Cricket

India's dominance in the fourth and final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg was a testament to their all-round brilliance. The visitors clinched the series 3-1 with a resounding 135-run victory, showcasing their prowess in both batting and bowling.Chasing a mammoth 284-run target, South Africa's hopes were shattered by the brilliance of pacer Arshdeep Singh. His devastating spell reduced the hosts to a disastrous 10/4 within just three overs, effectively ending the contest early. Singh's ability to swing the ball both ways proved too much for the South African batsmen, dismissing Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen in quick succession.David Miller and Tristan Stubbs attempted to salvage the innings with an 86-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi. Stubbs fell off the very next ball after Miller's dismissal, and South Africa were eventually bowled out in the 19th over. Marco Jansen's late hitting provided some consolation, but it was too little, too late.Earlier, India had set a commanding 283/1, their highest-ever T20I score overseas and the highest by any team on South African soil. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma were the architects of this record-breaking total, combining for a 210-run partnership for the second wicket.Samson, who had already struck a century in the first game, once again showcased his precision and elegance, scoring 109* off 56 balls. Varma, batting at number three, continued his sensational form with a muscular 120* off 47 balls. The duo's centuries marked a rare feat in T20I cricket, with two Indian batters reaching the milestone in the same innings.Abhishek Sharma also played a crucial role, setting the tone in the Powerplay with four huge sixes. On a flat track offering true bounce, the Indian batsmen were in full flow, hammering a record 23 sixes. Samson's nine maximums were just one shy of Varma's 10.India's comprehensive victory in the fourth T20I was a fitting end to a successful series. Their all-round performance, led by the brilliance of Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma, proved too much for South Africa to handle.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will feature a star-studded list of 574 players, including Indian stalwarts Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Arshdeep Singh.Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is expected to command the highest bid, with teams like Punjab Kings eager to secure his services. Other top-tier Indian players include Iyer, the IPL-winning captain; Arshdeep, India's leading T20I bowler; Rahul, the stylish opener; Mohammed Shami, the experienced pacer; Mohammed Siraj, the rising star; Yuzvendra Chahal, the wily leg-spinner; and Avesh Khan, the promising fast bowler.The auction will also see a strong contingent of overseas players, with 81 in the top base price bracket of Rs 2 crore. England's Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Jonny Bairstow are among the most sought-after, while South Africa's Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, Australia's Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Starc are also highly rated.Notably, retired England pacer James Anderson has made the cut despite T20 not being his forte. Other notable overseas players include Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra, both priced at Rs 1.25 crore.The auction will also feature 48 capped Indians and 193 capped overseas players. Former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand, now an Associate member nation player, has made the cut, while Saurabh Nethravalkar, who impressed during the T20 World Cup, was not shortlisted.

India's young pacer Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a crucial cog in the team's T20I setup, showcasing his composure and skill under pressure. In the recently concluded third T20I against South Africa in Centurion, Arshdeep played a pivotal role in India's thrilling 11-run victory, dismissing the dangerous Marco Jansen in the final over to secure the win.Jansen had given India a scare, smashing the fastest T20I fifty ever recorded against them, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. His late blitz, including 26 runs off Hardik Pandya in the penultimate over, brought South Africa within touching distance of a miraculous win. However, Arshdeep's calm and accurate bowling in the final over, where he took Jansen's wicket, ensured India held on for the victory.Arshdeep's impressive performance in the match earned him a new milestone—he became the leading wicket-taker among Indian pacers in T20Is, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 90 wickets. Arshdeep achieved the feat in just 59 matches, significantly fewer than the 87 games it took Bhuvneshwar to take his 90 wickets.With 92 wickets, Arshdeep is now second overall in India's all-time T20I wicket-takers list, trailing only Yuzvendra Chahal, who has 96 wickets in 80 matches. Arshdeep has a chance to overtake Chahal in the final T20I match of the series, to be held in Johannesburg on Friday.Arshdeep's rise to prominence has been remarkable. He made his T20I debut in July 2022 and has quickly established himself as a reliable and effective bowler. His ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl at good pace makes him a potent threat to opposition batters.In the match against South Africa, India posted a massive 219/6 after being put into bat, thanks to Tilak Varma's sensational century (107 off 56 balls) and Abhishek Sharma's quickfire 50 off 25 deliveries. South Africa's chase faltered early, but Jansen's late heroics kept them in the hunt until Arshdeep's final over settled the contest, cementing his status as one of India's finest T20 bowlers.

Arshdeep Singh Credits Jasprit Bumrah for His Bowling SuccessIndia's rising pace sensation Arshdeep Singh has attributed his remarkable development as a bowler to the invaluable guidance of his senior teammate Jasprit Bumrah. The duo's formidable partnership played a pivotal role in India's triumphant run to the T20 World Cup 2024 title, with both pacers delivering match-winning performances throughout the tournament.Arshdeep, who has swiftly become a cornerstone of India's bowling lineup in T20 cricket, acknowledged Bumrah's profound influence in building pressure on opponents, thereby enhancing his own effectiveness and wicket-taking ability."I have had a really good bowling partner in Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah), and he has helped me enormously in taking a lot of wickets by creating pressure from the other end. So a lot of credit goes to him as well," Arshdeep told the media ahead of the third T20I between India and South Africa.However, Arshdeep emphasized the importance of adapting to varying conditions and situations to maintain his performance level, especially in Bumrah's absence during the ongoing series."But the main thing is how well I can adapt to the conditions and the situations of the game, how I can attack the batsman early on and take some early wickets. And even at the death, how I can outsmart them and bring the game back into our hands," he added.Despite facing challenges in replicating his World Cup form, Arshdeep has managed to secure a couple of crucial wickets in the series. With the series currently tied at 1-1, he is focused on refining his approach to help India gain the upper hand in the upcoming matches.Arshdeep's rapid rise to prominence has been marked by his ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and execute yorkers with precision. His partnership with Bumrah has formed a formidable bowling duo that has been instrumental in India's recent successes in T20 cricket.

Arshdeep Singh, the young left-arm seamer, has emerged as a formidable death-overs specialist in international cricket. With 89 wickets in just 58 T20I matches, Arshdeep has established himself as a reliable performer under pressure.Arshdeep's success stems from his ability to keep things simple and maintain composure in high-stakes situations. He adapts his plans to the conditions and the team's needs, focusing on executing accurate yorkers at high speeds."My plans depend on the conditions, the wickets, what kind of situations we are faced with," Arshdeep explained. "It's not that I have tasted success every day while bowling in the death."Despite his impressive record, Arshdeep remains level-headed and avoids overthinking. "We have to be level-headed, not think too much about death bowling," he said. "I just try to keep things simple, not complicate them, and look to fulfill the team's needs."Beyond his bowling prowess, Arshdeep is also striving to improve his batting skills. "I love a half volley from a spinner," he said. "But yes, I am trying my best to contribute with the bat as well whenever I get a chance."Arshdeep has benefited immensely from sharing the dressing room with experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah. "I have got a really good bowling partner in Jassi (Bumrah) bhai," he said. "He has helped me enormously in taking a lot of wickets by creating pressure at the other end."Arshdeep also praised T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav for his leadership qualities. "The way he controls his emotions, the way he manages his highs and lows, he is so strong mentally," he said.Looking ahead to the third T20I against South Africa, Arshdeep emphasized the importance of containing the Proteas' batters early on. "They are struggling against spinners, so the aim is to contain them early on and give a good platform to the spinners," he said.

Arshdeep Singh, India's star pacer, is on the cusp of etching his name in the record books as he stands just five wickets away from surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar's record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in T20Is during a single calendar year. With 33 wickets in 21 T20Is this year, Arshdeep has an average of 18.12 and best bowling figures of 4/37.Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the previous record holder, had taken 37 wickets in 32 matches at an average of 19.56, with best figures of 5/4 in 2022. Arshdeep will have the opportunity to break this record when India faces South Africa in the second T20I of the four-match series at Gqeberha on Sunday.In the first T20I, India emerged victorious by 61 runs, with Arshdeep playing a pivotal role. He bowled a spell of 1/25 in three overs, claiming the wicket of South African skipper Aiden Markram.The highest wickets taken by any bowler in T20Is during a calendar year belongs to Uganda's Alpesh Ramjani, who took 55 wickets in 30 matches at an average of 11.29 and best figures of 4/9 last year.

KKR Eyes Arshdeep Singh as Starc Replacement in IPL 2025 Mega AuctionKolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are set to undergo a significant rebuild in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Having released a majority of their title-winning squad, KKR is reportedly targeting Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh as a potential replacement for Mitchell Starc.Starc, the Australian pacer, was a key performer for KKR in IPL 2024, winning the Player of the Match award in both the Qualifier 1 and the final. However, with Starc released, KKR is reportedly keen on acquiring Arshdeep, who emerged as India's highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024.According to a report by Mint, KKR is prepared to go all out for Arshdeep in the mega auction. The left-arm pacer impressed in IPL 2024, taking 19 wickets in 14 games, and followed it up with 17 wickets in the T20 World Cup 2024.However, Arshdeep's economy rate in IPL 2024 was over 10, which could be a concern for potential suitors. Nevertheless, as arguably the most sought-after Indian pacer in the auction pool, Arshdeep is expected to attract significant interest and could command a price tag exceeding Rs 15 crore.Arshdeep has represented Punjab Kings since 2019 but was not retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. However, with Rs 110.5 crore in their auction purse and four Right to Match (RTM) cards at their disposal, Punjab Kings could still retain Arshdeep.KKR has already retained two high-quality spinners in Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, as well as two pacers in Harshit Rana and Andre Russell. While Starc's absence will be felt, Arshdeep could provide a similar solution. KKR will enter the mega auction with Rs 51 crore in their purse.Starc, who was bought for an IPL record fee of Rs 25 crore in IPL 2024, had a slow start to the tournament. However, he came into his own in the latter stages, tearing apart Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 and the final, claiming a combined five wickets in those two games.

Arshdeep Singh Eyes 100-Wicket Milestone as India Prepares for South Africa T20I SeriesIndian seamer Arshdeep Singh is poised to make history as India embarks on a four-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against South Africa. With 87 wickets from 56 matches, Arshdeep is just 13 wickets away from becoming the first Indian to capture 100 wickets in T20Is.Currently, Yuzvendra Chahal holds the Indian record for most wickets in T20Is, with 96 scalps from 80 matches. However, Arshdeep's impressive economy rate of 8.28 suggests that he could surpass Chahal's tally in the upcoming series.Interestingly, India's all-rounder Hardik Pandya is also on the cusp of reaching the 100-wicket milestone in T20Is. Pandya has claimed 87 wickets in 105 matches, boasting an economy rate of 8.17.The India-South Africa T20I series will commence on November 8 at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban. The second match will be played at St George's Park in Gqeberha on November 10, followed by the third match at SuperSport Park in Centurion on November 13. The series will conclude with the fourth T20I at Wanderers Stadium on November 15.India's T20I squad for the South Africa series includes:* Suryakumar Yadav (C)* Abhishek Sharma* Sanju Samson (WK)* Rinku Singh* Tilak Varma* Jitesh Sharma (WK)* Hardik Pandya* Axar Patel* Ramandeep Singh* Varun Chakaravarthy* Ravi Bishnoi* Arshdeep Singh* Vijaykumar Vyshak* Avesh Khan* Yash Dayal

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction promises to be a record-breaking event, with a plethora of star players up for grabs. Among the most sought-after names are Rishabh Pant, K L Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami.Pant, in particular, is expected to be the cynosure of all eyes. The Delhi Capitals' former captain is available for auction after a fallout with the franchise's co-owners, GMR. Pant's unhappiness stemmed from his perceived lack of authority and the appointment of Hemang Badani as head coach and Y Venugopal Rao as Team Director.Iyer, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders' former captain, is also in the auction pool. He felt that his Rs 12.25 crore salary was inadequate for an IPL-winning captain. Rahul, on the other hand, parted ways with Lucknow Super Giants due to differences in approach towards T20 cricket.The auction will be intriguing due to the Rs 75 crore retention cap on international players and the Right To Match cards. Teams that have exhausted their retention quotas will need to recruit at least 15 more players for a lesser sum.Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with their substantial purse amounts, are expected to make significant bids. Pant is likely to emerge as the highest-paid player in the IPL if Punjab Kings, known for their extravagant spending, decide to acquire him."Rishabh's real bidding will start from Rs 20 crore onwards," said a top franchise official. "There will be three teams who can afford to bid big for him: Punjab Kings, RCB, and LSG."Industry insiders predict that Pant could fetch between Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore.