in revenue that is second to none.

How much will India receive in the proposed ICC revenue model?

The ICC has an estimated pool of a whopping $600 million. The 12 Full Members of the ICC will be receiving an astonishing 88.81% of the revenue, which is approximately $532.84 million. The remaining 11.19%, which is just $67.16 million, will be shared amongst the 94 Associate Members.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be receiving $230 million, which makes up 38.5% of the ICC’s annual pool of $600 million.

The England and Wales Cricket Board will receive 6.89% of the revenue, adding up to $41.33 million. Cricket Australia, lying at third rank in terms of the share in revenue, will receive $37.53 million, which equals to about 6.25% of the total pool.

Only 5.75% of the revenue would be going to The Pakistan Cricket Board, as they are set to receive an amount of almost $34.51 million.

Arguments for and against the proposed revenue model

This proposed model has raised a lot of questions, highlighting the ICC’s ignorant attitude towards the comparatively smaller cricketing nations. Many believe this will bring a halt to the overall development of the sport.

The Vice Chairman of Botswana’s board, Sumod Damodar, who is also one of the three Associate Member representatives in ICC’s Chief Executives Committee, along with Ehsan Mani, former ICC President and PCB Chairman, are amongst those who have come out in opposition of the proposed framework. But, the ECB CEO, Gould, has given recognition to India’s ability to bring in revenue and help in the spread of cricket globally.

“When you see where that value is created, I think it’s understandable. There may be tweaks in the margins here or there, but the dominant position India is in is based on India’s ability to drive revenues and drive the sport forward. One point four billion people, one sport, ten (IPL) teams, one international team,” said Gould on the The Final Word Podcast.

Gould also believes that India does justice to the amount and percentage of revenue that they are recipients of. Even though he admitted to the inequality and discrepancy with regard to the revenue distribution model, he is of the belief that India is doing its best for the good of this sport. He thinks of the issue keeping in mind the larger picture.

Gould is of the opinion that India is helping to push the sport on a much larger scale, and accepts that the ICC would not make as much revenue if it was not for the millions of cricket fanatics in India.

“I get it. But, I also understand how important India is, because without them we wouldn’t have the kind of revenues that are coming into the game. And, I do think India make huge efforts to be responsible partners in this when I see the amount they travel around the world, taking India everywhere.

I do think it is a balance. I think there is collective decision-making, both in India and within the ICC, and I think there is a real determination and understanding we need for cricket to be expanding and we need it to be healthy around the world” added Gould.

IND vs AUS Test head-to-head stats: Who has the best numbers?

Shahryaar Mirza
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IND vs AUS Test head-to-head stats: Who has the best numbers?

Cricket News: IND vs AUS Test head-to-head stats: Who has the best numbers? | India vs Australia head-to-head records in Tests

India and Australia will be competing for the prestigious WTC mace, but there is a lot more than just the trophy to play for. It sure is a matter of pride for both the giants involved.

Ahead of the massive game, there are a number of battles, matchups and statistics that the cricket crazy fans of both sides cannot wait for.

But, how do the players in both squads fare against their WTC Final opponents? To answer that, let us take a look at India and Australia’s top three batters and bowlers against each other in Test cricket.

WTC Final 2023: IND vs AUS head-to-head stats in Test cricket

India:

Top 3 batsmen in Tests vs Australia:

By runs scored:

  1. Cheteshwar Pujara: 2,029
  2. Virat Kohli: 1,979
  3. Ajinkya Rahane: 1,090

By batting average:

  1. Shubman Gill: 51.63
  2. Cheteshwar Pujara: 50.83
  3. Virat Kohli: 48.27

Cheteshwar Pujara, synonymous with calmness, has scored over 2,000 runs against Australia at an average over 50. He has a better average only against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This further highlights the massive importance of Pujara in the upcoming WTC Final.

Virat Kohli, as one would expect, makes it to both the lists as well. He is 21 runs short of scoring a total of 2,000 runs against Australia in Test cricket. Naturally, he is of vital importance in the game that the world is looking forward to, the WTC Final.

Cricket News: IND vs AUS Test head-to-head stats: Who has the best numbers? | India vs Australia head-to-head records in Tests
IND vs AUS Test head-to-head stats: Virat Kohli enjoyed past success in England in 2018.

Shubman Gill is a young talent who has attracted loads of attention over the last few months. He has played some of the finest knocks in recent times across formats. Gill has played five Tests against Australia, and he averaged over 51 in both series.

Ajinkya Rahane last played a Test for India in January, 2022. In his last series against Australia in 2020/21, he scored 268 runs at an average of just over 38. He will be playing his first Test in over 17 months. But, he must be high on confidence after the kind of campaign he had in the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League. He is technically very strong, and how he performs on his comeback in English conditions is something to look forward to.

Top 3 bowlers in Tests vs Australia:

By wickets taken:

  1. Ravichandran Ashwin: 114
  2. Ravindra Jadeja: 85
  3. Umesh Yadav: 51

By bowling average:

  1. Ravindra Jadeja: 18.86
  2. Shardul Thakur: 22.1
  3. Ravichandran Ashwin- 28.37

The 36-year old off spinner from Tamil Nadu is one of the only two Indian bowlers to feature in both the lists. In the latest edition of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Ashwin took a staggering 25 wickets in four games. In a total of 22 Tests against Australia, Ashwin has seven 7-fers and one 10-fer to his name.

Ravindra Jadeja has the best bowling average and second-most wickets against Australia in red-ball cricket amongst those in India’s current squad for the WTC Final. He has been in the form of his life lately, winning Player of the Match awards consistently in whatever format he is playing. In the whites of India, he averages 18.86 with the ball this year, which is his second best ever for any calendar year since his debut (min. 40 overs bowled).

The key question is whether Jadeja will have a big impact with the ball in English conditions. If The Oval surface takes turn later in the Test, he certainly can.

Cricket News: IND vs AUS Test head-to-head stats: Who has the best numbers? | India vs Australia head-to-head records in Tests
IND vs AUS Test head-to-head stats: Ravindra Jadeja’s battle with Steve Smith will be key.

Umesh Yadav, with 51 wickets in 16 games against Australia, is the third leading wicket taker in this Indian squad against India’s WTC Final opponents. His economy has been on the higher end, as he concedes at four runs per over. His average of 37.59 is not very impressive either, so it will be interesting to see if he does get the nod in India’s playing XI.

Shardul Thakur has played only eight Tests for India, with one of them coming against Australia in 2021. The all-rounder picked seven wickets in the game, and was India’s leading wicket taker across the two innings combined.

With regards to Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami, Siraj averages 32.64 in six Tests against Australia (14 wickets) and Shami 31.27 in 11 matches (40 wickets). However, both will be a threat to the Aussie lineup in English conditions.

ALSO READ: 3 reasons why India will beat Australia in the WTC Final

Australia

Top 3 batsmen in Tests vs India:

By runs scored:

  1. Steve Smith: 1,887
  2. David Warner: 1,174
  3. Marnus Labuschagne: 708

By batting average:

  1. Steve Smith: 65.07
  2. Marnus Labuschagne: 47.20
  3. Cameron Green: 41.22

One of the greatest Test batters ever, Steve Smith, tops both lists. He averages a phenomenal 65 against India in Tests. Like Smith has been on numerous occasions in the past, he will again be the backbone of the Australian batting lineup, alongside Marnus Labuschagne. How he fares in the WTC Final could very well decide the fate of the game.

Marnus Labushcagne averages close to 58 in Tests, and is ranked first in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings. In nine games against India, Labuschagne has three fifties and one ton. His matchup against Ravindra Jadeja is one of the most talked about clashes and he will be looking to turn up for Australia in the important clash.

IND vs AUS Test head-to-head stats: Marnus Labuschagne will be crucial

David Warner, on Saturday, announced that he will be retiring from Test cricket after the series against Pakistan in the upcoming Australian summer. He averages a little over 31 against India in Tests, but has scored almost 1,200 runs in 20 games. The WTC Final could potentially decide how his future shapes up, considering he has not been at his best in red-ball cricket this year.

Cameron Green, in six Tests against India, has scored 371 runs at an average of 41.22. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, he scored 135 runs in two innings, including a spectacular ton in the last Test of the 4-match series. He averaged close to 68 in the Test series, and impressed in the recently concluded season of the Indian Premier League as well.

ALSO READ: 3 reasons why Australia will beat India in the WTC 2023 Final

Top 3 bowlers in Tests vs India:

By wickets taken (excluding Josh Hazlewood, who is ruled out):

  1. Nathan Lyon: 116
  2. Pat Cummins: 46
  3. Mitchell Starc: 44

By bowling average (excluding Josh Hazlewood, who is ruled out):

  1. Todd Murphy: 25.21
  2. Pat Cummins: 25.46
  3. Nathan Lyon: 32.40

Nathan Lyon, who ranks 8th in the list of the leading wicket takers in Tests, has notched 116 wickets against India. He has taken more wickets against Indian than against any other opposition. Steve Smith recently said that the pitch at The Oval might assist spinners as the game progresses. Considering Lyon’s success against India in the past and Smith’s analysis of the pitch, the 35-year old off-spinner could be vital.

Josh Hazlewood has taken 51 wickets at an average of 26.94 against India, but he has been ruled out of the final. The next-highest is Cummins with 46 wickets against India at an average of 25.46. The Australian skipper also has favourable matchups against the majority of the Indian batters. Mitchell Starc, on the other hand, averages 38.68 in 17 Tests against India.

David Warner to retire from Tests after SCG match vs Pakistan

Shahryaar Mirza
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David Warner to retire from Tests after SCG match vs Pakistan

Cricket News: David Warner to retire from Tests after SCG match vs Pakistan | David Warner to retire from Test cricket in 2023/24 season

David Warner, who first wore the whites for Australia back in 2011, said he will retire from Test cricket in the forthcoming Australian summer. The 36-year old wishes to call it a day in the longest format of the game following his team’s Test against Pakistan in January next year, at his home ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

David Warner to retire: “Will definitely finish up” after Pakistan series

“If I can get through this (ICC World Test Championship Final and Ashes) and make the Pakistan series, I will definitely finish up then,” Warner told reporters in Beckenham on Saturday, June 3.

In 2023, David Warner averages a poor nine in Test cricket, having scored only 36 runs across three games after a lean run in recent years as well.

The left-handed batter has made it clear that he intends to be a part of Australia’s white-ball setup until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, which is set to take place in the West Indies and United States. However, he will not be taking part in Australia’s Test series against West Indies next year, making it clear that the Tests against Pakistan, which begin in December this year, would be his final few red-ball games for the national side.

“You’ve got to score runs. I’ve always said the (2024) World Cup would probably be my final game. I probably owe it to myself and my family. If I can score runs here and continue to play back in Australia, I can definitely say I won’t be playing that West Indies series,” Warner added.

Last year, in December, Warner scored a phenomenal double ton against South Africa in what was his 100th Test. He became only the second player in history, alongside Joe Root, to score a double century in his 100th match.

Warner averages only 26.04 in Tests in England, which is the third worst for him among countries where he has played a minimum of six Tests. How he fares in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 Final and the Ashes will certainly be an intriguing watch.

3 reasons why India will beat Australia in the WTC Final

Tarkesh Jha
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3 reasons why India will beat Australia in the WTC Final

Cricket News: 3 reasons why India will beat Australia in the WTC Final | WTC 2023 Final prediction: Why India will win

India have reached their second consecutive final of the World Test Championship (WTC). The Rohit Sharma-led side won 2-1 against Australia at home earlier this year to qualify to the grand finale, and will be eager to securing an ICC trophy after a decade-long drought.

The Indian players are coming into this match fresh from their exploits in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). Whilst adapting straightaway to the Test format might be a challenge, they are capable of producing the goods.

CricBlog here lists three reasons why the Indians will win this match.

Why India will beat Australia in the WTC Final 2023

1. Depth in batting order

India come into this match with a deep batting order. Either Ravichandran Ashwin or Shardul Thakur could bat at number nine, testament to fact that the Australian bowlers will have to toil very hard if they are to overcome this Indian batting lineup.

ALSO READ: India possible playing XI for WTC 2023 Final

Thakur’s contributions with the bat late in the second innings propelled India to a win the last time they played at The Oval, against England in September 2021. In Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin and Thakur, India have a well-rounded playing XI at their disposal, with all-round depth potentially giving India an edge.

2. Greater recent experience in England

The Indian team toured England consecutively in the last two English summers. First, they went for the inaugural WTC final and the subsequent Test series against England in 2021, followed by the postponed final Test in 2022.

On the other hand, the Australians last went to England for a red-ball assignment in the 2019 Ashes. This greater recent acquaintance with English conditions will definitely help the Indian side better shape their preparations for the upcoming match.

Moreover, the look of the side that has gone to English shores in the last two years is pretty much similar to the current one, and hence such familiarity with regards to what to expect certainly gives Sharma’s men an advantage in this game.

3. Promising batting line-up

After a fairly long while, the Indian batting order promises both potential and form for the WTC final. Shubman Gill is in an imperious touch currently and Virat Kohli has showed that his best days are not behind him yet. Cheteshwar Pujara comes into this match on the back of another fantastic county stint whereas Ajinkya Rahane has clearly rejuvenated and regained his mojo during his IPL-winning run with CSK.

Down the order, Jadeja along with Ashwin and/or Thakur will ensure that a late comeback is never ruled out of contention. Rohit Sharma might not have had the best of the IPLs but his ton in the opening Test of the India-Australia series showed that he is very well-suited to adapting to the pace of the five-day game. He had performed exceptionally in the 2021 tour to England and hence India will fancy posting or chasing a big total irrespective of the quality of the Australian bowling attack.

ALSO READ: 3 reasons why Australia will beat India in the WTC 2023 Final

3 reasons why Australia will beat India in the WTC Final

Tarkesh Jha
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3 reasons why Australia will beat India in the WTC Final

Cricket News: 3 reasons why Australia will beat India in the WTC Final | WTC 2023 Final prediction: Why Australia will win

Australia are all set to take on India in the summit clash of the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Pat Cummins-led side are looking at the WTC game as well as the forthcoming Ashes as an opportunity to seal their legacy as one of the most successful Test sides in the country’s cricketing history.

They delivered some impressive performances in the subcontinent recently and have been almost flawless at home. The England tour thus holds a lot of stake for them, and here CricBlog predicts three reasons why they are the favourites to beat India in the upcoming match.

Why Australia will beat India in the WTC Final 2023

1. Better adaptability to red ball cricket

A large chunk of the Australian squad was not involved the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc had opted out citing international commitments. The likes of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were involved in the County Championship, preparing for the matches to come.

There is not much room for error in a one-off final. The shock that comes with a quick change of formats might not hit the Australian team as hard. They can gradually get into the groove and look to get in front in the early stages of the showpiece clash. 

The Indian team will arguably be rustier due to their engagements in the IPL compared to their Australian counterparts.

2. Bowling attack better suited to English conditions

Australia’s bowling unit is perhaps better suited to the prevalent conditions at the Oval. The trio of Starc, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been there, done that over in England many times together now. They are perfectly aware of exploiting the conditions and optimising the pitch and weather to their benefit. They can run circles around the Indian batting unit by striking together in tandem.

If Hazlewood isn’t picked, Scott Boland is more than capable of troubling the Indian lineup with his ability to hit consistent lengths and move the ball.

Compare that to the Indian bowling unit. There is still confusion around which bowler will feature in the final XI. Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, and Shardul Thakur are essentially battling it out for two bowling spots, confirming Australia have greater clarity with regards to who they will field in this match.

3. Meaty middle-order

The Australian middle-order is stacked with tremendous quality spearheaded by the duo Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Cameron Green adds all-round quality lower down the order but the aforementioned duo’s rich vein of form, coupled with richer experience in English conditions, means they could put up a run fest whenever they come out to bat.

Smith averages 55.95 with six centuries on English soil. Labuschagne is the number one ranked Test batsman in the world. Green has demonstrated terrific adaptability to different conditions in recent times. Travis Head can score rapidly, and Alex Carey will be looking to rebound after a difficult tour of India.

If this middle order gets going, they can put serious pressure on the Indian bowlers.

ALSO READ: 3 reasons why India will beat Australia in the WTC 2023 Final

SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report

Darpan Jain
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SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report

SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Hambantota Pitch Report

The first ODI painted a picture of where these two nations are situated in this format. Afghanistan are gearing for the World Cup, while Sri Lanka showed why they need to qualify in Zimbabwe.

The Afghans were clinical in more ways than one on Friday. Firstly, they made inroads into the Sri Lankan top order, before stifling them at the death. Then, as he has done previously, Ibrahim Zadran put the Lions to the sword, with his 98 paving the way for a very easy victory.

Yes, Sri Lanka were missing key players in Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera. However, they still had a capable team on paper and were clearly outplayed by a side missing one of their big guns in Rashid Khan. Now, they must win to keep this series alive – the kind of pressure they may face in what could be a very competitive tournament in Zimbabwe later this month.

Match Details

  • Date: 4 June, 2023.
  • Time: 10 am (local), 10 am (IST).
  • Location: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota.
  • For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.

SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Possible Playing XIs

Wanindu Hasaranga’s fitness is still in the air, while at least one of Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana may play.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Dimuth Karunaratne, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Angelo Mathews, 5. Charith Asalanka, 6. Dhananjaya de Silva, 7. Dasun Shanaka (c), 8. Dushan Hemantha, 9. Lahiru Kumara, 10. Kasun Rajitha, 11. Matheesha Pathirana

Afghanistan might also stick with the same team.

Afghanistan: 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Najibullah Zadran, 7. Azmatullah Omarzai, 8. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 9. Noor Ahmad, 10. Fazalhaq Farooqi, 11. Fareed Ahmad Malik

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

  • Dimuth Karunaratne couldn’t score much in the last game. However, he is a quality, experienced player and will look to bounce back strongly. He averages just 22.44 in nine home ODIs.
  • Pathum Nissanka has 161 runs at an average of 53.66 against Afghanistan in ODIs. Even in the last game, Nissanka played well for his 38, and will be looking for more today
  • Angelo Mathews has 1006 runs at a sensational average of 67.06 and a strike rate of 87.86 in the second match of an ODI series. Mathews has also amassed six fifties and a century.
  • Charith Asalanka enjoys batting against Afghanistan. The southpaw has 184 runs at an average of 92 and a strike rate of 99.45 in the three innings against Afghanistan. In the last game, Asalanka was the top scorer for his team.
  • Dhananjaya de Silva provides points with both bat and ball, especially in the 50-over format. In the previous game, he scored 51 runs with the willow, and while he didn’t take any wickets, Dhananjaya gave only 44 runs in his 10-over spell.
  • Matheesha Pathirana would like to forget his debut game, where he conceded 7.50 runs per over. His expertise with the ball was on display during the IPL. He will look to improve himself and have a better outing this time.

Afghanistan:

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz has 140 runs at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 85.88 against Sri Lanka in the ODIs. He has also scored two half-centuries. A good score can not be ruled out.
  • Ibrahim Zadran scores plenty of runs every time he plays against Sri Lanka. In the four innings, Zadran has 376 runs at a tremendous average of 94 and a strike rate of 100.53 against the Lankan side. The batter has also compiled one fifty and two centuries, including 98 on Friday.
  • Rahmat Shah played a decent knock of 55 runs in the last game. Rahmat has 261 runs at an average of 43.50 and a strike rate of 73.93 against SL in ODIs. He has also hit four fifties.
  • Hashmatullah Shahidi is a reliable middle-order batter of Afghanistan. He can play big knocks in the ODI format and is also consistent.
  • Noor Ahmad didn’t have a great last game. However, his quality as a bowler is well-known. Expect him to bounce back strongly.
  • Fazalhaq Farooqi has snared six wickets at a strike rate of 29.33 in the four innings against Sri Lanka in the ODIs. In the last game, he picked up two crucial wickets to derail Sri Lanka’s innings early in the innings.

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head:Matches 8, Sri Lanka 4, Afghanistan 3, NR 1.
  • Kusal Mendis has 83 runs at an average of 16.60 in the six innings against Afghanistan. He will look to improve this record.
  • Pathum Nissanka in ODIs in 2023: 176 runs, 44 avg, 82.62 SR & 2 fifties.
  • Fazalhaq Farooqi has 19 wickets at an average of 24.26 and a strike rate of 27.84 in ODIs since 2022.

Hambantota Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score in the last three years here is 268. The pacers have taken 75% of the total wicket on this ground.

The temperature is expected to hover around 32°C, with clouds covering the sky.

SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today Match 4 June 2023

Option 1:

SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Hambantota Pitch Report
SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today Match 4 June 2023

Option 2:

SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Hambantota Pitch Report
SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today Match 4 June 2023

SL vs AFG 2nd ODI Match Prediction – Who will win?

Afghanistan won the first ODI comfortably, as they played quality cricket throughout. However, Sri Lanka are a decent unit, particularly at home. If they get a few of their key players back, they can win, but Afghanistan look good for another win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

3 reasons why GT could dominate the IPL in the future

Shahryaar Mirza
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0
3 reasons why GT could dominate the IPL in the future

Opinion: 3 reasons why Gujarat Titans (GT) could dominate the IPL in the future | Why GT can dominate the IPL in the coming years

Gujarat Titans (GT) may have lost the IPL 2023 Final in heartbreaking fashion, but their terrific season highlighted just how well set they are for the coming seasons. They have built a strong squad, with their balance the envy of other teams who are aiming to get back in the playoffs in IPL 2024.

Why GT can dominate the IPL in the coming years

With this in mind, here are three key reasons why GT can dominate the IPL for the next few years at least:

1. A good mix of youth and experience

Gujarat Titans have some highly talented youngsters in their setup, while also having a number of seasoned campaigners. In the game Wriddhiman Saha became the oldest ever to score a 50 in an IPL Final, Sai Sudharsan became the second youngest to do the same.

Noor Ahmad, who had played just three games for Afghanistan before this season of the IPL, had Rashid Khan to learn from and talk to when things went wrong. Sai Sudharsan, who is only 21 years old, had a vastly experienced Wriddhiman Saha to get guidance from. Joshua Little had Mohammad Shami and Mohit Sharma to learn a few tricks.

This is what the Indian Premier League has always been about, and this is how the Gujarat Titans are developing their players. The youngsters are constantly learning from those who have won it all in the past, and this may be one of the secrets behind their success.

2. Having the best players in each department

Whether it is opening batters in question or finishers down the order, pacers to bowl up front or spinners to choke the opposition, the Gujarat Titans have to their disposal the best in business. No matter what the category is, they have all bases covered.

In Shubman Gill, they have someone who is already being seen as the successor to Virat Kohli, and those are certainly not easy boots to fill. That is enough proof of the potential this man possesses.

In David Miller, they have one of the most experienced big hitters in T20 cricket. The left-handed batter averages a remarkable 75.2 when chasing for Gujarat Titans, while striking at almost 150.

In Mohammad Shami, they have one of India’s best pacers ever. His excellent seam position has given him success not only in red-ball cricket, but also in T20 cricket. The 32-year old proved his mettle in the 2023 season and won the Purple Cap.

Lastly, they have someone who has arguably cemented his status as the greatest T20 bowler ever at just 24 years of age, Rashid Khan. The spinner from Afghanistan has won games for every single team he has played for, and is a true asset for any side that he plays for.

3. A natural leader in Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL title in 2022 in what was the franchise’s first season ever. He is someone who has shown constant improvement as a captain.

In terms of accomplishments, not many can come close to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, but purely on the basis of their styles of leadership, one can surely see a bit of Dhoni in Hardik Pandya. The way Pandya has matured over the last two years is simply commendable. He, like any other captain, has the desire to win games and championships. But, he has shown extraordinary calmness on the field.

Let us take the recently concluded IPL Final as an example. After Ravindra Jadeja hit a four off the last delivery to clinch the title for Chennai Super Kings, Pandya went up to hug Mohit Sharma with a smile on his face. He knew how well Mohit had bowled, and even though the last delivery was a freebie, he decided to acknowledge him for the good balls that he had bowled. Hardik could also be seen clapping and appreciating an Ajinkya Rahane shot that went for a six.

Just two years back, Hardik would have reacted very differently to a bad delivery from the bowler or a sloppy fielding effort. His development as a person, and as a leader, has been heartening to see. He has displayed sportsman spirit and composure of the highest order, be it by appreciating the opponents or by backing his own players. He is an entertaining character, and a natural leader.

Twitter reactions to Joe Root reaching 11000 Test runs

Charbel Coorey
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0
Twitter reactions to Joe Root reaching 11000 Test runs

Cricket News: Twitter reactions to Joe Root reaching 11000 Test runs | Joe Root becomes 11th player to notch up 11,000 Test runs

Joe Root became the second Englishman – and 11th player overall – to notch up 11,000 runs in Test cricket. England’s great batsman reached the mark on the stroke of tea on day two against Ireland at Lord’s, just after bringing up his half-century as the home side completely dominate the Test.

Root, who made his debut in 2012, has been a mainstay in the England lineup. Such is his class is that even when he had his conversion rate issues between 2017 and 2020, he regularly notched up half-centuries and contributed to the team’s cause. His ability to put pressure on the bowlers and keep the score ticking without taking too many risks has been a hallmark of his game, and one feels there is still plenty more to come given he is just 32 years of age currently.

Reactions: Joe Root becomes 11th player in history to reach 11000 Test runs

Fans have asked the question as to whether Root can surpass Sachin Tendulkar as Test cricket’s all-time leading run-scorer. There is still a fair way to go for such an achievement, but there is no doubt there is plenty left in the tank for England’s number four.

“He should stick around for Next 4-5 years. Should not announce Retirement at 33 just like Alastair Cook Did. He can Easily break Sachin’s record of both Most Runs and 100s,” one tweet read. Here are some reactions to Root reaching the landmark.

WTC 2023 Final broadcasters: Where can I watch the big match?

Shahryaar Mirza
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WTC 2023 Final broadcasters: Where can I watch the big match?

Cricket News: WTC 2023 Final broadcasters: Where can I watch the big match? | Where to watch the WTC 2023 Final around the world

Australia and India, who finished first and second respectively in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23, will be locking horns in the much anticipated WTC Final. The match is set to take place at The Oval, London on Wednesday, June 7.

Both the sides have named their squads, but selecting the best eleven remains a challenge. Regardless, millions around the globe will be watching the all-important clash, and when two giants of the cricketing world go head to head in such a vital clash, entertainment is guaranteed.

WTC Final broadcasters: Where to watch?

Where can you watch the action? Below are the broadcasters showing the WTC Final 2023 around the globe.

India: Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar

Australia: Fox Sports, Kayo Sports, Channel 9, 9Now

USA: Willow TV, Hotstar, ESPN+

England: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Go, Sky Now

New Zealand: Sky Sports, Spark Sports

Bangladesh: Gazi TV, RabbitholeBD

Pakistan: PTV Sports, Geo Super, Daraz, Yupp TV

Sri Lanka: Star Sports 1, Yupp TV

For India fans, the match will begin at 3:30pm IST. The first ball will be bowled at 8:00pm Eastern Australia time (6:00pm in Perth, 7:30pm in Adelaide and Darwin), with the day ending in the very early hours of the next morning.

The weather conditions at The Oval in London look promising, with mostly sunny conditions forecast right throughout the week. Broadcasters and fans alike will be happy with such news, with great cricket expected and the reserve day hopefully not required.

CHECK OUT OTHER CRICBLOG ARTICLES FOR THE WTC FINAL 2023:

“Want to bowl carrom ball like Ashwin” – Todd Murphy

Shahryaar Mirza
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“Want to bowl carrom ball like Ashwin” – Todd Murphy

Cricket News: “Want to bowl carrom ball like Ashwin” – Todd Murphy | Todd Murphy says he has learnt a lot from watching R Ashwin

Todd Murphy, who made his Test debut for Australia in February this year in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has said that he is working on developing and adding a Ravichandran Ashwin-esque carrom ball to his armoury.

The youngster was impressive in his debut series and consistently bowled in the right areas. Now, he wants to ensure he has enough variations to succeed at Test level. He admits that he is not quite there at the moment, but aims to master the art of bowling a carrom ball.

“I am still working on that but I am still a long way off being able to do it the way Ravi Ashwin can. It is simple in a way, and yet so difficult. It is just about being confident that you can execute it. I’d love to be able to add that myself one day. If you have a delivery that goes the other way, it just poses different challenges for the batsmen,” said Murphy to AAP.

The off-spinner also believes he cannot let his stock delivery lose its effectiveness in an attempt to develop the carrom ball variation. He wants to stick to the basics and rightfully so as a bowler’s stock delivery is their biggest strength. It is, after all, the delivery a bowler sends down the most.

“You are always looking at ways to tinker and add things to your kitbag but in Test cricket you have to make sure your fundamentals are really good and your stock ball is in as good a position as you can,” Murphy added.

Todd Murphy watched R Ashwin closely in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy

In his debut series, Murphy notched 14 wickets across the four Tests against India, averaging a little more than 25. He dismissed Virat Kohli four times in four games, while also dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara on two different occasions.

Murphy, while in India, keenly observed and analysed how Ashwin bowled. The 36-year old from Tamil Nadu, Chennai, is indeed one of the modern day greats in red-ball cricket with a staggering 474 wickets in 92 Tests. Ashwin has the ninth most wickets in the history of Test cricket, and Murphy had the opportunity to have a close look at his grip, wrist position and most importantly his thought process in real time.

“That is the best part of analysis now that you have access to that the whole time. I was really interested in watching that sort of stuff and get a close-up look of his hand and wrist position, just to see how each ball was coming out and if it was behaving differently. In those conditions his skillsets are as good as anyone and it was amazing to just watch the subtle variations he is able to implement in sequencing throughout his overs,” said Murphy.

The attention has now shifted from T20 cricket to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, which begins on June 7. Australia will also be playing the Ashes less than a week after the WTC Final. Todd Murphy is unlikely to play a lot of games against India and England, keeping in mind the English conditions and the presence of Nathan Lyon.

But, he is keeping himself mentally and physically prepared to play whenever the team requires him to.

“Obviously at the moment Gaz (Lyon) is there and has been so good for so long. In a way I hope I don’t have to play a game on this tour because that means he is staying fit and on the park and our quicks are standing up as well.”

“It is a squad mentality. Hopefully I can add value to the squad, train hard and keep developing my skillset. If there is an opportunity that arises I have to make sure I am in a really good position to take it. I’ve got to be ready at all times. A lot of things can change and they can change fast,” Murphy concluded.

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