Tag: England

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has thrown his weight behind Ben Stokes following the handshake controversy during the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford.

The Three Lions captain, Stokes, has been under fire regarding his behavior during the final few moments of the Manchester Test.

With India’s batters, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, nearing their centuries on Sunday, England offered India the option to shake hands and accept the draw; however, the visitors chose to stay on the field until both batters completed their tons.

As a result, England utilized their part-time bowlers and allowed Harry Brook to bowl until the final moments against the Indian batters.

Now, Kevin Pietersen has come out in the defence of England’s captain and defended England’s frustration.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Two days fielding and no result on the cards – you WANT to get off the field!” he wrote on X.

“You cannot have a pop at Stokes for his frustration. Very easy to have a pop at him when you’re sitting in your lounge watching. You’re NOT in the battle. Leave the men in the ring to be emotional,” Kevin Pitersen added.

Ben Stokes has been heavily criticized for shaking hands despite Indian batters playing in their nineties.

Earlier, England legend Geoffrey Boycott also criticized England’s approach during the final hour of the Test match.

“What goes around comes around. England were gobby enough when it suited them, so you can’t blame India for wanting to stay on and allow two batsmen who had worked their socks off to reach their hundreds,” Boycott wrote in a  British outlet.

“Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar deserved their hundreds. They left the ball well, played with the full face of the bat, and defended their wickets at all costs. Well done.”

He highlighted the Indian batters’ resilience and said that he would have done the same as Jadeja and Sundar did.

“These India players are tough cookies. They do not take a backward step. There is no way I would have let anyone drag me off on 89 after I had worked hard all day to save the game for my team,” Geoffrey Boycott wrote.

It is worth noting that India managed to salvage a draw despite England’s substantial lead. Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar starred with tons and managed to keep the series alive.

READ: Usama Mir set to join Worcestershire on three-year deal

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is weighing in on major changes in the coaching staff after the conclusion of the five-match India-England Test series.

According to the reports, Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir’s position is safe; however, bowling coach Morne Morkel and assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate are set to be sacked.

The BCCI will review the decisions after the conclusion of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Still, the final decision will be made only after the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to take place in September.

Both Morkel and Ten Doeschate were handpicked by Gautam Gambhir. Consequently, their performances have been under the radar for quite some time despite India managing a draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

The concerns regarding Morne Morkel arose from India’s struggles with fast bowling, resulting in the failure to nurture a single fast bowler.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Meanwhile, the report asserts that Gautam Gambhir will continue in his role as head coach amid the Team’s transition phase.

Along with Morne Morkel and Ryan Ten Doeschate, chief selector Ajit Agarkar is also under scrutiny, with reports suggesting that tension exists between the Team India management and the players regarding a few selection decisions.

Among the notable decisions is the exclusion of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, reflecting India’s inclination towards bowling all-rounders.

READ: WATCH: Fan asked to cover Pakistan jersey during India-England Test

A fan named Farooq Nazar, in the media, was told to cover up the Pakistan jersey during the India-England Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Following the incident, Lancashire stated that it has launched an investigation into the matter.

“We are aware of the incident referenced and are taking steps to understand the facts and context surrounding the matter fully,” a Lancashire spokesperson said.

In the video posted on social media, the security guard, identifying himself as a Lancashire employee, asked the fan to cover the Pakistan jersey.

The fan was wearing Pakistan’s traditional limited-overs jersey during the India-England match. However, it is unconfirmed on which day the fan was wearing a Pakistan jersey.

“I’ve been asked by control [Lancashire] if you can cover that shirt up, please,” the audio of the video transcribes.

In response, the spectator asked about the written order, and the guard replied that he should email regarding it.

“Can you give me the written order? I have paid for the ticket. I need it in writing before I comply,” Nazar said in the video.

Later, a lady police officer came in and explained why he needed to cover up his shirt or have it changed.

“I will not cover the jersey because I am representing the country. You can take me out by force. Everyone can film me what you are doing to me. I have paid for the ticket. No Indian crowd complained about me,” he told several security people.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

As seen in the video, Farooq Nazar appeared annoyed by repeated requests to cover his shirt. Reports indicate that Nazar chose to leave the ground instead of hiding his shirt.

It is pertinent to mention that India and Pakistan have had tense relations in the recent past, both politically and in cricket terms.

A recent example was the cancellation of the 2025 World Championship of Legends (WCL) match between India and Pakistan, scheduled for 20 July at Edgbaston.

For the unversed, the fourth Test between India and England ended in a draw as the visitors battled out 143 overs during the final day.

Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and captain Shubman Gill scored tons in a folk fore worthy performance at Old Trafford.

READ: Sadia Iqbal eyes team glory over rankings ahead of Women’s World Cup 2025

MANCHESTER: India head coach Gautam Gambhir remained tight-lipped over the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, scheduled to begin on July 31 at The Oval.

With England leading the five-match series 2-1, India will head into the decider aiming to level the series, following a gritty draw in the fourth Test where the visitors batted out five sessions under pressure.

There had been concerns around Bumrah’s workload heading into the final leg of the series, especially given his central role across formats.

But Gautam Gambhir confirmed that the pace spearhead, along with the rest of the fast bowlers, is fully fit.

“All the fast bowlers are fit. There are no injury concerns,” Gambhir stated during the post-match press conference.

However, he remained non-committal when asked if the management would stick to the original workload management plan or reconsider given the series situation.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“We haven’t had any conversation around the combination for the last Test. No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country,” he added.

Reflecting on the drawn fourth Test, Gambhir lauded the team’s fight but made it clear that results remain the ultimate benchmark.

“You are asking someone who only believes in results. We are still 2-1 down in the series,” he said.

“Yes, there is inexperience, but this is still the best Indian team right now. Hopefully, we can make it 2-2. That’s going to be a good achievement.”

He credited the batting unit for showing character under pressure and backed his side to bring the fight to The Oval.

“Batting for five sessions after being put under pressure shows great character. Going into The Oval, we’ll take a lot of confidence,” he concluded.

India squad for fifth England Test

Shubman Gill (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul Kamboj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur

READ: Rishabh Pant’s replacement named for fifth England Test

MANCHESTER: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named uncapped wicketkeeper Narayan Jagadeesan as the replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant ahead of the fifth Test against England, which is scheduled to be played at The Oval.

The 29-year-old wicket-keeper from Tamil Nadu has received his first call-up to the Indian team and is expected to join the squad in London by Tuesday after obtaining his visa on Sunday morning.

He will serve as a backup to Dhruv Jurel, who has kept wickets in the last two Test matches against England in Pant’s absence.

For the unversed, Rishabh Pant fractured his right foot while batting on the first day of the recently concluded fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Earlier in the series, he also struggled with a finger injury during the third Test, but he continued to bat despite these ongoing issues.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Pant’s injury turned out to be a fortunate opportunity for Jagadeesan, who has consistently performed well in domestic cricket and has long caught the attention of national selectors.

He topped the run charts for Tamil Nadu in consecutive Ranji Trophy seasons, scoring 816 runs at an average of 74.18 in 2023-24, followed by 674 runs at an average of 56.16 in 2024-25.

Since making his first-class debut in 2016, Jagadeesan has accumulated a total of 3,373 runs in 79 innings at an average of 47.50.

His impressive record includes 10 centuries and 14 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 321 against Chandigarh in January 2024.

READ: Haider Ali, Azan Awais help Pakistan Shaheens clinch series over PCC Select XI

Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja starred as India turned in a folk fore worthy performance to draw the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Sunday, keeping their enthralling series in England alive and setting up a dramatic finale. 

Record-breaking skipper Shubman Gill scored his fourth century of the campaign before Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar also made hundreds as India finished on 425-4 in their second innings — a lead of 114 runs — inside the last hour.

England remain 2-1 up in this five-match contest ahead of a quick turnaround to Thursday’s start of an Oval finale.

An India victory in south London would ensure a share of the spoils for Gill’s men in a series where the first four Tests have all gone to the last day.

Defeat, rather than a draw, looked likely when India collapsed to 0-2 in the opening over of their second innings on Saturday as Chris Woakes struck with successive deliveries following England’s mammoth first-innings 669.

But Gill, in on a hat-trick, went on to score 103 in a marathon seven-hour stint as he turned the tide during a stand of 188 with KL Rahul that ended before lunch on Sunday.

Jadeja, reprieved first ball when Joe Root dropped a tough slip chance, went on to make 107 not out, his first century of the series following four fifties, with fellow spin-bowling all-rounder Sundar unbeaten on 101 — his maiden Test hundred.

Sundar and Jadeja’s unbroken partnership of 203 on a flat pitch frustrated a toiling England, despite the best efforts of inspirational captain Ben Stokes.

This match was a personal triumph for Stokes as he became just the fourth England cricketer to score a hundred and take five wickets in the same Test, his 141 on Saturday following a haul of 5-72 in India’s first-innings 358.

India resumed on 174-2 with KL Rahul 87 not out and Gill 78 not out.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Stokes, the leading bowler on either side this series with 17 wickets at 25.23, brought himself on at the start of Sunday’s play after not bowling Saturday and had obdurate opener Rahul, plumb lbw for 90 to a nip-back ball that kept low.

And when Gill was caught behind off Jofra Archer, India were still not safe at 222-4.

But Sundar and Jadeja, after his first ball reprieve, were largely untroubled.

And even when Stokes braved the pain barrier again, Sundar pulled the England skipper for a six and a four off successive balls to reach fifty.

Sunday’s closing stages became a question of whether either of India’s fifth-wicket duo would go to a hundred after Gill declined to take a draw immediately at the start of the last hour when Washington Sundar was 80 not out and Jadeja unbeaten on 89.

The India-England match ended in farcical circumstances when batter Harry Brook came on to bowl.

Jadeja smashed a woeful Brook delivery for six to complete a 182-ball century before Gill’s two off the Yorkshireman took him to a 206-ball hundred — the last act of the India-England fourth Test match.

READ: WCL 2025: Ravi Bopara century powers England past India

MANCHESTER: India captain Shubman Gill extended his rich vein of form in the fourth Test against England, levelling with legendary Don Bradman after scoring another gutsy hundred at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Gill, who hit his fourth ton in the same number of games, tied with Bradman for most centuries as skipper in a Test series.

With this feat, Shubman Gill also became the first player to hit four tons in his maiden Test series as captain.

Captains to Score Four Centuries in a Test Series

Don Bradman – India tour of Australia 1947/48

Sunil Gavaskar – West Indies tour of India 1978/79

Shubman Gill* – India tour of England 2025

Most Hundreds In Debut Test Series As Captain

Shubman Gill – 4 Centuries

Warwick Armstrong – 3 Centuries

Don Bradman -3 Centuries

Greg Chappell -3 Centuries

Virat Kohli -3 Centuries

Steven Smith -3 Centuries

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

A day earlier, the Indian captain surpassed former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf’s record for most runs scored by an Asian player in a Test series in England.

Most runs in a Test series in England (by an Asian batter)

Shubman Gill* India 657 runs, 2025

Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan, 631 runs,  2006

Rahul Dravid India, 602 runs, 2002

Virat Kohli, India, 593 runs, 2018

Sunil Gavaskar, India, 542 runs, 1979

The right-handed batter came out to bat with India in dire straits, trailing 0-2 on day four of the Test match.

Gill forged a crucial 188-run stand with KL Rahul to steady India in chasing down England’s substantial lead.

KL Rahul was removed early on the morning of the final day; however, Gill continued and went on to score a century.  He was dismissed for 103 runs, soon after completing his century.

At the time of filing this story, India were 279-4, still trailing by 32 runs. Ravindra Jadeja stood at 33* while Washington Sundar scored 39* off 107 balls.

READ: WCL 2025: South Africa win toss, bat first against Australia

India captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul excelled in a remarkable defensive effort as they halted the home team’s attempt to secure a series-clinching victory in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday, following a long-awaited century from England captain Ben Stokes.

Gill came in with India in dire straits at 0-2 after Chris Woakes struck with successive deliveries in the first over of India’s second innings to have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan both caught in the slips for ducks.

That left India more than 300 runs behind the mammoth first-innings total of 669 by England, featuring Stokes’ superb 141.

But an engrossing series of several twists and turns produced another as India reached stumps on the fourth day without further loss at 174-2, with opener KL Rahul 87 not out and Gill 78 not out.

India still face a deficit of 137 runs but have renewed hope of leaving Manchester with what would be a remarkable draw after England, already 2-1 up in this five-match series, compiled their fifth-highest Test total of all time.

It was a return to form for Gill, who had started his first series as India skipper with three hundreds in four innings, only to manage 34 runs in total in his last three knocks.

Stokes did not bowl himself Saturday, a concerning sign for England following his history of hamstring trouble, after taking an excellent 5-72 in India’s first innings of 358.

His hundred meant Stokes became just the fourth England player to take five wickets and score a century in the same Test after Tony Greig, Ian Botham, and the currently sidelined Gus Atkinson.

It looked as if bowling might not be needed at all on Saturday as Gill survived a hat-trick ball from veteran paceman Woakes.

And the second ball after lunch saw Gill, still on nought, survive an impassioned lbw appeal from fast bowler Jofra Archer, who was convinced he had struck pad, rather than bat first.

But England’s review produced an inconclusive replay, and the original not out decision was upheld.

Gill had made two when Archer rapped him on the pad only for another lbw appeal to be turned down, with the express quick down on his haunches in disbelief.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The 25-year-old Gill then hit back with two boundaries in three balls from Woakes, a dashing cut followed by a textbook straight drive.

But he might have been out for 46 when an edge off Brydon Carse flew high to point, only for Liam Dawson to drop a two-handed chance.

Gill’s three off part-time spinner Root saw him to a 77-ball fifty before Rahul followed him to the landmark in 141 balls as he repelled England with sound defence.

But Rahul showed a willingness to attack when Archer strayed in direction with an elegant late-cut and forceful pull.

England resumed in command at 544-7 against India after Root had become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history during his majestic 150 on Friday.

Stokes, 77 not out overnight after briefly leaving the field with cramp Friday, delighted Saturday’s large crowd with yet more thrilling stroke-play.

He completed a 164-ball hundred with a leg-glanced four off Jasprit Bumrah.

It was Stokes’s first Test century in more than two years following a whirlwind 155 against Australia at Lord’s in June 2023.

The 34-year-old celebrated his 14th century in 115 Tests by clenching his fist, looking to the sky and making a crooked finger gesture in honour of his late father Ged before raising his bat to a cheering crowd.

With the shackles off, left-handed batsman Stokes drove Washington Sundar for six and the next ball reverse-swept the off-spinner for four.

Stokes then launched Ravindra Jadeja for six, but, trying to repeat the stroke, the next ball he holed out off the left-arm spinner with England exactly 300 runs ahead at 658-9.

READ: Matt Henry stars as New Zealand beat South Africa to clinch tri-series

MANCHESTER: England batting maestro Joe Root etched his name in history on Friday, surpassing legends Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, and Jacques Kallis all in one innings here at Old Trafford.

Following his record-breaking knock, the talismanic batter is now sitting in the second position in all-time leading run-scorers in Test cricket.

Joe Root resumed his innings with an overnight score of 11 in the fourth India-England Test and quickly surpassed records held by Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis within just two balls.

When he reached 30 runs, he played a shot to deep third during the fourth delivery of the 56th over, which allowed him to pass Dravid’s record and tie with Kallis.

Most Career Runs in Test Matches

Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 15921 runs

Joe Root (ENG) – 13409*

Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 13378

Jacques Kallis (SA) – 13289

Rahul Dravid (IND) – 13288

Subsequently, on the first ball of the next over, he pushed the ball to the covers to topple Jacques Kallis’ record in Test cricket. In doing so, he became the third-highest run scorer in the longest form of the game.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The batting maestro also scored his 38th century, putting his team into a dominant position. He went past Ricky Ponting when he steered India pacer Anshul Kamboj to deep point for a single to reach 120.

He was eventually caught after scoring a mammoth 150 runs off 248 balls. With his record-breaking innings, Root now trails only India’s Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time runs charts.

Following his record-breaking feat, the Old Trafford crowd gave him a standing ovation— a venue where Joe Root amassed 1000 runs, hence becoming the first batter to do so.

Joe Root’s monumental knock also moved up to second on the list of the most half-centuries in Test cricket. His knock pushed him past Ponting’s and Kallis, placing him second only to Tendulkar in terms of half-centuries.

Most 50-plus scores in Test cricket

119 – Sachin Tendulkar
104 – Joe Root
103 – Ricky Ponting
103 – Jacques Kallis
99 – Rahul Dravid

England finished the day in a commanding position at 544-7, leading ahead in the match by 186 runs with still two days’ play remaining. Ben Stokes is unbeaten on 77*, and Liam Dawson scored 21* off 52 balls.

READ: WATCH: First group of Pakistan squad heads to Lauderhill for West Indies tour

MANCHESTER: England batting maestro Joe Root on Friday shattered multiple records in the fourth Test against India, surpassing legends Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, and Jacques Kallis here at Old Trafford.

The 34-year-old achieved the feat in the space of two balls in the 56th and 57th overs, respectively.  First, he tucked down the fourth delivery to deep third to go past Dravid and level with Kallis.

On the first ball of the next over, he pushed the ball to the covers to topple Jacques Kallis’ record in Test cricket. In doing so, he became the third-highest run scorer in the longest form of the game.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

With this milestone, Root now trails only Australia’s Ricky Ponting and India’s Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time runs charts.

Most Career Runs in Test Matches

Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 15921 runs

Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 13378

Joe Root (ENG) – 13357*

Jacques Kallis (SA) – 13289

Rahul Dravid (IND) – 13288

Along with runs tally, Joe Root also moved up to second on the list of the most half-centuries in Test cricket. His knock pushed him past Ponting’s and Kallis, placing him second only to Tendulkar in terms of half-centuries.

Most 50-plus scores in Test cricket

119 – Sachin Tendulkar
104 – Joe Root
103 – Ricky Ponting
103 – Jacques Kallis
99 – Rahul Dravid

At the time of filing this story, England were in a commanding position at 383-4, just 25 runs behind India’s first innings total. Joe Root is eyeing another century, currently not out on 95, while Ben Stokes is batting on 14*.

READ: Rizwan to continue as ODI captain as Pakistan name squad for West Indies tour