Cricket

Rohit Sharma Lauds Yashasvi Jaiswal's Rapid Adaptation to International CricketAhead of the highly anticipated Test series against New Zealand, India's skipper Rohit Sharma has heaped praise on young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal for his impressive transition to international cricket.Sharma, who leads India in both Tests and ODIs, expressed his admiration for Jaiswal's quick adjustment to the rigors of international competition. "I'm not surprised by how Yashasvi has adapted to international cricket," Sharma said. "He has immense talent and the ability to perform in all conditions. Despite his young age, he has shown remarkable composure and adaptability in different situations."The Indian captain highlighted Jaiswal's potential for greatness, stating, "It's crucial how he manages himself in the next couple of years. He has the potential to become a game-changer for the team. His success in domestic and Under-19 cricket, where he has consistently excelled, is a testament to his abilities. He has already showcased his capabilities in his short international career and has done exceptionally well."Sharma also emphasized the advantage of having a left-handed batter in the team. "Being a left-hander is a valuable asset for the team," he said. "He's an aggressive batsman who is always eager to learn and improve his game. His mindset is commendable, always striving to enhance his skills and not resting on his laurels. This attitude is a great foundation for him, and we have found a valuable player in Yashasvi."Expressing his optimism for Jaiswal's continued success, Sharma said, "Hopefully, he can continue to build on his impressive form and maintain his consistency. We have high hopes for him, and we believe he has the potential to make a significant contribution to Indian cricket."

Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed uncertainty over the availability of fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Shami has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup."It's difficult to make a call on him for the Australia series," Sharma said. "He had a setback and had swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit and had to start again. He's at the NCA with doctors and physios. We don't want to bring undercooked Shami to Australia. We are keeping our fingers crossed."Shami's absence would be a significant blow to India's bowling attack. The 32-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful fast bowlers in the country, with 216 wickets in 61 Tests.He has not played since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. He was included in the squad for India's two-Test tour of South Africa in December 2023, pending fitness approval. However, the BCCI medical team did not clear Shami for the tour, ruling him out of the matches.Shami's injury history is a concern for the Indian team. In 2015, he suffered a significant knee injury during the ODI World Cup in Australia. Nitin Patel, currently the head of the BCCI medical team, oversaw his recovery.The Indian team management will be hoping that Shami can recover in time for the Australia series. The first Test is scheduled to begin on February 9 in Nagpur.

India's historic two-wicket victory over Australia in 1964 remains etched in the annals of cricket as one of the most thrilling Test matches ever played. On October 15, 1964, at the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay, India pulled off an improbable triumph that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.The match was played on a freshly laid pitch that favored neither batsmen nor bowlers. Australia posted a respectable 320 in their first innings, but India responded with a gritty 341, setting the stage for a tense second innings.Australia's second innings collapsed for 274, leaving India with a daunting target of 254 to win. The Indian batting lineup faltered, losing six wickets for just 122 runs. However, captain MAK Pataudi and Vijay Manjrekar steadied the ship with an 83-run partnership.With Pataudi and Manjrekar dismissed in quick succession, the onus fell on Chandu Borde and wicketkeeper KS Indrajitsinhji to guide India home. Amidst mounting tension, Borde remained composed, scoring an unbeaten 30. Indrajitsinhji played a crucial role, stonewalling the Australian attack for 41 minutes and contributing a priceless 3.In the dying moments of the match, Borde drove an over-pitched delivery from Tom Veivers for four, securing India's historic victory. The crowd erupted in jubilation, hoisting Borde and Indrajitsinhji on their shoulders.The victory was a testament to India's collective spirit and determination. BS Chandrashekhar's eight wickets and Bapu Nadkarni's all-round contributions played a vital role. However, it was Borde and Indrajitsinhji who became the heroes of the day, etching their names in Indian cricket folklore.

Suryakumar Yadav, the charismatic Indian cricketer, has emerged as a beacon of leadership and sportsmanship. Since assuming the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, Surya has instilled a fresh and dynamic approach to the team's play.In the recently concluded T20I series against Bangladesh, Surya's leadership qualities shone brightly. After India's emphatic 3-0 series victory, Surya displayed a heartwarming gesture towards retiring Bangladesh star Mahmudullah. As Mahmudullah walked off the field after his final dismissal, Surya approached him, shook his hand, and embraced him, acknowledging his illustrious career.This act of sportsmanship resonated deeply with fans, showcasing Surya's humility and respect for his opponents. The video of Surya's gesture went viral on social media, earning widespread praise.Beyond his leadership, Surya has also emphasized the importance of versatility in T20 cricket. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he stressed the need for batters to be adaptable and flexible."We have to be flexible when it comes to batting and bowling. Bowlers who can have to chip in. Batters have to be flexible and their performances were commendable," Surya said.Surya's words reflect his own versatility as a player. He is renowned for his ability to play a wide range of shots and adapt to different situations. This adaptability has been crucial to India's success under his captaincy.As India continues to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Surya's leadership and vision will be vital. His ability to inspire his teammates, foster a positive team culture, and promote versatility will be key to India's chances of success on the global stage.

Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor accorded a grand welcome to Indian cricket star Sanju Samson upon his return to Kerala after his explosive maiden T20I century against Bangladesh.Samson's scintillating knock of 111 off just 47 balls powered India to a record total of 297/6, their highest-ever score in T20I history by a full-member ICC nation. His innings, featuring 11 fours and eight sixes, also earned him the distinction of hitting the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian, reaching the milestone in just 40 balls.This extraordinary performance helped India complete a 3-0 clean sweep of the series with a commanding 133-run victory in the final game on Saturday.Reflecting on his breakthrough performance, Samson expressed a mixture of relief and determination. "(I am) very happy that they (teammates) are happy I did well. It can get frustrating knowing what you can do out there, and I have also felt I can do much better,” he admitted during the post-match presentation.The Kerala-born cricketer also acknowledged the challenges of inconsistent form but emphasized the importance of staying focused. "Playing for your country, that pressure was there, but I wanted to perform and wanted to show. But I still kept it basic and wanted to take it by one ball (at a time),” Samson shared.Samson credited the team leadership for standing by him through ups and downs. “The leadership tells me they back me no matter what... not just in words but in actions also. Last series, I got two ducks and went back to Kerala thinking what will happen, but I'm here,” he said, grateful for the faith shown in him.Tharoor, in his social media post, celebrated Samson's homecoming and honored him with a "ponnada," a blue ceremonial shawl, in recognition of his achievements.Samson's maiden T20I century has not only cemented his place in the Indian team but has also inspired aspiring cricketers across the country. His journey from a small town in Kerala to the international stage is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering confidence in Virat Kohli, despite the star batter's recent struggles with form. Gambhir emphasized Kohli's unwavering commitment and hunger for the game, highlighting his consistent performances over a prolonged period."Virat is a world-class cricketer who has performed exceptionally well for a long time," Gambhir said. "His hunger to succeed remains as strong as when he first debuted."Gambhir believes that Kohli's ability to score consistently once he gets going will soon lead to a return to form. "That hunger is what makes him a world-class cricketer," Gambhir said. "I am confident that he will be eager to score runs in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia."Gambhir stressed the importance of supporting players throughout the season, rather than judging them based on individual performances. "Everyone has off days," he said. "We need to back our players and select the best playing 11, not drop anyone based on a single game."India is set to play eight Test matches in the near future, and Gambhir believes this period is crucial for the team's performance. "This is an opportunity for the team to perform well in a series of Test matches," he said. "I am confident that everyone is hungry and ready to deliver."India's squad for the three Tests against New Zealand includes Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep.New Zealand's squad includes Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, and Will Young.

Sarfaraz Khan's impressive Test debut against England earlier this year has not yet translated into a permanent spot in the Indian Test XI. Despite his double century for Mumbai in the Irani Cup, KL Rahul's crucial runs in the two Tests against Bangladesh have kept Sarfaraz on the sidelines.Former India cricketer and ex-selector Jatin Paranjape believes that Sarfaraz should remain patient and continue to perform. "There is nothing unfair about Sarfaraz's situation. He was playing because someone else was injured. The competition for batting spots is so intense that, unfortunately, someone will always miss out," Paranjape said.Paranjape also suggested that Sarfaraz could be taken to Australia as a reserve player for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. "I feel he might also be taken to Australia as a reserve player. But it's just one of those things—you can only play eleven players, and the best eleven get selected. It's not that he isn't good enough; it's just that there's a lot of competition for those spots right now," he added.India's squad for the three Tests against New Zealand includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep.The three-Test series against New Zealand begins in Bengaluru on October 16, followed by matches in Pune and Mumbai.

Sachin Tendulkar's Maiden Double Century: A Milestone in Indian Cricket HistorySachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian batsman, etched his name in the annals of cricket history with his six double centuries in Test cricket. Each of these innings showcased his exceptional skill, unwavering consistency, and ability to perform under pressure. However, it was his maiden double century that marked a significant turning point in his illustrious career.During New Zealand's tour of India in 1999, Tendulkar embarked on a remarkable journey that culminated in his first double hundred. In the third Test at Ahmedabad, the Indian captain led his team from the front, batting with unwavering determination. After the early dismissals of Devang Gandhi and Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar found an able partner in opener Sadagoppan Ramesh.Together, they stitched a solid partnership, with Ramesh reaching his century before Tendulkar. As the day progressed, Tendulkar's innings gained momentum, and he reached his maiden double century amidst thunderous applause from the Motera crowd. His 217-run knock, coupled with Sourav Ganguly's 125, propelled India to a formidable first-innings total of 583/7.New Zealand's response was valiant, but they were unable to match India's dominance. Anil Kumble's five-wicket haul restricted the visitors to 308 runs in their first innings. India declared their second innings at 148/5, setting New Zealand a challenging target of 424 runs.Despite a gritty performance from opener Gary Stead, New Zealand's hopes of victory were dashed by an unbroken 121-run stand between Craig Spearman and Stephen Fleming. The match ended in a draw, but India emerged victorious in the three-Test series with a 1-0 margin.Tendulkar's maiden double century was a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional batting prowess. It marked a significant milestone in his career, propelling him to even greater heights and inspiring generations of cricketers to come.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the dynamic Indian skipper, has etched her name alongside the legendary Mithali Raj as the joint-highest run-scorer for India in the Women's T20 World Cup. With an unbeaten 54-run knock against Australia in Sharjah, Kaur matched Raj's tally of 726 runs in the tournament's history.Kaur's milestone came in a crucial Group A encounter, but India's hopes of a semifinal berth suffered a setback with a 9-run defeat. Despite her valiant effort, Australia's fighting total of 151 proved too much for the Indian team.Kaur's consistent brilliance in high-pressure situations has made her an indispensable asset for India. Her ability to anchor innings and accelerate at will has earned her a reputation as one of the most formidable batters in women's cricket.Raj, the former India captain and a global icon, set the benchmark with her 726 runs, inspiring a generation of players. Her calm demeanor and technical prowess have left an enduring legacy on the sport.Following Kaur and Raj in the list of India's top run-getters in the Women's T20 World Cup are Smriti Mandhana (524 runs), Jemimah Rodrigues (407 runs), and Punam Raut (375 runs). These players have all played pivotal roles in India's rise in the T20 format.With India's qualification for the semifinals hanging in the balance, they will now rely on Pakistan to defeat New Zealand in their final group game. Kaur's leadership and the team's collective determination will be crucial in their quest to overcome this setback and secure a place in the last four.