This was His team. This is His win. This might still be Virat Kohli’s era but this is Ajinkya Rahane’s moment #AUSvIND
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Bharat Sundaresan
@beastieboy07
Cricket writer formerly with The Indian Express, now Down Under with . Cricbuzz.com. Author of #TheDhoniTouch & #Believe
Norwood, AdelaideJoined July 2009
Bharat Sundaresan’s Tweets
Only Pakistan. Only Pakistan can go from being on the brink of an embarrassing early exit to becoming the most dangerous team of a #T20WorldCup in the space of 6 days
Spotted the Pakistan players on the same flight I’m on to Perth. Really feel for them. The shock & despair from last night still writ large on their faces, Mohammad Nawaz in particular. Come on Pakistan fans, please send them a lot of love. This #T20WorldCup has just started
When Vihari lost his dad at 12, he couldn’t be traced for 4-5 days. His mother would discover later that he was winning a game for his school scoring 82. His single-mindedness then is what convinced her he’d play Test cricket someday. That determination is on show today #AUSVIND
Remember the early days of the IPL when #ShaneWarne would bring these relatively unknown young Indian cricketers along to press conferences & talk them up, giving them hyperbolic nicknames, be it “Hurricane” or “Elvis”. It was always about them. It was never about him
A proper and vocal warning from Rohit Sharma to the non-striker Nurul Hasan. “Bahar nikla toh stump uda dega” he tells him #T20WorldCup
Rohit Sharma spent 2 weeks in self-isolation to play 2 Tests in Australia. Ashwin, Rahane & Co endured strict lockdowns to finish the series. Kohli stayed back to play a Test before returning to his pregnant wife. Basically these guys won’t miss a Test simply for the IPL #ENGvIND
Aleem Dar stood outside the Aleem Dar Umpires Room taking a picture of the Aleem Dar Umpires Room board in Lahore #PAKvAUS
To all you wonderful security personnel at cricket venues around Australia. This is my fifth summer here. At some point you have to stop jumping on me, questioning my credentials, talking down to me & asking each other if “we can trust him?”. Like it or not, I’m here to stay
So many moments at the Gabba but a 21-year-old debutant, hooking the world’s No 1 fast bowler for six under immense pressure has to be right up there #AUSvIND
To reiterate bowled 19 overs on Day 4 with discomfort in his back, woke up worse for wear, kept standing in the dressing-room till the time he walked out to bat, spent the tea-break on his feet, then batted another full session to save the day. Just Special #AUSvIND
Ashwin has been struggling to even sit down in the dressing-room. Yet He’s out there copping blows to his body. His ribs are hurt. His shoulder has taken a pounding but he’s hanging in there. If Test match cricket is all about character, India have already won today #AUSvIND
Umpiring masterclass from Aleem Dar. Being alert enough this late on a hot day to pick up three men behind square is inspirational to every umpire in the world #PakvAus
That celebration from Virat Kohli, the reserved raise of the bat and the kiss to the wedding ring, after that century is a sign of where he seems to be in life & where his priorities are currently. Extremely mature & in love with his family #IndvAus
Poor Babar Azam barely even raises his bat as he walks off, punches the boundary board after having played a knock that surely now makes him the man “you’ll want to bat for your life” in word cricket #PAKvAUS
Abdullah Shafique & Babar Azam are fast becoming the classiest pair to watch together in a Test partnership #SLvPak
This is no longer a statement from Shubman Gill. It’s a declaration. He’s no longer the next big thing. He’s The Big Thing #AUSvIND
Mitchell Starc is here of course, waiting in an already crowded queue to get into Trent Bridge for the opening day of the #WAshes Test with Alyssa Healy captaining for the first time
Always knew was a man of many talents but never expected plaiting my hair to be one of them. He was very gentle too with no tugging at all, as you’d expect #T20WorldCup
A big up to . Great man. Travels all over the place adding so much quality & flavour to broadcasts all around the world. So wonderful to hear him calling such a significant moment in Zimbabwean cricket history & doing it so superbly & professionally as ever #T20WorldCup
A very appreciative tap on the helmet for Abdullah Shafique from Babar Azam, maybe on behalf of the whole of Pakistan #PAKvAUS
Absolutely chuffed to have introduced the #T20WorldCup trophy to my adopted home ground, earlier today. Hopefully I managed to bring some colour to the occasion
I’m no expert on Bollywood but surely Naseem Shah looks a lot like a young Aamir Khan from the early 1990s doesn’t he? #PAKvAUS
Abdullah Shafique has now starred in one of Pakistan’s greatest rearguard efforts in a draw (Karachi, March 2022) & in one of their greatest run-chases (Galle, July 2022) in Test history, all in the space of 3 months and 6 Tests. An old-school future star has arrived #SLvPak
"We played the kind of cricket we wanted to play. We didn't play for a draw. We played for a win. We lost. No problem. We have to maintain this kind of an approach if we have to win abroad.”
Bit of what #ViratKohli said in Adelaide (2014) that set the tone for his captaincy reign
Neither of us can clearly believe the hullabaloo over a non-event where a batter left his crease while the ball was still in play & the keeper ran him out, something that plays out across all levels of cricket everyday. Doesn’t even fall under the subject of ‘spirit’ #Ashes
David Warner with the Hasan Ali celebration at silly point right in front of Hasan Ali #PAKvAus
MS Dhoni had hinted on the sidelines during the 2016 tour to Zimbabwe that Jasprit Bumrah, who was then only 6 months old in international cricket, would captain India someday. Here we are in 2022 with Bumrah only a niggle to Rohit Sharma away from leading India in a Test #INDvSL
The emotions of winning the first-ever #Olympics 🥇 in your country’s history. What a moment for Hidilyn Diaz and the Phillipines. “At most a silver,” is what the press back home had predicted for her. Here she is going where no one from her homeland had gone before #Tokyo2020
It’s a conversation I didn’t fancy having. It’s a piece that I didn’t enjoy writing. But I’m glad I did because the first step to dealing with racism is calling it out, however uncomfortable it is to do so. Thanks to for letting me have my say
Intimidating and destructive are terms generally used for fast bowling pairs. Have to say R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are as intimidating and destructive a bowling pair as any the cricket world has ever seen #IndvAus
If 2005 wasn’t the Ashes this would be the greatest Test series of all time. On second thought, even if 2005 was the Ashes, this is the greatest Test series of all time #AUSvIND
Just two captains discussing one of the greatest Tests of all time. What a show this has been from Pat Cummins, Ben Stokes and their teams #Ashes
Interesting treatment of the pitch in Nagpur. The groundstaff watered the entire centre of the surface & only the length areas outside the left-hander’s leg stump & then rolled only the centre, stopping short every time they got to the good length areas at both ends #IndvAus
Classic, old-school game management by Rohit Sharma. “Time Le le,” he tells Pujara before the last ball of the session is bowled to make sure it’s the last over. Pujara marks his guard again. “Aur bhi time le Le,” Rohit tells him & Pujara steps down & scratches the pitch #IndvAus
Minutes after that crazy finish, Pat Cummins acknowledged the rather loud Australian supporters group next to the pavilion by pumping his fists and going, “You guys had to cop a lot from them (the English fans) didn’t you? but we did it,” before another pump of the fists #Ashes
All that emotion on Chandrakant Pandit’s face as he hugged Rinku Singh repeatedly perfectly complemented Rinku Singh’s lack of emotion while he was pulling off one of the IPL’s greatest ever heists. Incredible finish #IPL2023
If this is how England are going to play Test cricket, then this could well be the start of a new era for Test cricket, not just their cricket #ENGvNZ
As becomes the first player to retire out in the IPL, I can’t help but think about the time he’s done with his playing days and is heading the ICC men’s Cricket Committee. Imagine the innovations he’ll bring into and for the game #IPL2022
The entire Indian camp and Michael Neser applaud Shardul Thakur off the Gabba after a sensational knock #AUSvIND
Has to be the first time Virat Kohli would have walked out to bat from the Virat Kohli pavilion in a Test match. As someone who’s never even owned a house, I have no idea what that must feel like #IndvAus
Like he did in his very first Test at the helm in Adelaide 2014 & right through the 7 years he held the reins, Virat Kohli’s legacy as Test captain will be how he got the Indian team to believe in the power of chasing victory, even if it was done at the risk of losing #ViratKohli
Such a relief that Rishabh Pant is safe. But his horrific accident is just a reminder that away from the glitz, glamour & big paycheques, these high-profile cricketers live lives as fickle as ours. And it’s so vital to remember that when we talk & write about them
Another reminder that fast bowlers win Test matches in Pakistan #PAKvAUS
Whether Rohit Sharma replaces Virat Kohli or not & regardless of how long Tim Paine & Aaron Finch continue on as captains, I personally can’t wait for the day India led by Jasprit Bumrah take on Australia captained by Pat Cummins
It’s a common occurrence before and during a Ajinkya Rahane knock. Him in a brief state of deep meditation #IndvEng
And after four days of running roughshod over the English, the camera finally catches up with who has expertly avoided it so far #indveng
That Jos Buttler can score a century in 67 balls to destroy an opposition in one format & then survive for 183 balls (and counting) scoring 25 runs in another format 1.5 months later to try and save a Test tells you why he’s a once in a generation talent #Ashes
The first “Bharat” (first name Bharat) to play Test cricket for India since I was born has pulled off a fluid stumping as his first Test dismissal and it feels very good to be a Bharat #IndvAus
It’s 2022 and is still making comebacks to the Indian squad. One of the most fascinating international careers of this century continues to wage on & unlike with some there’s no question of who’s writing his scripts. For, you know he’s doing it himself #IndvSA
Australia have pushed India into a corner quite a few times this series. But in every corner, India have found a hero, or two. Story of this incredible Test tour for India #AUSvIND
And now Rohit Sharma has left the net without facing another ball and it doesn’t look very good unfortunately #T20WorldCup
Now that’s one way of showing some respect to your senior players. Iftikhar Ahmed offering his lap for Azhar Ali to sit on during the drinks break #PAKVAUS
“You’ll end up with a five-wicket haul in this Test series. Your father’s dua (blessing) is with you,” is what the two head coaches had told Mohammad Siraj when he went for practice following his dad’s passing. Two months later. A Star is Born #AUSvIND
Exactly 12 months ago, Shardul Thakur spent 1.5 hours bowling his heart out in the SCG nets, even indulging in a bouncer battle against Rohit Sharma, with hopes of a Test recall that wasn’t to be. A year on, he’s a cult hero & very much an intergal member of the Test team #SAvIND
The inseparable pair of David Warner and Shaheen Afridi are even walking into the stadium together these days #PakvAus
Not certain but it sure did seem like Babar Azam wanted to offer his business class seat with the extra leg room to one of his fast bowlers but looks like they’ve turned down the generous offer. The flight to Perth is nearly 4.5 hours for the record #T20WorldCup
Watching Virat Kohli & Ajinkya Rahane survive a spell with a Dukes ball in very English conditions from Tim Southee just makes you wish for more neutral Tests #WTCFinal
Just got justifiably pulled over by a cop car for struggling with my manual rental car on the highway. A friendly & rather helpful cop walks over checks my driving license, gives me some useful directions & goes, “same old Aussies, always cheating”. The #Ashes are well & truly on
The first cricket hoarding spotted in Karachi. You’re also welcomed here with a board right outside the airport that says “Karachi, the Cricket City” #PAKvAUS
When I left for Australia 4.5 years ago, I didn’t think it’ll take an #IndvAus Test series to bring me back to the motherland, for Bharat to be reunited with Bharat. Here we go though. Let the India tour and travels commence #Homecoming
Afridi to Warner has to be the first time ever that a fast bowler sent a stump cartwheeling & then walked up to the batter to shake his hand #PAKvAUS
A lot of talk about Australia not wanting to panic at any point during this tour. Unfortunately, we’ve seen 90 minutes of absolute panic with the Pat Cummins shot probably the emblem of that panic #IndvAus
The net session on Day 4 where he kept telling the throwdown specialists to “not be scared” in bowling bouncers because they couldn’t hurt him & he battled through the pain telling himself he was fine. The making of a classic #AUSvIND
Here are and taking batting in pairs to the next level. They’re facing the bowler together, at the same time #IndvAus
Thanks a lot to the public of Nagpur for all the love. Felt very special to have so many of you cheering and waving. Special mention to those flashing the devil’s sign🤟. Nothing like being identified as a metalhead #IndvAus
With the shape that Vihari’s hamstring seems to be in currently, he might well miss the next Test & be out for a while. And then who knows what happens once India are back on home soil. He is literally putting his career on the line by staying out there #AUSvIND
The Ricky Ponting episode yesterday is another reminder to men everywhere to get yourself checked the moment you feel anything untoward with your heart. And 35 really is the new 50 when it comes to focusing on heart health in the modern world
What a moment for . He’s been more than just a coach for this team. He’s been a father figure, even a father at times to a number of them. We came here to win a series, not a Test he said. And his team have done just that #AUSvIND
Disappointing that isn’t among the many names being discussed to be the next full-time head coach for England or Australia despite India having won two Test series in Australia & being put in a great position to win in England during his reign #Langer #Silverwood
The beauty of Babar Azam is you will get plenty of chances to replug your story. And he’s proved yet again that when Babar puts on a show, everyone & everything else in the match is only incidental #PAKvAus cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/1
Honestly, the Indian men’s Test team in 2021, aren’t scripting victories, they seem to be scripting actual miracles #EngvIND
Imagine what Matt Kuhnemann would have said if someone told him four weeks ago that he’ll go to India, open the bowling in both innings of his debut Test & then open the batting in the final Test of the series #IndvAus
With the professor in the house, it was only fair that I stayed standing throughout his stint. Very reminiscent of every lecture I’ve ever attended #T20WorldCup
16504 is the number of balls had faced in his Test career before facing one on his home ground in Lahore today. Talk about homecomings #PakvAus
One thing Natarajan and Thakur aren’t short on is bowling practice. They’ve bowled more overs than anyone else in the nets over the last month and a half #AUSvIND
A lesson on never forgetting your roots from Nathan Lyon. Left the celebration in the dressing-room & walked all the way with a few match-used jumpers to hand over to the groundstaff, despite them having given Australia a pitch where Lyon didn’t get to bowl a single ball #Ashes
This might be the end of the Ravi Shastri era but also spare a thought for Bharat Arun & the incredible contribution he’s made to Indian cricket not just as bowling coach but as the chief strategist in the dressing-room & a very close confidant of #T20WorldCup #INDvNAM
If players were picked purely on the basis of how well they look in the nets, would be bowling at on Thursday. Has beaten the bat of or struck the pads of , & every time he has bowled to them #AUSvIND
Ravindra Jadeja has finally taken his left glove off. It’s a sign #AUSvIND
Lots of stray chatter about whether Rahane should replace Kohli as Test captain. But would you want to ever captain again if you were and not just be remembered as the man who led the greatest series heist in Test history. How do you even better that? #AUSvIND
Whatever the outcome, this has already been a masterclass on batting on a raging turner from Virat Kohli #IndvAus
Debut or not, this is one of the most impressive spells from a finger spinner from outside the subcontinent in India in the last 30 years & the Jadeja wicket, including the setup, is the cherry on top. No wonder Rahul Dravid was patting him on the back before play today #IndvAus
The best part of being in Delhi was getting to cover a Test again with the man who made it all happen for me, Sandeep Dwivedi, my boss in India from start to finish, who took a long-haired fellow with a dubious past & made a journalist out of him #IndvAus
Shubman Gill the first man into the nets in Indore. Wonder if it is a sign of anything or that he’s just early to the ground #IndvAus
Bowl your heart out in the nets, get the better of the team’s best batsmen, pick their brains on what he can do better & spend a few hours on video chat with the daughter he’s never met or held in his hands. That’s been ’s schedule during this Test series #AUSvIND
Lovely scenes in the Pakistan dressing-room currently. David Warner of course sat next to Shaheen Afridi while Marnus chats away with Rizwan with Khawaja & Azhar Ali catching up next to them while some of the younger Pakistanis look on in awe #PakvAus
The man who handed him the Test cap, , is the man who greets him first as walks off after quite the ‘stand up and take notice’ knock on Test debut at the Gabba #AUSvIND
Maybe a controversial take but based on what we’ve seen them achieve in these incredibly tough circumstances with a heavily depleted roster over the last two Tests, this has to be the Toughest Indian team during my lifetime, regardless of whether they’re the best or not #AUSvIND
Wonder if we could occasionally have an ODI series played with a red ball with the teams in whites just to see if the bowlers can have still a proper say in this format or if power hitting simply has evolved beyond control #IndvEng
That a couple of the Aussies immediately walked towards the stands next to their dressing-room after winning & posed for pictures and signed stuff for fans tells you that their contribution to Pakistan & this tour goes well beyond what they’ve achieved on the field #PAKvAUS
Of course they got the smallest kid in the group to stand in front of Marco Jansen. Too cute #AusvSA
