Cricket

Trending, SportsIndia's emphatic 336-run win over England at Edgbaston has entered the annals of cricket history as their largest away victory by runs in Test cricket. The dominant performance not only levelled the series but also underscored a generational shift, with Shubman Gill becoming the youngest Indian captain to win a Test overseas. Aided by sensational performances from Akash Deep and Rishabh Pant, India rewrote several records, including achieving their highest overseas match aggregate and breaking a 19-Test winless streak for Asian teams at the Birmingham venue.

Jamie Smith and Harry Brook delivered a masterclass in patience and precision on Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test, orchestrating a commanding 250-run partnership that frustrated India’s bowling attack. Their composed yet assertive approach helped England reach 355 for 5 by Tea, just shy of avoiding the follow-on against India’s imposing first-innings total of 587. Brook registered his ninth Test century, while Smith notched a career-best 157*, showcasing a blend of technical skill and temperament.

As England undergoes a generational shift in its Test bowling lineup, Chris Woakes has emerged as a central figure bridging the past and future. With Stuart Broad retired and James Anderson nearing the end of his career, Woakes—now 36—has embraced a leadership role, offering experience and guidance to a younger pace attack. Ahead of the second Test against India at Edgbaston, he reflected on the privilege of leading, the resilience required on batter-friendly pitches, and the team's commitment to its high-risk, high-reward approach.

Amid shifting regional dynamics, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is engaged in critical discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding a proposed white-ball series scheduled for August. While the political climate casts doubt over the series' immediate viability, both cricketing bodies are reportedly in constructive dialogue.

As India prepares for the pivotal Edgbaston Test against England, team management faces a complex strategic dilemma involving their premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Despite the absence of fitness concerns, a pre-series agreement limits Bumrah’s participation to three out of five Tests, compelling careful deployment amid a tight schedule. With weather forecasts predicting intermittent rain and the pitch showing grassy yet dry characteristics favoring spinners, India is weighing whether to rest Bumrah and leverage their spin arsenal more heavily.

Smriti Mandhana’s maiden T20 International century marks a pivotal moment in her illustrious cricketing career. Inspired by a candid conversation with teammate Radha Yadav, Mandhana overcame years of near-misses to join an elite group of female cricketers with centuries across all three international formats. Stepping up as stand-in captain in Harmanpreet Kaur’s absence, she led India to a comprehensive victory over England, highlighting the team's cohesive strategy and emerging talents like Shree Charani.

Despite delivering consistently impressive performances over an eight-year Test career with an enviable bowling average of 22.16, Kuldeep Yadav remains an underutilized asset in Indian cricket’s spin department. Overshadowed by generational talents like R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, and later by the emergence of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, Kuldeep’s role has been largely peripheral.

South Africa Prepares forSouth Africa, fresh from their historic victory in the third edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) against Australia, is set to take on Zimbabwe in a two-Test series starting June 28. With Temba Bavuma sidelined due to injury, Keshav Maharaj will lead the Proteas. Zimbabwe, led by Craig Ervine, aims to break a long-standing losing streak against South Africa. The first Test will be held at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with streaming available on FanCode in India. South Africa has confirmed their playing XI, which includes several debutants.

Sri Lanka sealed a dominant victory over Bangladesh in the second Test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club, winning by an innings and 78 runs to secure a 1-0 series win. The hosts showcased their batting prowess, with Pathum Nissanka scoring a brilliant 158, followed by key contributions from Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis. In the second innings, Prabath Jayasuriya’s five-wicket haul played a central role in dismantling Bangladesh's batting line-up.

Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as a singular force in international Test cricket, becoming the only Asian bowler to secure 150 wickets in the challenging conditions of the SENA nations—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. Surpassing legendary bowlers like Wasim Akram, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Waqar Younis, Bumrah’s unique skill set and consistency have earned him widespread acclaim. Esteemed teammate Ravichandran Ashwin ranks him among the greatest bowlers of his generation, emphasizing his remarkable precision and impact.