Cricket

India's recent 113-run defeat to New Zealand in the Pune Test has raised concerns about the team's batting performance. Captain Rohit Sharma has identified the batters' inability to match New Zealand's first-innings total of 259 as the primary reason for the loss.Mitchell Santner's exceptional bowling performance, with 7 for 53 in the first innings and 6 for 104 in the second, played a significant role in India's collapse to 156 all out in their first innings. This deficit of 103 runs put India on the back foot for the remainder of the match.Despite a promising start in the second innings, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring a brisk 77 off 65 balls, India fell short of the target of 359. Rohit acknowledged the team's failure to put up a competitive score in the first innings."We didn't put enough runs on the board in the first innings, and then we were behind in the game," Rohit said. "We came out thinking that we can chase that target, but again, the continuous pressure from both ends meant that we were not able to respond to those challenges."While the pitch conditions were challenging, Rohit believes that India's bowlers did a commendable job in restricting New Zealand to 259. However, he emphasized that the batters needed to step up and contribute more runs."We just didn't bat well enough," Rohit said. "Had we gotten closer to that score of first innings, things would have been slightly different."With the series deficit at 2-0, India faces the daunting task of preventing a whitewash in the third Test in Mumbai. They also need to secure enough points in the remaining matches to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final next year.Rohit remains optimistic about the team's ability to bounce back. "We want to show up well at Wankhede and try and win that Test match," he said. "Not thinking too far ahead. It's important that we focus on our next game, what better we can do as a unit because it's a collective failure."

India's World Test Championship (WTC) aspirations have suffered a significant setback following their historic home series defeat to New Zealand. After losing the first Test in Pune, India succumbed to a 113-run defeat in the second Test, marking their first home Test series loss since 2012.The second Test witnessed India collapsing to 245 all out in their second innings, handing New Zealand a series victory. Despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's valiant 77 off 65 balls, India crumbled under the relentless pressure of Mitchell Santner, who claimed 13 wickets over two innings. A promising 62-run stand between Jaiswal and Shubman Gill had raised hopes, but New Zealand's disciplined bowling proved too much for the Indian batting lineup.India's position in the WTC standings has taken a hit. Before the second match, Rohit Sharma's team led the table with a percentage (PCT) of 68.06. However, back-to-back losses to New Zealand have dropped their PCT to 62.82, narrowing their path to the final. Australia sit close behind at 62.50, followed by Sri Lanka at 55.56.To stay on course for the WTC final at Lord's next summer, India must perform impeccably in their remaining fixtures. They have one more match against New Zealand before heading to Australia for a crucial five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Winning at least four of these six remaining games will give them a strong chance of securing a spot in the final.However, if India falter, they'll have to rely on favourable outcomes from other series. Australia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa's upcoming clashes will heavily influence India's prospects. Notably, Sri Lanka's matches against Australia and South Africa could make or break India's hopes.Though the road ahead is steep, India remain in the hunt. Success against Australia will be critical if they aim to reach their third consecutive WTC final. The team now faces the challenge of rediscovering form and maintaining consistency under pressure.

New Zealand's historic Test series triumph in India has sent shockwaves through the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings, casting doubt on India's hopes of reaching a third consecutive WTC final.India's 0-1 series defeat to the Black Caps has left them precariously perched atop the WTC table with 62.82 percentage points, a mere 0.32 points ahead of Australia. This setback has significantly diminished India's chances of securing a direct berth in the 2025 WTC final.The WTC standings are now wide open, with several teams vying for the top two spots. South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand are all within striking distance of India and Australia. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia has become even more crucial for India, as they will likely need to win the series to ensure their place in the final.New Zealand's victory has propelled them to fourth place in the WTC standings with 50.00 percentage points, overtaking South Africa. Sri Lanka remains in third place with 55.56 points.Meanwhile, Pakistan's decisive nine-wicket victory over England in the third Test in Rawalpindi has moved them up to seventh place with 33.33 points. England, who lost the series 2-1, now sit just above Pakistan with 40.79 points.India's hopes of reaching the WTC final now hinge on their performance in the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, starting November 1. A win is imperative for India to maintain their chances of qualifying for the final.The WTC standings are set to undergo further changes in the coming months, with several key series scheduled to take place. The outcome of these series will determine which teams will ultimately qualify for the 2025 WTC final.

Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old batting prodigy, has emerged as a potential Test debutant for Australia in the upcoming home series against India. His mentor, former all-rounder Shane Watson, believes that the current circumstances present a "perfect storm" for Konstas to make his international debut.Konstas' twin centuries for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield earlier this month have propelled him into contention for a Test berth. He will feature for Australia A next week alongside Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris, as the selectors weigh their options.Watson, who has worked with Konstas for four years, highlights the player's exceptional talent and dedication. He believes that Konstas' age and the aging nature of the current Australian team make this an ideal time to inject young blood into the side."The whole situation is, in my mind, a perfect storm to be able to give him an opportunity to be able to play Test cricket," Watson said. "For me, this is an opportune time, knowing that the bowlers are aging, there's Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja as a starting point who are aging."Watson draws parallels between Konstas and Cameron Green, who made his Test debut at 21 on India's last tour of Australia. He emphasizes the importance of giving young players early opportunities to learn and develop."Australian cricket always did incredibly well was see someone who is different from all the younger stars coming through and get them into the Australian set-up, as early as they can within reason, to be able to help them learn," Watson said.Konstas' batting predecessors, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh, were both given their Test debuts at the age of 20. Watson himself played ODI cricket as a 20-year-old, which he believes significantly accelerated his development."There's no doubt that my one-day cricket would never have evolved to the heights that it did without me being around the Aussie team [at a younger age]," Watson said.Konstas' single-minded dedication to his craft has impressed Watson. "From the first moment that I met Sam, the thing that jumped out at me the most was his desperate desire to be the best that he possibly could be," Watson said.With the Test series against India approaching, Konstas' chances of making his debut are growing. The selectors will have a tough decision to make, but Watson believes that the young prodigy is ready for the challenge.

MS Dhoni Recounts India's Triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 VictoryFormer Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has shared his memories of India's dramatic T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the emotions he experienced while watching the final from home."We were at home, watching with some friends who came over," Dhoni recalled at a recent event. As the second innings unfolded, most of Dhoni's friends lost hope and left. "They said, 'It's over; come with us.' But I was like, 'In cricket, till it's over, it's not over.'"Even Dhoni admitted he wasn't entirely confident, but he held on to the belief that the opposition's batting depth was vulnerable under pressure. "When the stakes are high, the games are big, you get a chance and want to make the most of it," he explained.India's victory, secured at the Kensington Oval in Barbados against South Africa, marked the end of a 17-year wait for their second T20 World Cup title. Dhoni praised the team's relentless attitude in clutch moments. "Big big congratulations to the guys who were on the field, because that is the kind of energy, motivation, and belief that is needed."The final saw India pull off an improbable comeback against a formidable South African lineup. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played pivotal roles in the victory, with both veterans announcing their retirements from T20Is after the match. Hardik Pandya's bowling brilliance and Jasprit Bumrah's pinpoint accuracy sealed the seven-run win, while Suryakumar Yadav's boundary-line catch became an instant highlight.Reflecting on the win, Dhoni summed up India's never-give-up attitude: "It doesn't matter whatever the result may be but till they don't win and it is not called that they have won the game, we need to keep pushing; and that was the attitude."With this victory, India ended their T20 World Cup drought, leaving fans euphoric and giving Rohit and Kohli a perfect farewell in the shortest format of the game.

India's Woes Mount in Second Test as Latham's Dropped Catch Haunts ThemTeam India's struggles continued in the second Test against New Zealand as they found themselves trailing by 103 runs after the first innings. Despite restricting New Zealand to 259, India's batters failed to deliver, collapsing to 156 all out.In the second innings, India's bowlers toiled hard, but a crucial dropped catch proved costly. In the 37th over, Ravindra Jadeja induced an edge from New Zealand captain Tom Latham, who was well-set on 68. However, the chance was low and difficult, and Indian captain Rohit Sharma was unable to reach it in the slip cordon.The dropped catch left India frustrated, and Virat Kohli was seen expressing his displeasure to Latham and Henry Nicholls. In a viral video, Kohli appeared to be asking them to avoid running down the middle of the pitch. Kohli also had a conversation with the on-field umpire.New Zealand went on to post 255 in their second innings, setting India a victory target of 359 runs. The hosts now face an uphill battle to avoid a series defeat, having lost the opening Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concern over captain Rohit Sharma's defensive technique, particularly in the ongoing second Test against New Zealand. Rohit's nine-ball duck in the first innings, dismissed by Tim Southee, has raised questions about his approach while defending.Manjrekar highlighted Rohit's struggles against Southee, who has now dismissed him 14 times in international cricket, the joint-most by any bowler. He pointed out that Rohit's loose defense, which was a concern at the start of his international career, has resurfaced."He would not take a step forward and he would react just with the bat, that is starting to happen," Manjrekar said. "He was able to leave balls outside the off stump, but they have worked out a way to bowl to Rohit Sharma."Manjrekar believes that Rohit's vulnerability stems from his tendency to react with the bat rather than using his pad to defend. "That makes him a little vulnerable when there is a little bit in the pitch and the ball is hard," he said.However, Manjrekar praised Rohit's temperament and suggested that he needs to tighten up his defense. "He just maybe has to tighten up his defense a little more and things should be okay," he added.Rohit's dismissal in the first innings has put pressure on the Indian captain, who has been under scrutiny for his recent form. He will be looking to bounce back in the second innings and prove that he can overcome his defensive deficiencies.

Sarfaraz Khan's astute observation and unwavering conviction played a pivotal role in India's successful review against New Zealand on Day 1 of the second Test in Pune. Despite initial skepticism from his teammates, Khan's insistence that the ball had brushed Will Young's glove prompted skipper Rohit Sharma to take a DRS, which ultimately resulted in Young's dismissal.Khan, fielding at backward short-leg, noticed a subtle noise as the ball passed Young's bat and glove. Sensing a possible contact, he approached Sharma and urged him to trust his instincts. "I knew there was contact, but there is always room for misjudgment," Khan explained. "But I heard a noise and hence, felt there was something involved."Khan's confidence stemmed from his close proximity to the action. "I was at backward short leg so when the ball was going past his bat and glove, I noticed that the bat was away from the pads. I heard a noise and that's when I went to Rohit bhai and told him, 'Rohit bhai, mere pe bharosa karo. Ball lagi hai, aap lo review. Main bol raha hu aapko, lo (Trust me. The ball has hit something, just take the review. I am telling you, take it),'" Khan said.Technical members of the broadcasting team initially expressed doubts about the contact, but the hawk-eye technology confirmed Khan's suspicions. "I did not hear the sound, as it is very feeble," said KN Srinivasa Rao, a sound supervisor. "But the hawk-eye has a different technology, which can identify the smallest of small sounds."Akanksha Pandey, the director's assistant, also admitted to being surprised by the outcome. "We were surprised when we saw the replays. We were watching the pictures that the director was cutting, and we were smiling because everybody is always convinced when they are trying to talk the captain into taking the DRS."Washington Sundar, one of India's star bowlers on the first day, praised Khan's persistence. "Honestly, I was a good 70-80 meters away from the middle, so I had no idea. I obviously didn't hear any sound, but Sarfaraz seemed to be very convinced with it. Really happy that Sarfaraz eventually convinced Rohit bhai," said Sundar.Khan's sharp observation and unwavering belief in his instincts not only contributed to Young's dismissal but also highlighted his growing influence within the Indian team. His ability to make crucial decisions under pressure is a testament to his maturity and leadership qualities.

India Announce T20I Squad for South Africa Series, Ramandeep Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak Earn Maiden Call-upsThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa, which commences on November 8 in Durban. The squad features two notable inclusions: middle-order batter Ramandeep Singh and fast bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak, who have earned their maiden India call-ups.Ramandeep Singh, a 24-year-old right-handed batter, has been in impressive form for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has consistently scored runs at a high strike rate, showcasing his ability to accelerate the innings in the middle overs.Vijaykumar Vyshak, a 23-year-old right-arm fast bowler, has also caught the attention of selectors with his performances for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket. He has impressed with his pace and accuracy, consistently troubling batters with his ability to swing the ball both ways.However, the squad also includes three notable absentees due to injuries. Batting allrounder Riyan Parag is undergoing rehabilitation for a chronic right shoulder injury, while fast bowler Mayank Yadav and seam-bowling allrounder Shivam Dube are also unavailable due to unspecified injuries.Mayank Yadav, who made his international debut during the recent home T20Is against Bangladesh, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. He missed the entire IPL 2024 season due to an abdominal muscle issue, which has raised concerns about his long-term fitness.The Indian squad for the T20I series against South Africa is as follows:* Suryakumar Yadav (capt)* Abhishek Sharma* Sanju Samson (wk)* Rinku Singh* Tilak Varma* Jitesh Sharma (wk)* Hardik Pandya* Axar Patel* Ramandeep Singh* Varun Chakaravarthy* Ravi Bishnoi* Arshdeep Singh* Vijaykumar Vyshak* Avesh Khan* Yash DayalThe series against South Africa will be a crucial test for India as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia. The team will be looking to build momentum and fine-tune their combinations ahead of the global tournament.