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Ashish Magotra

Articles by Ashish Magotra

India's T20 approach lacks vital dash of madness

It could be anxiety to secure a regular spot when playing for the country, but India urgently need batters to adopt a far more robust approach

Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma in action against West Indies(AFP)

cricket

Published on Aug 07, 2023 08:45 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

Ashes 2023 was an ode to Test cricket

Ashes 2023 was an ode to Test cricket, in much the same way that perhaps India’s two tour wins in Australia or the 2005 Ashes were (there are more, plenty more)

In all 343 men’s Ashes Tests played before this series there had been only 25 matches won by margins of under 50 runs or by three or fewer wickets. (AP)

cricket

Updated on Aug 02, 2023 08:56 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra

Australia crumble as England win at Oval to share Ashes series

The visitors though retained the urn after the 2-2 result after a thrilling series ended with England's 49-run victory in the final game

Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali are applauded off the field by their teammates(Reuters)

cricket

Updated on Aug 01, 2023 07:46 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

A final crack: Broad eyes a triumphant finish

In an era when most players are moving away from Tests, the retiring England fast bowler lived for the buzz that only a five-day match can bring

England's Stuart Broad is pushed ahead by James Anderson to receive a guard of honour from the Australian players (Reuters)

cricket

Updated on Jul 31, 2023 07:35 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

Clueless Australia wilt under England onslaught

Stokes and Co made it their day with an impressive display of aggressive batting but Australia, it might be argued, weren't at their tactical best

England's Joe Root plays a shot on day three of the fifth Ashes Test(AFP)

cricket

Published on Jul 29, 2023 11:44 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

On Day 2, Australia win a battle of attrition

Australia ride on Steve Smith's 71 to secure 12-run lead on Day 2

Australia's Steve Smith in action during Day 2(Action Images via Reuters)

cricket

Updated on Jul 29, 2023 08:16 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

Ashes 2023: Starc takes the buzz out of Bazball

The left-arm pacer found his rhythm as Australia bowled England out for 283 on day 1 of the fifth Test

5th Ashes Test: Mitchell Starc celebrates after taking a wicket on Day 1.(AP)

cricket

Updated on Jul 28, 2023 07:53 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

Carlos Alcaraz's true rite of passage

You get recognised when you beat the best at their best in a tournament that matters, but now Alcaraz will need to find the consistency that defines greatness

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates on the balcony with the trophy after winning his final match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic(REUTERS)

tennis

Updated on Jul 18, 2023 01:45 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

Wimbledon: Elina Svitolina knocks out Iga Swiatek, keeps Ukraine flag flying

The wild card, who became a mother only eight months ago, beat Poland’s world No.1 to reach the Wimbledon semis

tennis

Updated on Jul 12, 2023 07:28 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

England, Australia serve up another Ashes classic

The hosts ended up winning the battle of nerves at Headingley to win their first match of the series

Woakes stayed calm with a crucial 32, with a big six from Wood getting England closer to the total.(AP)

cricket

Updated on Jul 10, 2023 07:47 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra

Stokes rides to England's rescue again

The hosts were in big trouble before their skipper conjured up a knock that defied expectations

England's Ben Stokes hits a six off the bowling of Australia's Todd Murphy (Action Images via Reuters)

cricket

Published on Jul 07, 2023 11:26 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

Ashes 2023: Mitchell Marsh the difference as Mark Wood fires for England

The Australian all-rounder slammed a brilliant 118 to rescue his side from a tough position

Mitchell Marsh is over the moon after completing his century.(AP)

cricket

Updated on Jul 07, 2023 08:06 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, New Delhi

WTC final: After a meek surrender at The Oval, it's time to take tough decisions

While the top order is consistently failing, it’s hard to imagine that Indian cricket, brimming with talent, can’t find alternatives

India's Virat Kohli passes through the winner's mace during the presentation ceremony as Australia wins the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023.(ICC Twitter)

cricket

Updated on Jun 13, 2023 08:03 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra

Time India's Test batting line-up gets a shakedown

The top order has consistently failed and it is hard to imagine that the Indian cricket scene, brimming with talent, can’t be bothered with finding replacements

At some point, the India selectors (yes, they exist) have got to look at the bigger picture and take a few tough and risky calls(ICC Twitter)

cricket

Updated on Jun 13, 2023 07:51 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra

On Rohit's wishlist: A WTC final anywhere but England

While Rohit wasn’t averse to even a 3-match series, Cummins was happy with a one-off Test, comparing it to the Olympics where athletes get one shot at gold

Another ICC tournament failure has left Rohit Sharma and India with a lot to ponder.(Reuters)

cricket

Updated on Jun 12, 2023 08:21 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

Another tame end to ICC trophy quest

India’s slim hopes on Day 5 of the WTC final vanished once Kohli and Jadeja fell. Australia wrapped up an easy win as India missed out on another ICC trophy

Virat Kohli of India walks past the ICC World Test Championship Mace.(Getty)

cricket

Updated on Jun 12, 2023 08:22 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

Kohli’s shot at immortality

With India needing another 280 runs and seven wickets in hand, Kohli has a chance to produce a fourth-innings epic. Will he and India be up for it?

cricket

Published on Jun 10, 2023 10:55 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

Cameron Green catches Gill, triggers a debate

Green and his teammates were convinced the catch was clean, and the TV umpire agreed. But doubts were raised as his hand fell to the ground in the process.

Scott Boland celebrates the dismissal of Shubman Gill on Day 4 of the WTC Final(AFP)

cricket

Published on Jun 10, 2023 10:09 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

Rahane, Thakur show fight but Australia in driver's seat

Rahane's 89 and Thakur's 51 helped India reach 296, but Australia still comfortably placed with a lead of 296 runs.

Shardul Thakur (L) with Ajinkya Rahane(AFP)

cricket

Published on Jun 10, 2023 12:06 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

Rahane makes the most of his lucky breaks

Far from certain for the WTC final against Australia, his IPL form with CSK helped. At The Oval, Rahane made lucky breaks count to lead India’s fightback.

cricket

Updated on Jun 10, 2023 08:04 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

Team India in deep trouble after top-order wobble on Day 2 in WTC final vs AUS

Gill and Pujara's dismissals sum up another tough day for India, who are 318 runs adrift of Australia's total of 469 at the end of Day 2.

Australia's Cameron Green celebrates after taking the wicket of India's Cheteshwar Pujara with Scott Boland(Reuters)

cricket

Updated on Jun 09, 2023 08:10 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

India take long time to find the 'short' answer for Head

It wasn't until centurion Travis Head entered the nineties that the Indian bowlers resorted to the short-ball tactic for the Aussie batter

Australia's Travis Head in action.(Action Images via Reuters)

cricket

Published on Jun 08, 2023 10:50 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

WTC vital to keep Test cricket relevant, says Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor recalled the joy of winning the 2021 World Test Championship final against India and spoke of the incentive needed to keep Test cricket alive.

Ross Taylor (C) with India captain Rohit Sharma (L) and Australia skipper Pat Cummins (R)(ICC)

cricket

Updated on Jun 08, 2023 07:24 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra

WTC Final, Day 1: Australia have Head in the right place

India left out Ashwin and on an Oval pitch that got better for batting, the bowling attack wilted against Head (146), Steve Smith (95) on Day 1 of WTC final.

Australia's Travis Head and Australia's Steve Smith walk back to the pavilion after putting unbeaten 200 runs. (AFP)

cricket

Published on Jun 07, 2023 11:28 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra

Ashwin: The world’s best bowler… who isn’t good enough to play WTC final

How can you be the best bowler in the world (Ashwin is ranked No.1) but not be good enough to make it to the playing XI of your side for a major final?

R Ashwin was not included in India's XI for the WTC final(ICC)

cricket

Updated on Jun 08, 2023 07:11 AM IST

ByAshish Magotra

It’s all square at the Oval: Stage set for ultimate Test

India's cricket team faces Australia in the final of the WTC, with many of its older players hoping for a last chance to claim a major trophy

Rohit Sharma and Australian skipper Pat Cummins ahead of the World Test Cricket Championship in London on Tuesday. (PTI)

india news

Updated on Jun 07, 2023 10:01 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra

WTC final: India and settling the pressure question

Rohit Sharma believes the players will not be carrying any extra burden of expectations against Australia at The Oval

India captain Rohit Sharma addresses a press conference ahead of the World Test Championship final at The Oval(ANI)

cricket

Published on Jun 06, 2023 09:39 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

Cold, overcast weather may push India out of their comfort zone in WTC final

The conditions may tempt playing four pacers at The Oval in the WTC final against Australia, but Rohit Sharma knows pitch conditions can rapidly change

India's Rohit Sharma with head coach Rahul Dravid during practice ahead of the WTC final(Action Images via Reuters)

cricket

Published on Jun 06, 2023 06:13 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra

India in the air as Test cricket gets ready for big moment at The Oval

India, Australia are set to face off in the World Test Championship final at The Oval cricket ground, with Indian companies' posters lining the streets outside

Team India captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during a practice session at The Oval in London on Monday. (ANI)

india news

Updated on Jun 06, 2023 01:57 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra

Rahul Dravid feels no pressure over India’s ICC trophy wait

Dravid pins faith on experienced batters and focuses on the team’s consistent performances that has led to their qualifying for the WTC Final against Australia

cricket

Published on Jun 05, 2023 10:18 PM IST

ByAshish Magotra, London

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Ashish Magotra

It could be anxiety to secure a regular spot when playing for the country, but India urgently need batters to adopt a far more robust approach

Ashes 2023 was an ode to Test cricket, in much the same way that perhaps India’s two tour wins in Australia or the 2005 Ashes were (there are more, plenty more)

The visitors though retained the urn after the 2-2 result after a thrilling series ended with England's 49-run victory in the final game

In an era when most players are moving away from Tests, the retiring England fast bowler lived for the buzz that only a five-day match can bring

Stokes and Co made it their day with an impressive display of aggressive batting but Australia, it might be argued, weren't at their tactical best

Australia ride on Steve Smith's 71 to secure 12-run lead on Day 2

The left-arm pacer found his rhythm as Australia bowled England out for 283 on day 1 of the fifth Test

You get recognised when you beat the best at their best in a tournament that matters, but now Alcaraz will need to find the consistency that defines greatness

The wild card, who became a mother only eight months ago, beat Poland’s world No.1 to reach the Wimbledon semis

The hosts ended up winning the battle of nerves at Headingley to win their first match of the series

The hosts were in big trouble before their skipper conjured up a knock that defied expectations

The Australian all-rounder slammed a brilliant 118 to rescue his side from a tough position

While the top order is consistently failing, it’s hard to imagine that Indian cricket, brimming with talent, can’t find alternatives

The top order has consistently failed and it is hard to imagine that the Indian cricket scene, brimming with talent, can’t be bothered with finding replacements

While Rohit wasn’t averse to even a 3-match series, Cummins was happy with a one-off Test, comparing it to the Olympics where athletes get one shot at gold

India’s slim hopes on Day 5 of the WTC final vanished once Kohli and Jadeja fell. Australia wrapped up an easy win as India missed out on another ICC trophy

With India needing another 280 runs and seven wickets in hand, Kohli has a chance to produce a fourth-innings epic. Will he and India be up for it?

Green and his teammates were convinced the catch was clean, and the TV umpire agreed. But doubts were raised as his hand fell to the ground in the process.

Rahane's 89 and Thakur's 51 helped India reach 296, but Australia still comfortably placed with a lead of 296 runs.

Far from certain for the WTC final against Australia, his IPL form with CSK helped. At The Oval, Rahane made lucky breaks count to lead India’s fightback.

Gill and Pujara's dismissals sum up another tough day for India, who are 318 runs adrift of Australia's total of 469 at the end of Day 2.

It wasn't until centurion Travis Head entered the nineties that the Indian bowlers resorted to the short-ball tactic for the Aussie batter

Ross Taylor recalled the joy of winning the 2021 World Test Championship final against India and spoke of the incentive needed to keep Test cricket alive.

India left out Ashwin and on an Oval pitch that got better for batting, the bowling attack wilted against Head (146*), Steve Smith (95*) on Day 1 of WTC final.

How can you be the best bowler in the world (Ashwin is ranked No.1) but not be good enough to make it to the playing XI of your side for a major final?

India's cricket team faces Australia in the final of the WTC, with many of its older players hoping for a last chance to claim a major trophy

Rohit Sharma believes the players will not be carrying any extra burden of expectations against Australia at The Oval

The conditions may tempt playing four pacers at The Oval in the WTC final against Australia, but Rohit Sharma knows pitch conditions can rapidly change

India, Australia are set to face off in the World Test Championship final at The Oval cricket ground, with Indian companies' posters lining the streets outside

Dravid pins faith on experienced batters and focuses on the team’s consistent performances that has led to their qualifying for the WTC Final against Australia

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India left out Ashwin and on an Oval pitch that got better for batting, the bowling attack wilted against Head (146), Steve Smith (95) on Day 1 of WTC final.