Cricket

New South Wales (NSW) dominated Victoria in a One-Day Cup clash at the Junction Oval, securing a resounding 140-run victory. Despite the absence of Josh Hazlewood due to illness, NSW showcased their batting prowess with half-centuries from Steven Smith, Nic Maddinson, and Matthew Gilkes.Smith, returning to form after a disappointing Sheffield Shield match, struck a fluent 56 off 54 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. Maddinson contributed 63 off 64 balls, while Gilkes provided a late surge with a blistering 74 off 42 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes.Victoria's bowlers struggled to contain NSW's onslaught, with only veteran Peter Siddle offering resistance. The 39-year-old claimed a List A career-best 5 for 49, including the wickets of Smith, Gilkes, Pat Cummins, Josh Philippe, and Moises Henriques.In reply, Victoria's chase was anchored by Matthew Short's impressive 80 off 57 balls. However, the loss of wickets at regular intervals hindered their progress. Cummins, making his return after a long layoff, claimed the key wicket of Sam Harper, while Chris Green picked up three wickets to finish with 3 for 27.The victory extends NSW's unbeaten start to the One-Day Cup, while Victoria remains winless after two matches.

Virat Kohli's Uncharacteristic Dismissal Stuns India in Pune TestIn a shocking turn of events, India's batting maestro Virat Kohli suffered an unexpected dismissal during the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The incident occurred as Kohli attempted to negotiate a full toss from Mitchell Santner.Kohli, who had entered the crease following Shubman Gill's dismissal, misjudged the delivery and failed to connect with the ball. The ball slipped under his bat and crashed into the stumps, leaving Kohli visibly stunned and in disbelief.The dismissal marked a rare lapse in judgment for Kohli, who is renowned for his impeccable technique and shot selection. As he made his way back to the pavilion, his frustration was evident, clearly disappointed with the way his innings had ended.Kohli's dismissal came at a crucial juncture in the match, with India looking to build a solid foundation after losing the opening Test in Bengaluru. His departure left the team in a precarious position, with the middle order under pressure to deliver.The incident has raised questions about Kohli's form and focus, as he has struggled to find his rhythm in recent matches. In the opening Test, he managed scores of 0 and 70, failing to make a significant impact on the outcome.Kohli's dismissal has also highlighted the strength of New Zealand's bowling attack, which has consistently troubled the Indian batsmen throughout the series. Santner, in particular, has been a thorn in India's side, claiming the wickets of both Gill and Kohli in the second Test.As the series progresses, Kohli will be under immense pressure to regain his form and lead India to victory. His experience and leadership will be crucial if India is to level the series and avoid a humiliating defeat.

Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, is known for his entertaining antics both on and off the field. In a recent video that has gone viral, Pant can be seen playing a "kick prank" on his teammate Sarfaraz Khan during a team huddle. The video shows Pant attempting to kick Khan, who quickly moves out of the way.Pant's playful behavior has been a constant throughout his career. Even when he is not playing, he is always looking for ways to keep the atmosphere light and fun. This latest prank is just one example of his infectious personality.In addition to his off-field antics, Pant has also been making waves on the field. He recently overtook Virat Kohli to reach the sixth spot in the ICC Test rankings for batters. Pant's impressive performance in the second innings of the opening Test against New Zealand, where he scored a counter-attacking 99, helped him gain three spots in the rankings.Pant's rise in the rankings is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has consistently performed well for India in all formats of the game, and he is now one of the most feared batsmen in the world.Pant's success is not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of the strength of Indian cricket. India currently has a number of world-class players, and Pant is one of the most exciting young talents in the team.With his unique style of play and his infectious personality, Rishabh Pant is one of the most popular cricketers in the world. He is a true entertainer, and he is sure to continue to make headlines for years to come.

In a stunning display of bowling prowess, Tasmania annihilated reigning champions Western Australia (WA) in the 10th match of Australia's Domestic One-Day Cup 2024-25. The match, played at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth, witnessed a dramatic collapse by WA, who were bowled out for a paltry 53 runs in 20.1 overs.Tasmania's bowling attack, led by spinner Beau Webster and pacer Billy Stanlake, wreaked havoc on WA's star-studded batting lineup. Webster claimed a remarkable 6-wicket haul for 17 runs in six overs, including two maiden overs. Stanlake also played a crucial role, taking 3 for 12 in 7.1 overs.WA's collapse began in the 16th over when Cameron Bancroft was trapped LBW by Webster. Just two balls later, Webster struck again, removing WA skipper Ashton Turner for a duck. This wicket signaled the start of a dramatic downturn, as six WA batters, including Turner, failed to open their account.Stanlake then added to WA's misery by clean-bowling Josh Inglis and sending Hilton Cartwright back in the same over. With WA at 53/6, the wickets kept tumbling. Webster returned to remove Cooper Connolly, Jhye Richardson, and Joel Paris to complete his six-wicket haul. Stanlake finished off the innings by dismissing Ashton Agar, wrapping up WA's innings at a dismal 53.Opener D'Arcy Short top-scored for WA with 22 runs from 41 balls, but his efforts were overshadowed by Tasmania's disciplined bowling and WA's shocking collapse.Tasmania then chased down the target with ease, scoring 55 for the loss of three wickets in just 8.3 overs. Opener Mitchell Owen top-scored with 29, off 17 balls, and Matthew Wade remained unbeaten on 21 (13 balls) for them.This sensational victory marks a significant upset in the Domestic One-Day Cup and highlights the strength of Tasmania's bowling attack. WA, who were considered favorites heading into the match, will be left to rue their dismal performance and look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.

The ongoing Test matches between India and New Zealand in Pune and Pakistan and England in Rawalpindi have witnessed the dominance of spin bowling, with tweakers etching their names in the record books.In Pune, India's decision to field three frontline spinners—Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin—proved fruitful on a spin-friendly surface. Sundar, playing his first Test in over three years, silenced critics by taking seven wickets in a row, triggering New Zealand's collapse from 197/3 to 259 all out. His career-best Test figures and maiden fifer, along with Ashwin's three wickets, marked the sixth instance of spinners claiming all ten wickets on day one of a Test in India.Sundar's five bowled dismissals placed him among the elite group of Indian players to achieve this feat in a Test innings. His figures were the third-best by an Indian against New Zealand in Tests and the joint-best with Ashwin in the 21st century. Ashwin, meanwhile, surpassed Nathan Lyon as the leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship with 189 scalps and became Test's seventh-highest wicket-taker with 531 scalps.In Rawalpindi, the pitch also favored spinners. England, who had scored over 500 runs in a day at the same venue in 2022, faced a different scenario this time. Sajid Khan's six-wicket haul, the third-best spell by a spinner at the venue, led Pakistan's spin attack to dismiss England for 267. All the overs in the innings were bowled by spinners, marking the first such instance in 142 years of Test cricket.Pakistan's spinners continued their dominance, taking all ten wickets in the first innings of a Test for the sixth time, including four against England. At the end of the day, Pakistan had reduced England to 73/3, with spinners Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed claiming two wickets each.The ongoing matches highlight the resurgence of spin bowling in Test cricket. Whether spinners will continue to dominate and single-handedly win matches for their teams remains to be seen.

On the opening day of the third and final Test match between England and Pakistan, the pitch at Karachi's National Stadium presented a challenging surface for batters, resulting in a dramatic collapse of wickets.Pakistan's Sajid Khan emerged as the star performer, claiming six wickets for 128 runs in 29.2 overs. This marked the third time in his career that he has taken five or more wickets in an innings.England captain Ben Stokes, who won the toss and elected to bat first, saw his team make a solid start, reaching 56 without loss. However, the pitch's unpredictable behavior soon became evident, and Zak Crawley's dismissal for 29 triggered a rapid collapse.England lost five wickets for just 42 runs, slumping from 56-0 to 98-5 within 12.5 overs. The pitch's uneven bounce and variable pace proved to be a nightmare for the batters.Despite the difficult conditions, Jamie Smith emerged as a beacon of hope for England, scoring a gritty 89 runs. He formed a crucial 107-run partnership with Gus Atkinson, who contributed 39 runs, helping England recover from their precarious position of 118-6.By lunch, England had reached 110-5, and by tea, they had progressed to 242-8, thanks to Smith and Atkinson's efforts. England's innings eventually concluded with a total of 267 runs.Sajid Khan's impressive bowling performance was a major factor in Pakistan's dominance on the first day. His ability to extract bounce and movement from the pitch proved to be a handful for the English batters.The match is poised for an intriguing contest over the remaining days, with Pakistan holding a slight advantage after the first day's play.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket team's talismanic batter, is not only known for his aggressive batting but also for his lively on-field personality. His infectious energy and playful antics often steal the spotlight, adding an extra spark to the game.One such light-hearted moment occurred during the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru. As Kohli walked onto the field, fully padded up, he was caught on camera doing a humorous mimicry, much to the delight of the crowd. A fan humorously commented that Kohli appeared to be imitating Shubman Gill's walk, sending the audience into fits of laughter.Kohli's playful antics are not limited to the field. He is also known for his witty remarks and playful banter with opponents. During the same match, Kohli was involved in a light-hearted exchange with New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson. After Williamson was dismissed, Kohli was seen playfully teasing him, saying, "You're not going to get a hundred today."Despite his playful nature, Kohli is a fierce competitor on the field. He is known for his aggressive batting and his determination to win. In the first Test against New Zealand, Kohli showcased his brilliance with the bat, scoring a solid 70. However, India eventually lost the match by eight wickets.Kohli's presence will be crucial for India as they head to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22. India will be aiming for a historic hat-trick of series wins in the highly anticipated clash. With his form looking strong, Kohli will be one of the key players to watch in the upcoming series.

Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler, has urged India to consider Mayank Yadav as a potential replacement for Mohammed Shami in their squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Lee believes Yadav's raw pace and potential on bouncy wickets make him a valuable asset for India.Shami's fitness remains a concern, and Lee believes Yadav could step up in his absence. "He looks like someone who is a complete package," Lee said. "If Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets."Lee, who has witnessed Yadav's impressive performances in the IPL, highlighted his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 kmph. "He hit 157 kmph first up in his first game," Lee said. "I don't care who it is, no one wants to face that."India's bowling attack boasts world-class talent, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. Lee believes the combination of these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner is crucial for India's success in Australia."On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it's the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner," Lee said. "You need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win."Lee also praised India's overall strength as a team, describing them as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down." He cautioned Australia against underestimating India's ability to win on any given day."They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis," Lee said. "They know they can beat anyone on any given day."Lee's comments come after India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test. He believes India may have been influenced by the aggressive approach of 'Bazball,' leading to some loose shots."Maybe it's Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world," Lee noted. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots."India will play two more Tests against New Zealand before leaving for Australia. Lee believes the team needs to better assess conditions and weigh the risk factor when making decisions.

India's women's cricket team commenced their three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding 59-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.Chasing a modest target of 228, New Zealand's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of India's bowling attack. Radha Yadav emerged as the star performer, claiming three crucial wickets for just 35 runs. Debutant pacer Saima Thakor also made an immediate impact, dismissing New Zealand opener Suzie Bates with her third delivery.New Zealand's innings was plagued by a series of unfortunate dismissals. Skipper Sophie Devine was caught short of her crease, while Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green's promising partnership was broken by Thakor. Despite a brief fightback, New Zealand's batting order failed to recover, eventually folding for 168 runs.Earlier, India had posted a total of 227 after opting to bat first. The Kerr sisters, Amelia and Jess, led the New Zealand bowling attack with four and three wickets respectively. India's batters struggled to convert their starts into substantial scores, with Deepti Sharma (41), Tejal Hasabnis (42), Shafali Verma (33), Yastika (37), and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) all failing to capitalize on their promising starts.Despite their batting struggles, India's bowlers stepped up to the challenge. Yadav's three wickets and Thakor's early strike proved decisive, while Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad also contributed with two wickets each.The victory marks a positive start for India in the ODI series. They will look to continue their winning ways in the remaining two matches, scheduled for February 12 and 15.