Cricket

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli's struggles continued on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as he was dismissed for a duck, equaling an embarrassing record. Kohli's dismissal marked his 38th international duck, tying him with New Zealand's Tim Southee for the most ducks among active cricketers. India skipper Rohit Sharma is third on the list with 33 ducks.Kohli's dismissal came off a short-length delivery from fast bowler Will O'Rourke. The ball flew off Kohli's gloves, and Glenn Phillips completed a good catch at leg gully. Kohli's poor form has been a concern for India, as he has failed to score a century in his last 10 Test innings.Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the rain-truncated opening Test. India made two changes to their team, with Sarfaraz Khan replacing an injured Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav replacing seamer Akash Deep.The first day's play was washed out due to persistent rain. India and New Zealand will play two more Tests, at Pune from October 24-28 and at Mumbai from November 1-5.

Persistent rain has washed out the opening session of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, casting a shadow over India's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final.India, currently atop the WTC standings, are aiming for their third consecutive appearance in the final. However, the inclement weather in Bengaluru has disrupted their plans. With no play possible on the first day, the teams took lunch without a ball being bowled or the coin being flipped.India's quest for a smooth qualification has been hindered by the rain, as weather forecasts predict further disruptions in the coming days. A start-stop approach is expected for the first three days at the least, which does not bode well for Team India.India's position at the summit of the WTC standings is precarious, with Australia and Sri Lanka lurking behind. India has accumulated 74.24 percentage points after 8 wins, 2 losses, and a draw from 11 matches in the 2023-25 cycle. Australia (62.50 percentage points) and Sri Lanka (55.56 percentage points) are eager to challenge India for a place in the WTC Final.India's recent 2-0 series victory against Bangladesh had boosted their hopes of securing a WTC Final berth. A clean sweep against New Zealand would have guaranteed their qualification even before the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia from November 22.However, the rain in Bengaluru has thrown a spanner in the works. India will need to make the most of the remaining days of the Test series to secure a positive result and maintain their position at the top of the WTC standings. The World Test Championship final will be played at Lord's next June, and India will be determined to make their third consecutive appearance.

India's Test juggernaut rolls into Bengaluru for the first of three matches against New Zealand, starting Wednesday at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The hosts, riding high on a six-match winning streak, will be aiming to extend their dominance against a New Zealand side missing the services of star batter Kane Williamson.For Indian opener KL Rahul, this Test holds special significance as it marks a homecoming to the city where his cricketing dreams took flight. In an interview with BCCI TV, Rahul expressed his emotional connection to the Bengaluru ground, recalling his journey from an 11-year-old boy to an international cricketer."It's always special for me to come back here," Rahul said. "This is where I grew up, played all my cricket. The feeling for me as an eleven year old boy who came here first time, played a game, that feeling for me hasn't changed."Rahul described the overwhelming flood of memories that come rushing in whenever he steps onto the field at Chinnaswamy. "From the time you leave the dressing room and walk to the middle, so many emotions hit you. It's like a whole three-hour movie plays in your mind – from my early cricketing days at U13s, U15s, U19s, to Ranji Trophy and IPL matches, and finally, representing India internationally. It gives me goosebumps."He also fondly reminisced about his time in the clubhouse canteen, where breakfast routines became a cherished tradition. "From age-group cricket to Ranji Trophy, we'd have breakfast at the canteen, finish training, and return for lunch," Rahul recalled. "I haven't been there in the last year or so. I don't know if that place has changed now. But it used to be really delicious and our morning started really good with dosa and coffee."Rahul, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2014, has garnered 2969 runs in 52 Tests, averaging 34.52. In 2024, he has featured in four Tests, scoring 222 runs at an average of 44.40, with two fifties.Rahul also displayed his form in the Duleep Trophy, scoring 37 and 57 for India A. With one eye on the upcoming Australia tour, Rahul will be eager to prove his mettle and cement his spot in the team's starting eleven for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.

The post-Rahul Dravid era in Indian cricket has witnessed a shift towards a more aggressive approach, spearheaded by head coach Gautam Gambhir. As the team prepares for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, the focus has shifted to the bowling department, with Gambhir emphasizing the importance of bowlers in determining match outcomes.With Jasprit Bumrah appointed as vice-captain, India's priorities are clear. However, the absence of Mohammed Shami due to an ankle injury has created a void that the team is looking to fill. Akash Deep has emerged as a potential candidate, having displayed consistency and accuracy in his short Test career.Mohammed Siraj, once a rising star, has faced challenges in 2024, with his wicket-taking ability declining. The New Zealand series provides him with an opportunity to regain form and build momentum ahead of the crucial Australia tour.India has also named three pacers as reserves: Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna. While their inclusion in the starting XI is unlikely, they represent India's long-term strategy, particularly with the Australia tour in mind.The New Zealand series will serve as a valuable preparation ground for the reserves, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the team environment and prepare for the challenges of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

As India embarks on a three-Test series against New Zealand, the spotlight falls on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, the young prodigies tasked with carrying the torch of Indian cricket. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of their careers, these two rising stars must prove their mettle and demonstrate their ability to lead the team into the future.Jaiswal and Gill have shown immense promise in recent times. Gill has amassed three centuries and two fifties in his last 10 Test innings, while Jaiswal boasts a 214 and five fifties in his last eight outings. However, they face challenges that they must overcome to establish themselves as reliable pillars of the Indian batting lineup.Jaiswal has a tendency to play expansive shots against pace bowlers, leading to his dismissal on several occasions. Gill, too, has struggled against incoming deliveries from pacers. These weaknesses will be tested against New Zealand's capable pace attack, featuring Matt Henry, William O'Rourke, and Tim Southee.While Kohli and Rohit remain integral to the team, their recent form has been underwhelming. Kohli has not scored a fifty in six innings this year, while Rohit has managed only one fifty in his last 13 innings. The onus is on these stalwarts to rediscover their touch and provide stability to the batting order.New Zealand, on the other hand, faces its own set of problems. Their batsmen struggled against Sri Lankan spinners in their recent away series, and they will now face the formidable duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on Indian soil. The Kiwis will also have to contend with the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been in devastating form.India has a slight edge in terms of bowling, with Bumrah, Ashwin, and Jadeja forming a formidable trio. However, they must decide whether to field a third pacer in Akash Deep or opt for a spinner like Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel, who can provide additional batting depth.The weather forecast predicts gloomy conditions, which could lead to delayed starts and truncated sessions. This may influence India's decision-making regarding their bowling lineup.As the series unfolds, the performances of Jaiswal, Gill, Kohli, and Rohit will be closely scrutinized. India will be eager to assert its dominance over New Zealand, while the Kiwis will be determined to prove their mettle against a formidable opponent.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian skipper, has been facing intense scrutiny over his struggles against spin bowling. In the past 28 Test matches, he has been dismissed by spinners on 21 occasions, primarily by off-spinners. Despite the mounting criticism, Kohli remains determined to rediscover his form.At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Kohli first showcased his fourth-innings heroics against New Zealand in 2012, he spent considerable time facing spinners in the nets. While there were moments of hesitation, he also displayed his trademark cuts and hoists over the infield, executed with impeccable footwork.Kohli's comfort at the Chinnaswamy Stadium stems from his early success in red-ball cricket. In 2012, he scored a century and an unbeaten 51 against New Zealand, playing a crucial role in India's victory. However, in recent years, he has struggled against New Zealand's spinners, including Jeetan Patel, Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra.The recent series against Bangladesh further highlighted Kohli's vulnerability against spin. In four innings, he managed only 99 runs and was dismissed by off-spin twice. His tendency to play early or against the spin has contributed to his struggles.Despite the setbacks, Kohli has found support in head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir emphasized the importance of backing players and selecting the best playing XI, regardless of their recent form. He also highlighted Kohli's hunger to excel, stating that he is "as hungry as when he made his debut."As Kohli looks to regain his form, he is approaching the 9,000-run mark in Test cricket. While the 10,000-run milestone is already being discussed, Gambhir believes that Kohli's focus is on scoring runs in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.

New Zealand's emphatic 54-run victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Monday has sent shockwaves through the Women's T20 World Cup, eliminating India from the tournament and securing the White Ferns a spot in the semifinals for the first time since 2016.India's hopes of reaching the last four rested solely on Pakistan pulling off an upset against New Zealand, given their inferior net run rate. However, despite Pakistan's valiant efforts to restrict New Zealand to a modest 110 for six in 20 overs, their batting lineup crumbled under pressure, collapsing to a mere 56 all out in just 11.4 overs.Australia emerged as the dominant force in Group A, topping the standings with eight points, while New Zealand finished second with six points. India's fate was ultimately sealed by their loss to New Zealand in their tournament opener, a result that proved costly in the end.New Zealand's victory was orchestrated by a stellar bowling performance, with spinner Amelia Kerr claiming three wickets. However, it was the seamers, Lea Tahuhu (1/8) and Eden Carson (2/7), who set the tone for the White Ferns, opening the floodgates for a Pakistani batting collapse.Pakistan's pursuit of the target was hampered by a slow start, as they needed to reach the target in less than 12 overs to qualify. However, the pressure proved too much, and they were dismissed well before the allotted time.Earlier in the match, Pakistan's spinners, Omaima Sohail (1/14 in 4 overs) and Nashra Sandhu (3/18 in 4 overs), applied relentless pressure on the New Zealand batters, delivering 21 dot balls and taking four wickets between them for only 29 runs. Despite the efforts of openers Suzie Bates (28) and Georgia Plimmer (17), who added 41 runs for the opening stand, the Pakistani spinners managed to restrict New Zealand to a modest total.

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has declared his unwavering support for an aggressive "high risk, high reward" approach in Test cricket, even if it occasionally leads to low scores. This philosophy was evident in India's recent victory over Bangladesh in Kanpur, where they chased down a target in a rain-affected match.Gambhir believes that this approach allows batters to maximize their potential and score quickly, potentially leading to match-winning performances. He acknowledges that there will be setbacks, but he is willing to accept them as part of the pursuit of success.However, Gambhir emphasizes that adaptability remains crucial. He wants his team to be able to adjust their strategy based on the situation, whether it's pushing for a win or securing a draw. He believes that this flexibility is essential for growth and success in Test cricket.Gambhir is confident in his team's ability to handle any challenge, including the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand. He acknowledges the Kiwis' strength but insists that India will play "hard cricket" to achieve their desired results.Despite the upcoming challenges, including a five-Test series against Australia, Gambhir remains focused on the immediate task at hand. He believes that the team's primary goal is to win the World Test Championship in June 2025, and that the upcoming matches are crucial steps towards that objective.

New Zealand's top-order batter Rachin Ravindra has emphasized the significance of neutralizing the formidable spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in their upcoming Test series against India. Ashwin and Jadeja, with over 800 Test wickets between them, pose a significant threat to the Kiwi batting lineup.Ravindra acknowledged the consistency and skill of the Indian spinners, stating, "They've got consistent bowlers who bowl in an area for a long period of time. Ashwin and Jadeja are two very accomplished bowlers who can also bat, making them even more challenging."The 24-year-old batter drew upon his previous experiences playing in India, including the ODI World Cup and IPL, to bolster his confidence. "Although it is different formats, it gives you confidence that you can perform in this part of the world," he said.From a team perspective, Ravindra emphasized the importance of focusing on their own game plan rather than being preoccupied with India's approach. "We know what a quality side they are, but I think if we're able to play our game and be consistent, hopefully, that will result in a win," he added.Despite their recent 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka and the washout against Afghanistan, Ravindra expressed confidence in the team's ability to learn from those experiences. "We did some really good stuff during the Sri Lankan series, but we came on the wrong side of the win and loss column," he said.Ravindra highlighted the need for the team to maintain their focus and intensity throughout the match. "We've got to understand that we've got to do it (fighting) for long periods of time because that's what Test match cricket is about," he said.The Kiwi batter emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions in India, which are similar to those in Sri Lanka in terms of spin. "We have learnt a lot. So, it's about, you know, seeing how we can play our game and how we can bring that here to India," he concluded.