In the illustrious tapestry of Test cricket, certain luminaries have etched their names in ?history through a consistent display of batting brilliance against formidable opponents. The ability to score centuries, the hallmark of elite batsmanship, has been wielded by these players with finesse, leaving an indelible mark on the grand narrative of the sport. As the cricketing annals unfold, the records showcase a select group of players who have not only mastered their craft but have also demonstrated remarkable proficiency in accumulating centuries, especially when facing the challenge posed by the Indian cricket team.

Elite roster: Masters against India in Test

The saga of centuries against India in Test cricket unveils a distinguished list, featuring the creÌ€me de la creÌ€me of batting prowess. Each name in this elite roster signifies a chapter of resilience, skill, and domination in the face of one of cricket’s most formidable teams. This select group, led by Joe Root, Steve Smith, Gary Sobers, Vivian Richards and Ricky Ponting, sta?nds as a testament to the enduring legacy of batters who have not merely excelled but have carved their names in cricketing folklore through their prolific run-scoring abilities against India.

Joe Root’s historic feat: Leading the pack

Now, England’s star batter Root created history during the fourth Test against India by smashing a crucial hundred at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on February 23. Root became the batter with the most Test centuries against India, surpassing his Australian rival Smith. With an impressive tally of 10 centuries in 52 innings against India, Root’s proficiency in converting starts into three-figure scores has made him a formidable force in Test cricket.

Also READ: IND vs ENG: Cricket world goes berserk as Joe Roo??t returns to form with his ?record century in Ranchi Test

Following closely is Smith, who has notched up 9 centuries in 37 innings against the Indian team. Smith’s unorthodox yet effective batting style has proven to be a significant challenge for Indian bowlers. Sobers, Richards and Ponting complete this distinguished list, each accumulating 8 centuries against India in 30, 41, and 51 innings, respectively. Their remarkable records stand as a testament to their exceptional skill and ability to dominate in the Test arena. Root’s 31st Test century further cements his legacy, marking a historic moment in the context of centuries against India.

Most centuries against India in Test cricket:

1. Joe Root (England): 10 Centuries

• Root stands tall at the summit, having crafted 10 centuries in 52 innings against India. His ability to convert starts into three-figure scores has made him a prolific run-scorer and a formidable opponent.

2. Steve Smith (Australia): 9 Centuries

• Smith, the Australian maestro, follows closely with 9 centuries in 37 innings against the Indian team. His unorthodox yet effective batting style has posed a significant challenge for Indian bowlers.

3. Gary Sobers (West Indies): 8 Centuries

• Representing the West Indies, Sobers etched his name with 8 centuries in 30 innings against India. His elegant and powerful batting style left an enduring impact on the cricketing world.

4. Vivian Richards (West Indies): 8 Centuries

• Another West Indian legend, Richards, shares the third spot with 8 centuries in 41 innings against India. His aggressive and fearless approach at the crease made him a nightmare for bowlers.

5. Ricky Ponting (Australia): 8 Centuries

• Ponting, the Australian stalwart, also notched up 8 centuries in 51 innings against India. His exemplary leadership and consistent run-scoring made him a thorn in India’s side.

Also WAT?CH: Mohammed Siraj bowls a jaffa to clean up Tom Hartley on Day 1 of the Ranchi Test

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The Cricket World Cup has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in the history of the sport. One of the defining aspects of these prestigious tournaments is the stellar performances by players in the finals. Scoring a century in a World Cup final is a feat that etches a player’s name in the annals of cricketing glory.

Players who smashed century in ODI World Cup final

Centuries in World Cup finals are not merely statistical achievements; they are the stuff of cricketing legends. Each ton tells a unique story of skill, determination, and the pursuit of excellence on cricket’s grandest stage. Here is the elite list of players who smacked centuries in ODI World Cup final

1. Clive Lloyd – 102 vs Australia: ODI World Cup 1975 final

In the inaugural World Cup final held at Lord’s in 1975, West Indies captain Clive Lloyd played a captain’s knock, scoring 102 runs off 85 balls against Australia. This innings set the tone for his team’s triumph and established Lloyd as a giant of the game.

2. Vivian Richards – 138* vs England: ODI World Cup 1979 final

The charismatic Vivian Richards showcased his unparalleled skills in the 1979 World Cup final against England. Richards’ unbeaten 138 off 157 balls remains etched in cricketing folklore as one of the greatest innings in World Cup history.

3. Aravinda de Silva – 107* vs Australia: ODI World Cup 1996 final

Sri Lanka‘s Aravinda de Silva played a magical innings in the final against Australia in ODI World Cup 1996 final at Lahore. His unbeaten 107 off 124 balls guided the Islanders to their maiden World Cup triumph and solidified de Silva’s place as a cricketing legend.

4. Ricky Ponting – 140* vs India: ODI World Cup 2002 final

The 2003 World Cup final in Johannesburg witnessed Ricky Ponting‘s authoritative innings against India. The right-handed batter’s unbeaten 140 off 121 balls was a masterclass in batting, steering the Aussies to another World Cup title.

5. Adam Gilchrist – 149 vs Sri Lanka: ODI World Cup 2007 final

In the 2007 ODI World Cup final in Bridgetown, Adam Gilchrist provided a display of aggressive batting rarely seen in a World Cup final. His explosive knock of 149 off 104 balls played a pivotal role in Australia’s comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka.

6. Mahela Jayawardene – 103 vs India: ODI World Cup 2011

Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene graced the 2011 World Cup final at Wankhede with a sublime century against India. His composed innings of 103 off 88 balls may have been in a losing cause, but it remains a testament to Jayawardene’s class and elegance.

Also READ: 3 reasons behind India’s defeat ag??ainst Australia in ODI World Cup ?2023 final

7. Travis Head – 137 vs India: ODI World Cup 2023

Fast-forwarding to the most recent ODI World Cup in 2023, Australia’s Travis Head joined the elite club of century-makers in World Cup finals. His remarkable knock of 137 runs in 120 balls in Ahmedabad helped Australia clinch their sixth ODI World Cup title, marking a fitt??ing end to a tournament full of cricketing brilliance.

Also READ: ICC announces ‘Team of the Tournament�for ODI World Cup 2?023

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India’s staggering performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 has captivated the?? cricketing world, igniting awe and admiration. Their display on the field has been exceptional and their domin?ance has been a testament to their skill, strategy, and unwavering determination.

The Rohit Sharma-led side have? exhibited precision, finesse, and unwavering composure under pressure, leaving spectators in awe. With such a flawless run in the league stage, the hosts have set a high bar, instilling excitement and anticipation for their journey in this remarkable tournament.

As the Men in Blue have their eyes set on the highly coveted semifinal stage, former West Indies cricketer Sir Vivian Richards has opened up on India’s performance in the ongoing cricketing extravaganza.

Richards’ remarks on the mindset of Rohit Sharma-led side

Richards highlighted India’s formidable mindset, praising their aggressive and confident approach to the game. He emphasized the importance of maintaining this fearless attitude, suggesting that their success in the tournament is deeply tied to this mentality.

“India have a mindset that they can go all the way playing like this, that absolutely should be their mindset and would be mine if I was in that dressing room â€?let’s go out with all guns blazing. That approach has worked so far and if that changes, things may go astray,” Richards mentioned in his column for the ICC.

Also READ: Rohit Sharma breaks AB de Villiers�record fo??r most ODI sixes in ?a calendar year �World Cup, IND vs NED

‘There may be some fears’: Viv Richards

Richards further expressed a strong belief in India’s potential to continue their winning streak and go unbeaten throughout the tournament. He acknowledged the potential concerns of a slip-up in a crucial match like the semifinal due to the team’s exceptional performance. However, the 71-year-old stressed the importance of the team maintaining a positive mindset, pushing aside doubts or negative thoughts that might hinder their performance in the upcoming high-stakes games.

“I believe they can go all the way unbeaten, which is really something to strive for. There may be some fears of ‘we have played so well so far, there may be a bad game around the corner in the semifinal’. They have to try and nullify those and banish any negative thoughts,” the Antigua-born cricketer added.

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The stage is set for the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023. Rohit Sharma‘s Indian team will lock horns with their formidable opponent Australia, led by Pat Cummins, at the historic Oval Cricket Ground.

The WTC 2023 final is slated to be held from June 7th to June 11th, 2023. Cricket enthusiasts from around the globe eagerly aw??ait the clash between two cricketing powerhouses, Australia and India, who c?urrently hold the top two spots in the ICC Test Teams Rankings.

And as always, Virat Kohli will remain India’s main batter and the centre of attraction for the fans. He is coming to the game after scoring 639 runs in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kohli has given spectators a lot of good memories to be cherished f??orever in the past few months. And fans are now eagerly awaiting to see the updated version of Kohli in the next coming years.

Kohli’s love for the game’s longest format is not unknown. The former Indian captain, who has never shied away from talking about the importance of Test cricket, is now on the verge of surpassing the milestones set by the cricketing giants that remain a hard nut to crack for most batters.

Here are the milestones that Kohli can achieve in the up??coming WTC ??final 2023:

1. Surpassing Don Bradman’s tally of 29 Test tons 

Kohli, who has 28 Test hundreds, is one short of Don Bradman’s tally of 29. If the veteran Indian batsman scor??es tons in both innings of the upcoming Oval Test, he will surpass one of the greatest batters of all time.

2. Crossing Rahul Dravid’s Test runs against Australia

Kohli is at number five on the list of Indian batters who scored most runs against Australia. He has the chance to overtake Rahul Dravid in the soon-to-begin WTC 2023 final. Kohli must score 164 runs more to break Dravid’s record to surpass him. Dravid scored 2143 runs in 60 innings against the Aussies, including two centuries and 13 half-centuries. Kohli, meanwhile, has scored 1979 runs in 42 innings versus Australia.

3. Overtaking Vivian Richards and Virendra Sehwag’s Test runs

Kohli currently boasts an impressive 8,416 runs in 108 Test matches. If he scores 125 runs in the WTC final, he will surpass the legendary West Indies batter, Sir Vivian Richards, who accumulated 8,540 Test runs during h?is illustrious career.

In addition to Richards’ record, Kohli has an opportunity to surpass the Test run tally of former Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Sehwag’s record stands at 8,586 runs in Test cricket. To eclipse his former teammate, Kohli must score 171 runs in the WTC final.

4. Breaking Ricky Ponting’s record of centuries in India-Australia matches

Kohli has notched up eight centuries against Australia and is now tied with Ricky Ponting and Sunil Gavaskar. Only Sachin Tendulkar has more hundreds in India-Australia matches, with 11 centuries. Ko?hli has the bright chance to overtake both the legends of the game in the final of WTC 2023.

India will enter this contest to avenge their loss in the previous WTC Final against New Zealand and end their decade-long ICC title drought. For Australia, it’s a big chance to cement the legacy of one of the best Test team ever and lay down the marker for the upcoming Ashes series in England.

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The debate regarding the greatest batter of all time in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) is always an interesting subject amongst the fans as well as the cricket fraternity. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Vivian Richards, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara are some standout names who have shown unreal batting talent courtesy of their consistent performances, numerous records, and ability to score runs in all condit??ions.

In modern-day cricket, the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and MS Dhoni are some prominent personalities who have? impressed one and all with their unbelievable domination, especially in the ODI format.

Because of so many candidates, the answer to the question of who is the greatest ODI batter of all time is quite challenging. However, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has picked his choice. Manjrekar reckoned that Tendulkar is indeed? great while Kohli is undoubtedly the best ODI batter in the last 20 years, but there is no match for Windies legend Richards.

“When you look at the modern era, in the last 20 years or so, Virat Kohli is right up there. Tendulkar is also one of the time all-time greats. Virat Kohli, in my book, just fits in as a pure one-day player. MS Dhoni is another player that comes to my mind. But, all-time one-day batter, there is nobody who can get close to Sir Vivian Richards. Now, this might seem a little old-fashioned,” Manjrekar told Star Sports.

“Viv Richards played from the 70s to 90s in a time when all top-class batters, people like Gordon Greenidge, averaged about 30 and strike rate in the 60s. Viv Richards, from the 70s to the 90s, including a World Cup final hundred, averaged 47 and a strike rate of 90. The second-best in his era was second-best by a long way,” added Manjrekar.

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India’s T20 specialist Suryakumar Yadav has received a lot of praise from all active and ex-cricketers for his batting exploits. Australia great Tom Moody has also jumped in to compliment the world’s no. 1 T20I batter and hailed him as Sir Vivian Richards.

In India’s series-clinching victory against Sri Lanka, Suryakumar smashed a brilliant? ton in the final T20I of three match-series. He became only the second Indian after Rohit Sharma to score three or more centuries in the shortest f??ormat and the fifth over??all cricketer to achieve the feat.

Notably, Surya scored his first and second centuries in  T20Is against England and New Zealand, respectively.

Suryakumar was appointed as the vice-captain of Team India before the T20I series against Sri Lanka, and he has retained the position for the upcoming New Zealand series. The right-handed batter is also part of India’s ODI team and got his maiden Test call-up for the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023.

SKY made his debut for India in 2021 and has played 16 ODIs and 45 T20Is so far. He was the leading run scorer in the shortest format in 2022, with 1164 runs to his name in 31 innings. The 32-year-old was also the third-highest run-getter at the 2022 T20 World Cup?? in Australia.

In an interview to Sports Tak, talking about his favourite T20I batter, M??oody named Suryakumar as his choice.

“Suryakumar Yadav. Just the way he plays, it’s breathtaking. It reminds me so much of… when I was a young cricketer, watching the likes of Vivian Richards. The player who just seems to be in control of the game single-handedly,” said Moody.

The 57-year-old has also been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

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The cricket boards of England and West Indie??s honoured Sir Ian Botham and Sir Vivian Richards ahead of the series-decider at Old Trafford in Manchester on Friday. The two nations are currently battling for the Wisden Trophy, but the teams will now play for a new title in future. This one will pay tribute to former internationals, Botham and Ri??chards.

It all happened after former England captain Mike Atherton suggested that teams s?hould compete for the trophy named after legendary cricketers just like when Australia and ??India play for the (Allan) Border-(Sunil) Gavaskar Trophy.

Both Botham and Richards are clo?se friends. They were team-mates at English county Somerset before becoming opponents on the world stage.

Richards, who scored 8,540 runs in 121 Tests at an average of 50.23, spoke about the ??new?? idea and expressed his excitement.

“This is a huge honour for my good friend Ian and myself. I am delighted to know that the game that I have shown my love for since a little boy is naming such a prestigious award in recognition of what I managed to achieve as a cricketer,” said Richards as quoted by SkySports.

“When I had the opportunity to go to England and represent Somerset, one of the first persons I met was Ian Botham, who would later become one of my best friends. We are friends for life. To have this trophy – West Indies vs England – named in honour of our work on the cricket field is great. What I think is also remarkable is that it says a lot about our relationship off the field as well.

“We were competitors on the field, but we showed we were brothers off the field. I’m proud to have my name on one side of the trophy with him on the other side,” he added.

Botham also dropped his thoughts regarding the new trophy and said: “Viv was the most elegant batsman I ever played against. He’s a great friend, but we’ve always been competitive, not least when we were on the cricket field, and there was no one else’s wicket I would treasure more.

“Playing the West Indies was always one of the toughest tests in cricket, and it’s an honour for this trophy to bear our names. I hope future series will be just as exciting as the one we’ve all been enjoying this summer,” added Botham, who scored more 5,200 runs and took 383 wickets in 102 Tests for England.

“Both Cricket West Indies and we felt that the time was right to honour two of our greatest modern players. Sir Vivian and Sir Ian were fierce competitors on the pitch but great friends off it, exemplifying the spirit of the contests between our two cricketing nations and providing the perfect inspiration for those who compete for the Richards-Botham Trophy in years to come,” said England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman, Colin Graves.

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In the absence of sporting action, the social media handles, in their bid to engage with their vast fan following, a?sk their opin??ion through its interactive interfaces.

The ICC’s Twitter handle, recently asked who amongst Vivian Richards, Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, and Herschelle Gibbs, is the best puller of the cricket ball.

All four greats of batting play or hav??e played some of th??e pull shots that often left spectators awestruck.

Harbhajan Singh named old-foe Ricky Ponting and his former Mumbai Indians’ skipper Rohit Sharma amongst the best pullers. Interestingly, ‘the Turbanator’ left out Kohli, who was included in the four batsmen in the options.

@RickyPonting @ImRo45 //t.co/lJ9YakEAFl

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 22, 2020

Harbhajan was all set to resume h??is stint at Chennai Super Kings in the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The tournament was scheduled to commence fro?m March 29. However, the start of the competition was then postponed to April 15, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Kevin Pietersen, on ??the other hand, chose forme??r South Africans batsman Andrew Hudson above the rest as the best puller with the bat.

//twitter.com/KP24/status/1241617395015434240

Originally born in South Africa, KP decided to play his cricket for England and e??nded up smashing his first ODI hundred against them at Bloemf??ontein.

However, Pietersen had to pay the ultimate price for his links in the South African team, as he wasn’t selected for England since his ‘text message’ controversy. In the end, Pietersen had to call it quits from the game.

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“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” – Woodrow Wilson

Friendship is something that makes the world a better place to live in. And the world of Cricket is certainly no differe??nt.

While some cricketers were the best of friends since childhood, others developed a ?close bond while playing for the same ?team.

On Friendship Day, here’s a lowdown on the closest of friendships in the history of the Gentlemen’s Game â€?/p>

1. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly

Sachin and Sourav shared great chemistry not only on the field but also off it. It was a completely different Indian side when both opened the innings together. It was Sachin, the captain, who went on to promote Sourav Ganguly to the opener’s position in ODIs. Due to that big decision, Ganguly achieved an endless number of feats and broke numerous records. Later on, Dada even became one of the best captains in the history of the game. Both still share a great bond and mutually respect one another.

2. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir

These two opening batsmen were as different as chalk and cheese. But they gelled well and got along like a house on fire. Both always had the best of things to say about each other. Sehwag had once said: “After Sunil Gavaskar, India has never had an opener as good as Gautam Gambhir.” When Sehwag retired, Gambhir got emotional. He said that a part of him was gone with Sehwag. “There won’t be another player like Sehwag.”

3. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene

The island nation’s two gems are inseparable. These two legends redefined Sri Lankan cricket in more ways than one. These two explosive batsmen were so close that Mahela’s better half was the Maid of Honour at Sangakkara’s wedding, while Sangakkara was to be Mahela’s Best Man during the latter’s marriage. Post-retirement, both Sanga and Mahela are still the best of buddies entering into a number of ventures together.

4. Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman

Symbols of perseverance, Laxman and Dravid have opened up about the??ir friendship on a number of occasions. Both were calm and composed, and their match-winning partnership was always a threat to the opposition. Similar in nature, they let their bats do all the talking and one truly complimented the other.

5. Ian Botham and Vivian Richards

Two of the biggest legends of the game, Botham and Richards shared a house while playing for Somerset in County Cricket. Those were the early days of their careers. Sir Ian Botham had once said that Viv is like his brother. Similarly, Sir Viv Richards had stated that Ian Botham is special to him. In spite of representing two different countries, both were there for each other in life’s ups and downs, and with each other on important occasions. Years after their retirement, nothing has changed and they still remain the dearest of friends.

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