Cricket

India's rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal has earned his maiden nomination for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for February 2024, a testament to his exceptional performances in the Test series against England.Jaiswal's remarkable form played a pivotal role in India's comeback after trailing 1-0 following the loss in the Hyderabad Test. He displayed an exceptional performance by hitting consecutive double centuries in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot during the month, with the latter equaling the record for the most sixes in a Test innings, achieving an impressive 12.Continuing his prolific run, Jaiswal added more runs in the fourth Test at Ranchi, which included a half-century in the first innings. By the end of February, the 22-year-old had accumulated a total of 560 runs at an outstanding average of 112.The back-to-back double hundreds at the age of 22 years and 49 days also made him the third youngest batter in the world to record two double centuries in Tests after Sir Donald Bradman and Vinod Kambli. Jaiswal has also risen to the top of the leading run-scorer list in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.New Zealand's Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka are the other nominees for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award. Williamson is nominated for the honor for the first time since March 2023 after another series of century scores dominated the headlines in New Zealand's first-ever Test series victory over South Africa.Nissanka, on the other hand, excelled in Sri Lanka's recent three ODIs and three T20Is against Afghanistan, smashing the first ever ODI double-century for his country at Pallekele (210 not out in 139 balls) to begin the month in a blistering fashion.In the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for February 2024, UAE duo of Kavisha Egodage and Esha Oza have been shortlisted alongside Australia all-rounder Annabel Sutherland.

India has ascended to the pinnacle of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, as per the latest update released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday. This elevation follows Australia's triumph over New Zealand in the Wellington Test.India's dominance is reflected in their impressive points percentage of 64.58, propelling them to the top spot. New Zealand, the previous table-toppers, now occupy the second position with a points percentage of 60.00. Australia has slipped to third place, boasting a points percentage of 59.09.India's commanding position in the ongoing five-Test home series against England, where they hold an unassailable 3-1 lead, provides them with an opportunity to further cement their status at the summit of the WTC table. A victory in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, commencing on March 7, would solidify their dominance.The WTC, inaugurated in 2019, is a two-year tournament that pits the world's top Test-playing nations against each other in a league format. The top two teams at the conclusion of the league stage will qualify for the final, scheduled to be held in June 2023 at The Oval in London.India's rise to the top of the WTC standings is a testament to their consistent performances in Test cricket. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the team has achieved notable victories both at home and abroad. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has been a key factor in their success.As the WTC progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, with all teams vying for a place in the final. India's position at the top of the table provides them with a significant advantage, but they will need to maintain their momentum and continue to perform at a high level to secure their place in the championship match.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian spinner, has reached a significant milestone in his illustrious career by claiming his 500th Test wicket during the third match against England. This remarkable achievement has earned him a place among the cricketing greats, and former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers has heaped praise on Ashwin, labeling him a legend of the game.De Villiers, who has faced Ashwin's bowling firsthand, knows the challenges that the Indian spinner poses to batsmen. He described Ashwin as "one of the toughest bowlers I have ever played against," highlighting his natural variation, bounce, and subtle changes with his wrist. De Villiers also praised Ashwin's accuracy, knowledge of the game, and patience, which make him a formidable opponent.The South African legend advised England's batters to stay positive and use their feet a lot more against Ashwin in the remaining two Tests of the five-match series. He suggested that putting pressure on Ashwin by coming down the wicket, staying back deep in the crease, and working him to the leg side could be effective strategies to counter his bowling.De Villiers also took the opportunity to praise young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who slammed a double hundred in the second innings in Rajkot. He described Jaiswal as an "incredible player" with aggressive batting skills and a knack for putting pressure on the bowlers. De Villiers believes that Jaiswal has the potential to succeed in different conditions around the world, given his ability, talent, and mindset.Ashwin's 500th Test wicket is a testament to his skill, dedication, and longevity in the game. He has been a key player for India over the years, contributing with both bat and ball. De Villiers' praise for Ashwin is a fitting tribute to the Indian spinner's achievements and his status as a legend of the game.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), a highly anticipated cricket tournament, is set to commence on March 22, 2024, as confirmed by league chairman Arun Dhumal. This year's edition, the 17th in the series, will be held entirely within India, despite the upcoming general elections.The schedule for the tournament is yet to be announced due to the elections, which are expected to take place in April and May. Dhumal stated that initially, only the schedule for the first 15 days will be released, with the remaining games to be decided after the election dates are announced."We are looking at a March 22 start for the tournament. We are working closely with the government agencies and we will first release the initial schedule. The entire tournament will be held in India," Dhumal told PTI.The IPL has been held entirely overseas only once, in 2009, when it was hosted in South Africa. In 2014, a portion of the tournament was held in the UAE due to the elections. However, in 2019, the IPL took place in India despite the elections.The final of the IPL is likely to be held on May 26, just before the T20 World Cup begins. India's first World Cup match will be against Ireland in New York on June 5. The tournament will start with a clash between the USA and Canada on June 1.The IPL opener will follow the tradition of being played between the previous year's finalists, with the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans taking the field. The players' auction for the 2024 season took place in December last year, with Australian pacer Mitchell Starc becoming the most expensive player in IPL history after being bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore.The IPL is one of the most popular cricket tournaments in the world, attracting millions of viewers and generating significant revenue. The tournament features some of the best cricketers from around the world, and it is known for its exciting matches and high-scoring games.