Cricket

Arshdeep Singh, India's star pacer, is on the cusp of etching his name in the record books as he stands just five wickets away from surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar's record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in T20Is during a single calendar year. With 33 wickets in 21 T20Is this year, Arshdeep has an average of 18.12 and best bowling figures of 4/37.Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the previous record holder, had taken 37 wickets in 32 matches at an average of 19.56, with best figures of 5/4 in 2022. Arshdeep will have the opportunity to break this record when India faces South Africa in the second T20I of the four-match series at Gqeberha on Sunday.In the first T20I, India emerged victorious by 61 runs, with Arshdeep playing a pivotal role. He bowled a spell of 1/25 in three overs, claiming the wicket of South African skipper Aiden Markram.The highest wickets taken by any bowler in T20Is during a calendar year belongs to Uganda's Alpesh Ramjani, who took 55 wickets in 30 matches at an average of 11.29 and best figures of 4/9 last year.

Rishabh Pant Blazes to Record-Breaking Test Fifty Against New ZealandIndian star batter Rishabh Pant etched his name into the record books on Saturday, smashing the fastest Test fifty by an Indian against New Zealand. On Day 2 of the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Pant reached his half-century in a blistering 36 balls, eclipsing Yashasvi Jaiswal's previous mark of 41 balls set in the Pune Test.Pant's whirlwind innings came at a crucial juncture for India, who had suffered a mini-collapse late on Day 1. Joining Shubman Gill at the crease, Pant played with characteristic aggression, helping India recover from the loss of key wickets, including Virat Kohli and Jaiswal.The left-hander's quickfire 60, adorned with eight boundaries and two towering sixes, shifted the momentum back in India's favor. Pant's fearless approach kept the New Zealand bowlers on their toes, forcing them to adjust their tactics.However, Pant's luck ran out when he was trapped lbw by Ish Sodhi. Despite his dismissal, Pant's 60 off 59 balls, including two sixes and eight fours, left an indelible mark on India's innings.Pant's record-breaking fifty is a testament to his exceptional talent and ability to play match-winning knocks under pressure. It also highlights the growing maturity and consistency of the young Indian batter, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in world cricket.

Joe Root, the 33-year-old Yorkshireman, has etched his name in the annals of English cricket history by surpassing Alastair Cook's record tally of 12,472 runs during the first Test match against Pakistan. Root's remarkable innings of 262 runs propelled him past Cook's previous milestone, solidifying his status as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation.Cook, who recently retired from international cricket, was inducted into the ICC's Hall of Fame and hailed Root's exceptional talent. According to Cook, Root is a "generational talent" who has the potential to become the first batter in history to amass 16,000 Test runs.Currently, Root occupies the fifth position on the all-time list of run-scorers, trailing behind retired legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the top spot with 15,921 runs, followed by Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Rahul Dravid. As Root continues to showcase his remarkable skills and consistency on the cricket field, the cricketing world eagerly anticipates his future achievements and the possibility of him etching his name in the record books as the most prolific run-scorer in Test cricket history."I think Joe Root could set a mark, certainly on the English side, which will be very hard to beat," said Cook, who retired from Test cricket in 2018 with a century in his final innings. "But you just never know. I hope he can get very close, if not be the first person to score 16,000 Test runs. It would be a great achievement but it's a fair way off yet."Cook also expressed his thoughts on the longevity of cricket records in the modern era. At 39 years old, he acknowledged the rapid evolution of the sport, particularly with the increasing popularity of limited-overs formats vying for space in the cricketing calendar alongside the traditional Test matches."Everyone looked to that Tendulkar record of 200 Test matches and I think quite a few people said, 'Well, that's never going to be done'." "And you've got a fast bowler who has played 188 Test matches and taken more than 700 wickets (retired England quick James Anderson)." "So I know the game is changing, the landscape is changing. But something always crops up, someone always does."

Harmanpreet Kaur, the dynamic Indian skipper, has etched her name alongside the legendary Mithali Raj as the joint-highest run-scorer for India in the Women's T20 World Cup. With an unbeaten 54-run knock against Australia in Sharjah, Kaur matched Raj's tally of 726 runs in the tournament's history.Kaur's milestone came in a crucial Group A encounter, but India's hopes of a semifinal berth suffered a setback with a 9-run defeat. Despite her valiant effort, Australia's fighting total of 151 proved too much for the Indian team.Kaur's consistent brilliance in high-pressure situations has made her an indispensable asset for India. Her ability to anchor innings and accelerate at will has earned her a reputation as one of the most formidable batters in women's cricket.Raj, the former India captain and a global icon, set the benchmark with her 726 runs, inspiring a generation of players. Her calm demeanor and technical prowess have left an enduring legacy on the sport.Following Kaur and Raj in the list of India's top run-getters in the Women's T20 World Cup are Smriti Mandhana (524 runs), Jemimah Rodrigues (407 runs), and Punam Raut (375 runs). These players have all played pivotal roles in India's rise in the T20 format.With India's qualification for the semifinals hanging in the balance, they will now rely on Pakistan to defeat New Zealand in their final group game. Kaur's leadership and the team's collective determination will be crucial in their quest to overcome this setback and secure a place in the last four.

Joe Root, the English batting maestro, continues to dominate the Test arena, etching his name among the all-time greats. With his 35th Test century in Multan against Pakistan, Root has extended his lead as the active batter with the most Test runs.Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Root has the potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,291 Test runs. However, Vaughan emphasizes that Root must maintain his longevity in the game."Joe's love of the game means he will not be like Alastair Cook. Cook retired six years ago, at almost exactly the same age - 33 - that Joe is now. But I see Joe going into his forties, like Anderson has," Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.Root's current tally of 12,500 Test runs places him just over 3,000 runs behind Tendulkar. The 33-year-old has played 147 Tests, while Tendulkar played 200 during his illustrious career.2024 has been a remarkable year for Root, who has amassed runs against India, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and now Pakistan. He became the first batter to cross 1,000 Test runs in 2024.Vaughan heaped praise on Root, stating, "Root is already cricketing royalty and there is no doubt in my eyes that he has become England's greatest batsman already. No one has played the different forms of the game better than him, and he has got the runs to show for it."Root also trails Tendulkar in another elite list. He has crossed 1,000 Test runs in five separate calendar years, while only Tendulkar has achieved this feat in six calendar years.Root's unwavering determination and exceptional batting skills make him a formidable force in Test cricket. If he continues to play at his current level and maintain his longevity, he has the potential to break Tendulkar's record and become the leading Test run-scorer of all time.

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, is widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time. However, despite his numerous records and accolades, one statistic that stands out is his frequent dismissals in the nervous nineties. Tendulkar was dismissed 28 times in the nineties across all formats, more than any other player in international cricket.In Tests, Tendulkar's 10 dismissals in the nineties highlight his remarkable consistency and ability to score big runs. His technical prowess and ability to handle pressure were often on display, but the nervous nineties proved to be an elusive hurdle on a few occasions. Some of his most memorable near-misses include his dismissals on 98 against Pakistan in 1999 and 99 against Australia in 2004.In ODIs, Tendulkar was dismissed 18 times in the nineties, a record that speaks volumes about his longevity and ability to score quick runs. He often came agonizingly close to match-defining centuries, but fell just short on several occasions. Despite these near-misses, Tendulkar's record 49 ODI centuries is a testament to his ability to overcome disappointments and consistently deliver match-winning performances.While Tendulkar's frequent dismissals in the nineties may be seen as a minor blemish on his otherwise illustrious career, they also serve as a reminder of the fine margins that sometimes define greatness. Despite coming agonizingly close to a century numerous times, Tendulkar's consistency and ability to score big runs remain unmatched.

India's rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal stands on the cusp of etching his name in the annals of Test cricket history. As India prepare to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series commencing on September 19 in Chennai, Jaiswal is poised to achieve a remarkable milestone.With 1,028 runs already accumulated in the ongoing 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, the 22-year-old prodigy needs just 132 more runs to become the Indian batter with the most runs in a single edition of the WTC. The current record is held by former India captain Ajinkya Rahane, who amassed 1,159 runs in the 2019-21 WTC cycle.Should Jaiswal accomplish this feat, he will surpass Rahane's milestone and become the first Indian batter to achieve this distinction. Notably, Jaiswal is one of only three Indian players to score over 1,000 runs in a single WTC cycle, alongside Rahane and India captain Rohit Sharma.At present, Jaiswal is tied with England's Ben Duckett for second place in the WTC 2023-25 scoring charts, both with 1,028 runs. However, he remains 371 runs behind Joe Root, who leads with 1,398 runs.Since making his Test debut in 2023 against the West Indies in Roseau, Jaiswal has played 9 Tests, amassing 1,028 runs at an impressive average of 68.53. His record includes three centuries, four half-centuries, and two double centuries.India currently lead the WTC standings with a points percentage of 68.52. After the Bangladesh series, their WTC schedule includes three Tests against New Zealand at home and a challenging five-Test series away against Australia.Bangladesh, fresh from a historic 2-0 whitewash over Pakistan, will pose a strong challenge. They won the first Test by 10 wickets and secured a six-wicket victory in the second, marking their first-ever Test series win against Pakistan on Pakistani soil.

Rohit Sharma, the enigmatic Indian captain, has etched his name into the annals of ODI cricket history as the only batsman to have scored three double centuries in the format. His remarkable ability to construct colossal innings with elegance and flair has left cricket enthusiasts and experts alike in awe.Sharma's first monumental knock came against Australia in 2013, where he unleashed a breathtaking assault on the hapless bowlers, amassing a colossal 209 runs off a mere 158 deliveries. The Bengaluru crowd witnessed a spectacle of unrivaled brilliance as Sharma's bat conjured a symphony of boundaries and sixes, leaving the opposition in a state of stupefaction.Lightning struck twice when Sharma, donning the iconic blue jersey, took center stage against Sri Lanka in 2014. In a display of unmatched batsmanship, he surpassed his own record, accumulating an astonishing 264 runs, the highest individual score in ODI history. The cricketing world stood in raptures as Sharma's willow danced to a mesmerizing tune, dispatching the ball to all corners of the Eden Gardens with unerring precision.The magnum opus of Sharma's ODI odyssey unfolded against the same opposition, Sri Lanka, in 2017. In a masterclass of timing, technique, and temperament, he conquered yet another summit, registering a sublime 208 not out. The Mohali crowd was enthralled as Sharma's bat orchestrated a rhapsody of cricketing strokes, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's folklore.Sharma's tryst with ODI greatness is a testament to his unquenchable thirst for runs, his unwavering determination, and his sublime mastery of the willow. His ability to build colossal innings with such ease and consistency has set him apart as one of the most prolific batsmen of the modern era.

England's Joe Root has etched his name into the annals of cricket history by becoming the all-time highest-scoring player for his country. At the age of 33, Root achieved this remarkable feat during the second Test against Sri Lanka, registering his 34th Test century.Root's achievement is a testament to his exceptional consistency and longevity at the highest level. Despite the significant shift in England's approach to Test cricket under Brendon McCullum's "Bazball" philosophy, Root has maintained his exemplary form, piling up runs and reaching milestones that others can only dream of.Currently ranked seventh on the all-time list of Test run-getters with 12,377 runs, Root has a realistic chance of surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the top spot with 15,921 runs. When asked about the possibility of becoming the highest-scoring player in Test cricket, Root remained humble, emphasizing his focus on playing for the team and scoring runs."I just want to play, and try, and do my bit for the team and score the runs as many as I can and see where we get to," Root said. "But there's no better feeling... it's obviously amazing when you score 100, you'd be lying if you said it wasn't, a big part of why you start playing the game and what you love about it."However, Root also acknowledged the importance of winning Test matches, stating that it is the ultimate goal. "But there's no better feeling than winning a Test match," he said. "So the more it can affect games and the more you can add to the team, the greater it is. So, that will be the main focus. And hopefully more days like this will come with that mentality."With several years of cricket still ahead of him and fitness on his side, Root has a realistic chance of surpassing Tendulkar's record. His unwavering determination and exceptional talent make him a formidable force in the world of Test cricket.