Cricket

At 38, R. Ashwin is nearing the twilight of his illustrious career. With India set to host only four Tests next year, it remains uncertain whether Chennai will witness another Test match soon. However, if Ashwin's recent performance against Bangladesh is any indication, he is determined to bow out in style.In his final outing at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Ashwin etched his name in history by scoring a century, taking a six-wicket haul, and being named Player-of-the-Match. When asked if this could be his last Test in his hometown, Ashwin remained philosophical, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of Test cricket."Every Test match is a big thing," Ashwin remarked. "You never know what's next. But if that was my swansong (in Chennai), what a swansong."Ashwin's performance was a testament to his unwavering determination and ability to reinvent himself. Despite being a veteran of the game, he continues to push himself to new heights."It's not the same as when you're 25, 30, or even 35," Ashwin said. "Every bit of work you put in, you have to put it doubly hard to earn the right to be there."Ashwin's journey has been marked by constant evolution. He has adapted his bowling style, developed new variations, and remained a potent force in the game."I just wanted to enjoy my game and be the best that I can be," Ashwin explained. "I am not ambitious and want to play as long as I can."With nine more Tests scheduled in the upcoming season, Ashwin is focused on maintaining his fitness and form. He understands the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about his ability to continue contributing to the team."When you look so far ahead, it can be quite deflating," Ashwin said. "You have to stack it up. There are good breaks between games. More than skill, I think it is about physically being able to go through the season, which is of utmost importance to me right now."As Ashwin approaches the end of his career, he can reflect on a remarkable journey filled with achievements and accolades. His legacy as one of India's greatest off-spinners is secure, and his final chapter promises to be just as memorable as the ones that came before.

In a thrilling encounter, Dolphins emerged victorious over Lions by 16 runs in the final league game of the Champions Cup. Batting first, Dolphins amassed a formidable 326, thanks to Umar Amin's 75 and Muhammad Akhlaq's 52. Lions' chase started promisingly, but they ultimately fell short despite a valiant effort from Khushdil Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.Dolphins' innings got off to a shaky start with the early dismissal of Sahibzada Farhan. However, Muhammad Hurraira and Muhammad Akhlaq steadied the ship with a 77-run partnership. Hurraira contributed 47 off 41 balls, while Akhlaq scored 52 off 50.After the departure of Hurraira and Akhlaq, Umar Amin took charge. He found support from the lower middle order, including Jamal's 69 off 52 balls, to guide Dolphins to a challenging total. By the time Amin was dismissed in the 42nd over, Dolphins had reached 275. They eventually finished on 326, despite being bowled out in the final over.In response, Lions openers Abdullah Shafique and Rohail Nazir provided a solid start, putting on 78 runs in 13.3 overs. Nazir was the more aggressive of the two, scoring 62 off 70 balls. However, Lions' chase suffered a setback when Saud Shakeel dismissed Nazir and Omair Yousuf in quick succession.With 100 runs needed in the last ten overs and four wickets in hand, Lions' hopes rested on Khushdil Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Despite Shaheen's injury, the pair launched a counterattack, hitting seven sixes and two fours in the next four overs.However, Abbas Afridi held his nerve in the final over, conceding only seven runs to secure a consolation win for Dolphins. Khushdil remained unbeaten on 60 off 28 balls, while Shaheen scored 24 off 14 balls.

The World Cup was slipping away from India, a second heartbreak in seven months seemed imminent. Axar Patel had started the 15th over of South Africa's run-chase in the T20 World Cup final in Bridgetown with the Proteas needing 54 for victory off 36 deliveries. A savage onslaught from Heinrich Klaasen fetched 24 runs off the left-arm spinner's final over of the competition. South Africa's equation was down to 30 off 30, with six wickets in hand.Axar had had a superb World Cup in all three departments. Why, even in the final, it was his 31-ball 47, when promoted to No. 5, which ensured that India scored at a healthy clip despite Virat Kohli going 35 deliveries without a boundary at one stage. Even with the ball, his first three overs had yielded a more than acceptable 25, well below the required run rate at the start of the South African innings. Yet, if the Gujarat all-rounder felt as if he'd rather the earth opened and swallowed him whole, there was good reason to do so.A downcast Axar received his cap from the umpire, looking dazed, when his captain strode up to him and whispered words of encouragement. Rohit Sharma told Axar he had no reason to feel disappointed because even good deliveries had been sent beyond the fence by Klaasen. He wasn't saying it for effect or to soften the blow; Rohit is that kind of captain – empathetic, understanding, a solid figure of support in times of crises, but also unafraid to crack the whip if he perceives even the slightest slackening of effort.To take time off at a critical stage of the contest, with the game almost slipping away, when he had other things on his mind spoke to Rohit's unique leadership style. Five IPL titles as captain haven't transpired by chance or accident; Rohit is a fabulous man-manager, one of the most significant traits a captain must possess, apart from being an astute tactician and a great reader of the game.Rohit's mind was ticking after the Axar over that could have been the difference between ecstasy and agony. To find the wherewithal at that point to seek out the bowler and lift his spirits was a master-stroke, a typical Rohit gesture which is one of the reasons he is so adored by his teammates. Aware that no purpose would be served by dwelling on the six Axar deliveries that had seemingly altered the course of the final, Rohit chose to look forwards. He must have feared a reprisal of the 50-over World Cup final in Ahmedabad when India's perfect campaign came to a juddering halt against the Australian juggernaut, but he could ill afford to make his apprehensions apparent. Especially when in a spot, the team looks to the leader for inspiration and comfort.By maintaining a confident exterior, no matter the cesspool of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, Rohit was sending out a clear, voluble message – ‘We are still in it, lads’. He then marshalled his troops with the felicity and situational awareness of a celebrated general, tweaking the field here, making a change there. He brought Jasprit Bumrah on for the 16th over, maybe an over earlier than he would have liked, maybe not, for control. His undisputed spearhead responded by conceding only four.Then, after Hardik Pandya lucked it out by forcing Klaasen to feather a slower, wide ball outside off to Rishabh Pant, Rohit persisted with Bumrah for over No. 18 when normally he keeps him back for No. 19. Bumrah plucked out Marco Jansen's leg pole, conceding only two runs in that over. The balance of power had shifted inexorably during those two Bumrah overs, and India tightened the screws to complete a remarkable seven-win victory when defeat had appeared on the cards 30 minutes previously.After the last ball of the final had been delivered by Hardik, Rohit flung himself to the ground, prone, at cover and slapped the turf vehemently and repeatedly with his right palm. It was an outburst of naked emotion from someone who wears his emotion openly, but seldom loses control. In that one iconic gesture lay relief and delight, redemption and vindication. The T20 World Cup triumph wouldn't quite make up for defeat in the final of the longer white-ball World Cup, but considering the circumstances under which it came, Rohit would take it. Gladly. With feeling.Perhaps, in some quarters, India winning a World Cup under Rohit was taken for granted merely because he had piloted Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles. If only life were that simple. Perhaps Rohit felt the weight of expectations, perhaps he was so gutted by defeat to Australia that he chose to extend his T20I career merely in pursuit of the pot of gold. By steering the team to the T20 crown against all odds, Rohit has stormed into rarefied territory, joining Kapil Dev and Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the only Indian World Cup-winning captains.‘It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy’ has been the overriding theme over the last three or so months. Nice guys, it seems, can and do finish first. Such has been the luminescence of his batting that Rohit’s leadership skills have often flown under the radar. Maybe in a way, he is an accidental Test captain because two and a half years before he embraced that role, he wasn’t even certain of his place in the Test XI, despite by then having spent six wildly fluctuating years as a Test cricketer.His elevation to the top of the batting order in the five-day game has come with unexpectedly spectacular consequences because, like in the white-ball formats, it’s as an opener that he has found his calling, entirely because of which the captaincy became his once Kohli decided to abdicate the throne. Rohit has overseen the first little period of transition in Indian Test cricket in a little while. It’s under him and head coach Rahul Dravid that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill positively flourished. He oversaw the debuts of a slew of untested but talented youngsters during the Test series against England, when his tactical skills and inner steel were severely tested with injuries crippling India’s batting, and he ensured those youngsters were presented with the right atmosphere in which to blossom and perform.His overwhelming desire to walk the talk and take it upon himself to be the first executor of the policy of unfettered batting aggression might have led to a decline in the tall edifices he used to erect with unerring regularity in both T20Is and ODIs, but the impact of his boisterous ball-bashing in the PowerPlay overs has had a cascading effect on his colleagues.It’s impossible not to be inspired by the selflessness of the leader when the said leader has a monumental three ODI double-tons and a record-equalling five T20I hundreds, but is now more fixated on a 25-ball 50 than a 60-ball century. Rohit belongs to the school that believes that you shouldn’t demand of others what you don’t do yourself. By leading from the front in espousing the theory of boldness and attack, he is now commanding the loyalty and admiration of his troops. Without saying it in as many words, Rohit’s resounding message is ‘Do as I say, and as I do’, because what he is saying and what he is doing are perfectly in sync with each other.Having realised a long-cherished ambition of helping India break their ICC trophy drought, Rohit has now walked away from the T20I game with little left to achieve. There is unfinished business yet in the other two versions; 2025 will witness the Champions Trophy, which India last won in 2013, as well as the third final of the World Test Championship. India have lost both preceding finals, to New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023) respectively, a tribute to their consistency that they made both title rounds but a blow to their ego and dream that they couldn’t navigate the final step successfully. Within a few months next year, Rohit will have a grand chance to take India to the unprecedented heights they touched only under Dhoni, an exciting possibility that one is sure Rohit will approach with tempered optimism rather than with the fear of not making it happen.One of the boys Even though he is the undisputed leader – even a cursory glance will confirm that the eyes of all his nine outfielders are firmly trained on him between deliveries because he doesn’t suffer slackers gladly – Rohit has managed to remain one of the boys, sending his teammates into raptures with his pithy, often unprintable one-liners that carry not an iota of vindictiveness or malice. In a tense situation, he is the first with a joke, trying to lighten the mood not because he has to but because it comes naturally to him. He looks after the younger guys under him with the zest of a tigress protecting her cubs, though when it comes to reading the riot act, he has few equals. Rohit is a believer in tough love but is grudge-free and honest in his conversations and decision-making, qualities that separate the great leaders from the good ones. Indian cricket is fortunate that Rohit is the latest in a long line of terrific captains and leaders, but one of a kind when it comes to a lot of things – including tactical astuteness and terrific wit.

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian cricket captain, has transformed his body into a canvas of meaningful tattoos, each one a testament to his beliefs, experiences, and personality. These intricate designs are not mere body art but profound symbols that reflect his spiritual journey, strength, and the values he holds dear.Kohli's left shoulder bears the watchful gaze of the God's Eye, a symbol of divine guidance and protection. The Japanese Samurai on his left arm embodies discipline, honor, and the Bushido code, qualities that resonate with Kohli's unwavering determination and sportsmanship. The monastery tattoo on his left shoulder serves as a reminder of the importance of balance and inner peace amidst the chaos of life.His faith in the divine is evident in the Lord Shiva tattoo on his left forearm, depicting the deity meditating on Mount Kailash. The Om symbol below it represents the ultimate reality and consciousness, emphasizing Kohli's belief in the interconnectedness of all things. His parents' names, Prem and Saroj, are inked on his left hand, a tribute to their unwavering support and the values they instilled in him.Kohli's pride in representing India is reflected in the numbers 175 and 269, his ODI and Test debut caps, respectively. His zodiac sign, Scorpio, adorns his right bicep, symbolizing his intense, passionate, and determined nature. The tribal art tattoo on his right forearm represents strength, aggression, and creativity, qualities that are often evident in his aggressive style of play.Each tattoo tells a unique story, a chapter in Kohli's personal journey. They are not just decorations but an integral part of his identity, a reflection of his beliefs, values, and the experiences that have shaped him into the man and cricketer he is today.

Imran Tahir, the 45-year-old captain of Guyana Amazon Warriors, has become the first overseas bowler to reach 100 wickets in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The milestone came in Amazon Warriors' successful defense of 135 against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at the Providence Stadium.Tahir's achievement is a testament to his longevity and skill. He has been a key figure for Amazon Warriors since joining the franchise in 2016, leading them to their first CPL title last season. Despite facing an injury setback this season, Tahir returned to action and guided Amazon Warriors into the playoffs once again.The veteran spinner credited his team's success to the support of the Guyana crowd. "The support we get here from people is incredible," Tahir said. "They are always here every single game and it's sold out. As a professional sportsman, you want to play somewhere where you really enjoy and that's what we felt over the years."Tahir's 100th CPL wicket came at a crucial moment in the match. With Falcons chasing 135, Tahir dismissed Hassan Khan for 10, reducing them to 41 for 3. The spinner then trapped Kofi James for 27, further denting Falcons' hopes.Amazon Warriors' batters also played a crucial role in the victory. Moeen Ali's calculated 42 off 33 balls helped propel the team to 135 for 7. The English all-rounder targeted left-arm spinner Imad Wasim for a sequence of boundaries in the 19th over, changing the momentum of the match.Meanwhile, Falcons captain Chris Green reflected on his team's group-stage exit. Despite some promising performances, Green acknowledged that fielding and a lack of big runs let them down. However, he was encouraged by the emergence of young players like Jewel Andrew, Justin Greaves, and Shamar Springer.

New Zealand's hopes of a historic victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle were kept alive by Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 on Sunday. The tourists need 68 more runs with two wickets remaining after day four, setting up a thrilling finish on Monday.Ravindra's knock, the highest by a New Zealander at the Galle International Stadium, has given the Black Caps a glimmer of hope after they were set a target of 275. However, the left-hander has lacked support from his teammates, with Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell the only other batsmen to reach 30.Sri Lanka's spinners have dominated the match, with Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya taking three wickets each on a sharply turning pitch. Mendis dismissed Williamson for 30, while Jayasuriya bowled Blundell for 30 to break a 56-run partnership that had threatened to take the game away from the hosts.Earlier, Ajaz Patel's six-wicket haul helped restrict Sri Lanka to 309 in their first innings. Patel's figures of 6-90 were the best by a New Zealand bowler in Sri Lanka since Daniel Vettori's 6-64 in Colombo in 1998.Dimuth Karunaratne top-scored for Sri Lanka with 83, while Angelo Matthews made 50. The match had a rest day on Saturday due to Sri Lanka's presidential elections, but fans returned after lunch when the curfew was lifted.The second and final match of the series will be held at the same venue from Thursday.

Australia's dominance in women's cricket was tested in the second T20I against New Zealand in Mackay, as they narrowly secured a 29-run victory despite a dramatic batting collapse.After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia's innings was anchored by Alyssa Healy's 38 off 25 balls. However, a stunning collapse saw them lose 7 wickets for just 28 runs, with New Zealand legspinner Amelia Kerr claiming a career-best 4 for 20. Ellyse Perry's 34 proved crucial, but her bizarre run-out triggered Australia's downfall.New Zealand's chase started cautiously, with Suzie Bates scoring a steady 34. However, Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland combined to take 4 wickets for 34 runs, squeezing the run rate and closing out the game despite some sloppy fielding from Australia.Healy's aggressive start set the tone for Australia's innings, but Perry struggled for timing. Healy's dismissal for 38 proved costly, as Australia's middle order crumbled. Kerr's wrong'uns proved devastating, dismissing Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, and Sophie Molineux.New Zealand's chase was hampered by Australia's tight bowling in the powerplay. Bates broke free briefly, but her dismissal for 34 left the visitors needing a high run rate. Gardner's revenge on Kerr and Litchfield's catch to remove Bates put Australia in control.Despite some untidy fielding, Australia's bowlers held their nerve. Maddy Green and Izzy Gaze threatened a late surge, but Sutherland's catch off Gardner sealed the victory.

Afghanistan and South Africa faced off in the third and final ODI in Sharjah, with Afghanistan aiming for a historic 3-0 clean sweep. Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first.The Afghan openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hashmatullah Shahidi, got off to a solid start, putting on 40 runs for the first wicket. Gurbaz was particularly aggressive, hitting a six and a four off Wiaan Mulder.However, South Africa struck back with the wicket of Rahmat Shah, who was run out for 14. Shahidi and Gurbaz continued to bat steadily, but the South African bowlers kept the pressure on.In the 13th over, Aiden Markram dismissed Gurbaz for 26, and in the 18th over, Lungi Ngidi removed Shahidi for 32. Afghanistan were now 72/3, and South Africa were firmly in control of the match.Azmatullah Omarzai and Ikram Alikhil put on a brief partnership of 30 runs, but both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession. Afghanistan were now 102/5, and their hopes of a big total were fading.Mohammad Nabi and Nangeyalia Kharote added 40 runs for the sixth wicket, but both batsmen were dismissed in the space of three overs. Afghanistan were now 142/7, and South Africa were closing in on victory.AM Ghazanfar and Fareed Ahmad added some late runs, but Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 189 in the 49th over. Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers, taking 3/34, while Markram and Mulder took two wickets each.In reply, South Africa got off to a solid start, with Tony de Zorzi and Temba Bavuma putting on 40 runs for the first wicket. However, Afghanistan struck back with the wicket of de Zorzi, who was caught behind for 20.Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks continued to bat steadily, but the Afghan bowlers kept the pressure on. In the 13th over, Rashid Khan dismissed Bavuma for 26, and in the 18th over, Mujeeb Ur Rahman removed Hendricks for 32.South Africa were now 72/3, and Afghanistan were firmly in control of the match. Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs put on a brief partnership of 30 runs, but both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession. South Africa were now 102/5, and their hopes of a big total were fading.Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder added 40 runs for the sixth wicket, but both batsmen were dismissed in the space of three overs. South Africa were now 142/7, and Afghanistan were closing in on victory.Andile Phehlukwayo and Bjorn Fortuin added some late runs, but South Africa were eventually bowled out for 189 in the 49th over. Rashid Khan was the pick of the Afghan bowlers, taking 3/34, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi took two wickets each.Afghanistan won the match by 10 runs, and with it, they completed a historic 3-0 clean sweep of the ODI series against South Africa.

Jalal-ud-Din's Historic Hat-Trick: A Landmark in ODI CricketIn the annals of One-Day International (ODI) cricket, the name Jalal-ud-Din stands tall as the pioneer who etched his name into history with the first-ever hat-trick. This remarkable feat occurred in 1982 during a match against Australia at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, Pakistan.Pakistan, after being put into bat, set a competitive target of 229/6, with Mohsin Khan's magnificent century (104 off 101 balls) anchoring the innings. As Australia embarked on their chase, it was Jalal-ud-Din's heroics with the ball that turned the tide in Pakistan's favor.In a pivotal over, the right-arm medium-pacer unleashed a devastating spell, dismissing Rod Marsh (1), Bruce Yardley (0), and Geoff Lawson (0) on consecutive deliveries. He bowled Marsh, caught Yardley behind with the help of wicketkeeper Wasim Bari, and then rattled Lawson's stumps to complete the historic hat-trick.Jalal-ud-Din's hat-trick came at a crucial juncture, reducing Australia from 127 for 6 to 127 for 9, effectively ending their hopes of chasing down the target. Pakistan eventually emerged victorious by 59 runs.Despite Jalal-ud-Din's historic achievement, it was Mohsin Khan who was named Player of the Match for his brilliant century. However, Jalal-ud-Din's hat-trick remains a landmark in ODI cricket, showcasing how a single over can alter the course of a game.