Cricket

India and Zimbabwe will face off in the fourth T20I in Harare, with both teams seeking a series victory. India has secured two comfortable wins after an initial defeat, but questions remain about their selection strategy.In the third T20I, India fielded four openers, leaving them short on bowling options. Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma conceded 50 runs in their combined four overs, highlighting the need for a stronger bowling lineup.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has struggled with fielding errors, dropping seven catches in the last two games. Captain Sikandar Raza expressed frustration, stating, "It is the fielding again. We are very proud of our fielding but unfortunately the wheels have come off in the last two games."Their top-order batting has also been inconsistent, with Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, and Johnathan Campbell eager to impress ahead of their maiden call-ups for the Test against Ireland.Blessing Muzarabani has been Zimbabwe's standout fast bowler, using his height and bounce to trouble Indian batters. He has an impressive economy rate of 6.00, the best among fast bowlers from both teams.Washington Sundar has been India's go-to bowler after the powerplay, taking five wickets in the middle overs at an economy of 4.60. He will be keen to showcase his all-round abilities with the Sri Lanka series approaching.Zimbabwe is unlikely to make significant changes, while India may rotate their fast bowlers. Mukesh Kumar or Khaleel Ahmed could replace Avesh Khan.The pitch in Harare is expected to be two-paced with variable bounce, similar to previous matches. The weather forecast is favorable, with no rain expected.

The India vs Australia T20 World Cup 2024 match at St Lucia will be etched in the annals of cricket history for Rohit Sharma's extraordinary batting display. In a Super Eight encounter, Rohit unleashed a barrage of boundaries against the Australian bowlers, amassing a blistering 92 runs off just 41 deliveries.Rohit's onslaught was particularly relentless against Mitchell Starc, the left-arm pacer brought into the Australian lineup to exploit the Indian captain's perceived weakness against left-armers. However, Rohit turned the tables on Starc, smashing him for four sixes and a four in the third over of India's innings. The over yielded a staggering 29 runs, including a wide.Rohit's first two sixes off Starc were exquisite aerial drives over extra cover, followed by a powerful blow into the cow corner region. The fourth maximum was a mishit that soared over the wicketkeeper's head.Starc, who has faced Rohit on numerous occasions, acknowledged the Indian's dominance in that match. "I've played a lot against him. He had a good tournament, especially in our game. I think he targeted that wind in St. Lucia as well. If you look at the runs from each end, one end went for a lot more than the other. I bowled from that end. I bowled five bad balls and he hit them all for six," Starc said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.Australia had opted to field first, but Rohit's sublime knock, featuring seven fours and eight sixes, propelled India to a formidable total. The Indian captain also became the first player to score 200 sixes in T20 cricket.India ultimately emerged victorious by 24 runs, with Rohit's innings playing a pivotal role in their triumph. The match showcased the Indian captain's exceptional batting prowess and his ability to dominate even the most formidable bowlers.

Ravichandran Ashwin's autobiography, "I Have The Streets - A Kutty Cricket Story," is a captivating memoir that chronicles his journey from his humble beginnings to his triumphant role in India's 2011 World Cup victory. The 184-page book is a treasure trove of amusing anecdotes and insightful reflections on Ashwin's innovative mindset and unwavering commitment to the sport.One of the most gripping stories in the book revolves around an incident in Port Elizabeth (now known as Gqeberha) in 2010, during a limited overs match against South Africa. An enraged Mahendra Singh Dhoni instructed Ashwin to inform team manager Ranjib Biswal to book S Sreesanth on the next available flight back home. The reason behind this drastic decision was Sreesanth's repeated disregard for Dhoni's instructions to sit in the dug-out with other reserves for a massage in the dressing room.Ashwin's autobiography also delves into his controversial "Mankading" debut as a teenager and the pivotal role played by WV Raman in shaping him into a formidable off-spinner. While the book steers clear of sob stories and excessive dramatization, it offers readers an engaging and insightful look into the life and career of one of India's most talented cricketers.Ashwin's strong belief in adhering to the rules and maintaining fairness in the sport is evident throughout the book. He recalls an incident during a school cricket match when his father instructed him to dismiss the non-striker for gaining an unfair advantage by leaving the crease prematurely.The book also highlights Ashwin's deep respect for former India opener WV Raman, who is highly esteemed in Indian cricket for his technical expertise. Ashwin credits Raman with improving his technique by straightening his run-up from an angular one, which helped correct his alignment and enhanced his overall performance.

James Anderson Retires: Cricketing Fraternity Pays Tribute to England LegendLegendary cricketer James Anderson has bid farewell to international cricket after a remarkable 22-year career. The 41-year-old pacer ended his illustrious journey with an impressive 704 wickets in 188 Tests, including 32 five-wicket hauls.Anderson's retirement has sparked an outpouring of tributes from the cricketing fraternity, including former Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. "Hey Jimmy! You've bowled the fans over with that incredible 22-year spell," Tendulkar wrote on his social media account. "It has been a joy to watch you bowl - with that action, speed, accuracy, swing, and fitness. You've inspired generations with your game."Tendulkar, who retired in 2013, wished Anderson a fulfilling life beyond cricket. "Wish you a wonderful life ahead with good health and happiness as you put those new shoes on for the most important spell of your life - the time with family," he added.Anderson's respect for Tendulkar was evident in his earlier comments, where he hailed the Indian as the "best batter" he had ever bowled against. "I don't remember having a specific game plan against Sachin Tendulkar. Once he came on, I would just think that I cannot bowl a bad ball here, he was that kind of player," Anderson had said.The Lancastrian claimed 149 wickets in 39 Tests against India, while Tendulkar amassed 2,535 runs in 32 Tests against England. Their rivalry was one of the most captivating in cricket history.Other cricketers who paid tribute to Anderson included ICC, Rich Kettleborough, Ajay Jadeja, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings. They all acknowledged his exceptional skills, longevity, and impact on the game.James Anderson's retirement marks the end of an era in English cricket. His legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.

England's dominance over West Indies continued at Lord's as they secured a resounding innings and 114-run victory, completing a comprehensive triumph in the first Test.After posting a mammoth 371 in their first innings, England's bowlers wreaked havoc on the West Indies batting lineup. Gus Atkinson, making his Test debut, emerged as the star performer, claiming 12 wickets for 106 runs in the match. His exceptional performance marked the best figures by an Englishman on Test debut since 1890.James Anderson, the veteran seamer, also made a significant contribution, taking four wickets in the match, including three in the second innings. Despite missing out on a fairytale five-wicket haul, Anderson's 704th Test wicket cemented his status as one of the greatest bowlers of all time.England's batting lineup also impressed, with Zak Crawley (76), Alex Smith (70), Joe Root (68), Ollie Pope (57), and Harry Brook (50) all contributing to the team's imposing total.In the second innings, Atkinson continued his demolition of the West Indies batting order, claiming five wickets for 61 runs. Anderson chipped in with three wickets, while Stuart Broad and Jack Leach also played their part in the rout.West Indies' batting woes were evident throughout the match, with only Kyle Mayers (31) and Nkrumah Bonner (35) offering any resistance. The team's inability to build partnerships and their susceptibility to Atkinson's pace and accuracy proved costly.England's victory sets the tone for the remaining two Tests in the series. The team will be confident of continuing their dominance, while West Indies will need to find a way to improve their batting performance if they are to avoid a series whitewash.

India's young guns are on the cusp of securing a series victory against Zimbabwe in the ongoing Twenty20 International series. After a disappointing loss in the opening encounter, the Shubman Gill-led team has bounced back with two convincing wins to take a commanding 2-1 lead.The series triumph may not hold significant weight in the grand scheme of cricket, but it has provided a platform for several promising players to showcase their potential. Abhishek Sharma and Washington Sundar have emerged as strong contenders to fill the void left by the departure of some of India's veteran stars.Washington has impressed with his all-round abilities, claiming six wickets at an economical rate of 4.5. His performance has put him in contention for the spin-all-rounder role in the Indian team, especially with Ravindra Jadeja's retirement from T20Is.Abhishek, on the other hand, has underlined his credentials as a future star with a blistering century in the second T20I. His aggressive batting and ability to play a variety of shots have made him a strong candidate for the top-order.With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma no longer part of the T20I setup, India is looking to identify their next generation of leaders. Yashasvi Jaiswal is the frontrunner to fill one of the top-order spots, while Abhishek is vying for the other alongside Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad.Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson, who have been on the fringes of the Indian team, also have a chance to stake their claim in the remaining two games of the series. They will be eager to prove their worth and cement their place in the future plans of the Indian team.The performance of the bowlers, particularly leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, has also been encouraging. Bishnoi's googlies have proved to be a handful for the Zimbabwean batters, and he has picked up six wickets in the series so far.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has struggled to maintain their early momentum after winning the first game. They have shown glimpses of brilliance, such as Blessing Muzarabani's fiery spells and Dion Myers' well-paced fifty. However, they need to find a way to consistently challenge this resurgent Indian team.

The 2007 T20 World Cup final remains a haunting memory for Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan's captain at the time. Despite leading his team to the brink of victory, Misbah's mistimed scoop shot handed India a famous five-run win.Played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on September 24, 2007, the short boundaries gave Pakistan confidence in chasing down India's 157 for 5. Gautam Gambhir (75 off 54 balls) and Rohit Sharma (30 off 16 balls) had set the platform for India, while Umra Gul's 3 for 28 led Pakistan's bowling effort."We were very confident because of the pitch and the short boundaries," Misbah said on a Star Sports show. "It was tough for India because they relied on their spin bowling, and it's difficult for spinners at the Wanderers."Pakistan's run-chase started poorly, with RP Singh dismissing both openers early. However, Imran Nazir's run-out proved to be a turning point. "Losing quick wickets and Nazir's run-out put pressure on us," Misbah analyzed.Despite partnerships between Misbah and Yasir Arafat, and Misbah and Sohail Tanvir, Pakistan found themselves needing 13 runs to win with one wicket remaining. India captain MS Dhoni handed the ball to Joginder Sharma."I was confident we could get the runs," Misbah recalled. "The four off Asif's edge gave us hope, and I hit a six at the start of the last over."However, Misbah's high-risk scoop shot off the third ball of the over landed in S Sreesanth's hands, sealing India's victory. "Cricket is like that," Misbah concluded. "When you have one wicket left, the bowling side has the advantage."

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has sparked a debate with his candid views on workload and injury management. In a video released by Star Sports, Gambhir expressed his firm belief that players should play across all three formats if they are good enough and in form."I am a very strong believer in one thing, that if you are good, you should be playing all the three formats. I have never been a big believer of 'injury management'. You got injured, you go and recover. As simple as it gets. You are playing international cricket, and you are good enough - you ask any of the top players - they want to play all the three formats. They don't want to be labelled as red-ball bowlers or white-ball bowlers," Gambhir said.The former India opener emphasized that injuries are a natural part of a sportsman's life and should be dealt with by recovery rather than through preemptive management. "Injuries are part of sportsmen's life. And if you are playing all the three formats, you get injured, you go back and get recovered but you should be playing all the three formats. I am not a big believer to identify people that okay we are going to keep him for Test matches and we are going to keep him and we are going to manage his injury and workload and stuff," Gambhir elaborated.Gambhir's no-nonsense approach and emphasis on playing through all formats is expected to bring a new dynamic to the Indian cricket team as they gear up for their series against Sri Lanka. At 42, Gambhir is the youngest coach to lead Team India, and he underscored the importance of professional players making the most of their careers by playing as much as possible, given the limited span of their professional life."Look, professional cricketers, you got a very small span. When you are playing for your country you want to play as much as you can. When you are in very good form, go ahead and play all the three formats," Gambhir explained.

Tasmania's aspirations to host indoor Test cricket at a proposed new stadium in Hobart have taken a significant step forward as part of the state's bid to join the Australian Football League (AFL). The Tasmania Devils are set to become the AFL's 19th team in 2028, and the construction of a new stadium is a key component of the deal.The proposed stadium at Macquarie Point is envisioned as a multipurpose venue with a capacity of 23,000 and a transparent roof that would allow for both daytime cricket and floodlit T20 matches. Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Anne Beach emphasized the importance of securing accreditation for red-ball cricket, stating that it is a critical factor in enabling the stadium to host a full range of cricket content.Concept designs for the Macquarie Point stadium were unveiled earlier this week, incorporating data from ball-tracking technology to ensure the roof is sufficiently high for cricket. Cox Architecture CEO Alistair Richardson explained that the roof has been raised to 50 meters, which exceeds the maximum height at which a ball has ever been hit.Experts have indicated that the design of the roof will minimize the impact of shadows on the playing surface. While Marvel Stadium in Melbourne has hosted indoor ODIs and BBL matches with the roof closed, Test cricket has never been played at an enclosed ground.Cricket Tasmania chair David Boon expressed the state's eagerness to play cricket at the new stadium, acknowledging that it could spark discussions about the future of Bellerive Oval. He emphasized Tasmania's desire to be a leader in innovation for the future of the game.Tasmania last hosted a Test match in the 2021-22 season, when the final Ashes match was moved to Bellerive Oval from Perth due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. It is unlikely that Tasmania will host another Test in the current Future Tours Programme, but it is scheduled to host a T20I against Pakistan in November and the third ODI of the Women's Ashes in January.