askforamy.com – Fast Reports & Morning News Briefs

Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking to India Today, said Test selections are now increasingly influenced by both red-ball performances and white-ball exploits, urging youngsters to equip themselves to excel across all three formats. The batting great admitted he missed out on IPL deals after being labelled a Test specialist.

Hanuma Vihari, celebrated for his resilience against Australia in 2021, is set to represent Tripura in all formats for the 2025-26 season, leaving Andhra Pradesh due to perceived favouritism. Vihari aims for consistent performance and fresh opportunities after a Test career of 839 runs and a strong domestic record of over 9,500 first-class runs.

In an exclusive interview, Cheteshwar Pujara said he took the decision to retire a week after contemplating the big call. The Test specialist added that he has no regrets about his career, including the last two years when he was not selected for the senior national team.

Former India off-spinner R Ashwin has called for greater recognition of Cheteshwar Pujara's cricketing achievements. Pujara retired from international cricket on Sunday, bringing the curtains down on a decorated Test career.

Cheteshwar Pujara's quiet retirement highlights a common trend in cricket, where legends like MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag also missed grand farewells. Many Indian cricket stars, including Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan, exited without fanfare due to form, injuries, or team decisions. The future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remains uncertain, raising concerns about potential unceremonious departures.

Rishabh Pant honored Cheteshwar Pujara upon his retirement, recalling their vital Test partnerships, notably during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pant highlighted their memorable stand at Sydney and Pujara's resilient innings at the Gabba, which significantly contributed to India's victories and draws. Pujara concluded his career as a key Test player, amassing 7,195 runs.

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian cricket legend, has identified Glenn McGrath and Muttiah Muralitharan as the most formidable bowlers he encountered throughout his illustrious 16-year international career. Dravid admired McGrath's relentless consistency and ability to challenge his off stump, while he acknowledged Muralitharan's exceptional spin variations and tireless approach as a spinner.

Farokh Engineer, a close friend of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, criticized the ECB's initial decision to rename the India-England Test series trophy, feeling the subsequent introduction of a winning captain's medal named after the Pataudi family was merely an afterthought.

Rishabh Pant's historic twin centuries at Headingley propelled him to seventh in ICC Test rankings, while Ben Duckett's stellar performance secured him eighth position. Shubman Gill climbed to 20th after a century. Jasprit Bumrah remains the top Test bowler. In T20Is, Michael Levitt and Brandon McMullen made significant gains, reflecting the growing competitiveness in international cricket.

India faced a defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley. Kiran More emphasized the importance of fielding. He noted dropped catches proved costly. England chased down 371 runs. Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored centuries in the first innings. More believes the team is in transition. He asks for time and support for the new players.