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BIRMINGHAM, England – A resilient India secured a hard-fought draw against England in the fifth Test at Edgbaston on Monday, July 2nd, 2024, concluding a series that saw a new leadership era begin under captain Shubman Gill.The match concluded with England at 284/7, chasing a target of 289, but unable to reach it before the close of play.
The series marked a notable shift for Indian cricket, with the 24-year-old Gill assuming the captaincy and Rishabh Pant appointed as vice-captain. This generational change followed the retirement of Rohit Sharma in June 2024, after a successful tenure that included winning the 2023 ICC World Cup.
Gill not only led the team effectively but also dominated with the bat, finishing as the series’ leading run-scorer with an notable 754 runs. His performance included a remarkable double century (238) and a century (147) in the same match at Edgbaston, showcasing his exceptional talent and consistency.
Karun Nair Commends Shubman Gill’s Leadership
Karun Nair, who made a comeback to international cricket during this series after a six-year absence, lauded Gill’s captaincy style. speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Nair highlighted Gill’s ability to unite the team and provide consistent encouragement. “The way Shubman held everyone together and the encouragement he gave was great to see.He was crystal clear with his interaction from the beginning. To achieve what he did as a batter, while also leading the team…as a leader,he exemplified the spirit of gauti bhai [Rahul Dravid],” Nair stated.
nair also recounted Rishabh Pant’s valiant decision to bat with a fractured toe during the series. Pant sustained the injury while fielding on Day 3, but insisted on continuing his innings, scoring 48 runs. “Then to see Rishabh walk out to bat with a broken toe – it was one of the moments of the series. It was amazing for everyone to see. It told you what a great player he is, and more importantly, the person he is. That kind of exemplified the beliefs of the team. Of putting everything first for the team, it’s not about individuals.”
While Nair’s personal performance in the series was modest, with 205 runs including a single half-century (62), he acknowledged his struggles to convert starts into larger scores. He played in all five Test matches, providing valuable experience to the middle order.
TimesApps Introduces Enhanced Campaign Tracking and User Engagement Tools
TimesApps has rolled out a new feature, `toiPlusEvents`, designed to bolster campaign tracking and user engagement across its digital platforms. This update integrates Google Ads (gtag) and Facebook (FB) event tracking, alongside the Survicate customer feedback platform, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of user interactions and campaign performance.
The `toiPlusEvents` functionality dynamically loads tracking scripts based on site configuration and user status. If site settings are readily available and the user is not identified as a prime subscriber, the system directly activates Google and Facebook event tracking and loads the Survicate JavaScript. This ensures immediate data capture for active campaigns.
In scenarios where initial site settings are not available or the user is identified as a prime subscriber, `toiPlusEvents` retrieves the necessary configuration from a dedicated Jarvis API endpoint. This dynamic fetching mechanism allows for personalized campaign tracking, adapting to whether the user is on a prime layout or a standard section. The retrieved configuration then dictates the activation of Google ads, Facebook events, and Survicate integration.
The Survicate integration,specifically,is designed to capture user feedback and demographic facts. It utilizes geolocation data, defaulting to ‘IN’ if not or else specified, and allows for the setting of visitor traits such as subscription status. The Survicate script is loaded asynchronously to ensure minimal impact on page load times, and it is indeed initialized either directly or via a `survicateready` event listener.
This initiative by TimesApps aims to provide deeper insights into user behavior and campaign effectiveness, enabling more targeted and data-driven marketing strategies. The adaptability in configuration loading ensures that the tracking mechanisms are robust and adaptable to various user scenarios and platform states.
England Women Level Series Against India Women in Rain-Affected Second ODI
England women secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over India Women in the second one Day International, held on Saturday. This win effectively levels the three-match series at 1-1, setting up a thrilling decider.
The match, initially scheduled for a full day’s play, was significantly impacted by persistent rain. This led to a reduction in overs,with both teams competing in a 29-over-a-side contest.
India Women, after winning the toss and electing to bat, posted a total of 143 for 8 in their allotted overs. Smriti Mandhana emerged as the top scorer for the Indian side, contributing a valuable 42 runs from 51 deliveries. Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten on 30, providing stability to the lower order.
England’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Sophie Ecclestone, who proved to be the most effective bowler. Ecclestone claimed three wickets for 27 runs in her six-over spell,restricting India’s scoring opportunities.
Chasing a revised target of 115 from 24 overs, following another rain interruption when they were comfortably placed at 102 for 1 in 18.4 overs, England’s openers laid a strong foundation. Amy Jones remained unbeaten on 46, guiding her team to victory with
Unlikely Stand-In Enters India-England Test at Headingley
An unexpected event unfolded during the India versus England cricket Test at Headingley, when an unfamiliar player took to the field. Young Yash Vagadia, a local cricketer, stepped in as a substitute fielder, making his unexpected debut on the international stage.
Who is Yash Vagadia?
The 21-year-old Vagadia, a right-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer, is an English cricketer of Indian heritage. He usually plays club cricket for Yorkshire. In 2024, he made his One-Day Cup debut for Yorkshire against Warwickshire after playing for them at the Under-14 level.
Vagadia formerly captained Yorkshire’s academy and U-18 teams. In 2022, he secured his initial rookie pro contract with Yorkshire, simultaneously being named Yorkshire Academy Player of the Year.
Unexpected Opportunity
Ben Stokes, Englandโs captain, briefly left the field during India’s second innings. It was then that Vagadia was spotted on camera. However, Stokes soon returned to the game. At the time of the change, India had a score of 22/1 after 7.1 overs.
12th Man Duties
Before the first Test, Vagadia, along with his Yorkshire teammates Jawad Akhtar and Noah Kelly, were assigned 12th man duties. This trio was not included in England’s 14-man squad for the match.
Great to see Yorkshireโs own Jawad Akhtar, Noah Kelly & Yash Vagadia sharing 12th man duties for the #ENGvIND Test here at Headingley ๐ pic.twitter.com/x3qT5l2qB5
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) June 20, 2024
The goal of including these rookie cricketers is to give them a sense of international cricket. They also learn about the preparations needed for it and have the chance to interact with senior players, picking up valuable knowledge.
โThe purpose of adding the rookie cricketers into the England dressing room is to give them an idea on how an international cricket is being played, what are the preparations needed and also allows them to rub shoulders of their seniors and pick their brains.โ
โ Source Article
According to a recent report, approximately 10% of all cricketers are currently playing their first season (Cricket Stats 2024).
rishabh Pant’s Sledging Masterclass: How Mind Games Led to England Wicketkeeper’s Blunder
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Leeds, England – Rishabh Pant‘s dynamic role in the recent Test match against england extended beyond his impressive batting performance, as his clever sledging contributed to a critical error by England’s wicketkeeper, Jamie Smith. Pant’s verbal tactics added another dimension to india’s strategy, highlighting his value to the team .
Pant’s Dual Role: Batter and Motivator
India’s Test cricket team has cultivated a unique leadership surroundings. While Shubman Gill serves as the captain, known for his calm demeanor, Rishabh Pant embodies a more energetic presence. Pant’s role encompasses being a motivator, commentator from behind the stumps, and a strategist who employs mind games to gain an advantage .
Did You Know? Rishabh Pant celebrated his century at Headingley with a cartwheel, showcasing his exuberant personality [[3]].
The Sledging Incident: Turning Words into Wickets
During India’s first innings, Pant’s strategic communication came to the forefront.Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar pointed out that Pant and Gill used Hindi during Shoaib Bashir’s overs, potentially to unsettle the bowler. Later, Pant’s on-field comments directly influenced Jamie Smith.After pant hit Bashir for a six, he remarked to Smith that “fielders are all back, again.” The very next ball, Smith fumbled a stumping opportunity, failing to collect the ball cleanly, giving pant a reprieve .
Pro Tip: Sledging,when done within the spirit of the game,can be a powerful psychological tool to disrupt the opposition’s focus.
Impact on the game
Pant’s innings concluded with a score of 134,contributing significantly to india’s total. This marked India’s highest score in an away Test since 2019. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill also scored centuries in the same innings. though, India’s batting order collapsed, losing their last seven wickets for just 41 runs .
India’s Recent Test Innings Performance
| Location | Year | Total score |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 2019 | 622/7 dec |
| The Oval | 2007 | 664 |
| Leeds | 2025 | 400+ |
Evergreen Insights: The Evolution of Wicket-Keeper Batsmen
The role of the wicket-keeper in cricket has evolved significantly over the years. Traditionally, wicket-keepers were primarily responsible for their glove work, but modern cricket demands more. Players like Rishabh Pant exemplify the modern wicket-keeper-batsman, contributing valuable runs while maintaining high standards behind the stumps. this dual role adds significant depth and adaptability to the team’s composition.
rishabh Pant, born on October 4, 1997, in Roorkee, India, began training at the age of 12 [[2]]. he is considered by some to be India’s greatest wicketkeeper-batter [[1]].
Frequently Asked Questions About Rishabh Pant’s Role
- What is Rishabh Pant’s primary role in the Indian cricket team?
- Rishabh Pant is a wicket-keeper-batsman, responsible for both fielding behind the stumps and contributing runs with the bat.
- How does Rishabh Pant contribute to team strategy?
- Pant’s vocal presence and clever mind games add a psychological element to India’s strategy, often disrupting the opposition’s focus.
- What makes Rishabh Pant a valuable player in Test cricket?
- His ability to score quickly and put pressure on the opposition, combined with his wicket-keeping skills, makes him a valuable asset in Test cricket.
- What are some of Rishabh Pant’s notable achievements?
- Pant has scored multiple centuries in Test matches, including a recent century in Leeds, and has contributed to significant team victories.
- How has Rishabh Pant’s role evolved over time?
- Pant has transformed the role of the wicket-keeper-batsman, emphasizing aggressive batting and strategic on-field communication.
What are your thoughts on the use of sledging in cricket? Do you think it crosses the line, or is it a legitimate tactic?
Share your opinions and predictions for the rest of the series in the comments below!