In a significant setback for the Indian Cricket team, it is reported that fast bowler Mohammed Shami could miss the first two matches of England’s upcoming red-ball tour of India, scheduled to commence on January 25. His absence could pose a substantial challenge for the Indian team as they gear up to face England in the crucial contest. The experienced pacer’s bowling prowess and knack for breakthroughs will likely be absent in the starting encounters, intensifying the strategic considerations for the Asian Giants against the formidable English side.

The reason behind Mohammed Shami’s absence

According to various reports, Shami is presently grappling with an ankle injury, rendering him unable to resume bowling since the conclusion of the ODI World Cup in 2023. Despite being named in the Test squad against South Africa, the 33-year-old’s inclusion hinged upon his recovery following treatment.

In a subsequent press release, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) then clarified that Shami’s participation in the Test series remained contingent on his fitness and underscored that he had not received clearance from the Medical Team at that juncture.

Also Read: IND ?vs AFG 2024: Indiaโ€™s best ?playing XI for the T20I series against Afghanistan

Recalling Shami’s stellar show in ODI World Cup 2023

Reflecting on Shami’s remarkable performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, the Amroha-born cricketer exhibited stellar class by securing an impressive tally of 24 wickets in just seven games. His economy rate of 5.26 and two five-wicket hauls underscored his exceptional bowling skills, ultimately earning him the distinction of being the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

Unfortunately, India fell short in their quest to lift the coveted trophy despite his extraordinary contributions. Nevertheless, Shami’s impactful display on the field left an indelible mark, showcasing his crucial role in the team’s journey throughout the tournament and the upcoming campaigns as well.

Also READ: Graeme Swann names an English bowler simila??r to Axar Patel who could be a game-changer in Ind??ia Tests

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In a spectacular display of skill and determination, India’s out-of-favour batter Cheteshwar Pujara recently stole the spotlight with a phenomenal double century during Saurashtra‘s opening Ranji Trophy 2024 match against Jharkhand.

Despite being sidelined from the Indian Test squad, Pujara’s outstanding performance not only earned Saurashtra a commanding position in the game but also set a new record, making him the first Asian to reach the milestone of 17 double centuries in first-class cricket.

Saurashtra’s domination

The match at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, witnessed an intriguing battle between Saurashtra and Jharkhand. Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Saurashtra’s bowlers, led by Chirag Jani‘s sensational five-wicket haul, efficiently bundled out Jharkhand for a modest total of 142 runs in 49 overs.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s supremacy

When it was time for Saurashtra to bat, Pujara emerged as the linchpin of the innings, making it a challenging day for the Jharkhand bowlers. With an impressive knock of 243 runs off 356 balls, including 30 fours, Pujara showcased his class and resilience. Supported by Prerak Mankad‘s significant contribution, Saurashtra declared their innings with a formidable score of 578 runs.

Also READ: โ€œThe whole system isโ€ฆโ€?– AB de Villiers shares blunt assessment on Test cricketโ€™s downfall

Historic achievement

Pujara’s remarkable double century marked the 17th occasion in his illustrious career when he surpassed the 200-run mark in first-class cricket, which not only makes him the first Asian to achieve such a feat but also places him joint-fourth among batters globally in terms of most first-class double centuries.

Fans’ enthusiasm and request to BCCI

The cricketing world was quick to react to Pujara’s stellar performance, and fans showered the veteran batter with praise. Despite being overlooked for the Tests in recent times, supporters fervently expressed their desire for Pujara’s return to the national side for the England series, emphasizing that his recent innings should not go unnoticed.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

๐—–๐—ต๐—ฒ๐˜๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ต๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ ๐—ฃ๐˜‚๐??—ท๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ sco?red a double ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ’ฏ in Ranji trophy at Rajkot.

Selectors you can't ignore Cheteshwar Pujara performance. You need to include Pujara the run machine against Afganistan T20 series ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜.#INDvsAFG #OnThisDay #RanjiTrophypic.twitter.com/fm46ICNJZk

— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) January 7, 2024

What a brilliant inning played by Cheteshwar Pujara……!!!!!!!

He scored 243 runs from 356 balls ??for Saurashtra in Ranji Trophy 2024.

– What a Player, Pujara! pic.twitter.com/Vw9SRU7DK1

— Jay. (@Jay_Cricket18) January 7, 2024

The moment when Cheteshwar Pujara completed his 200…!!!

– What a way to kick off 2024 Ranji Trophy season.pic.twitter.com/cS8z9l983C

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 7, 2024

Cheteshwar Pujara scores a double century in his first match of Ranji Trophy after getting dropped from the Indian team! What a player ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ #RanjiTrophy #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/C4yRv1xzBu

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 7, 2024

Cheteshwar Pujara is Back ! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿฅณ

Double ๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ’ฏ in first match of Ranji Trophy 2024 #RanjiTrophy #Pujara #TestCricket #INDvsAFGpic.twitter.com/yHJzDdnu3w

— ๐‘ด๐‘บ ๐‘ญ๐‘ถ๐‘ถ๐‘ป๐‘ช๐‘น๐‘ฐ๐‘ช ๎จ€๎จ€๎จ€ (@IFootcric68275) January 7, 2024

CHETESHWAR PUJARA IS BACK…!!!!

Double hundred in the first match of Ranji Trophy 2024, dropped from the Indian team but returning in style with the bat for Saurashtra – What a player. ๐Ÿ‘Œโญ?pic.twitter.com/iVQUE8RYPa

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 7, 2024

Cheteshwar Pujara Makes Strong Statement With Double ??Ton Ahead Of Squad Announcement

Cheteshwar Pujara made a strong case for his return to Test cricket with a record-extending double century in Ranji Trophy. pic.twitter.com/QaBCAJF8Da

— CrickologyNews (@CrickologyNews) January 7, 2024

The moment when Chetes????hwar Pujara completed his double century ๐Ÿ”ฅ

What a way to kick off 2024 Ranji Trophy season. pic.twitter.com/7Ite8MSook

— RUDRAโ˜€๏ธ๐Ÿ”ฑโค๏ธ?(@invincibl39) January 7, 2024

243 Runs in 1st Match Of Ranji Trophy in This season .
Well played Cheteshwar Pujara . โœ‹๏ธ pic.twitter.com/yaxANeo0X1

— Majid speak (@majidamjad2017) January 7, 2024

Mr. Class Cheteshwar Pujara Starts His Ranji Season In Style!#DhoniXStan #AbhishekKumar #SheikhHasina #AdityaL1 #MSDhoni #BangladeshElections #DavidWarner#INDvsAFG #AmbatiRayudu pic.twitter.com/gcL9EmMgBD

— Raj ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ (@TheLicit_) January 7, 2024

Also READ: 6 players with most centuries as an opener? in international c?ricket

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India’s recent ?historic Test victory against South Africa in Cape? Town not only marked a significant milestone for the team but also brought individual moments of joy for players. Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who returned hom?e after the successful tour, recently shared a delightful video on his Instagram handle, showcasing a unique vintage bullock? cart ride experience that has since taken the internet by storm.

India’s triumph in Cape Town

The Indian cricket team’s triumph in Cape Town has been widely celebrated as they became the first Asian team to secure a Test win at the iconic venue. Amidst the post-match euphoria, the spotlight has now shifted to Jadeja, who, despite having a limited role in the series decider, returned home in a cheerful mood.

Beyond the cricket pitch: Jadeja enjoys a vintage bullock cart ride

Jadeja’s Instagram post, captioned “Vintage ride,” captured a moment of the cric??keter enjoying a traditional bullock cart ride, reminiscent of simpler times. The video quickly went viral across various social media platforms, showcasing a different side of the cricket star away from th??e cricket field.

Here’s the video

Ravindra Jadeja begins the pitch preparations for the England series.#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/vDdWmQOc9Q

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) January 6, 2024

While Jadeja didn’t have a significant impact on the South Africa tour, missing the opening game due to injury, his relaxed demeanour in the video suggests a well-deserved break and a chance to reconnect with his roots. The bullock cart ride video has resonated with fans who appreciated the all-rounder’s ability to find joy in life beyond the cricket pitch.

Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin delivers a befitting reply to Michael Vaughanโ€™s ??remark of India as an underachieving team

Looking ahead: Jadeja’s role in the England Series

Looking ahead, Jadeja is set to play a crucial role in the upcoming 5-match Test series against England, scheduled to commence on January 25. Despite not bowling a single over in the Cape Town Test dominated by Indian pacers, Jadeja’s return to the squad for the series against England indicates a renewed focus on his all-round skills.

WTC 2023-25 standings and India’s aspiration

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings have seen a shift, with India slipping to the second position after Australia’s clean sweep over Pakistan. With the upcoming series against England, Jadeja will be eager to contribute significantly and help India reclaim the top spot in the WTC rankings.

Also READ: Top 5 leading wi??cket-takers for India in SENA Test wins

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In a recent development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the formidable India A squad that will lock horns with England Lions in a crucial prelude to the England tour of India in 2024. The ??stage is set for an exhilarating showdown as the India A team prepares for a two-day warm-up fixture followed by a multi-day clash against the Lions. This series promises not only to showcase the potential future stars of Indian cricket but also serves as a litmus test for the upcoming challenges that lie ahead.

Dynamic batters:

The squad boasts a thumping batting lineup, led by the prolific Abhimanyu Easwaran as the captain. Alongside him, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan and Pradosh Ranjan Paul form a formidable force with the willow. This dynamic combination of experienced heads and emerging talents will keep the England Lions’ bowlers on their toes, setting the stage for an enthralling battle between bat and ball.

Aglie wicket-keepers:

Behind the stumps, the team will be guided by the young and explosive Dhruv Jurel, known for his agility and safe pair of hands. His partnership with the experienced KS Bharat promises a potent force, offering stability and reliability in the crucial wicket-keeping departme?nt.

Also READ: Here are the updated WTC 2023-25 rankings after Austra?liaโ€™s clean swee??p over Pakistan

Prolific all-Rounders:

Adding versatility and balance to the squad are Akash Deep and Manav Suthar, who are capable of contributing with both bat and ball. T?heir all-round abilities give the team crucial options, allowing for strategic flexibility in different game situations.

Ravishing bowling arsenal:

The pace department features the fiery Navdeep Saini, Tushar Deshpande and Vidwath Kaverappa, promising a relentless assault on their rivals’ batting lineup. Complementing the pacers is the spin wizardry of Pulkit Narang, who adds a layer of complexity to the bowling attack. Together, they form a well-rounded bowling arsenal capable of dismantling opposition lineups and turning the tides in India’s favour.

Also READ: England star Jonny Ba??irstow shares his take on wicketkeeping duty on upc??oming India tour

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The highly-anticipated Ashes 2023 between England and Australia ended with a thrilling fifth Test victory for the hosts, resulting in a tied five-match series 2-2. England’s ‘BazBall’ strategy came to the fore, particularly in their remarkable comeback after losing the first two matches.

While ‘BazBall’ showcased its prowess during the Ashes series, uncertainties still surround its applicability in cricketing conditions across the globe. As England gears up to face India for their next big project in the ongoing edition of the World Test Championship (WTC), questions arise about the effectiveness of ‘BazBall’ against the Asian giants.

Also READ: Cricket fraternity hails Stuart Broad after his retirement from cricket

Ben Stokes reflects on past success and doubts

Regarding whether the ‘BazBall’ will work in India, England skipper Ben Stokes recalled the team’s triumphant 3-0 victory against New Zealand and the doubts and criticisms from skeptics about replicating such success against other strong cricket teams. Stokes reflected on the challenges posed by teams like South Africa, Pakistan, and Australia after their victory against New Zealand.

Stokes indicated that there might be similar doubts about England’s prospects against India, and reckoned that the outcome of a potential series against the Rohit Sharma-led India can only be determined with time and actual performances on the field.

“I remember when we beat New Zealand 3-0, (the chatter) was we couldn’t do it against South Africa, (we) couldn’t do it against Pakistan, (we) couldn’t do it against Australia. So who knows if we can do it against India, only time will tell,” Stokes said ?af?ter Englandโ€™s victory in The Oval Test.

Also READ: Ball-change event in 5th Test stirs up controversy; Aussies unhappy

Stokes also observed that the final scoreline of Ashes (2-2) is a fair reflection of the contest between two highly competitive and skilled cricket teams. He acknowledged that both England and Australia showcased exceptional cric?ketin??g abilities throughout the series.

“I think 2-2 generally is a fair reflection of two very, very good teams going at it over a five-match series. Obviously, Australia being world Test champions leading into this series, the cricket that I think has been on show has been of the highest quality,” added Stokes.

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