Cricket

Virat Kohli's Resurgence: A Milestone and a Lifeline for IndiaVirat Kohli, the former Indian captain and batting maestro, has finally broken his century drought in Test cricket, marking his return to form with a crucial half-century in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand.Kohli's 52-run knock came at a time when India desperately needed a stabilizing force after losing early wickets. His innings was a testament to his resilience and determination, as he weathered the storm and played with the composure of a seasoned veteran.With this half-century, Kohli became the fourth Indian batter to surpass 9,000 runs in Test cricket, joining the illustrious ranks of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. However, Kohli's journey to this milestone was the longest among the quartet, taking him 197 innings to reach the coveted mark.Kohli's resurgence is a welcome sight for Indian cricket fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his return to his dominant form. His half-century has not only boosted India's chances in the ongoing Test but has also reignited hopes of a successful World Test Championship campaign.The Indian team has been struggling for consistency in recent months, and Kohli's return to form could be the catalyst they need to turn their fortunes around. His experience, leadership, and ability to score runs in all conditions make him an invaluable asset to the side.As India prepares for the second Test against New Zealand, Kohli will be expected to continue his good form and guide the team to victory. His return to form is a timely boost for India, who will be looking to secure a series win and consolidate their position in the World Test Championship standings.

Rohit Sharma's Unfortunate Dismissal Mars India's Fightback in Bengaluru TestIndia's hopes of salvaging the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru suffered a setback on Friday as opener Rohit Sharma was dismissed in an unfortunate manner. After trailing by 356 runs in the first innings, India had made a promising start to their second innings, with Sharma leading the charge.However, the Indian captain's impressive stay at the crease was cut short by a moment of misfortune. Facing left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, Sharma attempted a defensive stroke to a ball on the off-stump. The ball, however, glanced off the inside edge and trickled onto the stumps before Sharma could react.The dismissal left Sharma and the Chinnaswamy crowd in disbelief. The Indian opener had looked solid in his innings, scoring 52 runs off 83 balls. His departure was a major blow to India's hopes of building a substantial lead.Earlier in the day, New Zealand had been dismissed for 402 in their first innings. Rachin Ravindra (134) and Tim Southee (65) had put together a brisk 134-run partnership for the eighth wicket to extend the visitors' advantage.India's bowlers, led by Ravindra Jadeja (3/72), had struck early to reduce New Zealand to 233 for seven. However, Ravindra and Southee's partnership helped the Kiwis add valuable runs to their total.With Sharma's dismissal, India's task became even more challenging. The hosts will need to bat with patience and determination to avoid a heavy defeat in the first Test.

Rishabh Pant's Return Boosts India's Hopes in Bengaluru TestRishabh Pant's return to training on Friday has provided a glimmer of hope for India in the ongoing first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Despite conceding a massive 356-run lead, the hosts are pinning their hopes on the star wicketkeeper-batter to salvage the match.During the Tea break on Day 3, Pant emerged from the dressing room wearing a single pad and faced throw-downs under the watchful eye of assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. The Bengaluru crowd erupted in cheers as Pant, who missed the morning session due to a knee injury, began his preparations to bat.Pant's absence from the field on Friday saw Dhruv Jurel take over the wicketkeeping duties. However, as per ICC regulations, a substitute wicketkeeper cannot bat for the team. This means that Pant will be eligible to bat without serving any penalty time.India's hopes of saving the Test rest heavily on Pant's shoulders. The left-hander has a proven track record of rescuing the team from precarious situations. In the 2021 Sydney Test, Pant played a pivotal role in India's heroic draw, scoring a match-saving 97. He also played a crucial innings in India's historic victory in the Gabba Test.With India facing a daunting task in the second innings, Pant's return to the crease could prove to be a game-changer. His aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly could help India reduce the deficit and put pressure on New Zealand.The Indian team management will be closely monitoring Pant's progress in the coming hours. If he is deemed fit to bat, he is likely to come in at number six or seven in the batting order.

India's bowlers fought valiantly for over 90 minutes, but Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee's blistering partnership before lunch propelled New Zealand to a commanding lead in the ongoing Test match.After India's dismal first innings total of 46, they needed a strong start with the ball. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah delivered, keeping the New Zealand batsmen in check with accurate bowling. They claimed the wickets of Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry, who appeared rattled and lacking confidence.However, Southee, known for his aggressive batting, provided stability for Ravindra. Despite the previous two batters falling to straight deliveries, Ravindra remained composed, trusting his partner. Southee's resilience allowed Ravindra to flourish, and he raced to his second Test century, his second international hundred in his hometown.From the 70th over onwards, Ravindra accelerated, scoring 56 runs off 38 balls. He lofted Kuldeep Yadav for a six to reach his fifty and continued to push the boundaries. Southee, initially cautious, also joined the attack, hitting an overpitched delivery from Ashwin for a six.Ravindra's confidence soared as he dictated the terms to the bowlers. Southee, too, found his rhythm, waiting patiently for the right deliveries to attack. By lunch, the duo had added an unbeaten 112 for the eighth wicket, giving New Zealand a lead of 299 runs.India's bowlers, who had toiled tirelessly, were left frustrated by the late onslaught. Ravindra and Southee's partnership, the second-quickest 100-plus stand against India, has put the visitors in a commanding position.

Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, a rising star in Indian cricket, will miss the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand to prioritize her academic commitments. The 21-year-old, who has been a regular member of India's international teams since her debut in 2020, will sit for her class 12 board exams during the series.Ghosh's absence will be a significant blow to India, who are looking to bounce back from their disappointing group-stage exit at the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE. The team's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has come under scrutiny following the tournament, and the ODI series against New Zealand will be a crucial test for her leadership.The 16-member squad for the three ODIs in Ahmedabad on October 24, 27, and 29 will be led by Kaur. The team includes several experienced players, such as Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma, as well as some exciting newcomers.Seam-bowling allrounders Sayali Satghare and Saima Thakor, legspinner Priya Mishra, and middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis have all received their maiden ODI call-ups. The BCCI has confirmed that legspinner Asha Sobhana is unavailable due to injury, while allrounder Pooja Vastrakar has been rested.India will be eager to put their T20 World Cup disappointment behind them and perform well in the ODI series against New Zealand. The team will be looking to build momentum ahead of the 2023 Women's Cricket World Cup, which will be held in South Africa.

New Zealand Dominate Day 2 of Bengaluru Test, India Collapse to Dismal 46New Zealand seized control of the rain-affected opening Test against India in Bengaluru, finishing Day 2 with a commanding 134-run lead. Opener Devon Conway's brilliant 91 anchored the Kiwis' response to India's disastrous 46 all out, the hosts' lowest-ever Test score at home.India's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Matt Henry's five-wicket haul and William O'Rourke's four wickets. Only Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) managed double figures as the Indian innings folded in just 31.2 overs.In response, New Zealand openers Conway and Tom Latham (22) forged a solid partnership, putting on 78 runs for the first wicket. Conway reached his half-century off just 54 balls, showcasing his excellent footwork against the Indian spinners.However, Conway's dismissal to Ravichandran Ashwin's reverse sweep left New Zealand at 105/2. Will Young (29) and Daryl Mitchell (14) then steadied the innings, taking the Kiwis to 180/3 at stumps.Earlier, India's decision to bat first under overcast conditions backfired spectacularly. Henry and O'Rourke exploited the bounce and seam movement to dismantle the Indian batting order. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan all fell cheaply, leaving India reeling at 10/3.Pant's counter-attacking innings was cut short, and Jaiswal's patient knock ended with a stunning catch by Ajaz Patel. The dismissals of Rahul and Jadeja left India reeling at 34/6 at lunch, and the innings concluded just minutes into the second session.New Zealand's bowlers set the tone for the day, with Henry and O'Rourke generating troublesome bounce and Southee's wobble seam accounting for Rohit's wicket. The Kiwis will look to extend their lead on Day 3 and put India under further pressure.

Rishabh Pant's Injury Raises Concerns for Team IndiaTeam India's hopes of a strong start to the Test series against New Zealand were dealt a blow on Thursday when wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant was forced to leave the field due to a knee injury. The incident occurred on the final ball of the 37th over, as Pant was struck on the right knee by a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja.Pant immediately collapsed to the ground in pain, and the physio was called onto the field to assess the injury. After a brief examination, Pant was helped off the field by the physio and a substitute fielder. The extent of the injury is still unknown, but any setback to Pant's recovery could have a significant impact on India's plans for the ongoing Test series and the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Pant has been a key figure in India's middle order in recent years, and his dynamic presence is vital for the team's stability. He is known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to score runs quickly, and his absence would be a major blow to India's chances of success.The injury to Pant is a reminder of the physical demands of Test cricket, and the importance of staying fit and healthy. Pant has had a history of injuries in the past, and he will be hoping to make a speedy recovery from this latest setback.Fans and teammates alike are hoping for a positive update on Pant's condition, and they will be keeping their fingers crossed that he will be able to return to the field soon.

India's Humiliating Collapse: Lowest Test Total at HomeThe Indian cricket team endured a catastrophic collapse on Thursday, registering their lowest-ever Test total at home against New Zealand in Bengaluru. After rain washed out the opening day, India opted to bat first in overcast conditions, a decision that proved disastrous.The Indian batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pressure of New Zealand's pace attack. Five batters—Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin—were dismissed for ducks, while openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal managed only 2 and 13 runs, respectively.Rishabh Pant emerged as the top-scorer with a meager 20 runs, highlighting the team's abysmal performance. The collapse sparked widespread criticism on social media, with fans and pundits calling for the return of veteran batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.At lunch, India was reeling at 34 for 6, and their slide continued after the break. R Ashwin and Pant fell in quick succession, followed by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, who contributed only 1 and 2 runs, respectively.The humiliating collapse has raised serious questions about India's batting depth and the team's ability to perform under pressure. The selectors' decision to move on from Rahane and Pujara has come under scrutiny, as the younger players have failed to live up to expectations.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma's poor form continued on Day 2 of the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday. Sharma was dismissed for just 2 runs, failing to cross the 30-run mark in both Test matches against Bangladesh and the ongoing series against New Zealand.Sharma's dismissal came after he was completely beaten by the swing of a delivery from New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee. The ball crashed into the stumps, ending Sharma's short stay at the crease.Sharma's poor form has led to a lot of criticism on social media, with many calling for him to retire. However, Sharma has the backing of the team management, who believe that he is still the best batsman in the world.In the absence of Shubman Gill, who is not 100% fit due to neck stiffness, Sarfaraz Khan came into India's playing eleven. Kuldeep Yadav was also included in the team as the third spinner alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.New Zealand skipper Tom Latham said Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are the spin-bowling allrounders for the visitors alongside left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel. They will be complemented by three pacers in Matt Henry, Tim Southee, and William O'Rourke.