Mitchell Starc has dominated the Ashes series. Australian fast bowlers have taken 22 wickets in the first 3 matches of the ongoing series against England. Due to Starc’s brilliant performance, Australia has taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. He has taken more than 5 wickets twice. He took 7 wickets in the first innings of the first Test played in Perth. Starc took 6 wickets in the first innings of the second Test played in Brisbane. Due to this performance, he has broken the 30 year old record of former Pakistani bowler Waqar Younis.

Mitchell Starc is the only bowler to do this in 2025

Mitchell Starc took 3 wickets in the second innings of the third Test played in Adelaide. With this, he has taken 51 Test wickets in the year 2025, he is the only bowler to do so. There is still one more Test (Boxing Day Test) left for Australia this year. This means that Starc has a chance to increase this number, but before that he has already broken many big records. In terms of most Test wickets in the ongoing year (2025), Indian bowler Mohammad Siraj is at second place, who has 43 wickets to his name.

Stark created history

Mitchell Starc has taken 50 wickets this year with a strike rate of 28.7. He has made the record of best strike rate in the calendar year, this record was in the name of former Pakistan bowler Waqar Younis for 30 years. In the 148-year-old Test history, Starc has become the bowler with the best strike rate in a calendar year.

Waqar Younis made this record in 1993, when he took 55 wickets with a strike rate of 29.5. Waqar Younis and Mitchell Starc are the only ones who have taken 50 or more wickets in a calendar year with a strike rate of less than 30.

Now in this matter, only England’s George Lohman is ahead of Starc, who took 38 wickets with a strike rate of 18 in 1886. Although he was not able to take 50 wickets that year, Starc has the best strike rate among the bowlers who have taken 50 wickets in a calendar year.

Jasprit Bumrah also came close

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah also came close to this record of Waqar Younis. Bumrah took 71 Test wickets in 2024, his strike rate was 30.1. In 2024 itself, Gus Atkinson of England had taken 52 wickets, his strike rate was 35.6.

Ever since Gautam Gambhir became the head coach of Team India, he has played 6 Test series. Of these, India has lost three series, won only two and one series was a draw. Within the last one year, New Zealand and now South Africa have clean swept India in the Test series at their home. By the middle of the year 2023, India was the number-1 Test team in the world. Under Virat Kohli, India used to be the top team in the world in Test cricket. Know here 3 reasons due to which Team India is continuously performing poorly.

1. Craze for feeding all-rounders

Ever since Gautam Gambhir became the head coach, the strategy of depth in batting has been seen. Its advantage is that Team India has batting till numbers 8 and 9, but due to this the bowling has become weak. Earlier, the team used to have a combination of 6 specialist batsmen, 5 specialist bowlers and one all-rounder. The number of specialist players kept changing depending on the bowling or batting pitch. Now if we look at the Guwahati Test itself, the Indian team had three all-rounders in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy. Especially Sundar and Reddy have proved to be poor with both bat and ball. Had a specialist batsman or bowler been played in his place, perhaps the result of the South Africa Test series would have been different.

2. Selection based on IPL performance

Statistics show that within the last one and a half years, many players who have done well in IPL have entered Team India. The biggest example of this is Harshit Rana, who has experience of only 14 first-class and 27 List-A matches. But in the last two IPL seasons, he has taken 34 wickets for KKR. Nitish Kumar Reddy is also often said to be the replacement of Hardik Pandya, but his performance has not been very good. Washington Sundar also comes in this category of players.

3. Constant changes in batting order

Continuous Test series, continuous new order and new batsmen. This is happening continuously in the Indian Test team. Especially problem number 3 is not being solved. Washington Sundar played at number 3 in the first test after dropping Sai Sudarshan. When Sudarshan was brought back in the second test, Sundar was dropped at number 8. Number-3 has a lot of importance in test matches. On the other hand, something similar has happened with Sanju Samson in the T20 team, who had scored 3 centuries in the opening round, but now the situation is such that he is in danger of being dropped from the team.

The first match of Ashes 2025-2026 has been in the name of the bowlers. The first day of the first Test was in the name of the bowlers of England and Australia, a total of 19 wickets fell on the first day. On the second day, with England’s first wicket, something happened which had never happened in the history of cricket. This wicket belonged to Jack Crawley, who was sent to the pavilion with a brilliant catch by Mitchell Starc.

This happened for the first time in cricket history

This is the first time in 148 years of cricket history that the first wicket has fallen at zero in the first three innings of a Test. In England’s first innings too, Jack was dismissed by Mitchell Starc for zero, England’s score was also ‘zero’.

Even in Australia’s first innings, the first wicket fell at zero, when Joffra Archer got Jake Weatherald out LBW on the second ball of the very first over. In England’s second and third innings of the match, Starc once again made Jack Crawley his victim.

On the very first ball of the 5th over, Starc bowled the ball on the wicket line, on which Crawley tried to hit a shot in front but was dodged by the bounce. The ball was in the air, which Mitchell Starc caught with one hand in a spectacular dive.

WHAT A RIDICULOUS TAKE! Mitchell Starc sends Zak Crawley off for a pair! #Ashes , #PlayoftheDay , @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/1cg8PtLzx4

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2025

Good partnership between Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope

England’s first innings ended at 172 runs, Mitchell Starc alone took 7 wickets. It seemed that now Australia would gain control in this match, but England’s bowlers turned the tables. Australia lost 9 wickets for 121 runs on the very first day. Ben Stokes had taken 5 wickets, on the second day Australia’s innings was reduced to 132 runs with the wicket of Nathan Lyon.

The start of England’s second innings was also not good, Mitchell Starc dismissed Jack Crawley for zero. But after this, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett made a good partnership for the second wicket. Till the time of writing the news, England has scored 59 runs after losing 1 wicket, England has a lead of 99 runs.

Bangladesh team has been active in cricket for many decades, but till now it is considered a mediocre team. But legendary players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal have achieved many great achievements. Now Mushfiqur Rahim has achieved such an achievement, which till now only 10 cricketers had been able to achieve. In fact, he has become only the 11th batsman in the world to score a century in the 100th match of his Test career. Know here how many cricketers have so far scored a century in their 100th Test match.

The first cricketer to score a century in his 100th Test match in international cricket was England’s Colin Cowdrey, who created history by scoring 104 runs against Australia in 1968. There are 2 batsmen from Pakistan in this list, but no Indian cricketer has been able to do this till now.

Batsmen who scored a century in the 100th test

Colin Cowdrey (England) – 104 runs vs Australia

Javed Miandad (Pakistan) – 145 runs vs India

Gordon Greenidge (West Indies) – 149 runs vs England

Alec Stewart (England) – 105 runs vs West Indies

Inzamam Ul Haq (Pakistan) – 184 runs vs India

Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 102 and 143 runs vs South Africa

Graeme Smith (South Africa) – 131 vs England

Hashim Amla (South Africa) – 134 runs vs Sri Lanka

Joe Root (England) – 218 runs vs India

David Warner (Australia) – 200 runs vs South Africa

Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) – 106 runs vs Ireland

Talking about Bangladesh vs Ireland test match, Bangladesh team scored 476 runs in the first innings. Mushfiqur Rahim scored 106 runs and Liton Das also scored a century of 128 runs. There was a partnership of 108 runs between the two. On the other hand, till the time of writing this article, Ireland has already lost 4 wickets before the score of 100 runs.

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Test cricket itself is the most difficult and longest running format. In this difficult format, there have been some cricketers who have achieved such a historic feat which is considered almost impossible to do. Scoring 100 plus runs and taking 10 or more wickets in a single test match. This is such an all-round feat that only four players have achieved till date in the history of cricket. Let us know about these four great players, who showed this ‘double masterclass’ in Test cricket.

Alan Davidson – 1960, Brisbane

Australia’s Alan Davidson was the first player to join this unique club. Against West Indies he first scored 44 and then 80 runs. After this, in bowling he took a total of 11 wickets by taking 5/135 and 6/87. This is the same match which is also remembered as the world’s first tied test.

Ian Botham – 1980, Mumbai (Wankhede)

England’s great Ian Botham had done this miracle against India. He had scored 114 runs in the very first attempt. After this, he took a total of 13 wickets in bowling with figures of 6/58 and 7/48. This performance of Botham is still counted among the greatest all-round show in Test history.

Imran Khan – 1983, Faisalabad

Former Pakistan captain and great all-rounder Imran Khan played a brilliant innings against India. He scored 117 runs and took a total of 11 wickets in bowling, taking 6/98 and 5/82. This performance of Imran is one of the most memorable achievements of his career. Which established him as the best all-rounder in world cricket.

Shakib Al Hasan – 2014, Khulna

Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan is the only player in modern cricket to join this club. He scored a total of 143 runs including 137 and 6 runs. After that, he took a total of 10 wickets in bowling by giving 5 wickets for 80 runs and 5 wickets by giving 44 runs. This performance of Shakib is considered to be the biggest all-round show in the history of Bangladesh cricket.

Test cricket between India and South Africa has always been full of excitement. There have been many such matches between these two teams, in which one team created history by winning by a huge run margin. Let’s take a look at when the biggest wins have been recorded in India vs South Africa test matches.

India’s biggest win – Delhi, 2015 (by 337 runs)

In December 2015, India ended the series brilliantly by defeating South Africa by 337 runs at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi. R. The spin of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja destroyed the entire South African team in 143.1 overs. India had given a target of 481 runs, but the Proteas batsmen looked helpless in front of the Indian spinners. This victory proved to be India’s biggest Test victory over South Africa so far.

South Africa’s 329-run victory – Kolkata, 1996

The Eden Gardens Test in 1996 was no less than a nightmare for the Indian team. Under the captaincy of Hansie Cronje, South Africa defeated India by a huge margin of 329 runs. The Indian batting line-up was limited to just 53.3 overs. This victory is counted among the most memorable victories of South Africa against India.

Durban havoc – 328 run win in 1996

In the Durban Test in December the same year, South Africa defeated India by 328 runs. In just 34 overs, the entire Indian team collapsed and returned to the pavilion. No Indian batsman could stand before the deadly bowling of Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock.

Cape Town Test – South Africa win by 282 runs (1997)

In the 1997 Cape Town Test, South Africa defeated India by 282 runs. In that match, Brian McMillan and Gary Kirsten played brilliant innings and took their team to a strong score. The Indian team faltered badly in the fourth innings and lost the match by such a huge margin.

India’s 280-run win – Kanpur (1996)

In December 1996, India defeated South Africa by 280 runs at Green Park, Kanpur. Anil Kumble’s brilliant bowling and Mohammad Azharuddin’s balanced batting had put the South African team under complete pressure.

IND vs SA Test Record: Test matches between India and South Africa are always known for thrill. Many legendary batsmen have scored centuries in these matches. Let us know about those players who scored the most centuries between India and South Africa.

Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 7 centuries

South Africa’s great all-rounder Jacques Kallis is the batsman who has scored the most centuries against India. He scored 7 centuries in 18 test matches between 2000 and 2013. Kallis scored 1734 runs in 31 innings, in which his highest score was 201 not out. His average was 69.36, which shows his consistent performance. Whenever the African team got into trouble against India, Kallis came out of it with his bat.

Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 7 centuries

India’s master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is also on top of this list along with Kallis. He scored 7 centuries in 25 Test matches between 1992 and 2011. Sachin scored a total of 1741 runs against South Africa, in which his best score was 169 runs. Indian cricket fans still remember his brilliant centuries in Durban and Cape Town.

Virender Sehwag (India) – 5 centuries

The name of ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ Virender Sehwag is counted among the most explosive batsmen of Test cricket. He scored 5 centuries in 15 matches against South Africa. Sehwag’s highest score was 319 runs, which he made in the Chennai Test. His strike rate of 80.56 shows that he played Test like T20.

Hashim Amla (South Africa) – 5 centuries

South Africa’s reliable batsman Hashim Amla is also included in this list. Amla scored 1528 runs in 21 tests and scored 5 centuries. During this period his highest score was 253 not out.

Mohammad Azharuddin (India) – 4 centuries

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin scored 4 centuries in 11 matches against South Africa between 1992 and 2000. His stylish batting always mesmerized the audience. His best score is 163 not out against South Africa.

Test Record: In the history of Indian Test cricket, wicketkeepers have many times provided relief in difficult times with their excellent wicketkeeping. Some such memorable moments are recorded in the names of Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha and MS Dhoni, who have made the most dismissals (catches or stumpings) in a match. Let us know about the wicketkeepers who have made the most dismissals in a match in India’s Test history.

Rishabh Pant – 11 dismissals (Adelaide 2018)

Rishabh Pant had created history by taking 11 wickets behind the wicket against Australia in the Adelaide Test in 2018. He took all the wickets in this match as catches, which did not involve any stumping. Thanks to his excellent wicket-keeping, India made a historic start on Australian soil by winning that match by 31 runs.

Wriddhiman Saha – 10 dismissals (Cape Town 2018)

Before Rishabh Pant, this record was in the name of Wriddhiman Saha. In the year 2018 itself, Saha had taken 10 catches in the Cape Town Test against South Africa. Saha’s performance was excellent on a pitch that supported fast bowlers. With his excellent agility and precise technique, he got many important wickets for Team India.

MS Dhoni – 9 Dismissals (Melbourne 2014)

MS Dhoni, one of the most successful captains of Team India, is also included in this list. In the Melbourne Test in 2014, Dhoni took 9 wickets while staying behind the wicket against Australia. Which included 8 catches and 1 stumping. At that time, he was the captain of the Indian team and with his calm strategy and experience, he brought India out of a struggling situation in Australia.

Rishabh Pant – 9 dismissals (Brisbane 2024)

Even in the 2024 Brisbane Test, Rishabh Pant maintained his excellent form against Australia. He took 9 catches in this match and proved with his fitness and speed that he is one of the most reliable names of India not only in batting but also in wicket-keeping.

Nayan Mongia – 8 Dismissals (Durban Test, 1996)

In the nineties, Nayan Mongia had performed brilliantly behind the wicket. In the year 1996, in the Durban Test against South Africa, Nayan Mongia made a record of that time by taking 8 catches. That period was challenging for Indian wicketkeepers, and Mongia impressed everyone with his technique.

India Test Record: The Indian Test team has given such performances many times in the history of cricket, which surprised the world. Patience, technique and teamwork are tested in the longer format and on these occasions Team India proved that it can score big in any situation. Let us know about the top-5 biggest innings in India’s Test history, which are recorded in the record books till now.

India vs England – Chennai, 2016

India’s biggest score in Test cricket came in 2016 in Chennai Test against a strong team like England. India declared the innings at 759/7 and won the match unilaterally. In this match, Karun Nair hit a brilliant 303 not out and became only the second batsman from India to score a triple century. India won this match by a huge margin and captured the series.

India vs Sri Lanka – Mumbai (Brabourne Stadium), 2009

In 2009, in the Test played at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, India declared the innings for the second time on a big score of 726/9. Virender Sehwag played a explosive inning of 293 runs in that match. India won this match very easily and this innings became an example of Indian batting aggression.

India vs Sri Lanka – Colombo, 2010

One year later i.e. in 2010, Team India scored 707 runs against Sri Lanka in Colombo. This time the match was a draw, but the innings of Sachin Tendulkar (203), Virender Sehwag (109) and Suresh Raina (120) proved to be memorable. In this match, the batsmen of both the countries demonstrated excellent batting.

India vs Australia – Sydney, 2004

In the 2004 Test in Sydney, India declared the innings with a big score of 705/7. The brilliant innings of Sachin Tendulkar (241 not out) and VVS Laxman (178) had taken India to this score. Although the match remained a draw even after so many runs, this match proved to be a proof of the depth of Indian batting.

India vs Bangladesh – Hyderabad, 2017

In the Hyderabad Test, India had declared the innings against Bangladesh on a strong score of 687/6. Captain Virat Kohli had scored a brilliant 204 runs in this match. India showed its strength by winning this match by an innings and 208 runs.

Test record: Captains have always played an important role in Indian cricket history, whether it is to show the team the way of victory or to maintain courage in difficult times. In long formats like Test cricket, captain’s strategy, patience and leadership skills are most tested. Let’s know about those Indian captains who took over the command of Team India in the most Test matches and left their mark.

Virat Kohli – 68 matches

Virat Kohli is the most successful captain in Indian Test history. He led India in 68 Tests from 2014 to 2022, out of which the team won 40 matches. His win percentage was 58.82%, which is the best for any Indian captain so far. Under the leadership of Kohli, India recorded historic victories abroad such as winning the series in Australia and leading in England. The credit for bringing aggressive thinking, fitness culture and confidence into the team also goes to Kohli.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni – 60 matches

‘Captain Cool’ MS Dhoni captained India in 60 Tests between 2008 and 2014, winning 27. His win percentage was 45%. Under the captaincy of Dhoni, India secured number 1 in the Test rankings for the first time in 2009. He gave the young players a chance and brought stability in the team. Even though his performance abroad faded a bit, Dhoni was unmatched on the home ground.

Sourav Ganguly – 49 matches

Sourav Ganguly is called the “grandfather” of Indian cricket, and he proved this title with his performance. He captained 49 Tests between 2000 and 2005 and won India in 21 matches. After the 2000 match -fixing controversy, Ganguly again raised the team and inspired the youth to play fearlessly.

Mohammad Azharuddin – 47 matches

In the 90s, Mohammad Azharuddin was one of the most trusted captains in India. Between 1990 and 1999, he captained the Indian team in 47 matches, in which India won 14 matches and lost the same. Under the captaincy of Azhar, India registered many excellent win in the domestic series.

Sunil Gavaskar – 47 matches

Little Master Sunil Gavaskar handled Team India in the difficult periods of the 70s. From 1976 to 1995, he took over the captaincy of Team India in 47 Tests, including 9 wins and 30 draws. Gavaskar’s calm nature and continuity in batting made him an ideal captain.