aacFROM TRE >DITOR’S DESK For day-to-day updates join us on Forebeok ond Twier HEY: « #0 A 2) websie: www crictoday.com ‘oday fwe analyze Virat will begin with a rematch of Kohls performance the 2019 edition as defending EDITORIAL BOARD since the start of2020, champions England will take on Editor hehas played 25 Test’ _ runners-up of the same edition, Manish Verma matches in which he has New Zealand, at the Narendra Assist Editor scored 1277 runs at a ‘Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. A Mobd, Asim disappointing average of 29.69 total of 48 matches will be played Contributing Eiters with a solitary hundred - the at 10 venues across India. Apart Renin Wilben abovementioned 186 in the from Ahmedabad, the iconic Eden Ravi Sharma fourth Test against Australia in Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede oe leer Ahmedabad. Breaking down his Stadium in Mumbai are some iss Sogh stats further, he has averaged of the prominent venues for the 39 in Australia (one ICC World Cup 2023. Production Co-ordinator Test), 15 in Bangladesh Speaking of hosts and Sunil Cheudhary (two Tests), 28.38 in two-time champions England (seven Tests), India, the Men in Blue Photes 34.47 in India (11 will play their nine ‘AP, Fotocorp, Raj Kumar Tests), 9.50 in New round-robin matches Zealand (two Tests) at nine different and 40.25 in South venues across the BUSINESS OFFICE DIAMOND MAGAZINES PYT. LTD. X30, Oka Ind. Aveo, Ph-2, New Deli-20, Tel 011-40712100 Fax (011) 41611846 Africa (two Tests). He has had a very poor run for too long now. On country. However, some skepticism has arisen about their the other hand, Joe choice of venues, Root, Kane Williamson particularly for a ” and Steve Smith have couple of matehes. been exceptional with ‘Thismakes one fell ADVERTISING OFFICES the bat. If Kohli is no. ‘Wonder WhetheF the’ . longer part of the BCCI wasn't careful (© Dili © Mumbai @ Kokato @ Bongoloe @ Nogpur @ Chennai (¢ Hyderabod @ Ahmedabad @ Punjb © Pune @ Debradon Fab 4, whotakeshis Breaking down his enough while trying to : place. Most crities stats further, Virat drivehomethe home _—@ Bash @ Imo Bale iu lana 6 Gani would say Babar Azam, Kohli has averaged advantage to the best — but doesthe Pakistan 39 in Australia. of their ability when skipper make the cut? it came to venue Starting in 2020, Babar averages _ selection for particular matches. "LUSH YOU FEL ADU CAE TODAY 55.25 with five tons. While four In fact, India's opening match of Len caeewe es ceetant have come at home, Babar averages the 2023 World Cup will be against an 48.75 from three Tests in England. the mighty Australians at the MA = lout ne He had not played in Australia Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Gucneime perme ge ee, during this period, though. Babar a venue that has lately favored has been exceptional in ODIs, spin bowling quite a bit. And while fooucramen : averaging 72.08 from 26matches playing spin should be Inda'sforte, bleep eer teal hed with seven hundreds. Hehas also that hasn't quite been true in recent notched up three tons in T2oIs, Tt years, Leg-spinner Adam Zampa 8 would be fair to conclude that the Pakistan batter has done much has troubled Indian batters constantly over the years in white teleoss, mci us losin @ pin better than Kohli during the said all ericket, Enjoy the action-packed [&] fied he adwramenf you banda Gidet period. Meanwhile, the tournament edition of Cricket Today. Today conta us ct marish@epbin cases ‘Wont 1c wor for Crickot Today? Sond us your artes and resume osim@dpbin ‘Total Pages 53 with Cover Copyright 2025 "Cickt Todays registered trademark No pot ofthis pubicaton retreal system, of ons be repreduced, sored nay mya ‘elecronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or othervise, lor persion, JULY 01, 2023 GTO aOS Mae ‘www.crictoday.comDuckett agonizingly missed his second test century at Lord's this month when he pulled at Josh Hazlewood and top-edged to David Warner at deep fine leg, Duckett's comfortable 98 off 134 balls included nine boundaries. He kept the hosts in the game, but his departure started the flurry of wickets, On another éudymoriingythey sBoWlers weft accurdte; and thé catches stuck. Steve Smith inevitably scored his gand century. He was the best batter from both sides and showed his class in testing conditions. The right-hand batter is the fastest to complete 32 hundreds in red-ball cricket, nailema on y 278-4 in reply, and Stokes dismissal started a rout of i six wickets for 47 runs, Stare got a leading edge off Stokes that was caught W e well by Green. Brook baseball batted a short ball straight to Cummins at the cover and gave Stare his x gigth wicket. After a bad start by Stare, his three wickets led Australia, 4 % 7 - ~— _ Labuschagne was given out on 3 Ibw to Tongue but reviewed and overturned the ruling. On 16, he shrugged off an Ibw appeal by Broad. Broad suffered for appealing too often. The review was declined, but the video showed the ball hitting the leg stump. When Labuschagne finally fell, on 30 to Anderson, it was soft. _ Root used his life on 1 to ™ pass Allan Border into roth on theall-timetest run-scorers list. Australia Gin ie ae chance by getting Root out for 10 when his pull at Mitchell Stare was} brilliantly caught bya diving Smith at backward square. His failure impacted the hosts as they conceded a big lead. After straining his right calf, Australia spinner Nathan Lyon will miss the rest of the second Ashes test against England at Lord's. Lyon was hurt while running to the ball after tea. He took England's first wicket. Cricket Australia called the strain “significant” in a statement during play on the third day. JULY 01, 2023 (CaM ‘www.crictoday.comaie Fai 9 | ae Sere’ il FIGHT AGAINS - Andrew Strauss wears sired and applauds on Red for Ruth Day before day two of the second Ashes Test cricket match at Lord's Cricket Ground. Red for Ruth Day is a charity day where people wear red and give money fo the Ruth Strauss Foundation in memory of the wife of Andrew Strauss. Ruth died from cancer.KING OF TEST CRICKET - Australia's Steven Smith celebrates getting 100 runs on the second day of the second Ashes Test match against England at Lord's cricket ground in London. He has hit 32 tons in his Test career so far. (eittey crue eal |) aye rx)NEW CHAMPION - Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, holds the trophy after defeating Alex de Minaur, of Australia, 6/4, 6/4 in the men's singles final match at the Queens Club tennis tournament in London. (1) cricket ropay juny 01, 2023 PeteCricket Buzz WEIRD ACT BY MARNUS Marnus Labuschagne likes to keep things different, In the latest act, he dropped his chewing gum on the pitch at Lord’s and then picked it up to put it back in his mouth. The footage of the incident, which happened on Day 1, has gone viral ‘on social media. Marnus has a habit of odd acts, with several moments caught on camera becoming memes among cricket fanatics. He slept during the World Test Championship final “Rahul should prove his match fitness in between India and Australia at domestic matches i ‘ ‘The Oval earlier. Meanwhile, he ii i y scored 47 in Australia’s first innings before being consid- , bp , 0 890 in the second Test. ered for selection” - Laxman Sivaramakrishnan on Rahul's comeback END OF TROPHY DROUGHT Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed optimism about India's chances of ending their ICC trophy drought in the upcoming 2023 World Cup. Addressing the social media specu- lation surrounding India’s lack of success in ICC tournaments, Ashwin emphasized that India starts as favorites in the home World Cup. Despite doubts arising from previous semi-final exit Ashwin believes that India isa strong team with a great opportuni- ty for suevess this time. The tourna- ment schedule for the 2023 World Cup has been announced, with India set to face Australia in their opening match, The highly antici- pated clash against Pakistan will take place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium on October 15. 86 “lL have seen Virat’s work ethic. I can as- sure you that he has four times better ethics than any sportsperson - Yuvraj on Virat's fitness mae] 2 enV your 01, 2023 ‘www.crictoday.comJULY 01, 2023 Pre)SOURAV GANGULY BUSTS FAKE REPORTS Souray Ganguly, the former Indian eapt he defense of Sarfaraz Khan after the Indian batter was left out of the West Indies series. Ganguly, who has previously worked with Sarfaraz Khan at Delhi Capitals, expressed his support for the talented player. Sarfaraz Khan has been a consistent top performer in the Ranji Trophy for the past few years, yet he still awaits his international debut. This absence has raised concerns and sparked criticism from various quarters, including Sourav Ganguly. “If you don't play Sarfaraz against pacers, how do you know?" said, “Ifhe had problems against fast bowlers, he wouldn't have scored so many runs in Ranji Trophy. I personally feel he has no problems and should be given a chan A, has Come to Nasser Hussain and Ricky Ponting praised Steve Smith ai Tis exceptional performance at Lord’s in the Ashes 2023 s A js gand Test hundred and 12th in the Ashes, Despite a slow start at Edgbaston, Smith quickly recovered and impressed at one of his favorite grounds. Starting the day at 85 not out, he reached his century with a magnificent drive off James Anderson, despite Australia losing two quick wickets, Smith's 32nd Test century tied him with Steve Waugh and Jack Hobbs for the second-most hundreds in the Ashes. He also surpassed Waugh to claim the fourth place for most runs in Ashes history. | POLITICS TO SERVE PEOPLE Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu, who recently retired from the Indian Premier League after helping ‘Chennai Super Kings secure their fifth title, has expressed his desire to enter polities in Andhra Pradesh. Rayudu, 37 years old, aims to serve the state's people and has announced his intention to join politics. “To serve the people, I'l soon run for office in Andhra Pradesh,” Rayudu said, as quoted by IANS, “Before that, Ihave chosen to visit several parts of the district | to understand the people's pulse and their problems.” Rayudu had previously met with Andhra Pradesh Chief | Minister ¥.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at his office, which sparked speculations about his potential affiliation with ~ | the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.comCOWER STORY WHY VIRAT KOHLI IS NO LONGER PART OF THE FAB 4 oo nee _ INDIAY . ie) 2 ¥All four came up with exceptional performances globally, particularly in Test cricket, which is considered the pinnacle of the game. However, things have changed drastically over the last few seasons for the Indian batting star... BY CT.CONTRIBUTOR ere was a time in international cricket when Indian batting superstar Virat Kobli was considered one of the most prominent members of the Fab 4 - Steve Smith, Kane ‘Williamson, and Joe Root being the other three. All four came up with exceptional performances globally, particularly in Test cricket, which is considered the pinnacle of the game. However, things have changed drastically over the last. few seasons for the Indian batting star. His loss of form for an extended period not only saw him drop in the official ICC rankings but there was a stage when his place in the Indian team was questioned, something unimaginable a few years back. Along with the loss in form, his standing in the Fab 4 has also been questioned. He has rediscovered his limited-overs form for India and his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the 2023 edition. However, his struggles in Test cricket have continued. When he scored a hundred on a flat track at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, fans were hopeful of Kohli had rediscovered his rhythm. However, he disappointed in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against Australia,failing to come up with a significant knock in both innings. If we analyze Kohli’s performance since the start of 2020, he has played 25 Test matches in which he has, scored 1277 runs at a disappointing average of 29.69 hundred - the abovementioned 186 in the fourth Test against Australia in Ahmedabad. Breaking down his stats further, he has averaged 39 in Australia (one Test), 15 in Bangladesh (two Tests), 28.38 in England (seven Tests), 34.47 in India (11 Tests), 9.50 in New Zealand (two Tests) and 40.25 in South Africa (two Tests). He has had a very poor run for too long now During the same period, he has averaged 41.58 from 32 ODIs, with three hundreds and 52.88 from 40 T20ls, with one hundred. While his white-ball numbers are much more impressive than his Test stats, there has been a significant improvement due to his, recent return to form, However, the lack of su in Test cricket clearly stands out as a sore thumb. ess JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.com Looking at Smith's stats, the Australian batter has played 26 Tests since the start of 2020 and has scored 1805 runs at an average of 48.78, with as many as five hundreds during the period. The Aussie right-handed batter averages 50.27 in Australia (15 Tests, three hundreds), 44.25 in England (two Tests), 29 in India (four Tests), 56.50 in Pakistan (three Tests) and 75.50 in Sri Lanka (two Tests). Barring the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, he has done well in all countries during the said ph: In the same period, he has also been in stupendous form in the one-day format. In 24 matches, he has scored 1129 runs at an average of 59.42, with four hundreds. Smith has struggled in T2oIs, though, averaging 22.68 from 27 matches. Overall, Smith has a massive edge over Kohli regarding consi in the Test format, the main cri n for being part of the Fab 4. Shifting focus to Williamson, the New Zealand batter has also produced wonderful numbers in Test cricket despite battling a recurring elbow issue. In 16 matches, starting January 2020, the seasoned Kiwi cricketer hasscored 1745 runs at an average of 72.70, with seven. hundreds. He also led the team to victory in the jugural WTC final in Southampton against India 2021. Coming back to his Test numbers since the start of 2020, Williamson averages 30.14 in England (four Tests), 21 in India (one Test), 93.46 in New Zealand (nine Tests) and a whopping 138.50 in Pakistan (two Tests). While most of his success has come at home, ‘where he scored six of his seven hundreds, it is still ‘a highly credible achievement. His performance in Pakistan, where he also scored a 200, reiterated his class, Starting 2020, Williamson averages 46.88 in 12 ODIs and 36.88 in 30 T2ols. So it goes without saying that he, too, possesses a much superior record to Kohli during the said period. Lastly, looking at Root, the former England captain has also tasted great success in Test cricket sinee the start of 2020. In 42 matches, he has scored 3809 at an average of 56.01, with 13 hundreds. Root has struggled in Australia (average 32.20) and Pakistan (average 25) uring this period, However, he has done very well in all other countries, Root is averaging 63.70 in England (20 Tests, seven tons), 46 in India (four Tests), 106.33 in New Zealand (two Tests), 48 in South Africa (two Tests) and 106.50 in Sri Lanka (two Tests). He is averaging 45.10 in ODIs during this phase and hasn’t played Taols, but his Test numbers are good enough to stay in the Fab 4. BABAR AZAM THE NEW MEMBER OF FAB 4? If Kobi is no longer part of the Fab 4, who takes his place. Most crities would say Babar Azam, but does the Pakistan skipper make the cut? Starting in 2020, Babar averages 55.25 with five tons. While four have come at home, Babar averages 48.75 from three Tests in England, He had not played in Australia during this period, though.Babar has been exceptional in ODIs, averaging 72.08 from 26 matches with seven hundreds. He has also notched up three tons in T20Is. It would be fair to conclude that the Pakistan batter has done much better than Kohli during the said period. But there are still a few question marks over his Test ability away from home, So, as of now, we can say Babar is at the doorstep of making it to the Fab 4. Cricket will have to do with Fab 3 unless Kohli mal i ‘www.crictoday.comOPINION EHD OF THE ROAD FOR CHETESHWAR PWARA? The 35-year-old batter's struggles in the WIC final against Australia at The Oval were a grim reminder of Pujara not,being the dependable batter of old. Unlike the other batters coming in from... GiG 2edeil ES Tyo 7) ~ ~ a LER : 7leran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has ‘been dropped from the Indian Test squad for the upeoming tour of the West Indies. The 35-year-old, who has been a rock in the Indian middle order for over a decade, has struggled for form over the last few seasons. Following a prolonged lean spell, he was dropped from the team for the home series against Sti Lanka last year. However, the defiant batter earned a recall for the rescheduled Test against England in Birmingham based on a stupendous show in county cricket, However, he has been axed again for the tour of the West Indies following another sequence of low scores, including in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval. Having crossed 35, one wonders whether itis the end of the road for Pujara in Test cricket. While the right-handed batter has been a great servant of Indian cricket for ‘many years, one has to believe that the axe was waiting to fall on the Saurashtra batter. Since the conclusion of the 2018-2019 triumph in Australia, his fortunes have been on the downswing. In his last 35 Test matches, he hhas managed a solitary hundred, scoring 1760 runs at an average of 29.98. Even the ton he scored came against a relatively weak side like Bangladesh, Even afier averaging 66.20 in four Tests against Bangladesh uring the said period, Pujara’s overall average is still under 30, indicating his poor performance. If we do an in-depth analysis, he averages 30.13 from nine Tests against Australia, 29.26 from nine Tests against England, a paltry 21.80 from five Tests against New Zealand, under 30 from six Tests against South Africa and only 15 from two Tests versus West Indies, who are hardly a force to reckon with in any format these days. If you look at Pujara’s overseas record during the last 35 Test matches, barring Bangladesh (74), he has poor records in all other countries. In fact, apart from Australia (33.87), his average does not even touch the go-mark in any of the other nations. It is one thing having a poor run of form, but Pujara’s record over the past few seasons suggests that his batting skills might permanently decline. POINT OF NO RETURN FOR PUJARA? ‘The 35-year-old batter's struggles in the WTC final against Australia at The Oval were a grim reminder of Pujara not being the dependable batter of old. Unlike the other batters coming in from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 T20 tournament in India, Pujara ‘was expected to be best prepared to take on the Aussie challenge. He had been in England playing county cricket and had a great time for Sussex, scoring 545 runs in six matches at an average of 68.12, with three hundreds and one fifty. It all came to nought in the WTC final against Australia, though, as Pujara struggled against a high-quality attack. He did not know where the off stump was and was bowled by JULY 01, 2023 ‘www-crictoday.comCameron Green for 14 in the first innings, leaving a delivery outside off stump. This was not the kind of dismissal expected from Pujara. Rather bizarrely, even Shubman Gill, the top run-getter in IPL 2023, ‘was dismissed similarly. So despite having different preparations, Pujara and Gill were dismissed almost identically, throwing the debate regarding getting, accustomed to English conditions out of the window. In the second innings, Pujara also fell in ungainly fashion for 27, trying to play a ramp off Pat Cummins. ‘All he managed was an edge to the keeper. He will be two years older when the next WTC final comes around. And even if India make the cut, it is unlikely that the batter will be around the scene. Hence, analyzing all the factors, in all probability, it looks like Pujara might have played his last Test for India. WHO AFTER PUJARA AT NO. 3? Even if we conclude that Pujara's Test days might be over, it only begs a bigger and even more pertinent question. Who after Pujara at No. 3 for India? If we look at the squad picked for the West Indies Test series, there is no proper No. 3 batter. While Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will open the innings, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will occupy Nos. 4 and 5, respectively. That leaves two more openers, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who could be asked to ‘occupy the pivotal one-down position. It is not an ideal situation, though, considering how crucial the batting position is. If not Pujara, India could have picked Suryakumar Yadav or Sarfaraz Khan because at least they are middle-order batters. When they come back from injury, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will definitely stake their claim for a place at No. 3. However, while Shreyas’ performance against the short ball remains a big question mark, Rahul’s form before he got injured too was rather pedestrian. India have failed to groom a number three instead of Pujara, which was not the case 10 years back. When Rahul Dravid was set to retire from international cricket, Pujara was ready and experienced enough to take o his position. Thus, The question arises: why did India not groom a replacement for Pujara, knowing his career was ending? rf According to media reports, it might not be the end of the road for Pujara yet. A source told the Times of India, “The selectors and the coach (Rahul Dravid) wanted to try out youngsters like Jaiswal and Gaikwad, so Pujara has not been picked for this tour. If he scores runs in domestic cricket, the doors are not closed on him, and that has been communicated to him.” While it might seem like going back in time, a lack of options might force the selectors and management to return to Pujara. Then again, with Indian cricket, you never know. # JULY 01, 2023 (ERTeNEoD aD 1) www.crictoday.comFEA 5 BIGGEST MATCHES OF THE:2023 ODI WORLD CUP Undoubtedly, the India vs Pakistan clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15 will be the marquee clash of the ICC event, as it always is. While Pakistan have recently defeated India... BY RENIN WILBEN The schedule for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 to be played in India in October-November has finally been released. The tournament will be held ‘from October 5 to November 19 and feature 10 teams, with 48 matches to be played in the round-robin and knockout format. While eight of the 10 teams are confirmed, the final two spots will be determined from JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.com the qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe, which ends on July 9. The World Cup kick-off on October 5 with a repeat of the 2019 final between defending champions England and runners-up New Zealand at the ‘Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The semi- finals will be played on November 15 and November 16 in Mumbai and Kolkata, respectively. The Final will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. On that note, we list the {five biggest matches of the 2023 ODI World Cup.1. INDIA v PAKISTAN IN AHMEDABAD - OCTOBER 15 Undoubtedly, the India vs Pakistan clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 15 will be the marquee clash of the ICC event, as it always is. While Pakistan have recently defeated India in the T20 World Cup (2021) and the Asia Cup (2022), the Men in Blue have an invincible record against their arch-rivals in the ODI World Cup. The two sides have clashed seven times in the tourna- ment, and India has always won. During the previous edition in 2019, Rohit Sharma hammered a superb 140 to lead India to victory by 89 runs (DLS method) in Manchester. He is the captain this time. Can he repeat his magic? JULY 01, 2023 (TTT Va( 2) ‘www.crictoday.comMe arse eae tournament's history. Whatasiads iLcx merparetars unos went neck-to-neck till the very end, Ben Stokes heroicsiftea Facland to the Fs rey ue te RnTeL ey Cs Se herent eon lo mee Mee ee en Meier et meena eter Rie ese despite the Super Over ending ina tie. 1 B.INDIA V AUSTRALIA, CHENNAI - OCTOBER 8 India and Australia is always a massive mateh in the World Cup cricket. Australia dominated India in the first half of thei Australia with b showing in the quarter-final in Ahmedabad. I Aussies at The Oval. India will have the slight edge at home, but Austral cd amongst the strongest teams in world meetings, but when the two sides clashed at home in 2011, India knocked out 19, a Shikhar Dhawan ton lifted India to victory over the won't be pushovers, CUTE JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.com4, AUSTRALIA v SOUTH AFRICA, LUCKNOW - OCTOBER 13 Poe Re POs oe RUBS a CeO SCOP oe Me URI eC Rat Le Proteas seemed to have a great chance of winning the World Cup but were knocked out in the semis after tying the game. To this day, OUP ie ROMA G nO ctu sey one t apo uu eum ous cu cnn toeteroae As kM Mee Sie aug Aussies by 10 runs in the 1999 edition as Faf du Plessis scored a hundred. Can thev find a new hero in 202 3 |New Zealand is one team that has constantly troubled India in ICC events. After looking in great rhythm during the 2019 World Cup, India's dream of lifting the title came crashing down as they succumbed to the Kiwis in the semis. Subsequently, the Men in Blue went | down to New Zealand in the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2021 World Test Championship (WTC) final in Southampton. Playing at home, though, India will look to end the Kiwi jinx. JULY 01, 2023 25 wwwerictoday.comOPINION WHEN DI ANTGRIGKET IS Avr LEAST 59 BEHINDINATIONSIENKE ENGUANDFANDIAUSTRAEIA There are a few pertinent reasons that raise this giant question. If we look at the organization of tournaments;the 4Pi.2023-finaland-the first Ashes 2023 Test between...e Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricketing body in the world, and by some distance at that. It plays the most international matches in a year on most occasions and also organizes the Indian Premier League (IPL), the most lucrative franchise league globally. Indian players earn hefty sums through exorbitant BCCI contracts, unending ‘endorsements, and IPL deals. However, despite all this, one wonders whether Indian cricket is at least 50 years behind nations like England and Australia. There are a few pertinent reasons that raise this giant question. If wwe look at the organization of tournaments, the IPL 2023 final and the first Ashe 123 Test between England and Australia demonstrated a stark contrast. Despite possessing all the means to have the best resources available, the BCCI employed what on sereen seemed like ‘ancient’ methods to try and get the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad ready for the final between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) after constant rain hampered proceedings. Eventually, the efforts did not succeed, and the match had to be pushed into Reverse Day. Luckily, there was a result, even though rain also interrupted the final. In contrast, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) completed the Test match at Edgbaston despite incessant rain lashing the ground in Birmingham, In fact, there was a time when puddles seemed to form everywhere. At first look, it did not JULY 01, 2023 ‘www-crictoday.comseem like any play could be possible on Day 5, But once the rain subsided, the groundsmen got to work and ensured that the place was fit and ready for the players to complete what was a pulsating climax to the enthralling Test match. IPL 2023, too, had a sensational finish, but images of how the pitch was being dried after rain caused quite an embarrassment to Indian cricket. Rather refreshingly, England's current cricketers inthe Ashes 2023 were openly critical of the surface on offer at Edgbaston for the opening Test of the five- match series. Writing in a column for The Telegraph England bowling James Anderson described the pitch for the first Test as ‘kryptonite’ and opined, “If ll the pitches are like that, Im done in the Ashes series, That pitch was like kryptonite for me. There was not much ‘swing, no reverse swing, no seam movement, bounce, or no. I've tried over the ye JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.com in any condition, but everything I tried made no difference. I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle,” His longtime opening bowling partner Stuart Broad also backed Anderson in one of his columns and was citical of the pitch for the opening Test, saying there was no movement for the England great, who failed to make an impact at Edgbaston. Similarly, Australian players, too, are openly vocal about their board. Current players being allowed to write columns in magazines, newspapers, and digital media is something the England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB] must be ‘commended for. It shows they are open to criticism and willing to take backlash in their stride. Can we expect the same in India? The answer is not too hard to find out. When was the last time an active cricketer openly spoke out about something wrong in Indian cricket? As per the current stars, everything in Indian cricket is ‘all good’ irrespective of how poor the results are. Active players, particularly contracted ones, are obviously not allowed to express their ‘frank’ opinion on controversial matters related to Indian cricket andare often seen ‘tocing the line’, whether at press conferences or even in their social media posts. The day a player can speak his mind frecly and express his thoughts without worrying about the backlash will be a huge one in the context of the evolution of Indian cricket. WHERE ARE THE PRESS CONFERENCES? Press conferences communicate with the media and the fans regarding key aspects of the game, But when it comes to team selection, the same seems to have been thrown out of the window as far as Indian cricket is concerned. When wasa selector last present at a press conference and answered questions forthrightly? It has happened probably once or twice in the last couple of years. Massive decisions like the shift of captaincy have been communicated via press releases. Remember how Rohit Sharma replacing Virat Kobli as ODI captain was just a footnote in the squad press release for the South Africa tour? No specific reason was given, and it all led toa massive hullabaloo in Indian cricket, Speculations ofall not being well in Indian cricket arose, and the same continues to this day. Due to a lack of ‘communication from the BCCI, a number of reports are filed on the basis of sources, which feature some shocking claims. The same lack of coherence has been evident in how the team for the West Indies tour was also announced, No one knows whether senior batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been dropped or rested. Further, the suspense over Sarfaraz. Khan's continued non-selection is playing out like a Bollywood potboiler. Claims of indiscipline, lack of fitness and counter- allegations have been flying thick and fast. No one knows the actual situation, and the confusion is only growing with each passing day. The case of Ajinkya Rahane being reappointed as Test vice-captain after ‘one good match in the World Test Championship (WTO) final against Australia at The Oval is equally baiiling, particularly because one cannot quite fathom the logic behind the decision. The question marks are endless, and there are no answers in sight due to the lear lack of transparency. Indian cricket deserves better. Period. « JULY 01, 2023 ‘www.crictoday.com5 BATTERS WHO (AURIS feaindbtine/ ei DOMIMATE ThE IGG WORLD CUP 2028 One name that has been on everyone's lips is the young Indian sensation Shubman Gill. Gill had a splendid run in the IPL 2023, where he donned the orange cap with over 800 runs for the Gujarat Titans... BY CT. CONTRIBUTOR stage. In this blog, we will discuss five batters expected to shine in the 2023 World Cup and The excitement is building up as we are just months significantly impact the tournament. But don't forget ‘away from the highly anticipated 2023 World Cup. As to watch out for the ‘dark horses' too! After all, you the cricketing world awaits this prestigious never know when a player from the 'B Team’ might tournament, fans and experts are speculating about suddenly rise to the occasion and give the which players will leave their mark on the grand ‘Powerhouses' a run for their money! JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.compa) | the IPL 2023, where he donned the orange cap with over 800 runs for the Gujarat Titans. This outstanding performance has set the stage for Gill to carry his remarkable form into the World Cup. With his impeccable technique, zbility to play pace and spin, and composure be- OTT expected to be a phenomenal force to reckon with. Gill is like a ts alent sweeping the international cricket circuit with its power and magnitude. He will make a lasting impact that will be remembered for years. JULY 01, 2023 Ea 31) www.crictoday.com| 2. TOM LATHAM: With New Zealand's regular skipper, Kane Williamson, sidelined due to a bizarre injury, the responsibility to lead the team falls on the shoulders of Tom Latham. Latham, known for his calm and composed approach, is an excellent batsman who deliver under pressure. As a wickotkeeper-batsman, he brings stability to the team's middle order and has a knack [TUG TIMVe JULY 01, 2023 www-rictoday.com‘The explosive Australian opener David Warner has a proven track record for performing in India. With the World Cup being held in India, Warner's experience and adaptability to subcontinent conditions give him an edge, Warner's aggressive batting style and ability to dominate the howlers from the outset make him a formidable opponent for any team. If he finds his rhythm, Warner can single-handedly dismantle bowling attacks and become a key player for Australia's success in the tournament. His presence in the emis eee ec cn CeGk RNC Roy aCe ae omens JULY 01, 2023 [EGR www.rictoday.comThe dynamic South African cricketer David Miller adds another dimension to the list of batters set to shine in the 2023 World Cup. Renowned for his expertise in playing spin bowling, Miller's ability to tackle and dominate spinners makes him a } valuable asset to the South African team. With his vast experience, Miller is one of the most seasoned players in the South African | lineup. His presence in the middle order provides stability and firepower, making him a vital finisher and match-winner for his team. | When the pressure is on, and the game hangs in the balance, Miller has a proven track record of stepping up and delivering impactful performances. His ability to precisely read the game and execute calculated shots makes him a formidable force in the middle overs. AS South Africa looks to make a mark in the World Cup, Miller's expertise, experience, and match-winning capabilities will be crucial in steering the team towards success. Miller's strategy for success? Just add Miller time! (34) JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.com5. VIRAT KOHLI: Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, has regained his form after a brief slump. The World Cup presents an excellent opportunity for Kohli to reaffirm his status a Mpa ene Os tere eto Dem reo STORIE COE Cnnet tue Dayne Teenie 's charge toward World Cup glory. But don't forget to stock up on energy drinks and snacks because Kohli's hunger for big scores can sometimes be too much to handle! The stage is set for exceptional batting performances as the cricketing world gears up for the 202: World Cup. Shubman Gill, Tom Latham, D: ‘Warner, Faf du Plessis, and Virat Kohli are five batters who have the potential to shine in this grand tournament. Whether Gill's youthful exuberance, Latham's leadership qualities, Warner's dominance redemption, or Kohli's relent! pursuit of excellence, these players possess the skills and mindset to leave a lasting impact. Fans worldwide eagerly await their exploits as they strive to make their mark in the 2023 World Cup. Their skills ar excellent you'd think they were recruited from a league of superheroes! JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.comOPINION HAVE INDIA KICKED THEMSELVES IN THE WITH THE WORLD CUP 2023 SCHEDULING? In fact, India's opening match of the 2023 World Cup will be against the mighty Australians at the MA-Chidambaram Stadium-in Chennaia-venue that has lately favored spin bowling quite...BY RENIN WILBEN ye much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 schedule was announced recently by the Intemational Cricket Council (ICC) and host. board, the Board of Control for Crieket in India (BCCI). As per the same, the 13th edition of the World Cup will be played from October 5 to November 19, The tournament will begin with a rematch of the 2019 edition as defending champions England will take on runners-up of the same edition, New Zealand, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. A total of 48 matches will be played at 10 vventies across India. Apart from Ahmedabad, the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai are some of the prominent venues for the ICC World Cup 2023. Speaking of hosts and two-time champions India, the Men in Blue will play their nine round-robin matches at nine different venues across the country. However, some skepticism has arisen about their choice of venues, particularly for a couple of matches, This makes one wonder whether the BCCI wasn’t careful enough while trying to drive home the home advantage to the best of their ability when it ‘came to venue selection for particular matches. In faet, India's opening match of the 2023 World Cup will be against the mighty Australians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, a venue that has lately favored spin bowling quite a bit. And while playing spin should be India's forte, that hasn't quite been true in recent years. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has troubled Indian batters constantly over the years in white ball cricket, Virat Kobli, in particular. So he will beitching to have a go at India’s batters again when the World Cup clash happens at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennaiater in the year. Speaking of seasoned Australian leg-spinner Zampa, he has played two ODI matches at the venue and was the Player of JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.comthe Match in the deciding one-dayer in Chennai when Australia clinched the three-mateh series in India earlier this year 2-1. The Men in Blue were set to chase a target of 270, which is pretty much a below-par score in modern-day one-day cricket. However, Zampa ran through India’s batting to finish with excellent figures of 4/45 from 10 overs. The seasoned leggie's repertoire was on full display as he trapped Shubman Gill (37) leg before with one that Grifted in, He then outfoxed KL Rahul (32) and had all- rounder Hardik Pandya caught with a scrambled seam delivery. He effectively sealed the game and the series, in Australia's favor by foreing Ravindra Jadeja (18) to miseue a tossed-up delivery. For sure, Zampa will be raring to go when the Aussies take on Team India in the World Cup 2023 clash in Chepank. Another stunning stat that BCCT might have ignored while working on India’s schedule is the fact that Australia have an exceptional record in one-dayers at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Starting in 1987, they have played six one-day matches at the venue and have lost only one, They beat India and Zimbabwe in 1987, West Indies in 1989, New Zealand in 1996, and Te) www.crictoday.com JULY 01, 2023 India again earlier this year. Their only one-day loss at the venue came in 2017 when they went down to the Men in Blue by 26 runs in a rain-affected game. In contrast, hosts India have a mixed one-day record at the venue. They have played 14 one-day international games in Chepauk, winning seven and losing six. In fact, they have lost thrve of the last five ODIs they have played in Chennai, Before the loss against Australia, they even went down to a weak West Indies side in December 2019 as Shimron Hetmyer (139 off 106) and. Shai Hope (102" off 151) struck contrasting tons. Before that, India went down to Pakistan by eight wickets in December 2012. In this game, Junaid Khan (4/43) reduced India to 29/5 inside 10 overs effectively sealing the game in Pakistan's favor. History thus emphatically proves that India have not enjoyed playing ODIs in Chennai. WHAT ABOUT PLAYING NEW ZEALAND IN DHARAMSHALA? Another iffy game for Team India during their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign could be the clash against New Zealand, the one team that has troubled them the most in ICC events, at the Himachal Pradesh CricketAssociation (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala on October 22. This was the same venue where the Kiwis stunned Australia by eight runs in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Ina low-scoring game, New Zealand batted first and were held to 142/8. Mitchell MeClenaghan (3/17), Corey Anderson (2/29), and Mitchell Santner (2/30) then starred with the ball as New Zealand held the Aussies to 134/9 to yet again stun their Trans-Tasman rivals in a World Cup event. Speaking of ODIs, India havea mixed record in Dharamshala. They have played four one-dayers at the venue, winning two and losing an equal number. In January 2013, they managed only 226 against England, a total the opposition chased down in 47.2 overs with seven wickets in hand. Their last one-day game at the venue was against Sri Lanka in December 2017. In a horvific batting effort, they were bundled out for 112 in 38.2 overs, The Lankans tramped Team India in the game to register a seven- wicket win. New Zealand have played only one ODI game at the venue and have lost that. They went down to India by six wickets in October 2016. However, the Men in Blue’s one-day record at the venue proves that, they are not too comfortable playing in Dharamshala, Being so, New Zealand is the last team they want to face at the venue. Remember, the Kiwis have caused India numerous heartbreaks in ICC events over the last few years and they wouldn't want another in the 2023 World Cup! IND vs AUS: October 8, Chennai IND vs AFG: October 11, Delhi IND vs PAK: October 15, Ahmedabad IND vs BAN: October 19, Pune IND vs NZ: October 22, Dharamshala IND vs ENG: October 29, Lucknow IND vs QF2: November 2, Mumbai IND vs SA: November 5, Kolkata IND vs QF1: November 11, Bengaluru, JULY 01, 2023 (39) wwwerictodaycomBelieve in the power of your #dreams and watch them unfold - Shikhar Dhawan facebook I like the spirit of this great city - Mohammad Simi. Downtime - Shreyas lyer ee Alig with the family tagram Tab) va (ae QS I radiate love, sah : joy and abundance © into the world CRICKET TODAY JULY 01, 2023 Pee@sachin_rt: "TYou are all serious on Facebook; witty on Twitter; good-looking on Instagram" ] ee Pes 7 @cricketaakash: "And what’s the deal with ; 7 SKY’s intermitient,sel ection fox Tests-..geis ! picked... gets dropped" @IrfanPathan: "Some Eid are different. .. Eid Mubarak everyone. Have a great one" —— —— — 7 ee @pbhogleharsha: "Didn't make the T20 World ) Cup main draw, didn't qualify for the ICC World ar | Cup. Can the West Indies sink any further?"MODRIC AGAIN. FACES PERJURY CHARGE Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric and former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren were again charged in Croatia with allegedly giving false testimor out financial deals they had with a former Dinamo Zagreb director who has been sentenced for embezzlement and tax fraud in a multi-million-dollar case. Modrie and Lovren bad been charged with committing perjury and failing to declare taxes on their multi- million transfers to foreign clubs. But a Croatian court lifted those accusations against the two on the eve of the 2018 + World Cup, where both played when Croatia reached the final to lase to France. Modric won FIFA’s Golden Ball the bestplayer at the tournament. Croatia's publie prosecutors said there is etiovgh evideaee that Croat i “Modric ahd Lovréh falsely uring the original trial. MAN UNITED AGREE TO SIGN MASON MOUNT Manchester United has agreed to ign midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea for 55 million pounds ($69 million). The agreement was confirmed by two people with knowledge of the negotiations, which have been ongoing since the end of the Premier League season. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been publicly announced. Mount will sign a five-year contract with the option ofa further 12 months. United will also have to pay a further 5 million pounds ($6.3 million) based on meeting certain targets, Mount was one of United manager Erik ten Hag top targets this offseason as part what is expected to be a busy transfer window for the club. MNCaroline Wozniacki, a former No. 1-ranked tennis player and the 2018 Australian Open champion, announced that she is returning to competition three years after she retired to start a family. The U.S. Tennis Association said it will grant Wozniacki a wild-card invitation to participate in the U.S. Open, which begins in New York on Aug. 28, She also is receiving a wild-card entry for a tournament in Montreal that begins earlier in August. She intends to play in the Australian Open next January and hopes to represent Denmark at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Another aim: She wants to show women that it is possible to combine motherhood with a career. Juan Angel Napout, the former president of soccer's South American governing body, will be released from federal prison and deported after serving § 1/2 years of his sentence. Napout was convicted on Dec, 22, 2017, of one count of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of wire fraud conspiracy, and he was taken into custody that day. He was sentenced to nine years and held at a low-security federal prison in Miami. His conviction was upheld in 2020 by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and he had been scheduled for release on Aug. 9, 125. Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, wrote in a letter to U.S. District Judge Pamela K. Chen that the 65-year-ol is eligible for release toa residential reentry center on July 6. HOLLYWOOD STAR BACKS FT TEAM ALPINE AREF soecer; FoliyGod sta Ryan Reynolds and Rob “MeElhenhey ar settifig Weir sights on Formula One. Fi team Alpine has secured a 200 million euro ($218 million) investment from, a group of investors that includes the actors. French automotive company Renault Group — Alpine's parent company — said Monday that the group has acquired a 24% stake in the team. It includes Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, and Maximum Effort Investments, led by Reynolds. “The transaction values Alpine Racing Ltd, around $900 million following this investment,” the team said ina statement, "It will accelerate Alpine's growth plans and sporting ambitions in F1." Other investors include actor Michael B. Jordan. JULY 01, 2023 (43) wwwecrictoday.comWOMEN’S WORLD CUP: HOW TO WATCH, CHEDULE AND BETTING FAVORITES Fox holds the English-language media rights in the United States for the Women's World Cup. Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights. Fox will broadcast a record 29 matches over the air on... BY. CT.CONTRIBUTOR he United States will be playing for an unprecedented three-peat at this year's Women's World Cup. It won't be easy for the No.1 team in the world. Co-hosted by ‘Australia and New Zealand, the quadrennial tournament for international soccer's most coveted trophy kicks off July 20 and features an expanded field of 32 teams, up from 24. There are 64 matches during the tournament. That means more JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.com competition for the two-time defending World Cup champion U.S., which won the 2015 event in Canada and the 2019 tournament in France. The Americans have won four titles overall, most of any nation. WHAT'S THE WORLD CUP SCHEDULE AND WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The 32 teams are divided into cight groups of four teams each, Each team plays a three-game, round- robin group stage, running from July 20 to Aug, 3. The top finishers advance to the round of 16 from Aug. 5-8. ‘The quarterfinals are set for Aug. 11-12 and the twosemifinal matches will be played Aug. 15-16. A third- place game is set for Aug. 19 in Brisbane ahead of the final in Sydney. The final will air at 6 a.m. ET on Aug. 20 in the United States. The broadcast schedule is complicated by the time difference. The United States is playing in Group E with Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal. The opening match is against Vietnam on July 22 in Auckland, which, because of the time difference, will air in the US. on July 21 at 9 p.m. ET. A rematch of the 2019 final against the Netherlands is set for July Wellington, airing at 9 p.m. ET on July 26 in the U.S, The last group game against Portugal is set for Aug. 1 airing at 3 a.m. ET that same day HOW TO WATCH THE FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP Fox holds the English-language media rights in the United States for the Women's World Cup. Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights. Fox will broadcast a record 29 matches over the air on its main network and the rest of the games will be aired on FSi. All matches will be streamed on the Fox app. FIFA struck collective deal with the European Broadcasting Union in mid-June, ending a standoff with a broadcasters in JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.comfive major European television markets. guarantees the games will air in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain. There are two distinct groups of players to watch at this World Cup: Veteran superstars and talented youngsters. Canada's Christine Sinclair leads a group of veterans that includes Brazil's Marta, Australia’s Sam Kerr, France's Wendie Renard and American Ale: Morgan, Sinclair, who is go and likely playing in her final World Cup, JULY 01, 2023 www.crictoday.com orer, among women or men, with 190 career goals. Young stars include 22-year-old U.S. forward Sophia Smith, 21-year-old Jody Brown of Jamaica and 19-year-old Melchie Dumornay of Haiti. Smith doubled up last year as both the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year and the National Women's Soccer League's Most Valuable Player. The United States is ranked No. 1 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, The Americans are a strong team despite recent it *s, but their dominance ininternational play will be challenged at this World Cup. Germany, ranked No. 2, won back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007. Third-ranked Sweden knocked the United States out of the 2016 Olympies in the quarterfinals, Seventh-ranked Canada won the gold medal at the Tokyo Games. Considered a contender, England has been hit by a series of injuries totop players including Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and captain Leah Williamson, All three will miss the World Cup. France switched coaches in March after a trio of players threatened to skip the tournament. Australia can't be counted out as co-hosts. The Matildas will be boosted by Kerr, one of the world’s best players. The United States is a +240 favorite to win the World Cup, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. England is next at +380, followed by Spain at +650. There also a big group of teams the oddsmakers say little chance of lifting the trophy, including Jamaica, Vietnam, Argentina, Zambia, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Morocco, Philippines, South Africa, Haiti All are at +43,000. JULY 01, 2023 (i www.crictoday.com