Cricket

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20 internationals has paved the way for emerging talents like Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson to shine. In India's recent tour of South Africa, the duo showcased their exceptional batting prowess, leading the team to a 3-1 series victory.Tilak Varma emerged as a standout performer, scoring two consecutive centuries in the four-match series. His unbeaten 120 off just 47 balls in the fourth match was a testament to his aggressive and fearless approach. Varma's knock included 10 sixes and 9 fours, making him only the fifth batsman in T20I history to achieve the feat of back-to-back centuries.Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson also played a crucial role in India's success. Opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma, Samson hammered an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls, including 6 fours and 9 sixes. The Varma-Samson pair added an impressive 210 runs in their undefeated second-wicket partnership, marking the first instance of two batsmen making centuries in the same T20I contest between two Full Member teams.Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif expressed his admiration for the duo's performances, stating that even Kohli and Rohit would have been impressed. "Two players will be the happiest: one is Virat Kohli and the other Rohit Sharma," said Kaif. "Even they would not have imagined that when they retire (from T20Is), we will get players who will take India forward in such fashion, with such powerful batting."Kaif praised Varma's ability to repay skipper Suryakumar Yadav's trust by delivering at the crucial number three position. He also lauded Samson's consistency, noting that he either scores a zero or a hundred.India's victory was a collective effort, with all six bowlers used by captain Suryakumar Yadav contributing to the Proteas' dismissal. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh led the charts with his spell of 3 for 20, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets apiece.The performance of Varma and Samson has given Indian cricket fans hope for the future, proving that the team has the talent to continue its success even after the departure of its legendary batsmen.

India's dominance in the fourth and final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg was a testament to their all-round brilliance. The visitors clinched the series 3-1 with a resounding 135-run victory, showcasing their prowess in both batting and bowling.Chasing a mammoth 284-run target, South Africa's hopes were shattered by the brilliance of pacer Arshdeep Singh. His devastating spell reduced the hosts to a disastrous 10/4 within just three overs, effectively ending the contest early. Singh's ability to swing the ball both ways proved too much for the South African batsmen, dismissing Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen in quick succession.David Miller and Tristan Stubbs attempted to salvage the innings with an 86-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi. Stubbs fell off the very next ball after Miller's dismissal, and South Africa were eventually bowled out in the 19th over. Marco Jansen's late hitting provided some consolation, but it was too little, too late.Earlier, India had set a commanding 283/1, their highest-ever T20I score overseas and the highest by any team on South African soil. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma were the architects of this record-breaking total, combining for a 210-run partnership for the second wicket.Samson, who had already struck a century in the first game, once again showcased his precision and elegance, scoring 109* off 56 balls. Varma, batting at number three, continued his sensational form with a muscular 120* off 47 balls. The duo's centuries marked a rare feat in T20I cricket, with two Indian batters reaching the milestone in the same innings.Abhishek Sharma also played a crucial role, setting the tone in the Powerplay with four huge sixes. On a flat track offering true bounce, the Indian batsmen were in full flow, hammering a record 23 sixes. Samson's nine maximums were just one shy of Varma's 10.India's comprehensive victory in the fourth T20I was a fitting end to a successful series. Their all-round performance, led by the brilliance of Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma, proved too much for South Africa to handle.

In a historic display of batting prowess, India shattered records and left South Africa's bowlers bewildered in the fourth and final T20I at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma etched their names in the annals of cricket history, becoming the first pair to score centuries in the same T20I innings.Samson, known for his audacious strokeplay, unleashed a whirlwind knock of 109* off just 56 deliveries, peppering the boundaries with 6 fours and 9 towering sixes. Varma, the young prodigy, matched Samson's brilliance with a stunning 120* off a mere 47 balls, smashing 9 fours and 10 sixes.India's batting onslaught propelled them to a mammoth 283/1, the highest total ever recorded in a T20I between two Full Member sides. The previous record of 297/6, set by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, was shattered by this extraordinary performance.The partnership between Samson and Varma was equally remarkable, reaching a staggering 210* runs. This became the highest partnership for any wicket for India and the highest partnership for any wicket against South Africa in a T20I. It also stands as the highest partnership for the second wicket or below in all T20Is.India's batting fireworks extended to the six-hitting department, as they smashed a record 23 sixes. This surpassed the previous best of 22 sixes, which had been achieved by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, by West Indies against South Africa in Centurion in 2023, and by Afghanistan against Ireland in Dehradun in 2019.Samson's century was his third in T20Is in 2024, making him the first player ever to achieve this feat in a calendar year. He has now been involved in three 170+ T20I partnerships, the most for any batter.India also set a new record for the fewest overs taken to reach 200 runs in a T20I, achieving the milestone in just 14.1 overs. This surpassed the previous best of 13.5 overs, set by South Africa against West Indies in Centurion in 2023, and 13.6 overs, set by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.

Australia's Travis Head has sparked a friendly rivalry ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) by playfully assessing the attractiveness and cricketing prowess of India's players.When asked about the hottest Indian player, Head毫不犹豫地选择了印度队长Rohit Sharma。Head赞扬了Rohit的风格和能力，称他无论在场上还是场下都是完美的组合。"我认为他并不是那么英俊。也许[他需要做一些工作]。我认为有更性感的。我喜欢Rohit的工作，我很喜欢他的爸爸形象，我认为他在他们所有人中是最有风格的。他站在最前面，接受挑战，在比赛中双步走。两者[身体吸引力和板球技巧]，"Head在7 Cricket上说道。"我认为人们会[觉得他很有吸引力]。是的，我只是喜欢他做事的方式，是的，在棚子里。我很满意，我很满意他的设置。Jasprit，需要做一些工作。也许，在测试比赛之后[你传达了这一点]，"他补充道。备受期待的印度和澳大利亚之间的边境-加瓦斯卡奖杯将于11月22日拉开帷幕，第一场测试赛将在珀斯举行。第二场测试赛采用日夜赛形式，将于12月6日至10日在阿德莱德椭圆球场举行。随后，球迷们将把注意力转向12月14日至18日在布里斯班举行的第三场测试赛。传统的Boxing Day测试赛将于12月26日至30日在墨尔本标志性的墨尔本板球场举行，标志着该系列赛的倒数第二阶段。第五场也是最后一场测试赛将于1月3日至7日在悉尼板球场举行，为备受期待的系列赛带来激动人心的高潮。

India, with an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match T20I series against South Africa, is poised to secure a historic series victory. The Proteas, despite being unable to win the series, will aim to salvage a 2-2 draw.For the fourth and final match, India may consider handing debuts to pacers Vijakumar Vyshak and Yash Dayal. All-rounder Ramandeep Singh made his T20I debut in the third match, and the management may opt to give more players their first caps.India has utilized 12 of its 15 players in the series, and it remains to be seen if either Dayal or Vyshak will be given a chance to showcase their skills. Sanju Samson, who has struggled against Marco Jansen in recent matches, will be eager to break out of his slump.Skipper Surya Kumar Yadav may consider using Ramandeep Singh's medium pace in the final game, as he offers versatility and can field anywhere except as a wicketkeeper.Centuries from Samson and Tilak Varma have been crucial for India's success in the series, but the team will need a more collective batting effort to clinch a 3-1 victory.The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg has been a favorable venue for India, where they won the 2007 T20 World Cup final. Yadav, who has an impressive victory percentage of 81.25 as captain, will aim to improve upon the 1-1 draw in the previous series in South Africa.

The ongoing feud between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has taken a new turn, with ex-cricketer Brad Haddin revealing the backstory behind the war of words.The conflict began when Gambhir responded to Ponting's comments on Virat Kohli's form, urging him to focus on Australian cricket. Ponting retorted by calling Gambhir a "prickly character."Haddin, who played under Ponting at Delhi Capitals in 2018, hinted at a deeper reason for the animosity. "Gambhir is a character that would use this as an us versus them mentality," he said. "His reaction was prickly, and you don't need your coach to get caught up in that sort of scenario unless his tactic is to build an us versus them."Haddin teased a forthcoming revelation about the backstory between Gambhir and Ponting. "I know what the backstory is. I'll tell you; just wait till later of the week. There was a little elbow, suspensions, and fines," he said.Haddin compared Gambhir's approach to that of Australian rugby coach Wayne Bennett, who often takes the spotlight to deflect pressure from his team. "It's out of the Wayne Bennett style of coaching," he said. "We're not talking about Rohit Sharma or Kohli now. We're talking about Gambhir and Ricky. He has bitten back, taken the pressure away from his team."While acknowledging Gambhir's "prickly" nature, Haddin questioned whether he was intentionally creating a distraction for his team, which is under pressure after losing the series to New Zealand. "Is he doing this now to take it away from his teammates?" he asked. "If it's an emotional reaction, then there's a problem. But if he's doing it to deflect things away and take it [attention] away from his team, that's a different thing."

India's stand-in head coach V.V.S. Laxman has praised his team's fearless approach in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. India currently leads the four-match series 2-1, with the final match scheduled to be played later today at the Wanderers.Laxman believes that the team's fearless attitude has been a key factor in their success. "What we have seen in these three matches is the fearless approach of this team," he said during a reception hosted for the Indian team in Johannesburg.Laxman also emphasized the importance of entertaining the fans along with winning matches. "During any tours to any foreign country, we play and try to entertain the crowd. And we always feel that we are playing at home," he said.The Indian team has received tremendous support from the Indian community in South Africa. Laxman acknowledged this support, saying, "The reason for that is all the wonderful fans of the Indian cricket team – the diaspora of India who settled down in various countries but still love the Indian team and the Indian cricketers."Skipper Suryakumar Yadav echoed Laxman's sentiments, saying, "It's always good to meet the Indian community when we come away from home. It makes us feel like we are at home."Indian Consul General Mahesh Kumar highlighted the long-standing cricket relations between India and South Africa, dating back over a century. He expressed hope that the two countries would continue to collaborate in the future.Chairman of Cricket South Africa Pearl Maphoshe made a plea for the Indian squad to return to South Africa in 2025. "We cannot have enough of Indian teams in South Africa. We really love you," he said.

Former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian has predicted a resounding victory for the hosts in the upcoming first Test against India, scheduled to commence on November 22 in Perth. Julian's bold prediction stems from India's recent struggles, particularly their humiliating defeat at the hands of New Zealand earlier this month.Julian believes that India's captaincy woes, with Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first Test due to personal reasons, could further hinder their chances. He suggests that Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to lead the team in Sharma's absence, may face additional pressure that could impact his bowling performance."The Aussies will clean up India in 4 days," Julian asserted. "There are worrying signs for India, straight at the top. Rohit Sharma is not playing the first Test; he has come out and said that. So Jasprit Bumrah will captain the side. Now that's a lot of pressure when you're the opening bowler. He is a wonderful bowler; no doubt about that. But all of a sudden when you're opening the bowling and captaining the side, that's a whole different ball game."Julian also expressed concerns about Virat Kohli's form, suggesting that the star batter is not in sync with Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. "The way that Virat Kohli got out against New Zealand - for him to get out like that in that Test series was unbelievable. Kohli is not at his best. He is not gelling with the captain probably and the coach but having said that, he can quickly turn it around. But if they start pulling in Perth, I reckon it'll be all over," he added.Kohli's presence in Australia has always generated significant buzz, but this series holds immense importance for him. It is viewed as a make-or-break phase in his illustrious career, with the former Indian captain under pressure to regain his form and secure his spot in the Test team amid a potential transition phase.Kohli's current form is a cause for concern. In 19 international matches this year, the 80-time centurion has managed to score only 488 runs at an average of 20.33, with just two half-centuries in 25 innings and a highest score of 76. His struggles in Test cricket have been particularly troubling, given his past dominance in the format.

KL Rahul's Injury Woes Continue Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy OpenerIndian star batter KL Rahul's participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) opener against Australia is in doubt after he was forced to retire hurt during an intra-squad match simulation at the WACA.Rahul was struck by a rising delivery and was seen leaving the ground in discomfort, escorted by a physio. The incident has raised concerns about his fitness and form, which have been under scrutiny in recent times.The first Test of the BGT begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rahul is a candidate to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening Test, with skipper Rohit Sharma likely to be unavailable due to the impending birth of his second child.Rahul's recent performances have been underwhelming. In the home series against New Zealand, he was dismissed for scores of 0 and 12 in his only Test appearance, leading to his exclusion from the next two Tests. His struggles continued in a recent India A game against Australia A, where he scored only 4 and 10.The pressure is mounting on Rahul to regain his form as India looks to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the challenging Australian conditions. India are aiming for their third consecutive Test series victory in Australia, a feat that would cement their status as one of the world's leading Test teams.Rahul's injury is a setback for India, who are already dealing with the absence of several key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami. The team management will be hoping that Rahul recovers in time for the first Test, but his participation remains uncertain at this stage.