Team India's in-form opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal opened up on the Birmingham pitch after a stunning batting display during the second Test match against England. Speaking on the comparison between the Leeds and Birmingham's pitches, Jaiswal said, "I feel it is a little different of course there in Leeds and here. If you look at it that way, the seam-movement was more there and it is a little less here and the bounce was more there, and it is a little less here". "There is a lot of difference in the environment as well, if you see. So I think we just need to adapt," he added during the press conference. In India's first innings, the left-hander showcased his skillset yet again by smashing 87 runs off 107 deliveries, which were laced with 13 boundaries. However, he fell short of just 10 runs of breaking legendary Rahul Dravid's record of becoming the fastest batsman to score 2,000 runs for India in the longest format of the game. Along with him, skipper Shubman Gill played an unbeaten knock of 114 runs, which was the highlight of Day 1 at stumps. Further speaking about the game heading into Day two of the second Test, the 23-year-old said, "I think we will be trying to keep playing as long as we can, and I think both the batsmen are doing quite a good job, so I hope everything goes well." On Wednesday, England won the toss and opted to field first. After losing KL Rahul (2), an 80-run partnership between Jaiswal (87 in 107 balls, with 13 fours) and Karun Nair (31 in 50 balls, with five fours) put India in a good spot at the end of session one. Jaiswal and Gill then stitched a 66-run stand, after which India lost Rishabh Pant (25 in 42 balls, including a four and a six) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1) early. However, Gill (114* in 216 balls, with 12 fours) and Ravindra Jadeja (41* in 67 balls, with five fours) put on an unbeaten 99-run stand to take India to 310/5 at the day's end. Chris Woakes (2/59) was England's top bowler, with skipper Ben Stokes, Shoaib Bashir and Brydon Carse getting one wicket each. (With ANI Inputs)
03 July,2025 12:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the first innings of the second Test match against England, Team India skipper Shubman Gill played an unbeaten knock of 114 runs at stumps on Day 1. He will resume Day 2 alongside Ravindra Jadeja. So far, Gill has faced 216 deliveries and hit 12 boundaries in his innings. Speaking on his brilliant batting performance, former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri said, "Shubman Gill has worked hard on his defence. When he last came to England, he played with hard hands, pushed at the ball, a bit like Virat Kohli. But now, the top hand is in much more control. He allows the ball to come to him, trusts in his defence and has all the shots in the book when he goes on the attack". The former cricketer also praise Ravindra Jadeja for shouldering Gill in the middle. "I think India will be pretty happy with where they are at the end of day one. I think this partnership of 99 between Gill and Jadeja has got them out of what could've been a spot of bother. But they know they will need to get at least another 150 runs from here at least," said Shastri on Sky Sports’ broadcast. "Had England made further inroads once they were 211-5, it could've been very different. But Shubman Gill's performance was superb. It was a disciplined performance, he looked fantastic and very solid," added the 63-year-old. So far, Gill and Jadeja have milked 99 runs for the visitors' dugout on day 1. Jadeja is still at the crease with 41 runs off 67 balls, including five boundaries. Shastri feels that India can afford to lose one wicket in the first hour of day 2 in Birmingham. "It's all about that first hour for India tomorrow. They can probably afford to lose one wicket in the first hour to stay on track. England know that if they get a couple of early wickets tomorrow in the first hour of play, then they have a great chance of restricting India," he concluded. In the initial phase of the match, Team India's opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed 87 runs off 107 deliveries, including 13 boundaries. Later, Karun Nair, too, scored 31 runs after facing 50 balls. His knock was laced with five boundaries. (With IANS Inputs)
03 July,2025 11:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer India head coach Ravi Shastri expressed disbelief at India’s decision to rest a fully fit Jasprit Bumrah from the second Test against England, asserting that the pace spearhead should not have been given the option to sit out of a crucial game. India, enduring a rough patch in Test cricket since October last year, have managed just one win in their last nine matches, marking their worst run in over a decade. India’s poor form “If you look at the run India has had, this becomes a very, very important Test match. You’ve lost three against New Zealand, you’ve lost three against Australia,” Shastri told Sky Sports. “You’ve lost the first Test match here and you want to get back to winning ways. You have the best fast bowler in the world, and you make him sit out after seven days of rest, it’s something very hard to believe,” he said. Bumrah had claimed his 14th five-wicket haul in the first innings at Leeds. Jasprit will play at Lord’s After the toss on Wednesday, Gill told former England batter Michael Atherton that Bumrah was rested to manage his workload. “Just to manage his workload. We did get a good break and this is an important match for us. But the third Test being at Lord’s, we think there’ll be more in that pitch so we’ll use him there,” Gill said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 July,2025 08:11 AM IST | Birmingham | PTIThe historic Mahindra manual scoreboard at Wankhede Stadium, a beloved fixture since 1974, has been dismantled and replaced by a lavish air-conditioned enclosure for current and former Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Apex Council members. This move has sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, who fondly recall the scoreboard's detailed displays and uninterrupted service. The manual scoreboard’s legacy is now overshadowed by the AC lounge and the new lift, which carries the Apex Council members to this lavish AC lounge. New cricket museum On one hand, a cricket museum showcasing historical items is all set to open in the next few months. On the other, a piece of history, like the manual scoreboard, has been dismantled. The MCA’s decision to prioritise luxury over heritage raises questions. The decision to build an AC lounge for Apex Council members is particularly puzzling, given the current members already have access to the comfortable President's Box, and the former members interested in viewing the match from the luxurious President’s Box, seem to find ways to gain access through accreditation badges. Costly initiative The special enclosure appears to cater to an ego-fuelled desire for luxury, incurring substantial expenses for limited use. In contrast, the manual scoreboard served a cricketing purpose and held sentimental value for many. Will the new enclosure, with its luxurious amenities, serve a similar purpose? This development reflects a trend where comfort and private space are prioritised over sentiments and collective experiences. One wonders if this will set a precedent for special enclosures for others, like club secretaries. As MCA’s priorities come under scrutiny, it’s also striking that in the naming melee, the President’s Box remains unnamed. The writer was MCA’s Hon Treasurer before the last elections in 2022 The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper
03 July,2025 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Jagdish AchrekarIndian juggernaut in the white-ball tour continued as Amanjot Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues hit radiant fifties to propel the visitors to a commanding 24-run win over England in the second T20 International here. Tuesday night’s win handed Harmanpreet Kaur’s side a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, having won the opener by a record-shattering 97-run margin. Amanjot (63 not out off 40 balls), who scored her maiden T20I fifty, and Rodrigues (63 off 41 deliveries) posted a formidable 181 for 4 after being asked to bat. Spinners contribute The Indian bowlers, led by spinners, then did their bit to restrict the home side to 157 for 7 in 20 overs despite Tammy Beaumont’s 35-ball 54, marking the first time any team has beaten England in a women’s T20I in Bristol. Harmanpreet Kaur “Good win for us, the way the entire team performed today was special to see. The way Jemimah and Amanjot played gave us a platform. When boundaries were not coming they were looking for twos. Still it’s a long time to see how it’ll be in the World Cup. Just focus on this series. Spin is our strength and I want to back that,” Harmanpreet said. India’s innings began in disarray with opener Shafali Verma (3), last game’s centurian Smriti Mandhana (13) and skipper Harmanpreet (1) all back in the dug-out inside the Powerplay. Plenty of boundaries After a shaky start, the elegant Rodrigues, who scored nine boundaries and a six, and spirited Amanjot not only resurrected India from 31 for 3 with 93-run stand for the fourth wicket but also laid the foundation for a towering 181 for 4, hitting a flurry of boundaries. Rodrigues eventually perished in the 15th over, caught by Sophia Dunkley off Lauren Bell, but Amanjot marched on. Amanjot, whose innings was laced with nine boundaries, then stitched a 57-run stand with the big-hitting Richa Ghosh (32 not out off 22 balls), who provided the final flourish as India recorded the second-highest total in WT20Is here. “It’s new Indian team. Wherever we play, home or away, we are ready to dominate. That was our plan and we did that today,” said Amanjot who was adjudged player of match for his 63 with the bat and one wicket with the ball. 93No. of runs Jemimah and Amanjot put on for the fourth wicket This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 July,2025 08:03 AM IST | Bristol (England) | PTIYashasvi Jaiswal’s love for the England bowling is well known. He had come to England on the back of a massive 712-run effort in the five-match home series in early 2024, but there was bound to be uncertainty when playing a Test series in England for the first time. Some experts wondered if he would be as successful against them in the tough conditions away from home and he has answered that question convincingly. Jaiswal thwarted Following a century in the first Test at Headingley, he looked set for an encore at Edgbaston. But it was not to be as edged a Ben Stokes delivery to the wicketkeeper and stood at the wicket for a long time in utter disappointment. The Indian fans at the ground too were stunned as Jaiswal not only fell 13 runs short of his sixth Test century in his 21st Test, but also got out 10 runs short of becoming the fastest Indian to 2000 Test runs. Legendary Sunil Gavaskar had touched the 2000-run mark in the 23rd Test in 1979. Of course, he can overtake that in the second innings, but that will surely not compensate for the century he missed out on due to an injudicious shot. Though Jaiswal had a memorable century in the first Test at Leeds, he was a disaster on the field. He had dropped as many as four catches and bore the brunt of the fans’ ire both at the stadium and on social media. But the hard-working and mentally strong Jaiswal put that nightmare behind him and again got down to the task of tackling the England bowlers. Though the day had started as a cool and cloudy morning, it became bright and sunny as the day progressed. And his batting also flourished accordingly, playing some aggressive cuts, pulls, and drives. There were also a few rash strokes by the hugely talented UP-born Mumbaikar, who survived them till he ran out of luck. In an attempt to guide a rising Stokes delivery to the third man, he edged it to Jaime Smith behind the stumps. From strength to strength Jaiswal has been going from strength to strength ever since he made his Test debut in the Caribbean in July 2021, with a magnificent innings of 171. Though we know the Windies are not the same force they were in days gone by, yet beginning a Test career overseas with a big ton was a big achievement. After scoring two double centuries (209 at Vizag and 214 not out at Rajkot) in the home series against England in February 2024, he had another big one, 161 at Perth in November 2024. At Headingley, he got out to his lowest three-figure innings (101), and just when it seemed he would get another century before the tea interval, like he did at Leeds, his luck ran out. He now tallies 1990 runs in 21 games, but more impressively, 904 have come in only seven Test matches against England, with the second innings yet to come. 904Total number of runs scored by Yashasvi Jaiswal in seven Tests vs Eng @ 82.18
03 July,2025 07:57 AM IST | Birmingham | Santosh SuriEngland have unearthed a new template when it comes to Test cricket, a template heavily dependent on their formidable batting. Ben Stokes’s men are on their way to elevating chasing to a fine art in the five-day format. Ever since he and Brendon McCullum came together at the head of the management group, they have taken the fear of batting fourth out of the equation, confident that the attacking resources at their disposal can hunt down any target. England pacer Chris Woakes celebrates the wicket of KL Rahul yesterday. Pic/Getty Images In the last three years alone, England have pulled off their two highest chases (378 and 371), both against India. It was, therefore, hardly a surprise that at Edgbaston on Wednesday, Stokes put an addled, confused India in for a second time in the series. Having batted themselves into promising positions, India were forced to rely on pugnacious skipper Shubman Gill (114 not out) and the phlegmatic Ravindra Jadeja (41 not out) to bail them out after courting trouble at 211 for five, some 45 minutes after tea. At stumps on Day One, India were 310-5. India cover all bases India rested Jasprit Bumrah and brought Akash Deep into the XI, one of two unsurprising changes — the other was Washington Sundar replacing Shardul Thakur. There was a third change, Nitish Kumar Reddy for Sai Sudharsan, suggesting that India were stacking the side with multiple all-round options to cover as many bases as possible rather than choosing the most positive tack when 0-1 down. There was assistance for Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse first up on a blustery, cold morning with grey clouds hovering overhead. There was seam and lift, necessitating Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to bat with caution. Jaiswal did play a couple of pleasing drives when Carse pitched the ball up, looking for non-existent swing, but Rahul was entirely becalmed and well ensconced in his shell. Something had to give, and Rahul’s resistance ended 39 minutes into the day when he played a Woakes lifter that kept coming back into him on to his stumps. But Karun Nair, batting at No. 3 for the first time, and Jaiswal matched each other stroke for stroke and once the sun broke through and the juice from the pitch evaporated, batting became a lot easier. Top-order woes The two breezed to an 80-run stand when Carse produced a lifter just before lunch, having Karun caught at second slip off the splice. But like he had in the first Test, Gill was confidence personified, taking his time at the start and then playing handsome strokes on both sides of the wicket even as Jaiswal punished anything that was even remotely loose. Then followed a litany of errors from India’s top order. Jaiswal wafted at a loose delivery from Stokes to the wicketkeeper, while Rishabh Pant, who kept his attacking instincts in check, eventually lost patience and tonked Shoaib Bashir to long-off. Brief scoresIndia 310-5 (S Gill 114*, Y Jaiswal 87, R Jadeja 41*, K Nair 31; C Woakes 2-59) v England
03 July,2025 07:54 AM IST | Birmingham | R KaushikIndia closed out a gripping opening day of the second Test at Edgbaston on a commanding note, reaching 310 for 5 at stumps against England, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Shubman Gill. The pair displayed remarkable composure under testing conditions, steering India through a tricky final session and firmly establishing the visitors’ hold on the contest. Opener Jaiswal was once again at the heart of India’s charge, crafting a fluent 87 that set the tone for the innings. His knock, brimming with assured drives and calculated risks, not only frustrated the English attack but also etched his name into the record books with yet another milestone in his career. Gill, meanwhile, underscored his growing stature in the longest format with an unbeaten century, his second in as many matches since taking over the Test reins. He brought up his hundred in stylish fashion, steering a Joe Root delivery to the ropes on the final ball of the 80th over, a shot that perfectly encapsulated his authority at the crease. His composed vigil spanned 199 deliveries and featured 11 elegant boundaries, marking the seventh Test century of his career. With this knock, Gill joined an exclusive club, becoming only the fourth Indian to register centuries in each of his first two Tests as captain. The young leader now stands alongside legends Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli. Earlier in the day, England’s bowlers managed to make crucial inroads, striking at key moments to keep India from running away entirely. Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse were among those who found success, removing opener KL Rahul, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Despite these breakthroughs, the hosts could not fully capitalise, with India’s batters repeatedly rebuilding and maintaining the scoring momentum. The pitch at Edgbaston offered just enough for the seamers, particularly under cloud cover, but Jaiswal and Gill’s disciplined approach blunted much of England’s threat. Their substantial partnership ensured India comfortably crossed the 300-run mark by the close of play, positioning themselves strongly heading into day two. As the match progresses, India will look to build on this solid foundation, aiming to post a formidable first-innings total. For England, early strikes on the second morning will be crucial to wrest back some control. With the series finely poised, another absorbing day of Test cricket awaits at Edgbaston.
02 July,2025 11:10 PM IST | Birmingham | mid-day online correspondentShubman Gill on Wednesday became only the fourth Indian to register centuries in each of his first two Tests as captain on Day 1 of the second Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham. With this remarkable feat, he joins an elite list featuring Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli. Having already marked his Test captaincy debut in emphatic fashion with a sublime 147 in the first innings at Headingley, Leeds, Gill continued his rich vein of form to deliver yet another statement knock. The young skipper brought up his hundred in style, steering a delivery from Joe Root to the boundary on the final ball of the 80th over. His innings was a picture of patience and authority, spanning 199 deliveries and embellished with 11 crisp boundaries. It was the seventh time in his career that Gill reached the three-figure mark in Test cricket, but this effort carried a special significance. Gill’s achievement draws parallels with some of India’s most distinguished cricketing legends. Vijay Hazare was the first to accomplish the rare feat back in 1951. The stylish right-hander scored an unbeaten 164 in his maiden Test as captain against England at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium in November 1951. He followed it up with another monumental knock, compiling 155 runs in the first innings of his second Test as skipper at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium in December that same year. Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli later emulated Hazare’s landmark, each underlining their credentials as both premier batsmen and inspirational leaders. Now, Gill’s name sits proudly alongside these icons, underscoring the bright future that beckons for Indian cricket under his stewardship. Gill’s leadership has already showcased a blend of calm assurance and strategic acumen. While his team fell short in the opening Test at Leeds, losing by five wickets, his personal contributions with the bat have stood out as a pillar of India’s fight against a competitive England side. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on how Gill continues to balance his dual responsibilities, anchoring the batting lineup as well as steering India’s tactical ship.
02 July,2025 10:50 PM IST | Birmingham | mid-day online correspondentLakshmi Shastri, mother of former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri, on Wednesday graciously accepted the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai (SJAM) Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf at a ceremony held at Bombay Gymkhana. “It is a great privilege for me to be here today in the absence of my son, Ravi Shastri, who is in England at the moment, holding the same mic and giving commentary on the second test at Birmingham. He requested me to come here, so on his behalf, I'm extremely privileged to accept the award, Lifetime Achievement Award (sic)," she said. At the Bombay Gymkhana, the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai (SJAM) presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards on World Sports Journalists Day, with all the awardees joined by Ravi Shastri’s mother, Laxmi Shastri. Via: @AshishRane2 #WorldSportsJournalistsDay… pic.twitter.com/bsuHLNa4C0 — Mid Day (@mid_day) July 2, 2025 She took a moment to remember her late husband, Dr. Shastri, who played a pivotal role in shaping Ravi’s early cricketing journey. “At this moment, I would like to mention that we miss his father, Dr Shastri, who played a major role in his formative cricketing years. Undoubtedly, he would have been very, very happy today, to be present here and see that his son has been achieving so much and getting this award. All that I can say today, on his behalf and my behalf, we are very proud of you, son. Good on you, as the Aussies would say. And we treasure all the memories that you have given us. We will always cherish it. May you go from strength to strength..because really, you have a long way to go (sic)," she remarked. On World Sports Journalists Day at Bombay Gymkhana, Lakshmi Shastri accepted the SJAM Lifetime Achievement Award for her son Ravi Shastri, who later made headlines by slamming Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir on live TV over resting Jasprit Bumrah.@ClaytonMurzello #RaviShastri… pic.twitter.com/Kr0oboWbaL — Mid Day (@mid_day) July 2, 2025 When asked to recall her favourite cricketing moment from Ravi’s storied career, she recalled how she first learned of his record of smashing six sixes in an over at the nearby Wankhede Stadium from the local bhelpuri vendor who witnessed it firsthand. “There are many treasured moments which he has given us. But I would say that the one where he scored six sixes (in an over), and I was blissfully unaware of the fact that she was doing it in Wankhede Stadium. And I was told by my Bhelpuri wala, who was present there and witnessed it. Later, Ravi came home, and he had to immediately leave somewhere. I asked him, What happened today? And you know his style. He always wanted to never say the truth to me. And he said, You want to know what I did? Then you tune in to All India radio at seven o'clock. So I first asked the Bhelpuri wala, why has he asked me to do this? (sic)" she said. "So I went, informed my husband, who was sitting in his training, that you better come and hear the seven o'clock, the Maharashtra...Marathi news. So he said, Why? I said, this is what everybody's saying. So then I came home and there to my greatest surprise, it was being announced that he had sobered (Sir Garfield) Sobers, and a placard came across Marine Drive the next day, hailing Ravi Shasri's record. (sic)" Looking back on 1985, she fondly recalled how unfamiliar the name ‘Audi’ was back then, admitting she couldn’t even pronounce it when Ravi was presented with the iconic car as an award after being named the ‘Champion of Champions'. “1985, for instance, was a glorious year for him. He started with these 6'6s. Then he ended up in the Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket in Australia, where he was awarded this title, 'Champion of Champions'. And the famous Audi car, which nobody, at least me, I didn't even know how to pronounce the name of. I'm sure many in India have not seen that. That memory of the entire team taking a round in the Melbourne ground will ever stay in memory. Thank you, Ravi. You have been a great son to us, and we hope you will achieve much more (sic)," she said.
02 July,2025 09:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndia’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is all set to return to the playing eleven for the third Test against England at Lord’s next week, after being rested for the ongoing second Test in Birmingham. Captain Shubman Gill confirmed Bumrah’s much-anticipated comeback on Wednesday, shedding light on the team’s strategic approach to managing the pacer’s workload during this demanding five-match series. Bumrah, who featured in the opening Test at Leeds, that India lost by five wickets, was given a breather for the second encounter at Edgbaston. The decision to rest him was in line with the team management’s carefully charted plan to keep their strike bowler fresh, especially given the gruelling nature of Test cricket and the pivotal role he plays in India’s attack. Speaking at the toss ahead of the second Test, Gill elaborated on the rationale behind the move. "Third Test being at Lord's, we think there'll be more in that pitch so we'll use him there,” the skipper said. Gill also touched upon the team’s deliberations over potentially playing wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. "We were tempted to play Kuldeep (Yadav) but decided to add some depth to the batting,” he added. The third Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground is scheduled to commence on July 10, and it promises to be a crucial contest in the context of the series. With India trailing after the defeat in Leeds, Bumrah’s return is expected to provide a significant boost to their bowling arsenal. Known for his uncanny ability to exploit even the slightest of movements off the pitch and his relentless accuracy, Bumrah will be eager to make an impact on a surface historically known to favour seamers. The Indian think tank had made it clear at the outset of the tour that Bumrah would feature in only three of the five Tests, a proactive measure aimed at managing his workload and minimising injury risk. This long-term vision underscores the importance of preserving Bumrah’s fitness, not just for the remainder of this series, but also with an eye on upcoming international commitments. As the focus now shifts toward the Edgbaston Test, all eyes will be on how India recalibrate their plans with Bumrah back at the helm of the pace attack, hoping to claw their way back into the series and keep their aspirations alive on English soil.
02 July,2025 07:57 PM IST | Birmingham | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
