India skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday credited the team’s lower order batsmen for exerting pressure on England’s bowlers after the hosts registered an eight-wicket win in the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association I.S. Bindra Stadium.

After Tuesday’s win, India have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match Test rubber, after having won the second game at Visakhapatnam by 246 runs.

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Kohli, who remained unbeaten on six with opener Parthiv Patel (67 not out off 54 balls) as India overhauled the meagre target of 103 runs in just 20.2 overs, said the team is getting more confident after every win.

“It was amazing to see the lower order contribute which is a proud achievement. That pushes the opposition back. (Ravichandran) Ashwin is a champion No.1 all-rounder, (Ravindra) Jadeja is in the top 10, and for Jayant (Yadav) to show the maturity in his first Tests,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

The lower order comprising the three all-rounders — Ashwin (72), Jadeja (90) and Jayant (55) — heavily contributed with the willow during India’s first innings to take the total to 417 and give the hosts a lead of 134 runs after England were bowled out for 283.

“None of the pitches have been turners. We have just played very good cricket. We are getting more and more confident. We lost the toss, bowled them out for 280. We got motivated by that actually,” the Delhi batsman said.

The spin trio of Ashwin (4), Jadeja (4) and Jayant (4) also shared 12 wickets amongst themselves.

Kohli also hailed youngsters — Jayant and Karun Nair — for displaying maturity during the game.

“Jayant asked me for the fields he wanted. He took their spinners on. Very happy with the way the guys have stood up. Felt bad for Karun the debutant but he is a good batsman. I am sure he is looking forward to his next Test.”

The 28-year-old also praised his pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav for rising to the occasion.

“For our quicks to hurry their batsmen is great too. Shami feels the injury was a blessing in disguise. He has become more hard-working. He has come back fitter and stronger,” he said.

Meanwhile, England skipper Alastair Cook blamed the team’s poor batting effort for the back-to-back loses.

“It has been a frustrating four days. Credit to India, they outplayed us. It was a good toss to win. But if you get bowled out for 280 you won’t win games. You need to get 400 on this pitch at least,” he said.

Hailing all-rounder Ben Stokes for his contribution in the match, Cook said: “Stokes is a brilliant player. He gives balance to the team. He is only going to get better and better.”

Cook also praised teenaged opener Haseeb Hameed, who despite being injured remained unbeaten on 59 while batting at No.8, during England’s second innings.

Cook also informed that the right-hander will head back home to nurse his hand injury.

“Haseeb showing character was a positive. Unfortunately Haseeb has to go home. Showed a lot of character to come out and bat,” he said.

The teams will now head to Mumbai to play the fourth match of the series from December 8.

IANS

After a forgettable outing with scores of 13 and 1 in the opening Test against England at Rajkot, Ajinkya Rahane, the only Indian batsman in the top 10, dropped four places to 9th in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings, released.

However, centurions in the first innings, Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay rose two spots each to No.11 and No.23 while skipper Virat Kohli’s match-saving unbeaten 49 in the second essay helped him gain a spot to No.14 in the list headed by Australia’s Steve Smith.

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On the other hand, England’s teenage debutant opener Haseeb Hameed made an impressive entry to the list at No.64 after scoring 31 and 82 while centurions in the first Test Joe Root and Alastair Cook gained a spot each to be positioned at No.2 and No.10 respectively.

England’s other centurions Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes, were, however among the biggest movers outside the top-10 batters with Ali finding himself at No.26 after gaining six spots while Stokes is at No.32 with a leap of eight spots.

There was a lot of movement inside the top-10 with New Zealand’s Kane Williamson dropping a place to No.3, while South Africans Hashim Amla and Ab de Villiers gained a spot each to be placed at No.5 and 6.

Australia’s David Warner and Adam Voges also rose a spot each to be positioned at No.7 and 8. Pakistan’s Younis Khan retained his No.4 spot.

Sri Lanka batsman Dhananjaya de Silva (30th) and the Zimbabwe pair of Craig Ervine (56th) and Sean Williams (71st) have attained career-best rankings after their performances in the second and final Test between the two teams in Harare.

Meanwhile, India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin continued to lead the bowler’s chart with Sri Lankan veteran Rangana Herath rising two spots to the second spot. Ravindra Jadeja also retained his No.7 spot while England duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad lost a spot each to find themselves at No.4 and 6.

Another spinner to move up the rankings is England leggie Adil Rashid, who has gained 17 places to reach the 61st position after taking seven wickets at Rajkot.

England’s Stokes has reached a career-best third-ranking among all-rounders but is 56 points behind second-placed Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh and 106 behind top-placed Ashwin.

IANS

Skipper Virat Kohli hit a responsible unbeaten 49 runs to help India secure a nervy draw on the final day of the first cricket Test against England.

Chasing a 310-run target, India survived anxious moments before posting 172/6 in their second innings to force the draw on the fifth and final day at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Kohli was accompanied by local lad Ravindra Jadeja (32 not out) when the match ended inconclusively.

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Spinner Adil Rashid (3/64) was England’s most successful bowler in the second innings. His fellow spinners Moeen Ali and Zafar Ansari took one wicket each.

Earlier, England declared their second innings at 260/3 shortly after lunch — an overall lead of 309 runs — with captain Alastair Cook slamming a fine knock of 130 runs — his 30th Test century and fifth in India.

It left the hosts to chase 310 runs off a minimum 49 overs on the degrading Rajkot pitch.

India were reduced to 71/4 quickly, and were left battling for survival in Rajkot, which hosted its first ever Test match. They lost Gautam Gambhir (0) in the second over of the second innings, dismissed by pacer Chris Woakes. Joe Root took a simple catch at second slip to send back the opener.

Following the wicket, came Cheteshwar Pujara (18), who along with Vijay forged a crucial 47-run partnership for the second wicket to steady the inning.

But just when things seemed good, spinner Adil Rashid sent back Pujara shortly before the tea break. Pujara missed the straight delivery from Rahid and was struck right in front.

India were 49/2 at tea requiring still 261 more runs to win.

The post-tea session saw a downward spiral that also accounted for opener Murali Vijay (31). This hurt India’s cause as both Pujara and Vijay were dismissed within the space of nine deliveries after having got set. Ajinkya Rahane (1) also didn’t last long.

Kohli then steadied the chase with a timely 47-run partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin (32).

But India were subjected to further pressure when Ashwin departed at 118/5 with a minimum 11 overs still left to play. Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha (9) was the next to go.

But Kohli, with considerable help from Jadeja, nipped England’s hopes in the bud.

Earlier, England captain Alastair Cook (130) slammed his 30th century to pull England to 260/3, extending their overall lead to 309, when they declared after lunch.

It was Cook’s fifth century in India, that put the visitors in a commanding position.

England began the day at 114/0, an overall lead of 163, with Cook unbeaten on 46 and Haseeb Hameed not out on 62.

They continued their solid opening wicket partnership and stretched their association to 180, denying India any chance of quick breakthroughs to get back into the match.

They added 97 runs in the first session before losing Hameed (82) and Joe Root (4) in similar fashion — slog sweeps in search of quick runs — to set up their declaration.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra took two wickts for 60 runs. The other wicket belonged to Ashwin.

IANS

Anil Kumble has been a fighter and a winner throughout his career. His spell with a broken jaw against West Indies is a prime example of sheer determination and courage. His disciplined approach to this bowling saw Kumble emerge as India’s biggest match winner. Whatever responsibilities he was given, right from leading the bowling pack to  captaining Team India, he took them on and applied the same meticulous method to excel.  

This time, though, he is in an unfamiliar territory. He is a fighter, a leader, an inspirational figure, but coaching is not something one associates with Anil Kumble. And that too the head coach of the Indian team; one of the most high-pressured jobs in the world.

It is the same job which saw the likes of Kapil Dev, Greg Chappell and some big names of the game succumb to. Managing a team of superstars, match-winners is not a walk in the park, and it is going to be no different for Kumble, who has little or no coaching experience.

Kumble has a number of challenges ahead of him, especially in the coming month or so as he will be trying to put in place a system, making personal bonds plus planning for the West Indies tour, all at the same time.

Different formats, different captains

This is the most obvious challenge Kumble will be facing. MS Dhoni is India’s captain in limited-overs format, while Virat Kohli is the leader in the longer version of the game. They both have contrasting styles on the cricket field. While Dhoni is a calm in his approach, Kohli is someone more expressive.

Kumble shares a good rapport with Dhoni as he had mentored Dhoni while captaining the Indian team. So, working with him is not going to be much of a hassle. But the same cannot be said about Kohli. The Indian Test captain is a complete opposite to Dhoni. He likes to remain aggressive and never shies away from taking on the opposition. The same streak could be seen in many other young  teammates, who are ready to indulge in a verbal spat.

“I love his aggression. I was no different.” This is a statement coming right out of Kumble only means he’s leaning the art of diplomacy. How often we saw Kumble having a go at the opponent? Rarely or never. He was aggressive with his bowling not with his words. 

Less time, too much to prove

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has played it safe. They have offered just a one year’s contract to Kumble, giving the excuse of his lack of coaching experience. But how leaving a sword hanging can only add more pressure on the high profile job. 

Man management skills

The coming season is crucial for the Indian team. They are playing as many as 13 Tests at home. It is going to be a gruelling season. Kumble needs to manage his resources well. He has a very talented squad at his disposal, but they have to perform as a unit and win matches. Kumble’s new endeavour will test how good he is in managing the superstars, and take the team forward.

The new Indian coach has started off pretty well to say the least. He has spoken extensively to Dhoni, Kohli and other stakeholders in Bangalore, organised musical bonding sessions but the real action will start from July 21 in the West Indies. No matter how many meeting you do, ultimately the on field performance is what count. Kumble will be hoping to start his coaching career on a winning note to ease some pressure off. Meanwhile, it is going to be a fascinating journey for him, this time not in the sun, but in the shadow.