Cricket

India's Gautam Gambhir Emphasizes Bowlers' Importance in Modern CricketIn the lead-up to the first Test match between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, head coach Gautam Gambhir has highlighted the crucial role of bowlers in the modern era of cricket. Gambhir believes that the "obsessed" mentality of batters needs to end, as bowlers now hold the key to victory.Over the past decade, Test cricket has witnessed a gradual shift from batsman-dominated matches to those where bowlers have taken center stage. The recent Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur served as a stark reminder of this evolution. Despite losing over two days of play due to rain and a soggy outfield, India adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, bowling out Bangladesh for 20 wickets to secure a historic victory.Gambhir emphasized that the era of batters dominating Test matches is over. "That era is past. This is the era of bowlers. Batters only set up matches. This batsman-obsessed attitude of ours needs to end," he said at a press conference in Bengaluru.According to Gambhir, even if batters score a large number of runs, victory is not guaranteed. However, if the bowling unit takes 20 wickets, the team's triumph is almost assured. "If a batter even scores 1,000 runs, it doesn't guarantee victory. But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, then there is a 99 per cent guarantee that we will win the Test match," he explained.Gambhir believes that bowlers win matches and tournaments, and that this mindset needs to change. "In this era, we will talk more about bowlers compared to batters, and I hope this mindset changes," he added.Historically, matches between the 1950s and 1990s often ended in draws, even when batters were able to stay on the crease for extended periods. However, recent results indicate a shift in the balance of power towards bowlers.In the recent Test in Multan, Pakistan posted a mammoth 550 runs on the scoreboard. However, England responded with a remarkable 823/7, declaring their innings and setting the bowlers the task of securing an innings and 47 runs victory, which they duly achieved.The upcoming Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru promises to be a fascinating contest between bat and ball. India boasts a bowling attack that combines skill and experience, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against the formidable New Zealand batting lineup.

India's Women's T20 World Cup hopes now rest on Pakistan's ability to defeat New Zealand on Monday after a heartbreaking nine-run loss to defending champions Australia on Sunday.Australia secured their semi-final berth by topping Group A with an unblemished record of four wins. India, with four points from two wins and two losses, must rely on Pakistan's victory to keep their semi-final chances alive. A New Zealand win, however, would eliminate India."It's something which is not in our control," admitted India captain Harmanpreet Kaur. "If we get the opportunity to play another game, that will be great. But otherwise, whoever deserves to be there, that team will be there."Australia, despite missing skipper Alyssa Healy due to a foot injury, became the first team to guarantee a semi-final spot. Tahlia McGrath led the team in Healy's absence, while Grace Harris top-scored with 40 and McGrath contributed 32. Australia posted 151-8 after electing to bat first.India's response was valiant, with Kaur hitting an unbeaten 54 and Deepti Sharma contributing 29. However, Australia's Annabel Sutherland restricted India to just four runs in the final over, sealing the victory.Meanwhile, Pakistan stand-in captain Muneeba Ali expressed optimism about her team's chances of reaching the semi-finals. "We know that the pool is still open. We have a chance to win tomorrow's match and if we win by a good margin, we have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals," said Muneeba.In Group B, England crushed Scotland by 10 wickets, with openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge putting on an unbeaten century partnership. England's disciplined bowling attack, led by Sophie Ecclestone's 2-13, restricted Scotland to 109-6.England's victory propelled them to the top of Group B, ahead of South Africa and the West Indies. England will face the West Indies on Tuesday, with the Caribbean side needing a win to stay in contention for the semi-finals."Just try and win, exactly the same way we have approached (the tournament so far)," said England captain Heather Knight. "You want to keep winning, keep that momentum and we want to go again, get some momentum and make it to the semis."

India's hopes of reaching the Women's T20 World Cup semifinals suffered a setback after a narrow nine-run defeat to Australia in their final Group A match. Chasing a target of 152, India fell short, finishing at 142 for 9, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur leading the way with an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls. Deepti Sharma contributed 29, while Shafali Verma added 20.Despite the loss, India remain in second place on the points table with two wins and two losses, but their net run rate has dropped to 0.322. Australia, on the other hand, became the first team from the group to advance to the last four with an unbeaten run, registering four wins in as many games.India's fate now hinges on Monday's match between Pakistan and New Zealand. A win for Pakistan would pave the way for India to reach the semifinals. New Zealand, currently in third place with four points, will secure the last semifinal spot if they win against Pakistan.If Pakistan triumphs, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan will all be tied with four points each. In this scenario, India will advance to the semifinals due to their superior net run rate (NRR). However, with a NRR of -0.488, Pakistan would need an extraordinary win to qualify for the semifinals alongside Australia from Group A.India's performance against Australia was a mixed bag. The bowlers restricted the defending champions to a manageable total, with Renuka Singh taking three wickets and Deepti Sharma claiming two. However, the batters struggled to build partnerships, with only Harmanpreet Kaur managing to score a half-century.India will now have to rely on Pakistan to beat New Zealand in order to keep their semifinal hopes alive. If Pakistan wins, India will need to improve their net run rate in their final match against Ireland on Tuesday.

Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid made a special appearance at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, reuniting with captain Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli ahead of the first Test against New Zealand. Dravid's presence brought a sense of nostalgia and inspiration to the practice session, as he shared lighter moments with the players and offered his guidance.Dravid, known for his astute cricketing mind and calm demeanor, remains a revered figure in Indian cricket. His presence at the practice session added motivation to Team India as they prepare for the challenging three-match Test series against New Zealand. The series will serve as a crucial test for India before their all-important five-match Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.The second Test against New Zealand will take place in Pune starting October 24, while the third and final Test will be held in Mumbai from November 1. The series will also mark the first tour for newly-appointed Kiwi Test skipper Tom Latham as a full-time leader against India. Latham, 32, has led the team in nine matches till date, but this will be his first series as a permanent captain.India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been named Rohit's deputy for the New Zealand series, indicating his potential promotion to a leadership role when the team heads to Australia next month. Young pace sensation Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna were also named as traveling reserves for the NZ series.The Indian team is determined to put up a strong performance against New Zealand and gain momentum ahead of their highly anticipated series against Australia. Dravid's presence at the practice session served as a reminder of the team's rich cricketing heritage and the importance of unity and preparation.

New Zealand's fate in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals hangs in the balance once again, as they face a net run-rate scenario similar to their heartbreaks in 2014 and 2023. However, captain Sophie Devine remains unfazed, emphasizing their focus on controlling their own destiny.The outcome of India's match against Australia will determine the margin of victory New Zealand needs against Pakistan to qualify. Devine believes this situation is advantageous, as they can assess the situation before their final game.Despite the potential pressure, Devine is confident in her team's ability to adapt and execute. She acknowledges the threat posed by Pakistan, who recently defeated New Zealand in a T20I series. However, she stresses the importance of focusing on their own performance and not being distracted by external factors.New Zealand's tournament has been a rollercoaster, with a win against India followed by a loss to Australia. Against Sri Lanka, they overcame a challenging start to restrict their opponents to a manageable total and chase it down comfortably.Devine attributes their resilience to their ability to remain calm and level-headed amidst the ups and downs. She believes this approach will be crucial in their upcoming match against Pakistan, where they must balance the need to win with the potential emotional impact of Fatima Sana's return to the team after her father's funeral.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has begun preparations for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, starting October 18. Rohit, who recently led India to a 2-0 Test series sweep over Bangladesh, was seen hitting the nets on Friday.In a hilarious interaction, Rohit responded to a question about whether he would start his practice session with a six. "Pagal hogaya hai kya? (Are you mad or what?)" Rohit quipped, leaving fans in splits.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the Indian squad for the New Zealand series. However, reports suggest that Rohit may miss one of the first two Tests in Australia due to personal reasons.The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will commence on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test will be a day-night affair at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.Rohit's participation in the Australia series remains uncertain, with the BCCI yet to issue an official statement on his status.

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant recently engaged in a delightful gully cricket session with fans, showcasing his exceptional skills and infectious enthusiasm. The video, shared on social media, captured Pant's playful spirit and his love for the game.Pant, who has been selected for India's Test series against New Zealand, took time out to connect with fans and share his passion for cricket. In the video, he can be seen explaining the rules of the match, much to the amusement of those around him.With his signature out-of-the-box strokes, Pant left everyone in awe. He also indulged in light-hearted banter with his playmates, just as he does on the cricket field. The video concluded with Pant uttering a hilarious one-liner that resonated with every gully cricket batter: "Main batsman hoo na batting le ke ghar chala jaata hoo!" (I'm the batter, I will complete my batting and run home).Pant's gully cricket session not only showcased his cricketing prowess but also highlighted his down-to-earth nature. He connected with fans on a personal level, sharing his love for the game and creating lasting memories.The video has garnered immense attention on social media, with fans praising Pant's skills and his ability to bring joy to others. It serves as a reminder of the simple pleasures of cricket and the importance of connecting with fans at the grassroots level.As Pant prepares for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, his gully cricket session has provided a glimpse into his unwavering passion for the game. His infectious enthusiasm and love for cricket will undoubtedly inspire his teammates and fans alike.

South Africa and New Zealand emerged victorious in their respective Women's T20 World Cup matches on Saturday, strengthening their positions in the tournament. However, their ultimate fate remains uncertain as they face formidable opponents in the remaining group stage fixtures.South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dubai, restricting their opponents to a modest 106-3. Tazmin Brits led the chase with a steady 42 off 41 balls, while Anneke Bosch contributed 25. Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon guided the team home with unbeaten knocks of 13 and 14, respectively.Despite their victory, South Africa's semi-final hopes hinge on the outcome of England's remaining matches. England, with two wins from three games, is likely to secure a semi-final berth, leaving South Africa and West Indies vying for the final spot. West Indies, the 2016 champions, have a better net run-rate than South Africa but face a daunting task against England in their final group game.In Sharjah, New Zealand dominated Sri Lanka, chasing down a target of 116 with 15 balls to spare. Georgia Plimmer, a 20-year-old opener, impressed with a 53-run knock, while captain Sophie Devine sealed the victory with a six. New Zealand's victory keeps them in contention for a semi-final spot, but their fate depends on the results of India's match against Australia and their own clash with Pakistan on Monday.India and Australia, the defending champions, remain the frontrunners in Group A, with both teams boasting perfect records after three games. New Zealand's chances of reaching the semi-finals will hinge on their ability to overcome Pakistan and the outcome of the India-Australia match.

The qualification scenario for the semi-finals in Group A of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup has become clearer after New Zealand's convincing victory over Sri Lanka. With just two matches remaining in the group, India and New Zealand are the frontrunners to join Australia in the next round.India, currently leading the group with a net run rate (NRR) of 0.576, will face defending champions Australia on Sunday. New Zealand, with an NRR of 0.282, will take on Pakistan on Monday.If both India and New Zealand win their remaining matches, they will be tied with Australia on six points. In this scenario, the two teams with the highest NRR will advance to the semi-finals. India's superior NRR gives them an advantage over New Zealand.However, if both India and New Zealand lose their final matches, Pakistan will come into contention. The team with the best NRR among India, New Zealand, and Pakistan will join Australia in the semi-finals.If either India or New Zealand loses their final match, the other team will progress to the semi-finals with six points, alongside Australia.India's task is more challenging as they face an in-form Australia, who have won their last ten matches in a row. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be confident after their impressive victory over Sri Lanka.The outcome of the remaining matches in Group A will determine the two teams that will join Australia in the semi-finals. The high stakes and intense competition promise an exciting conclusion to the group stage.