Cricket

India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, embarks on a crucial three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting Thursday. The series serves as a vital preparation for next year's World Cup, following India's disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup.Kaur, who has faced criticism for her captaincy, will be under immense pressure to prove her worth. She will be without the services of wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who is appearing for her board exams. Experienced all-rounder Asha Sobhana and seamer Pooja Vastrakar are also unavailable due to injury and rest, respectively.The series presents an opportunity for uncapped players Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, and Priya Mishra to make their mark. The opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana will be expected to provide a solid start, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Kaur will be tasked with anchoring the middle order.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after their triumph at the T20 World Cup. Led by Sophie Devine, they will be looking to continue their winning ways.The series will be a test of character for India, who will be eager to put their T20 World Cup disappointment behind them. Kaur will need to find the right balance between experience and youth, while New Zealand will be aiming to maintain their momentum.All three matches will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with the first match starting at 1.30 pm IST.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed his unwavering support for under-fire batter K.L. Rahul, emphasizing that the team management's opinion holds more weight than social media criticism. Rahul's recent struggles, including a duck in the first innings and a meager 12 in the second innings of the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, have drawn widespread criticism.However, Gambhir remains confident in Rahul's abilities, stating that "social media does not matter one bit." He highlighted Rahul's impressive knock of 68 in the first innings of the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh as evidence of his batting prowess. "He is batting really well," Gambhir asserted. "He has capability of scoring runs. That's why he has been backed by the team."Despite Gambhir's support, Rahul's place in the team is under scrutiny following Sarfaraz Khan's maiden century in the first Test. Khan's performance has made the competition for batting spots more intense, and Rahul will need to deliver in the second match to retain his place.New Zealand currently holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after their eight-wicket victory in Bengaluru. The defeat was a humbling experience for India, who had previously swept Bangladesh 2-0, including a rain-affected victory in Kanpur."Cricket, sports are a big leveller," Gambhir said of the Bengaluru loss. "If we have enjoyed days like Kanpur we had to endure what happened in Bengaluru. We didn't show any intention to bat out the remainder of the two and a half days."India's batting collapse in Bengaluru, where they were dismissed for a record-low 46 in the first innings, has raised concerns about the team's ability to compete against a strong New Zealand side. Gambhir acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that "everyone is judged. International cricket is all about being judged."

Pune is preparing a unique pitch for the second Test against New Zealand, aiming to neutralize the visitors' seamers who secured their first Test win in India in 36 years in Bengaluru. The pitch is expected to be bald, low-bounce, and made of black soil, a departure from the usual surfaces in India.However, New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell remains unfazed by the potential changes. He emphasizes the team's adaptability and resilience, stating that they cannot alter the surface and must react to the conditions. Mitchell acknowledges that he has been searching for form, but he remains confident in his ability to contribute to the team's success.With Kane Williamson still unavailable due to a groin strain, Will Young is expected to retain his spot at No. 3. He played a crucial role in New Zealand's chase in Bengaluru, forming an unbeaten 75-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra. Mitchell also praises the seamless transition of Young and Ravindra into the international setup.Another standout performer for New Zealand in the first Test was Will O'Rourke, who made his Test debut in India and impressed with a match haul of seven wickets. Mitchell highlights O'Rourke's height, release point, and ability to move the ball both ways as factors that make him a challenging bowler to face.Despite the potential challenges posed by the Pune pitch, Mitchell remains optimistic about New Zealand's chances. He believes the team will devise a plan to take 20 wickets and score enough runs to secure a positive result.

India's humiliating 46-all out collapse in the first Test against New Zealand has sparked severe criticism from former cricketer Manoj Tiwary. Tiwary lambasted the team's selection and decision-making, particularly the bizarre choice to bat despite a rain-washed day.Tiwary questioned the logic behind captain Rohit Sharma's decision, emphasizing that common sense should have prevailed. He argued that the team should have opted for three pacers and given more overs to Ravichandran Ashwin, who has over 500 Test wickets.Tiwary also criticized coach Gautam Gambhir for failing to guide Sharma in his selection process. He pointed out that Sharma himself admitted to misreading the pitch, which could have been avoided with proper guidance."Good captains make mistakes, but the coach's role is crucial in providing constant guidance," Tiwary said. "I don't know why that didn't happen."Tiwary expressed concern about the impact on pacer Akash Deep, who was dropped from the XI after an impressive performance in the Bangladesh series. He suggested that Deep's confidence may have been shattered by the decision.With two Tests remaining in the series, Tiwary urged India to make a comeback. He emphasized the need for better decision-making and a more balanced approach to team selection.

India's men's cricket team faces an uphill battle in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, trailing 0-1 after the first match. The focus now shifts to the second Test, scheduled to be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.The pitch at the MCA Stadium has been under scrutiny, with concerns raised about its potential to favor spin bowling. India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, inspected the surface and engaged in discussions with the curators. The pitch is expected to be a turner, similar to the one used in the first Test against Australia in 2017, which proved challenging for India.New Zealand's batting mainstay, Daryl Mitchell, acknowledged the potential challenges posed by the pitch but expressed confidence in his team's ability to adapt. "We can't change the surface. For us, it's reacting to what's coming at us and adapting on the fly," Mitchell said.India's fielding coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, assured that the team will not repeat the mistakes made in the first Test in Bengaluru, where they misread the conditions. "I don't think it was a massive miss. The conditions just caught us on the back foot a little," Doeschate said.The second Test promises to be a crucial encounter for both teams. India will be desperate to level the series, while New Zealand will aim to consolidate their lead. The pitch conditions will play a significant role in determining the outcome of the match.

New Zealand's resounding eight-wicket victory in the rain-affected first Test against India in Bengaluru has instilled a sense of optimism within the Kiwi camp. Middle-order batsman Daryl Mitchell expressed the team's readiness to confront any challenges, including spin-friendly tracks, in the upcoming second Test in Pune.The Kiwi pacers' remarkable performance in the first innings, dismissing India for a paltry 46, marked India's lowest Test total on home soil. Despite a spirited fightback in the second innings, erasing New Zealand's 356-run lead, India ultimately succumbed to defeat.Mitchell acknowledged the varying challenges posed by different soil conditions in Pune and Mumbai, but emphasized the team's preparedness to adapt. "Every country has its unique challenges," he said. "We've encountered different spinning wickets in Galle and Mumbai, with varying soil types. It's crucial to understand the threats each pitch presents and devise strategies to neutralize them while applying pressure on the bowlers."New Zealand's first Test victory in India in 36 years has boosted their confidence, but they anticipate a fierce response from a wounded Indian team, particularly with World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake. India currently leads the WTC standings and will aim to strengthen their position with another win."We can't alter the surface, so we must adapt to the conditions and respond effectively," Mitchell stated. "As Kiwis, we pride ourselves on embracing the moment and staying present. We can't control the wicket, but we'll formulate a plan to take 20 wickets and score runs."Mitchell also expressed admiration for Rishabh Pant's valiant 99 in India's second innings, despite his knee injury. "Rishabh is a world-class player, and I respect his approach to the game," he said. "Their partnership was impressive, but we recognized the need to continue taking wickets and applying pressure."

The Indian cricket team's home dominance was shattered in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as they were humbled by a humiliating 10-wicket defeat. The Rohit Sharma-led side was dismissed for a paltry 46 in the first innings, their lowest Test score at home. New Zealand responded with a commanding 402, putting India on the back foot.Despite valiant efforts from Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, India managed to surpass New Zealand's total. However, a lower-order collapse left them with a meager target of 107 runs. Surprisingly, Ravichandran Ashwin, the most prolific wicket-taker among active cricketers, was introduced late into the attack.Former India opener Aakash Chopra expressed astonishment at the decision. "We didn't get Ashwin to bowl at all. I'm not saying we would have won if he had bowled, but we didn't even give him a chance," Chopra said. "That was surprising and inexplicable."Chopra questioned the logic behind using Ashwin as the fifth bowling option. "You can understand Bumrah's long spell because he took both wickets. But Siraj was bowling well with the new ball. You could have brought in Jadeja or Ashwin earlier," he said."The match was over. There was no life left in it. You called Ashwin to bowl when only 15 or 20 runs were left. It would have been better not to bowl him at all," Chopra added. "This question should have been asked in the post-match press conference - 'Rohit bhai, what did you do?' India definitely missed a trick, and it's beyond my understanding why Ashwin wasn't bowled."

Ahead of the crucial second Test against New Zealand in Pune, India's assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has provided an update on the fitness of star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Doeschate expressed optimism that Pant will be fit to keep wickets in the upcoming match."He was having slight discomfort while running towards the end range of the movement of his knee while running. Fingers crossed he will be fine to keep wickets in the second Test," said Doeschate.Pant's fitness has been a concern for the Indian team after he suffered a knee injury during the first Test in Bengaluru. The injury forced him to miss the final day of the match and raised doubts about his availability for the second Test.However, the BCCI's medical team is confident that Pant will be ready to take the field in Pune. "He was in some pain after getting hit on the right knee during New Zealand's first innings. He was given injections. The limp while running between the wickets came from numbness in the affected region. He just has a bruise now and should be fit in a day or two," a BCCI source told TOI.Pant's return to the team after a year-and-a-half absence due to a near-fatal car accident has been a welcome boost for India. His gritty comeback has earned him the support of the team management, which is carefully managing his workload.Despite his injury, Pant played a crucial role in India's victory in the first Test. He scored a dazzling 99 in the second innings, helping India set a challenging target for New Zealand.With Pant expected to be fit for the second Test, India will be hoping to continue their winning ways and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Shubman Gill's return to the Indian Test squad for the second match against New Zealand has boosted the team's morale after their disappointing loss in the first Test. Gill, who missed the Bengaluru Test due to an injury, is expected to play a crucial role in India's batting lineup.India's batting woes were evident in the first Test, where they were bowled out for a mere 46 runs in their first innings. The absence of Gill, a talented opener, was keenly felt as the team struggled to build partnerships.However, with Gill back in the fold, India will be hoping for a much-improved performance in the second Test. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form in recent months, scoring a century in the first Test against Bangladesh and a half-century in the second.India's bowling coach, Ryan Ten Doeschate, confirmed Gill's availability, stating that he is "fine for this Test." This news will come as a relief to captain Rohit Sharma, who will be looking to his team to bounce back from their defeat in Bengaluru.The second Test will be played from October 24 to October 28 in Mumbai. India will be eager to level the series and gain momentum ahead of the third and final Test in Indore.