Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, delivered a crucial early breakthrough for the hosts in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Ashwin dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham in his fifth delivery, setting the tone for India's bowling attack.Bowling with his customary precision, Ashwin pitched the ball on leg stump, inducing a sharp turn after landing. Latham attempted to defend the ball into the leg side but was caught plumb in front of the stumps. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger for the lbw decision.Latham, who had scored 15 runs off 22 balls with two boundaries, opted not to review the decision, marking the first wicket of the day. This dismissal highlighted Ashwin's ongoing dominance against Latham. In their previous encounters, Ashwin has dismissed Latham nine times in 11 innings, maintaining a remarkable average of 14.22.Ashwin continued his brilliant spell by dismissing Will Young, caught behind by Rishabh Pant, further tightening India's grip on the match. With this wicket, Ashwin not only gave India their second breakthrough but also became the leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) history.New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the stage for a challenging morning session for their batsmen. With Ashwin leading the charge, India looked to build on this early success and apply pressure on the New Zealand batting lineup.Ashwin's early wickets were a testament to his exceptional skills and experience on Indian pitches. His ability to generate sharp turn and deceive batsmen with his variations makes him a formidable force in home conditions.India will be hoping that Ashwin can continue his impressive form throughout the match and help them secure a crucial victory in the second Test. With the series level at 0-0, both teams will be eager to gain an advantage in the race for the World Test Championship final.

South Africa's bowlers put in a dominant performance on the final morning of the first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, dismissing the hosts for 307 and setting themselves a target of 106 runs to win.Kagiso Rabada, who had already taken his 300th Test wicket on day three, struck early to remove Nayeem Hasan and complete a five-wicket haul. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had been Bangladesh's top scorer with 97, was the last man out, falling to Rabada's bowling just three runs short of a century.South Africa's bowlers had taken the remaining three wickets in just 4.5 overs on the opening morning, with Rabada finishing with figures of 6 for 46 and Keshav Maharaj taking 3 for 105.Bangladesh had resumed their innings on 283 for 7, with Mehidy and Taijul Islam at the crease. The pair added 24 runs to their overnight score before Taijul was dismissed for 12, caught at second slip off the bowling of Wiaan Mulder.Mehidy continued to bat aggressively, reaching the nineties with a boundary off Mulder. However, he was unable to convert his innings into a century, falling to Rabada for 97 when he attempted to ramp a delivery but sent a catch to slip instead.South Africa's bowlers had opted to use spinners with the old ball at the start of the day's play, but they had a new ball available as soon as play began. Rabada made immediate use of the new ball, dismissing Nayeem with his third delivery.South Africa will now be confident of chasing down the target and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The pitch has become better for batting, and the Proteas will be looking to their top order to get them off to a good start.

India's Historic Comeback: A Triumph of Resilience and DeterminationIn a remarkable display of resilience and determination, India overcame adversity to clinch a memorable 2-1 series win against Australia during the 2020-21 tour. After being bowled out for their lowest-ever total of 36 in Adelaide, many wrote the team off. However, under the leadership of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, India mounted a stunning comeback, securing a thumping eight-wicket victory in Melbourne before sealing the series with a thrilling three-wicket win in Brisbane.The Adelaide debacle was a crushing blow, but it also served as a catalyst for the team's resurgence. Led by Rahane's composed century and stellar bowling from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin, India turned the tide in Melbourne. The victory, coming on the back of the 36, lifted the team's spirits and set the stage for one of the most iconic comebacks in cricket.Ravi Shastri, the then-head coach, instilled a mindset of resilience in the team after the Adelaide disaster. "Wear that 36 as a badge," he said. "So that you never forget it when things are going your way, cash in and make the most of it."India's character and belief were on full display in the remaining Tests. They drew the third Test in Sydney and pulled off a stunning three-wicket victory in the final Test in Brisbane. Reflecting on the series, Shastri called it the biggest moment in Test cricket. "I don't think cricket has seen anything like this or anything bigger than this," he declared.Virat Kohli, who departed after the first Test, was full of praise for the stand-in skipper Rahane and the squad. "The character and the belief shown by the whole squad—a group of young guys, which was led beautifully by Jinx (Ajinkya Rahane) in those three Test matches," he said.India's historic comeback is a testament to the team's resilience, determination, and mental strength. It is a story that will be told for generations to come.

India's Triumphant Victory Over Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup: A Memorable EncounterOn October 23, 2022, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed an unforgettable clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The match, played in front of a roaring crowd of 90,000, etched itself into the annals of cricket history.India, chasing Pakistan's formidable total of 160, found themselves in a precarious position at 31/4. However, the indomitable Virat Kohli rose to the occasion, delivering a match-winning performance that will forever be remembered.Kohli, with his trademark grit and determination, anchored India's innings, scoring an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls. His two towering sixes in the penultimate over, bowled by Haris Rauf, proved to be the turning point of the match.Kohli's heroics ignited the hopes of millions of Indian fans, who had witnessed their team's struggles in the early stages of the chase. With each shot he played, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause, their spirits soaring.Hardik Pandya, who played a crucial role in India's victory, shared his thoughts on Instagram, posting a picture with the caption: "A game like no other, and one that will stay with me forever. Nothing makes me happier than playing for my country."Kohli's performance in the match was not only a testament to his exceptional talent but also a reflection of his unwavering commitment to the Indian team. His ability to perform under pressure and inspire his teammates is a hallmark of his greatness.The victory over Pakistan was a significant moment for India, not only in terms of the result but also in terms of its impact on the team's morale. It gave them the confidence and momentum they needed to progress through the tournament and ultimately reach the semi-finals.

India vs New Zealand: Selection Dilemmas and Key Additions for Second TestIndia has bolstered its squad for the second Test against New Zealand, bringing in spin-bowling allrounder Washington Sundar to exploit the tactical advantage against the visitors' left-handed batters, including Rachin Ravindra. Sundar's inclusion not only provides an additional spin option but also strengthens the lower-order batting.Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, who were recovering from minor injuries, have been declared fit to play. Gill's return could threaten KL Rahul's place in the side, who has struggled in recent performances. Sarfaraz Khan's impressive form, including a century in Bengaluru, further complicates selection decisions.In the bowling department, India may consider replacing Mohammed Siraj with Akash Deep, who could provide fresh energy alongside Jasprit Bumrah. This change could help India capitalize on early conditions and put pressure on New Zealand from the start.New Zealand, on the other hand, will continue to miss Kane Williamson, who remains in rehab. In his absence, the Kiwis will rely on young talents like Ravindra and Tom Blundell to carry the batting load. Ravindra's century in the first Test was crucial in New Zealand's victory, and his form will be vital as they aim to secure a rare series win in India.The pitch in Pune is expected to favor spinners more than the seam-friendly conditions in Bengaluru. India may opt to field both Ravichandran Ashwin and Sundar to capitalize on this advantage. New Zealand's challenge will be to maintain their momentum and adapt to the unfamiliar conditions.With both teams looking to make crucial adjustments, the second Test promises to be an intense battle. India will be desperate to bounce back and level the series, while New Zealand will aim to seal a historic triumph and carry that confidence forward.

Marnus Labuschagne has declared the race for Australia's vacant Test opening spot wide open, following Steven Smith's return to his preferred No. 4 position. Smith's move back to the middle order has sparked speculation about who will fill the void at the top of the order, with Labuschagne, David Warner, and several other candidates in the mix.Labuschagne believes Smith's return to No. 4 is a logical decision, given his exceptional record in that position. "One of the best players for Australia batting in the position he has had the most success in is a pretty simple fix," he said. "Cameron Green is unavailable for the summer, so there is no one batting at No. 4. Why not have the person who has done it best for Australia batting in that position?"Labuschagne praised Smith's ability to adapt his game to different match scenarios, making him ideally suited to the No. 4 role. "At No. 4, you have to be good at playing spin, work on when you need to push, when you need to hold, and when you need to get through a tough spell," he said. "That has always been his strength."While Labuschagne is open to batting wherever the team needs him, he believes he has been successful at No. 3 and would prefer to remain there. "I will bat wherever they tell me to bat," he said. "Currently, I would say that how I have played at No. 3 has been relatively successful. Hopefully, it should be more successful, but that's where I have batted."The race for the opening spot is now wide open, with several candidates vying for selection. New South Wales teenager Sam Konstas, Victorian opener Marcus Harris, and Western Australia's Cameron Bancroft are the three specialist openers in contention. All three will feature for Australia A against India A next week, providing them with an opportunity to stake their claim for a Test debut.

The mention of Test cricket in Australia evokes vivid memories of a unique and immersive experience. From the lush outfields dotted with seagulls and pigeons to the large stadiums with long boundaries, from fielders catching the ball with their fingers pointing to the sky to the inverted score that reads 3/20 rather than 20/3, from the soothing voice of Richie Benaud and the child-like excitement of Tony Greig on the Channel Nine telecast to the sound of the ball thudding into the hard surface and hitting the bat, the experiences were all new and captivating, leaving a deep impression that enriched one's love for the traditional format.A prominent part of this visceral experience was the pace and bounce on view. It was relayed even before a ball was bowled simply by how far back the wicketkeeper and the slip catchers would position themselves. When the ball was delivered, it often whirred past the batter's head, and tales of yore of how Jeff Thomson's bumper once reached the boundary on one bounce would be passed on from old-timers.Skill, strength, and stamina were essential for success in Australia. India's own trajectory over the past two decades Down Under illustrates that. From being competitive in 2003-04 and 2007-08 to suffering a rout in 2011-12 to finally celebrating series victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21, the pace attacks that India has had for these tours go a fair way towards making sense of the results.In 2018-19, the foundation of India's historic triumph lay in its pace attack going as far as outbowling its Australian counterpart, no mean feat considering the individual and collective brilliance of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. Jasprit Bumrah, on his maiden Test tour of Australia, finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the series with 21 scalps at an unrivalled strike rate of 44.90 while Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma played excellent supporting roles with 16 and 11 wickets respectively. In contrast, it was off-spinner Nathan Lyon who led the way for the Aussies with 21 wickets. The honours were shared almost evenly among the pace trio — Cummins took 14 and Starc and Hazlewood 13 each — but they weren't quite at their best to find a way past Cheteshwar Pujara and company. During that tour, Bumrah, Shami, and Ishant were at the peak of their physical capabilities too, which meant India could rely on them to maintain their standards over the course of a four-Test series. Both Bumrah and Shami lasted the entire stretch while Ishant, by now a much-improved bowler, played all but one Test.Two years later, in the Covid-affected Australian summer of 2020-21, India's series victory had a miraculous touch to it given the number of injuries and absentees, but in all the drama, twists, and turns that each of the four matches offered, the depth of India's pace resources came to the fore. Even in the fourth and final Test, when the make-up of India's attack had no resemblance to the one that started the series, Shardul Thakur managed seven wickets across the two innings to go with Mohammed Siraj, in only his third Test, claiming his first five-wicket haul in the second innings. Ishant was unavailable for the entire series while Shami had gone home after suffering a fracture on his right forearm in the first Test. Bumrah, too, had to miss the storied, series-winning Gabba Test after 11 scalps in the first three matches.As India embarks on another Test tour of Australia next month, the build-up to the five-Test series — the first of this duration between these teams since 1991-92 — has understandably revolved around the pace department. With an eye on Australia, skipper Rohit Sharma said before the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru last week that the team is looking at creating a pool of eight or nine fast-bowling options. "We want to create a bench strength where tomorrow if anything happens to anyone, we are not worried, and we don't want to be too heavily reliant on a few individuals. That's not the right thing to do. We want to look at the future at the same time, try and make sure that we get the right guys in as well," he said at a press conference. "We want to create guys where even if there are injuries, we have got someone to quickly step in and take that role. It's not about three or four options. When it comes to batting, there are a lot of options. We want to create the same with the bowlers as well."The intention of having a big pool is prudent, but non-negotiable to India's plans will be Bumrah yet again. Gaining legitimacy to be considered India's greatest pacer with every passing performance, he is clearly the most complete fast bowler in the world right now. Whether it's the first over of a Test match or the final over of a T20I, in Mumbai or Manchester, amid glowing sunshine or under overcast skies, Bumrah is the bowler for all seasons and occasions.Joining the leader of the attack on that flight to Australia will be Siraj and Akash Deep. Siraj doesn't always hit his straps, but he has strengthened his credentials over the past four years to be pardoned a few blips. And though Akash, 27, is a rookie in terms of international cricket, the attributes he has exhibited in his three Test appearances suggest he has the tools to evolve into a key member of the pace unit. With Shami facing a race against time to be fit after a setback in his injury rehab, however, it is the identity of the remaining two, or perhaps even three, pacers in the squad that is shrouded in suspense at the moment.By the selectors including Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav in the travelling reserves for the ongoing Tests versus New Zealand, it can be surmised that they are the leading contenders to make the cut. Having been picked as the fast men in the India-A squad, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal, Khaleel Ahmed, and Navdeep Saini would assume they will also be part of the conversation. Only Saini, who played two Tests on the last tour, has experience of conditions in Australia among this lot.While the pacers below Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash in the pecking order may not have been needed in a shorter series, it is pertinent to reiterate that there will be five Tests packed into a little less than six weeks with a two-day warm-up game also sandwiched between the first two Tests. Cracking series awaits. Even if the injuries that some of India's players suffered in 2020-21 are discounted as a one-off, it is seldom possible for three pacers to go through an entire series of this intensity without encountering problems with either form or fitness. If they somehow can, it may go a long way towards helping India pull off a hat-trick of series wins in Australia. Even if not, another cracking series that adds to the bank of indelible memories of Test cricket in Australia is hopefully in the offing.

Ayush Badoni's Brilliance Powers India A to ACC Emerging Asia Cup Semi-FinalsMUSCAT, Oman - India A cruised to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Oman in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup on Wednesday, setting up a semi-final clash with Afghanistan A. The triumph was orchestrated by the scintillating batting display of Ayush Badoni, who showcased his exceptional stroke-making ability.Badoni, a rising star from Lucknow Super Giants, hammered 51 runs off just 27 deliveries, including six boundaries and two towering sixes. His innings was a masterclass in timing and power, with the Delhi right-hander effortlessly dispatching the Omani bowlers to all corners of the ground.India A chased down the target of 141 with ease, reaching the milestone in just 15.2 overs. Abhishek Sharma provided a blistering start with a quickfire 34 off 15 balls, while skipper Tilak Varma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 36 off 30 deliveries.Oman's bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batting onslaught, with only Mohammed Nadeem offering any resistance with a knock of 41. India A's bowlers, led by left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, kept the Omani batsmen in check, conceding just 41 runs in their combined eight overs.The victory marked India A's third consecutive win in the group stage, securing their place at the top of the standings. They will now face Afghanistan A in the semi-finals, while Oman will take on Bangladesh A in the other semi-final.Badoni's performance was a testament to his growing reputation as a promising young talent. His ability to play a wide range of shots and his fearless approach make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Sri Lanka's Charith Asalanka led his team to a convincing five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI at Pallekele, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Chasing a revised target of 190 in 44 overs due to rain, Sri Lanka lost early wickets but recovered through a 62-run partnership between Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Asalanka then took charge, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 62 off 61 deliveries, including seven fours and a six. He shared a crucial 55-run stand with Janith Liyanage to guide Sri Lanka home with 34 balls to spare.Earlier, the West Indies were in dire straits at 58-8 after being put in to bat. However, a record-breaking ninth-wicket partnership between Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie rescued them. Rutherford, dropped twice, smashed 80 off 82 balls, while Motie contributed an unbeaten 50. Their 119-run stand eclipsed the previous highest ninth-wicket partnership for the West Indies in ODIs.Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming 4-40 on a challenging pitch.Asalanka's match-winning knock marked his second consecutive half-century in the series, following his 77 in the first ODI. The victory extended Sri Lanka's impressive home record, with this being their tenth consecutive home series win.The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on Saturday, with Sri Lanka aiming to complete a clean sweep.