Cricket

Tamil Nadu Crushes Railways in Innings VictoryIn a stunning display of dominance, Tamil Nadu annihilated Railways by an innings and 25 runs in a Ranji Trophy Group-D encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. The victory was secured in a mere 20 minutes on the fourth day, as Tamil Nadu's bowlers wreaked havoc on the Railways batting lineup.R. Sonu Yadav and S. Ajith Ram were the architects of the demolition, claiming four wickets each. Sonu's strategy of bowling straight to the stumps proved effective, while Ajith Ram's left-arm spin bamboozled the Railways batters.The collapse began with Mohammad Saif's dismissal, as Shahrukh Khan dove low to his right and snared a half-chance. Shivam Chaudhary's edge was safely taken by Shahrukh, who had to run almost 20 yards to complete the catch.Sonu then sent Yuvraj Singh and Kunal Yadav packing in quick succession, leaving Railways reeling at 184 all out. The innings victory earned Tamil Nadu seven points."To get five wickets in 3.4 overs is not at all easy," said Sonu. "We took those and happy that that miracle happened."Ajith Ram added, "Our goal was to restrict them and make sure we had to chase less than a 100. But once we got the first wicket, everything went down so quickly."Tamil Nadu captain N. Jagadeesan was delighted with the crucial win. "These are things that just happen only once in a while and credit to the way Sonu and Ajith Ram bowled."

Australia, the reigning T20 World Champions, have opted to bat first in the second match of their three-match T20 series against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The hosts are looking to seal the series after a dominant victory in the opening match in Brisbane.Australia's captain, Josh Inglis, expressed confidence in the wicket, stating that it appeared conducive to a high-scoring encounter. The hosts have retained the same lineup that secured their triumph in the first match.Pakistan, on the other hand, have made one change to their team. Haseebullah, a powerful hitter, has been replaced by left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem. Muqeem has limited international experience, having played only three T20Is for Pakistan's second-string side at the Asian Games in 2022.

New South Wales (NSW) has secured a resounding victory over South Australia (SA) in the Sheffield Shield, winning by an innings and one run. Former Test quick Jackson Bird played a pivotal role, claiming 11 wickets in the match.In the first innings, Bird wreaked havoc on the SA batting lineup, taking seven wickets for just 46 runs. The hosts were bundled out for a paltry 110, giving NSW a significant advantage.In response, NSW posted a formidable 394, with Kurtis Patterson leading the way with a well-crafted 71. Patterson, who had been dropped from the NSW team last summer, has now scored three consecutive half-centuries.SA showed some fight in the second innings, with Jake Lehmann scoring a gritty century. However, Bird was once again unstoppable, taking four wickets for 65 runs. Jack Edwards also chipped in with four wickets, as SA was dismissed for 283.Bird's 11-wicket haul was his sixth 10-wicket match haul in first-class cricket. It was also his first five-wicket haul since March 2021.The victory is a major boost for NSW, who are now undefeated in the Shield this season. SA, on the other hand, suffered a reality check after their impressive start to the campaign.

Sanju Samson has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the first player to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year. This remarkable feat cements his status as one of the most explosive batters in the shortest format of the game.Samson's extraordinary run began with his maiden T20I hundred against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on October 12. He reached the century mark in just 40 balls, the second-fastest hundred by an Indian in T20I cricket. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed 111 off 47 balls, including 11 boundaries and 8 sixes, dismantling the Bangladeshi bowlers.Building on this, Samson continued his extraordinary form against South Africa. In the first T20I of the ongoing India-South Africa series, he hammered his second T20I century, scoring 107 off 50 balls with 7 boundaries and 10 sixes. In Johannesburg on Friday (November 15, 2024), he dominated the South African bowlers once again, finishing unbeaten on 109 off 56 deliveries with 6 boundaries and 9 sixes.With these performances, Samson not only became the first Indian but also the second player overall to score two centuries in a single T20I series. England's Phil Salt was the first to achieve this feat, scoring two centuries against the West Indies in December 2023.Adding to the fireworks, Tilak Varma also showcased his prowess by scoring his second T20I century in the same series, becoming the second Indian and third overall to achieve this feat. Varma delivered a scintillating unbeaten 120 off 47 balls, featuring 9 sixes and 10 fours. His contribution helped set a massive target of 284 runs for South Africa to chase in their 20 overs.Samson's remarkable achievement has not only earned him accolades but has also raised expectations for his future performances. As India gears up for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Samson's explosive batting will be a crucial asset for the team. His ability to score runs at a rapid pace and clear the boundaries with ease makes him a formidable opponent for any bowling attack.

Bengal's Shami Shines with Bat and Ball in Thrilling Ranji Trophy FinishKOLKATA: The Bengal and Madhya Pradesh Elite Group 'C' Ranji Trophy match is poised for a nail-biting conclusion, with the hosts Bengal chasing 338 for victory and currently sitting at 150 for three at stumps on the penultimate day.Mohammed Shami, the star Bengal pacer, played a crucial role in both innings of the match. In the first innings, he picked up three wickets to restrict Madhya Pradesh to 276. In the second innings, Shami came to the crease with Bengal struggling at 219/8.Undeterred, Shami showcased his batting prowess, stitching together a valuable 39-run last-wicket stand with his brother Mohammed Kaif. Shami's aggressive approach, including two fours and two sixes, propelled Bengal's second innings total to 276.Shami's batting heroics were followed by an impressive bowling performance. He returned to bowl 11 overs in the next two sessions of play, demonstrating his resilience and determination.Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla praised Shami's all-round contribution. "It was great to see how Shami took up the challenge," Shukla said. "He showed his character and fighting spirit."With Bengal needing 188 runs to win on the final day, the match is set for a thrilling finish. Shami's performance with both bat and ball has given Bengal a glimmer of hope, and his presence on the field will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.

India's dominance in the fourth and final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg was a testament to their all-round brilliance. The visitors clinched the series 3-1 with a resounding 135-run victory, showcasing their prowess in both batting and bowling.Chasing a mammoth 284-run target, South Africa's hopes were shattered by the brilliance of pacer Arshdeep Singh. His devastating spell reduced the hosts to a disastrous 10/4 within just three overs, effectively ending the contest early. Singh's ability to swing the ball both ways proved too much for the South African batsmen, dismissing Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen in quick succession.David Miller and Tristan Stubbs attempted to salvage the innings with an 86-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi. Stubbs fell off the very next ball after Miller's dismissal, and South Africa were eventually bowled out in the 19th over. Marco Jansen's late hitting provided some consolation, but it was too little, too late.Earlier, India had set a commanding 283/1, their highest-ever T20I score overseas and the highest by any team on South African soil. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma were the architects of this record-breaking total, combining for a 210-run partnership for the second wicket.Samson, who had already struck a century in the first game, once again showcased his precision and elegance, scoring 109* off 56 balls. Varma, batting at number three, continued his sensational form with a muscular 120* off 47 balls. The duo's centuries marked a rare feat in T20I cricket, with two Indian batters reaching the milestone in the same innings.Abhishek Sharma also played a crucial role, setting the tone in the Powerplay with four huge sixes. On a flat track offering true bounce, the Indian batsmen were in full flow, hammering a record 23 sixes. Samson's nine maximums were just one shy of Varma's 10.India's comprehensive victory in the fourth T20I was a fitting end to a successful series. Their all-round performance, led by the brilliance of Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma, proved too much for South Africa to handle.

Opener Subhransu Senapati's gritty half-century kept Madhya Pradesh in the hunt for an outright win over Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.Resuming at 170 for five, Bengal made 276 in its second innings, setting Madhya Pradesh a target of 338. The contest is evenly poised as the host, at 150 for three on day three, needs 188 runs while Bengal requires seven wickets to record victory on the final day.Overnight batters Writtick Chatterjee (52, 106b, 6x4) and Wriddhiman Saha (44, 115b, 3x4) concentrated hard for a 67-run stand. Writtick pulled Kumar Kartikeya to deep-square leg shortly after completing his half-century.A patient Saha mostly scored in singles before being given out, caught at first slip off Kartikeya while trying a scoop, and walked back disappointed.Riding his luck, Mohammed Shami (37, 36b, 2x4 2x6) swung his bat to add 39 runs with his brother Kaif for the final wicket before becoming Kartikeya's fourth victim. His cameo helped Bengal set a challenging target.With the track becoming docile and some deliveries keeping low, Bengal bowlers had to work hard. The right-left opening combination of Senapati (50, 110b, 6x4) and Himanshu Mantri (44, 77b, 4x4) gave Madhya Pradesh a fine start.Senapati, who survived two lbw appeals and got a 'life' on 14, played fluent drives on either side, while Mantri mostly rotated the strike and occasionally found a boundary.Shami, bowling 11 overs in four spells at a good speed, tried different lengths and leaked runs. Rohit Kumar provided the breakthrough as Mantri's leading edge went to deep fine-leg.Senapati added 41 runs with Rajat Patidar (32, 41b, 4x4) before being bowled by Shahbaz. Shami removed night watchman Anubhav Agarwal cheaply, but captain Shubham Sharma and Patidar, who executed sweetly-timed shots, prevented further damage.

New Zealand's triumph in the Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last month was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite being considered underdogs, the White Ferns defied expectations and emerged victorious.Craig McMillan, the team's assistant coach, had unwavering faith in his players. "We have worked hard over a period of time, and we know the improvements they've made over the last 12 months," he said. "Sometimes the stars align, but you still have to be good to make the most of those stars aligning."Amelia Kerr was the shining star for New Zealand. The leg-spinning all-rounder, who holds the record for the youngest cricketer to score a double hundred in ODIs, was named player of the final and the tournament. She was the competition's leading wicket-taker and scored a crucial 43 off 38 balls in the final."She bowled beautifully," said McMillan. "In the final, she stepped up when we needed her."Kerr's all-round performance was complemented by contributions from the entire team. "It has always been a strength of New Zealand sides, whether men's or women's — everyone chips in," said McMillan. "Rosemary Mair did a great job with the ball, Lea Tahuhu, who has been around a long time, picked up key wickets."New Zealand's fielding was also exceptional throughout the tournament. "That is so important in the T20 game," said McMillan. "We had only one bad game against the West Indies, but apart from that, against India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and then in the final against South Africa, we took our catches, and that was crucial."The win against India in New Zealand's opening match was particularly significant. "It was a very strong group, as Australia was also there," said McMillan. "And we knew that we probably had to win one of those first two games to actually be able to go through to the next stage. So we really targeted those games. Against India it was almost probably our best performance. It got us off to a great start. And momentum is really important in the World Cup."McMillan believes the team's success was also due to the presence of several all-rounders. "Some of them, like skipper Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are, in fact, double internationals, in hockey and basketball respectively," he said.McMillan emphasizes the importance of playing multiple sports, especially for young athletes. "I think it's really important that not only females, but males too, play as many sports as they can," he said. "I myself played a lot of football up until 18 and then I had to make a decision. I was a tough centre-back. I used to cut strikers down. But I just think you get multi-skilled players when they play other sports. That helps them when they come and have to make a decision at some stage."McMillan is optimistic about the future of women's cricket. "It will get stronger and stronger," he said. "I think even in the last two or three years, you have seen the development, with the WPL and all that. Those franchises play a big part in terms of the development of the players. But we are just seeing some really talented females who are given the opportunity to show how good they are around the world. It is important that it not only grows in Australia, England and India, but in all the countries."

In a historic display of batting prowess, India shattered records and left South Africa's bowlers bewildered in the fourth and final T20I at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma etched their names in the annals of cricket history, becoming the first pair to score centuries in the same T20I innings.Samson, known for his audacious strokeplay, unleashed a whirlwind knock of 109* off just 56 deliveries, peppering the boundaries with 6 fours and 9 towering sixes. Varma, the young prodigy, matched Samson's brilliance with a stunning 120* off a mere 47 balls, smashing 9 fours and 10 sixes.India's batting onslaught propelled them to a mammoth 283/1, the highest total ever recorded in a T20I between two Full Member sides. The previous record of 297/6, set by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, was shattered by this extraordinary performance.The partnership between Samson and Varma was equally remarkable, reaching a staggering 210* runs. This became the highest partnership for any wicket for India and the highest partnership for any wicket against South Africa in a T20I. It also stands as the highest partnership for the second wicket or below in all T20Is.India's batting fireworks extended to the six-hitting department, as they smashed a record 23 sixes. This surpassed the previous best of 22 sixes, which had been achieved by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, by West Indies against South Africa in Centurion in 2023, and by Afghanistan against Ireland in Dehradun in 2019.Samson's century was his third in T20Is in 2024, making him the first player ever to achieve this feat in a calendar year. He has now been involved in three 170+ T20I partnerships, the most for any batter.India also set a new record for the fewest overs taken to reach 200 runs in a T20I, achieving the milestone in just 14.1 overs. This surpassed the previous best of 13.5 overs, set by South Africa against West Indies in Centurion in 2023, and 13.6 overs, set by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.