R Ashwin Picks 'Future Batting Pillars Of Indian Cricket'. Not Rishabh Pant Or KL Rahul

01.10.2024 - 14:15 sports.ndtv.com

Indian cricket's next generation of batting talent is quietly making waves, and star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has high hopes for two of the country's brightest young stars — Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Both players impressed during India's recent 2-0 Test sweep against Bangladesh, with Jaiswal finishing as the top run-scorer of the series, accumulating 189 runs at an average of 47.25, while Gill closely followed with 164 runs at an impressive average of 54.66, including a century in the first Test.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ashwin showered praise on the duo, emphasising their potential to become key players for India, especially in overseas conditions. "Look, I think Yashasvi Jaiswal is a special talent.

He plays freely and willingly. He's just started his international career, as is Shubman Gill. Both of them are still in the formative years of playing Test cricket, but I believe they will be the future pillars and overseas stars for Indian cricket," Ashwin said.

cricket Ravichandran Ashwin Yashasvi Jaiswal Rishabh Pant Kl Rahul Shubman Gill India Bangladesh

Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant had an injury scare during the recently concluded 1st Test against New Zealand, which India lost by 8 wickets on Sunday. Pant copped a blow to his operated-knee on Day 2 before being taken off the field. He did not keep the wickets after injury, with Dhruv Jurel replacing him behind the sticks. However, Pant took the game to the New Zealand bowlers on Day 3, smashing them all over the park in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, Pant missed out on his century by a solitary run before India suffered another batting collapse.

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Sarfaraz Khan delivered a stellar performance on Saturday, scoring his first Test century (150) and leading India's remarkable recovery in the first Test against New Zealand. With the hosts setting a modest 107-run target, Sarfaraz expressed confidence that early wickets on a deteriorating pitch could turn the match in India's favour. “It felt really good to score a century for my country, fulfilling a childhood dream,” Sarfaraz told reporters at the end of the day's play on Saturday. “It won't be easy for New Zealand. The pitch has its challenges; the ball is moving and cutting unpredictably, and there will be turn. If we can get breakthroughs early tomorrow, they might find themselves in a similar spot as we did,” he added.

Watch: Rishabh Pant Smashes Huge 107m Six, Ball Lands On Top Of Stadium Roof

India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant missed out on his century by a solitary run in the ongoing 1st Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Pant was batting on 99 when Kiwi pacer William O'Rourke denied him a century with a delivery from around the wicket that took the inside edge of the bat and rattled the stumps. Pant came out to bat amid concerns over his fitness, having been stretched off the ground on Day 2. He did not take the field on Day 3 as Dhruv Jurel kept the wickets once again.

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Former India captain Anil Kumble has questioned New Zealand over their strategy in the second innings of the ongoing 1st Test in Bengaluru. After gaining a lead of 356 runs in the innings, New Zealand were hoping to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. However, Indian batters, led by Sarfaraz Khan and Virat Kohli, have put up a strong fightback. India were just 12 runs behind New Zealand before rain interrupted the proceedings on Day 4.