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I Can Walk Away With My Head Held High And I Have Always Wanted To Do That Cricket
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I Can Walk Away With My Head Held High And I Have Always Wanted To Do That

For the one last time, England's fans were seeing their beloved son and one of the greats of the game, Alastair Cook. All the memories were floating in front of their eyes and it should be as after giving so many reasons to cheer, Cook was saying goodbye to International cricket which he lived almost 12 years.## There was always talking about breaking the record of the great Sachin Tendulkar's most runs in Test cricket and without any doubt, Cook was the only cricketer among the current players who could break Sachin's record. The 33-year old had time by his side but he hanged his boots before reaching the milestone. Nevertheless, he still finished his career on high with a century in his last Test innings that turned out to be in fairy-tale.## England's fans were hoping that their greatest batsman will perform well one last time and he did not disappoint them by scoring a half-century and a century in his last match. There is always ups and downs comes in every cricketer's career, Cook also had faced them but he never been out of touch for a long time. Till the last match, he showed same determination, extraordinary patience and skill which he was known for throughout his career.## Even in the presentation ceremony looked had the same determination, self-belief on his face. He never showed that he had been playing his last Test innings for England.## "It has been the most amazing week. One you couldn't be able to script. Got a text from Beefy (Ian Botham) and he said 'Can I have your scriptwriter?' It is great to be contributing to a series win. The game going into the last session with all the three results possible was a great advert for Test cricket. The memories shared with my team is what I'll miss the most. Some very good moments. Today it showed how tough Test cricket can be. I leave with great memories. I have been very privileged to have worn the cap for as long as I have," Cook said.## Cook had played the most part of his career with James Anderson who went past the great Glenn McGrath to become the leading wicket-takers among the pacers. Both had created so many great memories together and when he was asked about Jimmy went past McGrath he said,## "To see Jimmy go past Glenn McGrath was brilliant. He and Broady are the ones that I have played most cricket with. To make the decision that I won't be standing at slips and dropping catches off their bowling has been tough (chuckles). Just has been a privilege to have played with England's greatest cricketer (Anderson). No disrespect to any other cricketer. He (Anderson) almost takes it for granted that he will hit the length from ball one. It is fitting that he got the last wicket, to knock out the middle-stump and win the series for us. The pressure that you go through, I won't miss that. You miss all the highs. I would miss playing for this team".## Although Cook had already taken his decision of retiring from international cricket and denied when he was asked if there was any chance he could make a comeback. "Not a chance, this week can't be beaten. I can walk away with my head held high and I have always wanted to do that".## Cook had a stellar career which saw him score 12,474 runs (Most by any English player) in 161 matches with an average of 45.35. Apart from runs, he is also England's leading century getter (33 Centuries). Though, Cook never had had a second thought about his batting style and his technic. He played with the same determination and patience throughout his career.## After watching him play for such long period (12 years) one can say that well-played chef. It's been a privilege to watching you from other side.## For more updates and news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

Anderson Go Past McGrath, Cook Received Fairy-tale Farewell Cricket
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Anderson Go Past McGrath, Cook Received Fairy-tale Farewell

In the historic Test where England's all-time leading run scorer in the longest format of the game, Alastair Cook was retiring from the international cricket, James Anderson went past the great Glenn McGrath's 563 wickets to become the leading wicket-taker among the pacers and overall fourth in the list.## It was an emotional few days for England as two of their greatest players were on the line to create history. One was hoping for the fairy-tale goodbye and the other was in the race to become the greatest pacer ever.## Well maybe the history itself wanted to written in stars as Alastair Cook completed his fairy-tale century and became the only 5th batsman to score a century in both his debut and last match. Cook also went past Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to become leading run-getter among the left-handers and overall fifth in Test cricket history.## TOP 5 LEADING RUN GETTERS IN TEST :## 1. SACHIN TENDULKAR (IND) - 15,921 Runs## 2. RICKY PONTING (AUS) - 13,378 Runs## 3. JACQUES KALLIS (SA) - 13,289 Runs## 4. RAHUL DRAVID (IND) - 13,288 Runs## 5. ALASTAIR COOK (ENG) - 12,472 Runs## Both the players played a significant role in England's 4-1 win over India. Though, Cook didn't look his usual best but he made it special by completing his 33rd and final Test century. On the other hand, Anderson has been brilliant throughout the series and was the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets exactly the same were needed to went past McGrath.## TOP 5 LEADING WICKET TAKERS IN TEST :## 1. M MURLITHARAN (SL) - 800 Wickets## 2. SHANE WARNE (AUS) - 708 Wickets## 3. ANIL KUMBLE (IND) - 619 Wickets## 4. J ANDERSON (ENG) - 564 Wickets## 5. G McGRATH (AUS) - 563 Wickets## The 5-match series has been very competitive though, the scoreline is looking one-sided in England's favour (4-1). India had had their moments but they failed to catch them. Virat Kohli has stood out as alone warrior in the whole series and was the highest run scorer of the series with 593 Runs.## It was India's 3rd consecutive series defeat against England in England since they won 1-0 in 2007. India showed good promises but was not good enough to cross the line especially when they had an excellent chance to win the 1st and 4th Test.## For more updates and news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

Virat Kohli Surpasses Lara To Become The Quickest To Reach 18,000 International Runs Cricket
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Virat Kohli Surpasses Lara To Become The Quickest To Reach 18,000 International Runs

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has added another feather to his hat as he became the quickest player to reach 18,000 International runs to left behind legendary Brian Lara on Saturday, September 8.## Virat took only 382 innings to reach the milestone while Lara took 411 innings to get 18,000 runs in international cricket. Legendary Sachin Tendulkar (leading run-getter in international cricket) took 412 innings to do the same.## Virat Kohli is the only fourth Indian after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sourav Ganguly to be included in 18,000 clubs. Since his debut, Virat has scored 6147 runs in Tests, 9779 runs in ODIs, and 2102 runs in T20Is.## Virat has been in the record-breaking spree in ongoing series against England but unfortunately, this could not help India from losing the series. Virat stood out as alone warrior in this series but lack of support from the other end hurts India.## QUICKEST TO REACH 18,000 INTERNATIONAL RUNS :## 1. VIRAT KOHLI (IND) - 382 Innings## 2. BRIAN LARA (WI) - 411 innings## 3. SACHIN TENDULKAR (IND) - 412 Innings## INDIAN PLAYERS WITH 18,000+ RUNS IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET :## 1. SACHIN TENDULKAR - 34,357 Runs (782 Innings)## 2. RAHUL DRAVID - 24,208 Runs (605 Innings)## 3. SOURAV GANGULY - 18,575 Runs (488 Innings)## 4. VIRAT KOHLI - 18,028 Runs (382 Innings)## For more updates and news about CRICKET, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.##

Batsmen Failed To Support Bowlers, Admits Rahane Cricket
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Batsmen Failed To Support Bowlers, Admits Rahane

India's vice-captain and one of the strongest pillars of the team Ajinkya Rahane has admitted that it was batsmen's fault that let them down in the ongoing 5-match series against England.## India is 3-1 down with one match to spare. Rahane admitted that despite playing good cricket, batsmen failed to support their bowlers who have been brilliant throughout the series.## "Patience is the key in England, whether you bat or bowl. You got to bowl in the same areas for a longer period of time. Maybe as a batsman, you have to leave the ball for a longer period of time," Rahane said.## "We feel bad as our bowlers bowled so well and we as batting group could not support them when we are an experienced group. I think we as batting group fell short.## "When you are on tour you work so hard and prepare so well and then one department performs well then it is the responsibility of other groups to back them," he added.## However, India's vice-captain hasn't looked in best of his touch even though he scored two half-centuries in last two matches. India needed their best overseas batsman to put his best foot forward but he failed to contribute in crunch moments. When he was asked about his batting, he said,## "I didn't get many runs but I got 50-odd and 80-odd in the last two matches. The way I am batting, I am middling the ball really well. Batting is all about confidence. I would like to contribute a little more to my team.## "During this last match I will definitely give my best and I have prepared myself really well. Preparation from beginning till now is similar, whether you are 3-1 down or up. I am just going to enjoy my batting."## However, Rahane is hopeful to finish the tour on winning note. He believes that his team played good cricket but England was the better side in the series.## "Definitely it is an important Test match. The series stands at 3-1 and we want to give our best and finish on a winning note. Especially since I feel we played some good cricket but England played better than us," said Rahane.## "In Test cricket, you have to give more than 100 percent in each and every session. I felt England particularly won small and important sessions. Their bowling unit bowled really well.## "This is going to be the last Test. We are focused on performing well in this last test and if we can win this test and go back 3-2 then that will be really good," he said.## "Every team plays really well at home nowadays. England has played better cricket than us, especially in their bowling and batsmen in both teams have struggled a lot. Only Virat (Kohli) has batted really well in these conditions," he said.## "But England definitely, in their conditions, are a very good team and very experienced team with James Anderson and Stuart Broad in their attack. Moeen (Ali) bowled really well in the last game. They can do really well abroad as well but at home, every team is really strong."## The fifth and final Test will be played at The Oval, London from Friday, September 7. India's record at The Oval is not something they can proud. In 11 previous outings, India managed to win only one match and that too came 37 years ago.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

Shastri Feels: No Indian Team In Last 15-20 Years Has Had The Same Run As Current Team Cricket
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Shastri Feels: No Indian Team In Last 15-20 Years Has Had The Same Run As Current Team

India's head coach Ravi Shastri made a big statement on current Indian Test team and called them the best in last 15-20 years in overseas conditions despite suffering 3-1 (with one more match to play) in the ongoing 5-match series against England. Shastri has always defended his side and this time was no different. He was speaking in the press conference ahead of the fifth and final England-India Test.## Though India haven't been able to cross the line on numerous occasions, Shastri backs his side and called them the best Indian team in last 15-20 years. He has always been said that they want to be the best traveling side in the world. However, India's last series win outside Asia (excluding West Indies) came against New Zealand in 2009, since then they haven't been able to win any series against SENA countries. ## There is no doubt that Virat Kohli led Indian side have competed much better than other teams in overseas conditions but they haven't been able to cross the line on many occasions. Even Kohli had said after 4th Test that, "we can not say every time that we have competed well, crossing the line is something that we need to learn as the team".## They have run both South Africa and England close, but have failed to cross the finish line - something that has left Shastri with a headache. Shastri laid out a number of things that seem to dog India when it came to seizing the initiative.## "I think you have got to get tough mentally. We have run teams close overseas and we have competed. But now it's not about competing. We have to win games from here. Now the endeavor is to understand where you made the mistakes and take it head on and try to correct it. The fact of the matter is you had a chance.## "The scoreline says 3-1 which mean India have lost the series, what the scoreline doesn't say that India could have been 3-1 or it could have been 2-2. And my team knows it. They would have hurt and rightly so after the last game. But this is a team that will not throw in the towel. It will come out there and look to compete and not be on the first flight home, and that's exactly what we will do," Shastri said in press conference.## India have come close to win Edgbaston and Southampton Test but on both occasions, their batsmen let India down. India's top order has failed miserably against the swinging balls. If the swinging balls weren't enough to run through India's batting order, their shot selection wasn't good either. Edgbaston and Southampton's lose showed not only India's struggle in closing out games, but also the number of factors that they needed to get right in order to do so.## "As far as crossing the line goes, you have to give credit to Moeen Ali there on the last day (in Southampton). To be honest, he bowled magnificently. As hard as our guys tried, England was one-up on us there. Nothing to take away (from them). The endeavor of this team is to travel well, compete and win. If you look at the last three years, we have won nine matches overseas and three series.## "I can't see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that have had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series. So the promise is there, it is just about getting tougher mentally, you have got to hurt when you lose matches because that's when you look within and come out with the right kind of answers, to combat such situations and get past the finishing line. One day you will if you believe," He added.## "I think shot selection left a lot to be desired, we blew away a very good position straight away after Tea on day two (in Southampton). That's an area where you can tighten, be aware of what the team needs, being aware of the match situation, that will be a big help. I think that was crucial more than anything else.## "It's being aware of being in a good position and then capitalizing. And not doing something silly to open the door for the opposition, I thought at 180/4, there was a definite chance of a 75-80-run lead, and that would have been crucial. So that hurts."## The fifth and final Test will be played at The Oval, London from Friday, September 7. Though England have already won the series, India will look to win the final match to boost their morale going into Asia Cup.## For more updates and news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

Indian Pacers Day Out Cricket
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Indian Pacers Day Out

India might not have thought before the start of Southampton Test that they will be on top at the and of day one but the Indian Pacers made sure that they make most of the green top pitch to put India on top. However, Jasprit Bumrah did not expect that pitch will offer so much help for the pacers especially in the first session where England had lost 4 wickets.## "It's quite interesting (bowling) with the Dukes ball. When I was sitting out in the first two matches, I was keeping an eye on what the other bowlers were doing. We also wanted to bat, but when we started to bowl there was a lot of seam and swing early on, more than we expected. Always good when the plan works. The ball was swinging so I thought why not try the inswinger (against Jennings). Even when the ball is not reversing, the batsman tries to see the shine because the shine is prominent. I usually hide it often.## My action was different in U19. But it changed more and more. Wherever I went, in NCA and the MRF academy, the coaches said they won't change my action. We'll make you stronger and your body stronger because they were afraid I'll lose my pace. We would've taken 245 at the start of the day. We bowled well in patches and they played well too. I've not played a single ball after the IPL. I'm trying to bat in the nets," Bumrah said after day's play.## England's situation could have been even worse if 20-year old Curran did not come to rescue them with a fighting knock of 78. He has lifted England from 86 for 6 to 246. Conditions also helped England to recover as once the ball got old it became easier for batting after the morning session. But pacers led by Bumrah continued to pitch the ball in right areas that did not allow English batsmen to play freely.## Jasprit Bumrah again proved why he has become India's premium bowler. The way he set up Keaton Jennings with threoutswingerser and then one inswinger which actually got him out was excellent to watch. Jennings had no idea where that inswinger came from. Bumrah could have been Joe Root as well but he overstepped that saved Root but he nicked England's best batsman of the series Jonny Bairstow (6) to Rishabh Pant. Later he dismissed Stuart Broad as well who contributed with valuable 17 runs.## On the other hand, India's leading wicket-taker of this series Ishant Sharma bowled a tight opening spell in which he got skipper Joe Root LBW with a big inswinger. Mohammed Shami, another important member of India's pace attack too haa d a big success with h the ball. He first dismissed, Jos Buttler (21) who was looking dangerous and then Ben Stokes (23) by LBW.## It was the complete dominance of the pacers that rewarded Ravichandran Ashwin with two wickets. Moeen Ali (40) who survived through some brilliant pace bowling seek an opportunity to score runs against Ashwin and that resulted in him his wicket. He went for the expensive sweep but only managed a top edge to Bumrah. Ali put an 81-run partnership with Sam Curran that set up England's recovery. Ashwin had Curran too the last batsman of England's innings.## Overall it was a great day for India in terms of bowling where they managed to bowl England out on below par total. India started well with bat and scored 19 without losing any wicket at the end of day one. Looking at the conditions and pitch the next couple of days will be excellent for the batting so it is a great chance for India to take big first innings to lead to put England under serious pressure.## For more and latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

Virat Kohli Back At The Top Of ICC Test Batsmen Rankings Cricket
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Virat Kohli Back At The Top Of ICC Test Batsmen Rankings

Indian captain Virat Kohli back as No.1 Test batsman in latest MRF Tyres ICC Test rankings after a brilliant match at Trent Bridge which saw him score 97 and 103 across two innings.## Kohli had earlier became the No.1 Test batsman for the first time after the first Test but let go his top spot to Steven Smith after the second Test at Lord's where he could score only 23 and 17 in tough conditions for the batting.## Virat Kohli now has 937 rating points, a new career-best for him and is only a point away from breaking into the top ten on all-time points list. The current top ten are Don Bradman (961 points), Steven Smith (947), Len Hutton (945), Jack Hobbs and Ricky Ponting (both on 942), Peter May (941), and Gary Sobers, Clyde Walcott, Vivian Richards and Kumar Sangakkara (all on 938 points).## He has already broke an India's batting legend Sunil Gavaskar's record of 916 rating points. Apart from Kohli, pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya also rises in ICC rankings. Pandya after his all-round performance at Trent Bridge where he picked a five-wicket haul and tallied a run-a-ball 52* in the second innings helped him to move on 17th in all-rounder list. He also moved up eight spots on the batting list, and is now ranked 51st.## ICC Test Batsmen Rankings:## Rank Player Country Points 1 VIRAT KOHLI INDIA 937 2 STEVEN SMITH AUSTRALIA 929 3 KANE WILLIAMSON NEW ZEALAND 847 4 DAVID WARNER AUSTRALIA 820 5 JOE ROOT ENGLAND 818 6 CHETESHWAR PUJARA INDIA 763 7 DIMUTH KARUNARATNE SRI LANKA 754 8 DINESH CHANDIMAL SRI LANKA 733 9 DEAN ELGAR SOUTH AFRICA 724 10 AIDEN MARKRAM SOUTH AFRICA 703 ## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

Against All Odds India Bounced Back Strongly Cricket
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Against All Odds India Bounced Back Strongly

India was 2-0 down before the 3rd Test. Former players were criticizing them for not showing enough promises against the swinging balls especially in the second Test where India was completely outplayed by England and faced a heavy defeat of an innings and 159-runs.## Not every time a team is able to bounce back after losing first two Test but the way India did bounce back, was something remarkable. They not only won the match but they opened up this 5-match Test series nicely. They handed England a massive 203-runs defeat on Wednesday, August 22 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.## The win was scripted with some brilliant performances. First, a massive partnership between Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in the first innings that helped India to recover from 83 for 3. Virat Kohli (97) missed out his century but his knock along with Rahane (82) helped India to reach 329.## Though India's first inning score wasn't a huge one hence skipper Virat Kohli was needed his bowlers to bowl their heart out. Hardik Pandya whose all-around ability was questioned before this Test proved India's stand out bowler. His ran through England's batting line-up with career-best 5-28. His first 5-for in Test scripted England's collapsed in only one session who bundled out on 161. India got a huge lead of 167.## After first innings of each team, India had clearly an advantage and they tightened the screws with a sublime hundred from Virat Kohli (103) who missed out in the first innings along with the fifties from Cheteshwar Pujara (72), Hardik Pandya (52). India declared their innings on 352 for 7 and set a total of 521 to win for England with two full days to go.## Because the target for England was a huge one to chase so the question was, can England save this Test?. They might have thought but Ishant Sharma had some other plans who dismissed both the openers cheaply. Joe Root and Ollie Pope tried to show some resistance but Bumrah and Shami got them out with the help of brilliant catching from Rahul and Kohli. England was lost their 4 wickets on just 62. After 4 wickets the match was looking to finish on day 4 but this was the time when Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes put their hands up and put on a mammoth 169 for the fifth wicket. Buttler got his maiden Test century (106) while Stokes scored 62.## When Buttler and Stokes were frustrating India in their long partnership then India take new ball after 80 overs and third over of the new ball, Bumrah got Buttler and Jonny Bairstow on successive balls. In his next over, he grabbed Chris Woakes (4). Pandya in next over, dismissed Stokes and England suddenly reduced to 241 for 8 from 231 for 4. The damage had already been done but Adil Rashid and Stuart Broad still weren't ready to put their hands down and got a fifty runs partnership for the 9th wicket. Bumrah completed his second 5-for in Test after dismissing Broad on 20.## However, Rashid and James Anderson negated India to win in the 4th day only to frustrate India. However, it took only 17 balls to India in the 5th day to got England's last wicket when Ashwin claimed his first wicket of the match by dismissing Anderson. India cursed England by 203-runs.## It was a comeback of the highest quality when so many outstanding performances were responsible for that. Virat Kohli led from the front with his 23rd Test ton it could have been his 24th if he hadn't missed in the first innings. Pandya could able to shut the mouth of critics with his maiden 5-for and 52 runs knock in the second innings. Bumrah put another match-winning a performance with a 5-wicket haul in the second innings.## The series is nicely poised with 2-1 in favor of England with 2 matches more to go. The third Test will be played from August 30 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading

Time For Indian Batsmen To Show Some Promises Cricket
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Time For Indian Batsmen To Show Some Promises

Can India bounce back in 5-match series?## This is perhaps the biggest question raising among the all Indian fans at this moment. Well, the answer is 'yes' they can but only if the batsmen to show some promise this time. They will have to believe that they are still the No.1 Test side in the world.## Before landing in England and even after losing the first Test, where they put a great fight but unfortunately, could not cross the line and lost the match by 31-runs after reaching so close to winning, India was the favourite to win the 5-match Test series.## If the first match was very close to a perfect Test match, the second one was the opposite to the first match. It ended with a one-sided affair and England proved that side as they won by an innings and 159-runs. For India, a couple of lost Test matches have raised so many questions and doubts and let out some of the ghosts that have haunted touring Indian sides in the past.## Win and lose is of part of the game but the way India lost the second match where they could not even compete, doesn't augur so well for the confidence levels. In both innings of the second Test, India could manage only 107 and 130 runs. Their top order collapsed drastically in both the innings. Yes, the conditions were too difficult for the batsmen but still, they were needed to trust their skills.## So far in this series, only skipper Virat Kohli has looked in great form who has scored 240 runs with an average of 60 in 4 innings. Hardik Pandya is the second highest run-getter for India with 90 runs in 4 innings. Rest of the other batsmen have been lack of runs with opener Murli Vijay (26), KL Rahul (35), Ajinkya Rahane (48), Dinesh Karthik (21) haven't looked in good touch so far.## On the other hand, Bowlers have performed way better than batsmen. If India could come close to winning the first match, bowlers played a huge role who bowled out England in both the innings. Ravichandran Ashwin whose overseas record was very poor before the series, have looked India's best bowler in two matches so far by taking 7-wickets with a five-wicket haul.## Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami have also looked in great rhythm with 7 and 6 wickets respectively. The only weak point in India's bowling attack has been Hardik Pandya who played a 3rd seamer role in the second Test in place of Umesh Yadav. He hasn't performed well and because of that, the questions are also raising about his place in playing XI.## India is 2-0 down in the 5-match Test series. The third Test will do or die for them which is scheduled to play from Saturday, August 18.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.##

India Surrendered To Broad And Anderson Cricket
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India Surrendered To Broad And Anderson

This was perhaps the first time under Virat Kohli's captaincy when India did not even compete in a Test match. After allowing England to take 289 runs lead in the first innings, India was in trying to avoid an innings defeat, bowled out on 130 and lost by an innings and 159 runs and go down 2-0 in 5-match series.## It was a perfect match for England where their batsmen batted well and bowlers took full advantage of overcast conditions. After Anderson's 5 for 20 led England to bowled out India on 107 in the first innings, Chris Woakes (137*) and Jonny Bairstow (93) took the game away from India with a massive 189-run partnership for the sixth wickets.## England declared their first innings on 396 at the fall of Sam Curran's wicket who scored 40 off 49 balls. Indian bowlers did bowl well especially, Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami even though they could not stop England to take a big lead. Hardik took 3 for 66 while Shami too went with as many wickets and conceded 96.## With the conditions has become a lot tougher for the batsmen, India had a mammoth task in front of them to save the match. But India had no answer of Anderson and Broad's bowling who ran through India's batting line up with 4-wickets each and the remaining two wickets were taken by Woakes.## One can understand how badly India failed with the bat as for them, the biggest partnership of the match was 55 that came in the second innings between Hardik Pandya and Ravichandran Ashwin. The situation could have been even worse if the duo didn't put that partnership. Hardik batted well for his 26 while Ashwin remained the top scorer for India in both innings with 29 & 33.## Chris Woakes awarded Man Of The Match for match-winning all-round show as he took 4-wickets in the match and scored his maiden Test ton.## The third match of the 5-match series will be played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham from August 18. It will be a do or die match for India while England will look to seal the series.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

Indian Batsmen Should Play Ugly To Be Successful In English Conditions -  Clive Lloyd Cricket
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Indian Batsmen Should Play Ugly To Be Successful In English Conditions - Clive Lloyd

There seems no end of India's batting woes in the Test series in England. After losing the first Test by a small margin of 31-runs in Edgbaston, India's struggle with the bat continued in the second Test at Lords Cricket Ground, London.## After the day one of the second Test completely washed out due to rain, it took only 35.2 overs to England to bowled out India on 107 on another rain-interrupted day two. England's bowlers led by James Anderson's 5 for 20 took full advantage of overcast conditions.## Former West Indies' captain Clive Lloyd said that India should play ugly cricket to be successful in these conditions. One of the greatest captains of all time was speaking to ET and had plenty to say about India's batting and personally about Virat Kohli.## Excerpts :## When the conditions are all stacked in favour of the bowlers, what do you do as a batsman?## You bat ugly. That’s what you need to do and also hope that you have the luck on your side. It isn’t easy to bat in these conditions, especially when a bowler like James Anderson is bowling at you. But as a batsman you have to tell yourself that you will be patient, you will take blows on your body, you will be prepared to play and miss and yet not give your wicket away. Virat Kohli did exactly that at Edgbaston. He was not great to look at but he was hugely effective. That’s what you want from your best player and that’s what you need from your other batsmen.## Are you implying that Virat is a few notches higher in comparison to the other batsmen?## He is a rockstar. A player of tremendous quality but that doesn’t mean the others aren’t good enough or can’t stand out there and help out the captain. You needed one more man to bat ugly to win the Test at Edgbaston. One man to just tell himself that comes what I will not get out. It is a question of resolve and determination. Of courage and conviction. Cricket isn’t an easy sport and these conditions are as difficult as they can ever be. But that’s where you need to excel as a batsman to qualify as a great. Virat has done that and that’s what I am trying to tell you.## Coming to Virat the leader. You have been the most successful cricket captain of all time. How do you look at Virat as captain?## I like his style and like seeing him conduct himself as captain. Every captain is different and will have his own style. I had once asked Malcolm Marshall, who had a broken hand if he would still risk playing? Marshall did and got five wickets for me. Will Virat do the same of his players? Maybe not. The question that is of paramount importance here is how much trust the players have in Virat and vice-versa. I can say my players trusted me wholeheartedly and I did the same with each and every one of them. You can never be a successful captain and get the best out of your team if you don’t trust each other to the fullest. That’s what Virat will have to do as captain — get his players to trust him with their life. I see a lot of potential in him and I hope he will get better with time.## If you were in Virat’s position, would you have played your premier bowlers in the IPL or would you speak to the BCCI and withdraw them from the IPL to keep them fresh for the 2019 World Cup?## I have a very straightforward answer for you. The nation comes first. India comes first. IPL will come every year. If Virat and the management feels you need a certain bowler and the IPL may exhaust him or burn him out, you have to ensure he doesn’t play the IPL in World Cup year. Arthur Ashe once came to Melbourne and seeing 90,000 people in the stadium said to me, you guys must be millionaires. I said we get $500 per game.## Modern players make enough money and there is every reason that they should. But when it is a toss-up between the World Cup and the IPL and when you know you might not be at your best for the World Cup, you have to sacrifice franchise cricket. If you win the World Cup for your country you will qualify in the category of a cricketing legend. No number of franchise league wins can get you up there.## India is 1-0 down in 5-match series. To win this Test series, India will have bat well in rest of the remaining matches. Apart from skipper Virat Kohli, no other Indian batsmen looked to score runs against England's bowling attack in the first Test and resulted in, they failed to chase down 194 and lost the match by 31-runs.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading

Nasser Hussain Feels India Is Undercooked For The Test Series Cricket
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Nasser Hussain Feels India Is Undercooked For The Test Series

Indian team is facing criticism by the former players after the loss of Edgbaston Test. In the list, former England's captain and commentator Nasser Hussain feels that India is a bit 'undercooked' for the five-match Test series. Earlier, he questioned Virat Kohli's captaincy a day after the conclusion of the first Test and had said that Kohli should take the responsibility for the loss.## Hussain questioned their decision to reduce the sole warm-up match to three days instead of the scheduled four. He asserted that lack of preparation as well as the team management's dubious decision to exclude Cheteshwar Pujara resulted in their struggles against the moving ball in Edgbaston.## However, despite the poor batting show, Hussain still feels that India will be competitive in upcoming matches even though he predicts the series scoreline 3-2 in favor of England. Speaking to India Today ahead of the second match at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, Nasser Hussain said,## "3-2 is what I had predicted before a ball went down, (it will still be) 3-2 in favor of England. I don't think there'll be any draws."## The second match of the 5-match will be played at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, London where India had happy memories. Last time when India toured this part of the world in 2014, they registered a memorable victory at Home of the cricket.## On the other hand, England has lost five Test out of their last ten appearance at this ground. Unlike the last time, London is facing the extreme heatwave which means the pitch will be dry and there will not be much swing for the pacers. Hussain opined that the Indian batsmen would find it much easier than at Edgbaston.## "It will be a good pitch at the Lord's. I don't think the ball will do as much as it did at Edgbaston so that will help the Indian batsmen a little bit. But, there's the slope at the Lord's and there's always a little bit of movement. It will also spin a little bit. The side playing better cricket would be important.## "Conditions play a part but if India had been a little smarter and taken their catches in the first game, you would be talking about one-nil down for England and everyone will be nailing England at the moment. So both sides have their problems," he said.## India will be hoping a much better performance with the bat than Edgbaston at the Lord's, London in the second Test starting Thursday, August 9.## For more update and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.