Tag: india

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja starred with bat and ball as India hammered West Indies by an innings and 140 runs inside three days of the first Test on Saturday.

India declared on their overnight 448-5, a lead of 286, and then bundled the West Indies out for 146 in the second session at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

It was another heavy and demoralising defeat for West Indies, who are a pale shadow of the team that once ruled world cricket.

Left-handed Jadeja stood out for India with 4-54 from his spin bowling after he hit an unbeaten 104 for his sixth Test century and was named player of the match.

Alick Athanaze, a left-handed number three, made 38 and offered some belated resistance with Justin Greaves in a partnership of 46, but the rest of the West Indies batting fell apart.

Washington Sundar and then pace bowler Mohammed Siraj struck regular blows before Kuldeep Yadav wrapped up the match as the West Indies innings folded in 45.1 overs.

Siraj continued his good form with figures of 4-40 in the first innings after West Indies opted to bat.

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He then extended his tally of wickets this year to 30, after playing a key role in India’s 2-2 draw in England.

India have still not lost a Test to the West Indies at home since 1994.

West Indies were swept 3-0 at home by Australia this year and were bowled out for 27 in the third match — the second-lowest score in Test history.

Their batting woes continued after they won the toss and could only manage a meagre first innings total of 162.

KL Rahul led India’s batting dominance with his 100 before Dhruv Jurel, who made 125, and Jadeja put on 206 for the fifth wicket on Friday.

Jadeja took on the West Indies spinners, hitting left-arm orthodox Jomel Warrican for five sixes.

Chase claimed two wickets, and debutant left-arm spinner Khary Pierre claimed his first in a Test after wicketkeeper-batter Jurel registered his maiden Test century.

West Indies have struggled in the absence of premier fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, both ruled out with injury.

India are strong favourites to win 2-0 against an opposition that is a pale shadow of the team that once ruled world cricket.

The second Test begins on October 10 in New Delhi.

READ: Shubman Gill replaces Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI skipper

AHMEDABAD: Red-hot Mohammed Siraj returned figures of 4-40 as hosts dismissed the visitors for 162 and then turned the screw with the bat on day one of the first India vs West Indies Test on Thursday.

The hosts were 121-2 at stumps with KL Rahul unbeaten on 53 in front of a sparse crowd at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

Rahul reached his 20th Test fifty and stood firm along with skipper Shubman Gill, on 18, at the close of play.

A depleted West Indies won the toss, but the Indian attack struck regular blows to bowl out the visitors in 44.1 overs in the second session.

Mohammed Siraj drew first blood with the wicket of Tagenarine Chanderpaul for a duck and extended his tally of Test wickets to 27 this year, having played a key role in India’s 2-2 draw in England.

After an initial first spell of 3-19 in seven overs, Siraj returned in the second session to get one more wicket and was ably supported by fellow quick Jasprit Bumrah.

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Number seven Justin Greaves top-scored for the West Indies with 32 before being bowled by Bumrah, who took three wickets.

Skipper Roston Chase (24) and Shai Hope attempted to revive the innings after the West Indies slipped to 42-4 in the first hour of play.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav bowled Hope for 26 to end the 48-run fifth-wicket stand at the stroke of lunch.

Kuldeep got his second to send back Jomel Warrican for eight and wrap up the innings. Early tea was called.

India are strongly tipped to sweep the two-match series.

The Indian openers started the reply cautiously before Rahul and the left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal got going in a session interrupted by a brief spell of rain.

West Indies pace spearhead Jayden Seales had Jaiswal caught behind for 36 and Chase trapped Sai Sudharsan lbw for seven with his off-spin.

READ: AB de Villiers criticises India over Asia Cup trophy controversy

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has launched a scathing attack on India over the Asia Cup 2025 trophy row, stating that ‘Politics should stay aside’.

Expressing his views on the controversy that followed after the final, he emphasized the difference between sport and politics.

“Team India sort of weren’t happy with who was handing out the trophy. I don’t feel that belongs in sports. Politics should stay aside. Sport is one thing, and it should be celebrated for what it is,” he said.

“Quite sad to see that, but hopefully they sort things out in the future. It does put the sport, the players, the sportsmen, the cricketers in a very tough position, and that’s what I hate to see. It was quite awkward there at the end,” he continued.

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He further stated: “I hate seeing this—ultimately it left a very bad impression.”

However, De Villiers praised India’s dominant performance and mentioned the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka.

“Let’s focus on what’s most important (the cricket itself). India are looking really, really strong. Building up to that big T20 World Cup. Remember, it’s not too far away. And they look like they’ve got a lot of talent, and they play the big moments well. So fantastic (to watch),” De Villiers said.

For context, the Asia Cup 2025 controversy saw India and Pakistan’s political relations overshadowing cricket for the entire length of the tournament.

India went on to lift the title unbeaten after defeating Pakistan. Yet, what grabbed the spotlight on social media was the lack of handshakes or gestures on the field.

The drama peaked at the end of the Asia Cup final, when the presentation ceremony began an hour late. The delay was caused by India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Due to this, the Indian team celebrated the triumph without the silverware with skipper Suryakumar Yadav mimicking the trophy in his hands.

READ: BCCI official says ‘no assurance’ of handshake in India–Pakistan Women’s WC clash

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said that there is no assurance of a handshake between India and Pakistan during their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash, scheduled for Sunday, October 5.

The recently concluded Asia Cup came under the spotlight after India violated the spirit of the game and avoided handshakes with the Pakistan team in all three meetings during the tournament.

Moreover, after defeating Pakistan in the final, they snubbed the presentation ceremony and refused to receive the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.

With Pakistan and India are set to collide again in the ICC Women’s CWC on October 05, the question everyone is now asking is whether the women’s team follows their Men’s team’s footsteps at the ICC event.

Now, Saika has expressed his thoughts, stating that there had been no change in India’s stand toward Pakistan.

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“I cannot forecast anything, but our relationship with that country (Pakistan) remains the same, with no change in the past week,” Saikia said.

He further said that India will play against Pakistan, emphasizing MCC regulations.

“India will play the match against Pakistan in Colombo, and all cricket protocols will be followed.

I can only assure that whatever is outlined in the MCC regulations of cricket will be done. Whether there will be handshakes or hugs, I cannot assure you of anything at this moment,” he remarked.

Earlier, Indian journalist Boria Majumdar also commented on the Indian cricketers’ plan to carry their unsportsmanlike behavior into the Women’s World Cup.

“The India-Pakistan game in Colombo will not be just another cricket match. It will be a continuation of the Asia Cup, and the only thing that changes is the gender,” Majumdar wrote on X.

READ: Desert Vipers pick Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah for mega price in ILT20

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik has criticized the Indian team for refusing to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the Asian Cricket Council President and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.

India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup final. However, the drama unfolded after the match, with the post-match presentation delayed by an hour.

The delay was due to India’s refusal, stemming from the fact that the trophy was to be handed over by the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.

The stage for the post-match ceremony was not set for an extended period. At last the stage was set up with Mohsin Naqvi and other dignitaries taking their place.

However, the ceremony ended without the silverware as the Indian team celebrated their victory without their trophy.

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Speaking in a post-match show, Shoaib talked about the post-match presentation ceremony of the final.

“Think about the pressure on players, the heat they battled, and the effort they gave. All of it was for one reason – to win the trophy and the tournament,” he said.

“And after all their hard work, they still didn’t step forward to collect the trophy. For now, they might celebrate the choice in their own way, but down the line, after a few years, this will haunt them. We won the trophy, gave our best, yet never took it,” he continued.

He called it a missed opportunity for the Indian team and mentioned the impact of a sportsman on the field.

“At the end of the day, they are athletes, they are players. Their role is to step onto the field and give everything they have. This was a huge achievement, a tight contest, and not taking the trophy, it means missing out on the moment. It was a massive moment,” he concluded.

READ: Alzarri Joseph ruled out of India tour, Holder declines selection

ST JOHN’S: West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against India due to a lower back injury.

According to the Cricket West Indies (CWI), Joseph experienced discomfort, and follow-up scans revealed the degeneration of a lower back injury.

“Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming test series against India due to a lower back injury,” the CWI wrote on X.

Following the 28-year-old’s injury, West Indies approached all-rounder Jason Holder, who is currently featuring in the T20I series against Nepal in the UAE.

However, he declined to be part of the squad, citing a planned medical procedure. Jason Holder last Test appearance came against
South Africa at Providence in August 2024.

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Subsequently, Jedia Blades, who is yet to make his Test debut, has been called up to the side. The 23-year-old is also in the UAE and will join the squad after completing the three-match series against Nepal.

For the unversed, Joseph is the second fast bowler to be ruled out of the series.  Last week, ace pacer Shamjar Joseph was ruled out with an injury, with uncapped  Johann Layne named as his replacement.

The injuries have left a void in the West Indies fast bowling attack, with Jayden Seales the only one to have played more than ten Tests.

Notably, this will be the West Indies’ first tour of India since 2018. The opening Test is scheduled to begin in Ahmedabad on October 2, whereas the second match is slated to commence in Delhi from October 10.

Updated West Indies squad for India Test series

Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Jediah Blades, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales

READ: India refuse Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

The Pakistan cricket team has announced the donation of ACC Men’s Asia Cup final match fees to the families of the ‘innocent victims’ martyred in the May 7 attack.

The Pakistan cricket team has pledged to donate their match fees from the ACC Men’s Asia Cup final to the families of the victims martyred in the May 7 attack in India, which resulted in the loss of several innocent civilian lives.

The announcement came via the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) social media handle.

“The Pakistan Cricket Team has dedicated its Asia Cup final match fees to the innocent victims martyred in the May 7 attack… Our thoughts and prayers are with their families,” the post read on X.

Similarly, India captain Suryakumar Yadav has also announced that he will donate his match fees to India’s armed forces and the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

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For context, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup final. Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav starred for the champions, with both players playing a vital role with the bat and ball, respectively.

It is pertinent to mention that the drama began from the tournament’s onset, as two arch-rivals faced each other for the first time after a military confrontation that happened in May this year.

This continued in the final as well, as the post-match presentation started an hour after the scheduled time.

The delay was due to India’s refusal to accept the silverware from Mohsin Naqvi, who is the chairman of both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the PCB.

Following the trophy fiasco, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, also confirmed to the Indian news agency ANI that the team had declined to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.

READ: India refuse Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

DUBAI: The much-anticipated final between India and Pakistan ended in a last-over thriller, but the drama continued as the Men in Blue refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.

According to Cricinfo, the reason for India’s refusal came from the fact that the trophy was to be handed over by the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The thrilling match finished at 10:30 pm Dubai time; however, the wait for the presentation continued, which started after a one-hour delay.

After the final, the Pakistan team walked off the ground into the dressing room while the Indian team stayed on the field.

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Meanwhile, the stage for the post-match ceremony was not set for an extended period of time. At last, after nearly an hour, the stage was set up with Mohsin Naqvi and other dignitaries taking their place.

The presentation also saw unprecedented scenes as Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma received their individual awards from other dignitaries on stage, whereas Pakistan captain Salman Agha accepted the runners-up cheque from Mohsin Naqvi.

Following this, the host Simon Doull announced the conclusion of the ceremony.

“I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation,” he said.

READ: WATCH: India celebrate Asia Cup 2025 triumph without trophy

DUBAI: A rare sight unfolded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday as India celebrated their ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph without the trophy.

The unusual celebrations came after the Indian team refused to accept the silverware during the delayed presentation ceremony, since it was to be presented by the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.

Alongside Naqvi, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Council, the vice president of the Emirates Cricket Board, and representatives from the tournament sponsors were present on the stage.

The Men in Blue were seen celebrating their victory on the stage without the silverware. Skipper Suryakumar playfully mimicked, and the rest of the side held up an imaginary trophy as part of their celebrations.

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Earlier, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to clinch the Asia Cup 2025 title. Tilak Verma stood up with the bat, scoring a vital 69* from 53 balls.

The champions started their chase on a shaky note as Pakistan’s pacers ripped through their top order.

Dangerous Abhishek Sharma was the first to go holing out to mid on, whereas Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, in poor form, perished courtesy of an excellent catch from Salman Ali Agha.

The Men in Blue were pegged back with Shubman Gill’s wicket, who was caught on mid-on after scoring 12. As a result, India were reduced to 20-3.

However, Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma arrested the slide and batted with calm and composure. The pair added 58 runs for the third wicket, which put India back on course in the chase.

Sanju’s dismissal opened a brief door for Pakistan; however, Varma remained composed and guided India towards the target.

Eventually, India aced the chase with Rinku Singh— playing his first game of the tournament, hitting the ball over mid wicket for four to seal an emphatic win for his side.

Pakistan got off to a strong start after being asked to bat first. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman looked in fine touch, stitching together a solid 84-run partnership.

Their positive intent laid the perfect platform for a big total, but once the stand was broken, Pakistan’s innings unraveled quickly.

The middle order failed to capitalize on the strong foundation, and wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.

READ: Agha ‘proud’ of Pakistan fight despite Asia Cup 2025 final loss

DUBAI: Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha praised his team’s fighting spirit despite their defeat to India in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final.

India outplayed Pakistan by five wickets in a last-over thriller, a game that saw ups and downs from both sides.

The Men in Blue chased down the target of 147 runs on the fourth ball of the final over, with Tilak Varma starring. The left-hander played a gutsy knock under pressure and scored an unbeaten 69 from 53 balls.

Pakistan endured the same middle-order collapse after Sahibzada Farhan’s and Fakhar Zaman’s strong opening partnership of 84 runs.

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Despite a strong foundation, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 in 19.1 overs, thanks to Kuldeep Yadav’s spin magic, who picked up a four-wicket haul, including a three-wicket over.

After the match, Salman Ali Agha expressed his disappointment over the defeat and rued the middle-order collapse after a strong opening foundation.

“It is tough pill to swallow. We could not finish well in the batting. Bowling, we gave everything. If we could have finished well, it would have been a different story. We could not rotate the strike properly and we lost too many wickets,” he said.

“That was the reason we could not score what we wanted. We have to sort out our batting very soon. They bowled really well, outstandingly well,” he added

He further emphasized the last six overs of the match while pointing out batting flaws.

“They needed 63 off six overs, I thought we had the game. The bowlers bowled really well, we have to give them credit, but the batting was a concern. Very proud. We fought really well. We are proud as a team. So much to look forward to, we will improve and come back stronger,” he concluded.

READ: Asia Cup 2025 final presentation ceremony delayed following India’s victory