Cricket news

Ashwin says Rishabh Pant must convert hundreds to double centuries

Published

1 year ago

June 26, 2025

After India’s five-wicket loss to England in the first Test at Leeds, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dissected the defeat and outlined a roadmap for recovery in a candid discussion on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat.

Emphasizing the need for strategic adjustments, Ashwin stressed that batting for time, not just runs, is critical against England’s aggressive chasing mentality.

“India’s batsmen must focus on occupying the crease to wear down England’s bowlers and keep them out there longer,” Ashwin said. “It’s not just about scoring big—it’s about exhausting their attack.”

Despite India’s impressive feat of five centuries across both innings, England chased down 371—a target second only to their highest successful Test pursuit—securing a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Ashwin pinpointed India’s failure to extend their second innings into the fifth day as the turning point. “England’s mindset is to chase any total. To outsmart them, we need to set a steeper target, around 450 if conditions permit, while giving them less time,” he explained.

Urging calm, Ashwin cautioned against drastic changes. “There’s no need for panic or wholesale reshuffles. India can level the series, but we must adapt tactically, or it could slip away quickly.”

Ashwin lauded Rishabh Pant’s twin centuries, describing them as exceptional, but dismissed comparisons with MS Dhoni. “Pant bats at No. 5, unlike Dhoni in Tests. He’s a frontline batter, more akin to Virat Kohli,” he said, likening Pant’s quick reflexes and pitch-reading ability to Pakistan great Inzamam-ul-Haq. “He’s among the rare few with such sharp ball recognition.”

Advising Pant to convert big scores into monumental ones, Ashwin added, “When you’re on 130, push for 200. Your runs at that stage outweigh any tail-end contribution.” In a lighter vein, he urged Pant to ditch his acrobatic front flips in Tests. “This isn’t the IPL with 50–60 balls. Test cricket is gruelling, and as a top-order batter, you’ve nothing left to prove.”

Ashwin strongly advocated for wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the second Test at Edgbaston, highlighting his potential to unsettle England’s line-up. “Kuldeep can be a game-changer. Even if he takes three wickets for 100 and keeps England to 350, that could give us a vital edge,” he said.

Defending young Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped catches in the slips, Ashwin attributed the errors to the challenges of fielding with the Dukes ball under crowd pressure. “Jaiswal has improved significantly as a slip fielder. The Dukes ball feels heavier, and the hostile crowd adds pressure,” he noted.

Ashwin also rued a tactical oversight in not creating rough patches on the pitch to aid India’s spinners. “Had England bowled last, the pitch would’ve had more wear. Generating rough is crucial in Test cricket, and we missed that chance at Leeds.”

Cricket news

Abhishek Sharma smashes 113 off 38 balls as India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI

Abhishek Sharma hammered 113 off just 38 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 199-run target in 13.2 overs, winning the third T20I by six wickets.

Published

1 week ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning batting performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington, smashing 113 off just 38 balls to power India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

The Indian opener’s explosive innings proved decisive as India chased down New Zealand’s total of 198/3. His aggressive approach put the hosts under pressure and helped India complete the chase with plenty of overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma leads India’s chase

Abhishek’s 113-run knock off 38 deliveries was the standout performance of the contest. His innings provided India with the momentum needed to pursue the 199-run target at a rapid pace.

The century also made Abhishek the central figure of the third T20I, with his power-hitting dominating the contest. India’s successful chase underlined the impact of his innings in a match where New Zealand had posted a substantial total.

India chase down 199 against New Zealand

New Zealand scored 198/3 in their innings, setting India a target of 199. However, India’s batters responded with an aggressive chase, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.

The six-wicket victory gave India an important result in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek’s century was the defining contribution of the match, ensuring that the visitors completed the chase comfortably.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings takes the spotlight

Abhishek’s quickfire century was the major talking point from the Wellington encounter. Scoring 113 runs from only 38 balls, he combined scoring speed with the ability to keep India’s chase firmly on track.

His performance will be among the key highlights of the third T20I as India continue their campaign against New Zealand.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.