Cricket

With the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, the Indian cricket team is expected to announce its squad this week. While Rishabh Pant remains the primary wicketkeeper, Sanju Samson is set to take over as the No. 1 glovesman in the shortest format. However, the race for the second wicketkeeper's slot is heating up, with Jitesh Sharma emerging as the frontrunner ahead of Ishan Kishan.Sharma's impressive performances for Vidarbha have caught the attention of the selectors, and he is believed to have an edge over Kishan, who is currently part of the Rest of India squad. Kishan's selection in the Rest of India team suggests that his international comeback may be slightly delayed.With the Test series against New Zealand starting on October 16, several top players, including Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah, are likely to be rested as part of the workload management program. This opens up opportunities for players who have been in good form recently.Abhishek Sharma, the hard-hitting Punjab left-hander, is expected to return to the mix in the absence of Shubman Gill. However, it remains unclear who will partner him at the top of the order if both Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are rested.Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of the Rest of India team, is also in a tight spot as he will likely be busy with the Irani Cup until October 5, leaving little time before the Bangladesh T20Is begin. There is speculation that Jaiswal might play the first match, while Gaikwad could join the squad for the last two games.Hardik Pandya is set to return to the national side, along with Shivam Dube. Other players who were part of the Zimbabwe series, such as Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, and Ravi Bishnoi, are also expected to be included in the squad. Harshit Rana, who was in Zimbabwe as a backup pacer, could also get a chance.

The Indian cricket team will face Bangladesh in the second and final Test match of the series at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. However, the stadium has been deemed unsafe by the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD), with one of the stands declared dangerous and at risk of collapse if filled to capacity.The PWD has instructed the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) to limit ticket sales for the Balcony C stand to 1,700, significantly below its capacity of 4,800. Repair work on the stand is ongoing and is expected to continue for the next few days.Engineers have warned that the Balcony C stand is in dire need of repair and could not withstand the weight of even 50 fans jumping in celebration. The UPCA has agreed to comply with the PWD's directive and will not sell all the tickets for the stand.Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has made a strong return to international cricket after recovering from a serious car accident. He scored a century in the second innings of the first Test against Bangladesh, propelling him back into the ICC Test rankings at sixth position.Yashasvi Jaiswal has also moved up the rankings to fifth place, aided by his half-century in the first innings of the Bangladesh match. Rohit Sharma, however, has dropped five places to 10th position after his low scores in the first Test.In the Test bowling rankings, Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya has solidified his reputation as a top spinner, moving up five spots to eighth place after taking nine wickets against New Zealand in the Galle Test.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the enigmatic former Indian cricket captain, holds a special bond with the city of Chennai. As the former skipper of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dhoni has led the team to five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, cementing his status as the city's most beloved son.Former CSK teammate Mohit Sharma has shared some intriguing anecdotes about Dhoni's fiery nature and his unique approach to player management. "He gets angry and we've heard a lot of abuses from him," Sharma revealed on the '2 Sloggers' podcast. "But he always says, what happens on the field, stays there. Later, he will make you understand but never be angry with you."Sharma recalled an incident involving Deepak Chahar, who also faced Dhoni's wrath. "In 2019, Deepak was playing and I wasn't. The game was in Chennai, and everyone was sweating profusely. He bowled a knuckle ball that was hit for a boundary. Dhoni bhai told him not to bowl it again. He said, 'ok Mahi bhai'. After bowling the next 2-3 balls, he bowled the knuckle ball again.""Mahi bhai came up to him, kept his arms around Deepak's shoulder, said a few things to him, and went back. We didn't know what happened. So when the match got over, we asked what happened? He said, 'You know what he said? He said a few wonderful things (likely abuses), and then he added 'Bewakoof tu nahi hai, bewakoof main hu (You're not the fool, I am).' So that is a tale we always remember."Despite his fiery temper, Dhoni is known for his love and support for his players. "Dhoni bhai loves Chahar equally," Sharma emphasized.As the IPL 2025 season approaches, there is still uncertainty surrounding Dhoni's participation. However, his legacy as a legendary captain and a beloved figure in Chennai remains unchallenged.

New Zealand's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final hang in the balance as they prepare for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The Black Caps have lost all five Tests in Galle, but their margins of defeat have narrowed with each outing.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are brimming with confidence after consecutive Test victories under interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya. They have made two changes to their XI, bringing in Milan Rathnayake and Nishan Peiris for Lahiru Kumara and Ramesh Mendis.New Zealand may consider replacing Mitchell Santner with Michael Bracewell, who bowled more threateningly in the first Test. The pitch is expected to be another rank turner, with Will O'Rourke, Tim Southee, and Asitha Fernando likely to create significant footmarks.Dinesh Chandimal has been asked to move up to No. 3 for Sri Lanka, while Kane Williamson's record in Galle is modest. However, Williamson's runs have been a key predictor of New Zealand's success over the past 15 years.Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya has an outside chance of becoming the equal-fastest bowler to reach 100 Test wickets, while Ajaz Patel has a strong record in Galle with two five-wicket hauls.New Zealand need a win to keep their WTC final hopes alive, while Sri Lanka can move closer to Australia in the standings with another victory. The match is expected to be a close contest on a challenging pitch.

Joe Root, England's batting maestro, is poised to etch his name as the greatest Test batsman in the country's history, according to his former teammate Ian Bell. Even if Root falls short of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's colossal record of 15,921 runs, Bell believes his legacy is secure.Root recently surpassed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to move into sixth place on the all-time list of Test run-getters. His remarkable consistency and ability to adapt to different conditions have earned him widespread admiration."He's played incredibly well in the last 12 months. I don't think he's overthinking too much what's ahead. He's just sort of living in the moment as we are," Bell said in an exclusive interview.Bell acknowledged the daunting task of matching Tendulkar's record, but he emphasized that Root's achievements are already extraordinary. "To think that he can even get close to someone like Sachin, a real great of the game, someone that we've all admired growing up, as a hero to not just people and fans in India, but around the world," Bell said. "To think that Joe could get close is an amazing achievement on his behalf."England's recent adoption of the "Bazball" approach, characterized by aggressive batting and a fearless mindset, has unlocked the potential of the current players, according to Bell. "From a fan point of view, you have to look at the results. Since Brendon (McCullum) has come into this England side and (Ben) Stokes has took over, the results have been absolutely fantastic," he said.However, Bell stressed the importance of winning away from home in the next cycle of the World Test Championship. "I'm sure they've got one eye on the next 12 months, which has five Test matches (against) India at home, which will be a huge challenge," he said. "India are probably the best team in the world at the moment, and then, Australia away. Those 10 Test matches on the road will be hugely important for that group of players and something they're gearing themselves up for."Bell also highlighted the consistency shown by the Indian team, which has won 17 series in a row at home and its last two series in Australia. "That's what we've seen with India at the moment. They've managed to be able to win away from home as much as anyone and that's the reason why they are the No 1 team in the world at the moment."While acknowledging that England's white-ball revolution has led to diminishing batting averages in Tests, Bell believes the next generation of players is adapting to the demands of modern cricket. "You could definitely have that argument. The next generation of players are growing up with a big diet of T20 cricket in early age and have a look at cricket in England at the moment, there’s a lot of short format cricket in the early age group," he said.Bell singled out Virat Kohli as the player who plays his favorite shot, the cover drive, the best among his peers. "It's very hard to look past Virat Kohli, that is for sure. Not just his cover drive, but the way he plays, his desire for batting, his desire actually in competition and how he goes about his cricket," Bell said. "When he plays his cover drive, whatever format of the game, it's a good one to watch."

The Australian women's cricket team has established an unparalleled dominance in the Women's T20 World Cup, capturing the coveted trophy six times out of the seven tournaments held since 2010. Their remarkable success has cemented their status as the undisputed queens of the shortest format of the game.The inaugural Women's T20 World Cup in 2009 saw England emerge victorious. However, it was in 2010 that Australia's reign began, with a dramatic victory over New Zealand in the final. The match was poised on a knife's edge when New Zealand's Sophie Devine threatened to snatch victory with a flurry of boundaries.With just five runs needed off the final delivery, Ellyse Perry, a young all-rounder, stepped up to bowl. Devine connected with a powerful shot, but Perry, with her exceptional athleticism, deflected the ball with her boot towards mid-on. New Zealand's hopes were dashed as they fell short by four runs, handing Australia their first T20 World Cup title.Perry's heroics extended beyond the final, as she emerged as Australia's leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Her all-round brilliance earned her the 'Player of the Match' award in the final.In 2012, Australia successfully defended their title, defeating England in the final. They repeated their triumph in 2014, overcoming the West Indies in a thrilling encounter. The 2016 tournament saw a brief interruption in Australia's dominance, as the West Indies emerged victorious on home soil. However, Australia reclaimed the trophy in 2018 and 2020, extending their reign to six titles.The Australian women's team's success in the T20 World Cup is a testament to their exceptional talent, teamwork, and unwavering determination. They have set a benchmark for excellence in women's cricket, inspiring generations of young players around the world.

The Super Smash 2024-25, New Zealand's premier domestic T20 cricket tournament, is set to kick off on Boxing Day with a blockbuster clash between defending champions Auckland Aces and 2021-22 and 2022-23 winners Northern Districts at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The women's Super Smash will also commence on the same day, with Northern Brave facing Auckland Hearts at the same venue.Defending women's champions Wellington Blaze will begin their quest for a ninth Super Smash title on New Year's Day against Northern Brave in Hamilton. Last year's men's finalists Canterbury Kings will open their campaign on the second day of the competition against Otago Volts in Alexandra, while last season's women's finalists Central Hinds will play their first game against Otago Sparks on December 31.The tournament, which will run from December 26 to February 2, will be played across ten venues in New Zealand and comprise 64 games - 32 men's and women's double-headers. For the first time in the competition's history, the final will be played at a pre-determined venue, with the Basin Reserve in Wellington hosting both the men's and women's elimination finals on February 1 and the two finals on February 2."The Super Smash keeps on growing in popularity and it's really exciting to see it continue to be so accessible to kiwis across the country," said NZC CEO Scott Weenink. "It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase our game to fans both new and old, while building the profiles of our domestic teams and our rising stars."The tournament will run concurrently with New Zealand's men's white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which includes T20Is and ODIs from December to January 11. The New Zealand women's players are expected to be available for the entire Super Smash tournament.

KL Rahul, the talented Indian opener, has showcased his exceptional batting prowess with sublime centuries across various Test venues. Despite his impressive achievements, his career statistics have not fully reflected his potential.Rahul's journey has been marked by both brilliance and inconsistency. He holds the distinction of being the only Indian opener to score Test hundreds in England, South Africa, and Australia. He is also the only visiting batter to achieve two Test centuries at Supersport Park, Centurion, a notoriously challenging ground for non-South African batters. Additionally, Rahul is the only Indian batter to score seven consecutive Test 50s.However, Rahul's overall Test average of under 35 has left fans and critics questioning his consistency. Factors such as a "confused approach," "over-thinking," and "scoreboard inertia" have been cited as potential reasons for his modest figures.Despite these challenges, Rahul has received significant support from successive captain-coach combinations. He was appointed as India's 34th Test captain in 2022, but his form suffered during his tenure. However, he has regained the backing of current captain Rohit Sharma, who has expressed confidence in Rahul's ability to flourish in Test cricket.Rahul's versatility has been a key factor in his longevity. He has seamlessly transitioned from opener to wicketkeeper and middle-order enforcer in ODIs, delivering notable performances such as his match-winning century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023.As India prepares for the upcoming tour of Australia, Rahul's presence as a backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant could prove invaluable. His ability to bat at various positions, including No. 6, provides the team with flexibility and depth.Rahul's career has been a tale of both promise and frustration. With the support of his captain and the team management, he has the opportunity to overcome his inconsistencies and establish himself as a consistent performer in Test cricket.

England's women cricketers have taken a significant step towards gender parity with the announcement that minimum starting salaries in domestic cricket will be equalized across the men's and women's professional games from 2025. This move aligns with the recommendations of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report, which called for a "fundamental overhaul" of the pay structure in women's cricket.The equalization of salaries will apply to both 'Rookie' level, which is being introduced into the women's game for the first time, and 'Senior Pro' level for established first-team players. This decision reflects the ECB's commitment to providing equal opportunities for young players considering cricket as a career choice.The announcement comes after the ICEC report revealed that the average England Women's salary was significantly lower than their male counterparts. The report set targets for equalizing pay at domestic level by 2029 and for internationals by 2030.In addition to equalizing starting salaries, the ECB has also confirmed that the eight Tier 1 counties in the new women's competition will have minimum squad sizes of 15 contracted players. Each first-class county is required to invest at least £500,000 on player salary costs in 2025, with a salary cap of £800,000 per year agreed for those clubs.Emma Reid, PCA Director of Player Rights and Women's Cricket, welcomed the announcement, stating that it is a "big step towards reaching parity." She emphasized that the PCA remains committed to achieving full parity across all areas of the professional game.The equalization of minimum starting salaries is a testament to the growing recognition of the value and talent of women cricketers. It is a positive step towards creating a more equitable and sustainable environment for women's cricket in England and Wales.