Cricket

New Zealand has made history by securing their first-ever Test series victory in India. After seven decades of waiting, the Black Caps have finally triumphed in emphatic fashion, dominating the hosts for the second consecutive week.India's 12-year-long unbeaten series record at home has been shattered. The World Test Championship final spot is now in jeopardy, and the team faces a mountain of questions before heading to Mumbai for the Diwali Test.New Zealand's dominance began in the first Test in Bengaluru, where they won after 36 years. In the second Test in Pune, the Kiwis thrashed India by 113 runs, completing a comprehensive victory.This is the first Test series loss for India at home in 12 years. The team has won 18 consecutive Test series, a remarkable streak that has now come to an end.After winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand posted a competitive 259, thanks to half-centuries from Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65).India's response was feeble, as they were dismissed for a paltry 156. Mitchell Santner proved to be the nemesis for the Indian batsmen, claiming seven wickets in the first innings.New Zealand's captain, Tom Latham, led from the front in the second innings, scoring a brilliant 86 to take the team's lead past 300. Tom Blundell remained unbeaten on 30, ensuring a commanding position for the Kiwis.Washington Sundar, who replaced Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test, bowled superbly and took his career-best 7 for 59. Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed with three wickets.In the first Test at Bengaluru, Indian batsmen succumbed to New Zealand's pace bowling, posting their lowest total at home of 46. In the second Test, they fell prey to the guile of Mitchell Santner (7 for 53), who dismissed them for 156, giving New Zealand a crucial 103-run lead.In the second innings, New Zealand's Tom Latham played some brilliant shots to score 86. Tom Blundell (41) and Glenn Phillips (48 not out) contributed to give a massive lead of 358 for India. Chasing a target of 359, India were on the backfoot with the dismissal of their captain Rohit Sharma for just 8. But Yashasvi Jaiswal (77) and Shubman Gill (23) played positive cricket to lift Indian hopes. However, the quick dismissal of Jaiswal and Gill opened the gates for New Zealand bowlers, particularly Mitchell Santner.Mitchell Santner played a crucial role in New Zealand's second Test win. Santner took 13 wickets in this match and scored crucial runs in the first innings.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, commencing on November 22 in Perth. The squad features several notable inclusions and exclusions.Inclusions:* Abhimanyu Easwaran: The Bengal opener has been rewarded for his consistent performances in domestic cricket, becoming the third-choice opener behind Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.* Harshit Rana: The seamer has enjoyed an impressive year, starring in an IPL title and earning a Test call-up after being selected in the white-ball squads.* Nitish Rana: The Andhra Pradesh all-rounder has impressed in the T20 league and made his T20I debut against Bangladesh this month.Exclusions:* Mohammed Shami: The match-changing seamer has been ruled out due to a knee swelling, despite working tirelessly to recover from ankle surgery.* Kuldeep Yadav: The left-arm spinner has been referred to the BCCI Centre of Excellence to address his chronic left groin issue.Other Notable Selections:* Washington Sundar: The spin-bowling all-rounder has been included after taking seven wickets in the first innings against New Zealand in the ongoing second Test in Pune.* Prasidh Krishna: The Karnataka seamer returns to the Test squad after debuting in South Africa and impressing in India A's Duleep Trophy title win.Reserves:* Mukesh Kumar* Navdeep Saini* Khaleel AhmedThe Indian squad will travel with a well-stocked pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Akash Deep has maintained his spot after impressive performances against England and Bangladesh.

India has announced its squad for the upcoming five-Test tour of Australia, which commences on November 22. The squad features three uncapped players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.India's tour begins with a warm-up match against India A in Perth from November 15 to 17. The first Test against Australia will be held at Perth Stadium from November 22 to 26. The team will then travel to Canberra for a tour match against the Prime Minister's XI on November 30 and December 1.The second Test, a day-night fixture, will be played in Adelaide from December 6 to 10. The third Test will take place in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne starting December 26. The tour concludes with the New Year's Test in Sydney from January 3.India is the current holder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having won their previous two tours of Australia by a 2-1 margin. The team will be led by Rohit Sharma, with Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain.

India's Predicted XI for the Second Test Against New ZealandWith the second Test match against New Zealand approaching, the Indian team is facing a crucial decision regarding their playing XI. The return of Shubman Gill from injury has sparked speculation about potential changes to the lineup.Opening ConundrumRohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to retain their positions as openers, having performed well in the first Test. However, the question remains whether Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul will make way for Gill.Sarfaraz's Form vs Rahul's BackingSarfaraz Khan has been in exceptional form, scoring a brilliant 150 in the first Test. His performances have earned him praise and support from fans and experts alike. However, the management has shown unwavering support for KL Rahul despite his recent struggles.Gill's Return and Batting OrderWith Gill's return, it is likely that he will bat at No. 3, his preferred position. This could mean that either Sarfaraz or Rahul will miss out on selection. Considering Sarfaraz's form and the coaching staff's statements, it appears that both players may retain their positions.Middle Order and All-RounderVirat Kohli is expected to bat at No. 4, followed by Rishabh Pant at No. 5. KL Rahul is likely to bat at No. 6, with Washington Sundar replacing Ravichandran Ashwin as the all-rounder.Bowling AttackJasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to lead the pace attack, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja will continue to provide spin options.Predicted XIBased on the available information, India's predicted XI for the second Test against New Zealand is as follows:1. Rohit Sharma (captain)2. Yashasvi Jaiswal3. Virat Kohli4. Sarfaraz Khan5. Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)6. KL Rahul7. Ravindra Jadeja8. Washington Sundar9. Kuldeep Yadav10. Mohammed Siraj11. Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Siraj, India's fast bowler, has faced criticism for his recent performances. Despite his struggles, assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate defended Siraj, acknowledging his "wicket-drought" but emphasizing his quality bowling.Ten Doeschate praised Siraj's performance in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand, highlighting his ability to move the ball across left-handers. He attributed Siraj's lack of wickets to a temporary drought, expressing confidence in his recovery.Meanwhile, a selection battle is brewing between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan for the second Test. Ten Doeschate acknowledged the competition, noting Rahul's recent struggles and Sarfaraz's impressive performance in the previous Test.The team combination is also under scrutiny, with Washington Sundar added to the squad. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are aiming to overcome injury concerns for the match.Ten Doeschate emphasized the need to balance the team's strengths and weaknesses, considering the pitch conditions and the team's performance in the first Test. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back from the defeat in Bengaluru.

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has called for the inclusion of a prolific domestic run-scorer in the national team setup. In the wake of India's disastrous collapse to 46 all out in the first Test against New Zealand, Tiwary has questioned the place of KL Rahul in the side.Tiwary has pointed to the success of Sarfaraz Khan for India, who was promoted up the order and flourished at No. 4. He believes that Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has slammed four centuries in his last four first-class games, should be given a chance in the India playing XI.Tiwary highlighted Rahul's poor average in Test cricket, which stands at 33.98 after 91 innings. He argued that India has a pool of talented batters who are performing consistently in domestic cricket and deserve an opportunity."You need performances on a consistent basis, which should be checked in a 1:3 ratio," said Tiwary. "If you look at his (Easwaran's) numbers, there were hardly any innings in the last few matches he played where he did not score a century. So bring him in, and try him as a middle-order batter, given that he is in form. Why not?"Easwaran, who Tiwary has captained for Bengal, recently scored a stunning 191 for Rest of India against Mumbai in the Irani Cup 2024. He has also been a part of the India setup as a standby player.Tiwary believes that Easwaran's form and versatility make him a suitable candidate for the middle order. He suggested that the selectors should experiment with different combinations to find the best possible lineup."India has a lot of options, and they should try different players in different positions," said Tiwary. "If you are not getting the results, you need to change something. You can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results."

Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batsman, is a strong contender for a spot in the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. His impressive performances on the last two tours Down Under have made him a valuable asset for the Indian team.In the 2018-19 series, Pujara emerged as the leading run-getter with 521 runs off 1258 balls. His resilience and ability to wear down the opposition attack were crucial in India's success. Three years later, he once again played a pivotal role, accumulating 271 runs off 928 balls.Pujara's experience and ability to face a large number of deliveries could prove invaluable in the upcoming series. He has faced more balls than any other player in the two teams, tiring out the Australian bowlers comprising Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.Despite not playing for India since the World Test Championship final in June 2022, Pujara has maintained his form. In the recent Ranji Trophy round, he scored a mammoth 234 off 383 balls against Chattisgarh.While Pujara's inclusion seems likely, the selectors may also consider other options. Nitish Reddy, who impressed in the Bangladesh series, has been picked in the India A squad for the shadow tour of Australia. Shardul Thakur, with his experience and all-rounder abilities, could also be in contention.In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep are likely to be included in the Test squad. Avesh Khan and Yash Dayal are also in the mix, while Mohammed Shami's fitness remains a concern.The Indian team will be hoping to continue their dominance in Australia, having won the series on their last two tours. Pujara's experience and resilience could play a key role in their quest for another historic victory.

The Indian cricket team's impressive performance at the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup continued with a thrilling victory over Pakistan in the semi-final. Led by Tilak Varma, the team has showcased exceptional talent and determination throughout the tournament.In the crucial match against Pakistan, India's openers, Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh, provided a solid start, scoring 68 runs in the powerplay. However, Pakistan's left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem struck on his first ball, dismissing Abhishek. Muqeem's fiery send-off sparked controversy, drawing criticism from former Pakistan captain Basit Ali.Ali expressed his disappointment with Muqeem's behavior, stating that it was disrespectful and unbecoming of a young player. He emphasized the importance of teaching young players to respect their opponents and maintain a sportsmanlike spirit.Despite the setback, India fought back with resilience. Tilak Varma top-scored with 44 runs, while Prabhsimran Singh and Abhishek contributed crucial cameos. India posted a competitive total of 183 for 8 in 20 overs.In response, Pakistan fought valiantly, but India's bowlers proved too strong. Anshul Kamboj emerged as the top wicket-taker with three scalps, while Rasikh Dar Salam and Nishant Sindhu claimed two wickets each. India's remarkable comeback secured a well-deserved victory.The Indian team's success in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup is a testament to the depth of talent and the bright future of Indian cricket. The players have demonstrated their skills, determination, and ability to perform under pressure. As they continue their journey, they will undoubtedly face new challenges, but their talent and resilience will serve them well.

India's upcoming Test series against New Zealand serves as a crucial preparation for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. The five-match Test series in Australia, commencing on November 22, will pose significant challenges for the Indian team. However, Rohit Sharma and his squad remain confident, buoyed by India's previous victories in the BGT.Ahead of the eagerly awaited series, fans eagerly anticipate the return of star pacer Mohammed Shami. Shami's last international appearance was in the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia. Since then, he has undergone knee surgery and has been recovering.Earlier this month, reports emerged that Shami had suffered a knee swelling during a practice session, potentially jeopardizing his participation in the Tests against Australia. However, in a recent interview with NDTV, Shami confirmed that his knee is now fully recovered and he is eager to return to domestic cricket."I have repeatedly stated that I have not sustained any new injuries. There may be occasional setbacks, but it's unfair to blame anyone. Out of 365 days, one day can go wrong," Shami told NDTV."It's crucial to have faith in the team and our abilities. I hope to play at least one domestic match and be fully fit for the Australia series. That's my goal," he added.In a separate interview with ANI, Shami reflected on India's loss to Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final."We should have won the final. We shouldn't blame anyone or question anything. From a batting perspective, it's not that we didn't try to score runs," Shami told ANI."Our target was not limited. As bowlers, we gave our all. They had some luck on their side. We were almost unbeaten. We were determined to win. The entire nation supported us, but we fell short in the final. It wasn't our day," he added.