Cricket

In the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand, India's performance was largely underwhelming. However, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant emerged as a beacon of hope, showcasing his fearless batting style. Despite the Indian team's struggles, Pant's solo efforts kept India in contention for a consolation win in the third and final Test at the Wankhede stadium.Pant's valiant performance did not go unnoticed, earning him praise from both Indian and New Zealand cricketing circles. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel acknowledged the fear that Pant instilled in the opposition. "When Rishabh Pant is in the crease, everyone is scared," Patel stated.Patel revealed that the New Zealand team had specifically targeted Pant, recognizing his ability to play fearlessly and dictate the game. "He doesn't fear when in the middle. He plays his game, no matter what. His philosophy is till the time you are on the crease, you do what you want to, if you get out, no problem," Patel said.Patel also commented on India's upcoming tour of Australia, where the two teams will face off in a five-match Test series. He emphasized the importance of self-belief and a positive mindset for India to succeed Down Under. "Conditions in Australia would be different. If you take this series into Australia, there would not be any benefit. You need to start with a new mindset. You have the some of the best players, some of whom have even played in Australia. There would be pressure but wins and losses are part of the game," Patel said."The important thing is to keep the trust and belief alive. You need to learn to focus on what's next in line and move on from what has happened," he added.

The India vs New Zealand Test series concluded with a resounding 3-0 sweep in favor of the visitors, largely due to the exceptional bowling performance of Ajaz Patel. The Kiwi spinner emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series, claiming an astonishing 15 wickets in three matches, including a remarkable 11-wicket haul at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Despite Patel's impressive tally, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has dismissed the spinner's quality, claiming that India has bowlers of his caliber in every club. Kaif criticized the Indian team for allowing Patel to take so many wickets, attributing it to poor batting rather than exceptional bowling."Ajaz Patel didn't bowl well," Kaif said in a social media video. "If you look at his pitch map, he bowled two full-tosses, two short balls, and two length deliveries but still managed to take wickets."Kaif also ridiculed New Zealand's part-time spinner Glenn Phillips, who claimed four wickets in the Mumbai Test. "Glenn Phillips is a part-timer and he doesn't know how to bowl good deliveries," Kaif said. "We lost to part-timers and not to quality spinners."The only New Zealand spinner who earned Kaif's praise was Mitchell Santner, who took 11 wickets in the Pune Test before being ruled out of the final match due to injury. "Santner did bowl well," Kaif said. "The bowling he produced in Pune was a classic Test match performance."Kaif's comments have sparked debate among cricket fans and experts. Some have questioned his assessment of Patel's bowling, while others have agreed with his criticism of the Indian batting. Regardless of the differing opinions, Patel's performance in the series has undoubtedly been a major factor in New Zealand's dominant victory.

Team India's batting woes continued in the second innings of the Wankhede Test, as New Zealand's spinners wreaked havoc, leaving India reeling at 29/5 in their pursuit of 147 runs. The Indian stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, failed to deliver once again, falling prey to the guile of the Kiwi spinners.Rohit Sharma's reckless shot against Matt Henry drew criticism from commentator Harsha Bhogle, who questioned the Indian skipper's approach. "Trying to get my head round Rohit Sharma's approach. Struggling. That was a wicket on a platter and ends a disappointing home season for him with 133 in 10 innings," Bhogle tweeted.Kohli, who has struggled throughout the series, managed just a single run before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel. Bhogle highlighted the poor form of both Kohli and Rohit, stating, "Kohli 192 in 10 innings. Rohit 133. It has been a forgettable home season for the big two."India's batting has been a major concern throughout the series, with Rohit and Kohli failing to provide the necessary contributions. Their underwhelming performances have played a significant role in India's first Test series loss at home since 2012.The Indian team now faces an uphill task to salvage a draw in the Wankhede Test. With the spinners dominating, India's batsmen will need to show resilience and patience to navigate the challenging conditions.

Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional bowling performance in the third and final Test against New Zealand at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history. The all-rounder claimed five wickets in both innings, completing a remarkable 10-wicket haul (10/120) and becoming only the second Indian to achieve this feat against the Kiwis.Jadeja's first-innings five-fer gave India a crucial early advantage, dismissing New Zealand for a mere 162 runs. His relentless pressure continued in the second innings, as he picked up another five wickets to dismantle the opposition's batting lineup. This is the first time in his career that Jadeja has taken a five-wicket haul in both innings of a Test match.Jadeja's performance is a testament to his exceptional skill and consistency. He has now joined an elite group of Indian bowlers with multiple 10-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Here's the updated list:1. Anil Kumble – 82. R. Ashwin – 8*3. Harbhajan Singh – 54. Ravindra Jadeja – 3*5. Kapil Dev – 26. Irfan Pathan – 2Jadeja's second-innings performance maintained relentless pressure on the New Zealand lineup, forcing them to follow-on. India eventually won the match by an innings and 266 runs, completing a 3-0 series sweep.Jadeja's 10-wicket haul is a fitting tribute to his all-round abilities. He has emerged as one of the most valuable players in the Indian team, contributing with both bat and ball. His performance in this series has further cemented his status as one of the world's leading all-rounders.

India's Spin Duo Dominates Day 1 of Mumbai Test, But Sundar's No-Balls Disappoint GavaskarThe opening day of the Mumbai Test between India and New Zealand witnessed a dominant performance from India's spin duo, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. The pair combined to claim nine wickets, bowling out the Kiwis for 235 runs.While Sundar continued his impressive form from the Pune Test, one aspect of his bowling left legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar visibly frustrated. During commentary, former India coach Ravi Shastri revealed that Gavaskar had smashed his plate in anger after witnessing Sundar repeatedly bowl no-balls."Sunil Gavaskar was having lunch. He smashed the plate on the wall," Shastri said on-air. "Thank god he's not fielding in the slip. Washington would have been close to Washington DC."No-balls are an uncommon occurrence for spinners, and Sundar's repeated overstepping drew criticism from former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith. "Oh dear. Another no-ball. Where is Sunny G? He is going to run after them with a mic in hand," Smith quipped.Gavaskar himself joined in the banter, saying, "Yeah, don't worry. I have my running shoes on. But on a serious note, it's something that needs to be looked at.""With a fast bowler, it is understandable, that the momentum of the body can sometimes take your foot over the line. But spinners? Players keep saying that there are things that are not under our control. Well, this is one thing under control, so might as well, be cautious," he added.Despite Sundar's no-ball issue, Jadeja and Sundar's combined efforts put India in a strong position with the ball. However, the Indian batting unit once again faltered, losing four wickets before stumps, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and nightwatchman Mohammed Siraj.

Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concerns about India's chase of around 150 runs on a Wankhede wicket that has been behaving differently at both ends. New Zealand ended the second day of the second Test with an overall lead of 143, which former India captain Anil Kumble believes is a challenging target given the nature of the pitch.Ashwin acknowledged that the track is not a typical Mumbai surface, with low bounce and a slower pace. "Expected a lot more bounce. It has been quite slow which is a surprise. It's not a typical Bombay pitch, much slower," he said.To counter the unusual conditions, Ashwin employed the carrom ball, a delivery bowled with a flick of two fingers that turns the other way round. This variation proved effective, as it dismissed Glenn Phillips, who failed to read Ashwin's hand."The game itself is divided into two halves. The one from the pavilion end and from the other end, it's slightly behaving differently. It's slightly flatter from the one where we are bowling from the dressing room side, the bounce is much lesser. So I thought I will try and use it the other way," Ashwin explained.Ashwin also showcased his fielding prowess with a brilliant catch running 19 meters sideways to pouch in-form Daryl Mitchell. "For all the flak you've given me overs the years, I don't think I've dropped many. I have got great hands and I trusted it," he said.Despite the challenging conditions, Ashwin remains confident in India's ability to chase down the target. "Any runs saved in this innings is going to be much more critical. It's not going to be easy, we'll have to bat really well," he said.

Ravichandran Ashwin's fielding brilliance was on full display on Day 2 of the third and final India-New Zealand Test in Mumbai, as he pulled off a stunning sideways running catch to dismiss the dangerous Daryl Mitchell.Mitchell, who had been a thorn in India's side throughout the series, came down the track to loft Ravindra Jadeja, but couldn't get to the pitch of the ball as it came off the bottom part of the bat. Positioned at mid-off, Ashwin had to cover considerable ground as Mitchell lofted the ball high, aiming for a boundary.Sprinting at full tilt, Ashwin, who kept his eyes locked on the ball, ran back from mid-off, turned sideways to stay side-on and finally extended his hands to complete a stunning diving catch. The crowd erupted as he rose, clutching the ball triumphantly. It was a display of athleticism and commitment, and Mitchell, left in disbelief, had to walk back to the pavilion.The wicket was very crucial for India as it broke a crucial 50-run fourth-wicket partnership between Mitchell and Will Young after NZ lost three early wickets at the score of 44 in their second essay.Ashwin's catch was not only a highlight of the day's play but also a testament to his all-round abilities. The off-spinner has been one of India's most consistent performers in recent years, and his fielding has only improved with time.Mitchell's dismissal was a major setback for New Zealand, who were looking to build a solid foundation in their second innings. The Black Caps had lost three early wickets, including that of captain Kane Williamson, and were in danger of being bowled out cheaply.However, Young and Mitchell had steadied the ship with a solid partnership, and New Zealand were starting to look comfortable. Ashwin's catch, however, put a halt to their progress and gave India the upper hand in the match.

Rishabh Pant Blazes to Record-Breaking Test Fifty Against New ZealandIndian star batter Rishabh Pant etched his name into the record books on Saturday, smashing the fastest Test fifty by an Indian against New Zealand. On Day 2 of the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Pant reached his half-century in a blistering 36 balls, eclipsing Yashasvi Jaiswal's previous mark of 41 balls set in the Pune Test.Pant's whirlwind innings came at a crucial juncture for India, who had suffered a mini-collapse late on Day 1. Joining Shubman Gill at the crease, Pant played with characteristic aggression, helping India recover from the loss of key wickets, including Virat Kohli and Jaiswal.The left-hander's quickfire 60, adorned with eight boundaries and two towering sixes, shifted the momentum back in India's favor. Pant's fearless approach kept the New Zealand bowlers on their toes, forcing them to adjust their tactics.However, Pant's luck ran out when he was trapped lbw by Ish Sodhi. Despite his dismissal, Pant's 60 off 59 balls, including two sixes and eight fours, left an indelible mark on India's innings.Pant's record-breaking fifty is a testament to his exceptional talent and ability to play match-winning knocks under pressure. It also highlights the growing maturity and consistency of the young Indian batter, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in world cricket.

India's batting woes continued on the opening day of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, as they slumped to 86 for four at the close of play. The hosts, already trailing 0-2 in the series, had earlier bowled out the visitors for 235, thanks to impressive performances from Ravindra Jadeja (5/65) and Washington Sundar (4/81).However, India's batting collapsed in the final 20 minutes of the day, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma all falling cheaply. Jaiswal was dismissed for 18, attempting an extravagant reverse slog-sweep, while Kohli was run out for 4 after a lapse in judgment. Sharma, playing his second Test at the Wankhede Stadium, failed to capitalize on an early chance and was caught for 18.India's batting collapse highlighted their shaky confidence, with Shubman Gill (31 not out) and Mayank Agarwal (17 not out) the only batsmen to show any resistance. The hosts ended the day still 149 runs behind New Zealand's first innings total.Earlier, Jadeja and Sundar had combined for nine wickets to restrict New Zealand to 235. Jadeja achieved his 14th five-for in Tests, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to move up to fifth on India's all-time Test wicket-taker list.Will Young (71) and Daryl Mitchell (82) played well for New Zealand, but they struggled against India's spinners on a spin-friendly pitch. Young looked poised for a century, but Jadeja ended his knock with a turning delivery that clipped the bat's shoulder. Mitchell, the highest scorer with 82 off 129 balls, showed resilience and hit three fours and three sixes in his fighting knock.India desperately need a win in this Test to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final, but their batting collapse on the opening day has put them in a challenging position.