Cricket

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper, has decided to extend his playing career for one more season, thanks to the persuasion of former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Saha had initially planned to retire after the 2022 season, but Ganguly convinced him to stay on and finish his career with Bengal.Saha, who has been battling injuries in recent years, will only play in the Ranji Trophy this season. He has made it clear that he will not be available for the white-ball leg of the domestic season.The 38-year-old Saha has had a distinguished career, playing 40 Tests for India and scoring over 1300 runs. He has also been a key member of the Indian team in limited-overs cricket.Saha's decision to continue playing has been welcomed by the Bengal Cricket Association (CAB). CAB president Avishek Dalmiya said, "We are delighted that Wriddhiman has decided to play for Bengal this season. He is a great asset to the team and his experience will be invaluable."Saha is also looking forward to mentoring the young wicketkeepers in the Bengal team. He said, "I want to share as much knowledge as I have in cricket. I've already started doing that at a couple of academies back home."Saha's decision to continue playing is a testament to his love for the game. He is a true warrior who has overcome many challenges in his career. He is an inspiration to all young cricketers who dream of playing at the highest level.

Former Indian cricket captain Anil Kumble has expressed his belief in the potential of three domestic players, Yash Dayal, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Ramandeep Singh, to represent the Indian cricket team. Kumble's endorsement comes as these players have impressed with their performances in domestic cricket.Kumble praised Yash Dayal's resilience and development as a left-arm seamer. He highlighted Dayal's ability to move the ball both ways and his impressive death-over bowling skills. Kumble believes that Dayal's strong comeback after conceding five sixes to Rinku Singh demonstrates his character and capabilities.Kumble also acknowledged Vyshak Vijaykumar's contributions to Karnataka's cricketing success. He described Vijaykumar as a talented player who has made a significant impact in domestic cricket. Kumble expressed surprise that Vijaykumar did not receive enough opportunities at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and hopes that he gets a chance to showcase his skills in South Africa.Kumble did not overlook Ramandeep Singh's dynamic playing style and impressive fielding skills. He praised Singh's ability to strike powerfully in the middle order and his exceptional fielding abilities. Kumble believes that Singh's all-round skills, including his occasional bowling, would be valuable at the international level.Kumble's endorsement of these players highlights their potential to contribute to the Indian cricket team. Their impressive domestic performances have caught the attention of the former captain, and they will be hoping to continue their good form and earn a place in the national side.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history as one of the most successful captains of all time. Known for his unwavering composure and astute tactical acumen, Dhoni led the Indian national cricket team to unprecedented heights, winning all three major ICC tournaments: the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.Dhoni's leadership style is characterized by his ability to remain calm under pressure, his keen understanding of the game, and his unwavering belief in his players. His ability to make quick decisions and adapt to changing circumstances has been instrumental in India's success on the international stage.Beyond his cricketing prowess, Dhoni has also garnered immense respect from fans and opponents alike for his humble demeanor and sportsmanlike conduct. Despite the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan, Dhoni's calm demeanor and respectful attitude towards opponents have won over fans across borders.One such Pakistani cricketer who is a fervent admirer of Dhoni is Sajid Khan, the spinner who played a pivotal role in Pakistan's recent Test series victory against England. In a viral video, Khan expressed his admiration for Dhoni, stating, "The best captain is MS Dhoni, he is very cool and calm, and a successful captain too."Khan's admiration for Dhoni is a testament to the latter's enduring legacy as a cricketing icon. Dhoni's ability to inspire and motivate his players, coupled with his tactical brilliance, has made him a role model for aspiring cricketers around the world.

India's Test Performances at the WACA and Perth StadiumThe WACA Ground in Perth, Australia, is renowned for its fast and bouncy pitches, posing a formidable challenge for visiting batsmen. Indian batsmen, accustomed to slower and lower pitches at home, have faced significant hurdles at the WACA.India's first Test at the WACA in 1977 ended in a narrow two-wicket defeat. Despite Chetan Chauhan's 88 and Mohinder Amarnath's 90 in the first innings, Australia's Tony Mann and Peter Toohey guided their team to victory.In 1992, a young Sachin Tendulkar etched his name in history with a magnificent century at the WACA. Facing a formidable Australian bowling attack, Tendulkar's innings showcased his exceptional talent and resilience. However, India lost the match by 300 runs.India's first Test victory at the WACA came in 2008. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar laid the foundation with solid knocks, while Ishant Sharma and RP Singh bowled superbly to restrict Australia. VVS Laxman's 79 in the second innings set up a challenging target, which Australia failed to chase down.In 2012, India suffered a heavy defeat by an innings and 37 runs at the WACA. Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle wreaked havoc with the ball, dismissing India twice for under 200 runs.In 2018, the first Test at the new Perth Stadium resulted in a 146-run defeat for India. Despite Virat Kohli's century, Australia's Nathan Lyon and Mohammed Shami's six-wicket haul proved too much for the visitors.

Former Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh has played a pivotal role in the development of young all-rounder Abhishek Sharma, who is now set to make his mark on the international stage.Sharma, who hails from Punjab, has been mentored by a galaxy of cricketing greats, including Yuvraj, Brian Lara, and Rahul Dravid. His father, Raj Kumar Sharma, is also a respected cricket coach.Yuvraj, who is Sharma's boyhood hero, spotted his potential during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided him with valuable guidance. The former left-handed batsman heaped praise on Sharma after he scored a century in Zimbabwe in July 2022.Sharma's impressive performances in domestic tournaments and the Indian Premier League (IPL) earned him a call-up to the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.Ahead of the series, Sharma expressed his excitement about playing at Kingsmead, Durban, where Yuvraj had famously smashed six sixes off England's Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup."I have come here for the first time, but when I saw it (the ground) on TV and now that I am here, it's like a dream come true," Sharma said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)."I was inspired by Yuvraj Singh's six sixes in 2007. The first day when I came here I was trying to figure out from what end to which end he had hit the sixes. He had sixes all over the ground, it's a great memory."Sharma recalled watching the historic moment with his family and celebrating India's victory with his entire neighborhood. He expressed his gratitude to Yuvraj for inspiring him and vowed to make him proud.The South Africa tour was not originally part of India's schedule but was arranged following discussions between the BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The T20I series will be played across four venues: Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg, with matches scheduled for November 8, 10, 13, and 15.

Former Pakistan cricket star Basit Ali has drawn parallels between the expectations placed on Babar Azam by Pakistani fans and the demands Indian supporters have for Virat Kohli. Ali believes that despite Babar's promising performance in the first ODI against Australia, where he scored 37 runs, Pakistani fans will always expect more from their star batsman."Babar Azam looked in good form today. His way of playing was top-class. Unfortunately, he played Adam Zampa off the back foot on a ball that he should have played on the front foot. His foot movement and how hungry he was for runs were good signs," Ali said in a YouTube analysis.However, Ali emphasized that Pakistani fans will not be satisfied with a mere 37-run knock from Babar. "Our people won't be happy with 37 runs, they want Babar to score 137. Similarly, the Indian fans aren't satisfied with Virat Kohli's 70-run knock, they want 170 from him. So, this is the case with a big player that there's no value if he scores a 50," Ali explained.Meanwhile, Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf acknowledged that his team made mistakes in their opening ODI against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Despite a strong start from Australia, Pakistan fought back with wickets from Rauf and Shaheen Afridi. However, Australia ultimately secured a narrow 2-wicket victory."We were all trying our best, whether in the field or with the ball. We had a plan to bowl short from my end. We had success; we took a few wickets this way," Rauf said.Pakistan's loss marks Australia's 27th victory in 28 completed matches at home across all formats. The second ODI of the three-match series will be played on Thursday, January 12, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Indian cricket team's dismal performance in the recent home Test series against New Zealand has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the team's preparation and strategy. The 3-0 whitewash marks the first time in Indian cricket history that the team has been clean-swept in a three-Test series at home.Former BCCI selector and ex-India player Sunil Joshi believes that the onus for the team's poor showing lies with the players rather than the cricket board. "The onus and responsibility lies more with the players, than the BCCI or the selection committee," Joshi told Times of India.Joshi emphasized the importance of individual responsibility and preparation, particularly in transitioning from white-ball cricket to the red-ball format. He urged players to take the initiative to participate in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy to gain match readiness for international Test matches."You know that you are going to play three Test matches, it's going to be on turners, or it's going to be on slow wickets. So from white-ball format, (there's need to) go back to Ranji Trophy and play (in order to get match-ready for the red-ball international season)," Joshi said.He also highlighted the significance of home advantage in Test cricket. "Think it's not easy when you lose a series. I am sure even the team management feels the same...If you want to win WTC or you want to be in the WTC final, or you want to be the number one Test team, we have to play well in India. For that, our preparations, the Ranji Trophy becomes a primary goal (tournament)," Joshi said.Joshi's comments echo the concerns raised by other former cricketers, who have criticized the team's lack of preparation and the BCCI's handling of the situation. The Indian team's road to the World Test Championship final has become increasingly challenging after the series loss, and the team will need to address these issues to regain their form and secure a place in the final.

Agni Chopra, the son of renowned Bollywood filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, has emerged as a rising star in the Indian cricket scene. With an exceptional First-Class average of 99.06, Agni has garnered immense attention and admiration.Since his debut for Mizoram in the Ranji Trophy Plate league earlier this year, Agni has amassed 1585 runs in just nine games, including eight fifties and four centuries. His remarkable consistency has propelled him to the forefront of Indian cricket.Agni attributes his success to an unwavering hunger and a relentless focus on avoiding dismissals. He has also dedicated himself to improving his fitness, which has enabled him to sustain his impressive run-scoring form.Despite his dominance in the Plate League, Agni harbors aspirations of playing in the Elite League with Mizoram. He believes that this would provide him with the opportunity to face top-level bowlers and further enhance his skills.Agni's ultimate goal is to represent India at the international level. He recognizes that this requires consistent performances and a willingness to play in the Elite division of the Ranji Trophy.As the son of famous parents, Agni has faced scrutiny and comparisons. However, he remains unfazed and relies on a close circle of trusted individuals for guidance and support.Agni's impressive performances have not gone unnoticed. He was disappointed to miss out on the IPL auction last year, but he remains hopeful of securing a contract in the upcoming mega auction.Agni's journey is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities. As he continues to pile up runs and chase his dreams, Agni Chopra is poised to become a force to be reckoned with in Indian cricket.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket icon, celebrated his 36th birthday on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. From his early days as a prodigious young player who led India to victory in the ICC U19 World Cup in 2008, Kohli has established himself as a beacon of consistency, dedication, and excellence in the sport.Kohli's unwavering commitment to fitness, hard work, and aggression has earned him a global fan base. His brand has become synonymous with cricket, and the ICC often utilizes it to promote the sport in new territories.On his birthday, Kohli received well wishes from around the world, including from Italian football player Agata Isabella Centasso. However, some social media users responded to her post with negativity.Centasso, who plays in Serie B, has expressed her admiration for India and often posts about the country. In her birthday message to Kohli, she wrote, "@imVkohli, happy birthday from a fan in Italy. All the best to you."Despite her genuine admiration, Centasso faced unwarranted criticism from some users. In response, she expressed her frustration, stating, "Every time I post something about Virat Kohli or cricket, there's always someone bringing negativity. I honestly don't understand why."Kohli's remarkable career has seen him lead India to numerous victories and spearhead some of the sport's most memorable run-chases. He has evolved from a talented stroke player to a statistical marvel, captivating fans with his exceptional numbers.As a symbol of modern Indian cricket, Kohli embodies aggression, resilience, and technical brilliance. His trophy-laden career has elevated the sport to new heights, reaching audiences in places previously untouched by cricket.Since his international debut in 2008, Kohli has represented India in 118 Test matches, amassing 9,040 runs at an impressive average of 47.83. His tally includes 29 centuries and 31 fifties, with a highest score of 254*. He ranks fourth among India's highest run-getters and century-makers in Tests.