Cricket

India's upcoming Test series against New Zealand and Australia present a crucial opportunity for the team to secure a historic series hat-trick Down Under. Former Australian captain Ian Chappell believes that the fitness and form of Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant will be paramount to India's success.Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has been managing his workload effectively since recovering from a lower back stress fracture surgery in August 2023. His fitness and form will be essential in Australia, where he will be expected to lead the bowling attack.Pant, the wicketkeeper-batter, has made a remarkable comeback to the Test scene after his horrific car accident. His ability to bounce back and perform at his best will give India a major boost. Pant's wicket-keeping skills are particularly crucial on bouncy Australian pitches, where he can cover a lot of territory and allow the slip fielders to spread wider.Chappell also highlights the importance of Mohammed Siraj, who was one of the most successful pace bowlers on India's last Australian tour. The presence of a good left-arm paceman, such as Kuldeep Yadav, would also improve India's variety in attack.In the batting department, Chappell believes that Yashasvi Jaiswal has had a good start to his Test career but needs to show good form in Australia. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should act as guiding lights for the younger batters on tour.India's spin bowling is in good hands with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, Chappell believes that Mohammed Shami's fitness will be crucial for the series.

Virat Kohli's recent performance in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai has been a topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts. Despite not scoring significant runs, Kohli's presence on the field has been a source of inspiration for the Indian team.In the first innings, Kohli managed a score of 6, while in the second innings, he was dismissed for 17. However, his contributions extend beyond his batting performance. Kohli's experience and leadership qualities have been invaluable to the team, especially in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma.During Bangladesh's second innings on Day 3, Kohli was captured making a humorous gesture that has since gone viral on social media. The gesture, which involved Kohli pretending to play a shot with an imaginary bat, has been interpreted as a light-hearted moment amidst the intense competition.Despite his recent batting struggles, Kohli remains a key figure in the Indian team. His ability to motivate and inspire his teammates is a testament to his leadership qualities. Moreover, his presence on the field provides a sense of stability and confidence to the younger players.While India is in a strong position to win the first Test, thanks to centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, Kohli's contributions cannot be overlooked. His experience and leadership will be crucial as the series progresses.

The second Test between India and Australia, held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 18 to 22, 1986, remains etched in cricket history as one of the most thrilling and unforgettable encounters. This match marked only the second time a Test ended in a tie, the first being in 1960 between Australia and the West Indies in Brisbane.Australia, led by Allan Border, batted first and amassed a formidable 574 for 7 declared. Dean Jones played a heroic innings, scoring 210 off 330 balls despite suffering from severe dehydration and heat exhaustion. His knock, regarded as one of the finest under such grueling conditions, was supported by centuries from David Boon (122) and Border himself (106).In response, India showed resilience, with Kapil Dev leading the charge with a brilliant 119. Contributions from Kris Srikkanth (53), Mohammad Azharuddin (50), and Ravi Shastri (62) helped India reach 397, but they still conceded a substantial 177-run lead.Australia, looking to set a challenging target, declared their second innings at 170 for 5, leaving India to chase 348. The final day's play turned into an unforgettable drama. Sunil Gavaskar (90), Mohinder Amarnath (51), and other Indian batsmen kept the chase alive, but it was Ravi Shastri who stood firm as wickets tumbled around him.Shastri didn't get support from the other end and remained unbeaten on 48 off 40 balls, including three fours and two sixes. With India needing just four runs and only one wicket remaining, Maninder Singh joined Shastri at the crease. In a nail-biting finish, off-spinner Greg Matthews, who bowled tirelessly in the oppressive heat, trapped Maninder LBW with the scores level, ending the match in a historic tie.Both Kapil Dev and Dean Jones were named Players of the Match for their outstanding performances. The Chennai Test of 1986 remains a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket and the enduring spirit of the players involved.

Josh Philippe's scintillating century propelled New South Wales to a thrilling eight-run victory over Western Australia in the One-Day Cup. The former WA opener plundered a career-high 139 off 119 deliveries, overshadowing the return to form of WA's Jhye Richardson, who claimed 5 for 63.Philippe's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, with the 27-year-old smashing 17 fours and three sixes. He was particularly brutal down the ground, both along the deck and over the top. WA's lone spinner, Ashton Agar, suffered plenty of punishment from Philippe, conceding 58 runs from eight overs.In reply, WA had a chance to snatch victory, moving to 279 for 9 with nine runs needed off the final eight balls. However, Will Salzmann ended their hopes with a stunning catch at deep point to dismiss AJ Tye.Cameron Bancroft top-scored for WA with 71, while Ashton Agar (51), Ashton Turner (41), and Hilton Cartwright (41) also made significant contributions.Richardson's five-wicket haul was a welcome return to form for the injury-prone quick. He put his injury woes behind him to finish with impressive figures, including two wickets in three balls in the sixth over.Philippe's century was a perfect start to his NSW career, having made the off-season switch from WA in a bid to reignite his Sheffield Shield career. His knock helped NSW post a formidable total despite the lack of support around him.Matthew Gilkes scored 41 off 47 batting at No.7 to be the next best scorer, while tail-ender Tanveer Singh added a handy 26 not out off 14 balls at the death.

New Zealand's bowlers dominated the morning session on day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, setting the visitors a target of 275 to win. Ajaz Patel starred with a five-wicket haul, while William O'Rourke chipped in with three wickets.Sri Lanka resumed on 233 for 4, with Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva looking to build a solid partnership. However, Ajaz struck early, having de Silva stumped for 30. Kusal Mendis joined Mathews at the crease, and the pair put on a quick-fire 36-run stand.But the introduction of the second new ball proved decisive. Mendis was dismissed for 22, shouldering arms to an Ajaz delivery that deflected onto his stumps. Mathews reached his half-century but was soon dismissed for 50, edging an attempted forward defense to first slip.Ajaz continued to wreak havoc, trapping Ramesh Mendis in front for 14 and then getting Lahiru Kumara caught at mid-off for 1. Prabath Jayasuriya offered some resistance with a couple of boundaries, but Mitchell Santner ended his cameo with a caught-and-bowled dismissal.New Zealand lost the wicket of Devon Conway before lunch, but Tom Latham and Kane Williamson saw them through to the break without further damage. The visitors need 262 runs to win with two sessions remaining on day four.

Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin orchestrated a dominant performance for India, leading them to a resounding 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening Test at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.Bangladesh, set an improbable target of 515, were bowled out for 234 in their second innings, with Ashwin wreaking havoc with a six-wicket haul. The off-spinner, who has a special affinity for the Chepauk pitch, finished with figures of 6/88, showcasing his mastery of spin bowling.Ravindra Jadeja provided valuable support, claiming 3/58, while skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored for Bangladesh with a valiant 82 off 127 deliveries. However, the visitors' batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pressure applied by the Indian bowlers.India's victory was set up by a commanding batting performance in their second innings. Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill both notched up centuries, scoring 109 and 119 not out respectively. Their twin tons helped India declare their innings at 287/4, setting Bangladesh an insurmountable target.The victory marks a significant milestone for Ashwin, who has now become the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket, surpassing Kapil Dev's tally of 434 wickets. Ashwin's exceptional performance has cemented his status as one of the greatest spinners of all time.India will now look to seal the series in the second and final Test, which will be played in Dhaka from December 14-18. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to counter India's formidable bowling attack.

India's Under-19 cricket team made a resounding start to their Youth ODI series against Australia, securing an emphatic seven-wicket victory in the opening match on Saturday. The match was eagerly anticipated as it marked the potential debut of Rahul Dravid's elder son, Samit, for India U-19. However, it remains unclear whether Samit was dropped due to a combination issue or an injury.Batting first, Australia struggled to build a substantial total, posting 184 in 49.4 overs. Right-arm leg-break bowler Mohamed Enaan was the standout performer for India, claiming four wickets for 32 runs in his 10-over spell. Steve Hogan (42) and Riley Kingsell (36) got starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores. A middle-order collapse ensued, with only No. 10 Thomas Brown's 29 taking the Aussies past the 180-run mark.In reply, India lost their top three batters for just 32 runs. However, right-handed batter K.P. Karthikeya and skipper Mohammed Amaan steadied the innings with a crucial 153-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Karthikeya, who remained unbeaten on 85, played a more attacking role, hitting nine fours and two sixes in his 99-ball knock. Amaan, on the other hand, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 58 off 89 deliveries, hitting five boundaries.Karthikeya was particularly severe on right-arm seamer Aiden O'Connor, smashing him for four boundaries and a six. He also hit a six off Thomas Brown. India eventually chased down the target with 14 overs to spare, securing a comfortable victory.The win gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second Youth ODI is scheduled to be played on September 23, 2024.

Pakistan Batsman Zaman Khan's TikTok Tactic Convinces Captain to Promote HimIn a unique twist, Pakistan batsman Zaman Khan resorted to a TikTok video to persuade his captain, Mohammad Haris, to elevate him in the batting order during a Champions One-Day Cup match.Playing for the Stallions, Zaman showcased his power-hitting prowess in a TikTok video, hoping to catch Haris's attention and earn a higher spot in the lineup. However, Haris initially remained unmoved and slotted Zaman at number 9.Undeterred, Zaman seized the opportunity when he came to bat late in the innings. He unleashed a blistering display of power hitting, smashing an unbeaten 42 off just 16 balls, including six towering sixes.After the match, Haris acknowledged his mistake in not promoting Zaman earlier. "I saw his TikTok videos and realized I had made a mistake," Haris said. "I had prepared him for the 6th position, but I should have sent him in sooner."Zaman expressed his satisfaction with his performance and the impact it had on his captain. "I posted those videos on TikTok so that Haris would see them and send me in to bat sooner," Zaman said. "I'm glad it worked."Despite Zaman's heroics, the Stallions fell short in their chase of the Panthers' massive 344/7, losing by 20 runs. However, Zaman's TikTok tactic and subsequent performance have become a talking point in Pakistan cricket circles.

Australia's dominance in the ongoing ODI series against England continued as they secured a comprehensive 68-run victory in the second match at Headingley. The world champions, despite facing a precarious situation at 221-9, were propelled to a competitive total of 270 all out thanks to a valiant 74 from wicketkeeper Alex Carey.Carey's blistering knock, which included eight boundaries and three towering sixes, formed a crucial 49-run partnership with Josh Hazlewood for the last wicket. This proved to be the difference as England's inexperienced batting lineup crumbled under pressure, dismissed for a mere 202 with nearly 10 overs remaining.The Australian bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood, played a pivotal role in England's downfall. Starc, returning from illness, struck early, removing Will Jacks for a golden duck and trapping England captain Harry Brook lbw for just four. Hazlewood also made an impact, dismissing opener Phil Salt and Jamie Smith, who top-scored for England with 49.Paceman Aaron Hardie further dented England's hopes, claiming two wickets in two balls to leave the hosts reeling at 65-5. Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone both fell victim to Hardie's variations, while Carey's diving catch sent Livingstone back to the pavilion for another golden duck.Earlier, Australia's top order struggled to make significant contributions, with Mitchell Marsh (60) being the only batsman to surpass 29. However, Carey's heroics ensured that Australia posted a challenging target.The series now moves to Chester-le-Street for the third ODI on Tuesday, with Australia aiming to extend their winning streak and England desperate to salvage some pride.