Cricket

India's humiliating 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand has sparked a wave of introspection and criticism, with former spinner Harbhajan Singh expressing his disappointment and pointing out the pitfalls of over-preparing spin-friendly pitches.Harbhajan, who played 103 Tests for India, believes that the pitches in the recent series were excessively spin-friendly, which backfired against the Kiwis. "The conditions here were offering a lot of turn—Gaddha khoda toh tha lekin gir khud gaaye (we dug a pit for others, but we ended up falling into it ourselves)," he quipped.The former spinner emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that both the captain and the team share responsibility for the defeat. He believes that while India aimed to create challenging conditions for New Zealand, the approach ultimately favored the visitors' bowling attack, particularly left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.Patel's six wickets in the final Test sealed a thrilling 25-run win for New Zealand, dismantling India's batting lineup and securing the historic 3-0 sweep. Harbhajan believes that India could have won the series on standard pitches, potentially with a 2-0 or 2-1 margin."Test cricket means that a match should ideally go on for five days and the better team should emerge victorious. I think the conditions should not be tampered with too much. If you want to play good cricket, then you have to play on a good wicket," Harbhajan said.The series defeat has raised questions about India's pitch preparation strategy and the need for a more balanced approach. Harbhajan's comments highlight the importance of creating pitches that challenge both batsmen and bowlers, allowing for a fair contest and a more entertaining spectacle for fans.

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep of India has been hailed as a testament to their adaptability and aggressive approach. Captain Tom Latham, who led the charge, attributed the victory to the team's collective effort and willingness to take risks."We're very, very ecstatic," Latham said after the 25-run victory in Mumbai. "We spoke about it after each Test match. We were trying to back it up, and I guess to finally do it here in Mumbai, on a completely different surface, one that would challenge us certainly with bat and ball - yeah, we're pretty happy."Latham emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions, a key factor in their success. "I think just being able to adapt to each ground [gives the most satisfaction]," he said.The all-round performance of the team was crucial, with fast bowlers and Rachin Ravindra setting the tone in Bengaluru, and Mitchell Santner's 13-wicket haul sealing the series in Pune."We wanted to come over here and try to fire a few shots... and I certainly think we've done that," Latham said. "We've been a little bit more aggressive with the bat, tried to be a little bit more proactive, and again, with the ball, we've tried to keep things simple, understand how India play a little bit, and just try to do our best."The Mumbai Test witnessed the emergence of Ajaz Patel as a match-winner. After struggling in previous innings, Patel bagged 11 wickets in the game, including a 10-wicket haul in the second innings."Spin bowling's a little bit about rhythm, and sometimes when you're in rhythm, it's about making the most of it," Patel said. "And when the conditions present themselves to you, you have to take it by the horns and really do something for your team."New Zealand's victory marks the first time a visiting team has beaten India in a home Test series of at least three games in 12 years. It is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and aggressive approach.

New Zealand has etched its name in cricket history by becoming the first team to inflict a humiliating 3-0 whitewash on India on home soil. The Kiwis' triumph at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday marked a watershed moment in the annals of Test cricket.This unprecedented victory is a testament to New Zealand's unwavering determination and tactical brilliance. It is the first time the Black Caps have ever won three Tests in a series, both home and away. Moreover, it is the first time they have triumphed in three consecutive away Tests.The whitewash is a bitter pill for India to swallow, as it is the first time they have been swept aside in a home series of three or more Tests. New Zealand joins an elite group of teams, including England, Australia, and the West Indies, to have whitewashed India in a series of three or more Tests.Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who had previously taken ten wickets in an innings at the Wankhede Stadium, played a pivotal role in New Zealand's victory. His five wickets in the first innings prevented India from gaining a substantial lead. Patel's match-winning spell of 6/57 saw India collapse to a paltry 121 all out in just 29.1 overs.In the post-match presentation, New Zealand captain Tom Latham expressed his elation. "We are ecstatic," he said. "The boys have done a fantastic job over the last three Test matches. We are pretty happy. We just want to keep it simple here. We tried to be more proactive and guys chipped in. We are very happy to stand at this position."New Zealand's dominance was evident throughout the series. They won the first Test in Bengaluru by 8 wickets and the second Test in Pune by 113 runs. Their victory in Mumbai was a fitting end to a remarkable tour.

India's humiliating 3-0 Test series defeat at home against New Zealand has left captain Rohit Sharma grappling with a bitter pill to swallow. The skipper acknowledged the team's collective failure, citing numerous mistakes and a lack of top-notch cricket.Chasing a modest 147 to salvage some pride, India collapsed to a dismal 121 all out. Despite Rishabh Pant's valiant 64, the team's batting woes continued, with the top order crumbling to 29 for 5. Pant's dismissal to a controversial third-umpire decision proved to be the final nail in the coffin."Losing a series, losing a Test match is never easy, but [this is] something that is not easily digested," Rohit lamented. "We didn't play our best cricket. We know that and we accept that. New Zealand played better than us throughout the series."Rohit highlighted the team's inability to post substantial first-innings totals in the first two Tests, putting them on the back foot. He also acknowledged the younger players' ability to score runs on challenging pitches, while he and Virat Kohli struggled."Those guys showed how to bat on these surfaces," Rohit said of the younger lot. "You have to be slightly ahead, and be proactive when you're playing on a pitch like that."Rohit's own batting form has been under scrutiny, with only one half-century in the series. He admitted to being disappointed with his performance and acknowledged that his captaincy could have been better.Despite the setbacks, Rohit remained optimistic about the team's future. "We are aware of what we need to do," he said. "It's just that, this was an unfortunate series where it didn't come off."

Tasmania's hopes of salvaging a result against Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash at Bellerive Oval took a significant blow on day three, as the visitors declared their first innings on 460 for 9, leaving the home side with a daunting task to avoid defeat.Hilton Cartwright was the star for Western Australia, scoring a magnificent 153 to help his team establish a commanding position. The right-hander, who had survived a controversial caught-behind decision on the previous evening, batted with great determination and skill, striking 18 boundaries in his 278-ball knock.Cartwright shared century partnerships with Jayden Goodwin (94) and Ashton Agar (74), as Western Australia gradually wore down the Tasmanian bowlers. Goodwin fell six runs short of a second first-class century, while Agar was eventually trapped lbw by Matthew Kuhnemann, who finished with impressive figures of 5 for 100.Tasmania's bowlers toiled hard throughout the day, but they were unable to make significant inroads into the Western Australian batting lineup. Gabe Bell provided a brief glimmer of hope with two wickets in successive overs, but Cartwright and Agar steadied the ship with a substantial partnership.In response, Tasmania's openers Jake Weatherald and Caleb Jewell failed to survive the testing conditions, falling for 0 and 1 respectively. The home side will need to produce a remarkable batting performance on day four to avoid a heavy defeat.

India's wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant's valiant effort to salvage a consolation victory in the third and final Test against New Zealand was cut short by a controversial dismissal that has sparked debate in the cricketing world.After India's top order collapsed, losing five wickets for just 29 runs, Pant launched a counter-attacking knock, scoring 64 runs off 57 balls in the chase of 147 runs. However, his innings was halted when he was adjudged caught behind off Ajaz Patel's bowling.New Zealand appealed for a catch by the wicket-keeper, but the umpire initially remained unmoved. However, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham convinced Patel to review the decision. Upon assessment, it was found that a spike was witnessed on the snicko meter when the ball passed the bat. However, at the same time, Pant's bat had also hit his pads.Despite the dilemma, the third umpire decided to give the decision in New Zealand's favor. The dismissal sparked outrage on social media, with former South Africa captain AB de Villiers highlighting the "grey area" in the DRS technology."Controversy! Little grey area once again. Did Pant get bat on that or not? Problem is when the ball passes the bat at exactly the same time a batter hits his pad snicko will pick up the noise. But how sure are we he hit it? I've always worried about this and here it happens at a huge moment in a big Test match. Where's hotspot?!", De Villiers posted on Twitter.Disappointed with the third umpire's call, Pant had a brief chat with the on-field umpire before taking the heavy and slow walk back to the dressing room. The dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as India eventually lost by 128 runs.The controversy surrounding Pant's dismissal has raised questions about the reliability of the DRS technology and the need for further advancements to eliminate such grey areas.

India's Home Season Ends in Disappointment as Kohli and Rohit FalterIndia's once-unbeatable home record in Test cricket has been shattered, with the team suffering a disappointing defeat in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. The loss marks the end of a dismal home season for star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have failed to live up to expectations.In the third Test, India's second innings collapsed cheaply, with Kohli and Sharma both falling for low scores. This followed a similar pattern in the first two Tests, where the Indian batting lineup struggled to cope with the New Zealand spinners on dustbowls.Kohli, who turns 36 next week, has not scored a Test century since July 2023. His average of 21.33 in the home season is a far cry from his usual high standards. Sharma, the Indian captain, has also endured a poor run of form, averaging just 13.30 with a highest score of 52.The diminishing returns of Kohli and Sharma are a major concern for India ahead of their upcoming five-Test series in Australia. The next couple of months will be crucial in determining whether the two stalwarts can extend their Test careers.The Indian team's home season has been a tale of two halves. After a dominant performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, India suffered a humiliating defeat in the second Test against New Zealand. The third Test ended with a whimper, leaving the team with a lot to ponder before their next assignment.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic batter, has been the heart and soul of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. His unwavering loyalty and exceptional performances have made him an icon for the franchise and a fan favorite.Kohli's journey with RCB has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and heartbreaks. He took over the captaincy in 2013 and led the team to four playoff appearances, including the final in 2016. However, the elusive IPL title has remained out of reach.Despite the lack of silverware, Kohli's contributions to RCB have been immense. He is the franchise's highest run-scorer and the all-time leading run-getter in IPL history, with over 8000 runs to his name. His ability to chase down targets, build innings, and score consistently has been crucial for RCB's success.Kohli's partnerships with AB de Villiers have produced some of the most memorable moments in IPL history. Their aggressive, fearless approach has set the tone for RCB's brand of cricket. Even after stepping down from the captaincy, Kohli remains a leader within the team, guiding young players and motivating teammates.In 2025, Kohli is set to return as RCB captain. The biggest question on everyone's mind is whether he can finally lead the franchise to their maiden IPL title. With his experience, leadership skills, and unwavering determination, Kohli is determined to make it happen.Kohli's legacy with RCB is undeniable. He has been the face of the franchise for over a decade, embodying their spirit and commitment. His loyalty and contributions have made him a symbol of RCB's identity. As he embarks on his second stint as captain, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see if he can achieve the one goal that has eluded him so far: an IPL title with RCB.

Australia A emerged victorious in the first unofficial Test against India A, securing a seven-wicket win at Mackay on Sunday. The triumph gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.India A, after winning the toss and electing to bat, were dismissed for a paltry 107 runs in their first innings. Devdutt Padikkal (36), Sai Sudharsan (21), and Navdeep Saini (23) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. Brendan Doggett was the star performer for Australia A with a six-wicket haul, while Jordan Buckingham, Todd Murphy, and Fergus O'Neill chipped in with one wicket each.In response, Australia A posted 195 runs, taking an 88-run lead. Nathan McSweeney (39), Beau Webster (33), and Cooper Connolly (37) made significant contributions. Mukesh Kumar and Prasidh Krishna were the tormentors for India A, claiming six and three wickets, respectively.India A's second innings saw a resurgence as Sai Sudharsan (103) and Devdutt Padikkal (88) forged a 200-run partnership. Ishan Kishan also contributed with a solid 32. India A was eventually bowled out for 312, setting Australia A a target of 225 runs.Australia A's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost three early wickets. However, McSweeney (88) and Webster (61) steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. McSweeney's innings was particularly impressive, lasting 178 balls and featuring nine boundaries. Webster's contribution of 61 runs in 117 balls helped Australia A secure the victory with seven wickets to spare.