Cricket

On a deteriorating pitch at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) XI set a formidable target of 353 runs for Haryana in the Buchi Babu tournament. TNCA XI's innings was anchored by B. Indrajith's unbeaten 75 runs, which included three boundaries and a six.Haryana had been bowled out for 218 in their first innings, giving TNCA XI a crucial 175-run lead. Captain R. Sai Kishore was the star performer with the ball, taking seven wickets for 76 runs. He dismissed Jayant Yadav (65) and Dheeru Singh (74), two of Haryana's top scorers.TNCA XI's second innings got off to a shaky start as openers S. Lokeshwar and G. Ajitesh were dismissed early. However, Pradosh Ranjan Paul (44) and Indrajith steadied the ship with a 46-run third-wicket partnership. Indrajith also shared an unbeaten 55-run sixth-wicket stand with R. Sonu Yadav, guiding TNCA XI to a commanding position.Haryana's bowlers struggled to contain TNCA XI's batsmen, with Nishant Sindhu and Jayant Yadav taking two wickets each. However, the target proved too daunting for Haryana, who were bowled out for 16 runs in their second innings.

Rory Burns' magnificent 227 propelled Surrey to a commanding position in their Vitality County Championship clash against Lancashire at the Kia Oval. The Surrey captain led from the front, anchoring a mammoth 444 for 9 declared on day two, giving his side a 236-run advantage.Burns' marathon innings spanned seven and a half hours, during which he faced 348 deliveries and struck a six and 29 boundaries. He found an able ally in Ben Foakes, who contributed a fine 82, as the pair forged a 197-run partnership for the fourth wicket.Lancashire's bowlers toiled hard but were unable to make significant inroads into Surrey's batting lineup. Dom Sibley, Will Jacks, and Sam Curran all failed to capitalize on starts, while India's Sai Sudharsan made a brief appearance before edging to slip.However, Jordan Clark's unbeaten 25 helped Burns add a valuable 50 for the seventh wicket. Burns eventually departed after skying a catch to Matty Hurst, but Surrey's declaration came soon after, with Tom Lawes and Conor McKerr dismissed cheaply by Tom Hartley.Lancashire's young team, with an average age of 25, faced a daunting task in their second innings. They managed to reach four without loss before bad light ended play, but the deficit of 236 runs looms large.Surrey's dominance on day two has put them in a strong position to secure their seventh Championship win of the season and boost their hopes of a third consecutive title.

Jay Shah's potential move to the International Cricket Council (ICC) as Chairman has sparked speculation about his successor as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary. With Shah's term ending in October 2025, the BCCI faces the task of finding a suitable replacement.Among the potential candidates is Rajiv Shukla, the current BCCI Vice-President. Shukla, a Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha, could be asked to take on the role for a year. Another contender is Ashish Shelar, the BCCI Treasurer and a prominent figure in Maharashtra BJP. However, Shelar's political commitments may limit his availability.Arun Dhumal, the IPL Chairman, possesses the necessary experience to lead the BCCI. He has previously served as Treasurer and now heads the lucrative Indian Premier League. A swap of roles between Dhumal and Shukla could be a viable option.Devajit 'Lon' Saikia, the BCCI Joint Secretary, is another potential candidate. While not as well-known, he plays a crucial role in the current BCCI administration.Younger administrators such as Rohan Jaitley, the DDCA President, and Avishek Dalmiya, the former CAB President, could also be considered. Other young state unit officials include Dilsher Khanna (Punjab), Vipul Phadke (Goa), and Prabhtej Bhatia (Chattisgarh).The possibility of a completely new face taking over the top job cannot be ruled out. However, the BCCI's power structure typically favors individuals who have been part of the system.

A Fan's Incredible One-Handed Stunner Steals the Show at England-Sri Lanka TestIn a thrilling moment that captivated the crowd at the England-Sri Lanka Test in Manchester, a fan became an instant sensation with an extraordinary one-handed catch. The incident occurred on the third day of the first Test, leaving spectators in awe and commentators praising the fan's athleticism.As England's Mark Wood attempted a pull shot off a bouncer from Asitha Fernando, the ball soared into the deep mid-wicket stands. Amidst the anticipation, a fan with a pint in one hand extended his other hand and executed a flawless one-handed catch. The crowd erupted in cheers, and even England coach Paul Collingwood couldn't help but be impressed.The fan's remarkable catch not only showcased his exceptional reflexes but also highlighted the passion and excitement that permeate the sport of cricket. It served as a reminder that even in the midst of a high-stakes Test match, moments of pure joy and camaraderie can emerge.The incident also underscored the importance of fan engagement in sports. The fan's catch became a viral sensation on social media, with many praising his skill and the unique atmosphere it created at the match. Such moments help foster a sense of community and shared experience among fans, making sporting events even more memorable.

Rocky Flintoff Makes Historic County Championship Debut for LancashireRocky Flintoff, the 16-year-old son of England cricket legend Andrew Flintoff, has etched his name in the history books by becoming the youngest-ever County Championship debutant for Lancashire. The highly anticipated moment arrived on Thursday at The Oval, where Rocky took to the crease against Surrey.Batting at No. 4, Rocky faced a daunting task as Lancashire stumbled to 33/2 in the early stages. Undeterred, he displayed remarkable composure against the experienced Sam Curran, patiently playing out seven consecutive dot balls before finding his first boundary.Rocky's determination paid dividends as he gradually gained confidence, hitting three more boundaries to showcase his technical prowess. However, his promising innings was halted in the 30th over when Jordan Clark dismissed him for 32. Sai Sudharsan's brilliant catch at point ended Rocky's knock, leaving Lancashire in a precarious position at 98/4.Despite his dismissal, Rocky's early innings provided a glimpse of his immense potential. His solid cricketing foundation was evident in his ability to handle the pressure of a first-class debut and contribute valuable runs.Surrey's bowlers continued to assert their dominance, eventually bowling out Lancashire for a total of 204. Rocky's innings, though brief, served as a testament to his talent and the high expectations surrounding his cricketing career.

KL Rahul's Cryptic Social Media Post Sparks Retirement SpeculationIndian cricket star KL Rahul has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world with a cryptic social media post that has sparked speculation about his retirement. On August 22, Rahul posted a message on Instagram that read, "I have an announcement to make, stay tuned..."Shortly after, another image circulated on his Instagram channel, seemingly confirming his retirement. The image read:"After much reflection and consideration, I have decided to announce my retirement from professional cricket. This decision has not been easy, as the sport has been a significant part of my life for many years."The message went on to express gratitude for the support of family, friends, teammates, and fans, and acknowledged the invaluable experiences and memories gained throughout his career. It concluded with a heartfelt thank you to all who had been a part of his cricketing journey.However, despite the seemingly definitive nature of the message, questions have been raised about its authenticity. Rahul has not officially confirmed his retirement through any other channels, and his social media accounts have since been deactivated.Sources close to Rahul have indicated that the retirement announcement may be a hoax, and that the cricketer is currently focused on preparing for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024, which is scheduled to commence on September 5.The speculation surrounding Rahul's retirement has created a buzz on social media, with fans and experts alike expressing their thoughts and opinions. Some have expressed concern about the possibility of Rahul retiring at such a young age, while others have questioned the timing of the announcement, given his recent return to the Indian team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka.As of now, the authenticity of Rahul's retirement announcement remains uncertain. However, the cryptic social media post has certainly raised eyebrows and sparked a lively debate about the future of one of India's most talented cricketers.

Dinesh Karthik's All-Time India XI: A Mistake RectifiedFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has clarified his omission of legendary wicket-keeper and captain MS Dhoni from his all-time India XI across formats. Karthik initially left out Dhoni, sparking controversy among cricket enthusiasts.In a recent interview, Karthik admitted that the omission was an oversight. "I made a big mistake," he confessed. "I realized only when the episode came out." He explained that amidst various considerations, he forgot to include a wicketkeeper, leading to the assumption that Rahul Dravid would take on that role."Can you believe being a wicketkeeper, I forgot to have a wicketkeeper? It is a blunder," Karthik added.Karthik, who has played as a wicketkeeper for India, lavished praise on Dhoni, calling him "one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game." He clarified that if given the chance to redo his team, Dhoni would be his automatic choice for the No. 7 spot and would be the captain of any Indian team, irrespective of the format.Karthik's all-time India XI across formats features a mix of India's finest talents. The lineup includes Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma as openers, followed by Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the crucial No. 3 and No. 4 positions. Virat Kohli is at No. 5, adding further depth and firepower to the batting lineup.For the all-rounder slots, Karthik chose Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja, both known for their match-winning abilities with both bat and ball. The spin department features Ravichandran Ashwin and Anil Kumble, two of India's most successful spinners, while the pace attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah and Zaheer Khan. Karthik also named Harbhajan Singh as the 12th man, recognizing his significant contributions to Indian cricket.Despite the initial mix-up, Karthik's selections underscore his respect for the greats of Indian cricket and highlight the depth of talent the country has produced over the years.

Sanderstead's Stuey Elleray Drops the Catch of the CenturyIn a hilarious turn of events during a village league match between Sanderstead Cricket Club and Merton Boars, Sanderstead's Stuey Elleray became an instant internet sensation after juggling the ball seven times before dropping a routine catch.The incident occurred during Merton Boars' innings, with Mark Barber on the attack after completing his century. Elleray, fielding at long-on, had a seemingly straightforward catch to take, but the ball slipped through his grasp and bounced off his chest.Undeterred, Elleray continued to juggle the ball, much to the amusement of the crowd and his teammates. The ball bounced off his hands, his legs, and even his head, before he finally lost his balance and dropped it.Elleray's fumble sent social media into a frenzy, with fans labeling it one of the biggest "hall of shame" moments in cricket history. Some even dubbed it the "greatest dropped catch ever."Despite Elleray's comical error, Sanderstead went on to secure a comfortable victory, chasing down a target of 240 in just 30.3 overs with eight wickets to spare. Barber's unbeaten 117 went in vain as all of Sanderstead's top-five batters contributed to a convincing day on the field for the hosts.Elleray's dropped catch has become a viral sensation, highlighting the unpredictable and often hilarious nature of cricket. While it may have been a moment of embarrassment for Elleray, it has also brought joy to cricket fans around the world.

England's wicketkeeper Jamie Smith played a pivotal role in pushing the team to a 23-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka in the ongoing first Test at Old Trafford. Smith's unbeaten knock of 72 helped England reach 259-6 before play was halted due to weather on Day 2.Resuming on 22-0, England faced early setbacks as Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando claimed the wickets of Ben Duckett (18) and Ollie Pope (6). Dan Lawrence survived an lbw review but was later dismissed for 30, while Joe Root fell for 42.However, Smith and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a 62-run partnership. Brook reached a half-century for the 13th time in 15 Tests, continuing his impressive start to his career in the format.After tea, Smith carried England past Sri Lanka's total of 236 all out. He has now scored three half-centuries in his four Test matches, showcasing his immediate impact in the Test arena.Sri Lanka, who were reeling at 6-3 on Day 1, have shown resilience in the match. Asitha Fernando has been their standout bowler, claiming figures of 3-68.The weather played a significant role on Day 2, with rain washing out the morning session and leading to an early end to the day's play. The teams will be hoping for better conditions on Day 3 as they look to gain an advantage in the series opener.