NEW DELHI: India opener and World Cup hero Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday called time on his career as a cricketer, announcing his retirement from all forms of the game. The 37-year old took to social media to reveal the decision.

ALSO READ: Full text of Gambhir's retirement announcement

"The most difficult decisions are often taken with the heaviest of hearts. And with one heavy heart, I’ve decided to make an announcement that I’ve dreaded all my life," Gambhir wrote while sharing an emotional video on both Twitter and Facebook.




Delhi's next Ranji Trophy game against Andhra, beginning on December 6, will be Gambhir's farewell match. The decision means the left-hander will also not be a part of next year's Indian Premier League.

READ ALSO: Gautam Gambhir - Where courage triumphed over talent

"IT IS OVER GAUTI. So, here I am, after more than 15 years of cricket for my country I want to retire from playing this beautiful game. Despite all the aches and pains; fears and failures I won’t mind a repeat of this in my next life too. But obviously with a few more wins for India, a few more hundreds and in the next life may be a few 5-wicket hauls as well," an emotional Gambhir said in the video.

"This may sound a little wishful but then I have seen wishes do come true. Two World Cups, highest run-getter in finals of both these games is a stuff dreams are made of and I only had this dream of winning the World Cup for you all. I think someone up there was writing my script but looks like now he has ran out of his ink!," the former India captain added.

The left-handed batsman will be remembered for his crucial knocks in both the 2007 World T20 and 2011 ICC World Cup finals. He had also led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles as captain in 2012 and 2014.

Gambhir last played for Indian national team in a Test against England in 2016. In all, he has represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is in 15 years long international career. He has scored 4154 runs in Tests at an average of 41.95, which included 9 hundreds and 22 fifties. In ODIs, he accumulated 5238 runs at 39.68 (11 hundreds and 34 fifties) and in the shortest format of the game, he has 932 runs with the help of seven half-centuries.

The left-hander also had a prolific first-class career, which spanned 197 matches and produced 15,041 runs. He has 10,077 runs in List A cricket.

DUBAI: The mood around the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday did not give the sense that it is going to play host to 25,000 fans who will brave the sun and heat to cheer either India or Bangladesh in a big Asia Cup final on Friday. The tournament has been sort of an anti-climax. The day the fixtures were drawn, it seemed the market forces and the caretakers of cricket had designed it to make up for the lack of India-Pakistan bilateral series. Two encounters were ensured but the big one did not happen. In a tournament of underdogs - where Afghanistan gave the big boys a scare - Bangladesh have made it to the final.



READ ALSO: Mushfiqur Rahim sets the middle-order tone for Bangladesh

So, you now have a team focused on retaining its pride as the top-ranked bunch in the tournament, and the other eager to give some happiness to its passionate fans back home. The usual drill ahead of such a final sees teams going through the paces in the practice area, polishing their skills. This time, neither team turned up for practice. Blame it on the heat and humidity and the cruel schedule. The organisers will certainly have to plan the tournament better. Yet, there is a final to be played, a final that has now come thrice for Bangladesh in Asia Cup cricket in the last four editions. A final that could be a game-changer in their cricketing history.

India, save the last edition which was played in T20 format, haven't been able to win the tournament post the 2011 World Cup triumph. Their smooth run here and Bangladesh's toil would make Rohit Sharma's men the favourites. But the Indian players are fighting their own little battles trying to stay in shape in the light of a cramped calendar that keeps them on the road for nearly 85 per cent days of the year.


"We won the Asia Cup the moment Tamim (Iqbal) batted with a fractured thumb in the first match against Sri Lanka," claimed Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza, still recovering from previous night's grind against Pakistan. Their star allrounder has flown back, their crisis man Mushfiqur Rahim is in pain due to an injured rib cage and the captain himself has a dodgy little finger in his bowling arm.

"When you are in such a situation in a battlefield, you either kill or get killed," Mushfiqur gave a peek into the mindset of the Bangladesh team after knocking Pakistan out on Wednesday night. Both Mushfiqur and Mortaza know that the match is billed as a chance for their team to settle scores with India after what happened in the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal, 2016 World T20 and the 2017 Champions Trophy. "They (India) are a far better team. We will fight till the end as we did against Pakistan," Mortaza conceded.


When asked about the growing India-Bangladesh rivalry in white ball cricket, India opener Shikhar Dhawan simply said: "Wasn't there a rivalry before that 2015 match? We are fine off the field." Not playing a final against Pakistan may have taken that extra pressure off the Indians. But Shikhar did have encouraging words for Bangladesh cricket.

"It's been just 18-20 years that they are playing international cricket. The fact they are consistently making the finals is commendable. Hopefully, we will win tomorrow. We could see them crossing that barrier also," he said.

DUBAI: India opener Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday said there was "no shame" in his disastrous run of form in the Tests against England as his plans did not work out despite giving his all.

ALSO READ: Asia Cup Final, IND v BAN - Top players to watch

Dhawan, whose place in the Test team is under threat for the home series against the West Indies, seemed unfazed about a possible axe.

The batsman, who has made a Test comeback in the past on the basis of his stellar showing in white-ball cricket, is back amongst the runs in the ongoing Asia Cup.

"I think it always helps when you perform well (irrespective of the form). Agar fayda hona hoga to ho jayega, nahi hona hoga to nai hoga (will see if my current form helps me in Tests). Whenever I play, red ball or white ball, I utilise whatever knowledge I have of the game," said Dhawan on the eve of the Asia Cup final against Bangladesh here.

"If you talk about the England Test, I did not do well but I gave it all. Others played better than me. I accept it. There is no shame in it. Then I came here to play white-ball cricket, had different plans because of different conditions. Sometimes they (plans) work sometimes they don't," the stylish left-hander said in his defence.

Talking about Friday's final, Dhawan said Bangladesh will pose a stiff challenge even though India beat them comfortably in Super Four.

"Pakistan may be a bigger team on paper but Bangladesh played better cricket than them and are in the final again. They are always tough to beat, especially at home. They are showing by performances they have gotten so much better. They know how to play under pressure.

"They play fearlessly against big teams and you have to appreciate that. Having said that, it takes time (to win major events). For them reaching the final is also a big thing. Hopefully, we will win tomorrow but you will see them crossing the barrier in some other tournament."

Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have provided India solid starts and that is one of the reasons why the side is unbeaten in the tournament.

When asked whether there was extra pressure on the two senior batsmen in the absence of skipper Virat Kohli, the southpaw said: "It was not like that. We felt that we had more responsibility in Virat's absence. It was a tournament where the management could give opportunity to the upcoming players, find out who all are equipped to bat in the middle order.

"That is why we took rest also (against Afghanistan), so that guys who have not spent time in the middle get to do that. Virat around or not, Rohit and I approach every match the same way, with the same effort. There is obviously a lot of difference between England weather and the weather here but we train well to deal with that."

On India-Bangladesh rivalry getting bigger with time, especially after the 2015 series when the latter won at home, Dhawan added: "Well, there was rivalry before that also. There will always be rivalry on the field. Off the field, we are friends but on it we have to do our job."

DUBAI: India ticked all boxes as they clinically decimated Pakistan by eight wickets in a lopsided Asia Cup group league encounter on Wednesday.

Scorecard | As it happened

It was a superlative effort from the bowling unit that saw them shoot out Pakistan for a paltry 162 in 43.1 overs before Rohit Sharma (52 off 39 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (46 off 54 balls) added 86 for the opening wicket to ensure a smooth chase for the 'Men In Blue' in only 29 overs.

This was India's most comprehensive victory in terms of balls remaining (126).

After a wake-up call against Hong Kong, the Pakistan match was a near perfect performance for India as Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/15 in 7 overs) and Kedar Jadhav (3/23 in 9 overs) were perfectly complemented by Jasprit Bumrah (2/23 in 7.1 overs) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/37 in 8 overs).

If Kuldeep's googly to snuff out Babar Azam was the turning point, Kedar Jadhav's unconventional side-arm off-breaks broke the lower middle-order as Pakistan never recovered from the batting collapse.

With the pressure of scoreboard virtually non-existent, Rohit and Dhawan showed why they are one of the most formidable opening pair in white-ball cricket.

The eighth over from Usman Khan enabled India to cut loose as Rohit first hooked him for a six using the pace of the delivery and followed it up with a pull shot for boundary and then short arm pull in front of square for another six. With 19 runs coming off that over, there was no looking back for India.

Rohit's third six was another hook shot off Hasan Ali followed by a drive through mid-off to complete his 35th half century in ODIs. He was fooled by a googly from Shadab Khan but by then India were on course for a comprehensive victory. Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik both contributed 31 to take India past finish line with consummate ease.

The two teams will now meet in Super Four on September 23.

Earlier, Jadhav produced a laudable performance as he did the job of a frontline spinner after Hardik Pandya (0/24 in 4.5 overs) was stretchered off the field due to an acute lower back injury.

This was after young Babar Azam (47) and veteran Shoaib Malik (43) added 82 runs for the third wicket and looked like taking control of the proceedings.

However, Pakistan suffered a batting collapse losing five wickets for 36 runs before Faheem Ashraf (21) and Mohammed Amir (16) added an invaluable 37 runs for the eighth wicket to take the total past 150-run mark.

Put into bat, Pakistan were in trouble straight away as Bhuvneshwar dealt a twin blow removing the in-form duo of Imam-ul-Haq (2) and Fakhar Zaman (0) to reduce them to 2 for 3.

Imam charged to a short of length delivery that climbed on him and the thickish outside edge was taken by Dhoni. Zaman, India's tormentor in the Champions Trophy, mistimed a pull-shot and Yuzvendra Chahal took a well-judged catch.

Babar and Malik then resurrected the innings with a fine partnership. The half-volleys on both sides of the wicket were driven with ferocity.

Malik, who is a good player of spin bowling, gave Kuldeep Yadav the charge to hit him for a six and rotated the strike well.

In fact, Malik was dropped off Pandya's bowling, whose agonies increased when he had to leave the field.

Babar failed to read Kuldeep's googly as it clipped his off-bail. From 85 for 2, it soon became 100 for five as Pakistan lost wickets in a heap.

Sarfraz Ahmed (6) was dismissed by Jadhav as substitute fielder Manish Pandey took a blinder at long-on.

The Pakistani batsmen found it extremely difficult to read Jadhav's round-arm action as he bowled straight and wide. Asif Ali was caught behind and then Malik was run-out by a direct throw from Ambati Rayudu.

Shadab Khan (8) was stumped by Dhoni as he became Yadav's third victim of the match.

Faheem and Amir did try their bit as Pakistan crossed the 150-run mark before Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah wrapped up the tail in the 44th over.

HONG KONG INNINGS (259/8)

End of Over 50: India (285/7) beat Hong Kong (259/8) by 26 runs in Group A match at Dubai. (Nizakat Khan 92, Anshuman Rath 73; Kuldeep Chahal 3/46, Khaleel Ahmed 3/48)

49.1 overs: Slower one from Khaleel and chipped straight up by Ehsan Khan (22). Easy return catch for the youngster, who now has three wickets.

End of Over 48: The writing is on the wall! HKG 249/7, requiring 37 off 12 balls now.

46.3 overs: Stumped! McKechnie (7) misses the line jumping out to Kuldeep. Easy job for Dhoni, who removes the stumps. HKG 240/7.



End of Over 45: Chahal strikes twice in one over. Kinchit (17) first to go caught by Dhawan and then Aizaz LBW for a first-ball duck. HKG 230/6, requiring 56 runs in 30 balls. Chahal finishes with figures of 3/46.

End of Over 43: HKG are hanging in there, with Kinchit Shah using the long handle well. 13 runs in that over from Chahal, including a six by Shah. HKG 220/4.

40.2 overs: Fourth HKG batsman falls as Yuzvendra Chahal gets among the wickets by dismissing Babar Hayat (18) caught behind. HKG 199/4 in 40.2 overs.

39.1 overs: Khaleel strikes again as he gets an edge off Christopher Carter's (3) bat. Dhoni does the rest with a simple catch. HKG 191/3.

End of Over 38: The asking rate has gone past 8.50. Babar Hayat and Christopher Cart has a huge task at hand. HKG 183/2.

35.4 overs: First international wicket for Khaleel Ahmed! Nizakat trapped LBW for 92. Decision reviewed by the batsman but that's out! Hong Kong lose two quick wickets. 175/2.

34.1 overs: First wicket for India! Kuldeep strikes as Anshuman (73) drives it straight to Rohit at short cover. HKG 174/1 .



Drinks Break: HKG 167/0 in 33 overs, need 119 runs more in 102 balls. Nizakat Khan batting on 87, Anshuman on 71.

End of Over 31: Shardul Thakur returns to the crease and it results in two boundaries for Hong Kong. In total 13 runs from the over. His figures 0/41 in 4 overs. HKG 157/0.

29th over: Fifty for HKG captain Anshuman Rath - his seventh in ODIs. Can he kick on to play a big one to stun India?

End of Over 28: Chahal and Yadav have completed 12 overs between them (6 each) giving away 44 runs in total without a wicket. That speaks volumes about the way Nizakat (79*) and Anshuman (48*) have read and played the spin twins. HKG 135/0.

End of Over 25: Hong Kong will take this any day against India. They are 130/0 chasing 286 to win. Nizakat on 74* and Anshuman 46*.

End of Over 21: HKG 115/0 as Nizakat Khan seems to be cramping up in hot Dubai conditions.

End of Over 18: Hong Kong raise their first ever 100-run opening partnership with Nizakat (60*) and Anshuman (32*) taking their team to 101/0 in 18 overs in reply to India's 285/7.



End of Over 15: DROPPED! Yuzvendra Chahal puts down a low but catchable return chance to let off Anshuman Rath (29*), who, along with Nizakat Khan (54*), is playing India's spin twins Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav watchfully. HKG 89/0.

11.3 Overs: Fifty for Nizakat Khan in just 45 balls, and he brings it up with a SIX off Shardul Thakur. Hong Kong 76/0 in 11.3 overs. India surely didn't expect this.

9.2 Overs: Exactly the start Hong Kong wanted chasing 286 to upset India. Openers Nizakat and Anshuman raise fifty in 9.2 overs.

End of Over 8: Good start by Shardul Thakur, gives away just two runs in his first six balls having replaced Khaleel Ahmed as first change. But India still searching for their first wicket. HKG 47/0.

End of Over 6: Anshuman thumps Khaleel through the covers for a crisp boundary, his first. HKG looking good at 26/0.

End of Over 3: Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath not looking in any trouble against the new-ball bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and debutant Khaleel Ahmed.

INDIA INNINGS (285/7)

End of Over 50 : Hong Kong come back to limit India to 285/7 in 50 overs after Shikhar Dhawan's 127. Ambati Rayudu made 60. Kinchit Shah (3/39) the most successful bowler for HKG.



49.2 overs: Shardul Thakur dismissed by Aizaz Khan for a duck.

48.4 overs: Bhuvneshwar goes for 9 caught at short mid-wicket as Kinchit Shah gets his third wicket. India 277/6

End of Over 47: Three overs left as Jadhav's chipped SIX showed what he can do with the bat. India 271/5 in 47 overs. Can they get to 300?

End of Over 45: India 256/5, now it's touch and go for 300. Jadhav batting on 6 and Bhuvneshwar on 4.

42.3 overs: Double blow turns into triple for India. Dinesh Karthik (33) perishes in the deep to a brilliant catch by Babar Hayat off Kinchit Shah. India slip to 249/5. India's tail begins with Bhuvneshwar Kumar walking into the middle.

41.4 overs: Faint edge and well caught by the wicketkeeper as MS Dhoni is sent back by spinner Ehsan Khan for a duck. Disappointment all around in the stadium. India 242/4. Kedar Jadhav joins Dinesh Karthik (29*).

40.4 overs: Shikhar Dhawan walks back after a brilliant knock of 127 off 120 balls. India 240/3 in 40.4 overs. Karthik batting on 27. Kinchit Shah the wicket-taker for HKG.

End of Over 38: An LBW shout against Dhawan reviewed by Hong Kong spinner Ehsan Khan as the left-hander went for a reverse sweep. But it struck his pad outside off-stump. India 215/2.


End of Over 36: Shikhar Dhawan completes his 14th ODI century to kick off India's Asia Cup in style. Reaches the landmark in 105 balls. India 198/2..


End of Over 32: Dinesh Karthik is the new man in to join Shikhar Dhawan, who is on 89*. India 176/2.

29.2 Overs- Ehsan Nawaz strikes to remove Ambati Rayudu (60). A fine, high catch by the wicketkeeper standing up. India 161/2 at the end of a 116-run partnership.


End of Over 28: Ambati Rayudu, too, brings up his half-century -- the 7th of his ODI career -- in 63 balls. India 152/1 in 28 overs.

End of Over 26: Rayudu is within five runs from his seventh ODI fifty. Exactly the start he was looking for after being recalled to the squad. India 142/1.

End of Over 23: India 128/1. Rayudu has moved up to 37* and Dhawan is on 67*. Nothing much in the wicket and the bowling is not menacing at all, so a big total looks like an understatement at the moment.

End of Over 20: Rayudu (29*) opens his shoulders with first SIX for India. A pull shot for a maximum after Dhawan celebrated his fifty off a boundary in the same over -- bowled by Nizakat Khan.

19.1 overs: 26th ODI half-century for Shikhar Dhawan. The left-hander brings it up off 57 balls. He hit 8 fours en route. India 96/1.


End of 15 Overs: India 77/1. Hong Kong have managed to put some plug on the boundaries but it's only regular wickets that can keep them in the contest.

End of Over 12: Rayudu (7* off 10) is settling in nicely as Dhawan (37*) approaches another ODI half-century. India 68/1.

End of Over 10:Dhawan (30*) isn't holding back despite the fall of Rohit's wicket, cuts Ehsan backward of point for two consecutive boundaries. India 56/1.

7.4 Overs: Hong Kong draw first blood and it's the big wicket of Rohit Sharma (23), dismissed by Ehsan Khan. India 45/1 in 7.4 overs. Ambati Rayudu is the new batsman in.

End of Over 7: Just two runs from that over off Aizaz Khan, which is what HKG will be looking to have from the other end as well. India 44/0.

End of Over 5: No trouble whatsoever for Dhawan (11*) and Rohit (22*), especially the captain who ends the fifth over with back-to-back fours. India 34/0.

End of Over 4: After four dot balls, Rohit pulls the next one in front of square leg for the second boundary off his bat. India 21/0.

End of Over 3: Dhawan gets first boundary under his belt, It was delivered short and wide of the off-stump by Tanwir, and Dhawan drove it through covers. India 17/0

0.4 Over: Rohit Sharma drives through the covers to hit the first boundary of the Indian innings.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan out in the middle to open Indian innings while Tanwir Afzal will bowl the first over.


TEAM UPDATE: Khaleel Ahmed makes his debut for India.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Khaleel Ahmed

Hong Kong: Nizakat Khan, Anshuman Rath (c), Babar Hayat, Christopher Carter, Kinchit Shah, Ehsan Khan, Aizaz Khan, Scott McKechnie(w), Tanwir Afzal, Ehsan Nawaz, Nadeem Ahmed

TOSS UPDATE: Hong Kong win the toss and decide to bowl first. India, led by Rohit Sharma in Virat Kohli's absence, will look to put a big total on the board to start their Asia Cup campaign.

PREVIEW

Favourites India will look to sweep aside minnows Hong Kong in their Asia Cup opener on Tuesday and prepare for the much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan the next day.

Hong Kong lost to Pakistan by eight wickets in their first game. India, who even without talismanic skipper Virat Kohli, should give them the same treatment.

Under Rohit Sharma's captaincy and with experienced MS Dhoni in their ranks, India will look to get their combination right in the first game before the tougher test of Pakistan on which all eyes will rest.

Besides Rohit, the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav add teeth to their batting while in the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal throw up a lot of variety.

DUBAI: KL Rahul walked into the nets for the second time moments after Team India bowling coach Bharat Arun yelled out to his bowlers, "Take rest and then come back." Rahul paused, looked around and took fresh guard.

READ ALSO: Searing heat, slow pitches will test India

The noon heat wave here has compelled the Indian players to conserve energy. Yet, Rahul, back from a tiring tour of England, was pushing himself. It's not even a week since he got a Test hundred at the Oval, and exerting before a game against Hong Kong did not seem rational. More so as India will take on Pakistan just the day after meeting Hong Kong.

But there is a lot at stake for Rahul: he wants to cement a place in the Indian ODI middle order, which looks unsettled.

"Yeah it is not settled," Rohit Sharma, the stand-in captain for the tournament, was in no mood to skirt the issues plaguing his team ahead of the Asia Cup-opener. "There's been a lot of guys who have played in those positions. Going forward we want everything to be settled. It ( Asia Cup) gives opportunity to the guys to come and play the cricket they like to play and seal the spot."

For a change, here's a man from the leadership group who doesn't like to live in denial.

Continuity in the middle order has been low priority in the Indian scheme of things.MS Dhoni, whose prowess is on the wane, has been the only constant. Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Kedar Jadhav, Suresh Raina and Manish Pandey have all got their opportunities, but a decent run has eluded each one of them.

Regular skipper Virat Kohli - keeping in mind the World Cup in England next year - had asserted during the ODI leg in South Africa that Rahane ticks most boxes. Strangely, the selectors thought otherwise after that series in South Africa. Jadhav's frequent breakdowns and Ambati Rayudu's inability to pass the mandatory fitness test paved the way back for Suresh Raina in England three months ago. Trying to accommodate the talent of Rahul has also contributed to the team management's impatience.

Rohit on Monday preferred to lay out the template, a similar one which has helped him win two IPL titles with Mumbai Indians: "Nobody likes to be dropped and brought back into the squad. We want everyone to be feeling safe and settled, so that they can play freely.

"If you look at the future, as a captain or player you want your team to be settled and even the guys who are eyeing that spot want to be settled. Right now all the guys who are eyeing that spot look fresh mentally. I guess they're just a performance away from making their claim."

Rohit, in essence, held the mirror up for the team management and the selectors. He may slip back into the vice-captain's role once Kohli is back, but he has put his vision out on the table.

This is Rohit's first marquee series as a captain. The label of 'not a good Test-player' is a bitter pill to swallow for him. He has his focus locked on enhancing his reputation as a man with a sound awareness of the game.

The process should start with the match against Hong Kong on Tuesday. "I can't tell you who is going to bat where. Obviously, we want to give as many chances as possible to the guys to make sure the No.4 and 6 spots are sealed. I cannot definitely tell who can bat at 3 or 4. I still have to go and have a word with the coach," Rohit's statement suggested that No. 5 has been identified for Dhoni.

For now, Rohit has made his stand on Jadhav clear. Jadhav fits in as an important member and inclusion of Rayudu has only added to the strength of the middle-order.

NEW DELHI: India coach Ravi Shastri on Friday said that they didn't lose the Test series to a collective effort from England but to all-rounder Sam Curran's individual brilliance which became the difference at crucial junctures.

India lost the five-match Test series 1-4 but Shastri put up a brave front making it clear that the final scoreline does not depict the kind of fight that Virat Kohli's men put up.

READ ALSO: At times, Kohli's lack of experience shows: Gavaskar

"I would not say (we) failed badly. But we tried. We must give credit where it is due. Virat and me were asked to pick the Man of the Series (for England) and we both picked Sam Curran. Look where Curran has scored, and, that is where he hurt us. More than England, it was Curran who hurt us," Shastri told a cricket website in an interview.

He then pointed out the phases during Test matches when the talented all-rounder took the game away from India.

"In the first Test, England were 87 for 7 (in the second innings) at Edgbaston, he (Curran) got the runs. In the fourth Test, they were 86 for 6 (first innings) in Southampton, he got the runs. We were 50 for 0 (first innings) at Edgbaston, he got the wickets. So at crucial stages in this series, he chipped in with runs and wickets. That was the difference between the two sides," Shastri explained.

While the complex ICC Test ranking system helped India regain their pole position, Shastri maintained that he will take heart from the fact that the side put up a good show.

"We are still the No 1 team in the world. And England know how well we fought. Their media knows how well we fought. Our fans know how well we fought. Their public knows how well we fought. We know inside how well we fought," he added.

Asked if he was distracted by the criticism, Shastri said: "Absolutely not. (I would be the) last one to press the panic button when I see so many positives. I head back home with a very positive state of mind. I know exactly what we do. I know exactly and clearly where the team is heading - it is heading in the right direction."

There had been a lot of criticism of team's performance but Shastri remained unperturbed.

"People are entitled to their opinions. As long as we know the job we are doing and we are honest to our jobs, as long as support staff we are helping players channelise their energies in the right direction, we are not worried about what critics say," Shastri said.

"We are not worried about what people will say and what they will do. We know what this team has done in the last three to four years. In the last four years this team has won nine Tests overseas," he said.

The former all-rounder feels that India is one team that has been travelling well but don't have results to show.

"Tell me one team in the world at the moment that goes out and competes all the time. We are the one team. It is just that we need results coming in our favour more often on the winning side."

Shastri also said that he has asked the team management to arrange for a couple of warm-up games ahead of the Test series against Australia, a marked departure from the team management's stance till the start of this series.

In fact, Kohli in an interview to Michael Holding had said that if the team doesn't get quality opposition and pitch, there is no point in playing warm-up games.

Asked if the team is against warm-up games, Shastri answered in negative.

"Absolutely not. Why would we be?" said Shastri when asked whether he was averse to the idea of playing practice games.

"You can only see the results (in the England Tests). Every time after the second Test we have improved. You can still get better. But why can't we be in that position in the first Test match?"

"Ideally we would want two three- or four-day games before a Test series. Now, we have requested for a couple of (warm-up) games in Australia before the Test series. But is there space (to play those matches)? That is the question," he said.

India's tour to Australia starts with a three-match T20I series, beginning on November 21.

NEW DELHI: India coach Ravi Shastri has come under fire for his side's humiliating 4-1 Test series loss to England - a second consecutive away defeat for the world's top-ranked side.

The thrashing in England, following the loss in South Africa earlier this year, piles pressure on Shastri ahead of a tour to Australia in November and next year's World Cup - as well as a massive clash with arch-rivals Pakistan next week.

Critics and former captains have rounded on the coach, particularly for his mid-series claim that his team is the best to come out of India in 15 years.

"India had their moments but the scorecards say 4-1 and India weren't as good as they should have been," said noted commentator Harsha Bhogle. "This is two overseas disappointments in a row now."

Prior to the final Test at the Oval - which India lost by 118 runs - Shastri had raised eyebrows with lavish praise for his side.

"If you look at the last three years, we have won nine matches overseas and three series. I can't see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that has had the same run in such a short time," he said.

India have won two recent series in Sri Lanka and one in the West Indies.

But his comments rankled former star players.

Sourav Ganguly, who was part of the committee that appointed Shastri last year, dismissed the coach's claims as "immature", telling Indian television Shastri must improve the team.

Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that Indian teams of the 1980s had won series in England and the West Indies - as well as a series victory in England as recently as 2007.

"The best travelling teams are made by performances on the ground and not by sitting in the dressing room and talking about it," added former Test opener Virender Sehwag.

Captain Virat Kohli leapt to his coach's defence following the final Test on Tuesday.

Asked about Shastri's pre-match comments, Kohli said: "We have to believe we are the best side, why not?"

In a tetchy exchange, Kohli turned the question on a journalist, who responded "I am not sure". Kohli hit back: "You're not sure. That is your opinion. Thank you."

Shastri now has to immediately lift the side for the six-nation Asia Cup starting in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday - without the brilliant Kohli, who is being rested.

The whole country will be watching as they take on arch-rivals Pakistan on September 19, with Rohit Sharma to lead the side throughout the 50-over contest.

India then have two Tests at home to West Indies before four Tests in Australia.

NEW DELHI: Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh on Wednesday decided to call time on his illustrious career, saying he had played enough in the last 12 years and now it's time for the youngsters to take over.

READ ALSO: Factfile on Sardar Singh

Sardar said he made the decision after a disappointing Asian Games where India failed to defend their title and had to settle for a bronze medal, leaving them out of the reckoning for direct qualification to the 2020 Olympic Games. With age and speed not on his side, Sardar's performance in the Games came under scrutiny.

"Yes, I have decided to retire from international hockey. I have played enough hockey in my career. Twelve years is a long time. Now it's time for the future generation to take over," Sardar told PTI.

"I took the decision after consultation with my family in Chandigarh, Hockey India and my friends. I think it's the right time to think about life beyond hockey."

Interestingly, during the Asian Games in Jakarta, Sardar had said he hoped to play till the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

However, he had a change of heart amid speculation that he was forced to retire after his name was dropped from the 25-strong core group of national campers announced by Hockey India on Wednesday.

Asked about the dropping from the camp, Sardar evaded the question and said he would formally announce his retirement during a press conference on Friday.

Sardar, 32, made his senior debut for India against Pakistan in 2006 and since then he has been a vital cog in the Indian team's midfield.

He made over 350 international appearances for India and captained the national team for eight years, from 2008 to 2016, before handing the responsibility to PR Sreejesh.

Sardar was also the youngest player to captain the Indian team, when he led the side at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. He received the Arjuna award in 2012 and Padma Shri in 2015. He has also represented India at two Olympics.

After being dropped from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games squad, Sardar worked hard on his fitness to fight back into the national team for the Champions Trophy, where India won a silver medal.

"Fitness is not the reason behind my decision. I am fit enough to play hockey for some more years. But there is always a time for everything and I feel it's time for me to move on in life," he said.

Sardar said he had conveyed his decision to chief coach Harendra Singh, adding he will continue to play hockey in the domestic circuit.

Hailing from Sirsa in Haryana, Sardar's career was not devoid of controversy either.

Sardar was accused of rape by an Indian-origin British woman, a charge which he vehemently denied and was also given a clean chit by the special investigation team of Ludhiana Police.

LONDON: India lost the fifth and final Test against England by 118 runs on Tuesday despite heroic resistance from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, bringing the curtains down on a tour which started as a golden opportunity but ended in a saga of disappointments.

BLOG: 12 lessons for Virat Kohli and company after 4-1 loss to England

A mediocre England team with a fragile batting line-up won the series by a comprehensive 4-1 margin after India were bowled out for 345 in pursuit of mammoth target of 464.

ALSO READ: Anderson becomes most successful fast bowler in Test cricket

Making amends for a below-par show in the preceding Tests, Rahul (149 off 224 balls) and Pant (114 off 146 balls) sang the redemption song with attractive centuries to raise visions of an improbable victory before Adil Rashid (2/63 in 15 overs) dashed their hopes with a twin blow.

As it happened | Scorecard

Rashid bowled a prodigious leg-break that pitched on the rough and clipped Rahul's off-bail and in his next over Pant tried to hoick him for his fifth six only to be holed out by Moeen Ali.

ALSO READ: Pant first Indian wicketkeeper to score century in England

Once the 204-run sixth wicket stand ended, India tried to hang on for a respectable draw but it was of no avail.

Root took the second new ball and his new 'Go To' Man Sam Curran (2/23 in 9 overs) promptly delivered by polishing off the tail with Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja being removed in quick succession.

Fittingly, it was England's senior-most bowler Jimmy Anderson (3/45 in 22.3 overs), who castled Mohammed Shami to end the match and also surpass Glenn McGrath as the highest wicket-taking pacer in Test match history.

It couldn't have been a more emotional farewell for Alastair Cook as he led the team off the ground amidst a thunderous standing ovation from a knowledgeable Oval crowd.

However there were a couple of times when it looked that India could at least earn a respectable draw if not a win.

Rahul batted in a cavalier fashion for the first time in the series as he added 118 runs with Ajinkya Rahane on a flat batting deck at the Oval.

Rahane (37)'s indiscreet sweep shot followed by Hanuma Vihari's (0) dismissal saw India reduced to 121 for 5 before the complexion of the game changed once again.

Rahul was at his elegant best driving and cutting with a lot of ferocity including a slapped six over extra cover of Ben Stokes and four off the bowler to complete his fifth Test hundred.

However in the post-lunch session, it was young Pant, who made amends for his poor glovework with some exhilarating strokeplay that included 15 boundaries and four huge sixes.

Such was Pant's dominance that Rahul quietly dropped anchor letting Pant cut loose as he launched into England's spin duo of Rashid and Moeen Ali (1/68 in 17 overs). Pant muscled the ball through the gaps as England had attacking field set and forced them to get into a defensive mindset as they got free runs.

When the final session started, India needed 166 runs in 32 overs and there were serious hopes of an astonishing victory. India had come very close to chasing 438 at the Oval in 1979 and Pant-Rahul were dreaming big.

They weren't playing for a draw and with Stuart Broad's rib-cage injury, the other bowlers became easy pickings for Pant especially. He was audacious in his strokeplay and didn't let his shoddy keeping affect his batting.

The twin centuries also did the duo world of good as both are now sure to be a part of the squad against West Indies while Shikhar Dhawan's Test career looks to be heading southwards.

England captain Joe Root did have a few things to worry but he knew that one wicket would lead them into the tail.

He delayed taking the second new ball which proved to be a master-stroke in the end as big leg-break found Rahul look back in a daze.

Possibly Pant felt the need to keep going and having been successful in clearing the ropes on four occasions, he wasn't lucky the fifth time. But by then he had earned the love and respect of the spectators, who gave him a warm round of applause as he left the crease. The two knocks however would become a footnote in what turned out to be another humiliating English Summer for India where they lost both Test and ODI series.

LONDON: The English capital has proven to be a city of sorrow for the Indian cricket team.

READ ALSO: Alastair Cook signs off the way he started - with a ton

After the two-and-a-half-day disaster at The Lord's last month, Virat Kohli's boys are now staring at another humiliation at the other end of London, The Oval. All the talk of being the best touring side in the world is ringing hollow as India are on the brink of a 1-4 defeat following a calamitous fourth day which saw England take complete control of the fifth Test match.

After Alastair Cook (147) and Joe Root (125) set Kohli's boys a target of 464, James Anderson and Stuart Broad reduced India to 58-3 with a spell of hostile swing bowling in the last hour of the day. Sitting duck Shikhar Dhawan (1) was found plumb leg-before by Anderson while Cheteshwar Pujara (0) was leg-before the same over with one that came back off the seam. It helped Anderson take his 563rd scalp and he is now level with Glenn McGrath for the highest number of wickets in Test cricket.

Anderson, though, would be a little disappointed because the scorebook would say he lost his personal duel with Kohli in this series. The king of swing would have hoped to go past McGrath with the wicket of the Indian captain for the first time in the series, but Broad didn't allow him that chance. The paceman induced a nick off Kohli on the first ball he faced and India were reduced to three down for two.

James Anderson celebrates dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara at The Oval. (AFP Photo)

KL Rahul (46 batting) and Ajinkya Rahane (10 batting) survived a few difficult overs towards the end of the day to take India to 58-3, but the writing is pretty much on the wall.

When the day started, one would have hoped that the Indian bowling unit would come up with some magic to restrict England. With the lead reading 154, a few quick wickets could have brought India back into the game. But the first blow came in the form of Ishant Sharma's left ankle injury and all the stand-out pacer could manage for the day was one over. The Indian attack simply lost the plot from there as Cook and Root cashed in.

With the sun out and the heavy roller calming the pitch down, the first hour, like all the days till now, didn't produce anything out of the ordinary. The job of Cook and Root was made even easier by Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, who shifted to a shorter length. It was meat and drink for the English duo as they feasted on Indian bowling, the runs coming at a fair clip.

A lot was hinging on Ravindra Jadeja (3-179) at this stage, but with the pressure already released, there wasn't much the left-arm spinner could have done. Kohli went on the defensive way too early and with hardly any fielders breathing down the necks of Cook and Root, they found it easy to deal with Jadeja's spin.

The odd chance off Root was dropped but by then the train had left the station for India. The entire anticipation was around Cook's 33rd Test century in his last game and he got that as The Oval crowd cheered him for a good of couple of minutes.

It's been a while for Root as well since he got his last Test century and the English captain wasn't in a mood to let go of this opportunity. The celebration after completing his 14th Test ton was possibly more in relief at getting a three-figure score in the five-day format after more than a year.

Both got out in quick succession, falling to new boy Hanuma Vihari (3-37) who also bowls off-spin, but that hardly mattered in the bigger picture.

LONDON: Alastair Cook displayed his all-too familiar obduracy and powered England to a position of strength in the fifth Test against India, laying the groundwork for a swansong befitting a distinguished career.

Scorecard | As it happened

Cook was unbeaten on 46 runs in his last international innings as England reached 114 for 2 at stumps on day three at the Oval.

At end of play, he had put on 52 runs for the third wicket with skipper Joe Root (29) as England took a 154-run lead.

Post tea, Cook and Keaton Jennings (10) extended their opening partnership to 27. It wasn't a frustrating stand yet, but it became quickly so for India as they wasted both reviews on the openers within three overs after the break.

On both occasions, Ravindra Jadeja (1-36) and keeper Rishabh Pant convinced skipper Virat Kohli to go for the reviews, despite the ball missing the off-stump. Mohammed Shami (1-32) then bowled Jennings in the 13th over.

Cook and Moeen Ali (20) put on 35 runs for the second wicket and took England past 50 in the 24th over. The latter enjoyed a life on 14, as KL Rahul dropped him at second slip off Ishant Sharma (0-11).

Jadeja did get Ali soon after, bowling him through the gate as the ball spun a mile after kicking up from the rough.

India had the match ball changed on two occasions thereafter, as Cook and Root played out the remaining overs without much ado and bringing up their 50-stand off 80 balls. The score crossed 100 in the 38th over as the hosts assumed a commanding position in this Test.

This was after Jadeja scored 86 not out as India finished their first innings at 292 (95 overs), conceding a 40-run lead. The left-hander faced 156 balls and hit 11 fours as well as a six, narrowing the gap between the two teams.

Post lunch, India tried to extend their innings as long as possible. Ishant Sharma (4) though fell in the fourth over after the break, caught behind off Moeen Ali (2-50).

At the other end, Adil Rashid (1-19) dismissed Mohammed Shami (1) who again tried to hit out instead of putting a price on his wicket.

Jasprit Bumrah (0) did just that, and batted out 14 deliveries, which allowed Jadeja to smash the ball around. In doing so, he put on 32 runs for the tenth and final wicket.

Jadeja reached his ninth Test half-century off 113 balls, after India had crossed 250 in the 84th over. England were so flustered that they took the new ball in hope of dismissing the last wicket quickly.

The partnership, and India's innings ended through a run-out in the 95th over as Jadeja finished unbeaten.

Earlier, Hanuma Vihari scored a half-century on debut as India reached 240 for seven at lunch.

Starting from overnight 174 for six, Vihari and Jadeja looked to bat for time and dig India out of the precarious position they found themselves in.

James Anderson (2-54) and Stuart Broad (1-50) bowled a threatening first spell, but both batsmen played watchfully and with patience. There were a couple edges, though they didn't go to hand or fell short.

Runs started trickling in as India scored 33 runs in the first hour of play. 200 came up in the 63rd over, with the duo adding 50 runs for their seventh-wicket partnership off 117 balls.

Jadeja started taking a few more liberties with his stroke making, while Vihari stayed calm and looked to score when the opportunity presented itself. In the 71st over, England reviewed a caught behind decision against Jadeja, but there was no edge.

Vihari (56) then reached his maiden Test half-century off 104 balls, justifying the decision to include him ahead of Karun Nair.

Just when it appeared that he would take India to lunch without any loss, Ali struck against the run of play and dismissed Vihari. The batsman reviewed, but DRS didn't prove conclusively if he did not edge behind, as the bat seemed to hit pad the same time as the ball.

Vihari and Jadeja added 77 runs in all, as India scored 66-1 in this first session of play.

On day one, India reduced to England to 198 for seven, and they finished at 332 on day two, thanks to Jos Buttler's 89.

England have already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, with wins in Birmingham, Lord's and Southampton. India won the third Test at Nottingham.

LONDON: India's susceptibility to quality swing bowling once again came to the fore as they struggled to reach 174 for six after England's tail wagged considerably to give the hosts an upper hand on the second day of the fifth and final Test here on Saturday.

Scorecard | As it happened

India still trail England by another 158 runs with four wickets in hand and three full days' play remaining in the match.

Courtesy birthday boy Jos Buttler's 89 and his 98-run ninth-wicket stand with Stuart Broad (38), England managed a decent first innings score of 332 after they were struggling at 198 for seven at the end of first day's play.

In reply, India's top-order disappointed once again with Shikhar Dhawan (3) failing once again in what could be his last Test innings for a considerable period of time.

KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara made identical 37 to stitch together 64 runs for the second wicket to stabilise the Indian innings before the English bowlers got back into the groove, picking up crucial wickets when it mattered.

At stumps, debutant Hanuma Vihari was unbeaten on 25 with Ravindra Jadeja (8 not out) for company as India lost their way after tea.

After the final break of the day, conditions favoured bowlers a lot more under heavy cloudy conditions and floodlights as the ball darted around with James Anderson (2/20) and Sam Curran (1/46) troubling the Indian batsmen most.

Rahul looked set for a big score before Curran went through his defense with a nearly unplayable delivery in the 23rd over.

Thereafter, India lost three wickets for 33 runs as Anderson wreaked havoc with the moving ball, dismissing both Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession.

Pujara was caught behind, while Rahane (0) was caught at slip in the space of 13 balls.

Just like previous matches, India skipper Virat Kohli (49) looked in great nick and seemed determined to take his side out of troubled waters with positive intent. He hit six boundaries during his 70-ball knock and looked batting easy even as his colleagues struggled.

But Kohli perished while trying to be too positive, edging a Ben Stokes (2/44) delivery to his counterpart Joe Root at the slip cordon.

Vihari looked out of sorts against Stuart Broad's (1/25) inswingers initially. The bowler had two LBW shouts against the debutants -- the first of which looked out on replays but England didn't opt for DRS.

Vihari then regained his composure and batted till the end of day in company of Ravindra Jadeja (8 not out)

In between, young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant (5) again failed to cash in on the opportunity edging a Stokes delivery to Alastair Cook on the slip cordon.

Earlier, replying to England's total, the visitors made a poor start and lost opener Dhawan early, out trapped LBW by Broad in the second over.

Rahul though batted with more freedom than in the earlier Tests, and looked to play his shots as he hit four fours.

Pujara, meanwhile, was solid at the other end as they played out a nearly chanceless session.

Pujara, though, survived a good LBW shout as TV replays showed England should have opted for DRS but they didn't.

After a comfortable passage of play, Moeen Ali (0/9) teased the two unbeaten batsmen before the tea break as India crossed the 50-run mark.

Pujara survived again, on 10, when Cook put down a catch at forward short leg in the 16th over.

In the morning session, Buttler scored his 10th career half-century to rescue England to 304 for eight as Indian bowlers struggled to wrap up the home team's tail.

Starting at overnight score of 198 for seven, the Indian pacers found some lateral movement in the morning but were unable to get the English tail-enders' out.

The English tail-enders' performance has been the main reason why India are 1-3 down in the series, and it was a near-repeat effort from the home team's lower-order on Saturday morning as Indian bowlers failed to get wickets despite getting assistance from the pitch.

Mohammed Shami (0/72) was again India's best bowler on Saturday, beating the bat again and again but luck didn't favour him.

Adil Rashid (15) and Buttler pushed the score past 200 quickly as 45 runs came in the first hour of play.

Jasprit Bumrah (3/64) did account for the wicket of Rashid, out lbw in the seventh over of the morning despite a DRS referral from the batsman.

But Buttler and Broad denied the Indian bowlers any further breakthroughs in the remainder of session, much to the frustration of the Indians.

Buttler reached his half-century off 84 balls as England crossed 250 in the 104th over.

Later, Buttler brought up his 50-run partnership with Broad off 61 balls as England quick scoring rate added to India's frustration.

India reduced England to 181 for seven at one stage on Friday, but now the game seemed to be slipping away from the visitors.

England have already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series with wins in Birmingham, Lord's and Southampton. India won the third Test at Nottingham.

NEW DELHI: The sepaktakraw world championship in Bangkok is just a fortnight away and Asian Games bronze medallist Harish Kumar is busy serving - not on court but at his brothers' roadside tea stall in Delhi's 'Little Tibet', Majnu ka Tila. Tea has been the 21-year-old's ticket to sporting glory. For each one of his 15 medals, he and his family have passed countless steaming cups over the counter.

Five days after the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games ended, Harish's euphoric return home is a fading memory in the neighbourhood but his celebrity is undimmed. On a wet Friday afternoon, his house in Majnu ka Tila's narrow lanes is easily found. Being part of India's first-ever sepak success at the Asian Games has made him a role model for young athletes here.

Harish's success is all the more inspiring because of his family's precarious financial situation. His father Mohan Lal drives a rented autorickshaw. His mother, Indira Devi, till recently worked as a household help to bring up Harish and his five siblings, two of whom are sightless. Two of his brothers, Naveen and Tarun, started the tea stall to supplement the family's income, and Harish not only helps them but also drives his father's auto when he is not training at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bawana.

BUMPY RIDE: Harish Kumar's father Mohan Lal in his rented autorickshaw

They are a gifted family, but have been unlucky twice. Harish's eldest brother Pradeep was a talented cricketer who became a coach, but had to leave his job after injuring his right leg in a bike accident in 2011. Naveen showed promise as a sepak takraw player and was handpicked by coach Hemraj. He played at the international level, but was forced to quit after a ligament injury in 2013.

Inspired by Naveen, Harish had started playing sepak in 2011 with a ball made of bicycle tubes. Luckily for him, "Hemraj Sir" took him under his wing.

Would request CM Kejriwal to help me financially, says Harish

"All credit must go to our coach Hemraj Sir. He took me to IG Stadium and provided me shoes and kit. He also helped me get a monthly allowance from SAI. I represented India for the first time in 2013 at the World Championships in Bangkok and won a medal," says Harish.

He has never looked back since, but the family's finances sometimes cast a cloud over his future. The Asiad medal couldn't have happened at a better time, as a cash award of Rs 5 lakh from the sports ministry will help in the treatment of his blind brother and sister, and also pay for his education. He has enrolled in Class XII at an open school in Chandigarh.

"With our family's meagre income, it's my job to support the family. I have won so many international medals, but there was no substantial monetary reward attached to it. I desperately needed to win a medal at the Asiad as that would have ensured cash award from the ministry. Now, the amount will definitely help me," Harish told TOI.

He also has some hopes from the Delhi government. "I haven't got anything from them, but it's also true that I haven't approached them. I would request chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to help me financially and provide me a government job so that I can look after my family," he said.

LONDON: It was at The Oval that India won their first Test in England way back in 1971. Forty-seven years down the line, it could so easily have been another chance to create history at this magnificent venue, but that's done and dusted.

READ ALSO: Team India divided over Ashwin's Southampton flop

India have frittered away opportunities and lost the series 1-3 and the disappointment is palpable among the fans who had made elaborate preparations to be at the venue through the weekend, shouting for the team that they truly care for staying so far away from home.

The Indian contingent though, isn't that downcast. Or even if they are, it's not showing. Virat Kohli's boys see this Test as an opportunity to win a few brownie points and go home with a sense of victory at least in public memory. They did it successfully in Johannesburg a few months back.

But England will come harder than South Africa. For them, it's a chance to give their former captain Alastair Cook a farewell that he deserves after 12 successful years in cricket. While Cook finishes his journey here, this Test is set to mark the beginning of the road for Andhra middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari, who bowls a bit of off-spin.

Vihari is set to come in place of Hardik Pandya, who hasn't done much with the bat in this series. The fact that Vihari bowls a bit of off-spin may also have worked in his favour as premier offie R Ashwin is struggling with a groin injury and is unlikely to be fit for the Test.

READ ALSO: Cook's departure a massive loss to dressing room, says Root

It could also mean that the door will open for Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled quite a lot in the nets and many felt he should have been part of the XI at the Ageas Bowl as well.

Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane refused to divulge team news saying journalists are intelligent enough to make their own guesses, but he did say that this match is important from an Indian point of view. "Every game is equally important, we want to give our best and end on a winning note. It's true that England played better than us and won sessions that made the difference, but we want to go back on a high," Rahane said.

It's true that there's a sense of intent in the way the Indian team is dealing with the game. The entire top-six, which includes Vihari, had quite a long stint in the middle on Thursday after a rigorous session the day before.

The pitch has a bit of green on it and England, too, aren't taking anything for granted. While captain Joe Root said that winning a series 4-1 against the top-ranked country in the world will be a statement in itself, the fact that it's Cook's last Test also adds to the motivation factor of the players. "It acts as a great motivator for the group. The whole dressing-room will be desperate to do everything they can to give him a great send off," Root said.

England are also looking to try out Moeen Ali as No. 3, a tactical change that they had made in the second innings of the fourth Test. Root himself enjoys batting at No. 4 and that's why he was desperate to find a decent No. 3 who could do the job for him. The fact that Moeen batted well recently at No. 3 for Worcestershire in the County championship made the English team management take that call. "It gives us the best chance of winning this game. And with the winter coming up it might be the way to go. I think he thoroughly deserves the opportunity," Root said, giving the indication that he wants to see Moeen as a long-time solution for the No. 3 slot.

While India are looking to have two spin bowling options for the first time in the series, Root, too, didn't fall for the temptation of cutting down on a spinner to get Chris Woakes in. While Adil Rashid will retain his place in the XI, Jonny Bairstow will get the gloves back from Jos Buttler.

With Root getting the team that he wanted, it's going to be quite a battle for India to earn that consolation that they are desperately looking for.

LONDON: India have lost the Test series in England but coach Ravi Shastri insists that the current lot is travelling better than the teams of the last 15-20 years.

India lost by 60 runs in the fourth Test at Southampton to go 1-3 down in the five-match series.

"As hard as our guys tried, England were one-up on us there. Nothing to take away (from them), the endeavour of this team is to travel well, compete and win. If you look at the last three years, we have won nine matches overseas and three series (against West Indies and twice in Sri Lanka)," said Shastri here on Wednesday.

"I can't see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that has had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series. So the promise is there, and it's just about getting tougher mentally.

"You have got to hurt when you lose matches because that's when you look within and come out with the right kind of answers to combat such situations and get past the finishing line. One day you will if you believe," said Shastri.

The head coach underlined the need to grow mentally tougher in order to cross the finishing line and win Test series in overseas conditions, something Virat Kohli had stressed on after the loss at Southampton.

"I think you have got to get tough mentally. We have run teams close overseas and we have competed. But now it's not about competing (any longer). We have to win games from here onwards. Now the endeavour is to understand where you made the mistakes, take it head on and try to correct it.

"The scoreline says 3-1, which means India, have lost the series. What the scoreline doesn't say that India could have been 3-1 or it could have been 2-2, and my team knows it. They would have been hurt and rightly so after the last game. But this is a team that will not throw in the towel," he said ahead of the fifth and final Test starting here on Friday.

Talking about what the batsmen can do to improve and cross the finish line, he said, "I think shot selection left a lot to be desired. We blew away a very good position straight away after tea on day two (in Southampton). That's an area where you can tighten, and be aware of what the team needs. Being aware of the match situation will be a big help. I think that was crucial more than anything else.

"I thought at 180-4, there was a definite chance of a 75-80-run lead, and that would have been crucial. So that hurts. Edgbaston could have gone either way because we had our share of luck as well. At one time England were in the driver's seat; we managed to come back. But there was a stage where you could have been really ahead of the game, after the job the bowlers did on day one."

Shastri said that Moeen Ali was the key difference between the two sides, and he bowled better than R Ashwin, hitting the rough patches more than the Indian off-spinner. While it looks increasingly likely that Ashwin will miss out on the fifth Test, the coach said that the spinner was fully fit when picked in the fourth Test and that Ali simply bowled better.

"Ashwin was fit. You have to give credit to Moeen Ali there on the last day. To be honest, he bowled magnificently. I think it's straightforward (difference between them) - very simple, very obvious, it was there for everyone to see. Moeen hit those patches more than Ashwin, as simple as that," said Shastri.

He also complimented Cheteshwar Pujara for his first innings' hundred and said that while conditions have been tough for batsmen, they need to find a way to stay in the middle.

"You obviously need the top order to give you a start but if you look at both sides it's not been easy for the top order. The bowling has been good, really good, and it's been a challenge and it is how you overcome that challenge.

"In the prevailing situation, the kind of pitches we're playing on, the amount of movement there is with the Dukes ball - it's challenging for the batsmen. It's not just us; even batsmen from the other side have struggled. When you are set, you need to capitalize."

Talking about Pujara's knock, he said: "Pujara's was an absolutely khadoos (stubborn/strict) innings."

When asked about Hardik Pandya's ability to bat number six, and the need for flexibility in bowling attack, the coach replied, "When you're young, you've got to be thrown into the deep end. You've got to persevere and see, if it works or it doesn't work. If it doesn't work, there'll be another option.

"But you have to give that opportunity when you think there is that talent there. And stick with that. You always have to be flexible. You can't be rigid in your thinking. You've got to be flexible, you've got to see the conditions, see what conditions will be like day after tomorrow. And then take the call (on playing four bowlers)."

India will be playing for pride in the fifth Test, which will also be Alastair Cook's final Test. Shastri paid a rich tribute to the former England skipper who debuted against India at Nagpur in 2006.

"I saw his first Test match, saw him getting a hundred in Nagpur. He's been one of England's greatest cricketers - no question. He always came across a mentally tough bloke, real tough cookie. As far as I am concerned, there were times in his career when he batted where he did look the master chef.

"He might not go down as one of the best-looking, fluent batsmen, but my word he was effective. Playing in these conditions for that length of time, where the ball does move and it's a challenge for an opening batsman -- I think he's been simply outstanding. Good luck to him (for the future)," Shastri signed off.
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NEW DELHI: Sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Tuesday said the countdown for 2020 Olympics has started for the Indian athletes after the country's best-ever medal haul in the Asian Games.

READ ALSO: Govt felicitates India's Asiad medal winners with cash awards

A visibly delighted Rathore congratulated Indian medal winners of the just-concluded Asian Games but said their real journey has just begun.

"You made the entire country proud with your achievements. We salute the passion you have shown but this journey is not complete," Rathore said during a function to felicitate the medal winners with cash awards here.



"The countdown now has started for the Olympics (2020 Tokyo). You can't be satisfied with this. You should always think about what is the next," the minister said in his address to the athletes.

The minister said the medal winners have now become ambassadors and their job is to pass across positive message to the society.

"You have now become ambassadors of your sport, ambassadors of your state and for youngsters of the country. So your message should always be positive," Rathore said.

"Everyone has problems, everyone has challenges but the goal should be to never give up. Never say no, never feel defeated. That is what makes champions."

He said an athlete should never shy away from obstacles.

"You did not reach here easily. You had to overcome many obstacles but because of these obstacles you are what you are today. Don't think about obstacles, only think about your capabilities," Rathore said.

The minister said the success at the Asian Games was a result of teamwork.

"The success is a result of teamwork of the government, IOA, federations, athletes and coaches. These medals belong to the whole country," Rathore said.