Cricket

The highly anticipated Test series between India and New Zealand shifts to Pune for the second match, commencing on Thursday, October 24. The hosts, led by Rohit Sharma, will be eager to redeem themselves after their disappointing defeat in the first Test in Bengaluru.In the opening match, New Zealand emerged victorious by a commanding 8 wickets, largely due to India's disastrous first innings collapse, where they were bundled out for a mere 46 runs. Despite a valiant fightback in the second innings, the Indian batsmen were unable to salvage the match.Both teams have now set up camp in Pune, hoping for favorable weather conditions that will allow for a full five days of play. According to the latest weather forecast, the opening day of the match is expected to be partly cloudy, with temperatures hovering around the early 30s. The cloud cover is predicted to be 58% in the morning, reducing to 43% in the afternoon.India's victory in Pune would significantly strengthen their position at the top of the World Test Championship 2023-25 table. To bolster their squad, they have added spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar. New Zealand, on the other hand, will continue to be without their regular skipper Kane Williamson, who is still undergoing rehabilitation.The second Test promises to be an intriguing contest, with both teams determined to prove their mettle. India will be looking to bounce back from their Bengaluru setback, while New Zealand will aim to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory.

Sarfaraz Khan's Maiden Test Century: A Moment of Triumph Amidst India's Bengaluru LossIn the recently concluded first Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, Sarfaraz Khan emerged as a beacon of hope for the Indian team. Despite India's eventual defeat, Khan's maiden Test century was a testament to his growing confidence and potential.With India in a precarious situation, Khan stepped up to the plate and played a pivotal role in the team's recovery. His century was a display of resilience and determination, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. The Mumbai batter's performance has raised expectations that he will be given a longer run in the playing XI.Beyond his on-field achievements, Khan also welcomed a new addition to his family during the match. The birth of his baby boy brought joy to the Khan household amidst the disappointment of India's loss.Expressing his delight after scoring his maiden Test century, Khan described the feeling as "flying in the sky." He credited star batter Virat Kohli for motivating him to back his skills and play his shots freely. Kohli's encouragement has played a significant role in Khan's development as a cricketer.Despite India's dismal performance in the first innings, where they were bowled out for a mere 46 runs, Khan and Rishab Pant provided some respite with their impressive batting in the second innings. Khan notched up 150 runs, while Pant contributed a valuable 99.While India's loss in Bengaluru was a setback, Khan's performance offers a glimmer of hope for the future. His maiden Test century is a testament to his talent and determination, and it is expected that he will continue to play a key role in the Indian team's success in the years to come.

The upcoming second Test between India and New Zealand in Pune is set to feature a bald and slow-turning pitch, according to ESPNcricinfo. The pitch, primarily composed of black soil, will offer less bounce and be flatter compared to the first Test in Bengaluru.India, reeling from their lowest Test score at home (46 all out) in the first Test, is eager to level the three-match series at 2-1. The team's strategy for both the Pune and Mumbai Tests is to prepare pitches that favor spin, giving their spinners an advantage.However, there will be a key difference between the Pune and Mumbai pitches: bounce. The black soil in Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium will result in lower bounce than the red soil in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.In Bengaluru, overcast conditions and intermittent rain made the pitch more conducive to seam bowling, which New Zealand exploited to their advantage. However, in Pune, India is expected to field at least three spinners, potentially altering the combination based on the amount of spin the slow surface offers.The Indian selectors have added Washington Sundar to the squad as the 16th member, despite having Axar Patel as the fourth spinner alongside R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav.Pune's MCA stadium has hosted only two previous Tests. The inaugural Test in 2016 saw Australia win by a massive 333 runs, with left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe taking 12 wickets. The pitch was rated poor by the ICC match referee due to its abrasive surface and loose topsoil. In 2019, Virat Kohli scored a double-century in an innings victory over South Africa.The pitch for the New Zealand Test is expected to be devoid of grass, with minimal seam movement outside the first hour after the toss. However, the dry surface will support reverse swing. The slowness of the surface and the lack of support for fast bowlers make the toss crucial, with teams likely to opt to bat first.

Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's injury scare during the first Test against New Zealand raised concerns for the Indian team. Pant suffered a blow to his operated knee on Day 2, forcing him to leave the field. Despite the injury, Pant returned to bat on Day 3 and played a crucial role in India's fightback.However, Pant's innings ended just one run short of a century, and India suffered another batting collapse. After the match, Pant shared a cryptic post on Instagram, hinting at his frustration. He also took to Twitter to thank the fans for their support and vowed that the team would bounce back.Pant's injury scare is a major concern for India, as he is a key player in the team's batting lineup. The wicketkeeper-batter has been in excellent form in recent months, and his absence would be a significant blow.New Zealand's victory in the first Test was their first in India since 1988. The win gives them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra played crucial roles in New Zealand's victory, with Young scoring 48 not out and Ravindra scoring 39 not out.The second Test between India and New Zealand will be played in Pune from October 24. India will be looking to level the series, while New Zealand will be aiming to secure a series victory.

Virat Kohli, the fiery Indian batter, displayed an uncharacteristic restraint during the first Test against New Zealand. Known for his passionate and aggressive on-field demeanor, Kohli's muted reaction to a controversial dismissal raised eyebrows.In the 89th over of New Zealand's innings, Rachin Ravindra was given out caught behind off Mohammed Siraj's bowling. The entire Indian team erupted in celebration, including umpire Michael Gough. However, replays revealed that the ball had not touched Ravindra's bat, but rather a separate noise had occurred.Commentators Harsha Bhogle and Ian Smith noticed that Kohli, positioned at first slip, remained unmoved throughout the proceedings. Replays confirmed that Kohli had indeed not celebrated, despite the initial jubilation from his teammates.Bhogle remarked that Kohli, known for his expressive nature, was at the top of the list of "most expressive people in the world." He suggested that Kohli's muted reaction may have hinted at his belief that the dismissal was not legitimate.Kohli's restraint stood in stark contrast to his usual on-field persona. As India's former captain, he had earned a reputation for wearing his heart on his sleeve and approaching every game with an aggressive, but fair, demeanor.The incident highlights the complexities of the game of cricket and the importance of fair play. While the Indian team initially celebrated the dismissal, Kohli's muted reaction served as a reminder that the spirit of the game should always prevail.Despite India's strong batting performance on Day 3, they suffered a setback when Kohli was dismissed caught behind on the final ball of the day. India ended the day on 231/3, still trailing New Zealand by a significant margin of 125 runs.

The highly anticipated India vs New Zealand Test match in Bengaluru has reached a pivotal point, with all possible outcomes still on the table. However, the weather could play a decisive role in determining the fate of the match.After a rain-marred first day, the match commenced under overcast conditions. New Zealand's fast bowlers wreaked havoc on India's batting lineup, dismissing them for a paltry 46 runs. The visitors then amassed a formidable 402 runs, putting India under immense pressure.In response, India fought back with a resilient 462 runs, setting New Zealand a target of 107 runs to win. With all ten second-innings wickets in hand, New Zealand will resume their chase on the fifth and final day.However, the weather forecast for Bengaluru is casting a shadow over the match. The Indian Meteorological Department predicts "generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers" on Sunday. Accuweather also forecasts "thunderstorms in the area late Saturday night through Sunday evening."These weather conditions could prove advantageous for India, as they could limit the time available for New Zealand to score the required runs. Conversely, New Zealand will be hoping for a clear spell of cricket to allow them to chase down the target.The M Chinnaswamy Stadium boasts a world-class drainage facility and a subsurface aeration system, which enables play to resume quickly after rainfall. However, if the rain persists or becomes too heavy, it could force the match to be abandoned or result in a draw.As the match enters its final day, the tension is palpable. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory, but the weather could ultimately have the final say.

Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has criticized young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for throwing away his wicket cheaply in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Jaiswal was dismissed for 35 off 52 balls, stumped by Tom Blundell off Ajaz Patel, leaving fans and experts frustrated with his shot selection at a critical moment.Basit voiced his frustration on his YouTube channel, labelling Jaiswal as a "kacha player" (not ripe yet). He acknowledged Jaiswal's talent but stressed the importance of staying at the crease to support the team. "I agree that you have many shots in your arsenal, but it was crucial for you to stay at the wicket because you're a left-hander, my prince. A left-hander disrupts the opposition’s bowling rhythm," Basit remarked. "In the first innings, you got out early due to the toss (India's decision to bat first in overcast conditions), but this time you handed your wicket to Ajaz Patel. For the team’s sake, you needed to stay longer; this mindset is necessary."Jaiswal’s dismissal came at a moment when India needed stability to fight back from a first-innings disaster. The opener stepped out of the crease, aiming to dominate Patel, but the ball dipped and then bounced unexpectedly, beating his bat and allowing Blundell to complete the stumping. While Jaiswal showed glimpses of his potential with six boundaries, his aggressive approach ended prematurely, giving New Zealand their first breakthrough on Friday.India, bowled out for a humiliating 46 in the first innings, trailed New Zealand by 356 runs after the visitors posted 402. Rachin Ravindra's brilliant 134 and Tim Southee’s 65 propelled New Zealand to a commanding lead. However, India bounced back in the second innings, reaching 231-3 at stumps on Day 3, thanks to a gritty 136-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan.Furthermore, Basit also emphasized that India would not be playing for a draw but a win even if they eventually lose the match.

Team India's batting woes continued on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as they were bundled out for a paltry 46 runs, their lowest Test total on home soil. The collapse was triggered by a devastating bowling performance from Matt Henry and William O'Rourke, who shared nine wickets between them.Rohit Sharma's decision to bat first backfired spectacularly, with four of India's top seven batters dismissed for ducks, including star batsman Virat Kohli. The Indian batting lineup was unable to cope with the New Zealand bowlers' relentless pressure, with only Shreyas Iyer (10) and Ravichandran Ashwin (13) reaching double figures.Former India captain Anil Kumble criticized the team's batting approach, particularly the decision to bat Kohli at number three. Kumble argued that Kohli should have batted at his usual position of number four, while a solid player like Cheteshwar Pujara should have been brought in at number three to tackle the new ball."Virat Kohli should have batted at No. 4, he is your number one batter at that position. For the number three position, [you need] someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, who did so well for so many years playing there. 100 Test matches because he would have been there today, then I don't think he would have gone looking to hit the ball," Kumble said.Kumble also criticized the Indian batters' lack of patience, saying they were trying to play every ball. "He would allow the ball to come on and that's where you miss someone like that (Pujara). Kind of an approach today. And India is certainly in a spot of bother here," he added.Meanwhile, New Zealand took a commanding lead of 134 runs on Day 2, thanks to a solid batting performance led by opener Devon Conway, who scored 91 runs. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell were unbeaten on 22 and 14, respectively, when bad light stopped play in an extended session.

Ashwin's Masterclass: Off-spinner Delivers Crucial Wicket in India vs. New Zealand TestOn the second day of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, star Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his brilliance with a stunning delivery that dismissed well-set opener Devon Conway.Captain Rohit Sharma's astute decision to bring Ashwin back for his second spell proved fruitful as the veteran spinner delivered a tossed-up delivery from around the stumps. Conway, who had been batting aggressively, attempted a premeditated reverse-sweep but missed the ball entirely, resulting in a clean bowled dismissal.The dismissal was initially referred to the third umpire to determine whether wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel's gloves were in front of the stumps at the point of delivery. After careful examination, the third umpire ruled that Jurel's gloves were within the permitted boundaries, upholding the original decision of out.Ashwin's breakthrough came at a crucial juncture, halting Conway's progress and shifting the momentum in India's favor. The dismissal highlighted Ashwin's exceptional skill and experience, reinforcing his status as a pivotal player in India's bowling attack.Known for his ability to outfox top-order batsmen, Ashwin's dismissal of Conway showcased his class and guile. The off-spinner's ability to vary his pace, trajectory, and spin makes him a formidable opponent for even the most accomplished batsmen.With Conway's dismissal, India gained a significant advantage in the match. The off-spinner's crucial wicket has put the Indian team in a strong position to take control of the Test and secure a vital victory in the series opener.