Cricket

In the second T20I of the three-match series, West Indies captain Rovman Powell opted to bat first after winning the toss at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. Both teams anticipated significant turn on the pitch, with Powell estimating a par score of 145-150. Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka concurred with Powell's decision to bat first.West Indies bolstered their spin attack by introducing left-arm spinner Fabian Allen in place of seam-bowling allrounder Shamar Springer. They also reinstated Shai Hope in the top order, replacing Andre Fletcher as wicketkeeper. Hope had featured in the first T20I of the series.Sri Lanka, buoyed by their 73-run victory in the previous match, retained the same XI, featuring three frontline spinners and the part-time spin options of Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis.The series is currently tied 1-1, with West Indies securing a comfortable victory in the first game.

After a disappointing loss in the opening match, Sri Lanka displayed resilience and determination to level the three-match T20I series against West Indies with a convincing 73-run victory in the second game.West Indies, who won the toss and elected to bat first, struggled to gain momentum throughout their innings. Brandon King and Evin Lewis provided a solid start with a 40-run partnership, but the Sri Lankan bowlers kept the pressure on, restricting the visitors to a modest total of 131/8.Sri Lanka's bowlers were led by Maheesh Theekshana, who claimed three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs. Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara also chipped in with two wickets each.In response, Sri Lanka's openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, laid the foundation for a successful chase with a 50-run partnership. Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis then accelerated the scoring rate, taking the team to a comfortable position.Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lankan captain, played a crucial role in the middle order, scoring a quickfire 38 off 23 balls. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga also made valuable contributions, ensuring that Sri Lanka reached their target with ease.The victory not only leveled the series but also boosted Sri Lanka's confidence ahead of the crucial third and final T20I. The hosts will be eager to secure a series win, while West Indies will be determined to bounce back and claim the series.

New Zealand Dominate Day 2 of Bengaluru Test, India Collapse to Dismal 46New Zealand seized control of the rain-affected opening Test against India in Bengaluru, finishing Day 2 with a commanding 134-run lead. Opener Devon Conway's brilliant 91 anchored the Kiwis' response to India's disastrous 46 all out, the hosts' lowest-ever Test score at home.India's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Matt Henry's five-wicket haul and William O'Rourke's four wickets. Only Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) managed double figures as the Indian innings folded in just 31.2 overs.In response, New Zealand openers Conway and Tom Latham (22) forged a solid partnership, putting on 78 runs for the first wicket. Conway reached his half-century off just 54 balls, showcasing his excellent footwork against the Indian spinners.However, Conway's dismissal to Ravichandran Ashwin's reverse sweep left New Zealand at 105/2. Will Young (29) and Daryl Mitchell (14) then steadied the innings, taking the Kiwis to 180/3 at stumps.Earlier, India's decision to bat first under overcast conditions backfired spectacularly. Henry and O'Rourke exploited the bounce and seam movement to dismantle the Indian batting order. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan all fell cheaply, leaving India reeling at 10/3.Pant's counter-attacking innings was cut short, and Jaiswal's patient knock ended with a stunning catch by Ajaz Patel. The dismissals of Rahul and Jadeja left India reeling at 34/6 at lunch, and the innings concluded just minutes into the second session.New Zealand's bowlers set the tone for the day, with Henry and O'Rourke generating troublesome bounce and Southee's wobble seam accounting for Rohit's wicket. The Kiwis will look to extend their lead on Day 3 and put India under further pressure.

Ashwin's Masterclass: Off-spinner Delivers Crucial Wicket in India vs. New Zealand TestOn the second day of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, star Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his brilliance with a stunning delivery that dismissed well-set opener Devon Conway.Captain Rohit Sharma's astute decision to bring Ashwin back for his second spell proved fruitful as the veteran spinner delivered a tossed-up delivery from around the stumps. Conway, who had been batting aggressively, attempted a premeditated reverse-sweep but missed the ball entirely, resulting in a clean bowled dismissal.The dismissal was initially referred to the third umpire to determine whether wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel's gloves were in front of the stumps at the point of delivery. After careful examination, the third umpire ruled that Jurel's gloves were within the permitted boundaries, upholding the original decision of out.Ashwin's breakthrough came at a crucial juncture, halting Conway's progress and shifting the momentum in India's favor. The dismissal highlighted Ashwin's exceptional skill and experience, reinforcing his status as a pivotal player in India's bowling attack.Known for his ability to outfox top-order batsmen, Ashwin's dismissal of Conway showcased his class and guile. The off-spinner's ability to vary his pace, trajectory, and spin makes him a formidable opponent for even the most accomplished batsmen.With Conway's dismissal, India gained a significant advantage in the match. The off-spinner's crucial wicket has put the Indian team in a strong position to take control of the Test and secure a vital victory in the series opener.

With Cameron Green's back injury and Steven Smith's return to the middle order, Australia's Test selection plans for the summer have undergone significant changes. Several players are vying for a spot in the squad, with a combination of Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches providing opportunities to impress.Top-Order Contenders:Marcus Harris, despite a strong start to the season, faces competition from Cameron Bancroft, who has consistently performed in the Shield. Sam Konstas, a promising 19-year-old, has also emerged as a potential candidate. Matt Renshaw, a former Test player, remains in contention despite being overlooked for the Australia A squad.Allrounder Options:With Green's absence, the search for a like-for-like replacement is unlikely. Beau Webster, a Tasmanian allrounder, has impressive batting and bowling numbers. Aaron Hardie, another emerging allrounder, will have opportunities to showcase his skills in the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan.Reserve Batter:Nathan McSweeney, the South Australia captain, is highly regarded for his run-scoring and leadership. He could be considered as a reserve batter, potentially opening up the possibility of an incumbent moving up the order.Bowlers:Scott Boland and Michael Neser are the frontrunners to provide backup to the established pace trio. Sean Abbott, who has previous Test experience, could also be in contention due to his batting depth.Upcoming Matches:The Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches will provide crucial opportunities for players to stake their claim. Harris will face a stern test against New South Wales, while Konstas will take on Scott Boland at the MCG. Webster and Hardie will feature in the Australia A series, where strong performances could enhance their chances of a Test call-up.

Anil Kumble's Commentary Anecdote: A Close Call Before 300th Test WicketIndian bowling legend Anil Kumble, celebrating his 53rd birthday today, shared a captivating anecdote from his playing days while commentating on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Kumble, who hails from Karnataka, recalled an incident that nearly prevented him from reaching a significant milestone on his home ground. In December 2001, he was bowling to Sachin Tendulkar in the nets ahead of a Test match against England."I was at 299 wickets and on the verge of reaching a milestone on my home ground," said Kumble. "A day before the match, I was bowling to Sachin in the nets. We generally don't go to pick up the ball until the other bowler has delivered, but somehow I went in after Sachin had played a shot off my last delivery."What happened next was a moment of panic for Kumble. "While I was picking up the ball, Harbhajan (Singh) had bowled a delivery to Sachin, which he drove fiercely and the shot ended up hitting me smack in the ribs. Sachin was like 'yeh maine kya kar diya, iska to home ground hai, iska 300 to gaya (what have I done; it's his home ground, his 300th wicket is surely gone now)," narrated Kumble."Luckily, nothing happened. I played the match and went on to complete my 300 wickets at my home venue (M Chinnaswamy Stadium)."Kumble became the first Indian spinner to take 300 Test wickets. He ended his career with 619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 wickets in 271 ODIs.One of Kumble's most memorable achievements was taking all 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in 1999. This feat, known as a "perfect 10," is considered one of the greatest bowling performances in cricket history.Kumble's commentary anecdote not only entertained viewers but also highlighted the camaraderie and competitive spirit that existed within the Indian team during his playing days.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction in the last week of November, with November 30 emerging as the likely date. The venue is yet to be finalized, but Dubai is a potential option.The ten franchises are actively preparing for the auction, with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) leading the way in identifying their priorities. Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Abhishek Sharma are their top targets, while Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also under consideration.Delhi Capitals have retained Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav as their top picks, but the captaincy is still undecided. They have made significant changes to their support staff, appointing Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket, replacing Sourav Ganguly. Munaf Patel has been roped in as the bowling coach.Mumbai Indians, the most successful IPL franchise, have retained Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah. Pandya will continue as captain, and the team will aim to regain their winning ways under coach Mahela Jayawardene.The upcoming mega auction promises to be highly competitive, with new rules designed to keep the franchises on their toes. The modified Right To Match (RTM) card will allow the highest bidder to raise their bid before the team holding the RTM card can exercise their right. This is expected to lead to intense bidding wars.The IPL mega auction is a crucial event in the Indian cricket calendar, as it shapes the teams for the upcoming season. With a host of talented players available, the auction is likely to attract significant attention from fans and experts alike.

Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, has emphasized the importance of neutralizing India's pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, in order to secure victory in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cummins acknowledged Bumrah's exceptional bowling skills and recognized that silencing him would significantly enhance Australia's chances of winning the series.Cummins also expressed confidence in Australia's ability to draw inspiration from their recent triumphs in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals against India. He believes that these victories will provide a psychological edge for the Australian team.Despite India's dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy over the past decade, Cummins remains optimistic about Australia's prospects. He highlighted the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara, India's former No. 3 batter, as a potential advantage for Australia. Cummins described Pujara as a "real Test cricketer" whose stoic resistance had been a formidable challenge in previous encounters.Cummins also acknowledged the growing rivalry between India and Australia, comparing it to the iconic Ashes series. He noted that the expansion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to a five-Test format further intensifies the competition.Cummins praised India's reputation for winning away from home, recognizing their exceptional ability to adapt to different conditions. He emphasized that defeating India in their own backyard would be a significant achievement for Australia.

England's batting maestro Joe Root has ascended to new heights in the ICC Men's Test Batter Rankings, reaching a career-best rating of 932 points. This remarkable achievement places him among the all-time greats, with only 16 players in Test cricket history surpassing this mark.Root's exceptional knock of 262 in England's emphatic victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Multan propelled him to this milestone. His dominant performance has extended his lead at the top of the rankings by over 100 points, with teammate Harry Brook joining New Zealand's Kane Williamson in second place.Brook's meteoric rise is a testament to his extraordinary triple-century in the same match, where he and Root forged a record-breaking 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket. England's Ben Duckett also made significant progress, moving up five spots to 14th in the rankings after his composed 84 against Pakistan.For Pakistan, Salman Agha and captain Shan Masood made notable gains. Agha jumped 11 places to 22nd, while Masood climbed 12 places to share 51st.On the bowling front, England's Gus Atkinson and Jack Leach benefited from their wicket-taking performances, moving up to 23rd and 28th respectively. Root's versatility was recognized as he ascended to third in the Test all-rounder rankings.The T20I rankings also witnessed significant changes following India's home series against Bangladesh and the opening matches of West Indies' clash with Sri Lanka. West Indies opener Brandon King surged to eighth in the T20I batter rankings, while Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka moved up to 12th.Among T20I bowlers, West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie jumped to second place, trailing only England's Adil Rashid. Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana climbed five spots to reach fifth, while India's Ravi Bishnoi moved up to eighth. Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed made a significant leap, landing at 19th on the T20I bowling list.