Cricket
Kuldeep Yadav,slipping and drifting into the equation – IND Vs BAN
13 Test innings have been bowled by Kuldeep Yadav. Amazingly, in five of those, he has claimed four or more wickets. A wicket is taken by him almost every six overs. In the eight Tests he has played in seven series spanning five and a half years, he has taken more wickets than he has bowled maidens.
His tendency to play only when an additional spinner is needed and the very limited sample size help to explain these figures. Eight tests in five years, though? Kuldeep would be correct in feeling unfairly treated, but other reasons are at work. He is up against two of the greatest spinners of all time for a regular berth, but they are less risky because they are fingerspinners. The batting of the spinners is more than just a bonus because India only uses the five batters. R Ashwin will attest that when playing away, the lone spinner’s batting skills play a significant role.
However, Kuldeep’s subsequent decline in limited-overs cricket in between those infrequent Test matches has been severe, possibly even more so than the team combinations. He has occasionally lost all credibility, not just with India but also with Kolkata Knight Riders. It turned into a vicious circle. His lack of pacing was mentioned by coaches and leaders. He found that the faster he bowled, the less effective he was. They played him less and less as he lost effectiveness.
Due to the slow and low pitch, Kuldeep’s four-for, which could become a five on the third morning, will be much sweeter. Kuldeep himself took 114 balls to get his career-high 40 when he batted because the pace was so slow and low.
Really, it wasn’t all about the pace. As former bowling coach Bharat Arun used to say, what coaches actually desired was greater vigour in his action. Some alterations can be seen by an untrained eye. The leading arm is working considerably harder, the running in is straighter, the rear foot is landing parallel to the crease, and the bowling arm is getting a little closer to the ear.
A quick peek at Chattogram’s speed gun will reveal that the change was more about the work done on the ball than it was about the pace. Arun noted the vigour with which Kuldeep bowled for his four wickets. The ball’s drift or drop helps it land a little short of where the batter anticipates it to, giving the impression that things are moving quickly because of the hitter’s rushed response.
Kuldeep performed the work in the air for two of his wickets before any off-pitch activity was involved. First ball from Kuldeep drew Shakib Al Hasan out of his crease, and the ball drifted in drastically to force him to cover his mouth when he guarded in front of the body. When Shakib began to move, the ball was outside the offside zone and ended up pitching on or outside the leg stump.
Mushfiqur Rahim perceived a ball that was really full and believed he didn’t need to move forward for it. But once more, the drift and dip caused a space to form between his bat and the ball’s pitch. The ball had time to turn around the bat and catch him on the crease because the bat travelled wider than it should have.
A spectacular catch at short leg eliminated Nurul Hasan, although the ball spun swiftly and forced him to play when he might have let it hit the pad. Apart from the drift that brought Nurul through, that wicket should have satisfied Kuldeep because the turn was so swift he ended up flinging his hands at it in terror.
Kuldeep very likely would not have been playing if Ravindra Jadeja had been playing, demonstrating the depth of Indian cricket. India has a dream trio of three superb spinners who can bat with varied degrees of efficiency in Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar Patel.
Kuldeep, however, presents himself as a point of difference in the series against Australia in the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy where a slip-up could cost India a spot in the World Test Championship final if his impressive comeback continues – he should get a second Test in a series for just the second time in his career when India go to Mirpur. The only issue is that he will be facing Axar, who has only five five-fors in 13 innings but takes a wicket per 34.5 balls.
Even if Jadeja is not fully recovered, India knows they still have three spinners to challenge Australia. It will likely come down to how much assistance there in a pitch; the more the turn, the more likely Axar is to play.
On Thursday, November 2, Virat Kohli achieved an accomplishment. He became the batsman to surpass 1000 runs in ODIs in 2023, following in the footsteps of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Not that,. He also joined Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Pathum Nissanka as the fourth players to achieve this impressive record in the 50-over format within the same year.
Stepping into History with 1000 Runs in ODIs
Entering the realm of history, Kohli’s unwavering determination and exceptional skills were put on display during his match in 2023. Notably, the cricket maestro, now 34 years old, made an indelible impact by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar‘s record, securing the most number of years with 1000 runs in ODIs. Kohli’s consistent ability to perform at such an exceptional level has been a defining characteristic of his illustrious career, as he had previously achieved this monumental milestone in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, before accomplishing it once again in the present year of 2023.
Sachin Tendulkar with god of cricket Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/zmztejNBBB
— Kevin (@imkevin149) November 2, 2023
An Unforgettable Journey
In an intense World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s pursuit of this historic milestone was realized with an impressive 34 runs. Despite facing challenges, including a rare duck against England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, his overall performance throughout the year has been nothing short of spectacular.
Kohli’s memorable journey was highlighted by an unbeaten century during India’s triumphant seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Adding to his illustrious record, he solidified his stature with a brilliant 95 runs, making a significant contribution to India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand led by Tom Latham at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Pune.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, on Tuesday, October 31, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the third fastest bowler to secure 100 wickets in ODIs. His outstanding performance during Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata led to this historic accomplishment.
A Landmark Moment
In the thrilling encounter, Shaheen clinched his 100th wicket in only his 51st match, dismissing Tigers’ opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The left-arm fast bowler displayed exceptional skill as he struck Tamim on the pads, prompting the on-field umpire to raise his finger. Despite Tamim’s referral to the third umpire using the Decision Review System (DRS), the replays confirmed the ball crashing into the stumps, upholding the on-field decision. Bangladesh lost their first wicket with the scoreboard reading 0 in just 0.5 overs.
Shaheen Afridi soars high yet again with another feat to his name 🦅#CWC23 | #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/IlQQ6P5xYK
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 31, 2023
Surpassing Preceding Records
Shaheen Shah Afridi not only secured this feat in record time but also outshone the accomplishments of esteemed bowlers preceding him. He surpassed the record of the fastest pacer, previously held by Mitchell Starc, who attained the milestone in August 2016 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Legacy of Excellence
Moreover, Shaheen shattered the long-standing record held by Saqlain Mushtaq, becoming the fastest Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. Saqlain had set this record on May 12, 1997, during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Gwalior. It is notable that among the Pakistani fast bowlers, the accomplished Shaheen Shah Afridi follows in the footsteps of the legendary Waqar Younis, who achieved the 100-wicket mark back in February 1993 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
Beyond ODIs
Demonstrating his prowess beyond ODIs, Shaheen has made significant contributions in Tests and T20Is as well. Since his debut in 2018, he has garnered 105 wickets in Tests and 64 wickets in T20Is. His exceptional journey began with a strong performance in the U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ consecutive victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
A Testament to Talent and Dedication
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s rapid rise to 100 ODI wickets within 51 matches underlines his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport. As he continues to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing world, his journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide. With his remarkable achievements, Afridi has solidified his place in the annals of cricket history, etching his name as one of Pakistan’s most formidable and promising fast bowlers.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently expressed admiration for India’s dominant performance in the ongoing 2023 ICC World Cup. With India securing victories in all six matches, Akhtar highlighted the team’s exceptional display across various aspects of the game. Although the recent batting performance against England in Lucknow was relatively modest, India’s fierce bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, proved instrumental in securing a remarkable win. This triumph not only solidified India’s leading position on the points table but also exacerbated England’s struggles in the tournament, leaving them virtually eliminated.
India’s Remarkable Bowling Transformation
In his analysis, Akhtar emphasized the transformative impact of Shami’s inclusion in India’s playing eleven following Hardik Pandya’s injury. Acknowledging Shami’s outstanding performances against New Zealand and England, Akhtar credited India’s ability to win matches through their bowling prowess, showcasing a shift from their traditional reliance on batting strength. He commended the collective effort of the Indian bowling unit, particularly recognizing the strategic brilliance of fast bowler Bumrah.
India’s Path to World Cup Glory
Looking ahead, Akhtar voiced his confidence in India’s potential to secure their third ODI World Cup trophy, highlighting the team’s upcoming matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Expressing optimism, he emphasized the significance of maintaining their unbeaten streak en route to the final, setting the stage for a potential historic ICC World Cup victory. However, Akhtar cautioned against compromising the successful bowling unit once Pandya returns to full fitness, warning against the potential detriment of a partially fit Pandya’s inclusion at the expense of a bowler.
Akhtar’s Praise for India and its Response to Criticism
Addressing skepticism surrounding his praise for the Indian team, Akhtar reiterated the exceptional nature of India’s performance, particularly in their ability to defend a modest total with a significant margin of victory. Undeterred by criticism, Akhtar reaffirmed his admiration for India’s exceptional cricketing prowess, urging acknowledgment and appreciation of their commendable achievements.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Perspective on Virat Kohli
Shifting focus, Akhtar’s history of praise extends beyond team performances to individual players, notably including former Indian team captain Virat Kohli. Reminiscing on Kohli’s resilience during a challenging phase in his career, Akhtar highlighted the pivotal role played by Kohli’s consistent century-scoring performances, leading to India’s victories. Recognizing Kohli’s contribution to the team’s success, Akhtar emphasized the significance of Kohli’s monumental centuries during crucial chases, solidifying his status as a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team.
In a comparison between Kohli and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Akhtar acknowledged Tendulkar’s status as one of the greatest batsmen while highlighting the challenges Tendulkar faced as a captain. Drawing parallels, Akhtar expressed confidence in Kohli’s eventual resurgence, expecting him to return to his prolific scoring form once he finds his equilibrium.
In summary, Akhtar’s acknowledgment of India’s exceptional performance and his recognition of individual players’ contributions underscore the team’s formidable presence in the 2023 ICC World Cup, setting the stage for a potential historic triumph in the coming days.
1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli’s Cricket Legacy
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets
ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says, ‘Mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’
South Africa’s World Cup dreams have taken a major hit.
Wimbledon 2022: Andy Murray knocked out by John Isner despite late fightback
