Cricket

India's Test series opener against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium ended in a disappointing eight-wicket defeat for the hosts. Skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged that the team's dismal first-innings total of 46 set them back significantly."We knew it would be a challenge with overcast conditions and a tricky pitch," Sharma said. "We didn't expect to be all out for 46, but credit to New Zealand. It set us back, and games like this happen."Despite the setback, Sharma expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back in the remaining two matches. "We've been here before, conceding home losses; these things happen," he said. "Two Tests to go, we know what it takes and will give it all in the next two Tests."In the second innings, India showed resilience with a counter-attacking 177-run stand between Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99). Sharma praised the young batters for their performance."It was a good effort in the second innings with the bat," he said. "We knew what lies ahead, get as many as possible. A couple of guys stood out, was great to watch. When you're 350 behind, you can't think too much. Just have to try and bat the ball and see where the game goes."Sharma highlighted the importance of the partnership between Khan and Pant. "We could've easily been bowled under 350, it's something we're proud of," he said. "Everyone's on the edge of their seats when Pant and Sarfaraz bat. Pant's was a mature innings; he's done it for a while, and he played his shots too. Sarfaraz was very clear and mature in just his third or fourth Test."India now trails 1-0 in the three-match series and will travel to Pune for the second Test from October 24-28. The third and final game will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1-5.

New Zealand's historic victory in the first Test against India in Bengaluru marked a significant milestone for the visitors, who secured their first Test win on Indian soil in 36 years. Skipper Tom Latham hailed the team's performance, attributing their success to a combination of strategic planning and exceptional bowling.Initially intending to bat first, New Zealand's decision to bowl after losing the toss proved advantageous. Their bowlers, led by Matt Henry (5/15) and Will O'Rourke (4/22), wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, bundling them out for a mere 46 runs in the first innings. This set the tone for the match, as India struggled to recover despite a valiant fightback from Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99).Chasing a modest target of 107 runs on the rain-delayed final day, New Zealand lost early wickets but remained composed. Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) forged an unbeaten 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to victory, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Latham praised Ravindra's contributions, highlighting his impressive performance in both innings. He also acknowledged the pivotal roles played by O'Rourke, Tim Southee, and Matt Henry, whose bowling prowess laid the foundation for the win.This victory elevates New Zealand to fourth place in the World Test Championship standings, surpassing England and South Africa. It is a testament to the team's resilience and determination, and sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the series.

New Zealand has achieved a historic victory on Indian soil, breaking a 36-year drought with an eight-wicket triumph in the opening Test match. The Black Caps now lead the three-match series 1-0.After India's dismal performance in the first innings, where they were bowled out for a mere 46, New Zealand responded with a solid 402. The hosts, however, fought back in the second innings, posting a challenging 462.Needing 107 runs to win on the final day, New Zealand faced a hostile opening spell from Jasprit Bumrah. However, Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) steadied the ship, adding 75 runs for the third wicket to guide the team to victory in just 27.4 overs.New Zealand's last Test triumph in India came way back in 1988 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where they defeated the hosts by 136 runs. India had won that three-Test series 2-1.The second Test of the series is scheduled to begin in Pune on October 24.

Virat Kohli's return to form in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru has ignited hope among Indian cricket fans. After a prolonged slump, Kohli's well-crafted 70-run knock marked a significant milestone in his Test career.Kohli's struggles in Test cricket had become a major concern, with his last fifty coming in 2022. His inability to counter outside-off deliveries from pacers and off-spinners had been a recurring issue. However, against New Zealand, Kohli showcased his vintage form, executing flawless cover drives and displaying impeccable timing.The knock was crucial not only for Kohli's personal confidence but also for India's match situation. After being dismissed cheaply in the first innings, Kohli's contribution in the second innings helped India build a substantial lead.Kohli's resurgence is a timely boost for India, who have a busy Test schedule ahead. The team will face New Zealand in the remaining two Tests before embarking on a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. Kohli's impressive record against Australia on their home turf bodes well for India's chances.Despite his recent form, Kohli's overall numbers in Test cricket since the launch of the World Test Championship in 2019 have been underwhelming. He ranks 13th on the list of most runs scored, with an average of 38.77. However, his performance in the current ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 has been more encouraging, with an average of 48.90.As India aims to secure their maiden WTC title, Kohli's continued form will be crucial. His experience and ability to score runs in challenging conditions will be invaluable for the team.

India's Historic Low: A Tale of Collapse and ResilienceTwo weeks ago, the Indian cricket team basked in glory after crushing Bangladesh in the second Test at Kanpur. However, their fortunes took a dramatic turn in Bengaluru, where they suffered their lowest Test total on home soil.Batting first, India crumbled to a mere 46 against New Zealand, a score that shattered their previous record of 75 all out against the West Indies in 1987. The collapse sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, with Cricket Australia sarcastically asking, "Is 'All Out 46' the new 'All Out 36'?"Historically, teams dismissed for less than 50 runs in an innings have never won a Test match. Only once has a team managed to draw, with Australia achieving this feat in 1902.The Birmingham Miracle: Australia's 36 and a DrawIn the annals of Test cricket, the Birmingham Test of 1902 stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Australia, touring England, were bowled out for a shocking 36 in just 90 minutes, with Yorkshire's Wilfred Rhodes claiming an astonishing 7 for 17.Despite the humiliating collapse, Australia refused to surrender. Forced to follow on, they held their ground for 28 overs, losing only two wickets. Rain played a crucial role in their survival, as a downpour rendered the wicket unplayable and prevented England from securing a victory.A Series of ExtremesThe Birmingham Test was a microcosm of the entire 1902 series between Australia and England. The Australians, despite their low score in Birmingham, went on to win the series 2-1. They lost only two of the 39 matches played during the tour, showcasing their remarkable resilience and determination.Lessons from HistoryIndia's recent collapse serves as a reminder that even the most formidable teams can experience setbacks. However, the story of Australia's 36 in Birmingham offers hope that even in the face of adversity, resilience and determination can prevail.As India seeks to bounce back from their historic low, they can draw inspiration from the Australians of 1902. By embracing the lessons of history, they can overcome this setback and emerge stronger than ever before.

New Zealand's bowlers have put them on the cusp of a historic Test victory in India, but pacer William O'Rourke has warned against complacency despite the seemingly achievable target of 107 runs.O'Rourke and Matt Henry shared six wickets between them to dismiss India for 462 in their second innings, setting up a tantalizing chase for the Kiwis. However, O'Rourke emphasized the need for caution, acknowledging the quality of the Indian team."I wouldn't say it's an easy win from here," O'Rourke said. "We've got a world-class team going up against us. But we've got to be confident going out there tomorrow."O'Rourke, who is on his first tour of India, has relished the experience, particularly the pace and bounce offered by the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch. He singled out the dismissal of Virat Kohli in the first innings, where he induced the star batter to jab at a steep bouncer, resulting in a catch to Glenn Phillips at gully."It's obviously pretty special getting someone so great, one of the greats of our game, out like that," O'Rourke remarked. "Obviously, you grow up watching those guys. So, to come here and take that wicket, it's probably right up there."The young pacer acknowledged the pressure put on the Kiwis by Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99), who added 177 runs for the fourth wicket. However, he credited the second new ball for helping them gain some momentum, with Tim Southee getting the breakthrough by dismissing Sarfaraz, followed by O'Rourke's dismissal of Pant."I've been pretty hot and cold with the ball," O'Rourke said. "Pant and Sarfaraz have batted very well for a long time, but that second new ball started doing a little bit for us.""So, good to Timmy (Southee) getting that first breakthrough (Sarfaraz) and then lucky enough to get a chop (Pant) there to sort of give us a bit of momentum going through."O'Rourke also expressed gratitude towards his mentor, Kyle Jamieson, who is currently recovering from a back stress fracture. "Kyle's been a bit in the background," he said. "So, learning from him and, obviously, he's had a hell of a start to his international career and he's one of the best bowlers in the world."

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has heaped praise on Sarfaraz Khan, comparing him to legendary Pakistani batter Javed Miandad. Manjrekar's comments came after Sarfaraz's impressive performance in the first Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur.Sarfaraz, who replaced the injured Shubman Gill in the Indian team, scored a half-century in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 70 off 78 balls at the end of Day 3. Manjrekar was particularly impressed with Sarfaraz's approach to batting, both offensively and defensively."Sarfaraz reminds me of a Javed Miandad of the 1980s but this is a 2024 version of a Javed Miandad," Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo's YouTube channel. "Really impressed with the way he played. We know he plays spin well but I liked the way he played fast bowlers."Miandad, who played for Pakistan from 1975 to 1996, is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He scored over 16,000 international runs, including 8,832 in Tests at an average of 52.57.Manjrekar also praised Sarfaraz's game awareness, particularly towards the end of the day's play. "Towards the end of the day's play, he was looking to play defensively and wanting bad light when there was actually bright light," Manjrekar said. "I loved the way he was ducking to bouncers, just trying to play the day out so he has that game as well and that augurs well for India and Sarfaraz Khan for Australia because he has shown that element of batting as well."Sarfaraz stitched a 136-run partnership with Virat Kohli in the second innings, before the latter departed on the final ball of Day 3. India will resume their innings on Day 4 with Sarfaraz looking to convert his half-century into a century.

India's disappointing exit from the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup has raised concerns about the team's ability to compete at the highest level in the shortest format. Despite boasting a talented squad, India failed to live up to expectations, losing their opening match to New Zealand and ultimately failing to qualify for the knockout stages.Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes that the team's struggles stem from a lack of understanding of how to play T20 cricket effectively. "They still haven't been able to crack that code individually and collectively," she said. "Certain players, starting with Harmanpreet Kaur, know how to pace the innings, but I can't say the same for everyone else."Chopra also criticized the team's preparation for the tournament, suggesting that they were underprepared for the intensity of the competition. "When they played their first match against New Zealand, I thought they were a little underprepared and possibly they didn't expect New Zealand to come hard at them," she said.India's lack of a winning mentality was also a factor in their downfall, according to Chopra. "They never had the feel of a team who were there in the UAE to win the tournament," she said. "You can expect that also to happen because you've just lost the first game."Despite playing a series of T20 matches in the lead-up to the World Cup, India failed to address the mistakes that have plagued them in previous tournaments. "The same mistakes cannot happen again and again," said Chopra. "If the same mistake is happening, then definitely there is a miss in either the skill level or preparation or adaptation."Chopra believes that the team needs to identify and address these issues if they want to be successful in future T20 events. "Changing people and setups is not going to just solve it," she said. "We have everything in our country. BCCI provides us with everything in our country from preparation to games to whatever a player requires to become a world champion."

Kuldeep Yadav, India's left-arm wrist spinner, expressed optimism about the pitch's increasing turn and emphasized the importance of the batters building a substantial lead in the second innings to provide the spinners with an advantage.After the third day of the first Test, India trailed by 125 runs with a score of 231 for three. "The spinners were getting some assistance when we were bowling, and we hope to get more spin on Day 5," Kuldeep stated in the post-day press conference. "However, we need a good total to defend."Kuldeep acknowledged the need for a competitive target, given India's potent bowling attack. "We can't predict a specific total right now because we still have a lot of batting to do," he added.The spinner expressed confidence in Sarfaraz Khan, who was unbeaten on 70, to contribute significantly. "We witnessed his 200-run knock in the Irani Trophy," Kuldeep said. "We expect him to deliver another big score here. His technique is irrelevant as long as he keeps scoring runs."Kuldeep praised Rachin Ravindra's century for New Zealand. "He batted exceptionally well," he said. "I missed a few opportunities to dismiss him, but he's a talented player who has improved significantly in recent years."Regarding the Indian bowlers' strategy against the Ravindra-Southee partnership, Kuldeep explained, "My plan was to get them out by any means necessary. Southee was fortunate to survive some close calls, but he played well and contributed valuable runs. I focused on bowling good lengths."Kuldeep's three wickets in 18.3 overs helped restrict New Zealand to 402 in their first innings, giving India a 356-run lead.