Cricket

India's Woes Mount in Second Test as Latham's Dropped Catch Haunts ThemTeam India's struggles continued in the second Test against New Zealand as they found themselves trailing by 103 runs after the first innings. Despite restricting New Zealand to 259, India's batters failed to deliver, collapsing to 156 all out.In the second innings, India's bowlers toiled hard, but a crucial dropped catch proved costly. In the 37th over, Ravindra Jadeja induced an edge from New Zealand captain Tom Latham, who was well-set on 68. However, the chance was low and difficult, and Indian captain Rohit Sharma was unable to reach it in the slip cordon.The dropped catch left India frustrated, and Virat Kohli was seen expressing his displeasure to Latham and Henry Nicholls. In a viral video, Kohli appeared to be asking them to avoid running down the middle of the pitch. Kohli also had a conversation with the on-field umpire.New Zealand went on to post 255 in their second innings, setting India a victory target of 359 runs. The hosts now face an uphill battle to avoid a series defeat, having lost the opening Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concern over captain Rohit Sharma's defensive technique, particularly in the ongoing second Test against New Zealand. Rohit's nine-ball duck in the first innings, dismissed by Tim Southee, has raised questions about his approach while defending.Manjrekar highlighted Rohit's struggles against Southee, who has now dismissed him 14 times in international cricket, the joint-most by any bowler. He pointed out that Rohit's loose defense, which was a concern at the start of his international career, has resurfaced."He would not take a step forward and he would react just with the bat, that is starting to happen," Manjrekar said. "He was able to leave balls outside the off stump, but they have worked out a way to bowl to Rohit Sharma."Manjrekar believes that Rohit's vulnerability stems from his tendency to react with the bat rather than using his pad to defend. "That makes him a little vulnerable when there is a little bit in the pitch and the ball is hard," he said.However, Manjrekar praised Rohit's temperament and suggested that he needs to tighten up his defense. "He just maybe has to tighten up his defense a little more and things should be okay," he added.Rohit's dismissal in the first innings has put pressure on the Indian captain, who has been under scrutiny for his recent form. He will be looking to bounce back in the second innings and prove that he can overcome his defensive deficiencies.

Sarfaraz Khan's astute observation and unwavering conviction played a pivotal role in India's successful review against New Zealand on Day 1 of the second Test in Pune. Despite initial skepticism from his teammates, Khan's insistence that the ball had brushed Will Young's glove prompted skipper Rohit Sharma to take a DRS, which ultimately resulted in Young's dismissal.Khan, fielding at backward short-leg, noticed a subtle noise as the ball passed Young's bat and glove. Sensing a possible contact, he approached Sharma and urged him to trust his instincts. "I knew there was contact, but there is always room for misjudgment," Khan explained. "But I heard a noise and hence, felt there was something involved."Khan's confidence stemmed from his close proximity to the action. "I was at backward short leg so when the ball was going past his bat and glove, I noticed that the bat was away from the pads. I heard a noise and that's when I went to Rohit bhai and told him, 'Rohit bhai, mere pe bharosa karo. Ball lagi hai, aap lo review. Main bol raha hu aapko, lo (Trust me. The ball has hit something, just take the review. I am telling you, take it),'" Khan said.Technical members of the broadcasting team initially expressed doubts about the contact, but the hawk-eye technology confirmed Khan's suspicions. "I did not hear the sound, as it is very feeble," said KN Srinivasa Rao, a sound supervisor. "But the hawk-eye has a different technology, which can identify the smallest of small sounds."Akanksha Pandey, the director's assistant, also admitted to being surprised by the outcome. "We were surprised when we saw the replays. We were watching the pictures that the director was cutting, and we were smiling because everybody is always convinced when they are trying to talk the captain into taking the DRS."Washington Sundar, one of India's star bowlers on the first day, praised Khan's persistence. "Honestly, I was a good 70-80 meters away from the middle, so I had no idea. I obviously didn't hear any sound, but Sarfaraz seemed to be very convinced with it. Really happy that Sarfaraz eventually convinced Rohit bhai," said Sundar.Khan's sharp observation and unwavering belief in his instincts not only contributed to Young's dismissal but also highlighted his growing influence within the Indian team. His ability to make crucial decisions under pressure is a testament to his maturity and leadership qualities.

India's batting woes have been laid bare in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, with two embarrassing collapses highlighting the team's struggles on challenging surfaces.In the series opener in Bengaluru, India were bundled out for a paltry 46 on an overcast morning, their lowest total on home soil in Tests. Captain Rohit Sharma admitted that the team "misread" the pitch, with the ball doing tricks in the air and off the surface. However, the batters showed little intent to battle it out, with five ducks and only two batters reaching double digits.The visitors would have felt at home in the Bengaluru setting, but the Indian batters lacked a plan and collapsed like a pack of cards. Even a fightback in the second innings couldn't cover up for the horror morning, and India found themselves 0-1 down in the three-Test series.In the second Test in Pune, India's batting woes continued. Despite the opposition winning the toss and opting to bat, the Indian spinners ran through the New Zealanders, making it India's day. However, the second morning in Pune was a different story.With the sun out in full glory, the Kiwi spinners spun into action and the Indian batters underwent another trial by spin. The mischief of the surface started the moment Tom Latham introduced spin, but it was the recklessness of the batters that came as a rude shock.Not one player trusted their defense and were shockingly wild in their shot-selection. They played across the line, off the backfoot, and slogged mindlessly, despite the pitch not being conducive to such shots.The batters' approach has come under scanner twice this series. Twice, India have capitulated in contrasting conditions, highlighting their struggles on challenging surfaces. With one more innings in Pune and one more Test before they head off to Australia for the five-match series, the batters need to up their game to avoid further embarrassment.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has criticized captain Rohit Sharma's tactics on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Pune. India were bowled out for 156 in the first innings, conceding a lead of 103 runs to the Kiwis, who consolidated their position by reaching 85/2 at tea in the second innings.Shastri, who was on commentary duty, felt Rohit didn't make aggressive field placements, especially with India already chasing New Zealand in the match after conceding a big lead. During the second session on Day 2, Shastri and former India spinner Murali Kartik had a detailed discussion on Rohit's tactics."New Zealand have managed to scatter away all the men around the bat," Kartik pointed out. "Also tells you, tactically how you should be thinking. India should be thinking how to bowl out New Zealand for 120. For that to happen, you need to think wickets, you need people in attacking positions. Yes, if the side gets to 60 for no loss, you can start to think differently. It also makes the bowl think that he wants wickets, not with a spread out field like this," Shastri responded.Tom Latham and Will Young batted with confidence in the second innings as New Zealand consolidated their position in the second Test, reaching 85/2 at tea to take an overall lead of 188 runs. Latham (37 not out) and Young (23) overcame the early hiccup of losing Devon Conway by stitching together a 42-run partnership after Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner had demolished the Indian batting line-up for 156 in the first innings with career-best figures of 7/53 in 19.3 overs.New Zealand had made 259 in the first innings. India started the day on a positive note with Shubman Gill (30) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) adding 49 for the second wicket before six wickets fell for the addition of 53 runs as the hosts were left tottering at 107 for 7 at lunch. Virat Kohli played the most forgettable shot of the morning to be clean bowled for 1. Santner then returned in the post-lunch session to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah cheaply.

India's dominance on home soil has been challenged in recent times, as visiting teams have exploited the spin-friendly conditions to their advantage. In the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, the hosts found themselves on the receiving end of Mitchell Santner's spin wizardry.After dismissing New Zealand for 259, India's batting lineup crumbled to a mere 156 runs, conceding a substantial 103-run lead. The dismissals of key players Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja highlighted India's vulnerability against spin.This is not an isolated incident. In the past, India has fallen into its own trap by preparing turning tracks for opponents. Here are some notable examples:India vs Australia, 3rd Test, 2023, Indore:Australia secured a nine-wicket victory on a spinning track at Indore's Holkar Stadium. Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann exploited the conditions, bowling India out for just 109 in their first innings. Despite a fightback from India's spinners, Lyon's eight wickets in the second innings sealed the match for Australia.India vs England, 1st Test, 2024, Hyderabad:England clinched a 28-run victory at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Tom Hartley's spin proved too much for India, who collapsed for just 202 runs in their chase. Earlier, Ollie Pope's brilliant 196 had set India a challenging target.India vs England, 1st Test, 2021, Chennai:England secured a comprehensive 227-run victory in Chennai. Joe Root's double-century helped England post a formidable 578 in their first innings. India's batting struggled against Dom Bess and Jack Leach, who spun the hosts out for 337 and 192 runs, respectively.These instances demonstrate that India's reliance on spin-friendly tracks can backfire. Opponents have adapted to the conditions and exploited India's weaknesses against spin. The team needs to find a balance between preparing pitches that favor their spinners while also ensuring that their batters can cope with the turning ball.

New Zealand's relentless bowling attack has put India on the back foot in the second Test in Mumbai, leaving the hosts with a daunting task to avoid a series defeat.On a challenging pitch that offered significant turn, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, claiming six wickets between them. Santner's persistent and accurate bowling proved too much for the Indian batsmen, while Phillips' variations kept them guessing.India's struggles began early on, with Shubman Gill falling to Santner in the 11th over. Virat Kohli's dismissal for 1, bowled by a full toss, further dented India's hopes. Phillips then dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, both caught behind, to leave India reeling at 57 for 4.The pressure continued to mount as Sarfaraz Khan and Ravichandran Ashwin also fell cheaply. With the pitch offering little respite, India's batsmen found it increasingly difficult to score runs.Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are now tasked with the unenviable task of rescuing India from a precarious position. However, with New Zealand's bowlers in such impressive form, the hosts face an uphill battle to avoid a series defeat.

Virat Kohli's Uncharacteristic Dismissal Stuns India in Pune TestIn a shocking turn of events, India's batting maestro Virat Kohli suffered an unexpected dismissal during the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The incident occurred as Kohli attempted to negotiate a full toss from Mitchell Santner.Kohli, who had entered the crease following Shubman Gill's dismissal, misjudged the delivery and failed to connect with the ball. The ball slipped under his bat and crashed into the stumps, leaving Kohli visibly stunned and in disbelief.The dismissal marked a rare lapse in judgment for Kohli, who is renowned for his impeccable technique and shot selection. As he made his way back to the pavilion, his frustration was evident, clearly disappointed with the way his innings had ended.Kohli's dismissal came at a crucial juncture in the match, with India looking to build a solid foundation after losing the opening Test in Bengaluru. His departure left the team in a precarious position, with the middle order under pressure to deliver.The incident has raised questions about Kohli's form and focus, as he has struggled to find his rhythm in recent matches. In the opening Test, he managed scores of 0 and 70, failing to make a significant impact on the outcome.Kohli's dismissal has also highlighted the strength of New Zealand's bowling attack, which has consistently troubled the Indian batsmen throughout the series. Santner, in particular, has been a thorn in India's side, claiming the wickets of both Gill and Kohli in the second Test.As the series progresses, Kohli will be under immense pressure to regain his form and lead India to victory. His experience and leadership will be crucial if India is to level the series and avoid a humiliating defeat.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket team's talismanic batter, is not only known for his aggressive batting but also for his lively on-field personality. His infectious energy and playful antics often steal the spotlight, adding an extra spark to the game.One such light-hearted moment occurred during the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru. As Kohli walked onto the field, fully padded up, he was caught on camera doing a humorous mimicry, much to the delight of the crowd. A fan humorously commented that Kohli appeared to be imitating Shubman Gill's walk, sending the audience into fits of laughter.Kohli's playful antics are not limited to the field. He is also known for his witty remarks and playful banter with opponents. During the same match, Kohli was involved in a light-hearted exchange with New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson. After Williamson was dismissed, Kohli was seen playfully teasing him, saying, "You're not going to get a hundred today."Despite his playful nature, Kohli is a fierce competitor on the field. He is known for his aggressive batting and his determination to win. In the first Test against New Zealand, Kohli showcased his brilliance with the bat, scoring a solid 70. However, India eventually lost the match by eight wickets.Kohli's presence will be crucial for India as they head to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22. India will be aiming for a historic hat-trick of series wins in the highly anticipated clash. With his form looking strong, Kohli will be one of the key players to watch in the upcoming series.