Just days before the crucial second Test in Guwahati, South Africa’s bowling coach Piet Botha has raised eyebrows with his comments on the pitch’s grass cover. With Kagiso Rabada’s fitness in the balance and memories of Kolkata’s unpredictable surface fresh, the stage is set for another high-stakes pitch debate.
England’s Bazball revolution, led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, has electrified Test cricket at home. But its true test arrives Down Under in the 2025 Ashes, where a fearsome pace attack and a 15-year drought collide in a high-stakes drama.
In a candid admission, Kuldeep Yadav has revealed that the next four to five years are pivotal for his future in Test cricket, prioritizing fitness and his role as an attacking match-winner for India.
In a shocking development, former Test captain Azhar Ali has resigned from his dual roles at the PCB, citing frustration with internal red tape and a major shift in youth team management.
In a passionate defense of head coach Gautam Gambhir, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has lashed out at critics and the much-maligned Kolkata pitch. Ahead of the crucial Guwahati Test, Kotak stood firm: the backlash is unfair and misdirected.
India’s hopes for a comeback in Guwahati could be dented by an unwelcome boost for South Africa: Kagiso Rabada remains in contention for the second Test, and Simon Harmer is confirmed to play. With a pitch likely to assist spin, this series is turning into a high-stakes tactical duel.