Cricket

New Zealand's historic victory in the first Test against India in Bengaluru marked a significant milestone for the visitors, who secured their first Test win on Indian soil in 36 years. Skipper Tom Latham hailed the team's performance, attributing their success to a combination of strategic planning and exceptional bowling.Initially intending to bat first, New Zealand's decision to bowl after losing the toss proved advantageous. Their bowlers, led by Matt Henry (5/15) and Will O'Rourke (4/22), wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, bundling them out for a mere 46 runs in the first innings. This set the tone for the match, as India struggled to recover despite a valiant fightback from Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99).Chasing a modest target of 107 runs on the rain-delayed final day, New Zealand lost early wickets but remained composed. Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) forged an unbeaten 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to victory, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Latham praised Ravindra's contributions, highlighting his impressive performance in both innings. He also acknowledged the pivotal roles played by O'Rourke, Tim Southee, and Matt Henry, whose bowling prowess laid the foundation for the win.This victory elevates New Zealand to fourth place in the World Test Championship standings, surpassing England and South Africa. It is a testament to the team's resilience and determination, and sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the series.

Joe Root's remarkable batting form since stepping down as England captain will face a stern test in the upcoming series against India and Australia, where his skills against both pace and spin will be thoroughly scrutinized, according to Australian cricket legend Ian Chappell.With 10 centuries in just 54 innings over the past two and a half years, Root has surpassed Sir Alastair Cook as England's highest Test run-scorer. However, Chappell believes that Root's true mettle will be tested in the upcoming challenges against India and Australia."Root's phenomenal run-making will again be tested when first he faces India at home and then Australia away. In those two series, Root will be facing the best attacks in Test cricket, and his technique against both pace and spin will again be fully scrutinised," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.India is scheduled to tour England for a four-match Test series next summer, while the Three Lions will face the daunting task of regaining the Ashes later next year in Australia."Those are difficult challenges that Root and England will face in the future. Currently, they're desperately involved in a bid to win after Pakistan levelled their three-game series with a spin-revolution victory against a clueless England," Chappell added.The Ben Stokes-led side is currently under pressure after Pakistan leveled the three-match series 1-1. The third Test begins on October 24."As the most technically gifted, Root will have the task of convincing his fellow team-mates that numerous versions of the sweep shot aren't the ideal way to combat good spinners. Despite Root's proven talent, that will be a very difficult task," Chappell noted.Since his remarkable 73 on debut Test versus England, Root has emerged as the England batting mainstay, but he has yet to score a century in Australia. Chappell feels his vulnerability to being caught behind suggests a need to reassess his approach to extra bounce on Australian pitches."Root was born to make runs. He's a joy to watch, as he balances a solid technique with the desire to score at every opportunity," Chappell wrote. "One of the few anomalies in Root's record is his failure to score a Test century in Australia despite having played 27 innings there. His last chance to rectify that statistic will likely come in 2025-26, when - barring injury or retirement - he will play another Ashes series.""It's not as though Root has performed poorly in Australia, as his average of around 35 is respectable. However, the lack of a century despite making nine scores in excess of 50 is most unlike Root.""In Australia, the four main bowlers have dismissed Root a number of times and this could be pointed to as a weakness. Nevertheless there's an easy answer: if you're going to be dismissed, it's preferable to get out to a good bowler.""The more worrying Root statistic in Australia is the number of times he's been caught behind. Keepers have had a bonanza as ten times they've clasped Root's edges in just 27 innings. While he could counter with "you've got to be good enough to nick 'em", it does suggest he needs to re-assess the extra bounce Australian pitches provide," Chappell added.

Victoria's batting lineup faced a stern test on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash against New South Wales at the MCG, with Sean Abbott's exceptional bowling performance putting the Blues in a commanding position.Abbott, who is vying for a spot in Australia's Test squad, claimed four wickets for 50 runs, including a devastating spell after tea that yielded three wickets in 15 balls. His sustained fast bowling kept the Victorian batsmen on edge throughout the day.Peter Handscomb and Campbell Kellaway provided some resistance for Victoria, scoring half-centuries in challenging conditions. However, Mitchell Starc's impressive morning spell, which included a nasty blow to Marcus Harris's arm, set the tone for NSW's dominance.Harris, who batted the entire first session, was unable to capitalize on his start and was eventually dismissed by Starc for 26. The left-armer's extra pace and bounce proved too much for Harris, who was caught down the leg side.Kellaway and Handscomb shared a century stand, but their partnership was broken by Jackson Bird's off-cutter, which dismissed Kellaway for 55. Abbott then returned to wreak havoc, removing Handscomb, Sam Harper, and Will Sutherland in quick succession.Victoria's collapse continued as Nathan Lyon had Sam Elliott caught at short leg, leaving the home side reeling at 185 for 7. Tom Rogers and Fergus O'Neill mounted a brief rearguard, but O'Neill's dismissal late in the day left Victoria in a precarious position.Jack Nisbet picked up a second wicket when he had Todd Murphy caught behind, leaving Victoria on 259 for 9 at stumps. Abbott's outstanding performance has put NSW in a strong position heading into day two, while Victoria will need to find a way to rebuild their innings and avoid a heavy defeat.

New Zealand has achieved a historic victory on Indian soil, breaking a 36-year drought with an eight-wicket triumph in the opening Test match. The Black Caps now lead the three-match series 1-0.After India's dismal performance in the first innings, where they were bowled out for a mere 46, New Zealand responded with a solid 402. The hosts, however, fought back in the second innings, posting a challenging 462.Needing 107 runs to win on the final day, New Zealand faced a hostile opening spell from Jasprit Bumrah. However, Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) steadied the ship, adding 75 runs for the third wicket to guide the team to victory in just 27.4 overs.New Zealand's last Test triumph in India came way back in 1988 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where they defeated the hosts by 136 runs. India had won that three-Test series 2-1.The second Test of the series is scheduled to begin in Pune on October 24.

Pakistan Cricket Legend Basit Ali Condemns On-Field Incident in Asia CupFormer Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his dismay over an unsavory incident involving Pakistan A's Sufiyan Muqeem and India A's Abhishek Sharma during the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024.In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ali criticized Muqeem's behavior, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and respect for opponents, especially among young cricketers."The cricket was top-notch, but one thing that really upset me was the incident involving Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma," Ali said. "If I were sitting in the dugout or the team manager, I would have told Sufiyan, 'Son, pick up your things and go back.' You haven't even played proper cricket for Pakistan yet, and you're already using abusive language—what kind of behavior is this?"Ali referred to Muqeem's send-off gesture after dismissing Sharma, adding, "You're hurling abuses—did you take a hat-trick or something? You're not at that level yet. The management needs to teach young players how to respect the opposition."The incident occurred during a tense clash between India A and Pakistan A at Al Amerat. Sharma had gotten off to a flying start, scoring 35 off 22 balls, but his innings ended when he mistimed a shot off Muqeem's bowling.After the dismissal, Muqeem made a "silence gesture" toward Sharma, which infuriated the Indian opener, leading to a heated exchange. Umpires had to intervene to restore order.Despite the tension, India A held their nerve to secure a narrow 7-run win, posting 183/8 and restricting Pakistan A to 176/7.Ali's comments highlight the importance of maintaining a high standard of conduct on the field, especially for young players who are still developing their skills and character. Sportsmanship and respect for opponents are essential values that should be instilled in all cricketers.

Pakistan's Ihsanullah Sparks Debate: Naseem Shah Better Than Jasprit Bumrah?Pakistan's rising fast bowler Ihsanullah has ignited a heated debate by boldly claiming that his compatriot Naseem Shah is a superior bowler to India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. In a recent interview on the Public Digital News podcast, Ihsanullah asserted, "If you look at it, Naseem Shah is a better bowler than Jasprit Bumrah."Despite the host's argument that Bumrah's statistics on paper suggest otherwise, Ihsanullah remained unwavering in his stance. He defended his opinion by highlighting Naseem Shah's impressive performance in the 2022 World Cup, stating that even though players may experience occasional slumps, Naseem's overall ability surpasses Bumrah's.This bold statement has sparked comparisons between two of the most talented pacers in world cricket today. Bumrah, renowned for his pinpoint yorkers and ability to perform under pressure, has been a cornerstone of India's success across all formats. Naseem Shah, on the other hand, has showcased his raw pace and swing, establishing himself as a key figure for Pakistan at a young age.Interestingly, Ihsanullah's preference for Naseem Shah over Bumrah is not an isolated opinion among Pakistani players. In a previous podcast appearance, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his trust in Naseem Shah to deliver in high-pressure situations, stating that he would entrust him with the final over in a T20 match with 10 runs to defend.However, Bumrah's track record speaks volumes. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he emerged as the third-highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps and was named Player of the Tournament for the title-winning Team India. His exceptional two-wicket haul in the final against South Africa played a pivotal role in securing India's first major ICC trophy in 11 years.The debate over who is the better bowler between Naseem Shah and Jasprit Bumrah is likely to continue, with both players possessing unique strengths and abilities. However, Ihsanullah's bold statement has certainly added fuel to the fire, sparking discussions and comparisons among cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Shreyas Iyer's 2024 has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with both setbacks and triumphs. After being dropped from the Test side and losing his BCCI central contract, Iyer bounced back to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title and win the Ranji Trophy with Mumbai.Iyer's biggest challenge this season was to overcome back issues and regain his fitness. He embarked on a rigorous training regimen, focusing on long-distance running and pushing his body to its limits. The results were evident in his performances, as he scored four half-centuries and a century in his last 11 innings.His century against Maharashtra was particularly significant, as it was his first in first-class cricket in nearly three years. Iyer expressed his delight at the achievement, saying, "Coming back after a very long time, obviously I was feeling a bit down with my injuries, but now getting a century after a very long time, it's a great feeling."Iyer is now eager to make a Test comeback, but he acknowledges that his fitness will be a key factor. He said, "I am absolutely keen for a [Test] comeback but yeah, as we say, control the controllables and my job is to keep performing and keep participating as much as possible and also see with that my body is in best shape."Iyer revealed that he had doubts about his back injury recurring after his surgery last year. However, he has since overcome those fears through intensive training. He said, "There was this phase where I was feeling that it might occur again. But yeah, I trained a lot to see to it that I have optimum fitness and obviously it comes here and there, but now my capacity has improved a lot."Iyer's fitness issues have led to some inaccurate perceptions about his ability to play Test cricket. He said, "See, I had addressed my feeling during the longer format and things didn't go my way. But I've also addressed it in the previous interviews I've given and I'm in a good space right now."Iyer has also had to adjust his approach to the red-ball format, given the defensive fields teams now employ. He said, "Nowadays when the teams come up, they straightaway put a defensive field right from ball one. So I was just trying to take some time, in between trying to play more balls than scoring shots, so that was my plan."Despite the challenges, Iyer remains optimistic about his future. He said, "You win three championships in a year, and what else can you ask for? All I see is the positive things over here and that is winning the trophy and that's what I want."

India's Historic Low: A Tale of Collapse and ResilienceTwo weeks ago, the Indian cricket team basked in glory after crushing Bangladesh in the second Test at Kanpur. However, their fortunes took a dramatic turn in Bengaluru, where they suffered their lowest Test total on home soil.Batting first, India crumbled to a mere 46 against New Zealand, a score that shattered their previous record of 75 all out against the West Indies in 1987. The collapse sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, with Cricket Australia sarcastically asking, "Is 'All Out 46' the new 'All Out 36'?"Historically, teams dismissed for less than 50 runs in an innings have never won a Test match. Only once has a team managed to draw, with Australia achieving this feat in 1902.The Birmingham Miracle: Australia's 36 and a DrawIn the annals of Test cricket, the Birmingham Test of 1902 stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Australia, touring England, were bowled out for a shocking 36 in just 90 minutes, with Yorkshire's Wilfred Rhodes claiming an astonishing 7 for 17.Despite the humiliating collapse, Australia refused to surrender. Forced to follow on, they held their ground for 28 overs, losing only two wickets. Rain played a crucial role in their survival, as a downpour rendered the wicket unplayable and prevented England from securing a victory.A Series of ExtremesThe Birmingham Test was a microcosm of the entire 1902 series between Australia and England. The Australians, despite their low score in Birmingham, went on to win the series 2-1. They lost only two of the 39 matches played during the tour, showcasing their remarkable resilience and determination.Lessons from HistoryIndia's recent collapse serves as a reminder that even the most formidable teams can experience setbacks. However, the story of Australia's 36 in Birmingham offers hope that even in the face of adversity, resilience and determination can prevail.As India seeks to bounce back from their historic low, they can draw inspiration from the Australians of 1902. By embracing the lessons of history, they can overcome this setback and emerge stronger than ever before.

New Zealand's bowlers have put them on the cusp of a historic Test victory in India, but pacer William O'Rourke has warned against complacency despite the seemingly achievable target of 107 runs.O'Rourke and Matt Henry shared six wickets between them to dismiss India for 462 in their second innings, setting up a tantalizing chase for the Kiwis. However, O'Rourke emphasized the need for caution, acknowledging the quality of the Indian team."I wouldn't say it's an easy win from here," O'Rourke said. "We've got a world-class team going up against us. But we've got to be confident going out there tomorrow."O'Rourke, who is on his first tour of India, has relished the experience, particularly the pace and bounce offered by the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch. He singled out the dismissal of Virat Kohli in the first innings, where he induced the star batter to jab at a steep bouncer, resulting in a catch to Glenn Phillips at gully."It's obviously pretty special getting someone so great, one of the greats of our game, out like that," O'Rourke remarked. "Obviously, you grow up watching those guys. So, to come here and take that wicket, it's probably right up there."The young pacer acknowledged the pressure put on the Kiwis by Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99), who added 177 runs for the fourth wicket. However, he credited the second new ball for helping them gain some momentum, with Tim Southee getting the breakthrough by dismissing Sarfaraz, followed by O'Rourke's dismissal of Pant."I've been pretty hot and cold with the ball," O'Rourke said. "Pant and Sarfaraz have batted very well for a long time, but that second new ball started doing a little bit for us.""So, good to Timmy (Southee) getting that first breakthrough (Sarfaraz) and then lucky enough to get a chop (Pant) there to sort of give us a bit of momentum going through."O'Rourke also expressed gratitude towards his mentor, Kyle Jamieson, who is currently recovering from a back stress fracture. "Kyle's been a bit in the background," he said. "So, learning from him and, obviously, he's had a hell of a start to his international career and he's one of the best bowlers in the world."