Cricket

India's remarkable home dominance in Test cricket has been shattered by New Zealand, who are on the verge of inflicting a series whitewash on the hosts. This would mark the first time in over two decades that India has suffered a clean sweep at home.Since their last home series loss to South Africa in 2000, India has maintained an unblemished record, winning 18 consecutive series and going unbeaten for 12 years. However, New Zealand's emphatic victories in the first two Tests have put India's proud home record in jeopardy.The last time India was whitewashed in a Test series, home or away, was also against New Zealand in 2020. Since the 2000 home clean sweep by South Africa, India has endured four more series whitewashes, all away from home.South Africa's 2000 Home Whitewash of IndiaIn February 2000, South Africa became the last team to whitewash India at home. Led by Hansie Cronje, the Proteas won the two-match series convincingly.In the first Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India was bowled out for 225 despite Sachin Tendulkar's 97. South Africa responded with 176, giving India a slender 49-run lead. However, India's second innings collapsed to 113, setting South Africa a modest target of 163. The visitors chased down the target with four wickets in hand.In the second Test in Bengaluru, India was again dismissed for a low score of 158. South Africa then piled up 479, with five half-centuries. India's second innings was more competitive, with Mohammad Azharuddin scoring a century. However, South Africa's spinners proved too strong, and India was bowled out for 250, losing by an innings and 71 runs.New Zealand's Chance to Repeat HistoryNew Zealand has a golden opportunity to repeat South Africa's feat and become the first team to whitewash India at home since 2000. After winning the first two Tests by comfortable margins, the Black Caps need only a draw in the third and final Test to secure the series.If New Zealand can complete the whitewash, it will be a significant achievement and a testament to their growing dominance in Test cricket. For India, it will be a bitter pill to swallow, as they will lose their long-held home invincibility.

Pakistan's hopes of winning the first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi were dashed after the visitors took an unexpected first innings lead of 117 runs. The lead has given Bangladesh a glimmer of hope for a victory, while Pakistan's pacer Naseem Shah has criticized the pitch for not providing the home advantage they desired.After the end of the fourth day's play on Saturday, Shah called out the board for not creating a pitch that could give the hosts the advantage they sought. "We have had enough series where we had such pitches," Shah said in the post-match press conference. "They did their best to prepare a pitch that was helpful, but I think because of the heat, or excessive sunshine, the surface wasn't quite helpful."Shah emphasized the need for home advantage, stating that it is crucial to get a match result at any cost. "We didn't get the help we expected from the pitch," he said. "But everyone tried their best."In the second innings on Day 4, Pakistan started badly when opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for just a single. However, Mushfiqur Rahim played a brilliant innings, adding 114 with Liton Das for the sixth wicket and then a record 194 for the seventh wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Bangladesh's previous Test best against Pakistan was the 555-6 they made at Khulna in 2015.Pakistan will need to bat aggressively in the second innings to chase down the target and avoid defeat. The match is evenly poised, and either team could emerge victorious.

Pakistan's Test captain, Shan Masood, has emphasized the importance of establishing a winning mentality at home for the team's long-term success. He believes that until Pakistan can consistently triumph on home soil, they cannot aspire to qualify for the World Test Championship final.Masood's appointment as Test captain followed Babar Azam's resignation after Pakistan's disappointing exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup. Since international cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019, the Test side has struggled to make an impact at home. Australia and England have both comfortably won series in Pakistan, while the hosts have also failed to defeat New Zealand.Critics have accused the PCB and team management of preparing flat pitches against Australia, England, and New Zealand in 2022-23, fearing defeats. Pakistan's last Test series win came against South Africa in January 2021.Masood believes that Pakistan's lack of home advantage stems from their decade-long isolation from international cricket. "In Test cricket, you have to be familiar with certain conditions," he said. "We still haven't found our ideal way of playing at home that suits our batting, bowling, and overall style."Pakistan's red-ball head coach, former Australian pace bowler Jason Gillespie, hopes that playing seven out of nine Tests at home this season will help the team find the right formula. "I think we still need to figure out exactly what surfaces we want to be playing on which gives us the edge," said Gillespie.Masood is determined to create conditions that favor Pakistan's strengths. "We need to determine how we can create conditions that suit us more and put us in the driving seat, rather than just thinking about how we can cope with the opposition," he said.Pakistan's upcoming international assignments in July will provide a crucial test for Masood and his team. If they can establish a winning habit at home, they will take a significant step towards their goal of becoming a formidable unit on the international stage.

The West Indies, hosting the T20 World Cup on home soil, pin their hopes on young fast bowler Shamar Joseph. Despite his limited experience in the format, Joseph's raw pace has earned him a spot in the squad ahead of Matthew Forde.Joseph's breakthrough came in January when he dismantled Australia's batting lineup in Brisbane, taking 7-68 in his second Test match. His performance showcased his exceptional skills and ability to perform on the grandest stage.The West Indies, placed in Group C alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda, aim to become the first team to lift the T20 World Cup three times. They previously triumphed in 2012 and 2016, with Carlos Brathwaite's iconic sixes against Ben Stokes securing the latter victory.Johnson Charles and Andre Russell, key members of those title-winning teams, return for another shot at glory. However, the pressure of playing at home could prove challenging, as the West Indies struggled when they hosted the 2007 ODI World Cup.Despite recent setbacks, including group-stage exits in the last two T20 World Cups and failure to qualify for the ODI World Cup in 2023, the West Indies remain optimistic. Former fast bowler Curtly Ambrose believes they possess a strong team capable of lifting the trophy.Left-hander Nicholas Pooran, with his impressive IPL performance for Lucknow Super Giants, anchors the middle order. Shai Hope and skipper Rovman Powell are also proven performers. Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph provide firepower with the ball.Coach Daren Sammy expressed confidence in the team's preparation and believes they are ready to make a statement. "We're about to knock it out of this world," he declared.

Chennai Super Kings Aim to Capitalize on Home Advantage Against Punjab KingsThe Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be looking to make the most of their home comfort when they host the unpredictable Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 49 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Chepauk Stadium.CSK, the defending champions, have had an inconsistent campaign so far, winning five and losing four of their nine matches. They currently sit in the middle of the table with 10 points, alongside Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals. A win against PBKS would be crucial for CSK to break away from this gridlock.The Chepauk deck has been a different beast this season, offering some assistance to the bowlers. This was evident in CSK's impressive 78-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous match. The CSK bowlers, led by Mukesh Choudhary and Dwayne Bravo, defanged SRH's potent batting unit with their accuracy and variations.However, CSK will face a stern test against PBKS, who are coming into this match on the back of a remarkable victory. They chased down a mammoth 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders, the highest chase in the history of T20 cricket.PBKS have been unpredictable this season, but they have shown glimpses of their potential. Shikhar Dhawan and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have been in good form with the bat, while Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh have been impressive with the ball.The match promises to be a close contest between two evenly matched teams. CSK will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and the Chepauk deck, while PBKS will be aiming to continue their momentum and upset the defending champions.