Cricket

Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav's recent visit to Australia has stirred up a whirlwind of emotions, as he paid homage to his late idol, Shane Warne, and expressed his anticipation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Kuldeep's pilgrimage to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Warne's hallowed home ground, was a poignant moment for the spinner. He posed for a photograph with Warne's statue outside the stadium, a testament to the profound connection he felt with the Australian legend."Shane Warne was my idol, and I had a very strong connection with him," Kuldeep said, his voice tinged with emotion. "I still get emotional when I think about Warnie -- it feels like I've lost someone from my family."Kuldeep's admiration for Warne extended beyond the cricket field. He recalled how Warne's mentorship and guidance had a transformative impact on his own career. "He was always there for me, offering advice and encouragement," Kuldeep said. "I owe him a lot."The T20 World Cup-winning cricketer's trip to Australia comes just months before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a highly anticipated series between Australia and India. Kuldeep expressed his eagerness to take on the challenge."I am looking forward to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and we're anticipating a great cricket contest between Australia and India this year," he said. "We have a strong team, and we're confident of putting up a good fight."Kuldeep's visit also included a stop at the Cricket Australia (CA) headquarters, where he had an online interaction with CEO Nick Hockley. He also acknowledged the unwavering support of Indian cricket fans."India cricket fans always support the team around the globe, and I am confident they will come in big numbers for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, especially during the Boxing Day Test," Kuldeep said.The MCG will host the Boxing Day Test from December 26, a match that promises to be a spectacle of cricketing excellence. Kuldeep's presence in Australia is a reminder of the enduring legacy of Shane Warne and the unwavering passion for cricket that unites fans across the globe.

Kent's Tawanda Muyeye produced a masterful double century to thwart Worcestershire's hopes of a swift victory in their relegation battle at New Road. The 23-year-old Zimbabwean dominated the proceedings, guiding Kent to a commanding position after they had faced a first-innings deficit of 276.Muyeye resumed the day unbeaten on 80 and continued to showcase his exceptional batting skills. He surpassed his previous best score of 179, reaching his double century with a single off Joe Leach. The milestone prompted an exuberant celebration, with Muyeye performing a jig around the square before being congratulated by his teammate Grant Stewart.Muyeye received valuable support from Jack Leaning, Joey Evison, Harry Finch, and Stewart. However, his innings came to an end in the final over of the day when he was caught behind off James Hartshorn for 211 from 279 balls, including three sixes and 23 fours.Despite Muyeye's heroics, Worcestershire remain favorites to secure a second consecutive win in the Championship. Kent still trail by 77 runs with two wickets remaining. Tom Taylor's three wickets for 85 from 22 overs proved crucial for the home side, as they seek to capitalize on their advantage.The match was delayed due to overnight rain and morning drizzle, with play only getting underway at 2pm. Kent resumed on 104 for 2 in their second innings, needing a further 172 to avoid an innings defeat.Leaning started aggressively, hitting three boundaries, but was dismissed lbw by Hartshorn for 27. Muyeye continued his aggressive approach, pulling Hartshorn for six. He completed his second first-class century from 109 balls, containing two sixes and 13 fours.The introduction of Adam Finch into the attack led to another breakthrough, with Evison caught behind for 32. Muyeye had a lucky escape on 135 when he top-edged Hartshorn between two fielders, but he continued to bat with confidence.D'Oliveira brought himself into the attack, forming an all-spin combination alongside Jake Libby. Harry Finch provided solid support for Muyeye, adding 81 runs in a partnership of 16 overs.However, Taylor's persistence paid off when Finch was caught lbw for 41. Stewart joined Muyeye and adopted an aggressive approach, contributing 41 runs in a partnership of 84. Taylor struck again with the second new ball, trapping Stewart lbw for 41. He then had Matt Parkinson caught behind before Hartshorn ended Muyeye's brilliant innings.

India A's hopes of securing a victory in the unofficial one-off women's Test against Australia A are dwindling after the visitors faced a batting collapse in their second innings. Resuming on 164 for 7, Australia A managed to post a respectable 260, thanks to an unbeaten 105 from Maddy Darke. However, India A's chase of 289 has been severely hampered by the Australian spinners.Chasing the target, India A openers Priya Punia and Shweta Sehrawat provided a solid start with a 37-run partnership. However, the introduction of spin proved to be India A's undoing. Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, and Lilly Mills wreaked havoc, claiming six wickets between them. Punia (36) and Shubha Satheesh (45) were the only batters to offer some resistance, but their dismissals left India A reeling at 130 for 5.The visitors' hopes were further dented when Parsons dismissed Tejal Hasabnis and Tess Flintoff removed Satheesh. India A skipper Minnu Mani became the fifth wicket to fall, leaving the team in dire straits. Parsons then struck again, dismissing Sajeevan Sajana, as Australia A tightened their grip on the match.At stumps, Raghvi Bist (16) and Uma Chetry (10) were at the crease, with India A still needing 140 runs to win with four wickets in hand. The hosts will be confident of completing a victory on the fourth day, while India A face an uphill task to salvage a draw.

Punjab Kings and Railways batter Ashutosh Sharma's maiden First Class century on his Ranji Trophy debut was made possible by a bat gifted to him by Shikhar Dhawan, who had been impressed by his batting during the pre-season camp for the 2024 Indian Premier League in Mumbai.Sharma, who smashed eight sixes and twelve fours in his 84-ball 123 against Gujarat in January, revealed that Dhawan's gesture had a profound impact on his performance. "The best thing was when I met him for the first time for the (IPL 2024) pre-season camp. The first time he watched my batting, he gave me a bat. I made my maiden First Class hundred with that bat!" Sharma exclaimed.Dhawan's support extended beyond the gift of a bat. Before Sharma's first IPL game against Gujarat Titans, Dhawan offered words of encouragement. "I know you will do it for the team. This cricket is the same as domestic cricket. Just calm your nerves," Dhawan advised.Sharma's composure under pressure was evident in his 17-ball 31 (3x4, 1x6) in the final overs of that match, helping PBKS chase down 200 with three wickets and a ball to spare.Sharma's admiration for Dhawan extends beyond his batting prowess. "I've spoken a lot with Shikhar Paaji (at PBKS). He taught me about visualization and manifestation, to always think positively," Sharma said. "I learnt how a legend like him and a foreign player like Sam Curran perform in tough situations. The main thing is that I learnt how to handle pressure."Sharma's journey from a promising young cricketer to a First Class centurion is a testament to the power of mentorship and self-belief. The bat gifted by Dhawan served as a physical reminder of his potential, while Dhawan's guidance provided the emotional support and technical insights that helped him unlock his talent.

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das put up a valiant fight against Pakistan's bowling attack on Day 3 of the first Test in Rawalpindi. The duo added an unbeaten 98 runs for the sixth wicket, guiding Bangladesh to a respectable 316-5 at the close of play.Rahim, who reached his 28th Test half-century with a boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi, remained unbeaten on 55. Das, who also completed his half-century with a six off Naseem Shah, was not out on 52.The pair came together after Bangladesh lost opener Shadman Islam for 93, just seven runs short of a century. Islam's patient innings of 183 balls helped Bangladesh recover from a shaky start and lay the foundation for a solid total.Pakistan's bowlers struggled to make an impact on the unresponsive Rawalpindi pitch, with only Naseem Shah managing to break through the Bangladesh defense. Shah dismissed Litton Das for 52, ending a promising partnership that had threatened to take the game away from Pakistan.Despite the wicket, Bangladesh remained in control of the match, trailing Pakistan's total of 448-6 declared by 132 runs with five wickets in hand. The visitors will be confident of securing a draw or even pulling off a first-ever win over Pakistan in the 14th Test match between the rivals.

Virat Kohli, the iconic Indian batter, is currently enjoying a break from the cricketing frenzy in London with his family. Despite being away from the field, Kohli's star power remains undiminished, as evidenced by a recent viral video that captured him catching a train in the British capital.As Kohli disembarked from the shuttle, a fan approached him for a photograph. Kohli, while acknowledging the request, politely informed the fan that he would only pose for a group picture. The video, which has since gone viral, showcases Kohli's global fan following and the difficulty he faces in escaping recognition, even in a foreign city.Kohli's international cricket journey began 16 years ago, on August 18, 2008, against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. The then-19-year-old opened the batting with Gautam Gambhir and scored 12 runs. Despite a modest debut, Kohli has since transformed into a batting behemoth for India.In ODIs, Kohli has amassed a staggering 13,906 runs in 295 matches, including a record-breaking 50 centuries. He has also scored 8,848 runs in 113 Test matches and 4,188 runs in 125 T20Is. Kohli's trophy cabinet boasts the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and the 2024 T20 World Cup.Kohli's leadership qualities have also been evident in his role as India's Test captain. Under his stewardship, the team won 40 out of 68 matches, making him the most successful Indian Test captain in terms of wins.Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise, where he has played since 2008, celebrated his 16 years in international cricket with a heartfelt tribute. The franchise hailed Kohli as a "King" and praised his relentless passion and unwavering commitment to the sport.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer renowned for his calm demeanor on the field, is equally admired for his deep passion for motorcycles. His fascination with bikes began long before he became a cricket icon. Growing up in Ranchi, he developed a love for motorcycles that evolved into a lifelong passion.Over the years, Dhoni has added iconic models like the Confederate X132 Hellcat, Kawasaki Ninja H2, and Harley-Davidson Fat Boy to his collection. Beyond collecting, Dhoni often enjoys taking his bikes for rides, frequently spotted cruising through his hometown.Recently, Dhoni, who led India to three ICC titles, made a fan's day by signing an autograph on his bike. The video of this heartwarming gesture went viral on social media, showcasing Dhoni's humility and love for his fans.Dhoni's passion for motorcycles extends beyond personal enjoyment. He is also an avid supporter of motorsports in India. In 2019, he became the co-owner of the Chennai Super Kings MotoGP team, further cementing his connection to the world of two-wheeled machines.Dhoni's love for motorcycles is a testament to his multifaceted personality. While he is known for his calm and composed demeanor on the cricket field, his passion for bikes reveals a more adventurous and spirited side to his character.

Nicholas Pooran's blistering knock of 65 runs off just 26 deliveries propelled West Indies to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the opening match of their three-match Twenty20 International series in Trinidad.After South Africa, missing several regular players, posted a respectable 174-7 in their 20 overs, the West Indies openers, Alick Athanaze and Shai Hope, laid the foundation for the chase with an 84-run partnership. Athanaze contributed 40 runs off 30 balls, while Hope scored 51 off 36 deliveries.However, it was Pooran who stole the show with his explosive innings. The left-hander smashed seven sixes and two fours, finishing the match in style with a boundary off the final delivery. His innings overshadowed the efforts of Tristan Stubbs (76 off 42 balls) and Patrick Kruger (44 off 32 balls), who had earlier rescued South Africa from a precarious position.South Africa's innings had started poorly, with the tourists slumping to 42-5. But Stubbs and Kruger combined for a 71-run sixth-wicket partnership to give their team a fighting total.For the West Indies, Matthew Forde was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-27, while Shamar Joseph claimed 2-40.The victory gives West Indies a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second match scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.

England is poised to secure a victory over a resilient Sri Lanka in the first Test at Old Trafford. At the end of the third day, Sri Lanka had fought back to 204-6 in their second innings, trailing by a mere 82 runs.Angelo Mathews (65) and Kamindu Mendis (56 not out) led a determined rearguard action, erasing the 122-run deficit from the first innings. However, England, who had earlier declared on 358 with Jamie Smith making his maiden Test century, remain favorites to take the lead in the three-match series on Saturday.Resuming the day with a 23-run lead and four first-innings wickets remaining, Smith extended his overnight score of 72 to 111 off 148 balls, becoming the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred for England. Gus Atkinson departed for 20, caught behind off debutant fast bowler Milan Rathnayake's first Test wicket. Smith followed three overs later, edging a delivery from left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya to wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.Tail-enders Mark Wood and Matthew Potts then shared a stand of 33 to bolster England's lead. Sri Lanka, given a few overs to bat before lunch, made a disastrous start as Nishan Madushka was bowled by Chris Woakes for a duck. Atkinson then had Kusal Mendis caught behind by Smith, also without scoring, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 1-2.Dimuth Karunaratne and Mathews dug in after lunch, gradually reducing the deficit. However, Sri Lanka slipped to 95-4 when Chandimal retired hurt after a blow to the thumb. Mathews proved obdurate, but was eventually caught at point by Matthew Potts off Woakes' bowling.Milan Rathnayake was caught in the deep for 10, but Mendis remained unbeaten at stumps, giving Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope.