Ravindra Jadeja fed off the "positive vibes" at his "lucky ground" to star with bat and ball in India's crushing victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test.
India hammered the tourists at the PCA Stadium, wrapping up their fifth-biggest win in the longest format by an innings and 222 runs on day three.
Jadeja was outstanding in Mohali, making a Test-best 175 not out in India's 574-8 declared before tormenting Sri Lanka with his left-arm spin.
The all-rounder took 5-41 and 4-46 as Dimuth Karunaratne's side were bowled out for 174 and 178 in their first and second innings respectively on Sunday.
Jadeja's exploits earned him a third man-of-the-match award at a venue that has been such a happy hunting ground for him.
"This is my lucky ground," he said. "Whenever I come here, I always get positive vibes.
"When you perform like this, you feel very confident. I haven't done anything differently with my batting, just backing my instincts. I try to settle down and after that I play my shots. I try to keep it simple."
Rohit Sharma did not envisage India making such light work of winning his first Test as captain.
He said "It was a good start. I never thought it was going to be that kind of Test that gets over in three days. It was a good batting wicket with help for spinners and seamers.
"Credit to our bowlers who bowled in tandem and applied pressure. We knew it is a fast outfield and runs would be easier to come if you dig in. We were just waiting for an odd one to bounce differently and their batters to make mistakes."
Ravichandran Ashwin took 4-47 in the second innings to move second on the list of India's leading Test wicket-takers with 436 ahead of the great Kapil Dev.
It was the perfect response to India's series defeat in South Africa and a fitting way to mark former skipper Virat Kohli's 100th Test.
Rohit added: "Good signs for Indian cricket, a lot of performances and a landmark Test for Virat. We wanted to first win the game and such individual performances were heartening to see.
"It was the team's decision and Jadeja's decision on the declaration. It shows how selfless he is."
Will Jacks and Sam Hain shine as England post 334 against Ireland
Will Jacks fell a few metres shy of a maiden England hundred but he and Sam Hain shone for a second-string England side as they posted 334 for eight in the second ODI against Ireland.
Attempting a mammoth blow to reach his century, Jacks slog swept to Andy Balbirnie at deep midwicket to depart for 94 off 88 balls for England, who are resting all their World Cup stars for this Metro Bank series.
Jacks thumped seven fours and four sixes but his downfall – one of three scalps claimed by George Dockrell – threatened to derail England and while Hain, one of four debutants, could not match his team-mate for power, the Warwickshire batter’s 89 off 82 balls proved vital in the hosts passing 300.
Ireland are seeking a third successive white-ball win over England – having beaten them in an ODI in 2020 and at last year’s T20 World Cup – and may fancy their chances after restricting their opponents to just 140 in the last 20 overs.
England got off to a flyer thanks to Jacks and Phil Salt (28 off 21 balls) while Ben Duckett contributed 48. A trademark onslaught in the latter stages was not forthcoming but Hain’s knock potentially opens the door for more regular involvement after the World Cup, which starts next month.
Hain started alongside Jamie Smith and bowlers Tom Hartley and George Scrimshaw, with the latter pair able to put their feet up after Ireland chose to field.
Jacks and Salt have been tipped to be the new Jason Roy and Alex Hales and the next generation gave their finest impression of the old guard, feasting on Ireland’s fruitless pursuit of early swing with a rash of fours.
Jacks was imperious against Josh Little, driving sumptuously through the off-side time and again, as England reached their 50 inside six overs before being dealt a double when Salt spliced to extra cover while, two legal balls later, stand-in captain Zak Crawley played all around one from Craig Young.
Duckett pierced cover on a couple of occasions and Ireland took out a lone slip, only for the luckless Barry McCarthy to twice draw the outside edge, desperately out of reach of wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker.
Jacks was put down on 44 low at backward point by Harry Tector, who could not get under the chance. It was a costly, if extremely difficult, drop as Jacks went through the gears, bringing up his maiden international 50 with a lofted drive off spinner Andy McBrine for six.
Duckett also cleared the rope off McBrine but perished for 48 after paddling Dockrell into the inviting hands of Mark Adair at short fine-leg to end a run-a-ball 102-run stand with Jacks.
Hain made a nervous start with just a single – via an inside edge – off his first dozen deliveries and was put down by a diving Tector before gradually finding his stride, using his feet well to open up his scoring options.
Jacks moved into the 90s by hoicking Dockrell for six but, attempting to repeat the trick in the next over, he gave McBrine a skier. As he trudged off, Jacks knocked his bat into his helmet in despair.
Dockrell had his third when Smith holed out but Hain – who possesses one of the best List A averages ever – used his experience to make sure England did not collapse. While there were only five fours, he was able to rotate the strike sufficiently to reach a half-century off just 52 balls.
Brydon Carse made a cameo 32 off 30 balls and while Hain headed into the last over needing 11 to reach three figures, he miscued McCarthy to mid-off.
Amazon Warriors make light work of Tallawahs to set up final clash with TKR
The Guyana Amazon Warriors will contest the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final after a convincing 81 run victory over the Jamaica Tallawahs in Qualifier two.
The Tallawahs won the toss and opted to field first and they produced a disciplined bowling performance to ensure the Amazon Warriors were restricted to 182/6. Azam Khan produced the star knock in the Amazon Warriors innings, his 54 at the back-end propelling Guyana to a competitive total.
The chase was always going to be a steep one for the Tallawahs and that equation became all the harder when they lost four wickets in the PowerPlay.
It was a position they never recovered from eventually succumbing to 101 all out.
The Amazon Warriors made a solid start in their batting PowerPlay, reaching 49 for the loss of one wicket. It could have been two but for the faintest of inside edges that saved Shai Hope from being dismissed lbw.
However, Saim Ayub departed for 20 immediately following the end of the PowerPlay, his miscued shot only finding Alex Hales at long on.
Hope and Shimron Hetmyer struggled to add some attacking impetus to the innings but just when it seemed they were ready to accelerate Hope was caught on the boundary for 40.
Hetmyer followed shortly afterwards for 31 – but Romario Shepherd and Azam Khan cashed in at the back end. Khan smashed a brutal 54 runs off 27 balls to give the Amazon Warriors momentum heading into the second half of the game.
If the Tallawahs were to chase the 183 to win, they needed a lightning start in the PowerPlay but they got the opposite of that.
Four wickets fell in the first six overs and the procession continued after the fielding restrictions had been lifted. All of the Guyanese bowlers got in on the act to ensure the Tallawahs were never in the contest.
Imad Wasim added a respectable unbeaten 43 but no one stayed with him as the Tallawahs were eventually bowled out for 101.
The Amazon Warriors victory means they will now contest their sixth Republic Bank CPL final where they will aim to win their first ever title.
Seven countries in the Caribbean confirmed as hosts for 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed the seven venues in the Caribbean that will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 from 4 to 30 June. Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago, will host games along with three venues in the USA – Dallas, Florida and New York.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “We’re delighted to announce the seven Caribbean venues that will host the biggest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ever staged, with 20 teams competing for the trophy. They’re all popular venues with players and fans alike that will provide a wonderful backdrop to the event.
“This will be the third ICC senior men’s event hosted by the West Indies, and the matches will again give cricket fans the unique experience of enjoying cricket in the Caribbean. I’d like to thank Cricket West Indies and the seven host governments for their continued commitment and support of our sport.”
Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave said: “This is an exciting moment as we announce the venues approved to host the largest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in history, with 20 teams playing in 55 matches in June next year.
“We are grateful to the host Governments of the Caribbean for their overwhelming responses and enthusiasm for hosting what will be the most significant sporting event held in our region for a generation.
Grave added: “We are confident that together we will deliver a world-class tournament showcasing the best this region has to offer with our unique culture and carnival atmosphere that will ensure there is a real celebration of the sport next June.”
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