Cricket

Shubman Gill's Century Powers India to Dominant Position in Chennai TestIndia's young batting prodigy Shubman Gill showcased his exceptional talent on Day 3 of the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After a disappointing first innings dismissal for a duck, Gill bounced back with a magnificent century in the second innings, helping India set a daunting target of 515 runs for the visitors.Gill's 119 not out from 176 deliveries was a masterclass in batting. He reached his century with a single off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, becoming only the second Indian No.3 batter after Rahul Dravid to achieve this feat at this stadium in 35 matches. Gill's innings was adorned with 10 fours and 4 sixes, showcasing his aggressive yet elegant strokeplay.The 23-year-old formed a crucial 167-run partnership with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who also scored a century in his return to Test cricket after nearly two years. Pant's century equaled MS Dhoni's record for the most Test centuries by an Indian keeper-batter.Gill's century was not just a personal milestone but also a significant contribution to India's strong position in the match. He became the first batter to score a second-innings century against Bangladesh after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings. This achievement places him in an elite group of Indian No.3 batters, joining Rahul Dravid as the only players to accomplish this feat at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.With India in a commanding position, Gill's performance could prove to be pivotal in securing a victory for the team. His century has not only boosted India's confidence but also put Bangladesh under immense pressure. The visitors will need a monumental effort to chase down the target and avoid a defeat in the series opener.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable return to Test cricket was marked by a record-equalling century, etching his name alongside former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the annals of Indian wicketkeeper-batsmen.After a 635-day hiatus from the longest format, Pant resumed his innings on Saturday with an unbeaten 12. With a couple off Shakib Al Hasan, he reached his sixth Test century, matching Dhoni's tally and becoming the joint record holder for most centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman.Pant's century came in 124 balls, adorned with 13 fours and 4 sixes. His partnership with Shubman Gill, who was batting on 88 when Pant departed, stretched India's lead to a commanding 461 runs.The left-handed Pant, who miraculously survived a horrific car accident in December 2022, displayed his trademark aggression and shot-making prowess. His century was a testament to his resilience and determination to return to the highest level of cricket.India's first innings total of 376 was bolstered by Ravichandran Ashwin's 113 and Ravindra Jadeja's 86. Bangladesh, in response, were dismissed for 149, with Jasprit Bumrah claiming four wickets.Pant's century and India's dominant performance have put them in a commanding position in the ongoing Test match. The visitors will be looking to press their advantage and secure a series victory.

Sachin Baby's masterful century propelled Aries Kollam Sailors to a resounding six-wicket victory over Calicut Globstars in the inaugural edition of the KCL at the Greenfield stadium.Baby's unbeaten 105 off 54 deliveries, studded with eight fours and seven sixes, was the cornerstone of the Sailors' successful chase of 214. His 114-run third-wicket partnership with Vatsal Govind (45) proved decisive in turning the tide in favor of the Sailors.The Globstars had earlier posted a competitive 213/6, thanks to a blistering start by captain Rohan Kunnummal and a late surge by M. Ajinas. Kunnummal's 51 off 30 balls, including two sixes, set the tone for the innings, while Ajinas' 56 off 33 balls, featuring three sixes and a four, provided a late boost.However, the Sailors' bowlers, led by leg-spinner Midhun (2/42), kept the Globstars in check, restricting them to just 23 runs in the final three overs.In the chase, the Sailors lost openers Abhishek Nair and Arun Polouse early, but Baby's unwavering presence at the crease steadied the innings. He manipulated the field placements with ease, punishing loose deliveries with boundaries and sixes.Govind provided valuable support, attacking the Globstars spinners and contributing 45 runs. The pair's partnership laid the foundation for the Sailors' victory.Despite the loss of Govind, Baby continued to dominate the bowling, finding boundaries at will. He reached his century with a boundary off Akhil Dev in the 19th over, sparking jubilation among the Sailors' camp.The Sailors eventually reached their target with 19.1 overs to spare, securing the inaugural KCL title. Baby's match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Tilak Varma, a rising star in Indian cricket, has made a resounding statement with a magnificent century in the ongoing Duleep Trophy match between India A and India D. His unbeaten 111 off 193 balls has not only strengthened his case for a place in the Indian team but has also sparked a viral celebration from his teammate, Avesh Khan.Varma's innings was a testament to his composure and skill. He paced his innings perfectly, reaching his hundred with a calm and collected late cut to the third man region. His knock was laced with nine boundaries, showcasing his ability to find the gaps and rotate the strike.The celebration of his century was equally memorable. As Varma acknowledged the cheers from the crowd, Khan, who was watching from the stands, erupted in a series of hilarious dance moves. The moment was captured on camera and has since gone viral on social media.Varma's century was part of a dominant performance by India A. Pratham Singh also scored an impressive 122, helping India A declare their second innings at 380 for three. This gave them an overall lead of 487, putting India D in a precarious position.India D's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Atharva Taide early on. However, Ricky Bhui and Yash Dubey steadied the ship, ensuring that their side would enter the final day without further damage.Varma's performance has reignited hopes that he can become India's next all-format player. His ability to score runs consistently and his calm demeanor under pressure make him a valuable asset to any team.As the Duleep Trophy enters its final stages, all eyes will be on Varma and India A as they look to secure victory and cement their place as one of the top teams in the competition.

Prithvi Shaw, hailed as India's next cricketing prodigy, made a grand entrance into international Test cricket with a scintillating century on debut. However, his promising start was marred by a puzzling decline in form, leaving fans and experts alike baffled.Shaw's early career was marked by remarkable achievements. He joined an elite group of Indian players to score a century on their Test debut, alongside legends like Rohit Sharma and Sourav Ganguly. He also held the record for the highest individual score in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for several years.Despite these early accolades, Shaw struggled to maintain consistency at the highest level. His form dipped inexplicably, raising questions about his technique and mental fortitude.India's return to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 was highly anticipated. However, Shaw's performance in the first match was a major disappointment. He was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc on the second delivery, setting a challenging tone for the series.Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting analyzed Shaw's batting technique, identifying a weakness against inswinging deliveries. Shaw's lack of front foot movement created a gap between his bat and pad, which the Australian bowlers exploited ruthlessly.Shaw's struggles continued in the second innings, where he was dismissed by Pat Cummins in a similar fashion. His technical flaw was exposed, and he was subsequently dropped from the Indian Test team.Despite his early promise, Shaw's career has been marked by inconsistency and technical deficiencies. His inability to overcome these challenges has prevented him from fulfilling his potential and becoming the star that many had predicted.

Sachin Baby's remarkable century (105 n.o., 50b, 5x4, 8x6) propelled Kollam Sailors to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Kochi Blue Tigers in the Kerala Cricket League at the Greenfield Stadium.Baby's masterful innings, the first-ever century in the league's history, single-handedly guided his team to victory. After reaching his half-century, Baby accelerated his scoring rate, reaching his hundred in just 16 more deliveries.The Blue Tigers' Manu Krishnan had a night to forget. He dropped Baby on 73 off Basil Thampi's bowling and overstepped at the bowling crease after having Rahul Sharma caught in the deep. Baby, who faced the next ball as the batters had crossed, clobbered the Free Hit for a six and then smashed three successive maximums off the left-arm medium pacer to race to his century.The Sailors' victory cemented their position at the top of the table with 12 points. Earlier, Sijomon Joseph's 50 helped the Blue Tigers post a competitive total of 158 for eight, but it proved insufficient in the face of Baby's heroics.In another match, Trivandrum Royals extended its winning streak with an eight-wicket victory over Thrissur Titans. The Royals' fourth win moved them up to third in the points table, while the Titans remained in fifth place after their fifth loss.Royals' most expensive buy, M.S. Akhil, stole the limelight from his skipper Abdul Basith. Akhil anchored the chase with an unbeaten 54 and finished the match in style by clubbing Monu Krisha for successive sixes. Akhil's 86-run unbeaten third-wicket stand with Govind Dev Pai saw the Royals win with 13 balls to spare.

Virat Kohli's century drought, spanning 1020 days and 83 innings, came to an end on September 8, 2022, during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Afghanistan in Dubai. The Indian batting maestro, who had been struggling to find his rhythm in recent times, silenced his critics with a masterful knock of 122 off just 61 balls.Kohli's innings was a testament to his class and resilience. Opening the innings for India in the absence of Rohit Sharma, he seized the opportunity and played with a freedom that had been missing from his game for some time. His knock was a blend of power and finesse, as he effortlessly dispatched the Afghan bowlers to all parts of the ground.The century was Kohli's first in T20Is and his 71st across all formats internationally. It was also his first century since November 2019, when he scored a hundred against Bangladesh in a Test match.Kohli's unbeaten knock propelled India to an imposing total of 212 for 2, a target that proved insurmountable for Afghanistan. The Indian bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar's five-wicket haul, restricted Afghanistan to 111 for 8, securing a comfortable 101-run victory.Kohli's return to form is a major boost for India ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The former Indian captain has been a key figure in India's success in the shortest format of the game, and his return to form will give the team a much-needed confidence boost.

Joe Root's remarkable form in Test cricket continues to soar, with the England batter etching his name into the history books. In the second Test against Sri Lanka, Root notched up two centuries, surpassing Alastair Cook as England's leading century-maker in the format. With 34 tons to his name, Root now stands as the most prolific English batter in Test cricket.Root's exceptional performance has sparked speculation about whether he can surpass the all-time run-scoring record held by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar amassed an astonishing 15,921 runs in Test cricket, a feat that has remained unmatched for over a decade.Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Root has the potential to break Tendulkar's record. "He has three and a half thousand runs to trail by. He has three years. Unless his back snaps, he is the most enthusiastic lover of the game," Vaughan said. "I don't think he is going to get away. He is no longer the captain and knows his game better than ever before. I'll be amazed if he doesn't."Vaughan also acknowledged the significance of Root's achievement for Test cricket. "If Joe goes past Sachin, it will be the best thing that would ever happen to Test cricket, because there's no way BCCI would want an England player at the top of the list. They'll want an Indian at the top so that will secure Test match cricket because it'll take forever for someone to get past him."Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, however, expressed caution. "Don't know. How old is he? 33? He's a youngster. I have no idea when his appetite is going to slow down. He is clearly pretty hungry at the moment. But does he have the desire to go on? He is going to phase himself out of white ball completely. Sorry, I will answer that question about Joe after the Ashes next year."Root's journey to the top of England's batting charts has been marked by consistency and resilience. The 33-year-old has amassed over 12,000 Test runs, averaging over 50. His ability to adapt to different conditions and his unwavering determination have made him one of the most respected batters in the world.As Root continues to pile up runs, the debate over whether he can surpass Tendulkar's record will intensify. While the task is undoubtedly daunting, Root's unwavering focus and exceptional talent suggest that he has the potential to achieve the seemingly impossible.

England's Jamie Smith etched his name into the history books on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper became the youngest English wicketkeeper to score a Test century, breaking a record that had stood for over 90 years.Smith's magnificent ton came at a crucial time for England, who were struggling at 116/5 in their first innings. The Surrey star showed immense composure and skill, guiding his team to a respectable total of 362. His innings was a testament to his talent and determination, and it earned him widespread praise from both fans and pundits.Smith's century was not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for English cricket. It marked the emergence of a new generation of wicketkeepers who are not only reliable behind the stumps but also capable of making significant contributions with the bat.After the match, Smith paid tribute to the influence of former England batsman Ian Bell, who is now working as a batting consultant for Sri Lanka. Bell, who played alongside Smith in the recent Hundred competition, provided valuable guidance and support to the young wicketkeeper."Belly has been a great help for me both in the Lions and with Birmingham Phoenix for the last couple of years," Smith said. "The knowledge that he passed on and his willingness to throw balls at me before games when I had an eye on the Test series is something I'm really grateful for."Smith's century was a major highlight in a match that was ultimately won by England by five wickets. The victory gave England a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, and it will be hoping to seal the series in the second Test at Durham.