The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) brings together the best players from Australia and India for a highly anticipated Test series. Several players have made their mark on the rivalry's history with match-winning performances over the years.

Regarding bowling, various notable bowlers from India and Australia have turned the contest around throughout the years in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Here's a list of the top five memorable bowling displays by the Indian roster in the down under, through the timelines of this highly acclaimed bilateral red-ball series.

Kapil Dev: 8/106 in Adelaide 1985-86

Kapil Dev's 8/106 in the 1985 Adelaide Test is still the finest Test bowling performance by an Indian bowler in Australia. Kapil bowled with remarkable control against a rigid Australian batting order, limiting them to just 381 runs in the first innings. He was known for his accurate seam movement and swing bowling, which made Australian hitters nervous.

The furious fast bowler removed practically every Australian batter and stood out for a solitary performance that placed India in a position to win the Test. Despite India taking the lead with a commanding 520/10 as a response, the match finished in a tie, with Kapil named the man of the match.

Anil Kumble: 8/141 in Sydney 2003-04

Anil Kumble was famed for his never-say-die mentality, and his 8/141 spell in Sydney in 2004 demonstrates his perseverance. Bowling on a flat Sydney field, Australia had already scored a staggering 474 in response to India's 705. Kumble's spell came on a track that gave nothing to the bowlers, but he still made an impression.

He broke vital partnerships and continued to chip away at Australia's batting order. While the game ended in a tie, Kumble's eight wickets were the most important in preventing Australia from running away with it. His performance demonstrated his ability to bear the brunt of India's bowling assault, particularly in difficult international circumstances.

Ajit Agarkar: 6/41 in Adelaide 2003-04

Ajit Agarkar recorded a career-best performance of 6 for 41 in the 2003 Adelaide Test, which proved crucial in India's memorable four-wicket victory. His wickets included Ricky Ponting, whose departure for a duck was critical in shattering the opposition's resistance.

Agarkar's famous session is sometimes overlooked by Rahul Dravid's superb 233 in the same game, but it was his bowling that secured India's rare overseas victory.

Also Read: Top 5 Indian Batting Innings from the BGT played in Australia

Mohammed Siraj: 5/73 in Brisbane 2020-21

Mohammed Siraj's 5/73 in Australia's second innings was his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, coming in only his third outing. Siraj, despite having little experience, led an injury-depleted Indian bowling attack that lacked seasoned bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin and up to the task by bowling with control and aggressiveness.

Siraj's success came despite personal sadness, as he had lost his father during the tour but elected to remain in Australia to serve on national service. Siraj's accomplishment reflected India's perseverance and depth. Siraj's victory exemplified India's squad's tenacity and depth throughout the victorious 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. 

Jasprit Bumrah: 6/33 in Melbourne 2018-19

In 2018, Jasprit Bumrah led India to their first-ever victory in a Boxing Day Test Down Under. The right-arm seamer took 6/33 as Australia were bowled out for 151 in response to India's 443/7 declaration. This spell contained everything. There were seamed-up deliveries, bouncers, yorkers, and Shaun Marsh's famed slow yorker.

This display of "complete fast bowling" by the world-class seamer who deserved to seal the first rank of the bowlers' roster at that time. These are still the best Test figures by an Indian at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Bumrah also took three wickets in the 2nd innings, with Australia failing to chase 399.

The rivalry between India and Australia in Test cricket is one of the most celebrated contests in the sport. With a history dating back to 1947-48, this clash has produced unforgettable matches, marked by exceptional performances from legendary players. While batsmen often take the spotlight, bowlers play an equally critical role in securing victories in the longest format of the game.

Indian bowlers, both spinners and pacers, have risen to the challenge against Australia, delivering spellbinding performances that have etched their names in cricketing history. Here’s a look at the top five Indian bowlers with the most wickets against Australia in Test cricket.

5. Kapil Dev – 79 wickets

India’s first World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, was a masterful all-rounder who thrived against Australia. In 20 Tests between 1979 and 1992, Kapil claimed 79 wickets at an impressive average of 25.35. His fiery spell of 8/106 in Adelaide during the 1985-86 series remains etched in memory, as he dismantled a strong Australian batting lineup led by Allan Border.

4. Ravindra Jadeja – 89 wickets

A modern-day maestro, Ravindra Jadeja has emerged as a consistent performer against Australia. In 17 Tests, Jadeja has taken 89 wickets at an average of 18.89, showcasing his ability to excel in both Indian and Australian conditions. His 7/42 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium in 2023 stands out as one of the most dominant spells in recent history, helping India secure a resounding victory.

3. Harbhajan Singh – 95 wickets
Harbhajan Singh’s magical spells against Australia earned him the nickname "The Turbanator." In 18 Tests, he picked 95 wickets, highlighted by his stunning performance in the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With 32 wickets in three matches, including a memorable hat-trick at Kolkata, Harbhajan proved to be Australia’s nemesis time and again. His best figures of 8/84 underline his dominance over the mighty Aussies.

2. Anil Kumble – 111 wickets

Anil Kumble, India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests, was a force to be reckoned with against Australia. Over 20 matches, he scalped 111 wickets, including 10 five-wicket hauls. Kumble’s precision and ability to exploit spin-friendly conditions made him Australia’s biggest challenge. His iconic 8/141 at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the 2003-04 tour remains one of the finest spells by an Indian bowler Down Under.

1. Ravichandran Ashwin – 114 wickets

Sitting at the top of the list is Ravichandran Ashwin, who has taken 114 wickets in 22 Tests against Australia. Known for his tactical brilliance and versatility, Ashwin’s standout performance came in Chennai in 2013, where he recorded figures of 7/103 and 5/95. With an impressive mix of spin variations, Ashwin continues to trouble Australian batters both at home and away, cementing his legacy as one of India’s finest.

India’s bowlers have played a pivotal role in scripting historic victories against Australia. From Kapil Dev’s fiery pace to Ashwin’s guileful spin, these legends have consistently delivered match-winning performances. Their ability to adapt to vastly different conditions in India and Australia has made the rivalry thrilling to watch.

See Also: The Future of KL Rahul: Opportunities and Challenges

As India and Australia continue to produce epic battles on the field, the legacy of these iconic bowlers serves as a reminder of the importance of taking 20 wickets to win a Test match. With each series, new stars emerge, but the contributions of these stalwarts will forever remain an integral part of this storied rivalry.

Cricket is frequently regarded as a religion in India and is far more popular than any other sport, with fans eager to see their favourite players perform well. In the past, fans saw several players involved in issues that shook the cricket community and became global discussion points.

Cricket history has witnessed several incidents involving foreign and domestic players, shaking the sport and becoming a hot topic among millions of cricket fans. Indian cricketers have also been involved in various similar confrontations and scandals. On that point, let us look at the top five controversies in Indian cricket history.

The 2000 Match-fixing story

The match-fixing incident of 2000 shocked the whole cricketing community. The incident occurred during the South African team’s 2000 tour to India when Delhi police overheard a conversation between a bookmaker and Proteas captain Hansie Cronje while listening to criminal discussions. The theme of the talk was match-fixing.

Much to the amazement of the cricketing community, Delhi Police filed a case against Cronje, who later denied the claims. Later, the South African cricket authority established the King’s Commission to investigate, and prominent figures such as the then-Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin, Manoj Prabhakar, and famed all-rounder Ajay Jadeja were added to the match-fixing list. According to a dossier presented by the CBI, Mohammad Azharuddin also introduced former South African captain Hansie Cronje to a gang of bookmakers.

Greg Chappell vs Sourav Ganguly

Greg Chappell and Sourav Ganguly had the worst captain-coach conflict in Indian cricket history, and it was undoubtedly one of the worst in Indian cricket textbooks. It all began during India’s tour of Zimbabwe when Chappell urged that Ganguly be dismissed from the Indian test team. He also claimed that Ganguly is neither psychologically or physically prepared to head the Indian squad. Ganguly also criticised himself for recommending Greg Chappell as India’s coach.

Following the Zimbabwe trip, the leading selectors decided to remove Ganguly as captain, and he was eventually sacked from the ODI team as well. The decision to drop Ganguly from the Indian team did not go well with Indian supporters, who burned Chappell’s effigies and protested on the streets. His notorious tenure as Indian head coach ended when the Men in Blue were eliminated from the 2007 World Cup in the group round.

The Monkeygate Incident: Harbhajan Singh vs Andrew Symonds

The controversial clash between India’s reliable spinner, Harbhajan Singh and Australia’s top all-rounder, Andrew Symonds, a.k.a, the Monkeygate incident, occurred during India’s 2008 tour of Australia and is regarded as one of the most significant scandals in Indian cricket history.

The incident saw a confrontation between Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second match at Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia. It reached the point where the tourists chose to withdraw from the trip before the ICC constituted a disciplinary committee to investigate the situation. Next, the committee’s investigation, Harbhajan Singh’s three-match Test suspension was removed, and India won the next Test match.

Also Read: “I’m sure we’re going to be on the same page” – Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli

IPL & Spot-fixing

This controversy shocked millions of cricket fans in India after learning that the Indian Premier League 2013 season had been tarnished by spot-fixing and betting events. Two well-known IPL franchises, the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals, were banned for two years in a row due to their involvement in the betting scam.

On the other hand, the Delhi Police detained three Rajasthan Royals players, S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan, for spot-fixing accusations in the IPL. The team’s owners, Raj Kundra and Gurunath Meiyappan, were arrested, and both CSK and RR franchises were suspended for two years. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) closely checks the competition to ensure no such disputes arise.

Virat Kohli vs Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble’s dismissal as head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2017 remains one of the most contentious issues in Indian cricket. Following India’s defeat against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final, Kumble was sacked as the team’s head coach. Kumble was asked to resign after only one year as the team’s head coach.

At the time, various publications highlighted conflicts between Kohli and Kumble as the primary cause for his dismissal as head coach. The captain and head coach were apparently at odds, which resulted in the dramatic firing. According to reports, Kohli was contacted when the authorities decided to extend the coach’s employment, but he stated that Kumble’s tutoring made junior players feel “intimidated”.

A One Day International (ODI) is a limited-overs cricket match between two international teams, each with ODI status given by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Unlike Test matches, ODIs have a set number of overs per team, and each team plays only one innings.

India played their first ODI in 1974. Since then, 255 players have represented India in ODIs. India has played 1,055 ODIs, with 559 wins, 443 losses, 9 ties, and 44 no results. Their first series win was against England in 1981.

They won the Cricket World Cup in 1983 and 2011, and were runners-up in 2003 and 2023. India also won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and shared the title with Sri Lanka in 2002. They have won the Asia Cup seven times.

Sachin Tendulkar debuting at 16 is India’s youngest ODI player, while Farokh Engineer debuting at 36 is the oldest. Anil Kumble is India’s top wicket taker in ODIs with 337 wickets. Sachin Tendulkar is the top run scorer with 18,426 runs and holds the record for most ODIs played (463) and most Man of the Match awards.

Rohit Sharma’s 264 runs against Sri Lanka is the highest individual ODI score. Sourav Ganguly holds the highest score by an Indian in a World Cup match with 183 runs against Sri Lanka.

India’s irst ODI match

On this day in 1974, India played its first ODI against England at Leeds, marking an important moment in Indian cricket history. Although ODIs started in 1971, it took three years for India to join this format.

England won the toss and decided to field first. India began steadily, with openers Sunil Gavaskar and Sudhir Naik putting together a 44-run partnership. Naik was the first to go, dismissed for 18 by Robin Jackman. Gavaskar followed soon after, bowled for 28 by Geoff Arnold.

Gundappa Vishwanath was out for a low score by Bob Woolmer, leaving India at 60/3. Ajit Wadekar and Farookh Engineer then had a 70-run partnership. Engineer was bowled by Chris Old for 32. Wadekar, who scored India’s first ODI fifty, was eventually out for 67 to Jackman at 181/5.

After Eknath Solkar’s dismissal, Brijesh Patel and Syed Abid Ali added 52 runs, taking India to 246. Ali was dismissed by Woolmer for 17. Patel’s 82 off 78 balls helped India reach a total of 265.

Chris Old was England’s best bowler, taking 3-43. Arnold, Woolmer, and Jackman each took two wickets, and Tony Greig took one.

England’s chase turning points and key players

Chasing 266, England’s Dennis Amiss was out for 20 by Eknath Solkar, leaving England at 37/1. David Lloyd and John Edrich steadied the innings with a 47-run partnership before Solkar dismissed Lloyd for 34. Mike Denness was dismissed for 8 by Madan Lal, caught by Srinivas Venkataraghavan.

England was at 96/3, but Edrich and Keith Fletcher built an 83-run stand. Bedi dismissed Fletcher for 39. Edrich, ten runs short of a century, was the fifth wicket to fall at 212, dismissed by Venkataraghavan.

Despite Tony Greig’s dismissal for 40 by Bedi, Alan Knott (15) and Chris Old (5) guided England to a four-wicket victory.

Eknath Solkar was India’s best bowler with 2-31.

Although India lost their first ODI, they have improved steadily over the years and by the 2020s, they became a formidable force in international cricket.

In a surprising turn of events in IPL 2024, there has been a change in captaincy mid-season. Such changes are not uncommon in the IPL, highlighting how crucial leadership is in the intense atmosphere of the tournament. These things have already happened in history.

Here are the name captains who stepped down in the middle of an IPL season;

2021: David Warner – Kane Williamson

David Warner was a standout performer during his time with the Hyderabad-based franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). As the captain, he clinched three orange caps and led SRH to victory in the IPL 2016, scoring a remarkable 848 runs. Warner’s dedication earned him the title of a true servant of the Orange Army.

However, in IPL 2021, SRH’s performance fell below expectations, with only one win in their first seven matches. This led to tensions between Warner and the SRH management, resulting in Kane Williamson being appointed as the new captain.

Despite the change in leadership, SRH’s fortunes didn’t improve, and they finished at the bottom of the table by the end of the season. Despite not being retained by SRH for the 2022 IPL season, Warner continued to show his support for the franchise from the stands, demonstrating his deep affection for the team. He was subsequently bought by Delhi Capitals for the 2022 IPL season.

2020: Dinesh Karthik – Eoin Morgan

Dinesh Karthik, known as one of the most successful wicketkeeper-batters in IPL history, joined Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2018 mega auction. With KKR in need of a captain, they turned to Karthik’s experience and leadership. He led the team from 2018 to 2020.

In the middle of IPL 2020, although KKR had won four of their first seven games, Karthik’s performance with the bat was lacking. Consequently, he chose to step down as captain. With Eoin Morgan, a World Cup-winning captain, in their squad, KKR appointed him as the new captain.

During IPL 2020, KKR’s performance was neither exceptional nor poor, finishing in fifth place with seven wins in 14 league matches. However, Morgan’s captaincy made a significant impact in the following season. Despite a slow start, KKR reached the finals, ultimately losing to Chennai Super Kings.

2018: Gautam Gambhir – Shreyas Iyer

Gautam Gambhir, KKR’s most successful captain with two trophies, decided to end his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils ( then Delhi Capitals) before the 2018 IPL mega auction. As soon as he rejoined Delhi, he was appointed captain, which was a big boost for the team. However, despite Gambhir’s experience, Delhi struggled at the start, winning only one game out of their first six.

Consequently, Gambhir stepped down as captain. Shreyas Iyer, a young Indian batsman, took over the reins mid-season and led the team decently. Under Iyer’s captaincy, Delhi won four out of their next eight games, but couldn’t make it to the playoffs. Iyer continued as captain for two more seasons until he got injured before IPL 2021, leading to Rishabh Pant being named the new captain. In IPL 2022, Iyer was bought by KKR in the mega auction and appointed as their new skipper.

2013: Ricky Ponting – Rohit Sharma

In the 2013 IPL season, Ricky Ponting began as the captain of Mumbai Indians (MI). However, the team faced difficulties, losing four of their first five games. Seeing the struggle, Ponting chose to step down as captain, and MI appointed Rohit Sharma as the new skipper.

Rohit’s leadership brought a significant change to the team’s performance, ultimately leading them to clinch the trophy. This season also marked the last IPL for Sachin Tendulkar, and MI dedicated their win to the cricket legend. Rohit’s captaincy marked the start of a remarkable journey for MI. Under his leadership, they went on to win four more IPL titles, making Rohit the most successful captain in IPL history.

2012: Daniel Vettori – Virat Kohli

Despite starting each IPL season as favorites, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have yet to secure a title in their 14 seasons of participation. Despite reaching the final three times, including in 2011 under the leadership of Daniel Vettori, they have been unable to clinch the trophy. In the following season, RCB struggled, winning only two of their first five games.

In a bold move, young Indian batsman Virat Kohli was appointed captain midway through the season, despite still proving himself on the international stage. Though the team had mixed results under his leadership, finishing fifth on the points table, Kohli was subsequently appointed full-time captain in 2013. Over the next eight years, his captaincy had its ups and downs. The team’s breakthrough came in 2016, when they reached the IPL final for the third time.

See Also: IPL 2024: Netizens welcome Riyan Parag 2.0

2009: Kevin Pietersen – Anil Kumble

In 2008, Rahul Dravid led the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. But after just one season, he decided to step down as captain. RCB then bought Kevin Pietersen for INR 1.55 million before the 2009 IPL season and made him captain right away. However, things didn’t go well for RCB under Pietersen’s leadership, losing four out of the first five games.

The team owner, Vijay Mallya, became impatient and replaced Pietersen as captain. Anil Kumble, the Indian leg-spinning expert, took over as captain. Under his leadership, RCB performed exceptionally, winning eight out of the next 10 matches and making it to the finals. Unfortunately, they lost to the Deccan Chargers in the final match.

Ravichandran Ashwin Reflects Deeply in Interview with Anil Kumble.Ahead of His 100th Test, Ashwin Makes Significant ‘Second Fiddle’ Remark.Ravichandran Ashwin Set to Mark His 100th Test in Dharamsala.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Milestone Moment: A Century of Tests

As he gears up for the fifth match against England in Dharamshala on March 7, veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is poised to play his 100th Test. Ashwin, who recently joined the elite 500 Test wickets club, stands as the second Indian bowler after Anil Kumble to achieve this milestone, aligning himself with legendary names like Muthiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath, Courtney Walsh, and Nathan Lyon.

Kumble highlighted that Ashwin’s journey to this milestone has been prolonged due to his frequent absences from the playing XI during India’s overseas tours. Since making his debut for the national team in 2011, the premier Indian off-spinner has solidified his position as one of the country’s cricketing icons.

Ashwin, often regarded as one of India’s most influential Test match performers since Anil Kumble, has faced consistent exclusions from the playing lineup in recent years. This trend appears almost inevitable, particularly during India’s tours to SENA countries, where historical batting depth deficiencies have often resulted in the selection of the more proficient batsman among the two champion spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin.

Navigating Challenges and Milestones: Kumble and Ashwin’s Reflections on Cricketing Journey

Anil Kumble expressed his belief that Ravichandran Ashwin’s 100th Test match should have arrived much earlier, considering his talent and capabilities. Kumble emphasized the challenge Ashwin faced with limited opportunities in overseas tours, particularly in countries like England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Despite consistent performances, doubts arose regarding Ashwin’s adaptability to diverse conditions, overshadowing his prowess as a leading bowler.

In response, Ashwin refrained from controversy but candidly addressed the prevailing hierarchy where bowlers often play second fiddle to batsmen. He reflected on the disparity in opportunities, questioning why some players have more chances to overcome failures than others. However, Ashwin acknowledged the team’s paramount importance, prioritizing collective success over personal achievements. Despite disappointments, he found contentment in contributing to the team’s victories and cherished the opportunity to represent India alongside legendary cricketers.

SEE ALSO:IND vs ENG: Bairstow commends ground staff for their efforts on Dharamsala’s “well-used pitch”

Both Kumble and Ashwin stand as iconic figures in Indian cricket history, having surpassed the remarkable milestone of 500 wickets. Kumble, with a record 619 Test wickets, holds the distinction of being India’s most successful bowler. Meanwhile, Ashwin is set to join an elite group of Indian spinners, including Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, as only the third to feature in 100 Test matches. As India leads the ongoing series against England 3-1, all eyes are set on the fifth and final Test match in Dharamsala, scheduled to commence on Thursday.

After a quiet start in the first three Tests of the India vs England series, Ravichandran Ashwin has rediscovered his form. Despite struggling in the initial seven innings, the esteemed off-spinner staged a remarkable comeback, clinching a magnificent and potentially match-winning 5-wicket haul.

Following his standout performance on day three of the Ranchi Test, Ashwin candidly discussed his challenges and the adjustments he had to make to regain his bowling prowess. Speaking with JioCinema after the day’s play concluded, the spinner revealed:

“I had to rethink my approach to the game. Typically, I rely on a top-spin delivery, aiming for the ball to bite into the pitch upon impact. However, in the eastern part of the country, I found that the pitches lacked the desired bite, with bounce levels barely reaching shin height. To generate the necessary side-spin, I had to adapt my strategy, focusing on driving the ball into the pitch during my initial spell. Subsequently, with the older ball, I noticed an increase in purchases from the other end. It required a mental shift on my part.”

Reflecting on his success with the new ball and the impact of receiving it for the first time in the India vs England Test series, Ravichandran Ashwin remarked:

“I relish the opportunity to bowl with the new ball, and today, when Rohit (Sharma) suggested that either Jadeja or I could start, I eagerly volunteered. The new ball seems to have a special connection with me; I find joy in bowling with slightly more pace.”

SEE ALSO: IND vs ENG 4th Test Day 3 Highlights: England all out for 145 and India needs 192 runs to Win

Ravichandran Ashwin equals Anil Kumble’s Record for Most Test Five-Wicket Hauls by an Indian

Ashwin surpassed Anil Kumble in the rankings of Indian bowlers with the most wickets in home Test matches, reaching a total of 354 wickets with his recent 5-wicket haul. This tally stands 5 wickets higher than Kumble’s record in home Tests.

Despite facing scrutiny for his inconsistency in the initial three tests of the series, Ashwin let his performance on the field speak volumes. Even after 20-year-old Shoaib Bashir’s impressive 5-wicket haul in the first innings of the Ranchi Test, Ashwin maintained his composure and focus.

Throughout the first three tests, Ashwin encountered an uncharacteristically challenging phase. With just 12 wickets across four matches, his series average soared to 38.83, a departure from his usual dominance. Additionally, his economy rate of approximately 4.05 indicated some unsettlement caused by the England batters.

Dinesh Karthik, the seasoned India wicket-keeper batter, didn’t shy away from addressing Ashwin’s below-par performance in the series. Speaking before Day 3 of the Ranchi Test, Karthik candidly pointed out Ashwin’s struggle, a sentiment echoed by many cricket enthusiasts. He highlighted that despite their relative inexperience in Indian conditions, the English spinners had outshone their Indian counterparts, including Ashwin.

When captain Hardik Panday scored on Khaleel Ahmed’s last power play ball against the Delhi Capitals, the Gujarat Titans were in trouble. After losing openers Wriddhiman Saha (14), Shubman Gill (14) and Hardik (5), GT were 55/3, chasing 163 for victory. The defending champions required a partnership, but the run rate was not a significant issue. A young Sai Sudharsan, extended his hand.

In the absence of the seasoned Kane Williamson, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury, the 21-year-old from Tamil Nadu has been assigned the difficult task of batting at No. 3 for GT. Additionally, the left-handed pitcher delivered. In IPL 2023, Sudharsan scored 62 from 48 deliveries, including four boundaries and a few sixes, to help his team win consecutive matches. In company of David Miller, the 21-year-old scored 56 runs, remaining unbeaten on a 16-ball 31.

The mature innings played by Sudharan were praised by everyone. Anil Kumble, a cricket legend from India, was greatly impressed by the child’s temperament. The former captain of India also praised all-rounder Vijay Shankar (29), who shared a crucial 53-run partnership with Sudharsan for the fourth wicket.

“Today, it was 3-down and all the big stars were gone. Shubman Gill was gone, Saha got out, and his captain Hardik Pandya got out. Both the Tamil Nadu guys (Vijay Shankar and Sudharsan) got together and put together a partnership. Gujarat has always created that aura about themselves ‘we’ll restrict you to 160 and get that’. With an impact player, it makes it even easier for them. Sai Sudharsan constructed the innings perfectly,”

Kumble said on Jio Cinema.

Former Indian wicket keeper-batter Parthiv Patel was in awe of Sai Sudharsan’s compact technique

“Sudarshan is 21 years old. He’s been playing First Class cricket for the last two years. If you watch him bat, you’ll think he is a very technically correct player. He doesn’t try to smack the ball. There are benefits to him having played last season as well and when you play for a winning team, it changes your mentality. You know that you have players that can create some room and manage a game, which gives you a little time. He showed great maturity with the way he was batting tonight, and this will benefit him in the future.”

said Patel.

Fans took a dig at Head Coach Anil Kumble after Punjab Kings was lost to Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday.

With the omission of Players like Chris Gayle and Ravi Bishnoi from the team’s playing XI that clashed against Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, many PBK fans took to their twitter account and expressed their frustration and disappointment to troll head coach Anil Kumble over the poor selection.

“He will rest Bumrah and play Praveen Kumar,” wrote one fan. “Kumble taking revenge From Wrong Ravi,” another fan tweeted. “People come to watch Chris Gayle. He is the biggest Entertainer in the IPL, when it comes to batting. If Gayle would have played, no doubt Punjab kings could have easily won the match,” stated one angry fan.

“I think Kumble will be greatly disappointed today. I can’t understand why you would leave a player like Chris Gayle, who is considered to be one of the explosive batsmen in the T20 format. I explained how much emotion he has and how excited he was. He was sporting a big smile. At least they could have let him play in the team on his birthday. I am not able to understand the thinking at all,” Kevin Pietersen expressed his disbelief during the pre-match show on Star Sports. I am absolutely astonished that Chris Gayle is not playing today. You are leaving out one of the extraordinary players of the T20 format,” stated Sunil Gavaskar.

Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by two runs after they restricted Punjab Kings to 183/4. With this victory RR is currently placed at No. 5 in the points table of IPL 2021.

BCCI is in talks with Anil Kumble to continue in the post of head coach after 4 years. Alongside Kumble the board may also approach VVS Laxman.

It is rumoured that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is set to approach Anil Kumble to continue in the post of head coach of the Indian team once again as tenures of coaches Ravi Shastri, Bharat Arun and R Sridhar comes to an end post the T20 World cup. Along with Kumble, the board may also approach VVS Laxman.

Kumble was appointed as the head coach of the Indian team in 2016 by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) and resigned as a result of reported differences with Virat Kohli after India lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions trophy 2017. BCCIs have always considered a reputed Indian coach for the post of head coach, who had set a good record of both as a player as well as experience of coaching. And both Kumble as well as Laxman fit the criteria well. It is believed that, if Kumble agrees to come on board, he has to give up his IPL assignments as he will be taking charge as the head of the International Cricket Council’s cricket committee. It is speculated that the BCCI have contacted former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene with the offer. However, Jayawardene has shown interest in coaching the Sri Lankan team and the IPL franchise more, thus declining the offer.

Kumble is currently at Dubai where he is the head coach and director of cricket operations for Punjab Kings. The former leg-spinner’s mentorship will take team India to a greater heights is worth waiting and watching!