Cricket

Rachin Ravindra, the rising star of New Zealand cricket, has once again showcased his exceptional batting prowess, this time on Indian soil. In the recently concluded first Test match against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Ravindra played a pivotal role in his team's historic eight-wicket victory.Ravindra's impressive performance, which included a match-winning 134 and an unbeaten 39, earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to adapt to the challenging Indian conditions and play with composure and precision was evident throughout the match.Speaking after the match, Ravindra attributed his success to a combination of form and meticulous preparation. He emphasized the importance of understanding the nuances of playing in India, particularly the need to maintain a solid stance and move forward and back to create scoring opportunities."I guess it's a combination of both (form and preparation)," Ravindra said. "As long as I have clarity of what needs to be done and I know what my plan is, it's great."Ravindra's preparation for the tour included a week-long stint at the Chennai Super Kings high-performance academy in Chennai, where he worked closely with coach Sriram Krishnamurthy. This experience proved invaluable, as it allowed him to acclimatize to the different surfaces and bowling styles he would encounter in India."Preparation does help," Ravindra said. "When you've got six Tests in a row, you're always looking to do something extra. Lucky enough it all worked out today."Ravindra's performance in Bengaluru was particularly special for him, as his father, Ravindra Krishnamurthy, was in attendance. The city holds a special significance for Ravindra, as his family hails from there."It's a nice city, and a nice wicket to bat on," Ravindra said. "So the odds are in my favor. Whenever I play in Bangalore, it's quite nice to have the support. My phone starts blowing up. The fans are great too, I love the support. It's nice having dad and close family here, it always makes it special."Ravindra's success in India is a testament to his talent, hard work, and adaptability. As New Zealand continues its tour, he will undoubtedly be a key player for the team, looking to build on his impressive start and contribute to further victories.

At 38, R. Ashwin is nearing the twilight of his illustrious career. With India set to host only four Tests next year, it remains uncertain whether Chennai will witness another Test match soon. However, if Ashwin's recent performance against Bangladesh is any indication, he is determined to bow out in style.In his final outing at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Ashwin etched his name in history by scoring a century, taking a six-wicket haul, and being named Player-of-the-Match. When asked if this could be his last Test in his hometown, Ashwin remained philosophical, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of Test cricket."Every Test match is a big thing," Ashwin remarked. "You never know what's next. But if that was my swansong (in Chennai), what a swansong."Ashwin's performance was a testament to his unwavering determination and ability to reinvent himself. Despite being a veteran of the game, he continues to push himself to new heights."It's not the same as when you're 25, 30, or even 35," Ashwin said. "Every bit of work you put in, you have to put it doubly hard to earn the right to be there."Ashwin's journey has been marked by constant evolution. He has adapted his bowling style, developed new variations, and remained a potent force in the game."I just wanted to enjoy my game and be the best that I can be," Ashwin explained. "I am not ambitious and want to play as long as I can."With nine more Tests scheduled in the upcoming season, Ashwin is focused on maintaining his fitness and form. He understands the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about his ability to continue contributing to the team."When you look so far ahead, it can be quite deflating," Ashwin said. "You have to stack it up. There are good breaks between games. More than skill, I think it is about physically being able to go through the season, which is of utmost importance to me right now."As Ashwin approaches the end of his career, he can reflect on a remarkable journey filled with achievements and accolades. His legacy as one of India's greatest off-spinners is secure, and his final chapter promises to be just as memorable as the ones that came before.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's Test all-rounder, not only excelled on the field but also off it, after being challenged by skipper Rohit Sharma to keep his conversation with presenter Harsha Bhogle shorter than his.Ashwin was called up for a chat by Bhogle after being named Player of the Match for his 6-for and hundred in the Chepauk Test. The all-rounder had everyone laughing as he spoke of the challenge Sharma had given him.Sharma, who had a lengthy conversation with Bhogle during the post-match presentation ceremony, had challenged Ashwin to keep his shorter. The all-rounder cheekily reminded Bhogle of the challenge in an attempt to wrap up the conversation early."He updated me saying that we would have a long chat. He is waiting to see how long this will go on for. I am sure he has put the timer on. Now it's shorter than his (chat)," Ashwin said after the match as the TV cameras shifted focus towards Sharma, who burst into laughter upon hearing what the Tamil Nadu-born star had to say.Ashwin relished playing in front of his home crowd. The 37-year-old went on to score his second consecutive Test ton at Chepauk and 6th overall in the longest format of the game.Earlier in the presentation ceremony, Sharma had said on Ashwin: "He's next in line to talk to you, he's the right man to answer what he does. Every time we look up to him, he's always there for us whether with the bat or ball. I don't know if I speak here, it'll be enough of what he does for this team. Every time we see him come out and do the job, it's always so brilliant. He's never out of the game. The last competitive cricket he played was IPL and then he had some fun playing TNPL. We watched him bat up the order and that's what helped him as well to bat the way he did."Ashwin's performance in the Chepauk Test was a testament to his all-round abilities. He has established himself as one of India's most reliable players in the longest format of the game.

Suryakumar Yadav, the enigmatic Indian batter, has etched his name alongside Virat Kohli in the annals of T20 International cricket by equaling the record for the most Player of the Match (POTM) awards. Yadav's 16th POTM accolade, achieved in just 69 matches, matches Kohli's tally, which took the former Indian captain 125 matches to accumulate.Yadav's latest POTM award came in India's emphatic 43-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first T20I of their 2024 tour at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Batting first, India posted an imposing 213/7, with Yadav leading the charge with a blistering 58 off 26 balls. His innings, studded with eight fours and two sixes, showcased his aggressive intent and ability to turn the tide of the game in his team's favor.Despite the early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, Yadav's innings provided the stability and momentum that India needed. Rishabh Pant also contributed significantly with a brisk 49 off 33 balls, while Hardik Pandya and Riyan Parag added quick runs in the middle overs. Axar Patel's unbeaten 10 off 5 balls helped India cross the 200-run mark.In response, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 170 in 19.2 overs. Pathum Nissanka's 79 off 48 balls and Kusal Mendis's 45 off 27 were the only notable performances in an otherwise disappointing chase. Arshdeep Singh and Riyan Parag were the pick of the bowlers for India, with Singh taking 2 for 24 and Parag claiming 3 for 5 in a stellar bowling display.Yadav's rapid accumulation of 16 POTM awards is a testament to his impactful performances and his pivotal role in India's T20I squad. With the series just beginning, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see if he can surpass Kohli's record and continue to be a game-changer for his team.

Virat Kohli's Match-Winning Knock Overshadows Axar Patel's Crucial Contribution in India's T20 World Cup TriumphAs India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final, the spotlight shone brightly on Virat Kohli, who was awarded the Player of the Match for his pivotal 59-ball 76. However, former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes that Kohli's performance, while undoubtedly significant, was not the most impactful in securing India's victory.Jaffer, who played as an opening batter for India, contends that Axar Patel played an even more crucial role in India's triumph. "Virat Kohli hadn't scored many runs in the tournament, but he chose the right moment to come good," Jaffer acknowledged on his YouTube channel. "His knock of 76 made a lot of difference and kept one end intact."However, Jaffer emphasizes that Patel's contribution was paramount. "The most important part I thought was played by Axar Patel," he asserted. "The cameo that he played ensured that the run rate from India never dropped below eight runs per over. He took the attack to the South African bowlers and didn't let them settle, forming a crucial partnership with Kohli."Patel's aggressive batting, Jaffer argues, prevented South Africa from gaining control of the match. "He took the pressure off Kohli and allowed him to play his natural game," Jaffer explained. "Without Patel's contribution, India would have struggled to reach a defendable total."While acknowledging Kohli's match-winning knock, Jaffer believes that Patel's performance was equally, if not more, deserving of the Player of the Match award. "Both Kohli and Patel played crucial roles in India's victory," Jaffer concluded. "But for me, Patel's contribution was slightly more significant."

The T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa witnessed a thrilling climax, with India emerging victorious by a narrow margin of 7 runs. However, the Player of the Match award, which went to Virat Kohli, has sparked a debate among cricket experts.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his surprise at Kohli receiving the award, arguing that his knock of 76 runs off 59 balls had put India in a precarious position. Manjrekar believes that the Indian bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, deserved the recognition for their exceptional death bowling that rescued India from the brink of defeat."By playing that innings, Hardik Pandya, one of their most devastating batters, had just two balls to face. So I thought India's batting was good, but Virat Kohli had potentially played an innings that would've put India in a tight corner. And it almost proved to be that, before these guys' bowlers came in the end," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar emphasized that India were in a losing position, with South Africa having a 90% chance of victory. He believes that the bowlers' remarkable turnaround saved Kohli's innings, which had a strike rate of 128 for nearly half of the innings."My Player of the Match would've been a bowler because they actually took the game from the jaws of defeat and won it for India," Manjrekar added.However, former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Flower had a different perspective. He believes that India's batting performance was sufficient, with a total of 176 runs on the board. Flower acknowledged that if India had lost the match, Kohli would have faced significant criticism."If India had been pipped there, there would've been a lot of criticism going Virat Kohli's way, I'd reckon. At the halfway mark, I thought India had enough, and that it was going to be a very difficult chase for South Africa," Flower said.The debate over the Player of the Match award highlights the crucial role played by both the batters and bowlers in India's victory. While Kohli's innings provided a solid foundation, the bowlers' exceptional performance in the final overs ultimately secured the win.

Kuldeep Yadav's exceptional bowling performance propelled Delhi Capitals (DC) to a thrilling victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-scoring encounter in Delhi. Yadav's spell of 2 for 25 proved decisive, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award and lifting DC to fifth place in the points table.Chasing a challenging target of 222, RR appeared in contention at the start of the 18th over, requiring 41 runs from 18 deliveries. However, Yadav's brilliance turned the tide in DC's favor. He successfully reviewed a not-out lbw decision against Donovan Ferreira off the first ball of the over and then dismissed R Ashwin with his final delivery.Yadav's economical bowling in his first three overs, conceding only 21 runs, had already disrupted RR's momentum. DC captain Rishabh Pant revealed that the plan was to save Yadav's over for RR's right-handers, Ferreira and Rovman Powell, at the death."We wanted to take that chance because with Kuldeep, we knew that these players are going to have problems," Pant said. "And as always, Kuldeep delivered - great to see that!"After Yadav's heroics, DC's fast bowlers executed their yorkers with precision in the final overs. Rasikh Salam bowled four yorkers in the 19th over, three of them dot balls to Powell, while Mukesh Kumar delivered two in the final over."Especially in the back end, the way fast bowlers executed the yorkers [was the turning point]," Pant said. "I think that was a positive, because the way our fast bowling has been going and the way the tournament is progressing, each and every day the bowlers are coming on the positive side, and that's good to see."Despite Delhi being a challenging venue for bowlers this season, Yadav emphasized the importance of mixing length and line and reading the batter. "There is a lot of chance to pick wickets, and that's what I did," he said. "You have to be smart enough to bowl and read the batter. It's better to back your strengths, and just keep believing."DC's victory propelled them to fifth place in the points table, level on points with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).