Cricket

India's quest for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 final has hit a roadblock following their home series defeat to New Zealand. This setback marks India's first home Test series loss since 2012 and has significantly impacted their qualification prospects.Prior to the New Zealand series, India held a commanding lead in the WTC standings with a percentage (PCT) of 68.06. However, consecutive losses have seen their PCT plummet to 62.82, with Australia lurking close behind at 62.50 and Sri Lanka trailing at 55.56.India's path to the WTC final has become increasingly challenging. Five of their remaining matches are part of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, a formidable opponent. To secure a place in the final, India must emerge victorious in four out of the five Tests against Australia.The outcome of other series will also play a crucial role in India's qualification hopes. South Africa, currently fourth with a PCT of 54.17, will host two Tests each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, in third place with a PCT of 55.56, faces a daunting series against South Africa as they aim to reach their first ICC final in over a decade.With several crucial series yet to be played, the final outcome of this WTC cycle remains uncertain. Teams will need to demonstrate consistency, handle pressure effectively, and seize every opportunity to secure a place in the final at Lord's.

India's dominance at home, built on the performances of Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma, has come to an abrupt end with New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series victory. This defeat has raised concerns about the future of these aging heroes, who have been instrumental in India's success over the years.Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin, and Jadeja have been the backbone of India's Test team, leading them to two World Test Championship finals and a 12-year winning streak in home Test series. However, their recent performances have raised questions about their ability to continue at the highest level.In the recent series against New Zealand, Kohli struggled to score runs, accumulating just 93 runs at an average of 15.50. Rohit's performance was also disappointing, with 91 runs in 3 Tests at an average of 15.17. Ashwin's bowling was inconsistent, allowing the New Zealand batsmen to score freely. Jadeja, while still a crucial part of the team, has seen his economy rate rise in recent matches.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be a crucial test for these senior players. If they fail to perform, it could signal the end of an era for Indian cricket.

India's wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant's valiant effort to salvage a consolation victory in the third and final Test against New Zealand was cut short by a controversial dismissal that has sparked debate in the cricketing world.After India's top order collapsed, losing five wickets for just 29 runs, Pant launched a counter-attacking knock, scoring 64 runs off 57 balls in the chase of 147 runs. However, his innings was halted when he was adjudged caught behind off Ajaz Patel's bowling.New Zealand appealed for a catch by the wicket-keeper, but the umpire initially remained unmoved. However, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham convinced Patel to review the decision. Upon assessment, it was found that a spike was witnessed on the snicko meter when the ball passed the bat. However, at the same time, Pant's bat had also hit his pads.Despite the dilemma, the third umpire decided to give the decision in New Zealand's favor. The dismissal sparked outrage on social media, with former South Africa captain AB de Villiers highlighting the "grey area" in the DRS technology."Controversy! Little grey area once again. Did Pant get bat on that or not? Problem is when the ball passes the bat at exactly the same time a batter hits his pad snicko will pick up the noise. But how sure are we he hit it? I've always worried about this and here it happens at a huge moment in a big Test match. Where's hotspot?!", De Villiers posted on Twitter.Disappointed with the third umpire's call, Pant had a brief chat with the on-field umpire before taking the heavy and slow walk back to the dressing room. The dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as India eventually lost by 128 runs.The controversy surrounding Pant's dismissal has raised questions about the reliability of the DRS technology and the need for further advancements to eliminate such grey areas.

India's Home Season Ends in Disappointment as Kohli and Rohit FalterIndia's once-unbeatable home record in Test cricket has been shattered, with the team suffering a disappointing defeat in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. The loss marks the end of a dismal home season for star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have failed to live up to expectations.In the third Test, India's second innings collapsed cheaply, with Kohli and Sharma both falling for low scores. This followed a similar pattern in the first two Tests, where the Indian batting lineup struggled to cope with the New Zealand spinners on dustbowls.Kohli, who turns 36 next week, has not scored a Test century since July 2023. His average of 21.33 in the home season is a far cry from his usual high standards. Sharma, the Indian captain, has also endured a poor run of form, averaging just 13.30 with a highest score of 52.The diminishing returns of Kohli and Sharma are a major concern for India ahead of their upcoming five-Test series in Australia. The next couple of months will be crucial in determining whether the two stalwarts can extend their Test careers.The Indian team's home season has been a tale of two halves. After a dominant performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, India suffered a humiliating defeat in the second Test against New Zealand. The third Test ended with a whimper, leaving the team with a lot to ponder before their next assignment.

Virat Kohli's reckless run-out on Day 1 of the third Test against New Zealand has raised concerns among cricket experts. The former Indian captain, who has been struggling for form, threw his wicket away just minutes before stumps, leaving his team in a precarious position.Mohammad Kaif, a former India cricketer, expressed his dismay at Kohli's recent performances. "Virat Kohli in this series has been clean bowled to a full toss and now this error of judgment to be run out. This needs to change if India needs to reach the WTC final," Kaif tweeted.Anil Kumble, another former India great, echoed Kaif's sentiments. "You can't have this repeatedly happening in every game, so it's more than a concern at the moment," Kumble said. "Nobody expected the run-out. This was certainly not something that you expect of Virat Kohli getting run out in the last over or last few minutes of a day's play."Kohli's struggles in Test cricket have been evident in recent years. In 2024, he has scored only 249 runs in six Tests, with just one fifty. However, in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship, he has been more consistent, scoring 560 runs in nine Tests, including a century and three fifties.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains one of the most experienced and respected batsmen in the world. However, his form has become a major concern for India, who are aiming to reach the final of the World Test Championship.Kohli's run-out has also raised questions about his mental state. The former India captain has been under immense pressure in recent months, both on and off the field. His wife, Anushka Sharma, recently gave birth to their second child, and Kohli has been juggling his personal and professional commitments.It remains to be seen how Kohli will respond to the criticism and pressure. However, one thing is for sure: India need their star batsman to rediscover his form if they are to achieve their goals in the World Test Championship.

Will Young's gritty half-century proved crucial as New Zealand set India a challenging target of 147 runs to win on day three of the third and final Test in Indore.Young, who scored 51 off 100 balls, was the penultimate wicket to fall on day two as the hosts dismissed New Zealand for 174 in their second innings early on Sunday. Ajaz Patel and Matt Henry could add only three runs to New Zealand's total this morning, having resumed at the overnight score of 171/9. Ravindra Jadeja completed another five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/45.New Zealand have already won the three-match series, having defeated India in the first two Tests in Kanpur and Mumbai. However, India will be determined to avoid a whitewash and will fancy their chances of chasing down the target on a pitch that has offered assistance to both batters and bowlers.India's openers, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, will be key to their chances of victory. Gill has been in excellent form throughout the series, while Sharma is due for a big score. The middle order, led by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, will also need to contribute if India are to reach their target.New Zealand's bowlers will be looking to make early inroads into the Indian batting lineup. Tim Southee and Trent Boult are both capable of taking wickets with the new ball, while Ajaz Patel and Michael Bracewell will provide control through the middle overs.The match is evenly poised heading into the final day, with both teams having a chance of victory. India will be confident of chasing down the target, but New Zealand will be determined to finish the series on a high note.

India's quest for a series-leveling victory against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium took a significant turn on the final day, as Ravindra Jadeja's devastating bowling performance set up a challenging chase of 147 runs.Resuming the day with a slender lead of 143 and only one wicket remaining, New Zealand's hopes rested on the shoulders of their last pair, Ajaz Patel and Will Somerville. However, Jadeja proved too formidable, dismissing Patel with a sharp-turning delivery that found the edge and was caught at deep midwicket.With the last wicket down, India's bowlers had completed a remarkable turnaround, having conceded 235 runs in the first innings but restricting New Zealand to just 174 in the second. Jadeja's match figures of 5-55 were his second-best in Test cricket, while Ashwin chipped in with 3-63.The target of 147 runs is the highest fourth-innings chase ever set at the Wankhede Stadium. Only eight teams have successfully chased down a higher target in the fourth innings of a Test match.India's pursuit of victory began cautiously, with openers Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill negotiating the early overs without any major alarms. However, the task ahead remains daunting, as the pitch is expected to deteriorate further and assist the spinners.If India can pull off this chase, it will be a remarkable achievement, considering their struggles in the first two Tests of the series. A victory would also prevent New Zealand from completing their first-ever series whitewash in India in a series of three Tests or more.

India's hopes of salvaging a win in the third and final Test against New Zealand hinge on the shoulders of their senior batters, particularly Virat Kohli. The Wankhede pitch has proven to be a spinner's paradise, with 24 of the 29 wickets falling to tweakers so far.New Zealand, who were bowled out for 171 in their first innings, hold a slender lead of 143 runs. India will likely chase around 150-160 when play resumes on Sunday.Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have been India's standout performers with the ball, taking seven wickets between them. However, New Zealand's spin attack, led by Ajaz Patel, poses a significant threat.Kohli has endured a difficult series, but his experience and class could prove invaluable in a tense, low-scoring contest. The former Indian captain has struggled for consistency, but he has the ability to produce match-winning performances when it matters most.India's younger batters, such as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, have shown promise, but they may struggle against New Zealand's spin-heavy attack. Senior players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma will need to handle the pressure and guide India to victory.For Kohli, this match represents an opportunity to redeem himself and gain valuable form ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. A match-winning innings would not only give India a consolation win but also provide the veteran batter a much-needed confidence boost.With New Zealand having spun their way to victories in Bengaluru and Pune, India will need Kohli to dig deep and navigate a challenging pitch to prevent a rare series whitewash at home. The stage is set for a classic fourth-innings battle, and Kohli's experience could make all the difference.

Rohit Sharma, India's captain, has faced criticism for his recent batting performances in Test matches. Despite leading India to victory in the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup, Rohit's Test form has been a cause for concern.In the recent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, Rohit failed to score a century and reached double figures only once. His dismissals have often been through clean bowling, a sign of vulnerability to early swing and seam movement.As India's captain and a senior batsman, Rohit faces pressure to perform and lead by example. However, this pressure can make it challenging to play with a free-flowing style, especially in high-stakes tournaments.Rohit's poor form has raised questions about his suitability as Test captain. Some critics have called for a change in leadership, while others believe that Rohit deserves more time to prove himself.With India's upcoming tour of Australia approaching, Rohit has one more chance to prove his worth as a Test batsman. A victory in the third Test against New Zealand would save India from a clean sweep at home and provide some respite for Rohit.However, the knives will be out Down Under, where India will face a formidable Australian team. Rohit's batting form will be crucial to India's chances of success in Australia.