Cricket

India's Test woes continue against New Zealand, with the visitors taking a commanding lead in the third innings of the second Test in Pune. Amidst the disappointment, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team to focus on the present series rather than the upcoming India vs Australia Test series.Gavaskar's comments came during commentary on the second day of the second Test, when fellow commentator Dinesh Karthik mentioned the Australia series. Gavaskar promptly interjected, emphasizing the importance of staying present and not getting distracted by future events."Don't talk about Australia now. That is a mistake that a lot of people often make. You've got to worry about what's happening now. Your focus should be only on what's happening at the moment. Australia will take care of itself. When you go there, you will find the methods to beat Australia. You've done that over the last couple of trips there. You found a way," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar also pointed out that the media and others outside the team are contributing to the distraction by constantly discussing the Australia series. He believes that this external noise can be detrimental to the team's performance in the current series."It's not the players. The players are focused on the game. It's the circle around which is the media and everybody else which is talking about Australia. There is so much of coverage about what is going to happen in Australia. The Australian players are all the time talking about the Indian team, what should be the team and all that. Pick him, pick that player. No body is asking us about the Australian team. All the former Australian players are telling us pick this guy, that guy. Ask us too who should be in the Australian team," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar's advice echoes the sentiments of many experts who believe that India needs to address its current challenges before looking ahead to the Australia series. The team has struggled with batting collapses and inconsistent bowling performances in the ongoing series against New Zealand, and these issues need to be resolved before they can hope to compete against a formidable Australian side.

India's hopes of a comeback in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune appear bleak, according to former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali. The visitors have taken a commanding lead of 301 runs at the end of day two, thanks to a brilliant performance by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner.Santner's 7-53 dismantled India's batting lineup, bowling them out for just 156 in response to New Zealand's 259. India's batting woes continued from their 46 all-out debacle in Bengaluru, with Ravindra Jadeja top-scoring with 38."If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli score runs, there might be a possibility (of a comeback)," said Basit Ali on his YouTube channel. "But the chances are very low right now. New Zealand are in a very strong position to win the match."New Zealand extended their lead to 198-5 in their second innings, with Tom Latham scoring a solid 86. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell (30 not out) and Glenn Phillips (9 not out) remained unbeaten, steering New Zealand closer to a historic Test series win in India.India's bowlers, led by Washington Sundar, showed some resistance. Sundar picked up four wickets, bringing his match tally to 11, while Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with a key breakthrough. However, New Zealand's batters extended their lead, leaving India in a tough spot."Before the Australia tour, this is not a good sign for India," added Basit Ali. "Let's see what happens."India's batting collapse has exposed their vulnerabilities, particularly against spin. Santner's dismissals of Virat Kohli for just one and Sarfaraz Khan for 11 were crucial.With New Zealand already 1-0 up in the three-match series, India face an uphill task to level the series. Their struggles with the bat are particularly concerning ahead of their upcoming Australia tour.

India's Women Cricketers Triumph Over New Zealand in ODI OpenerIn a thrilling encounter, the Indian women's cricket team emerged victorious over recently crowned Women's T20 World Cup champions New Zealand by a commanding 59-run margin in the first ODI of the three-match series.One of the defining moments of the match came during India's bowling effort, when spinner Deepti Sharma displayed exceptional presence of mind to execute a clever run-out. As New Zealand captain Sophie Devine stepped out to block a delivery, Sharma noticed an opportunity. With Devine still out of her crease and unaware of the situation, Sharma swiftly threw the ball back to wicket-keeper Yastika Bhatia, who swiftly dislodged the bails before Devine could return.Devine's attempt to evade Sharma's throw proved futile, as Yastika's quick reflexes sealed her fate. The third umpire confirmed Devine's dismissal, bringing an abrupt end to her innings for just two runs off five balls.Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 227 in 44.3 overs. While no batter managed to reach a half-century, several contributions throughout the order laid the foundation for their success. Tejal Hasabnis, making her international debut, top-scored with a solid 42, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with a valuable 41.In the run chase, New Zealand struggled to gain momentum, failing to establish any significant partnerships. They were eventually bowled out for 168 in just 40.4 overs, falling short of India's target by a significant margin.Radha Yadav emerged as the leading wicket-taker for India, claiming three wickets. Saima Thakor, another debutant, contributed with two wickets, while Deepti Sharma added one wicket to her impressive run-out.This victory marks a significant achievement for India, who had previously lost to New Zealand in the group stage of the Women's T20 World Cup. The team will now aim to secure a series win in the remaining two ODIs.

New Zealand's dominance over India continued in the second Test in Pune, as they extended their lead to a commanding 301 runs on the back of a brilliant batting performance led by captain Tom Latham.Mitchell Santner, who had wreaked havoc with the ball in the first innings, claiming seven wickets, continued his impressive form with the bat. He scored a crucial 45, providing stability to the New Zealand innings.Latham, however, was the star of the show. He played a captain's knock, anchoring the innings with a composed 86. His innings was characterized by patience and determination, as he weathered the Indian bowling attack and guided his team to a position of strength.Tom Blundell, who remained unbeaten on 30, provided valuable support to Latham. The duo shared a crucial 65-run partnership, further consolidating New Zealand's lead.India's bowlers, led by Washington Sundar, fought back in the second innings, claiming four wickets. However, the damage had already been done, as New Zealand's batsmen had built a substantial lead.With just one day remaining in the Test, India faces an uphill task to salvage a draw. New Zealand, on the other hand, is on the cusp of a historic series win in India.

India's batting woes continued in the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, as they were bowled out for a paltry 156 in their first innings, handing the visitors a commanding 103-run lead. This marks the second consecutive home Test where India has conceded a lead of over 100 runs, a feat not seen in 23 years.The collapse began on Day 1, when India lost captain Rohit Sharma for a duck, leaving them at 16/1 overnight. On Day 2, the top-order showed some promise, with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal taking the score to 50/1. However, Gill's dismissal triggered a catastrophic collapse, with India losing nine wickets for 106 runs in just over 24 overs.Mitchell Santner led the charge for New Zealand, claiming career-best figures of 7 for 53. Ravindra Jadeja's late resistance of 38 off 46 balls was the only notable contribution from the Indian batters.This latest batting failure follows India's shocking collapse in the previous Test in Bengaluru, where they were bowled out for 46, their lowest home total. The back-to-back collapses have raised concerns about India's batting depth and resilience.The last time India conceded 100-plus leads in back-to-back home Tests was in 2001 against Australia. Despite this unwanted record, India famously came back to win that series, and they will be hoping for a similar resurgence against New Zealand.However, the task ahead is daunting. New Zealand's substantial first-innings lead has put India in a difficult position. The hosts will need to bat with much greater determination and resilience in their second innings to stay competitive in the match and series.

Virat Kohli's ongoing struggles against spin bowling continued to haunt him in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. On Friday, the Indian batting maestro was dismissed for a mere 1 by New Zealand left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner.Kohli's dismissal came when he misjudged a low full toss, failing to connect as the ball slipped under his bat and crashed into the stumps. The dismissal left Kohli visibly frustrated and marked the 21st time since 2021 that he has fallen to spin in Asia.Kohli's struggles against spin have become a recurring theme, particularly in Asian conditions. Earlier in the series, during the first Test in Bengaluru, Kohli was dismissed in similar fashion by New Zealand spinner Glenn Phillips. India went on to lose that match by 8 wickets, trailing the three-match series 0-1.Kohli's troubles against spin, especially left-arm orthodox spinners like Santner, have become a glaring concern. Since 2021, out of his 21 dismissals to spinners, 10 have been at the hands of left-arm orthodox bowlers, against whom he averages a meager 27.10.In total, Kohli has managed just 606 runs against spinners during this period in Asian conditions, with an average of 28.85 - far below the high standards he set in his career.As India battled to recover from New Zealand's first-innings score of 259, Kohli's early exit put the team in a difficult position. By lunch on the second day, India had slumped to 107/7, with the visitors' spinners tightening their grip on the match. Kohli's dismissal, in particular, exacerbated India's struggles, as they sought to gain momentum in the series following their loss in the first Test.Kohli's struggles against spin have raised questions about his technique and adaptability to changing conditions. The Indian team management will be hoping that he can find a way to overcome this challenge and regain his dominance against spin bowling.

India vs New Zealand Test: India Faces Early Setback in AhmedabadIn the ongoing India vs New Zealand Test match in Ahmedabad, India is facing an uphill battle after New Zealand posted a competitive score of 243 in their first innings. The Indian team suffered an early setback when skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck by Tim Southee.Resuming their innings on Day 2, India will look to regain momentum and establish a solid foundation. The onus will be on the middle order, led by Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, to anchor the innings and build a substantial partnership.New Zealand's bowlers, led by Southee and Trent Boult, will be eager to maintain their dominance and exploit the Indian batting lineup's vulnerability. The pitch in Ahmedabad has shown signs of assistance for the seamers, making it crucial for India's batsmen to adapt quickly and negotiate the challenging conditions.India's bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, will need to step up and restrict New Zealand's scoring rate. The spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will also play a vital role in containing the opposition and creating wicket-taking opportunities.The match is evenly poised at this stage, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. India will need to show resilience and determination to overcome the early setback and put themselves in a commanding position. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be aiming to capitalize on their advantage and put pressure on the Indian batsmen.The outcome of this Test match will have a significant impact on the series standings. India will be keen to level the series after losing the first Test in Kanpur, while New Zealand will be looking to consolidate their lead and secure a series victory.

Rishabh Pant's on-field antics and witty remarks have become a staple of Indian cricket. During the first day of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, Pant's stump mic captured a hilarious exchange with spinner Washington Sundar.As New Zealand's tailender Ajaz Patel approached the crease, Pant suggested to Sundar, "Washi aage daal sakta you can bowl a little fuller, thoda bahar daal sakta hai." Sundar obliged, delivering a tossed-up ball that Patel swung through for four runs.Pant's disappointment was evident as he muttered, "Yaar mereko kya pata issey Hindi aati hai." (I didn't know he understood Hindi.)Sundar's seven-wicket haul played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand to 259. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed with three wickets, dismissing the Kiwis in just 79.1 overs.In response, India lost captain Rohit Sharma for a duck, leaving Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill at the crease with a deficit of 243 runs.Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra led New Zealand's batting effort with scores of 76 and 65, respectively.

Left-Arm Spinners Dominate India-New Zealand Test SeriesLeft-arm finger spin has emerged as a dominant force in the ongoing India-New Zealand Test series, with four left-arm spinners featuring in the first Test in Bengaluru. Ravindra Jadeja, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, and Kuldeep Yadav all played significant roles, highlighting the effectiveness of this bowling style against right-handed batters.Left-arm finger spinners possess the ability to bowl attacking lines around the wicket, bringing LBW into play. They can also employ negative tactics by bowling over the wicket and outside leg-stump, as seen in the famous examples of Ashley Giles against Sachin Tendulkar and Nilesh Kulkarni against Delhi.This advantage has made Ravindra Jadeja India's first-choice Test spinner, due to his smartness, fielding, and batting contributions. In the first Test, none of the four left-arm spinners were economical, indicating the challenging conditions for spinners.Despite having another left-arm spinner in Axar Patel, India has added off-spinner Washington Sundar to their squad for the second Test in Pune. This move is aimed at countering the four left-handers in the New Zealand team, as off-spinners can take the ball away from them.New Zealand may also consider playing Mitchell Santner in Pune, given the expected spin-friendly conditions. Indian batsmen have historically struggled against unfancied left-arm spin at home, making the role of left-arm spinners crucial in this series.