Cricket

South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, expressed pride in his team's performance despite their 11-run loss to India in the third T20I of the four-match series. Markram acknowledged the contributions of the lower order and emphasized the importance of executing their plans."We're proud of the effort to get that close," Markram said. "It was good to see the contributions from the lower order. We just need to execute what we discussed."India's victory was largely due to Tilak Varma's unbeaten century and Arshdeep Singh's three-wicket haul. Varma's 107 runs off 56 balls included eight fours and seven sixes, while Singh's 3/37 in four overs proved crucial in restricting South Africa's chase.Markram highlighted the challenges of chasing a high total at the SuperSport Park. "This is a ground where you can chase 220," he said. "It's almost an over-by-over thing. If you win those overs, you have a great chance."South Africa's bowlers, led by Andile Simelane and Keshav Maharaj, had earlier restricted India to 219/6. Abhishek Sharma's 50 off 25 balls and Varma's century were the standout performances for India.In the chase, Heinrich Klaasen (41 off 22) and Marco Jansen (54 off 17) kept South Africa in contention. However, Arshdeep's wickets in the death overs proved decisive.Markram expressed confidence in his team's ability to improve for the fourth and final match of the series. "We will see areas to improve for the next game," he said.

As the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia approaches, experts and fans alike are eagerly anticipating the performances of key players who could potentially shape the outcome of the series. Both teams boast an array of match-winners, promising an enthralling spectacle that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.The Australian media has already begun its psychological warfare, heaping praise on Indian superstars while simultaneously engaging in mind games. A recent front-page article in The Daily Telegraph featured Virat Kohli with the Hindi headline "Fight for the Ages," while Yashasvi Jaiswal graced the back page with the Punjabi title "The New King." The newspaper's sports section not only chronicled Jaiswal's journey but also hailed him as India's next superstar, suggesting that he is poised to succeed Kohli.In a viral video, former cricketers Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan discussed the upcoming series. When asked about the Indian player he was most eager to watch, Vaughan singled out Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. "Yashasvi Jaiswal would be one, but Rishabh Pant, I think he is absolutely box-office," Vaughan said. "He makes batting look more like he's just playing in the backyard. For India to be really competitive, this man on screen Rishabh is gonna have to play a blinder once again."Pant's heroics in the fourth and final Test of India's last tour of Australia at the Gabba in January 2021 remain etched in the annals of Test cricket history. Facing a daunting target of 328 runs on the fifth day, Pant played a fearless, match-winning knock, scoring an unbeaten 89 off 138 balls. His aggressive mindset and clever shot selection helped India pull off one of the greatest chases in Test cricket, breaking Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at the Gabba.Pant's fearless approach and unyielding belief, even under immense pressure, have made him a vital cog in India's batting lineup. His attacking play style and ability to turn games on their head have earned him a reputation as a big-match player. As India gears up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Pant will undoubtedly be one of the key players to watch, as his performances could prove pivotal in determining the outcome of the series.

India's young pacer Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a crucial cog in the team's T20I setup, showcasing his composure and skill under pressure. In the recently concluded third T20I against South Africa in Centurion, Arshdeep played a pivotal role in India's thrilling 11-run victory, dismissing the dangerous Marco Jansen in the final over to secure the win.Jansen had given India a scare, smashing the fastest T20I fifty ever recorded against them, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls. His late blitz, including 26 runs off Hardik Pandya in the penultimate over, brought South Africa within touching distance of a miraculous win. However, Arshdeep's calm and accurate bowling in the final over, where he took Jansen's wicket, ensured India held on for the victory.Arshdeep's impressive performance in the match earned him a new milestone—he became the leading wicket-taker among Indian pacers in T20Is, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 90 wickets. Arshdeep achieved the feat in just 59 matches, significantly fewer than the 87 games it took Bhuvneshwar to take his 90 wickets.With 92 wickets, Arshdeep is now second overall in India's all-time T20I wicket-takers list, trailing only Yuzvendra Chahal, who has 96 wickets in 80 matches. Arshdeep has a chance to overtake Chahal in the final T20I match of the series, to be held in Johannesburg on Friday.Arshdeep's rise to prominence has been remarkable. He made his T20I debut in July 2022 and has quickly established himself as a reliable and effective bowler. His ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl at good pace makes him a potent threat to opposition batters.In the match against South Africa, India posted a massive 219/6 after being put into bat, thanks to Tilak Varma's sensational century (107 off 56 balls) and Abhishek Sharma's quickfire 50 off 25 deliveries. South Africa's chase faltered early, but Jansen's late heroics kept them in the hunt until Arshdeep's final over settled the contest, cementing his status as one of India's finest T20 bowlers.

India's T20I dominance over South Africa continued as they clinched an unassailable 2-1 series lead with an 11-run victory in the third match at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.Tilak Varma's scintillating unbeaten 107 and Abhishek Sharma's brisk 50 propelled India to a formidable 219/6 after being invited to bat first. Varma's knock was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring seven sixes and eight fours off just 57 deliveries. Sharma, who had endured a lean patch, played a vital role with a 25-ball 50, including five sixes and three fours.South Africa's chase got off to a solid start, with Aiden Markram (29), Reeza Hendricks (21), and Ryan Rickelton (20) contributing at the top of the order. However, it was Marco Jansen's late blitz that kept the Proteas in contention. The left-hander smashed 54 off just 17 balls, but his dismissal in the final over extinguished South Africa's hopes of a remarkable comeback.Heinrich Klaasen (41 off 22) also played a significant role for South Africa, but their efforts ultimately fell short. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3/37, while Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with two wickets.Varma's century was a testament to his exceptional talent and composure. The 22-year-old controlled the game with his wide-ranging strokes, ensuring India capitalized on their strong start. His partnership with Sharma for the second wicket laid the foundation for India's imposing total.Despite the early loss of Sanju Samson (0), India's batting lineup showed resilience and depth. Suryakumar Yadav (1), Hardik Pandya (18), and Rinku Singh (8) failed to make significant contributions, but Varma's brilliance overshadowed their struggles.South Africa's bowlers, led by Keshav Maharaj (2/36), managed to slow down the scoring rate during the middle overs. However, Varma's late assault, where he scored 52 runs off just 22 balls, proved decisive.With the series victory secured, India will look to complete a clean sweep in the fourth and final T20I at the Wanderers on Friday. South Africa, on the other hand, will be determined to salvage some pride and avoid a series whitewash.

South Africa and India faced off in the third T20I of their series at SuperSport Park in Centurion, with the series tied at 1-1. South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss for the third consecutive time and opted to chase, a decision that was met with approval from India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who would have also chosen to bat first on the pitch that promised runs.Both teams made changes to their lineups. South Africa brought in Lutho Sipamla, a top performer in the recent CSA domestic T20, to replace legspinner Nqaba Peter, leaving them with only one specialist spinner in Keshav Maharaj. India, on the other hand, handed a debut to Ramandeep Singh, a hard-hitting all-rounder, in place of Avesh Khan.The weather conditions were favorable for play, with no rain expected until later in the evening.South Africa:1. Ryan Rickelton (wk)2. Reeza Hendricks3. Aiden Markram (capt)4. Tristan Stubbs5. Heinrich Klaasen6. David Miller7. Marco Jansen8. Andile Simelane9. Gerald Coetzee10. Keshav Maharaj11. Lutho SipamlaIndia:1. Sanju Samson (wk)2. Abhishek Sharma3. Suryakumar Yadav (capt)4. Tilak Varma5. Hardik Pandya6. Rinku Singh7. Ramandeep Singh8. Axar Patel9. Arshdeep Singh10. Ravi Bishnoi11. Varun Chakravarthy

India's upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) tour of Australia has become a crucial test for the team, according to former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali. After a disappointing 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand, India faces immense pressure to perform well in Australia.Basit believes that the Indian team must focus on silencing their critics with strong performances. He warns that if they fail to do so, several players, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, could face the axe after the Champions Trophy."India needs to shut everyone up with their performance," Basit said in a YouTube video. "If they can't do that, I think three or four players will be dropped after the Champions Trophy, including Gautam Gambhir."India's batting lineup has been a major concern, with star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggling for form. Basit emphasizes that the team must address these issues and find a way to perform consistently."India's batting has been a big problem," Basit said. "They need to find a way to score runs and put pressure on the Australian bowlers."India's chances of winning the BGT have been boosted by the absence of Australia's star batsman David Warner, who is serving a one-year ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal. However, Basit warns that India cannot afford to take Australia lightly."Australia is still a strong team, even without Warner," Basit said. "India will need to play their best to win the series."India will begin their BGT campaign with the first Test in Perth on November 22. They will need to win four of the five Tests to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Rashid Latif has expressed strong views on the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan in cricket. He believes that Pakistan should consider suspending all cricket matches against India and that the ICC should withhold hosting rights from both countries until their issues are resolved.Latif's comments come in the wake of the BCCI's refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The PCB has written to the ICC seeking written confirmation from the BCCI regarding India's inability to travel to Pakistan.Latif believes that Pakistan should take a strong stance against India's refusal to play in Pakistan. "If I would have been there, I would have taken this decision, and fought against the BCCI," he said.He also suggested that the ICC should stop giving major tournaments to both India and Pakistan until their issues are resolved. "In my opinion, ICC should withhold the hosting rights for both countries until these issues between them are resolved; until their problems are settled," he said.Latif criticized the BCCI's stance regarding security concerns for the Indian team in Pakistan, saying that the ICC's security team had assessed the country and deemed it safe. "This is the first time, I would say, the BCCI is at fault. The reason they are stating is very weak. It has to be in writing that the BCCI and the Indian cricket team is feeling threatened," he said.Latif expressed confidence that Pakistan cricket would not be hampered by a lack of matches with India. "We didn't play at home for 12 long years. What could be more painful than that? Pakistan will get the 34 million dollars in every eight-year time (from ICC), whether they play India or not. The boards that are rich will suffer losses, not a board like PCB that doesn't have the money," he said.

India's humiliating 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand has cast a shadow over their World Test Championship (WTC) aspirations. To qualify directly for the WTC final at Lord's in June 2025, India must now win four Tests in Australia.As India prepares for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a five-Test series against Australia, former batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and ex-cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar have expressed their views on India's chances.Gavaskar believes that India can turn the tables on Australia, as they have done in the past. He highlights the leadership of Rohit Sharma and the match-winning ability of Rishabh Pant. However, he acknowledges that beating Australia 4-0 is a distant dream.Manjrekar emphasizes the importance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli performing well in the series. He also points out that India's bowling, which has been their strength in recent years, will be tested in the absence of Mohammed Shami.India's pace attack for the series includes Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna, who will support Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed are in the reserves.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins in Perth on November 22. India will need to overcome the challenges of facing a strong Australian team and the absence of Shami to achieve their goal of winning four Tests and qualifying for the WTC final.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a highly anticipated five-Test series between India and Australia, is set to commence on November 22. This edition marks several significant milestones and potential farewells for legendary players.Australia has historically been a challenging destination for visiting teams, but India has performed admirably in their recent tours. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, who was part of the 2014-15 BGT squad, emphasizes the importance of character and aggression for success in Australia.Raina highlights the crucial role of Virat Kohli, who has been instrumental in India's past victories. Despite his recent struggles, Raina believes Kohli's experience and determination will be vital. However, he acknowledges that Kohli may face challenges against spinners on turning tracks at home.Rohit Sharma's absence due to personal reasons presents an opportunity for Jasprit Bumrah to lead the team. Raina praises Bumrah's leadership qualities and believes he has the potential to become a future leader in Test cricket.The embarrassing series whitewash against New Zealand has raised questions about coach Gautam Gambhir's performance. Raina defends Gambhir, citing his impressive record as a player and coach.With Rohit likely to miss the first Test, India faces a dilemma in finding an opening partner for Yashasvi Jaiswal. Raina suggests KL Rahul or Dhruv Jurel as potential options. He particularly praises Jurel's patience and defensive technique, which could prove valuable in Australia.Raina also expresses confidence in India's pace attack, despite its relative lack of experience. He highlights the potential of Prasidh Krishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep, who he believes can be effective with their line and length in Australia.