Colin Croft

The burning desire to succeed abroad acted as a stimulus for India to consciously create a fearsome pace battery, says former West Indies speedster Ian Bishop, who compared the current unit to intimidating Caribbean bowlers of the past. Bishop said the trend started with the likes of Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, Munaf Patel following in the footsteps of Javagal Srinath and Kapil Dev.

Viv Richards has revealed that former South African President Nelson Mandela had thanked him for not going to the country as part of the infamous West Indies rebel tours between 1982 and 1984.

Aakash Chopra recounted Waqar Younis's high praise for Jasprit Bumrah, asserting that the Indian pacer surpasses even Wasim Akram in skill and strategic thinking. Younis believes Bumrah's understanding of the game at this age is unparalleled. Andy Roberts also lauded Bumrah, suggesting he could have led the West Indies' formidable pace attack.

"When a team goes into a Test with four bowlers the meek message sent out is: 'We are here not to lose.' This is a decidedly defensive mindset and it is near impossible to score a win with that sort of a mindset," said EAS Prasanna.

West Indies fast bowling legend Andy Roberts lauded Mohammed Shami as India's best bowler, praising his control and swing. Roberts questioned India's decision to bat first in the second Test against Australia. Though injured, Shami's recent strong domestic performances raise hopes for his return to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a series currently tied 1-1.

Former West Indies pacer and commentator Michael Holding has cocked a snook at the Indian Premier League (IPL), terming it not quite cricket.

Former Australia captain and 'voice of cricket' Richie Benaud, who passed away in 2015, credited Shane Warne with reviving the art of spin bowling, particularly leg spin, after an era dominated by fast bowlers.

The world may be going ga ga over Sachin Tendulkar but West Indian legend Gary Sobers rates Sunil Gavaskar as the greatest batsman he has ever seen.

While some of the cricketing world's greatest stars surely have his respect, gaining entry into Dickie Bird's all-time greatest Test XI is certainly a tough feat.

Pakistan's decision to recall Fawad Alam for the ongoing second Test against England in Southampton has shone a fresh light on cricketers with a distinctive batting stance.

Carry a hanky to Fire in Babylon (FIB) — it’s going to make you cry. And not just in joy as you watch the West Indies playing such beautiful cricket, as Michael Holding recollects, “No other sporting team anywhere in the world dominated their sport for 15 years.

For five decades Sir Garfield Sobers has basked in the glory of praise as the best cricketer of all time because he was a four-in-one player.

Describing India as a "cauldron" and dominant force in world cricket, Bishop said a T20 World Cup triumph does not mean that the West Indies can beat Virat Kohli's men during the limited-overs series beginning on Friday, though there's always a hope to do so.

Son of a taxi driver, fast bowler Abdul Ismail bagged 244 wickets in 75 first-class matches at an average of 18.04, which is fantastic.

As soon as you see this short, bearded gentleman walking the steps at the Brian Lara pavilion at Queen's Park Oval, you recognise him. He is Deryck Murray, the former West Indies wicketkeeper who played 62 Test matches between 1963 and 1980.

Bumrah, in his own way, has taken over the mantle of Team India’s saviour. A genius in all formats, he carries forward the great Tendulkar’s legacy, but with the ball

India will continue to struggle as there is a big gap between their's home and away records in Tests, primarily because of the dearth of world class pacers.

Every time the West Indies manage to save a Test or an ODI, cricket pundits are prone to talk about guts and determination.

Since we haven't seen much of Bradman it would be better to take a look at two of his big innings by going through what it looked like to people then.

Cricket fraternity in India expressed shock at the omission of Tendulkar and Bradman in the all-time Test eleven named by former umpire Dickie Bird.