Author: Subhayan Chakraborty

Subhayan Chakraborty in Sydney Not only was Sydney gloomy on the eve of the Pink Test at the SCG, but the atmosphere around the Indian team also appeared similarly subdued. With reports of dressing-room unrest dominating the chatter around the fifth and final Test, Team India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, declined to confirm whether captain Rohit Sharma would definitely be in the playing XI for the series decider, with Australia leading 2-1. “We will look at the pitch and decide on the playing XI tomorrow,” Gambhir stated when asked about Rohit in the pre-match press conference. From then on, all…

Subhayan Chakraborty at the MCG At the end of the Boxing Day Test, TV umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat’s decision to overturn the on-field umpire’s call and rule Yashasvi Jaiswal out became a topic of discussion in the cricket world. The dismissal derailed India’s remaining hopes of securing a draw on Day 5 of the nail-biting fourth Test. But the judgement wasn’t the reason India lost. It was due to poor application, bad shot selection and lack of patience. Soon after Jaiswal’s dismissal, Akash Deep was also given out, after a catch by Travis Head at forward short leg, despite…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Melbourne Test cricket was at its best on Day 4 in Melbourne, as the game ebbed and flowed, leaving both teams pondering the potential outcome. The Indian team fought back hard, thanks to a brilliant spell from Jasprit Bumrah, but Nathan Lyon (41 not out) and Scott Boland (10 not out) stitched together an unbroken 55-run partnership off 110 balls for the last wicket, helping Australia take a lead of 333 at stumps and frustrating the visitors to the core. Although Nitish Kumar Reddy has been the star for the Indian team with his magnificent century on…

Subhayan Chakraborty at the MCG “Nerves are there, pressure is there, everything will be there,” Nitish Kumar Reddy had told RevSportz ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. “You will have to handle the nerves and pressure. You know you need to go and perform there,” He had no guarantees that he would start in all the matches. Nor did he know that he would take on one of the best pace trios and one of the greatest-ever spinners with aplomb to give India assurance with the bat down the order while also outscoring all of India’s star batters. His shots, celebrations,…

You are just 21. How are you handling the sudden pressure of being with the Indian team and all the eyeballs? Reddy: To be honest, it was a good feeling. Nerves are there, pressure is there, everything will be there. You will have to handle the nerves and pressure. You know you need to go and perform there. It feels very good when you go out there in front of Indian fans and perform. It feels like you are making your country and your state proud as well. Thankful to the BCCI for the opportunities. Do you feel you are…

Subhayan Chakraborty at the MCG India’s struggles on the field persisted into Day 2, as they failed to capitalise on a favourable wind and the relatively new ball. Steve Smith and Pat Cummins built a 112-run partnership, followed by Smith’s 44-run stand with Mitchell Starc. Australia, having ended Day 1 at 311/6, amassed 474, showcasing another disappointing performance by India’s bowlers. In response, India ended the day at 159/5, with captain Rohit Sharma’s return to the opening slot proving unproductive as he was dismissed for 3 after a poorly executed pull shot off Cummins. KL Rahul followed, falling for 24…

Subhayan Chakraborty at the Melbourne Cricket Ground It was an evenly fought opening day of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old debutant, made an eye-catching introduction. He played a scintillating knock to take the Indian pacers to the cleaners. All of Australia’s top four also scored fifties, guiding the hosts to 311/6 at stumps. Konstas sprinted to the middle for the start of play, but not before smiling his way through the national anthem. His decision to take a strike for Jasprit Bumrah’s first ball of the day…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Melbourne The Team India think tank is seriously deliberating dropping Shubman Gill, with Rohit Sharma likely to return as an opener for the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground starting on December 26. If Gill is dropped, KL Rahul could bat at No. 3. Signs of a shake-up were visible during India’s nets session, where head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah had a lengthy chat for around 45 minutes near the centre wicket at the ‘G’. Later, Gambhir, Rohit and Agarkar engaged in another 20-30…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Melbourne The atmosphere around the Melbourne Cricket Ground was electric on Christmas eve as the Indian team had their final training session before the highly-anticipated Boxing Day Test against Australia. It felt like festive season, which it indeed was, with around a thousand fans circling the open practice area at the ‘G. The interaction between the Indian players and fans was a mixture of love and irritation today; some players were annoyed by the unnecessary hooting, while others, including captain Rohit Sharma, took time for selfies and autographs. “Guys, I’m trying to practice. Please don’t make unnecessary…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Melbourne The cult of Jasprit Bumrah continues to grow as India and Australia gear up for the much-awaited Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting December 26. Before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy started, the chatter was mainly about Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma – the two megastars of Indian cricket. When the Indian team landed Down Under, the Aussie newspapers flashed photographs of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, praising them with a variety of adjectives in English, Hindi, and even Punjabi. The message was clear: the Indian team is in the country, and the…