Yuzvendra Chahal opens up on 'Kul-Cha' combination, feels pain of Hardik Pandya's injury

Washington Sundar recalls Rishabh Pant's outrageous reverse scoop against James Anderson

The rise of Rishabh Pant in the international circuit especially in the last six months have been nothing short of phenomenal. The southpaw’s outrageous methods have been questioned earlier but what transpired in the last few months have forced the pundits to take a backseat and enjoy the fearless tactics of the pocket-sized dynamite. It was during the Test series against England that Pant played one of the most daring shots ever t0 be played in the longest format. While reverse sweeps or switch hits has been the modern-day trend setter in shorter formats, we hardly find any batsmen trying those shots in the longest format. However, Pant is not someone who is bogged down by the reputation of the bowler. Pant who was having a ball during the Test series against England finally managed to score his maiden Test century at home. It was during his breezy knock of 101 of 118 deliveries that Pant played one of the most outrageous shots in Test cricket history. Batting on 90 odd, Pant reverse scooped a full delivery from James Anderson over the slip fielder’s head which left everyone dumbfounded. Even the bowler looked clueless and it was no different with Pant’s partner at the other end, Washington Sundar. During a recent 25 questions interview with ESPN Cricinfo, Sundar was asked to recall that famous shot from Pant during their historic partnership which paved way for a series victory. “I literally didn’t know how to react. More than anything, he was batting on 90 odd, I think 93 and he still managed to scoop it over a couple of slips and gully. So I didn’t know how to react but that’s what he wanted to do and he was very successful. On asked whether he said something to Pant after that shot, Sundar said, “Nobody could say anything to him at that moment because he was in a different zone. He just wanted to go after the England bowlers. Yes, he played an amazing knock after all,” Sundar quipped. It was a sensational partnership of 113 runs between Pant and Washington Sundar that laid the platform for a resounding victory and an eventual series victory by a 3-1 margin. Meanwhile, that was not the only time that Pant attempted a reverse scoop during that tour. During the T20I series, it was Jofra Archer who was at the receiving end of a Pant special. While playing the shot against Anderson whose pace might not be menacing was an achievement in itself, executing the shot against a much livelier Archer was much more difficult. Pant who will be an integral part of India’s tour to England will look to continue his purple patch and help India win the inaugural ICC World Test Championship.

Greg Chappell's suggestions too tough to execute: Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia's head of cricket operations and scheduling, Peter Roach has said that the statement made by former Australian skipper Gregg Chappell about the structure of the domestic cricket does not reflect the entire picture about the health of the game in the country. Although he conceded that there are improvements to be desired and it should be considered for change with a period of time, he added that even English domestic cricket attracts a lot of criticism and hence no system is absolutely perfect to be modelled. “Like anyone, I enjoy thinking about whether there's a better way to be doing what we're doing. I think we'd be naïve to think our structure today, which is roughly the same as it was 10 years ago … is going to be right forever. Is it right today? There's lots of different opinions,” Roach told cricket.com.au. “England's system has from time to time been criticised for too many counties and playing too much, but maybe at the moment that system is working more effectively than ours and we need to take a look at that and see if there are things we can learn." Roach cited the logistical challenges to the plans proposed by Chappell in which he suggested that Australia A sides should be playing more matches home and abroad. He said that organising more and more A games can’t sustain without a sound domestic structure and hence it can work only as a ‘conjunction with domestic cricket. "Everyone sees the merit in a strong and vibrant 'A' series program that works in conjunction with a strong domestic program," he said. "Sometimes a reason for playing a lot of 'A' series is because you don't believe your domestic products are strong enough,” Roach added. Chapell had also suggested organising the Sheffield Shield a bit early in the calendar so that it finishes well before the start of the Big Bash League. Roach, however, suggested that shifting the dates of the four-day competition will deny players the opportunity to play overseas such as in the IPL and county championship. “We need to balance our own thinking with the opportunities that are created overseas for players. We've got the IPL and we've got the Hundred among others, we've got county cricket, which has forever and a day proved a great learning tool for Australian cricketers,” Roach said. “So if we started to move our season, it does come with ramifications in terms of what we can allow our players to go and experience, and it also shortens pre-seasons which are times when players can actively engage in improvements to their game, so there are some things to weigh up.” “At the moment we've got Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Marcus Harris, three of our top batsmen, playing county cricket. If you extend the Shield season, do they still get that opportunity?” "They're some of the things we just need to work through. It looks good with the blinkers on, but does it actually work with some of the other opportunities?”

Have as many bazookas as you can: WV Raman on why Shafali Verma should play longer formats

Former India coach WV Raman believes that Shafali Veram’s hard-hitting abilities naturally push the young opener for a place in both the ODIs and Tests. Verma has been a prolific T20I batter and Ramna feels that demoralising the bowling attack early on, for which the Haryana girl is known, is as important in Tests and ODIs as it is in T20Is. "If a batter goes on to psychologically demoralise the opposition bowlers in the first 45 minutes to one hour, I would take that any day in any format," Raman was quoted as saying to Sports Today. The 52-year-old then explained why the 17-year-old opener is important in Tests too, especially in foreign conditions where the teams are reluctant to bat first. “If you have someone in your side who can go out…some players are like that, they don't care what the conditions are, who they are up against, they would back themselves and they'll go after the bowlers and demoralise them," Raman said. The former India and Tamil Nadu player was further asked if having a finisher in an ODI game was more important than having an explosive opener? To this Raman replied, "If they can find somebody who can do that from 35-50 overs, have them in the side, and have Shafali also in the side, why restrict yourself to either Shafali Verma or somebody at the bottom? Just have as many bazookas as you can and launch them mercilessly." The Indian eves are going to play two Tests in a single year as with the imminent England Test, a Test was announced by Jay Shah the Honorary Secretary of BCCI. The second Test will be a day-night affair and played in Australia at the WACA. It is after a very long long time that an Indian Women's team would be playing two Tests in the same year. Raman in an interview with Sportstar was asked if it is the right time for BCCI to push for more Tests for India Women? The Chennai born replied, “There is no such thing as the right timing or whatever.” “When obviously the girls are doing well and there is a lot of interest being generated, I think perhaps the administration feels that it is the right time to try and engage them in the Test format,” he added. The Indian eves will play their first Test in seven-year when they take on England Women in one-off games in Bristol starting June 16.

Fit again Umesh Yadav eyeing World Cup-like World Test Championship

India pacer Umesh Yadav reiterated the context of the World Test Championship final for the single-format players like him who plays just the Test cricket. In an interview with ANI, Umesh echoed the sentiment shared by his Test teammates such as Ishant Sharma, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane that the occasion of the WTC final is as big as a World Cup final and that winning the championship would be a monumental achievement. "Yes, Ishant Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane are correct. As a player when you are playing Test matches, the WTC is like a World Cup for you. It's very uncertain if we are going to get to play ODIs in the near future. So, as a Test match player, WTC is like a World Cup only. I also think the same. WTC final is different because you reach at that place by defeating a lot of good teams, Umesh said. Discussing the team environment and the leadership group comprising the head coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli, Umesh said that the players have been given the freedom to enjoy the game without feeling the weight of baggage. He also said that the spirit in the team remains high all the time as all of them remains on the same page in terms of aggression and attitude on the field. "Virat and Ravi bhai have worked really hard. The way Virat has captained and handled the team, the freedom and confidence that the captain and coach have given to the team keep a lot of weightage because as a bowler or a batsman when you can play at your free will and freedom you definitely perform so much better. When the team steps down on the ground, there is a kind of aggression, a feeling of backup and support. All 11 players are in sync with each other. So, coaches and captain deserve the credit for that. The players are very comfortable, there is a team spirit and good environment," said Umesh. Umesh Yadav missed the latter half of the series against Australia due to a calf injury and would be looking to make a comeback in the playing XI on the upcoming tour of England.