Indian Cricket Team Updates

A Test debut is the most special moment in a cricketer’s career. It’s the moment when all his early years’ sacrifices and hard work bear fruit. It was no different for 22-year-old KL Rahul, who made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.  (Also Read:  HIGHLIGHTS: AUSTRALIA VS INDIA - 4th TEST, DAY 1, Sydney Cricket Ground ) He went in with high expectations from himself and a fair amount of nervous energy. The nerves got the better of him and he could only manage 3 and 1 before playing rather rash shots to get out.  (Also Read:  Report: AUSTRALIA VS INDIA - 4th TEST, DAY 3, Sydney Cricket Ground ) So, when he came on to bat in the fourth Test of the series, Rahul was determined to give himself enough time for his nerves to settle down. It helped that this time he was sent to open the innings and so, could afford the luxury of time. He made the most of this opportunity and notched up a fighting and resolute 110, batting for almost six hours. Rahul’s inn...

What Fourth Test of the four-match series between India and Australia When  January 6 to 10, 2014  Where Sydney Cricket Ground The Teams India India embark upon a new journey in Test cricket. With MS Dhoni calling it quits from whites, it is now time for young Virat Kohli to galvanise a side that is trying its best to find its feet overseas. This has not been a series that has seen India stoop into submission; this is the new face of an Indian side that looks determined and has the potential to do well in foreign shores. If Virat Kohli’s pre-match press conference is anything to go by, one can be rest assured that positivity will come to the fore at the fourth and the final Test of the series at the SCG. Though the series is lost, India have everything to play for, ring in changes, try different combinations and hope to end the series on a high. India have managed to salvage a draw at the MCG but at the same time given away results that could have gone in that favour. Le...

Virat Kohli had his first taste of Test captaincy in Adelaide. Now, two Tests later, he has been officially enthroned as India’s Test captain. In his first address to the media as Team India’s new leader, Virat spoke of the collective goal that he wants his team to achieve. (Also Read:  India's greatest Captain MS Dhoni Retires from Test cricket ) “The collective vision is to become a strong Test side because there is a lot of ability and talent,” Virat said. “Commanding the position will come in some time and we want to be able to dictate terms when we go out there to play.” On MS Dhoni’s decision to quit Test cricket, Virat said it came as a surprise to the team. “It was a surprise for everyone. After the match we were changing and packing our stuff and that’s when he announced his decision. We didn’t know how to react. We were all stunned. It was so sudden, we had no clue. We never saw it coming.  “It was a very emotional moment for him and also for young players inclu...

One of India's greatest Test Captains under whose leadership India became the No. 1 team in the Test Rankings MS Dhoni, has decided to retire from Test Cricket citing the strain of playing all formats of Cricket.   M S Dhoni has chosen to retire from Test Cricket with immediate effect in order to concentrate on ODI and T20 formats.   BCCI while respecting the decision of M S Dhoni to retire from Test Cricket, wishes to thank him for his enormous contribution to Test Cricket and the laurels that he has brought to India. Virat Kohli will be the captain of the Indian Team for the Fourth and Final Test against Australia to be played in Sydney from the 6th of January 2015. source: bcci.tv

Soon after lunch on the first day at the Gabba, India slipped from 100 for 1 to 137 for 2, losing their middle-order rocks, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli.    (Also See:  Report: Australia vs India, 2nd Test, Day 1, The Gabba, Brisbane ) The temperatures were soaring, humidity was taking its toll. Being on the field in itself was an arduous task, let alone facing Mitchell Johnson and company on the bounciest and fastest wicket in Australia. India needed two men who could dig in there, fight the odds and put mind over matter. Enter messrs M Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane – two batsmen whose natural game is to fluently play their shots. The gorgeous shots did come, often regularly in the final session, but they were more a reward for their doggedness rather than an act of nonchalance. The two put on 124 very solid yet attractive runs for the fourth wicket at 4.50 runs per over. Rahane, happily played a second fiddle to the “in zone” Vijay, while also showing his class with...

What Second Test of the four-match series between India and Australia When  December 17 to 21, 2014  Where Brisbane Cricket Ground The Teams India Before the start of the Test series, stand-in Captain Virat Kohli spoke about fighting fire with fire, and at Adelaide, he meant it. He made interesting team choices, tactics and field positions that were aggressive and even went on to give India a glimmer of hope of chasing down an impossible target on the final day of the Test match. Few would have backed India to chase 360-plus on a deteriorating track with Nathan Lyon causing all sorts of trouble. Yet, when India walked-in after Tea, with Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli looking ominous, a win didn’t look like a distant possibility. That India had a batting collapse after Murali Vijay’s dismissal and succumbed to a loss looking for a win, should not bother the team. ‘No regrets’ was all that Kohli repeated at the end of the Test match. There was a sen...