Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has hit back at former England captain Michael Vaughan’s comments about India being the “most under-achieving” sports team in history. Vaughan pointed out that India hasn’t won an ICC trophy since 2013 despite having the requisite skillset and all the resources. Ashwin admitted that India hasn’t won ICC trophies for years, but he stated that their Test side has performed well regardless of the conditions, achieving favorable results. Ashwin also recalled how well Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer batted on day 1 at Centurion despite losing 3 wickets early.

“Michael Vaughan made a statement after the first Test that India is an underachieving team. Yes, we haven’t won ICC trophies for years. We call ourselves the powerhouses of the game. But the Test team has been one of the best,” Ashwin said. Vaughan’s comments had come after India’s heavy innings defeat to South Africa at Centurion. Ashwin stated that Vaughan’s comments made him laugh and that India’s Test team has been performing well despite the lack of ICC trophies. India’s Test team has been one of the best traveling teams, achieving commendable results, especially in challenging conditions. Ashwin’s response comes in the wake of India’s heavy defeat to South Africa at Centurion, which prompted Vaughan’s critical assessment. The off-spinner’s remarks have sparked discussions about India’s cricketing achievements and the significance of Test match performances in the broader context of the team’s success.

England will take their chef on tour to India later this month to try and avoid players falling ill during the seven-week trip. The chef will join the squad in Hyderabad before the first Test on January 25 in an attempt to keep on top of the players’ nutrition. England took a chef to Pakistan last winter and it was deemed a big success even though many players, and the chef himself, went down with food poisoning on the eve of the first Test in Islamabad. England insists it has nothing to do with not trusting hotels to provide clean facilities and is instead about ensuring players, especially those who refuse to eat spicy food, are eating nutritious meals rather than filling up on energy bars and pizzas. Omar Meziane, the chef who was with the team in Pakistan and now works for Manchester United, was a popular addition to the touring squad, and the good mood in the camp was reflected by results on the field with England winning the Test series 3-0. Meziane prepared all the food at hotels and lunches on the grounds. It is common for top football teams and international rugby sides to take their chefs on overseas trips, but England is the first to do so in cricket.

It does run the risk of offending their hosts with England staying at good hotels and India boasting some of the best chefs in the world, but it is unlikely the BCCI will object, especially as the chef will be paid for by the ECB. Head coach Brendon McCullum is very wary of letting outsiders into the team bubble but has agreed to the chef being added to a backroom team that has slimmed down considerably on his watch. It is a far cry from India tours of the past when England players were known to fill their kit bags with tinned food from home in a bid to avoid illness. Now the players stay in five-star luxury and Western food is ubiquitous. It also highlights the difference between the richer and poorer nations. England can afford to take a chef on tour while the West Indies are not …

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for the Cricketer of the Year 2023. The nominees include former Indian captain Virat Kohli and Australian pace sensation Pat Cummins. This announcement has set the stage for an exciting battle for the most coveted individual award in cricket. The nominees for the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2023 have been revealed, with Virat Kohli and Pat Cummins being the standout contenders for the esteemed Sir Garfield Sobers Award. The award recognizes the player who has made a significant impact across multiple formats of the game during the year.

Virat Kohli, known for his exceptional batting prowess and leadership, has been a consistent performer for the Indian team. On the other hand, Pat Cummins, the Australian pace spearhead, has been a formidable force with his bowling skills and valuable contributions with the bat. The announcement of these nominees has generated widespread anticipation and discussions within the cricketing community. Both Kohli and Cummins have had impressive performances throughout the year, and their nomination for the Cricketer of the Year award is a testament to their outstanding contributions to the sport. The Sir Garfield Sobers Award is considered the most prestigious individual honor in cricket, and the competition for the 2023 title is expected to be intense. The winner will be revealed at the ICC Awards, where the outstanding achievements of players across various categories will be recognized and celebrated.

As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the outcome, the nominations of Virat Kohli and Pat Cummins for the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2023 have added an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming awards ceremony. The performances of these two exceptional players have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the sport, and their nomination for this esteemed award is a reflection of their remarkable talent and dedication to the game.