Reaction to Ashwin announcing retirement
India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has called time on his international career, announcing his retirement after the third test against Australia finished in a draw in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Gautam Gambhir Sport News
'Rohit Sharma Will Step Down As India Captain If...': Sunil Gavaskar Drops Huge Bombshell
Legendary Indian cricket team captain Sunil Gavaskar made a massive claim that Rohit Sharma will likely step down from captaincy if his bad run of form continues. It has been a disappointing run for Rohit in the past few matches and it has led to criticism from both fans as well as experts. The move to push himself down to No. 6 in the batting order did not work as well as he failed to score big in the last two Test matches against Australia. Gavaskar, while speaking to ABC Sport, believed that Rohit will not wait for the selection committee to take any decision on his captaincy and will step down if his form does not improve in the next couple of matches in the five-match series to be held in Melbourne and Sydney.
India's Reaction To Avoiding Follow-On In 3rd Australia Test Receives Big Verdict: "Can't Control..."
Australia's veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon said a few of his team members were surprised over the reaction of members of the Indian team over avoiding the follow-on on Day Four of the third Test at Gabba. At the Gabba, the last wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep helped India avoid the follow-on and averted a potential innings defeat. As soon as Akash got a thick outside edge over gully for four off Pat Cummins, it led to jubilant reactions and high-fives amongst captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and talismanic batter Virat Kohli.
Watch: Virat Kohli Stunned, Gautam Gambhir Delighted As Akash Deep Hits Pat Cummins For Mammoth Six
Virat Kohli was left stunned while Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir were delighted as Indian cricket team fast bowler Akash Deep slammed a mammoth six off Pat Cummins during Day 4 of the third Test match between India and Australia on Tuesday. Akash Deep stitched together a brilliant partnership with Jasprit Bumrah to avoid the follow-on in the first innings. With the threat of follow-on behind them, the fast bowler let loose with a huge six over deep mid-wicket against Cummins. The Indian dressing room was already buzzing after avoiding follow-on and the six from Akash Deep sent them into a frenzy.
Watch: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir's Unmissable Reaction As India Dramatically Escape Follow-On
All but set to bat for the second time, India produced an epic fight-back on Day 4 of the third Test against Australia on Tuesday to deny escape follow-on. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja laid the foundation of Team India's fightback but it was the unbeaten 39-run partnership of Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah that pulled India out of the follow-on situation. Both Akash and Bumrah produced some lofty shots during their stay on the crease, while also showing their resolute defence.
"Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir Not On Same Page": Claims Of 'Divide' Within Indian Team Surface
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has criticised the Indian team management amid the ongoing third Test against Australia. Basit suggested that head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma are not on the same page. Rohit's leadership has come under severe criticism after India's heavy defeat in the Adelaide pink-ball Test last week, as well as the disappointing show so far in the third Test in Brisbane. While analysing India's performance in Adelaide and Brisbane Tests, Basit claimed that there is a difference of opinion between the captain and the coach.
Gautam Gambhir In Spotlight, Sanjay Manjrekar Questions Coaches As Virat Kohli Fails Again
Virat Kohli's repeated failures while handling the offside-off deliveries have put Team India's support staff in the line of fire too. While Gautam Gambhir is the team's head coach, he does have support from the likes of Ryan Ten Doeschate, Abhishek Nayar and Morne Morkel for different roles. However, it still isn't defined who India's batting coach is. As Kohli was dismissed chasing an outside-off delivery again, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar put the 'batting coach' in the line of fire.
With Kohli-Shastri Reminder, Dinesh Karthik Slams Rohit, Gambhir Over 'Defensive' 3rd Test Strategy
For the third straight match, the Indian team went with a change in the team's spin-bowling attack, with Ravindra Jadeja replacing Ravichandran Ashwin. While Washington Sundar had featured for India in the first Test at Perth, he was replaced by Ashwin in the second. In third, another change was made in the form of Jadeja. Looking at the changes in the spin-bowling department, former India wicket-keeper batter called out Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma's decision as 'defensive' while sending a reminder of what Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri used to aim for as a captain-coach duo.