Cricket

India's promising batter Ruturaj Gaikwad has expressed his outrage over a controversial dismissal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Gaikwad, who is currently in Australia with the India A team for a three-match unofficial Test series, took to social media to vent his frustration over the incident involving Maharashtra's stand-in captain Ankit Bawne.During the Maharashtra vs Services match in Pune, Bawne was adjudged caught behind off a delivery that replays clearly showed had bounced before reaching the fielder in the second slip. The decision left Gaikwad fuming, and he shared a slow-motion video of the incident on Instagram, questioning how such a dismissal could be given in a live game."How can this be given out in a live game???" Gaikwad wrote in his post. "Shame to even appeal for a catchhhh! Absolutely pathetic."Gaikwad's reaction highlights the growing frustration among players over questionable umpiring decisions in domestic cricket. The use of slow-motion replays has made it easier to scrutinize such incidents, and players are increasingly demanding a higher standard of officiating.The incident also raises questions about the role of technology in cricket. While the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) has been widely praised for reducing umpiring errors, it is not available in all domestic matches. This means that players are often left at the mercy of the on-field umpires, who may not always have the best view of the action.Gaikwad's outburst is a reminder that umpiring remains a crucial aspect of cricket. Fair and accurate decisions are essential for maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring that the best team wins. As technology continues to evolve, it is important to find ways to incorporate it into the decision-making process to minimize the risk of controversial dismissals.

India A's Appeal Denied in Controversial Catch DecisionIndia A's hopes of leveling the unofficial Test series against Australia A were dealt a blow on the second day of the second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A contentious catch decision involving Australia A opener Marcus Harris left the Indian players and fans in disbelief.During the 22nd over of Australia A's innings, spinner Tanush Kotian delivered a delivery that drifted into Harris before spinning away. The ball appeared to clip the edge of Harris' bat and flew to the fielder at first slip, who claimed the catch cleanly.However, to the astonishment of the India A players, on-field umpire Mike Graham-Smith ruled Harris not out. The Indian players, including Kotian, were adamant that Harris had edged the ball, but their appeals were met with indifference.Harris, who was batting on 48 at the time, survived the appeal and went on to complete his half-century before being caught behind off Prasidh Krishna on 74. The incident sparked a heated exchange between the India A players and the umpire, with the Indians gesticulating and expressing their frustration.Harris, on the other hand, indicated that the sound had come from his bat clipping his pad. The commentators on air also expressed their disbelief, stating that it appeared to be a clear edge.The controversial decision has cast a shadow over the second unofficial Test, which is seen as an audition for players from both teams to earn a spot in the senior sides for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first unofficial Test was won by Australia A by seven wickets, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.The second match began on Thursday with Australia A opting to bowl and dismissing India A for 161. In reply, the hosts took a 62-run lead after being bowled out for 223. The match is set to resume on Saturday, with India A needing to find a way to break through Australia A's batting lineup and level the series.

West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been handed a two-match suspension for storming off the field during the series-clinching ODI win over England. The incident occurred during Wednesday's game at Kensington Oval in Barbados, shortly after Joseph took the wicket of Jordan Cox in the fourth over.Joseph's departure left West Indies briefly down to 10 players before he returned for the sixth over. Cricket West Indies (CWI) has since released a statement condemning Joseph's behavior, stating that it "fell short of CWI's standards of professionalism.""Alzarri's behavior did not align with the core values that Cricket West Indies upholds," said CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe. "Such conduct cannot be overlooked, and we have taken decisive action to ensure the gravity of the situation is fully acknowledged."Joseph has since apologized for his actions, saying that "my passion got the best of me.""I have personally apologized to captain Shai Hope and my teammates and management," said Joseph. "I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans. I understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused."The suspension means that Joseph will miss the remaining two ODIs of the series against England. It is a significant blow to the West Indies, who are looking to build on their series win.Joseph's suspension is a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism on the field. Players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values of the sport and their team. Joseph's actions have not only let down his team but also the fans who support them.

India's pace attack faces a daunting task in the upcoming Test series against Australia, with the absence of Mohammed Shami casting a shadow over the team's bowling plans. While Jasprit Bumrah remains the undisputed leader of the attack, the supporting cast of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana lacks experience and consistency.During the previous tour of Australia in 2020-21, India's pace attack was a formidable force, with Bumrah, Shami, and Ishant Sharma leading the charge. However, this time around, the support cast appears undercooked, raising concerns about their ability to complement Bumrah effectively.Siraj, who emerged as India's next pace leader on the last tour, has struggled for form in recent times. His rhythm seems to be off, and he has been unable to find his consistency. The added pressure of leading the attack in Shami's absence could further affect his performance.Prasidh Krishna, another promising pacer, has the ability to generate bounce from a fuller length, but he needs to improve his control and consistency. Harshit Rana, a relatively inexperienced bowler, has been picked ahead of more experienced options like Mukesh Kumar, raising questions about the team management's decision-making.Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes that it takes time for pacers to mature and that patience is key. However, he acknowledges that the current crop of bowlers lacks the experience of the previous generation.With the series set to decide India's fate in the World Test Championship, the inexperienced pace attack will be under immense pressure to perform. If they can rise to the occasion and provide Bumrah with the support he needs, India has a chance of repeating their triumph from the last tour.

Mohammad Nabi to Retire from ODIs After Champions TrophyStar Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has announced his decision to retire from One-day Internationals (ODIs) after the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year. The 39-year-old, who retired from Test cricket in 2019, will bid farewell to the 50-over format following the prestigious ICC tournament, according to Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Naseeb Khan.Nabi made his ODI debut in 2009 against Scotland and has since represented Afghanistan in 165 matches. During his illustrious career, he has amassed 3549 runs with a highest score of 116 and claimed 171 wickets with his off-spin bowling."Yes, Nabi is retiring from ODIs after the Champions Trophy and he informed the board about his desire," Naseeb told Cricbuzz. "He told me a few months back that he wants to end his ODI career after the Champions Trophy and we welcome his decision."Nabi's retirement decision comes after a successful ODI series against Bangladesh in Sharjah. In the series opener, he played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's 92-run victory, scoring a brilliant 79-ball 84 and taking a wicket."After the Champions Trophy, what I understand is that, he is expected to continue his T20 career, and that is the plan until now," Naseeb added.Nabi's retirement marks the end of an era for Afghanistan cricket. He has been a key figure in the team's rise to international prominence and has played a significant role in their success in both ODIs and T20Is.

India's recent humiliating 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home has sparked a firestorm of criticism, with fans demanding the retirement of veteran players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. The team's dismal performance with both bat and ball has put the seniors under intense scrutiny.However, former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has urged fans to exercise patience and not rush to judgment after just one series loss. "What is the hurry boss? One bad series and already calling for the heads. I don't think so," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.Karthik believes that the calls for retirement are premature and that the players deserve a longer leash. "I think, if they don't do well in the next 10 Test matches, then we will come back to this question and then it becomes a fair question, considering its going to be another domestic season. For the moment, I don't think we need to group anyone anywhere," he added.Karthik acknowledged that India's performance against New Zealand was subpar in all departments. "A bit of everything. Our bowling was not up to the mark. Our spinners, especially the experienced ones, didn't gave a great series. Batting, without a doubt, we lack in ability to play spin," he said.The Indian batters have struggled to cope with spin bowling in recent times, a weakness that was ruthlessly exploited by the New Zealanders. "The defence game overall around the world has definitely decreased because of the white-ball formats that goes without saying but the Indian players have struggled to cope against spin," Karthik observed.India's next assignment is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia Down Under, starting on November 22 in Perth. The series will be a stern test for the Indian team, and the performance of the senior players will be under the microscope once again.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, has revealed the invaluable lessons he has learned from his predecessor, Rohit Sharma. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining balance and composure, Yadav credits Sharma's leadership philosophy for shaping his own approach to captaincy.According to Yadav, Sharma's philosophy revolves around staying grounded and maintaining a level head, even in the face of adversity. He has taught Yadav that life balance is essential for players to handle losses and setbacks without becoming overly emotional.As India's T20I captain, Yadav has adopted Sharma's approach of dedicating substantial time with teammates away from the cricket field. He believes that this enhances their performance during matches by fostering strong interpersonal relationships and camaraderie."Winning and losing is part and parcel of sports," said Yadav. "I have learnt from him (Rohit) that in life, balance is important. After doing well, even if you lose, your character should not change. This is one quality a sportsman should have."Yadav views Sharma as a true leader who goes beyond the role of a captain. He has observed Sharma's calm demeanor, his ability to treat players with respect, and his keen understanding of their mental state."A leader is one who decides how his team plays a particular format," said Yadav. "I have been noticing him for nearly ten years. I know how he treats his players, what he wants from them. That route I have also taken as he has been successful."Yadav has customized Sharma's approach to align with his own leadership style and requirements. He believes that understanding players' mental state and emotional well-being is crucial for maximizing their potential performance."You have to understand what's happening around and what's going on in their minds," said Yadav. "There needs to be a comfort level as they have different types of skill sets. The freedom to express themselves is very important and I am trying to give them that."Yadav's adoption of Sharma's leadership principles has been evident in his own captaincy style. He has fostered a positive and supportive environment within the team, encouraging players to express themselves and perform to the best of their abilities.

Kerala's gritty lower-order batting, led by captain Sachin Baby and Salman Nizar, put them in a commanding position against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the KCA-St. Xavier's College ground.After resuming on 105 for four, Kerala lost Baba Aparajith and Aditya Sarwate cheaply to Uttar Pradesh's left-arm spinner Shivam Sharma. However, Baby and Akshay Chandran steadied the innings with a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket.When Chandran fell, Baby found an ideal ally in Nizar, who curbed his natural flamboyance to play a patient innings. The duo navigated the challenging track, using the depth of the crease and stepping out to loft the ball over the infield.Baby and Nizar's 99-run partnership for the sixth wicket put Kerala in control. Baby eventually fell for 83, trapped in front by Shivam Mavi, but Jalaj Saxena continued the resistance with a fluent 35.Nizar remained unbeaten on 74, hitting sixes and fours off leg spinner Piyush Chawla to signal Kerala's intent for the third day. Mohammed Azharuddeen also contributed with an unbeaten 11, ensuring Kerala reached 340 for seven at stumps.Uttar Pradesh's bowlers toiled hard, with Shivam Sharma taking two wickets and Saurabh Kumar, Aaqib Khan, and Chawla claiming one each. However, Kerala's lower-order resilience proved too much to overcome.

Riding on opener Shivam Bhambri's eye-catching knock of 80, Chandigarh managed to nudge ahead of Delhi on day two of a Group D Ranji Trophy contest. A number of handy contributions from the middle and lower order, too, made a difference as the host secured a 48-run first-innings lead on a pitch where the spinners were extracting appreciable assistance.Bhambri's 111-ball 80 proved crucial for Chandigarh. The right-hander, who has been in fine form this season, played a patient and composed innings, anchoring the team's batting effort. He found support from wicketkeeper Mayank Sidhu (44) and Aayush Sikka (24), who stitched together a 62-run partnership to deflate Delhi's hopes of grabbing first-innings honours.Delhi captain Himmat Singh relied heavily on spin given the conditions on offer, but pacers Himanshu Chauhan and Siddhant Sharma bowled only 19 of the 92 overs that they were on the field. Ayush Badoni, who is in the team more for his batting, was the most successful of the four tweakers Delhi had at its disposal, claiming four for 57 in 14 overs of off-spin. Left-arm spinner Sumit Mathur bowled well too, returning figures of 28-5-72-3.It was Mathur who made the first breakthrough of day two. Introduced in the 11th over of the day, the 26-year-old removed Manan Vohra immediately. The Chandigarh skipper had added 100 runs for the second wicket alongside Bhambri before being caught by Yash Dhull at cover off a ball that seemed to hold up on the surface.Three more wickets in the opening session, including that of Bhambri who miscued a slog sweep to long on, reduced Chandigarh to 182 for five at lunch, 94 runs adrift of the visitor's total with five wickets in hand. Instead of pressing the panic button, Sidhu and Sikka were judicious in their shot selection and stitched together a 62-run partnership. It went a long way towards deflating Delhi's hopes of grabbing first-innings honours.Badoni, nevertheless, stuck to his task and ended with a four-wicket haul for his second straight game. The scores:Delhi — 1st innings: 276.Chandigarh — 1st innings: Arslan Khan b Siddhant 0, Shivam Bhambri c Kshitiz b Shokeen 80, Manan Vohra c Dhull b Mathur 44, Ankit Kaushik c Himmat b Mathur 2, Rajangad Bawa b Badoni 33, Aayush Sikka lbw b Badoni 24, Mayank Sidhu c (sub) b Badoni 44, Gurinder Singh b Badoni 32, Jagjit Singh Sandhu c Vashisth b Siddhant 18, Nishunk Birla (not out) 21, Vishu Kashyap b Mathur 9; Extras (b-12, lb-3, w-2): 17; Total (in 92 overs): 324.Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-100, 3-104, 4-160, 5-164, 6-226, 7-273, 8-278, 9-302.Delhi bowling: Siddhant 12-3-37-2, Chauhan 7-0-32-0, Mathur 28-5-72-3, Shokeen 18-1-60-1, Vashisth 13-1-51-0, Badoni 14-2-57-4.Delhi — 2nd innings: Sanat Sangwan (batting) 19, Anuj Rawat (batting) 13; Total (for no loss in 10 overs): 32.Chandigarh bowling: Vishu 4-1-13-0, Birla 5-1-13-0, Gurinder 1-0-6-0.