SPORTS

Ashwin justified his top billing in ICC Test bowlers' ranking with figures of 5 for 60 in 24.3 overs to decimate West Indies for a lowly 150 in 64.3 overs with Ravindra Jadeja (3/26 in 14 overs) beautifully complementing him to make life miserable for the home team batters.

With more than an hour available for batting skipper Rohit Sharma (30 batting, 65 balls) and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal (40 batting, 73 balls) added 80 runs for the opening stand to bring down first innings deficit to 70 going into second day.

Ravichandran Ashwin recently disclosed that Team India head coach Rahul Dravid engaged in a lengthy discussion with a bartender in West Indies concerning Jonny Bairstow's controversial stumping during the second Ashes 2023 Test. According to the seasoned spinner, while conversing with the bartender and a waiter, Dravid and the locals debated whether Bairstow was rightfully given out. Their discussion covered topics such as the rules of the game and the spirit of cricket. During their conversation, an enthusiastic elderly man interjected, exclaiming, "He Bairstow maan, he out maan!"

It is common belief that Indian cricketers are some of the highest-earning sports persons around the world. India cricket legends like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have a net-worth of over Rs 1,000 crore each, according to latest reports. However, their earning pale in comparison to these two first-class cricketers – Aryaman Birla and Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad – who have a combined net-worth of over Rs 90,000 crore reportedly.

Between the two, Aryaman Birla is probably the more accomplished cricketer and the biggest business scion as well. Aryaman made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season. In November 2018, he went on to score his maiden first-class century as well.

India are all set to take part in the ODI World Cup 2023 that will begin from October 5, and they will enter the competition with a home advantage, with the mega tournament being held entirely in India for the first time ever. However, the Men in Blue have not performed well in ICC tournaments in the recent past. India last won an ICC tournament 10 years ago, when they clinched the Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni in 2013. The team have been heavily criticized for their decade long trophy drought, and now former skipper Sourav Ganguly has pointed out the reason as to why India have not done well in ICC tournaments in the recent past.

Australia batter Steve Smith had a heated verbal exchange with England keeper Jonny Bairstow in the late stages of Day 2 of the Leeds Test match. Smith, who got out for two runs in the second and final innings for the Australians snapped back at Bairstow who bid a cheeky goodbye to the batter after his dismissal against Moeen Ali.

"See ya, Smudge!" Bairstow said to Smith after he handed a simple catch to Ben Duckett standing at short mid-wicket.