FEARLESSNESS – NEW BRAND OF INDIAN CRICKET
In the twilight of GABBA Test in early 2021 , India’s gloveman the flamboyant Rishab Pant hit the ball into the long off boundary off Hazlewood in the 97th over , as India broke another streak of Aussies, this time their fortress “GABBATOIR” breech after 32 years and India romped home this Test with 3 wickets to spare chasing 329 runs. It also signalled a 2-1 scoreline win in the Test series, a repeat of 2018-19 margin, retaining the BG Trophy. And he continued his sublime batting form when England toured India for a 4 Test series a couple of months back, hitting a powerful century at Ahmedabad . And now the 23 year old Pant’s given the mantle of leadership in an IPL team this year.
And a new buzzword “Fearlessness” became a brand in Indian cricket now. And the player who started it was an intrepid young southpaw, Rishabh Pant.
Shubman Gill making debut as opener at SCG last year made a memorable debut series including a match winning 91 at GABBA and a half century against England in the recent series.
Overcoming a personal tragedy, Mohammad Siraj, who lost is father while on tour to Australia with his indomitable spirit, made a remarkable debut at SCG and in that series taking 13 wickets with his swing and seldom bowling bouncers, including a fifer at GABBA, leading the pace bowling attack only in his second Test in the absence of senior pace bowlers.
T.Natarajan, raised in a small hamlet with no formal coaching, with his rusticity appeal made a dream debut across formats in Down Under Tour last year came into reckoning with his stinging “Yorkers” claimed 3 wickets on his Test debut innings.
Washington Sundar, the rookie off spinner for the GABBA Test in the absence of India’s ace spinners, with his 3 scalps on his debut innings made a mark.. But his batting came in handly for India in Australia tour and against England in India scored two half centuries including an unbeaten 96 at Ahmedabad.
Shardul Thakur , another debutant all rounder at GABBA with his beautiful swing bowling claimed 7 wickets and also scored a scintillating half century and helped India win GABBA test.
Axar Patel made a sensational Test debut at Chennai in the second test against touring England a couple of months back with his left arm tweaks claiming 7 wickets in the Test including a fifer in the second innings helped India win the Test. And twoTests at Ahmedabad , his home ground, he had 20 wickets in his kitty and India trounced England in both Tests
Ishan Kishan, the diminutive left arm , a product of IPL’s Mumbai Indian team with his swashbuckling cameo knock i on his debut T20I for India against England came into prominence for India in T20. His knock included a star-studded 32 ball half century with 5 boundaries and four sixes last month played at Ahmedabad.
Suryakumar Yadav ( SKY) another Mumabai Indian product hit the headlines with a fluent 57 runs in 31 balls in his 2nd T20I match with six boundaries and three sixes for India against England last month .
Prasidh Krishna, the bowling sensation in IPL circles made his ODI debut for India against England last month bowled well and got 4 wickets . The right arm quickie known for his speed and swing was awarded the MOM award in this match.
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