Cricket

Rishabh Pant's stellar performance in the second innings of the opening Test against New Zealand has propelled him to the sixth spot in the ICC Test rankings for batters, surpassing his illustrious teammate Virat Kohli. Pant's counter-attacking 99 earned him a three-spot jump, while Kohli's fluent 70 saw him drop to eighth.India's highest-ranked batter remains opener Yashasvi Jaiswal at fourth, while captain Rohit Sharma slipped two places to joint 15th alongside Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne. England's Joe Root continues to dominate the rankings at the top.New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway made significant gains in the batters' rankings, climbing 36 and 12 spots to 18th and 36th respectively. Matt Henry emerged as the standout performer in the bowlers' category, rising two rungs to ninth with a new career-high rating.Henry's eight wickets in New Zealand's drought-breaking victory over India in Bengaluru earned him the recognition, while teammate Will O'Rourke also moved up two spots to 39th for his seven scalps in the same match.Pakistan spinner Noman Ali re-entered the rankings at 17th after claiming 11 wickets across two innings against England. His teammate Sajid Khan jumped 22 places to 50th after being named Player of the Match in the same contest.India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains atop the bowlers' rankings, followed by teammate R Ashwin. Ravindra Jadeja, retaining the seventh spot, is another Indian in the top 10.

India's men's cricket team faces an uphill battle in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, trailing 0-1 after the first match. The focus now shifts to the second Test, scheduled to be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.The pitch at the MCA Stadium has been under scrutiny, with concerns raised about its potential to favor spin bowling. India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, inspected the surface and engaged in discussions with the curators. The pitch is expected to be a turner, similar to the one used in the first Test against Australia in 2017, which proved challenging for India.New Zealand's batting mainstay, Daryl Mitchell, acknowledged the potential challenges posed by the pitch but expressed confidence in his team's ability to adapt. "We can't change the surface. For us, it's reacting to what's coming at us and adapting on the fly," Mitchell said.India's fielding coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, assured that the team will not repeat the mistakes made in the first Test in Bengaluru, where they misread the conditions. "I don't think it was a massive miss. The conditions just caught us on the back foot a little," Doeschate said.The second Test promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams. India will be desperate to level the series, while New Zealand will aim to consolidate their lead. The pitch conditions will play a significant role in determining the outcome of the match.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has proposed significant changes to promote Test and ODI formats. The Cricket Committee has recommended that every World Test Championship (WTC) series should have a minimum of three Tests, ensuring a more balanced and competitive format.To enhance the appeal of Test cricket, the committee has also suggested that host nations prioritize scheduling more day-night Tests. The success of pink-ball Tests in Australia and India has demonstrated their ability to attract larger crowds and create a more engaging atmosphere.In an effort to restore balance to ODIs, the committee has proposed using two new balls for the first 25 overs. This measure aims to reduce the dominance of batters and bring reverse swing and finger spinners back into the game. The recommendation will be presented to captains for their feedback and consensus.Another significant change approved by the ICC board is the extension of the tenure for the ICC chair and independent directors to two terms of three years. This means that Jay Shah, who is set to take over as ICC chair, could potentially hold the position for six years.The ICC's recommendations are aimed at addressing concerns about the declining popularity of Test cricket and the imbalance in ODIs. By increasing the number of Tests in WTC series, promoting day-night Tests, and potentially introducing two new balls in ODIs, the ICC hopes to revitalize these formats and ensure their long-term sustainability.

Jay Shah, the current Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is poised to become the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman on December 1st. A recent recommendation by the ICC Board suggests that Shah's tenure could be extended to two terms of three years each, deviating from the current norm of three terms of two years each.This recommendation, which will be circulated among ICC members for approval, aims to enhance governance within the organization. The ICC Board believes that a longer tenure will provide stability and security to the Chairman and Independent Director, allowing them to focus on long-term strategic initiatives without the distraction of frequent elections.Shah, who is 35 years old, was elected unopposed to succeed Greg Barclay, who has served two terms as ICC Chairman. The Independent Director position has been vacant since Indra Nooyi completed her three terms earlier this year.In addition to the proposed changes to the Chairman's tenure, the ICC Board also made adjustments to the ICC Men's Cricket Committee. Scott Weenink, a New Zealand businessman, has been appointed as the Full Member representative, while Scott Edwards, the 28-year-old Netherlands captain, will represent the Associate Members.These changes are part of the ICC's ongoing efforts to improve governance and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sport. By providing greater stability and continuity to key leadership positions, the ICC aims to foster a more effective and efficient decision-making process.

Joe Root's remarkable batting form since stepping down as England captain will face a stern test in the upcoming series against India and Australia, where his skills against both pace and spin will be thoroughly scrutinized, according to Australian cricket legend Ian Chappell.With 10 centuries in just 54 innings over the past two and a half years, Root has surpassed Sir Alastair Cook as England's highest Test run-scorer. However, Chappell believes that Root's true mettle will be tested in the upcoming challenges against India and Australia."Root's phenomenal run-making will again be tested when first he faces India at home and then Australia away. In those two series, Root will be facing the best attacks in Test cricket, and his technique against both pace and spin will again be fully scrutinised," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.India is scheduled to tour England for a four-match Test series next summer, while the Three Lions will face the daunting task of regaining the Ashes later next year in Australia."Those are difficult challenges that Root and England will face in the future. Currently, they're desperately involved in a bid to win after Pakistan levelled their three-game series with a spin-revolution victory against a clueless England," Chappell added.The Ben Stokes-led side is currently under pressure after Pakistan leveled the three-match series 1-1. The third Test begins on October 24."As the most technically gifted, Root will have the task of convincing his fellow team-mates that numerous versions of the sweep shot aren't the ideal way to combat good spinners. Despite Root's proven talent, that will be a very difficult task," Chappell noted.Since his remarkable 73 on debut Test versus England, Root has emerged as the England batting mainstay, but he has yet to score a century in Australia. Chappell feels his vulnerability to being caught behind suggests a need to reassess his approach to extra bounce on Australian pitches."Root was born to make runs. He's a joy to watch, as he balances a solid technique with the desire to score at every opportunity," Chappell wrote. "One of the few anomalies in Root's record is his failure to score a Test century in Australia despite having played 27 innings there. His last chance to rectify that statistic will likely come in 2025-26, when - barring injury or retirement - he will play another Ashes series.""It's not as though Root has performed poorly in Australia, as his average of around 35 is respectable. However, the lack of a century despite making nine scores in excess of 50 is most unlike Root.""In Australia, the four main bowlers have dismissed Root a number of times and this could be pointed to as a weakness. Nevertheless there's an easy answer: if you're going to be dismissed, it's preferable to get out to a good bowler.""The more worrying Root statistic in Australia is the number of times he's been caught behind. Keepers have had a bonanza as ten times they've clasped Root's edges in just 27 innings. While he could counter with "you've got to be good enough to nick 'em", it does suggest he needs to re-assess the extra bounce Australian pitches provide," Chappell added.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the fourth Indian to surpass the 9000-run mark. This remarkable achievement was reached on the third day of the opening Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru on October 18, 2024.Kohli joined an elite group of Indian cricketers who have scaled this milestone, including Sachin Tendulkar (15921), Rahul Dravid (13265), and Sunil Gavaskar (10122). However, Kohli's journey to this landmark was the slowest among them, taking 197 innings.The 35-year-old Kohli reached the milestone after crossing his half-century in India's second innings. Batting at No. 3, Kohli had fallen for a nine-ball duck in the first innings as India were dismissed for a paltry 46.Kohli's achievement is a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional batting skills. He has consistently been a pillar of strength for the Indian team, anchoring the batting lineup and guiding them to numerous victories.In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Kohli became the quickest batter to complete 27,000 international runs in only 594 innings. This remarkable feat further solidifies his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.Kohli's achievement has been met with widespread praise and admiration from the cricketing fraternity. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar hailed Kohli as "a true legend of the game," while current Indian skipper Rohit Sharma called him "an inspiration to all young cricketers."As Kohli continues to grace the cricket field, he is poised to break even more records and cement his legacy as one of the most prolific batsmen in the history of the sport.

Pakistan's frontline spinners, led by Noman Ali's eight-wicket haul, orchestrated a resounding 152-run victory over England in the second Test in Multan, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.Chasing a challenging target of 297 on a turning Multan Cricket Stadium pitch, England's batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pressure of Pakistan's spin attack. Skipper Ben Stokes, who has often played match-defining knocks, top-scored for England with 37, but his efforts proved futile.Noman Ali emerged as the star performer for Pakistan, claiming 8-46 in a devastating spell. His victims included England's top-order batters, including Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith. Off-spinner Sajid Khan also contributed with the wicket of Ollie Pope.England's batting woes began early on the fourth day's morning session, as they resumed on 36-2. Pope's dismissal in the second over set the tone for a collapse. Noman Ali then ran amok, trapping Root lbw and Brook in similar fashion.Stokes, known for his aggressive batting, attempted to revive England's hopes with a counterattacking approach. However, his dismissal, caught at midwicket while attempting a big shot, proved to be the final nail in the coffin.Pakistan's victory was a testament to the effectiveness of their spin attack on a turning track. The hosts' bowlers exploited the conditions to their advantage, making it difficult for England's batters to negotiate the spin and bounce.The result leaves the series evenly poised heading into the final Test in Karachi. Pakistan will be confident of securing a series win on home soil, while England will be determined to bounce back and claim the series.

England's batting maestro Joe Root has ascended to new heights in the ICC Men's Test Batter Rankings, reaching a career-best rating of 932 points. This remarkable achievement places him among the all-time greats, with only 16 players in Test cricket history surpassing this mark.Root's exceptional knock of 262 in England's emphatic victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Multan propelled him to this milestone. His dominant performance has extended his lead at the top of the rankings by over 100 points, with teammate Harry Brook joining New Zealand's Kane Williamson in second place.Brook's meteoric rise is a testament to his extraordinary triple-century in the same match, where he and Root forged a record-breaking 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket. England's Ben Duckett also made significant progress, moving up five spots to 14th in the rankings after his composed 84 against Pakistan.For Pakistan, Salman Agha and captain Shan Masood made notable gains. Agha jumped 11 places to 22nd, while Masood climbed 12 places to share 51st.On the bowling front, England's Gus Atkinson and Jack Leach benefited from their wicket-taking performances, moving up to 23rd and 28th respectively. Root's versatility was recognized as he ascended to third in the Test all-rounder rankings.The T20I rankings also witnessed significant changes following India's home series against Bangladesh and the opening matches of West Indies' clash with Sri Lanka. West Indies opener Brandon King surged to eighth in the T20I batter rankings, while Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka moved up to 12th.Among T20I bowlers, West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie jumped to second place, trailing only England's Adil Rashid. Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana climbed five spots to reach fifth, while India's Ravi Bishnoi moved up to eighth. Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed made a significant leap, landing at 19th on the T20I bowling list.

In 2016, Virat Kohli led the Indian cricket team to a resounding 3-0 Test series victory over New Zealand. During the second Test in Kolkata, Kohli etched his name in history by scoring his highest Test score against the Kiwis – a magnificent double century.The Indian innings got off to a shaky start as openers Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay departed early, leaving the team at 60/2. However, Kohli, batting at number four, steadied the ship with a crucial partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara (43).Kohli then joined forces with Ajinkya Rahane, and the duo forged a mammoth 365-run stand, the highest partnership for India in Tests against New Zealand. Kohli played aggressively against the likes of Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry, amassing 211 runs with 20 fours. Rahane, too, contributed handsomely with 188 runs, including 18 fours and 4 sixes.Rohit Sharma's quickfire half-century after Kohli's dismissal helped India post a formidable 557/5 before declaring. New Zealand's response was promising initially, but they collapsed after losing their first wicket at 118. Ashwin wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming six wickets as the Kiwis were bowled out for 299.In India's second innings, Pujara's century ensured a solid score of 216/3 before another declaration. New Zealand faced an even more daunting task in the fourth innings and were bundled out for 153, handing India a comprehensive victory.Ashwin was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning performance, while Kohli received the ICC Test Championship mace, a testament to his exceptional batting throughout the series.