Cricket

India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has refuted claims that the team requests tailor-made pitches for Test matches. He also expressed support for out-of-form legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, emphasizing the need for patience and backing.After suffering their first-ever Test series loss at home in 12 years, India will face New Zealand in the third and final Test from Friday. The Pune Test, played on a spinner-friendly track, resulted in India's 113-run defeat. Speculations have arisen that the Wankhede Stadium pitch in Mumbai could also favor spinners.However, Nayar denied these allegations, stating that the team does not have any influence over pitch preparation. "We don't curate pitches. The curators do. Whatever we're provided with, we go on and play," he said. "As cricketers and as a team, we try and play what we're provided with."Regarding Kohli and Sharma's poor form, Nayar expressed confidence in their abilities. "I've seen nothing but love for them all over. When a top player goes through a lull, it's about giving them their space and trusting that they will come back," he said. "They will put in the work."Nayar emphasized the importance of patience, especially with experienced players. "Everyone's worked really hard, everyone wants to do well. The effort is there. The approach is great. I feel they're putting in the hard yards. Sometimes, you've got to be a little patient, even with the greatest of players," he said.India will be eager to salvage their pride in the final Test. The team's performance has been under scrutiny, and they will be determined to end the series on a positive note.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Sri Lankan legal expert Sumathi Dharmawardena as the new independent chair of its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). Dharmawardena will assume the role on November 1, 2024, succeeding Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who has held the position for 14 years.Dharmawardena brings a wealth of experience in legal and anti-corruption matters to the ACU. He has served as the additional solicitor general at the Attorney General's Department of Sri Lanka, where he represented the government and its ministry of sport in various legal proceedings.Additionally, Dharmawardena has collaborated with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, investigating sports corruption cases and overseeing prosecutions under the prevention of offenses relating to the Sports Act.Dharmawardena's appointment comes at a crucial time for the ICC, as it continues to strengthen its efforts to combat corruption in cricket. The ACU plays a vital role in investigating and prosecuting cases of match-fixing, illegal betting, and other forms of corruption within the sport.Alex Marshall, the current head of the ACU, will also step down from his position at the end of November after seven years of service. The ICC has expressed its gratitude to both Flanagan and Marshall for their contributions to the fight against corruption in cricket.Dharmawardena's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and renewed vigor to the ACU's operations. His expertise in legal matters and his experience in investigating and prosecuting corruption cases will be invaluable in ensuring the integrity of the sport.

New Zealand's historic series win against India has propelled them into contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With an unassailable 2-0 lead, the Kiwis are eyeing a clean sweep in the third Test in Mumbai, starting Friday.India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand are the four teams vying for the two spots in the WTC final, scheduled for June 2024 at Lord's. Despite their recent defeats, India remains atop the WTC table, followed by Australia. Sri Lanka and New Zealand occupy the third and fourth positions, respectively.New Zealand's victory in Pune has given them a psychological edge, but they face a new challenge in the red-soil pitch at the Wankhede Stadium. Coach Gary Stead acknowledges the difference in conditions and emphasizes the need for quick adaptation."The red clay is very different, so we're going to have to adapt quickly," Stead said. "Our next two training sessions are going to be important. For the WTC itself, there's no doubt one more win would certainly help us."New Zealand's triumph in the inaugural WTC edition in 2021, where they defeated India in the final, serves as inspiration for the team. Stead believes they can draw on that experience to achieve another special result."The first time we were in the situation of qualifying for the first WTC final, we had to win four Tests on the bounce and we managed to," Stead recalled. "Hopefully that's something we can lean on and say, 'we've done it before, here's an opportunity to perhaps do something very special again'."India, on the other hand, will be determined to avoid a series whitewash, which they last suffered at home in 2000 against South Africa. The hosts will be eager to close the gap with Australia at the top of the WTC table, where they currently trail by a mere 0.32 points percentage.The third Test in Mumbai promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for victory and a place in the WTC final.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention deadline looms on Thursday, sparking speculation and anticipation among fans and experts alike. While the BCCI and franchises remain tight-lipped, rumors have been swirling about which big names could find themselves in the mega auction.Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, known for his witty remarks, recently addressed the ongoing discussions with a humorous quip. "Everyone is a team owner now," Dhoni said. "Whatever player they desire, whoever is going up for auction, and whoever they decide to purchase, we should be prepared for it. IPL auction works in mysterious ways."Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles, has confirmed his participation in IPL 2025. The veteran wicket-keeper batter is expected to be retained by CSK for a mere Rs 4 crores, thanks to a BCCI rule that classifies Indian players who haven't played for the national team in the last five years as 'uncapped.'"People enter the auction, and there's the uncertainty of where you'll end up," Dhoni explained. "The most delightful aspect comes from the fans. They are the ones who make predictions on which team a certain player will end up with. Look, you find yourself in a market where all teams are well-funded.""Whoever acquires you, you will need to perform for them," Dhoni added. "That certainly is the beauty of the IPL auction. It's not simply a trade; rather, it involves one player being moved to another franchise. You have the freedom to go wherever you desire."The IPL auction is a highly anticipated event that brings together the best cricketers from around the world. With the retention deadline approaching, the excitement is building as fans eagerly await the unveiling of the final rosters.

South Africa continued their dominance in the second Test against Bangladesh, extending their lead to 413 runs at lunch on day two. Resuming on 307 for 2, the Proteas added 106 runs before the break, losing three wickets in the process.Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham started the day confidently, with Bedingham hitting Hasan Mahmud for a boundary and then smashing Taijul Islam for a six and four off consecutive balls. De Zorzi also struck Taijul for two more fours in his next over.However, Bedingham's aggressive approach proved costly as he was bowled for 59 off 78 balls, playing across the line to a full ball from Taijul. De Zorzi followed suit in Taijul's next over, missing a sweep to be trapped lbw for 177 off 269 balls.Taijul completed his three-wicket burst by trapping Kyle Verreynne for a duck, giving him all five South African wickets to fall so far.Despite the wickets, South Africa remained in control of the match. De Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs had dominated the first day with centuries, adding 201 runs for the second wicket. Stubbs and de Zorzi were particularly harsh on Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whose wicketless run on day one extended to 31 overs on day two.At lunch, the visitors were 413 for 5, with Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickleton at the crease. South Africa will be looking to extend their lead further in the afternoon session and put Bangladesh under even more pressure.

New Zealand's historic Test series victory in India has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. After securing the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets, the Kiwis sealed the series with a commanding 113-run win in Pune, marking their first series triumph on Indian soil.This victory snapped India's remarkable 12-year unbeaten streak at home, a testament to the Black Caps' resilience and determination. It also ended India's impressive run of 18 consecutive home series victories, a streak that had stood since England's triumph in 2012.New Zealand's veteran pacer Tim Southee expressed his team's elation at their historic achievement. "It's a very, very tough place to come," Southee said. "But I think you look at this one in particular, 12 years, 18 series. It's nice to be that side that's broken that run."Southee's words underscore the magnitude of New Zealand's accomplishment. India is renowned for its formidable home record, with its spinners wreaking havoc on visiting batsmen. However, the Kiwis defied the odds, showcasing their adaptability and skill in challenging conditions.The victory is a testament to the depth and quality of New Zealand's squad. Led by the experienced Kane Williamson, the team boasts a balanced attack and a resilient batting lineup. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and outplay India on their home turf is a testament to their tactical acumen and mental fortitude.New Zealand's historic triumph has sent a clear message to other teams worldwide: it is possible to defeat India in India. The Black Caps' victory has inspired hope and belief that even the most formidable teams can be overcome with the right combination of skill, determination, and belief.As the series moves to Mumbai for the third Test, New Zealand will aim to complete a 3-0 clean sweep. India, on the other hand, will be eager to salvage some pride and avoid a humiliating whitewash. The final Test promises to be an intriguing battle between two evenly matched teams, with the Kiwis looking to cement their status as one of the world's leading Test sides.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia, former Indian cricketer M. S. K. Prasad has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli's ability to regain his form. Despite a challenging start to the decade in Test cricket, Prasad believes Kohli's love for Australian conditions will ignite his batting prowess.In 2024, Kohli's Test performance has been inconsistent, with an average of 27.22 in five Tests. However, in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, he has shown signs of improvement, scoring 556 runs at an average of 42.76.Prasad, who served as a BCCI selector, emphasized Kohli's affinity for Australian pitches. "Virat Kohli is like a duck getting into the water when he goes to Australia. He loves these conditions and probably he must be eagerly itching to just finish off this Wankhede Test match and then go and play in Australia because he loves that," Prasad said on Star Sports.The Border-Gavaskar series will commence on November 22 in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.India's squad for the series includes Rohit Sharma as captain, Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain, and a mix of experienced and emerging players. Notably, Mohammed Shami was not included in the squad.

India's women's cricket team clinched the three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding six-wicket victory in the decisive match on Tuesday. The triumph was orchestrated by a masterful century from star batter Smriti Mandhana, who anchored India's chase of 233 with an unbeaten 100 runs off 122 balls.Mandhana's innings was a return to form for the talented batter, who had struggled to make an impact in the previous two ODIs and the preceding T20 World Cup. Her patient yet dominant knock, studded with 10 boundaries, laid the foundation for India's successful run chase.After a shaky start that saw India lose Shafali Verma early, Mandhana found a willing partner in Yastika Bhatia. The duo stitched together a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, steadying the Indian innings. Bhatia played the perfect foil to Mandhana, scoring a brisk 35 runs before falling to a return catch.Mandhana's partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur proved decisive, effectively sealing the match for India. Their 118-run stand for the third wicket deflated the New Zealand bowling attack, with Kaur playing a supporting role with an unbeaten 59.By the time Mandhana departed in the 41st over, India were within touching distance of victory. Earlier in the day, New Zealand recovered from a precarious 88/5 to post a respectable total of 232/5, thanks to a fighting knock of 86 runs from Brooke Halliday. The Indian bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma and Priya Mishra, had initially dominated the proceedings, reducing New Zealand to a moderate total. Despite the late fightback from New Zealand, Mandhana's century proved to be the difference between the two sides.India's victory in the series is a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite facing a strong New Zealand side, the Indian women showed their mettle and emerged victorious. Mandhana's century was the highlight of the match, but the contributions of other players, such as Bhatia and Kaur, were equally crucial.

The Ranji Trophy Group-C match between Bengal and Kerala ended in a dull draw at the Jadavpur University ground on Tuesday due to the massive loss of play on the first two days caused by the impact of Cyclone Dana.Resuming from 267 for seven, Kerala declared at 356 for nine, adding 89 quick runs in 18 overs in the morning. Overnight batters Salman Nizar and Mohammed Azharuddeen formed a 124-run partnership for the eighth wicket to guide Kerala to a position of strength.Azharuddeen (84, 97b, 11x4s, 2x6s) shouldered the responsibility and plundered 54, including six fours and two sixes off Shahbaz Ahmed and Mohammed Kaif, off 49 deliveries before falling to Kaif. Ishan Porel removed Nidheesh M.D. to pick up his sixth wicket.When Kerala declared its innings, Nizar (95 n.o., 262b, 8x4s, 1x6) was five short of what would have been his maiden ton.Chasing an improbable 357 in a little more than two sessions, Bengal openers, debutant Shuvam Dey (67, 113b, 7x4, 1x6) and Sudip Chatterjee (57, 102b, 9x4), batted sensibly to score half-centuries and put up 101 runs on an unresponsive track.Jalaj Saxena trapped Chatterjee lbw in the middle session, while Aditya Sarvate claimed Dey and Avilin Ghosh in consecutive overs after tea. Anustup Majumdar and Sudip Gharami displayed some patience and gamesmanship to last more than 22 overs as the match dragged on until bad light halted play.The match ended in a draw, with both teams securing one point apiece as the first innings could not be completed.