Cricket

Mysore Warriors emerged victorious in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament, claiming a 45-run triumph over Bengaluru Blasters in the final at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.Batting first, the Warriors amassed a formidable total of 207 for four wickets. Opener S.U. Karthik set the tone with a blistering 71 off 44 deliveries, including seven boundaries and three sixes. Skipper Karun Nair contributed a steady 66 off 45 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes.The Warriors' middle order provided valuable support. Manoj Bhandage played a whirlwind knock of 44 not out off just 13 deliveries, smashing three sixes and a four off the final four balls of the innings. This late surge propelled the Warriors' total beyond the 200-run mark.In response, the Blasters struggled to keep pace with the Warriors' imposing target. L.R. Chethan top-scored with 51, while M. Kranthikumar remained unbeaten on 39. However, the Blasters' chase was hampered by the Warriors' disciplined bowling attack.All-rounder Vidyadhar Patil was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 19 runs. Senior off-spinner K. Gowtham also chipped in with two wickets for 23 runs. The Blasters were eventually restricted to 162 for eight wickets, falling short of the Warriors' total.The Warriors' victory marked their second Maharaja Trophy triumph, having previously won the tournament in 2014 when it was known as the Karnataka Premier League. The team's success was a testament to their fine batting performance and first-rate bowling.

England's Gus Atkinson continued his remarkable Lord's legacy, claiming five wickets as the hosts thrashed Sri Lanka by 190 runs in the second Test on Sunday. This emphatic victory secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Sri Lanka faced an insurmountable task of chasing down a record-breaking 483 in the fourth innings. Despite valiant efforts from Dinesh Chandimal (58), Dimuth Karunaratne (55), and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (50), they were dismissed for 292 after tea on the fourth day.Atkinson, who had earlier scored his maiden first-class century in England's first innings, led the bowling attack with an impressive 5-62. His performance earned him a fifth mention on the Lord's dressing room honors boards in just his second Test at the iconic venue.Atkinson's heroics made him only the third England cricketer after Tony Greig and Ian Botham to score a century and take five wickets in an innings of the same Test. He also joined India's Vinoo Mankad and Botham as the only players to achieve this feat at Lord's.The 26-year-old Surrey paceman's latest impressive return helped England seal a seventh successive win over Sri Lanka. This victory followed their five-wicket success in the first Test at Old Trafford."To get on both honors boards is incredible," Atkinson said after the match. "It will take a while to sink in."This game was also a personal triumph for England captain Joe Root. For the first time in his 145 Test matches, Root scored centuries in both innings (143 and 103), setting a new record of 34 Test centuries by an England batsman.Sri Lanka have little time to regroup before the third Test at The Oval, which starts on Friday. De Silva admitted that he had made a mistake in opting to field on a good batting pitch after winning the toss."Definitely. I got it wrong," he told the BBC. "We have got to improve on the first innings whether we bat or bowl first, that's what I will be telling my boys is that we've got to start better."Sri Lanka resumed Sunday on 53-2, with the odds stacked against them. However, Root dropped a tough chance to dismiss Karunaratne, who went on to score a half-century.Olly Stone, in his first Test for three years, dismissed Karunaratne shortly before lunch. Chandimal counter-attacked with a quickfire fifty, but Atkinson had him caught at short leg.Kamindu Mendis, who had scored a century in the first Test, fell for just four on Sunday. De Silva and Milan Rathnayake were also dismissed by Atkinson, who completed his five-wicket haul.Chris Woakes had the final say when Lahiru Kumara holed out to Stone at mid-on.

Sarfaraz Khan's journey to the Indian Test team has been a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional talent. After making his first-class debut in 2014, he amassed a staggering number of runs, yet the elusive dream of playing for India remained out of reach.Despite being retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018, Sarfaraz was benched due to fitness concerns. However, he returned to Mumbai in 2019 and embarked on a remarkable run, scoring 928 runs in six matches at an average of 154.66. This performance earned him a recall to the Indian Test squad.In the third Test against England in Rajkot, Sarfaraz made his debut at the expense of Mumbai teammate Shreyas Iyer. Despite the absence of Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz was not initially selected in the Test squad. However, with K.L. Rahul also out of commission, Sarfaraz was drafted into the side.On his debut, Sarfaraz showcased his aggressive batting style, smashing 161 off just 160 deliveries. He played with a fearless mindset, unfazed by the pressure of playing in his first Test match. Sarfaraz's innings helped India recover from a precarious position and set the stage for a memorable victory.In the subsequent Tests, Sarfaraz continued to impress, scoring a half-century in the second innings of the Rajkot Test and a fierce 56 in the final Test in Dharamsala. He has now scored three half-centuries in his first five Test innings and averages an impressive 50.India's selection panel now faces a dilemma, as Sarfaraz's performances have put him in contention for a regular spot in the middle order. With Kohli and Rahul returning to the team, there is only one middle-order slot up for grabs.Sarfaraz's main competition comes from Devdutt Padikkal, who made a promising debut in Dharamsala. However, Sarfaraz's experience and proven ability to score runs in difficult situations make him a strong candidate for selection.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Sarfaraz remains focused on his goal of becoming a regular member of the Indian Test team. He knows that he has earned his spurs, and he is determined to continue making the most of every opportunity he gets.

Liton Das's heroic century and a record-breaking partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz lifted Bangladesh from the brink of collapse to a competitive total of 262 all out on Sunday in the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.Das, who came to the crease with Bangladesh reeling at 26-6, played a marathon innings of 333 minutes, hitting 13 boundaries and four sixes to reach his fourth Test hundred. His knock was crucial in Bangladesh's remarkable turnaround, which saw them add 236 runs for the last four wickets.Mehidy, who had taken 5-61 in the first innings, provided valuable support to Das, scoring a pugnacious 78 off 12 boundaries and a six. The pair's 165-run seventh-wicket stand is the highest for Bangladesh in Tests and the first time a pair has added 150 or more runs for the seventh or lower wicket from a team total under 50 runs.Das and Mehidy's partnership frustrated Pakistan's bowlers, who had earlier put Bangladesh in a precarious position. Pacer Shahzad took 6-90, including a four-wicket burst in his first spell, while Mir Hamza chipped in with 2-50.However, Bangladesh's lower order showed great resilience, with Das adding 69 runs with tail-ender Hasan Mahmud (13 not out) in a 24.5-over ninth wicket stand. This equaled the partnership record against Pakistan and left the home team frustrated.At close on the third day, Pakistan were left on a sluggish 9-2, with opener Abdullah Shafique dismissed for three and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad falling without scoring. Saim Ayub was not out on six as the home team lead by 21 runs.Pakistan will need to bat smartly to clinch a series-leveling win after losing the first Test, also in Rawalpindi, by 10 wickets. Bangladesh's win last week was their first in 14 attempts against Pakistan.

Sussex's dominance in the Vitality Championship's second division continued as they secured a resounding innings and 59-run victory over Derbyshire, their sixth triumph of the season. The victory solidifies their position at the top of the standings, with two home games remaining and a clear path to the title.Off-spinner Jack Carson emerged as the star performer for Sussex, contributing both with the bat and ball. His innings of 97 was followed by match figures of 11 for 157, the best return of his career. His second-innings haul of 6 for 67 was another personal best, bringing his wicket tally to 20 in the past two games.Derbyshire's resistance was led by Harry Came and Wayne Madsen, but their efforts proved futile as they lost their last eight wickets for just 54 runs in 25 overs. The match marked a return to form for Sussex after their heavy defeat to Glamorgan.On the final morning, Derbyshire resumed on 141 for 2, needing 176 runs to avoid batting again. Came and Madsen showed resilience, but the introduction of the new ball proved decisive. Jaydev Unadkat struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Madsen and David Lloyd, turning the tide in Sussex's favor.Carson continued the onslaught, removing Came and Zak Chappell in quick succession. Aneurin Donald's aggressive approach backfired as he was caught at backward square leg, and Jack Morley followed suit. Carson then claimed Daryn Dupavillon and Anuj Dal to complete his match-winning performance.Sussex's victory extends their lead in the second division, and with two home games remaining, they are now firm favorites to secure the title.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has once again showcased his witty side on social media, this time poking fun at a spinner's hilarious delivery. Paine, who was recently appointed as the head coach of the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season, shared a video on Twitter of a spinner hilariously botching a delivery, with the ball slipping out of his hand and falling far short of the pitch.The video, originally posted by @SENTassie, joked about the Strikers' potential interest in the hapless spinner, stating, "We’ve heard the Strikers have committed to selecting this world-class spinner with their pick." Paine joined in the fun, quipping, "If only we had some space left in the salary cap for this mystery spinner."Paine's appointment as the head coach of the Strikers marks the latest step in his rapid ascent through the coaching ranks. After serving as an assistant to Jason Gillespie last season, Paine was named head coach following Gillespie's departure. His new role will see him leading a Strikers team that has shown great promise, particularly with their strong finish to the last BBL season, where they secured a spot in the finals.Paine's light-hearted approach on social media contrasts with his serious commitment to his coaching duties. He has already been active in the development of young talent, including his involvement with NT Strike in the Top End T20 series and his previous stint as an assistant coach for Australia A.As Paine prepares to lead the Strikers into BBL14, fans can expect a blend of his cricketing acumen and his characteristic humour, both on and off the field. Paine's appointment as head coach is a testament to his dedication to the sport and his ability to connect with players and fans alike.

Mylapore Recreation Club (MRC), a bastion of cricket in Chennai, celebrated its 100th anniversary with a grand event that brought together former players, cricket enthusiasts, and dignitaries. The occasion was marked by the release of a commemorative book, "Mylapore Recreation Club — A Hundred Year Journey," which chronicles the club's rich history and enduring legacy.N. Murali, Director of The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited, hailed MRC's century-long journey as a testament to the unwavering passion for cricket that has permeated its existence. He highlighted the club's role as a witness to the evolution of the sport, offering fascinating insights into the spirit and ethos of the times.Murali paid tribute to Sir C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar, the founder and patron of MRC, and his three sons, who all played for the club. He also acknowledged the contributions of Buchi Babu Nayudu, considered the patron saint of Madras cricket, and his three sons, who also graced MRC's playing fields.MRC, Murali noted, has been a club of families, carrying forward a tradition of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Despite being an amateur club for 90 out of its 100 years, MRC has maintained a high level of competitiveness, a testament to the dedication and skill of its members.Murali singled out the contributions of P.S. Ramachandran, a sensational fast bowler of his time, and his three sons, Sundaram, Venkatachalam, and Viswanathan, who have all been fast bowlers. He described their story as an "amazing" testament to the club's ability to nurture talent.V.V. Kumar, former India leg-spinner and chief guest of the function, lauded MRC for living by its traditions and values. He emphasized the club's commitment to fostering a love for cricket and providing a platform for young players to develop their skills.Former MRC cricketers, including Sundaram, Venkatachalam, Kasi Viswanathan, CEO of Chennai Super Kings, and A.G. Satwender Singh of Alwarpet CC, shared their memories and anecdotes, painting a vivid picture of the club's vibrant history.The 100th anniversary celebrations of Mylapore Recreation Club were a fitting tribute to the enduring spirit of cricket in Chennai. The club's legacy as a cradle of talent, a hub of camaraderie, and a testament to the enduring power of sports will continue to inspire generations to come.

Pakistan's bowling attack dominated the morning session of the third day in the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, leaving the visitors reeling at 75 for 6 at lunch. Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza wreaked havoc on the Bangladesh top order, claiming six wickets in the first hour.Shahzad, bowling with precision from around the wicket, targeted the stumps and reaped the rewards. He dismissed Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, and Najmul Hossain Shanto in quick succession, leaving Bangladesh in tatters at 20 for 4.Hamza joined the party, trapping Mominul Haque in front of the stumps and inducing a thin edge from Mushfiqur Rahim to Mohammad Rizwan. Shakib Al Hasan's dismissal to Shahzad left Bangladesh on the brink of collapse at 26 for 6.However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das showed some resilience, adding 49 runs for the seventh wicket. Mehidy was the aggressor, hitting four boundaries off Hamza and Mohammad Ali. Litton provided support, contributing a neat clip off Shahzad.With the pitch easing and the Pakistani bowlers losing their initial venom, Mehidy and Litton managed to survive until lunch. Bangladesh still trail Pakistan by 199 runs and need 50 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team's captain, is renowned for his calm demeanor and exceptional cricketing intellect. However, he also has a playful reputation for being forgetful. This quirky trait has been humorously highlighted by several cricketers, including Virat Kohli, who has mentioned Rohit's tendency to misplace items.Despite his forgetfulness, Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary asserts that Rohit possesses a sharp and intelligent cricketing mind. "Rohit may seem casual, but he's a very smart player," Chaudhary said. "His game sense is very good."Chaudhary also praised Rohit's batting skills, saying that he has an incredible "ball-sense." "He knows exactly when to move forward on a ball," Chaudhary said. "Look at his short-arm pull shot. Unbelievable!"Chaudhary recalled a match where Rohit scored over 200 runs, smashing bowlers all around the park. "The balls that were yorkers for others, he was hitting those for sixes," Chaudhary said. "He's in a different class.""On the day he's in his flow, he's a one-man army," Chaudhary said. "His batting is of a different class. When he's batting, it feels great to watch."