Cricket

India's explosive left-handed batter Ishan Kishan has made a triumphant return to the Jharkhand Ranji team as its captain, following a controversial pullout last season that led to his exclusion from the BCCI central contract.Kishan's absence from domestic cricket during the previous season, coupled with his participation in privately organized T20 tournaments, raised eyebrows within the BCCI. However, the 26-year-old has since worked his way back into the board's good books with strong performances in domestic cricket, including a century for India C in the Duleep Trophy.As captain of Jharkhand's 16-member squad, Kishan will lead a young team with last season's designated skipper Virat Singh as his deputy and Kumar Kushagra as the wicketkeeper. Jharkhand begins their Ranji Trophy campaign against Assam in Guwahati in Elite Group D.Kishan's return to the Jharkhand team is a significant development for the state side, which finished third from the bottom in Group A last season. The team's chairman of the selection committee, Subroto Das, expressed confidence in Kishan's leadership abilities, stating that he is capable of guiding the young squad to success this Ranji season.Kishan's journey back to the BCCI's good graces is a testament to his determination and resilience. After being dropped from the central contract, he worked tirelessly to regain his form and prove his worth. His strong performances in domestic cricket have earned him a second chance, and he will be eager to make the most of it.

In a thrilling encounter between the U-19 cricket teams of Australia and India, two young stars emerged as standout performers. Oliver Peake, the Australian captain, showcased his batting prowess with a magnificent century, while Anmolpreet Singh, the Indian spinner, spun his team to victory with a remarkable five-wicket haul.Peake's century was a testament to his determination and skill. Despite the challenging conditions, with the pitch progressively deteriorating and the bounce becoming low, he stood firm at the crease. His innings was a masterclass in patience and adaptability, as he navigated the Indian spinners with ease. However, his efforts were ultimately in vain as Australia's batting lineup collapsed in the second innings.On the other hand, Anmolpreet Singh's performance was equally impressive. Making his debut in the match, he displayed exceptional control and accuracy with his spin bowling. His five-wicket haul was a testament to his talent and the hard work he had put in under the guidance of his coach, Harbhajan Kala.After the match, both players shared their thoughts on the game. Peake expressed his disappointment at the loss but acknowledged the quality of the Indian spinners. Singh, on the other hand, was overjoyed with his performance and credited his success to his family's support and the training he had received.The match was a showcase of the rising talent in both countries. Peake and Singh are just two examples of the young players who are shaping the future of cricket. Their performances in this match have set the stage for an exciting rivalry between Australia and India in the years to come.

In a thrilling encounter that showcased the resilience and skill of both teams, the India U-19 cricket team emerged victorious over their Australian counterparts in the second Youth 'Test' at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Resuming the third day at 142 for three, Australia's Oliver Peake played aggressively, smashing boundaries and driving and cutting with precision. He reached a well-deserved century, leading Australia's fightback. However, India's off-spinner Anmoljeet provided the breakthrough, dismissing Alex Lee Young and Christian Howe.After lunch, Peake was caught by Nikhil at covers, while Samarth peppered Aidan O'Connor with short deliveries before having him caught at slip. Anmoljeet continued his impressive spell, dismissing Ollie Patterson and Lachlan Ranaldo. Mohamed Enaan and Vishwa Ramkumar also contributed to Australia's downfall, bowling out the visitors for 277 in their first innings.With a significant lead, India enforced the follow-on. Enaan and Anmoljeet quickly dismissed Riley Kingsell, Simon Budge, and Peake, leaving Australia in trouble at 41 for three. Between overs 11 to 24, Australia's batting collapsed. Alex gifted his wicket to a brilliant direct hit, while Anmoljeet dismissed Howe and Enaan had Aidan stumped. Patterson and Hogan also fell cheaply, as Anmoljeet rattled their stumps. Chetan got Vishwa bowled, and Anmoljeet picked up Ranaldo for his fifth victim, sealing India's emphatic victory.

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's cricket icon, has finally broken his silence on the student-led protests that rocked the nation in July, leading to the downfall of the Awami League government. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Shakib expressed his remorse for not speaking out during the tumultuous period."I extend my deepest respect and condolences to the students who sacrificed their lives and to their families," Shakib wrote. "While no sacrifice can compensate for the loss of a loved one, I respect your feelings and sincerely apologize for my silence."Shakib's silence during the protests drew criticism, especially given his status as an MP and a prominent figure in Bangladesh. He was named in a murder case related to the protests, along with 146 other Awami League leaders.In his Facebook post, Shakib explained his decision to join politics, citing his desire to contribute to the development of his hometown, Magura. However, he emphasized that his primary identity remains as a cricketer for Bangladesh."My wish to develop this area is what motivated me to become an MP," Shakib said. "However, at the end of the day, my primary identity is as a cricketer for Bangladesh."Shakib's apology comes as he prepares to retire from Test cricket. He has expressed his desire to play his last Test in Dhaka, against South Africa from October 21, if the authorities can guarantee his safe entry and exit from Bangladesh.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated that it cannot guarantee Shakib's security, but the government has given positive signals. Sports adviser Asif Mahmud has said the government would provide him with security, but Shakib needed to explain his political stance to his fans.In his Facebook post, Shakib paid tribute to his fans, expressing his desire to bid farewell with them all around. "I want to say goodbye with all of you around," Shakib wrote. "At the moment of farewell, I want to shake hands with those whose applause compelled me to play better."

Cricket Icons Inspire Students at Franklin D. Roosevelt High SchoolNational Cricket League (NCL) legends Suresh Raina and Pragyan Ojha visited Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in South Dallas, igniting a passion for cricket and emphasizing the transformative power of sports.During an interactive session, students immersed themselves in the basics of cricket, engaging in drills and receiving invaluable insights from the international stars. Raina, a global cricket icon, highlighted the sport's ability to foster character and create opportunities."Cricket is more than just a game," Raina emphasized. "It teaches teamwork, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges. I urge you to stay focused, work hard, and give your all, whether it's cricket or any other pursuit."The NCL's Sixty Strikes Tournament, a fast-paced and accessible format of cricket, was introduced as a gateway for Americans to connect with the sport. Raina and Ojha encouraged students to embrace the tournament and aspire to become the next generation of cricketers."The enthusiasm and potential we witnessed today were remarkable," said NCL Chairman Arun Agarwal. "Cricket has a promising future in the U.S., and experiences like this can inspire young people to pursue the sport. We want every student to know that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible."Principal Abram Joseph expressed his vision for cricket at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School. "Cricket has the power to unite our students and teach them valuable life lessons," he said. "We are grateful for the NCL's support in bringing this incredible opportunity to our school."The visit by Raina and Ojha left a lasting impression on the students, instilling in them a love for cricket and a belief in their own abilities. The NCL's Sixty Strikes Tournament emerged as a beacon of hope, offering a pathway for young Americans to embrace the sport and achieve their dreams.

India's women's cricket team put on a dominant performance against Sri Lanka in the Women's T20 World Cup, securing a resounding 82-run victory. The triumph not only boosted India's net run rate but also showcased the team's resurgence under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.The Indian innings got off to a solid start with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana forming a formidable opening partnership. Verma's aggressive strokeplay and Mandhana's calculated approach set the tone for the innings, amassing 98 runs before both were dismissed in quick succession.Harmanpreet Kaur, known for her explosive batting, stepped up to the plate in the death overs, smashing 52 runs off just 27 deliveries. Her whirlwind knock included eight boundaries, propelling India to a formidable total of 172 for three wickets.Sri Lanka's chase never gained momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur struck on the very first ball of the innings, setting the tone for India's bowling dominance. Sri Lanka's top order crumbled under the pressure, with only Kavisha Dilhari offering some resistance with a score of 21.Leg-spinner Asha Sobhana emerged as the wrecker-in-chief for India, claiming three wickets and restricting Sri Lanka's scoring. The Sri Lankan batters struggled to cope with the variety and accuracy of India's bowling attack, eventually being bowled out for a mere 90 runs in 19.5 overs.India's victory was a testament to their improved form and determination. The team had suffered a setback in their previous match against New Zealand, but they responded with a resounding performance against Sri Lanka. The win not only boosted their net run rate but also kept their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive.

Hardik Pandya's All-Round Brilliance Powers India to Victory in Second T20I Against BangladeshNew Delhi: Hardik Pandya showcased his exceptional all-round abilities in India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.Pandya's batting prowess was on full display as he smashed 32 runs off just 19 deliveries, providing a much-needed boost to India's total of 221/9. His innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay and intelligent shot selection.However, it was Pandya's fielding brilliance that truly stole the show. In the 16th over of Bangladesh's chase, Rishad attempted to clear the boundary off Varun Chakravarty's bowling. Pandya, stationed at long-on, displayed remarkable athleticism and anticipation to cover the distance and take a stunning running catch.Rishad's dismissal proved to be a crucial moment in the match, as it halted Bangladesh's momentum and put India firmly in control. Chakravarty, who finished with figures of 2/19 in his four overs, played a pivotal role in restricting Bangladesh's scoring.Earlier, India's batters had set a challenging target for Bangladesh. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh led the charge with half-centuries, while Pandya's late cameo provided the finishing touches.Despite a shaky start, with India losing three wickets for just 41 runs, Reddy and Singh forged a crucial 108-run partnership to revive the innings. Reddy scored 52 off 36 balls, while Singh contributed 50 off 34 deliveries.Bangladesh's bowlers struggled to contain India's aggressive batting, with Mustafizur Rahman being the only exception. The left-arm pacer claimed three wickets for 33 runs in his four overs.In the end, India's all-round dominance proved too much for Bangladesh, who were restricted to 153/6 in their 20 overs. The victory gives India a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final match scheduled to be played in Kolkata on Saturday.

Riyan Parag's Bizarre No-Ball: A Rare Occurrence in T20I CricketIn the second T20I between India and Bangladesh, a peculiar incident occurred when Riyan Parag's delivery was called a no-ball for an unusual reason. During the 11th over of Bangladesh's innings, Parag attempted to surprise the batters with a bizarre sling action, reminiscent of former India batter Kedar Jadhav's wide action. However, the tactic backfired as Parag's back foot stepped outside the pitch tramlines, resulting in a no-ball.According to Law 21.5 of the cricket rules set by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the bowler's back foot must land within the return crease and not touch the tramlines. Parag's foot not only landed outside the tramline but also outside the pitch altogether, prompting the umpire to signal a no-ball.Despite the setback, Parag quickly recovered and returned to his normal action on the free hit, preventing Mahmudullah from scoring any additional runs. Two balls later, he dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a catch in the deep.Parag also made a valuable contribution to India's batting innings, scoring 15 runs off just six balls, including two sixes. His cameo helped India reach a formidable total of 221 in 20 overs, putting pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers.

Indian Batters Blaze to 221/9 in Second T20I Against BangladeshThe Indian cricket team's batters unleashed a fiery assault on Bangladesh in the second T20I in Delhi on Wednesday, posting an imposing total of 221/9. Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh led the charge with blistering half-centuries, while Hardik Pandya provided a late surge.After a sluggish start that saw three wickets fall in the Powerplay, Reddy and Rinku rescued India with a magnificent 100-plus partnership. Reddy, playing only his second T20I, showcased his immense talent with a scintillating 74 off 34 balls, including seven maximums and four boundaries. Rinku, known for his explosive hitting, contributed 53 off 29 balls, smashing five boundaries and three sixes.Reddy's innings was particularly impressive, as he played with a maturity beyond his years. He reached his maiden T20I fifty in just 27 balls and continued to punish the Bangladesh bowlers with his powerful strokeplay. Rinku, too, displayed his big-hitting prowess, smashing the first six of the match off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain.Hardik Pandya, who came to the crease after Reddy's departure, maintained the momentum with a quickfire 32 off 19 balls. He hit two sixes and two fours, including a boundary that surpassed MS Dhoni's tally of 116 fours in T20Is.Despite the impressive batting display, India's top-order struggled against the pace trio of Tanzim Hasan, Mustafizur Rehman, and Taskin Ahmed. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were dismissed cheaply, while Suryakumar Yadav fell to a slower delivery from Mustafizur.Bangladesh's bowlers fought back in the latter stages, with Mustafizur and Taskin claiming three wickets each. However, the Indian batters had already done enough damage to set up a challenging target for the visitors.