Cricket

Indian cricket star Shubman Gill has become a topic of discussion on social media after his name was mentioned in the popular Netflix series "Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives." In an episode of the show's third season, actress Neelam Kothari inquired about Gill's attendance at an upcoming event, prompting a humorous exchange among the cast.The conversation quickly shifted to the pronunciation of Gill's name, with the celebrities present struggling to utter it correctly. The incident sparked a viral trend on social media, with users sharing their own attempts at pronouncing the cricketer's name.Meanwhile, Gill's fitness has been a concern for the Indian team after he missed the first Test against New Zealand due to neck stiffness. However, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has hinted that Gill may be available for the second Test."Shubman Gill seems okay at this point in time," Sharma said in a post-match press conference.Gill was seen practicing in the nets during the first Test, indicating that he may have overcome his fitness issues. His return to the team would be a major boost for India, who suffered a disappointing defeat in the first Test.India's batting lineup struggled in the absence of Gill, with Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway scoring half-centuries for New Zealand. The hosts also faced a batting collapse after the introduction of the new ball, setting a target of just 107 runs for the Kiwis.Despite a valiant fightback from Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, India's total proved insufficient as New Zealand chased down the target with ease. The defeat marked New Zealand's first Test win in India in 36 years.

Former England captain Michael Atherton has drawn comparisons between India's recent collapse to 46 all out against New Zealand and England's infamous 46 all out against West Indies in 1994. Atherton, now a respected pundit, highlighted the unique distinction held by Virat Kohli, who has been part of two of India's three lowest-ever scores.Atherton noted that India's collapse occurred in the first innings of a home Test, where they had won the toss and elected to bat. In contrast, England's 46 all out came in the final innings of an away Test, where they had lost the toss.Despite these differences, Atherton identified some similarities between the two innings. Both teams were bowled out by pace bowling, and both collapses featured a number of soft dismissals. Atherton also pointed out that both India and England had been in strong positions before their batting collapses.Atherton welcomed India captain Rohit Sharma to "his world," as he had also experienced the ignominy of captaining a side bowled out for 46. He emphasized the pain and embarrassment that follows such a collapse, despite the adulation from fans.Atherton's analysis highlights the fragility of batting in Test cricket, even for the world's best teams. It also raises questions about India's batting lineup, which has been under scrutiny in recent months.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has sparked a debate by suggesting that Team India should drop star batter KL Rahul from the Test side once Shubman Gill recovers from his injury. Gill missed the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru due to a stiff neck, paving the way for Sarfaraz Khan to make his Test debut. Khan seized the opportunity with both hands, scoring a magnificent 150 in the second innings.However, with Gill expected to return for the second Test in Pune, India faces a dilemma. Basit believes that Sarfaraz should not be sacrificed, despite his impressive performance. Instead, he argues that Rahul, who has been out of form, should be dropped."Once Shubman Gill is fit, there should not be an injustice to Sarfaraz Khan. KL Rahul should be rested now. People rate him very highly, but his performances haven't been like that. He did very well in South Africa but hasn't done the same in home matches," Basit said on his YouTube channel.Basit criticized Rahul's performance in the first Test against New Zealand, calling it "disappointing." He pointed out that Rahul's failure to deliver in both innings put pressure on the team."A lot depended on KL Rahul after Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant got out. He has played a lot of Test matches and is everyone's favorite. However, he disappointed me today," Basit added.Meanwhile, New Zealand secured a historic victory in the first Test, chasing down a target of 107 with ease. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on an unbroken 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

In a stunning upset, New Zealand defeated India by 10 wickets in the first Test in Bengaluru, marking their first Test victory on Indian soil in 36 years. The Kiwis' historic win was fueled by a dominant bowling performance that dismissed India for a paltry 46 in the first innings, their lowest team total at home.New Zealand capitalized on their advantage, piling up 402 in their first innings to take a massive 356-run lead. India responded with a spirited second innings, overhauling the deficit, but faltered in the final session on the fourth day.The Kiwis then chased down a below-par 107 in the morning session on the final day, securing their first Test win in India since 1988. The match witnessed several notable records being broken:* New Zealand's only third Test win in India, after 36 years.* India's second home Test loss in the same year in the last 20 years.* New Zealand's first successful chase of a 100-plus target in India in 24 years.* Rishabh Pant's unfortunate dismissal on 99, making him the third Indian batter to be dismissed most times in the 90s in Tests.* India's lowest team total at home, with 46 all out.* The Indian team becoming the first to hit over 100 sixes in a calendar year.* Virat Kohli reaching the 9,000-run mark in Tests, becoming the fourth Indian to do so.* The 356-run lead taken by New Zealand, the fifth biggest ever by a visiting team in India.* The 137-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee, the second highest for the 8th wicket or lower on Indian soil.The victory was a testament to New Zealand's resilience and determination, while India will be looking to bounce back in the remaining two Tests of the series.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has identified a significant weakness in the Indian cricket team following their 8-wicket defeat to New Zealand. Ali highlighted concerns not only with the batting lineup but also with the bowling attack.Ali praised Jasprit Bumrah's bowling, comparing him to legendary Pakistani pacers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. However, he emphasized the need for a strong pace bowling partner to complement Bumrah."Bumrah's eight-over spell reminded me of Akram and Younis," said Ali. "But India needs to consider having two pace bowlers alongside him when they tour Australia. Currently, he lacks a reliable pace bowling partner."Ali pointed out the absence of Mohammed Shami, who has been a key member of India's pace attack in recent years. "Shami's fitness ahead of the Australia tour is crucial for India," he added.While Akash Deep has emerged as a potential option, India has also included Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna in their reserves for the New Zealand Test series.Ali also expressed curiosity about how newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir will handle such a defeat, especially after India's lowest-ever total at home."Now that India has lost a Test, all eyes will be on KL Rahul," said Ali. "Let's see how Gambhir tackles this. Rahul Dravid handled it well. This defeat serves as an eye-opener for Gambhir ahead of the Australia tour."Despite the setback, India still has a chance to salvage the series against New Zealand with two Tests remaining. However, the defeat has raised questions about the team's batting and bowling capabilities, particularly the lack of a reliable pace bowling partner for Bumrah.

New Zealand's triumph over India in the first Test was a testament to the team's resilience and the brilliance of all-rounder Rachin Ravindra. Ravindra, who was born to Bengaluru parents in New Zealand, played a pivotal role in the Kiwis' historic victory, scoring a magnificent 134 in the first innings and guiding his team to a comfortable win in the second.Ravindra's Indian heritage played a crucial role in his success against India's formidable spin attack. "I have Indian heritage and have played a lot of cricket in India, which has helped me develop those game plans," he said. "I am not a massive sweeper or reverse sweeper, so I stick to my strengths. I was able to play against the spin, and with fewer fielders on that side, it helped me accumulate runs."Ravindra's ability to manipulate the length of the ball and get into good positions to score was evident throughout the match. "I was able to get some good practice in Chennai before this series, and that definitely helped," he said.In the first innings, Ravindra's century helped New Zealand recover from a precarious position of 233/7 to post a respectable total of 402. His 137-run partnership with Tim Southee for the eighth wicket proved to be the turning point of the match.In the second innings, Ravindra played a composed knock of 39* alongside Will Young (48*) to guide New Zealand to a comprehensive victory. India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, posed some challenges, but the Kiwis remained unfazed and chased down the target with ease.Ravindra's performance was a reflection of his hard work and dedication. "I have always been a student of the game, and I am always looking for ways to improve," he said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to play for New Zealand, and I am determined to make the most of it."

West Indies' tour of Sri Lanka has been marred by controversy over the state of the pitches, with the visitors expressing dissatisfaction with the turning tracks prepared for the T20I series. Coach Daren Sammy claimed a "moral victory" for his team, suggesting that their performance forced Sri Lanka to produce more favorable conditions for the second and third matches.However, in the first ODI in Pallekele, West Indies faced another challenging surface, compounded by unfavorable weather conditions. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the team's innings was interrupted by rain in the 39th over. The delay not only prevented Sri Lanka's bowlers from bowling with a wet ball but also forced West Indies to contend with a slippery ball throughout the second innings.Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged the impact of the wet ball on his team's victory, while debutant Nishan Madushka, who played a crucial role in the match-winning partnership, echoed this sentiment. He noted that the West Indies bowlers struggled to grip the ball, resulting in reduced turn on the wicket.Despite the challenging conditions, West Indies' bowlers initially dominated, taking three wickets in the first three overs. However, Madushka and Asalanka's partnership turned the tide in Sri Lanka's favor. The batters repeatedly hit the ball into waterlogged areas, significantly altering the condition of the ball. West Indies' bowlers appealed to the umpires to change the balls, but their requests were denied.Sri Lanka's strategy of prolonging the game until bowling became more difficult proved effective. Madushka revealed that Asalanka instructed the team to drag the game to 20 or 25 overs before reassessing. This positive mindset contributed to his own performance and the team's eventual victory.With the remaining two ODIs also scheduled to be played in Pallekele, conditions are likely to continue playing a significant role in the outcome. From West Indies' perspective, they have faced a substantial disadvantage thus far on the tour.

In the realm of cricket, Sarfaraz Khan has emerged as a maverick, defying conventional norms with his unique style and unwavering determination. Like the legendary Imran Tahir, whose exuberant celebrations became synonymous with his wicket-taking prowess, Sarfaraz's sprint around the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after reaching his maiden Test century was a testament to his unbridled joy and the fulfillment of a childhood dream.Despite his unconventional appearance, Sarfaraz possesses an exceptional batting ability that has earned him a place in the Indian Test team. His journey to the top has been marked by perseverance and a refusal to be defined by his physical attributes. In the recently concluded Test match against New Zealand, Sarfaraz showcased his resilience and adaptability, overcoming a shaky start to produce a match-winning century.Initially, Sarfaraz's inclusion in the team was seen as a backdoor entry, but he proved his worth with a series of impressive performances in domestic and India-A matches. His debut in Rajkot was a testament to his talent, as he scored twin half-centuries and displayed a fearless approach against the English bowlers.However, fate had other plans for Sarfaraz. With the return of Virat Kohli and K.L. Rahul, he found himself on the sidelines for the Chennai and Kanpur Tests. Undeterred, he continued to work hard, knowing that his opportunity would come again.That opportunity arrived in Bengaluru, where he was thrust into the middle order after Shubman Gill suffered an injury. Despite being unfamiliar with the No. 4 position, Sarfaraz embraced the challenge with characteristic enthusiasm.The conditions were far from ideal, with a damp track and a formidable Kiwi bowling attack. Sarfaraz's first innings ended prematurely, but he returned with a vengeance in the second innings. His response to the game situation was a powerful sweep off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, a stroke he repeated to signal his intent.For the next five hours, Sarfaraz was an immovable object, showcasing his Mumbai-honed street smarts and the guidance of his father. The New Zealand bowlers tried to exploit his perceived weakness against the short ball, but Sarfaraz countered with a variety of shots, including late-cuts, dabs, upper-cuts, and ramps.His partnership with Rishabh Pant was a masterclass in attacking cricket. The duo complemented each other perfectly, dismantling the Kiwi bowlers with a combination of power and finesse. Sarfaraz's ability to play the ball late and his penchant for scoring behind square on the off-side proved to be a constant thorn in the opposition's side.With his century, Sarfaraz has cemented his place in the Indian Test team. He has shown that he is not just a one-dimensional player but a versatile batsman capable of adapting to different situations. His journey is a reminder that talent and determination can overcome any obstacle, and that the path to success is often paved with unexpected twists and turns.

New Zealand's White Ferns etched their name in cricket history on Sunday, October 20, 2024, by capturing their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title with a clinical 32-run victory over South Africa in Dubai.The triumph marked a remarkable turnaround for the White Ferns, who had endured a 10-match losing streak heading into the tournament. However, they emerged as the most dominant bowling unit, showcasing their resilience and determination.In the high-stakes final, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine opted to bat first. Amelia Kerr (43 off 38) and Brooke Halliday (38 off 28) played pivotal roles in guiding the team to a competitive total of 158 for five.South Africa's chase began promisingly, with Laura Wolvaardt (33 off 27) and Tazmin Brits (26 off 25) putting on a 47-run opening partnership. However, the introduction of Kerr's leg-spin proved to be a game-changer.Kerr's guile and accuracy stifled the South African batters, and she claimed the crucial wicket of Wolvaardt in the 10th over. The Proteas' middle order failed to respond to the pressure, and they were eventually restricted to 126 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.Kerr finished with impressive figures of three for 24, while fellow spinner Eden Carson chipped in with two for 23.New Zealand's victory was a testament to their collective strength and unwavering belief. They had overcome adversity throughout the tournament, and their triumph was a fitting reward for their hard work and dedication.