Cricket

The Eden Gardens Test of 2001 between India and Australia remains etched in the annals of cricket history as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian team. While the match is primarily remembered for the heroics of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, the bowling performance of Sachin Tendulkar played a pivotal role in India's historic victory.Australia, riding high on a record-breaking 16-match winning streak, seemed invincible. After enforcing the follow-on, they appeared to be cruising towards another triumph. However, Laxman and Dravid forged a monumental partnership, setting the stage for a thrilling final day.With Australia chasing a daunting target of 384, India needed quick wickets to seize the initiative. Captain Sourav Ganguly turned to Tendulkar, a part-time bowler known for his occasional breakthroughs.Tendulkar, justifying Ganguly's faith, delivered a remarkable spell. He dismissed the dangerous Adam Gilchrist for a duck, trapping him leg before wicket as he attempted a sweep. The in-form Matthew Hayden, another major threat, also fell victim to Tendulkar's leg-spin, going leg before wicket while attempting the same shot.Tendulkar's most significant scalp was that of legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne. With a cunning googly, he trapped Warne plumb in front of the wicket, giving Australia a taste of their own medicine.Tendulkar's bowling figures in the second innings were an impressive 3 wickets for 31 runs in 11 overs. His performance was instrumental in turning the tide in India's favor.India eventually bowled out Australia for 212, winning the match by 171 runs. This victory, considered one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history, marked only the third time a team had won after following on.Tendulkar's contribution with the ball, alongside the monumental batting performances of Laxman and Dravid, played a crucial role in breaking Australia's unbeaten streak and changing the momentum of the series, which India eventually won 2-1.

Bangladesh resumed their first innings on the fourth morning of the second Test against India, with Mominul Haque leading the charge. Despite losing three wickets, Bangladesh reached lunch at 205 for 6, with Mominul unbeaten on 102.India's bowlers, led by Akash Deep and Ravichandran Ashwin, bowled with discipline, but Mominul proved to be a thorn in their side. He weathered the early storm and played with patience and determination.The pitch showed signs of improvement, with better carry, but the low bounce remained a factor. Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah tested Mominul and Mushfiqur Rahim's patience with their accurate bowling.Bumrah dismissed Mushfiqur with a sharp in-ducker that took his inside edge and clipped the off stump. Litton Das came in and played aggressively, hitting three fours off Bumrah. However, he fell to a length ball from Mohammed Siraj, which he slapped aerially to Rohit Sharma at wide mid-off.Shakib Al Hasan's stay was brief, as he was caught by Siraj off Ashwin's bowling. Ravindra Jadeja was brought on, but Mominul used his feet well and swept him for a six to reach the nineties.Mominul was given two lives, with Rishabh Pant dropping a catch at 93 and Virat Kohli dropping another at 95. He made the most of these chances and reached his century with a sweep shot.At lunch, Bangladesh were in a strong position, with Mominul anchoring the innings and Mehidy Hasan providing support. India will need to find a way to break the partnership and take control of the match.

Shadab Khan's Panthers emerged victorious in the Champions One-Day Cup final, defeating Markhors by a commanding margin. The triumph marked a significant milestone for the young side, as they focused on developing their players rather than chasing immediate results.Shadab, the captain of Panthers, played a pivotal role in their success. His all-round performance, including a crucial wicket and an unbeaten 14 runs, helped secure the victory. Despite facing challenges with his batting form, Shadab's determination and hard work paid off in the tournament.The Panthers' success was built on a solid bowling performance, with Shadab and his fellow bowlers restricting Markhors to a mere 140 runs. Shadab emphasized the importance of controlling the process rather than obsessing over the outcome. This approach allowed the team to remain focused and execute their plans effectively.Shadab praised the contributions of his young fast bowlers, Ali Raza and Mohammad Hasnain. Raza's maturity and bowling skills impressed Shadab, while Hasnain's return from injury was marked by a sensational performance that earned him the Player-of-the-Series award.Shadab's own journey as a young player under the spotlight has shaped his philosophy as a captain. He believes that youth is not a barrier to success, as evidenced by the Panthers' triumph. The team's inexperience did not prevent them from achieving their goal.Shadab's leadership and the Panthers' focus on development have set a positive example for Pakistani cricket. By prioritizing the process over the result, the team has created a foundation for future success and inspired young players to strive for excellence.

Rohit Sharma's Stunning Catch Lights Up Kanpur TestIndia captain Rohit Sharma showcased his exceptional fielding skills on Monday, pulling off a breathtaking one-handed catch to dismiss Bangladesh's Litton Das in the second Test at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium.After two days of rain, the match resumed with Bangladesh resuming their innings at 148/4. Mohammed Siraj bowled a full-blooded drive from Das, which appeared destined for the boundary. However, Rohit, stationed at mid-off, timed his jump to perfection and extended his right hand to intercept the ball.Das, who had timed his shot well, was left stunned as the ball stuck right in Rohit's palm. The entire Indian team erupted in disbelief before celebrating wildly. Rohit ran with his hand raised and a beaming smile on his face.The catch was the fifth wicket to fall for Bangladesh, with Jasprit Bumrah earlier dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim for 11. Mominul Haque, meanwhile, completed his half-century.Rohit's catch was a testament to his exceptional reflexes and fielding prowess. It also provided a much-needed boost to the Indian team, who were looking to build on their 1-0 series lead after a 280-run victory in Chennai.The match continued with India looking to press their advantage and Bangladesh fighting to stay in the contest. The outcome of the Test will have a significant impact on the series standings and the ICC World Test Championship.

Jasprit Bumrah Breaks the Deadlock on Day 4 of India vs. Bangladesh TestAfter two days of rain-induced delays, the second Test between India and Bangladesh finally resumed on Monday in Kanpur. With India seeking a crucial wicket to break the Bangladesh resistance, Jasprit Bumrah stepped up to deliver.Bumrah, known for his exceptional bowling skills, was handed the ball by captain Rohit Sharma to open the fourth day's play. The pacer didn't disappoint, striking in the third over to remove Mushfiqur Rahim for 11.Rahim, expecting an outswinger, left the ball only to be surprised as it sharply came back in and crashed into his stumps. The dismissal was a testament to Bumrah's accuracy and ability to deceive batters.Bumrah's wicket was the first for India on Day 4, adding to the two wickets taken by Akash Deep and one by Ravichandran Ashwin. Bangladesh had resumed their first innings at 107-3, with Mominul Haque unbeaten on 40 and Rahim on six.The match had been severely affected by rain, with only 35 overs possible on the opening day. The weather had forced the umpires to abandon play on Saturday and Sunday due to a soggy outfield.India, who lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opener in Chennai, will be looking to capitalize on Bumrah's early breakthrough and build pressure on Bangladesh. The visitors, on the other hand, will need to dig deep and find a way to counter India's bowling attack.

Travis Head's all-round brilliance propelled Australia to a 49-run victory over England in the rain-affected fifth and final ODI at Bristol, securing a 3-2 series triumph for the world champions.England, chasing a formidable target, were cruising at 202-2 thanks to a century from Ben Duckett (107) and a half-century from Harry Brook (72). However, Australia's slow bowlers turned the tide, with Head claiming an ODI-best 4-28 as England collapsed to 309 all out.Australia's chase got off to a blistering start, with Matthew Short (58) and Head (31) putting on 78 for the first wicket in just over seven overs. Rain intervened with Australia well ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) target, and the umpires eventually called off the game with Australia on 165-2 after 20.4 overs.Head's performance was particularly impressive, as he not only took four wickets but also made a valuable contribution with the bat. His 31 off 24 balls helped set the tone for Australia's chase, while his bowling proved decisive in England's collapse.Duckett's century was his second in ODIs, and he played a key role in England's strong start. Brook continued his impressive form with another half-century, but England's middle and lower order failed to provide the necessary support.The victory marked a successful end to Australia's tour of England, which also included a 2-0 Test series win. It was a particularly satisfying result for Head, who has emerged as a key player for Australia in recent months.

South Africa Opt to Bowl First in Second T20I Against IrelandIn the second T20I encounter between Ireland and South Africa in Abu Dhabi, both teams have made strategic adjustments to their bowling lineups. After a high-scoring affair on Friday, the teams have opted for different seam combinations.Ireland have replaced Craig Young with Graham Hume, while South Africa have included Lungi Ngidi in place of Ottneil Baartman. The batting lineups remain unchanged, with Ireland still missing Lorcan Tucker due to injury. Ross Adair will continue to open the batting for the Irish.South Africa's batting lineup remains intact, with Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton in good form. They will open the innings, followed by Matthew Breetzke at No. 3. All-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Patrick Kruger will bat at No. 6 and 7, respectively.This is the final match of the T20I series, which will be followed by three ODIs next week. Ireland have yet to defeat South Africa in their seven previous T20I encounters.Ireland XI:1. Paul Stirling2. Ross Adair3. Harry Tector4. Curtis Campher5. Neil Rock (wk)6. George Dockrell7. Mark Adair8. Fionn Hand9. Matthew Humphreys10. Ben White11. Graham HumeSouth Africa XI:1. Ryan Rickelton (wk)2. Reeza Hendricks3. Matthew Breetzke4. Aiden Markam5. Tristan Stubbs6. Wiaan Mulder7. Patrick Kruger8. Bjorn Fortuin9. Nqaba Peter10. Lizaad Williams11. Lungi Ngidi

The Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India, is set to revert to its traditional zonal format starting next year. This decision was made at the 93rd Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The Duleep Trophy was originally played on a zonal basis, with teams representing different regions of India. However, in 2023, the BCCI experimented with a new format, where four teams were selected by four teams. This experiment was met with mixed reactions, with some members of the BCCI expressing concerns that it was diluting the competitive nature of the tournament.After a prolonged discussion at the AGM, the BCCI decided to move away from the experimental format and reinstate the zonal format. This decision was based on the recommendations of a working group consisting of then head coach Rahul Dravid, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, NCA head VVS Laxman, and Abey Kuruvilla, general manager of operations.The working group had argued that the zonal format would maintain the competitive nature of the tournament and provide a better platform for players to showcase their skills. They also pointed out that the zonal format had a long history and tradition in Indian cricket.The BCCI also authorized its office-bearers to finalize the BCCI's representative for the International Cricket Council's (ICC) meetings as an ICC Director. With BCCI President Jay Shah set to take over as the ICC chair on December 1, a new ICC representative will need to be selected.The AGM also passed a resolution to maintain the BCCI's legal status as a society. The members further resolved that the tournaments of the BCCI, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), shall not be converted to a company.

In a remarkable display of sportsmanship, former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli silenced the jeering crowd and earned widespread respect during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. The incident occurred during a high-stakes clash between India and Australia at The Oval in London on June 9, 2019.The backdrop of this moment lies in the infamous ball-tampering scandal of 2018, which involved Australian batsman Steve Smith and his teammate David Warner. The scandal rocked the cricketing world and resulted in a 12-month suspension for both players. By the time the 2019 World Cup arrived, Smith and Warner had returned to international cricket, but their reputation had been tarnished.During the India-Australia match, the crowd's hostility towards Smith was palpable. Every time he approached the boundary or appeared on the screen, sections of Indian supporters booed him relentlessly, reminding him of the ball-tampering incident. This negativity caught the attention of Kohli, who was batting at the time.Despite the intense rivalry between India and Australia, Kohli's sense of fairness and respect for the game prevailed. In a moment of pure sportsmanship, he gestured to the crowd, urging them to cease their booing and instead show Smith some respect. He waved his hands towards the fans, encouraging them to applaud Smith rather than ridicule him.Kohli later explained in a post-match interview that he felt uncomfortable seeing Smith being treated in such a manner. He emphasized that everyone makes mistakes in life and that it was important to let bygones be bygones. According to Kohli, Smith had served his punishment and deserved respect for his return to the sport.Kohli's unexpected act won him praise from fans, players, and commentators alike. Steve Smith later expressed his appreciation for Kohli's gesture, calling it a "kind and respectful" act. Kohli's intervention became one of the highlights of the tournament, showcasing that even in the heat of intense competition, the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect can shine through.