Prithi on Ravi
Top cricket stories for 6th March 2024
What were you doing at 5’5?
The new Women’s fast ball record, IND’s blind team needs support, & pics of the NY’s pop-up stadium for IND-PAK.
The Delhi Capitals beat the Mumbai Indians by 29 runs to lock themselves in as favourites for the WPL (at least to me!). Meanwhile, MI’s 5-foot-5 pacer Shabnim Ismail bowled the fastest recorded delivery in women’s cricket at a ridiculous 132.1 km/h. Someone needs to do a story on her biomechanics yesterday.
ESPNcricinfo’s Vishal Dikshit & Shashank Kishore write about everything we learned during the WPL’s first half in Bangalore, while Dikshit covers what to expect on- and off-pitch now that the tournament is in Delhi.
ESPNcricinfo’s Danyal Rasool has a roundup of the PSL action, including how the Multan Sultans have taken the league by storm.
India’s (highly successful) blind cricket team is hoping for BCCI recognition and central contracts, much like their neighbours in Pakistan get.
Disney Hotstar has confirmed that the T20 World Cup will streamed for free on their app in India. Meanwhile, the ICC has shared photos of the pop-up stadium in Nassau County that will host the India-Pakistan match.
Prithi on Ravi
Ashwin’s wife pens a heartfelt & honest tribute, the man talks about his emotions in the moment, & Kumble interviews his successor.
Prithi Ashwin, the spinner’s wife, has an incredible article on his career and their marriage for Indian Express, including what it takes to be married to a professional athlete, how Covid forced them to find a new path because of his age, and what 100 Tests means.
Ashwin talked to the press in a BCCI-captured video about the milestone, the importance his family has played in supporting him, and what he has learnt along the way.
Anil Kumble interviewed Ashwin, one great to another, in a fascinating conversation on JioCinema. This may be behind a paywall? I don’t know, it’s a weird platform.
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Kane & Jonny reach 100 too, Bumrah’s quiet fury breaks Bazball, & how the Azad Maidan keeps churning out stars.
Stuff’s Andrew Voerman pens a great report on what distinguishes Kane Williamson from everyone else, and from an early age, as the Kiwi great reaches the 100-Test milestone as well.
The Guardian’s Mark Ramprakash writes about the spontaneous brilliance that has sustained Jonny Bairstow as he hits a 100 as well. Momentous week.
Indian Express’ Sandeep Dwivedi writes about how Jasprit Bumrah’s quiet fury and competitiveness has put Bazball to rest.
Hindustan Times’ Sanjjeev K Samyal writes about Azad Maidan, from whence came Rohit Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan & Yashasvi Jaiswal, and how the local ground holds its own in an era of shiny infrastructure and academies. [Listen, I don’t have that much time to put these together. I think I get one free ‘whence"‘ occasionally!]
England 2024 or Australia 2017?
Is this IND’s best series victory this century, profiling Ben Duckett, & the shambles that is NZ cricket.
The Runorder crew at ESPNcricinfo debate where this Test series victory ranks in India’s recent history, and whether it is more significant that the 2017 win over Australia.
Jarrod Kimber profiles Ben Duckett, one of England’s best openers and absolute off-field nut job (in the best way).
The BYC Podcast discuss the shambles that is Kiwi cricket right now, between the Australia loss & Neil Wagner’s seemingly forced exit. [Apple Podcasts]
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