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Glenn McGrath

Steve Smith
Steve Smith- Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
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Sachin Tendulkar Named As A Best Batsman By Steve Smith

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Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the greatest batsman to have ever stepped onto the cricket field as he has tormented numerous bowling line-ups in his astonishing career. Time changed, playing conditions were revised and even a new format – a shorter T20 format came into the picture.

However, Sachin Tendulkar rose to every challenge and piled up runs consistently. From Glenn McGrath, Shoaib Akhtar to James Anderson and Muttiah Muralitharan, the Master Blaster gave tough time to many potent bowlers.

Sachin Tendulkar carried on the shoulders of his teammates after the 2011 World Cup win | AFP
Sachin Tendulkar carried on the shoulders of his teammates after the 2011 World Cup win | AFP

Sachin Tendulkar Named Best Batsman By Steve Smith Who Debuted 3 Years Before The Master Blaster’s Retirement

In fact, Sachin Tendulkar, whose international career spanned over 23 years, didn’t really lose his sheen even at the fag end of his career. Veteran Australian batsman Steve Smith is certainly of a similar opinion.

Steve Smith
Steve Smith. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

On Sunday, the right-handed batsman held a Q/A session on Instagram to interact with his fans. From revealing his favourite food item to sharing his IPL experience, Steve Smith opened up about many things. On being asked about the best batter he ever played against, Steve Smith tagged none other than Sachin Tendulkar.

It has to be noted that Steve Smith made his international debut in 2010, just three years before Master Blaster’s retirement. This shows that the former Indian opener was a force to reckon with even in the twilight of his playing days.

The legendary Indian batsman has been the most complete batsman of his time, the most prolific run maker of all time, and arguably the biggest cricket icon the game has ever known.

Sachin Tendulkar currently holds the record for most hundreds in both Tests and ODIs. Incredibly, he retained a divine enthusiasm for the game till his last match. He also scored the first double-century in one-day cricket. In 2012, he became the first player to score 100 international centuries.

Later that year, though, he announced his retirement from ODIs. And on November 16, 2013, Sachin Tendulkar retired from Test cricket after a memorable 200th Test-the most by any player.

Steve Smith Picks Sachin Tendulkar Over Virat Kohli And AB de Villiers As The Best Batsman He Played Against

Moreover, Smith Smith has played against the likes of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and AB de Villiers at their prime. However, he went with Sachin Tendulkar as the best batter he played against. Notably, Steve Smith, who’s a part-time leg-spinner, has dismissed Sachin Tendulkar once in international cricket.

It was a 2013 Test match in Mohali where the leggie trapped Sachin Tendulkar in front and the legendary cricketer had to walk back after scoring 37 runs. India, however, went onto win that contest by six wickets. It was the same year when Sachin Tendulkar bid adieu to international cricket. However, many of his records like most runs in Tests and ODIs, most centuries in international cricket, and most Test appearances are still standing strong.

Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar [Image Courtesy: Twitter]
Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar [Image Courtesy: Twitter]
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen when Steve Smith will make a comeback on the field soon. The batsman’s elbow injury has forced him to miss the white-ball series against West Indies and Bangladesh. His participation in the ICC T20 World Cup is also under dark clouds. Hence, the Australian fans would be praying for Steve Smith’s speedy recovery with several important fixtures coming up.

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Danish Kaneria (Getty Images)
Danish Kaneria (Getty Images)
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Danish Kaneria Isn’t Impressed With Mohammad Amir’s Comment About Rohit Sharma

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Danish Kaneria, former Pakistan leg-spinner is not impressed with a recent statement made by Mohammad Amir about a star India batsman, Rohit Sharma.

In a recent interview with Cricwick, Mohammad Amir, who retired from international cricket last year, had mentioned how he’s always enjoyed bowling to India’s star-batting pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli while pointing out that he found bowling to Rohit Sharma easier.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma. Twitter

Danish Kaneria: Mohammad Amir’s Comment About Rohit Sharma Was Out Of The Blue And Similar To What Abdul Razaqq Had Said About Jasprit Bumrah

Rohit Sharma scored ODI double-hundreds for fun, won five IPLs, scored five hundred at the 2019 ODI World Cup, and when he finally got to open in Tests in 2019, he hit three quick hundreds in his first series, one of them a double.

“I find it easy to bowl to him (Rohit). I feel that I can get him out both ways. He struggles against the in-swinger from a left-armer and as well as against the ball that goes away early on,” Amir had said.

Responding to Mohammad Amir’s statement, Danish Kaneria feels the left-arm pacer’s comment holds no significance. Furthermore, the spinner reckons Mohammad Amir’s comment about Rohit Sharma is similar to a remark made by Abdul Razzaq about Jasprit Bumrah in the past, where the former all-rounder had termed the India pacer a ‘baby bowler’.

Danish Kaneria is not impressed with what Mohammad Amir had to say. (Getty Images)
Danish Kaneria is not impressed with what Mohammad Amir had to say. (Getty Images)

Danish Kaneria believes Mohammad Amir should choose his words and weave sentences more carefully, for he is talking about a batsman who has had phenomenal success in international cricket.

“Mohammad Amir, you want to remain in headlines, no doubt. You have been a wonderful bowler for Pakistan. When you debuted, you made quite a name for yourself. You used to make the ball swing both ways with the new ball. You’ve troubled many batsmen and there’s nothing to take away from it. You troubled India in the Champions Trophy final and gave their batsmen a tough time in the Asia Cup as well,” Danish Kaneria said on his YouTube channel.

“But such statements are made when players are about to face each other in an upcoming or an ongoing series. Neither are we going to have an India vs Pakistan series, nor are you going to bowl to Rohit Sharma.

“You’ve said something out of the blue, similar to what Abdul Razzaq had said about Jasprit Bumrah. So, it is fine if you want to be in the limelight by making such statements. I understand that a bowler likes to say such things, express himself by saying stuff like ‘he’s my bunny, I like to get him out’.” said Danish Kaneria.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has said India’s yorker king as a baby bowler which has become a topic of laughter among cricket fanatics and pundits. Abdul Razzaq, while talking to Cricket Pakistan, said that he faced bowlers like Glenn McGrath and Wasim Akram, and Jasprit Bumrah is like a baby bowler in front of him. He further added that he would have easily dominated Jasprit Bumrah in the field.

Danish Kaneria: No One Other Than Run Machine Rohit Sharma Plays Spinners And Pacers Better

“Rohit Sharma is a player who has scored so many double-centuries, and on top of that, he is a run-machine. There is hardly a player who plays spinners and fast bowlers better than him.

“And as far as you are concerned, you no longer have that pace or swing, because of which you couldn’t perform for the last two years and be axed from the team. So you come back, perform and when he is against you, and then make such statements. It will make for an exciting battle,” Danish Kaneria added.

Rohit Sharma hits 3rd double hundred to extend ODI record (Reuters Photo)
Rohit Sharma hits 3rd double hundred to extend ODI record (Reuters Photo)
Rohit Sharma had played in 376 international matches (38 Test, 227 ODI, 111 T20I) and scored 40 centuries (7 Test, 29 ODI, 4 T20I). Rohit Sharma had brought up his maiden ODI double hundred — 209 against Australia in Bengaluru in 2013.
He followed it up with a world-record score of 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in the following year. Rohit Sharma remains the only batsman to hit 2 double hundreds in ODI cricket, let alone 3. The India opener brought up his 3rd double hundred in ODIs against Sri Lanka in Chandigarh.

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Prasidh Krishna Source: Google/ Image Credit: India Today
Prasidh Krishna Source: Google/ Image Credit: India Today
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Prasidh Krishna Imitated Every Bowler But Looked Up To Brett Lee

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Prasidh Krishna, an Indian pacer who made a record-breaking start to his international career against England in the first ODI, has revealed that he used to “copy every single spinner or fast bowler” when he started off.

Prasidh Krishna also said that former Australia quick Brett Lee was someone he always looked up to.

Prasidh Krishna sets new Indian record with 4 for 54 on ODI debut (Reuters Photo)
Prasidh Krishna sets new Indian record with 4 for 54 on ODI debut (Reuters Photo)

Prasidh Krishna Looked Up To Brett Lee

Prasidh Krishna’s impressive debut left the cricketing fraternity in awe-struck. The Karnataka pacer, playing his first ODI, became the first Indian to claim more than three wickets on his ODI debut and in the process recorded the best figures by an Indian playing his maiden ODI.

“Nobody really advised me in terms of taking up cricket as a career option. It’s just that my school coach Srinivas Murthy figured out that I was tall and I was getting the ball to move back. So, he’s the one who first corrected my running technique, the angle of my running, my loading, and all of that.”

” By doing all this, I also realized I was getting quicker and better. I was getting sharper with things. So that is when I realized, OK, there is something with fast bowling. And like I said, I always had a liking for fast bowling. Brett Lee was someone I always looked up to,” Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) official website quoted Krishna as saying.

“So that’s how it all started from school with Srinivas Murthy sir helping me. And yeah, from there, it’s been a mixture of everybody’s efforts. I remember one thing for sure. Any cousin, any elder cousin who walked with me on the road, was embarrassed because I used to imitate every single bowler in the world. “

Brett Lee KKR
Brett Lee KKR. (Photo Source: BCCI)

“All throughout my journey on the road, I would imitate actions and then try and be that guy trying to copy every single spinner or fast bowler. So, from there, it is all something natural, it all starts from the way you run in, and then load up. And I’m fortunate that I have a really smooth action that way,” he added.

In his debut ODI match, Prasidh Krishna returned with the figures of 4/54 from his 8.1 overs, which included a maiden over.

His idol Brett Lee picked 25 scalps in 38 appearances in IPL and averaged 43.8 and wasn’t successful in IPL like international cricket where he had over 700 wickets across formats and was a tough bowler to face as he generated extreme speed.  He played for KKR from 2011-2013 after representing KXIP from 2008-2010.

Prasidh Krishna: T20 Is A Fast Game And Is All About How Fast One Is Willing To Adapt

Reflecting on T20 cricket, Prasidh Krishna stressed that in this format, it is all about adapting to situations as quickly as possible as it is a “really fast game”.

“It is a really fast game — T20. So, it’s all about how fast are you willing to adapt! Because as a bowler, I don’t think there’s anybody who wants to just keep bowling one length all throughout.

“You want to do something, you want the batsman to do something, you want to try out things. So that’s where T20 comes into the picture because it challenges you about how many different things can you do and how consistently you can do,” he said.

“So, that way I was pretty happy and my height helped me with the yorkers because it was pretty tough for them to hit as it was coming from a really good height. And from that point onwards, it was about picking up skills, looking at people, and inventing your own things.

“They didn’t know what variations I had, and as I said, T20 is such a fast game that you don’t pick a couple of balls and the over is already done because you don’t really have time to think and plan and take a bowler on. You have to be there from ball one,” Krishna added.

Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna Playing For KKR In IPL – BCCI

Prasidh Krishna, who first burst onto the scenes in IPL 2018, after Kolkata Knight Riders signed him up as a replacement for the injured Kamlesh Nagarkoti, always had that extra pace to trouble the batsmen. Against England in 1st ODI, he showed maturity and adaptability beyond his age.

His stints to Australia with the legendary Jeff Thompson have played a major role. Also, learning from the great Australian former pacer Glenn McGrath at the Academy helped him a lot.

Prasidh Krishna has played 24 IPL matches in three seasons and taken 18 wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Prasidh Krishna, the right arm pacer was picked in 18 member ODI squad for the first time for 3 ODIs. Prasidh Krishna’s domestic performances have been impressive. He was a driving force behind Karnataka winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day titles in 2017-18 and 2019-20.

He was the second-highest wicket-taker (17) in the 2017-18 edition, and also picked 17 scalps in the 2019-20 edition. In the just-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was among the top five wicket-takers with 14 scalps and helped Karnataka reach the semi-finals.

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Prasidh Krishna (AFP Photo)
Prasidh Krishna (AFP Photo)
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Prasidh Krishna’s Stint With Jeff Thomson Helped Him As He Impresses On ODI Debut With His Figures Of 4/54 Against England

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Prasidh Krishna’s impressive debut left the cricketing fraternity in awe-struck. The Karnataka pacer, playing his first ODI, became the first Indian to claim more than three wickets on his ODI debut and in the process recorded the best figures by an Indian playing his maiden ODI.

Prasidh Krishna picked up four wickets conceding 54 runs in the first ODI against England, playing a crucial role in India’s 66-run victory in Pune. Apart from IPL and India’s fine domestic structure, what has played a major role in shaping Prasidh Krishna as a fast bowling prospect for India for the future, are his stints in Australia with the legendary Jeff Thompson.

Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna Playing For KKR In IPL – BCCI

Prasidh Krishna Got Exposure At Cricket Australia Academy And His Stints With Jeff Thomson Helped: Makarand Waingankar

Prasidh Krishna, who first burst onto the scenes in IPL 2018, after Kolkata Knight Riders signed him up as a replacement for the injured Kamlesh Nagarkoti, always had that extra pace to trouble the batsmen. Against England in 1st ODI, he showed maturity and adaptability beyond his age.

His stints to Australia with the legendary Jeff Thompson have played a major role in shaping Prasidh Krishna as a fast bowling prospect for India for the future. He took up the game at the age of 11 and enjoyed stints in Australia with the legendary Jeff Thomson, the pace icon that many bowlers have grown up wanting to emulate.

Jeff Thomson (Reuters photo)
Jeff Thomson (Reuters photo)

It was in 2017 when, as part of the IDBI Federal Bowling Foundation, Prasidh Krishna traveled to Australia along with Tushar Desphande and two others to train with legendary Jeff Thomson. According to Makarand Waingankar, a former cricket administrator and columnist, the training at the Cricket Australia Academy in Brisbane proved extremely beneficial for Prasidh Krishna.

“The exposure Prasidh Krishna got at the CA Academy stood him in good stead and helped improve his skills,” he told PTI.

Makarand Waingankar was all praise for the lanky bowler’s “cricket intelligence” and said it was evident in how he bounced back after being hit for runs in his first three overs in international cricket.

M Senthilnathan, head coach at the MRF Pace Foundation where he had trained, echoed similar views and said the bowler improved leaps and bounds since he was picked up in 2017 through his hard work.

“We selected him in 2017. He had done well for Karnataka in a game against the touring Bangladesh ‘A’ side in 2015 and that got him noticed. After he came to the MRF Academy we worked on his physical side, he did gym work and we worked on his skills. He works very hard on his game,” he added.

Prasidh Krishna Took Up Cricket At 11 And Did Well In School Cricket: Father

The academy head coach hailed pacer Prasidh Krishna’s mental strength which helped him fight back after a tough initiation into international cricket.

“The beauty is that he came back very strongly after being hit…He fought back, stuck to the basics and did not over-try which brought him success,” Senthilnathan added.

Prasidh Krishna’s father was a cricketer too and played for the college team.

“Prasidh started playing at the age of 11 and did well in school cricket as an all-rounder. At the age of 14, he became serious about fast bowling. The family has supported him in his endeavours,” Krishna Senior said from Bengaluru.

Prasidh Krishna sets new Indian record with 4 for 54 on ODI debut (Reuters Photo)
Prasidh Krishna sets new Indian record with 4 for 54 on ODI debut (Reuters Photo)

“He is a huge fan of Brett Lee and likes to bowl fast and with fire like him. And, he loves masala dosa,” he added, fondly revealing his son’s favourites.

Prasidh Krishna was picked in 18 member ODI squad for the first time along with Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya for 3 ODIs. The right-arm pace bowler was picked for the three-match ODI series against England. Prasidh Krishna’s domestic performances have been impressive. He was a driving force behind Karnataka winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day titles in 2017-18 and 2019-20.

He was the second-highest wicket-taker (17) in the 2017-18 edition, and also picked 17 scalps in the 2019-20 edition. In the just-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was among the top five wicket-takers with 14 scalps and helped Karnataka reach the semi-finals where they lost to eventual champions Mumbai.

Prasidh Krishna has played 24 matches in three IPL seasons and taken 18 wickets.

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Was Virat Kohli too late to take the DRS call? | Photo - Video grab |
Was Virat Kohli too late to take the DRS call? | Photo - Video grab |
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Virat Kohli Criticizes The Umpire’s Call In The Decision Review System

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Virat Kohli criticized the fiercely-debated umpire’s call in the Decision Review System, saying it is creating a lot of confusion and LBW dismissals should be based solely on whether the ball is hitting the stumps, even if marginally.

As per the existing rule, at least 50 percent of the ball should be hitting at least one of the three stumps for the batsman to be adjudged LBW on review in case an umpire’s call has been challenged.

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (BCCI)

Virat Kohli: If Ball Is Clipping The Stumps It Should Be Out As Umpire’s Call Creating A Lot Of Confusion

The Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS or simply DRS) is a technology-based system used in cricket to assist the match officials with their decision-making. On-field umpires may choose to consult with the third umpire (known as an Umpire Review), and players may request that the third umpire consider a decision of the on-field umpires (known as a Player Review).

Umpire’s Call is a way of saying the original decision made by the on-field umpire should stand. The rules of the referral system say that there needs to be a “clear mistake” by the on-field umpire to reverse the decision.

“I played for a long time when there was no DRS. If the umpire made a decision, whether the batsman liked it or not, it stayed like that. Vice versa the umpire gave it not out and it was out, it stayed like that, whether it was marginal or not,” said Virat Kohli ahead of the first ODI of a three-match series against England here on Tuesday.

“According to me, umpire’s call right now is creating a lot of confusion. When you get bowled as a batsman, you don’t expect the ball to hit more than 50 percent into the stumps to consider yourself bowled. So from basic cricket common-sense, I don’t think that there should be any debate on that. If the ball is clipping the stumps, that should be out whether you like it or not, you lose the review.”

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav (BCCI)

Virat Kohli was critical of the on-field soft signals following Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal during the T20 series against England, said the game has to be kept simple.

“That’s how simple the game has to be if it hits thestumps, or it misses the stumps. It doesn’t matter how much it’s hitting, and those kinds of things, because it’s creating a lot of confusion.…and you know the one more factor that needs to be considered is that, you know, how the fielding team responds to a dismissal that is claimed is also somewhere, defining soft signals as well,” Virat Kohli said.

Suryakumar Yadav smashed a blistering 57 off 31 balls to set up India’s series-levelling eight-run win against England in the fourth T20 International at Ahmedabad. Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed by Sam Curran when he tried to play a shot but Dawid Malan ended up taking the catch.

Virat Kohli Questions About Spirit Of Game And Guidelines

Replays indicated that the ball might have hit the ground when Dawid Malan was taking the catch. However, as the soft signal was out, the third umpire upheld the on-field call citing “lack of conclusive evidence”.

“You have to question what the spirit of the game is and what those guidelines are, because if, things like that happened with the Indian cricket team overseas, then you are talking about a totally different conversation of spirit of the game…,” he asserted.

Virat Kohli said the things could come to a head in high-stakes tournaments if controversial umpiring calls end up affecting results.

“…there’s a lot at stake in the future with the big tournaments, and you don’t want some grey area factors in the game, which leaves you with no clarity to be the defining factors of those big tournaments.”

Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath-Photo courtesy: Shane Warne on Instagram
Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath Photo courtesy: Shane Warne on Instagram

Spin great Shane Warne for long has called for a tweak in the umpire’s call, expressing a view similar to Virat Kohli on the subject.

Glenn McGrath, former Australian pacer has joined in the DRS debate around the existence of the umpire’s call and said that it needs to be removed. Several former players including Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar and former umpire Daryl Harper have also said that the umpire’s call doesn’t do justice to the game.

Ian Chappell, former Australian captain, has advised revamping Decision Review System (DRS) rules because it creates dissent among players for the umpires on the field. Apart from Glenn McGrath, Tim Paine, Australian skipper was left frustrated with the Decision Review System (DRS) during their second Test loss to India in Melbourne, saying his controversial dismissal was wrong and might have cost his team the match.

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Ravichandran Ashwin Became First Bowler To Dismiss Left Handers 200 Times In Tests

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Ravichandran Ashwin broke several records on the second day of the ongoing second Chennai Test between India and England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai by taking a five-wicket haul.

The Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday became the first bowler to dismiss 200 left-handed batsmen in Test cricket. He achieved the unique distinction on the second day as he helped India bundle out England for paltry 134.

Ravichandran Ashwin (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Ravichandran Ashwin Registers 29th 5 Wicket Haul In Tests Equalling Glenn McGrath’s Tally

The 34-year-old further registered his 29th five-wicket haul in the longest format, equalling former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath’s tally on the all-time list. The duo occupies the joint-seventh spot in the list.

Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan holds the second spot on the list of bowlers, with most left-handed victims in Tests. Muttiah Muralitharan has accounted for 191 dismissals.

Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne exit the MCG, Australia v England, 4th Test, MCG, 3rd day, December 28, 2006 ©Getty Images
Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne exit the MCG, Australia v England, 4th Test, MCG, 3rd day, December 28, 2006, ©Getty Images

England pacer James Anderson is placed third on the list, having taken 190 such wickets so far. Legendary Australian cricketers Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath occupy the fourth and fifth spot on the list, with 172 dismissals apiece.

The top spinner picked a five-wicket haul to go past James Anderson’s record of fourth highest five-wicket hauls at home. The 34-year-old took the wicket of Stuart Broad to claim his 23rd five-wicket haul. OnlyMuttiah Muralitharan (45), Rangana Herath (26), and Anil Kumble (25) are ahead of the spinner.

He is only nine wickets away to claim 400 Test wickets for Indians in the longest format to join the elite club with Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Kapil Dev.

Ravichandran Ashwin Surpassed Harbhajan Singh By Taking 268 Wickets At Home

Ravichandran Ashwin further surpassed fellow former spinner, Harbhajan Singh, on the list of bowlers who have registered the highest dismissals in Test cricket in India. The 34-year-old  who has taken 268 wickets at home now jumped to the second spot on the list, pushing Harbhajan Singh who has accounted for 265 dismissals in 55 matches to the third spot.

Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh (TOI Photo)
Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh (TOI Photo)

Anil Kumble leads the list still, having claimed 350 scalps in India. The second Test between India and England is being held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The opening Test between the two nations was also held at the same venue, with the visitors emerging victorious by a sizeable margin of 227 runs.

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Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath. Credits: AFP
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Australia Have Identified Chink In Cheteshwar Pujara’s Armour: Glenn McGrath

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Glenn McGrath, legendary Australian pacer said on Sunday that Australia have identified a chink in Test specialist mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara’s armour and executed their plans against the star batsman perfectly in the ongoing 4-Test series against India.

Cheteshwar Pujara got out to pacer Josh Hazlewood for the 2nd successive time in the series as he was undone by a nearly unplayable delivery in Brisbane on 3rd day after scoring 25. Glenn McGrath feels Australia have found ‘something’ against the star India batsman.

Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara. Image Credits: BCCI

Glenn McGrath: Cheteshwar Pujara Is Getting Out In Similar Fashion To Very Good Deliveries

Cheteshwar Pujara was caught behind after pacer Josh Hazlewood got one to pitch in the off-stump line and straighten from there in the first innings of the 4th Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Sunday.

Cheteshwar Pujara had to play at the ball but edged it instead to Tim Paine. The closed face of his bat meant the ball kissed the outside edge of it before crashing into wicketkeeper Australian skipper Tim Paine’s gloves. He was one of the many Indian batsmen who got a start but failed to convert it into a big one like Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma all of whom failed to score even 50.

Although most of the deliveries that have got India’s Test specialist batsman out would have got anyone out in world cricket, Glenn McGrath feels there is a pattern developing in the senior batsman’s mode of dismissal.

Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath (Image Credit: Google)

“Pujara is getting out in similar ways but they are all very good deliveries. They will probably get a lot of right-handers out. They are all around the off-stump,” Glenn McGrath told Sony Six.

“He is (allowing bowlers to bowl there consistently). He is not going to hurt you. If you bowl there, he is not going to score runs. So you can just sit there all day and he will just bat all day and he won’t hurt you. And one just does a bit more and he will be out. The bowlers have to be consistent and have to be patient and get that ball in that right area,” Glenn McGrath added.

Cheteshwar Pujara was the difference between the two sides when India clinched a historic 2-1 win against Australia in 2018-19. He batted more than 1000 deliveries and scored 521 runs, including 3 hundreds. He has managed 215 runs in 7 innings so far with 2 fifties both at Sydney.

Glenn McGrath: Australia Have Been Able To Execute Plans

Pat Cummins have dismissed him 4 times while Josh Hazlewood dismissed him twice and Nathan Lyon once. He had similar dismissals to the ball that straightens after falling in uncertainty corridor.

“I think the Australian team has identified that. They said at the start of the series, that they had plans for Pujara and that back hip comes around, you do square up and probably make those balls look better than they are and I think they have identified something and they have been able to execute the plans and they have got the result they wanted.”

Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

India were reduced to 186 for 6 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 369. The likes of Rohit Sharma (44), Cheteshwar Pujara (25), Ajinkya Rahane (37), Mayank Agarwal (38), and Rishabh Pant (23) got starts but none of them were able to convert them into a big knock when India needed one, considering the inexperienced bowling unit at their disposal after the series of injuries.

However, Washington Sundar’s unbeaten 60 and Shardul Thakur’s valiant 67 ensured India reaching 319/7 as the team trail by 50 runs in 4th Test. The 3rd day’s 3rd session of play is currently in progress.

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Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon. Image Credit: Getty Images.
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Nathan Lyon Admits Batsmen Have Come Up With Plans To Combat Him In 2020-21

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Nathan Lyon, Australia’s off-spinner admitted on Wednesday that in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series this time around in 2020-21, India have come up with some really good plans to combat him.

One aspect of Team India’s success Down Under in the ongoing series has been the way they have been able to play Australian spinner, Nathan Lyon.

Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon. Getty Images

Nathan Lyon: India Have Come Up With Plans To Combat Me This Time Around

Nathan Lyon, along with India’s Jasprit Bumrah, was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2018-19 with 21 dismissals. This time around, Indian batsmen have been successful in neutralizing his spin, as the bowler has only taken 6 wickets in the 3 Tests so far.

Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Nathan Lyon himself admitted on Wednesday that India have come up with some really good plans to combat him.

“This summer has been challenging. Playing against India, again, I think they’ve come up with some really good plans to combat me. To be honest, I’ve been really happy with what I’ve been bowling. I’ve been able to create some chances which have been really positive.

“I’m very happy the way they’re coming out. Some days the wheel doesn’t turn around and you don’t have much luck in the middle. I’m very happy how they’re coming out of my hand, [I’m] very confident,” he said to reporters on Wednesday.

Lyon has picked 3 wickets in Melbourne, 2 at Sydney and 1 at Adelaide conceding 346 runs at a strike rate of 128 his second-worst strike rate after Pakistan series at UAE in October 2014.

Nathan Lyon Is Nearing 400 Test Wickets In Process Of Being 3rd Australian To Reach The Milestone

Lyon has 396 Test wickets and is just four wickets short of becoming the third Australian to reach the 400 Test wicket milestone. Only Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have got more than 400 wickets. Spinner Shane Warne has 708 wickets while Glenn McGrath has 563 wickets.

Shane Warne
Shane Warne (Image Credit: Google)

But he is hopeful that the Gabba pitch at Brisbane, which offers more bounce than the flat track of the SCG, will help him to be among wickets in the final Test.

“I’m very excited to get to the Gabba where there’s a bit more bounce than the MCG and SCG, definitely SCG anyway. I’m very excited about that. Knowing that if I keep doing my job with the Australian cricket team the luck will keep changing here and there. I’ve just got to stay patient and see how we go,” Nathan Lyon added.

Nathan Lyon has bowled 128 overs in 3 Tests prior to Brisbane Test picking up 6 wickets averaging below par 57.67. But he is optimistic as in Brisbane, he has picked 35 wickets in 9 Tests averaging 29.37.

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Glenn McGrath
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Umpire’s Call In Decision Review System Should Be Scraped: Glenn McGrath

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Glenn McGrath, former Australian pacer has joined in the DRS debate around the existence of umpire’s call and said that it needs to be removed.

Several former players including Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar and former umpire Daryl Harper have also said that umpire’s call doesn’t do justice to the game.

Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath. Credits: AFP

Glenn McGrath Doesn’t Like Umpire’s Call As He Wants To See Change In Decision Review System

According to the ICC rules, the on-field decision stays after DRS review if there is no conclusive evidence to overturn it. In the case of LBW appeals, the on-field decision by the umpire stays if more than half of the ball misses the stumps even after clipping the stumps.

Glenn McGrath on Saturday said that things in cricket need to be transparent and argued that umpire’s call needs to be gotten rid off, bringing change in DRS.

“I don’t like umpire’s call, I think we need to get rid of it and just have it black and white. To me that’s (David Warner’s LBW dismissal) not umpire’s call, that’s out. If that is not out then nothing is out half the time. I would like to see a little change in DRS,” Glenn McGrath said on Sony Network.

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin. Image Credit: Getty Images.

David Warner was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin for the 10th time on Saturday. The batsman went for a slog-sweep and missed a tossed up delivery from the off-spinner and was adjudged to be LBW by the umpire. But he went for the review almost immediately and television replays showed a part of the ball clipping the stump and he had to leave the field as the on-field umpire had originally ruled it out.

Sachin Tendulkar: DRS System Needs To Be Though roughly Looked By ICC Especially Umpire’s Call

A few overs later, Steve Smith survived a similar call. Although nearly the same amount of the ball was hitting the stumps on review as shown by TV replays, this time around, but since the on-field decision was ‘not out’, Steve Smith was given a life-line.

Just two weeks ago, Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to argue that umpire’s call rule doesn’t do justice to players who take the reviews after being unhappy with the on-field umpire’s decision.

“The reason players opt for a review is because they’re unhappy with the decision taken by the on-field umpire. The DRS system needs to be thoroughly looked into by the ICC, especially for the ‘Umpires Call’,” Tendulkar wrote on social media.

Sachin Tendulkar,
Sachin Tendulkar. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Apart from Glenn McGrath, Tim Paine, Australian skipper was left frustrated with the Decision Review System (DRS) during their second Test loss to India in Melbourne, saying his controversial dismissal was wrong and might have cost his team the match.

Josh Hazlewood, Australian pacer, believes giving one unsuccessful review to each of the teams first and second innings might be a better option and may work in favour of cricket.

Ian Chappell, former Australian captain, has advised revamping Decision Review System (DRS) rules because it creates dissent among players for the umpires on the field.

Veteran Indian commentator, Aakash Chopra has revealed that MS Dhoni, one of the finest customers of the technology wasn’t really in favour of using the DRS when it first came to light in 2008.

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Rohit Sharma, century
Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)
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Rohit Sharma Should Have Done Better In Tests: Glenn McGrath

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Glenn McGrath, former Australian pacer believes Rohit Sharma’s inclusion in the playing XI for the Sydney Test will provide a big lift to the Indian team.

Glenn McGrath feels the Mumbai batsman who leads Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020 and is a vice-captain in ODIs should have done better in his Test career given his ability to perform as a batsman.

Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath. Credits: AFP

Glenn McGrath: Rohit Sharma Is A Class Player Whose Experience, Skill And Ability Would Lift India

Rohit Sharma has missed most of the Australian tour especially limited-overs leg so far because of injury and fitness issues. However, he has made a comeback to the Test team for last 2 Tests after spending two weeks in quarantine. He was cleared to play after undergoing rehabilitation at NCA following a hamstring injury in IPL 2020. Glenn McGrath believes Rohit Sharma will be looking to make an immediate impact with the bat after missing out so far.

“Rohit Sharma, he’s just a class player. To have someone of that experience, skill and ability coming into the team should be a big lift. He will probably come in and someone like Agarwal or Vihari will go out depending on where Rohit bats. But he will be keen to make an instant impact.” McGrath said in a press conference.

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma-Getty

“He hasn’t had too many matches for a while, so I will be keen to see how he goes. A player of his experience, I always thought he should do better at Test cricket than what his stats probably suggest. He will be a player Australians would be keen to get out quite early because he hasn’t had too many games recently.” McGrath added.

Rohit Sharma who is a certainty in ODI and T20I squad hasn’t shown his calibre that much in Tests though he averages above 45 in Tests too. He has played only 5 Tests in and against Australia and will look to make amends by scoring a ton as an opener. As an opener, he averages 92.67 amassing 556 runs in 4 Tests and 6 innings. Glenn McGrath says Australia must get him out early because it will be hard to dismiss him if he gets set.

Rohit Sharma Named In XI For 3rd Test Despite Being Part Of Controversies

Rohit Sharma’s name has been embroiled in quite a few controversies over the past few months. He was under the scanner for playing for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL bearing considerable pain when it was believed that he wasn’t fit enough to play in the limited over series against Australia.

Even captain Virat Kohli termed the situation as confusing, which indicated the lack of communication between all the parties involved. The matter was later sorted out as after coming to Australia and undergoing a strict quarantine, it was always expected that Rohit Sharma would be drafted straight into the Indian team.

However, he was involved in another controversy. Rohit Sharma was part of a group of players including Rishabh Pant, Navdeep Saini, Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw who were spotted dining out, where they were suspected of breaking the bio-bubble with sources indicating that the five players will not play and they were kept in isolation.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Image Credit: Getty Images.

But as things stand, the right-handed batsman has been named in the playing XI for the upcoming Test. It remains to be seen whether the ‘Hitman’ can deliver for India against Australia in the last 2 Tests of ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In 32 Test matches, Rohit Sharma has scored 2141 runs at a healthy average of 46.54. However, his average drops down significantly against Australia.

The 33-year-old has played five Tests against the Aussies, managing to score just 279 runs at an average of 31 in 5 Tests. With the series tied 1-1 after India bouncing back and winning the MCG Test, India will be hoping Rohit Sharma can significantly improve these stats in the last two Tests.

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