Cricket

Sledging: A Fiery Element in the India-Australia Test RivalrySledging, the art of verbal jousting on the cricket field, has become an integral part of the intense rivalry between India and Australia. While Australian teams have traditionally been known for their aggressive sledging tactics, India has gradually embraced this aspect of the game, particularly under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli.In recent years, India has not only triumphed in their last two tours Down Under but has also matched the Australians in the art of sledging. Rishabh Pant, in particular, has emerged as a master of behind-the-wickets banter, often targeting Australian batters with his witty remarks.In a recent video shared by Star Sports, Australian players unanimously named Pant as the Indian player who sledges and banters the most. Pant, however, clarified that he does not engage in sledging with any specific purpose but simply enjoys the banter.The upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beginning on November 22 in Perth, promises to be another fiery encounter between these two cricketing giants. India's recent Test series win against Bangladesh has solidified their position atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with a points percentage of 74.24.If India manages to defeat New Zealand 3-0 at home, they will secure their place in the WTC final at Lord's in June 2025 before even heading to Australia. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will then become a contest of pride, with the world's No. 1 team aiming to retain the series.

Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal has revealed that the team will definitely retain captain Rishabh Pant ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced new retention rules, allowing franchises to retain a maximum of six players, including one Right-To-Match (RTM) option.Jindal emphasized the importance of retaining key players, stating that the team has several talented individuals. He mentioned Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kuldeep Yadav, Abishek Porel, Mukesh Kumar, and Khaleel Ahmed as potential candidates for retention."We have some very good players in our team. The rules have come out now, so after discussing with GMR and our director of cricket, Sourav Ganguly, decisions will be made. Rishabh Pant will definitely be retained," Jindal said.However, Jindal did not mention Australia's David Warner, who has been a key player for Delhi Capitals in the past. The new retention rules classify players who have not represented India in the past five years as 'uncapped,' allowing them to be retained at a lower price.This rule could benefit Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who are likely to retain former captain MS Dhoni under this category. Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 but last played for India in 2019.The deadline for franchises to submit their retention lists is October 31. Delhi Capitals will carefully consider their options and aim to build a strong team for the upcoming IPL season.

Rishabh Pant, the charismatic wicketkeeper-batsman, celebrates his 27th birthday on October 4th. Known for his infectious smile and unwavering humor, Pant has emerged as a vital cog in India's cricketing machinery.2024 has been a remarkable year for Pant, marked by his triumphant return to international cricket after a horrific car accident in December 2022. In the recently concluded Test series against Bangladesh, he announced his comeback with a scintillating century, joining MS Dhoni as the Indian wicketkeeper with the most Test hundreds.Pant's resurgence has solidified his position as India's first-choice Test wicketkeeper-batsman, bolstering the team's defense ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia later this year. His heroics in the 2021 Brisbane Test, where he guided India to a memorable victory with an unbeaten 89, will serve as a reminder of his resilience and match-winning abilities.Beyond his Test exploits, Pant has also made significant contributions in limited-overs cricket. He led Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2023.With 2432 runs in 35 Tests, 871 runs in 31 ODIs, and 1209 runs in 76 T20Is, Pant has established himself as a prolific run-scorer across formats. His aggressive batting style and fearless approach have made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent.As Pant celebrates his birthday, the Indian cricket fraternity and fans alike will be eager to witness his continued brilliance on the field. His infectious enthusiasm and unwavering determination will undoubtedly inspire the team to greater heights in the years to come.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has unveiled new retention rules for the upcoming season, allowing franchises to retain a maximum of six players. Delhi Capitals (DC) have begun deliberations on their potential retentions, with co-owner Parth Jindal confirming the retention of star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.Jindal revealed that other players under consideration for retention include Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kuldeep Yadav, Abishek Porel, Mukesh Kumar, and Khaleel Ahmed. According to the IPL Player Regulations, franchises can retain up to five capped players (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped players through retention or the Right to Match (RTM) option."We have some very good players in our team," said Jindal. "The rules have just come out, so after discussing with co-owners GMR and our director of cricket, Sourav Ganguly, decisions will be made."DC have yet to win the IPL since its inception in 2008. Jindal expressed optimism about the team's chances in the upcoming season, stating, "We'll see what happens in the auction. As per the rule, we can retain six players. Those discussions will be held first."The new retention rules provide DC with flexibility in building a competitive squad. With a strong core of players to retain, the franchise can target specific areas of improvement in the auction. The retention of Pant, a key figure in the Indian national team, is a significant boost for DC.

As the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, Australian cricketers have revealed their thoughts on who they find the most annoying or amusing from Team India.Steve Smith, the prolific Australian batter, singled out Ravindra Jadeja as the player who annoys him the most on the field. "He's a very good player," Smith explained. "He always finds a way to get in the battle, whether it's scoring runs, taking wickets, or making a great catch. It can be a bit annoying at times, but he's a very good player."Josh Hazlewood, Australia's pace bowler, echoed Smith's sentiments, saying, "Probably Jadeja again."Jadeja's impressive record against Australia supports these assessments. In 17 Tests, he has scored 570 runs at an average of 28.50 and taken 89 wickets.Marnus Labuschagne, another Australian batter, found someone else amusing from the Indian side. "The one I always find the most amusing is Rishabh Pant," Labuschagne said. "He's always funny, a great laugh, and plays the game in the right spirit."Pant has a fine record in Australia, scoring 624 runs in seven matches at an average of over 62.Travis Head pointed to India's high-energy batsman Virat Kohli, adding, "I think a lot of people would say Virat, just because of how good he is. He's always getting runs, and his high energy is always there. He's always into you."Kohli's Test record in Australia is prolific, scoring 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08 in 13 Tests.Nathan Lyon, Australia's spinner, humorously commented, "I get triggered by all Indian players."The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22, with the first Test at Perth. The series promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams fielding talented and experienced players.

Former England opener Ian Bell has heaped praise on India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, describing him as an "entertainer" who he would "leave everything to watch."Pant, who has emerged as India's all-format player in recent years, returned to competitive cricket in the 2024 IPL after recovering from a serious car accident. He went on to win the T20 World Cup with the Indian team in Barbados in June.Since making his international return, Pant has been an integral part of the Men in Blue across formats."The player I enjoy watching the most is Rishabh Pant. I'm so pleased he is back. I love watching him. Some of his innings (against England) were incredible under pressure as well. When Rishabh comes out to bat, I would definitely sit down and stop everything else to watch him. He is certainly an entertainer which is great to watch," Bell told IANS.Bell, a veteran of 118 Tests, 161 ODIs, and eight T20Is, also picked Australian greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath as the toughest bowlers he faced during his career."I feel very lucky to have faced some of the greats of the game early in my career. Cricket is a game of partnerships, whether you bat in the middle or whether you're bowling. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath together are the best I have faced. Those two would go out as best," he said.When asked about his thoughts on the current England team, Bell said, "It's been fascinating to watch since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over, there's a lot of talk about Bazball and a lot of aggression they play with. They've managed to allow the players to guard with some freedom. I think that's the real skill, Ravi Shastri had that ability as well to be able to pick pressure away from players. I think that's a really important skill as a coach. McCullum and Stokes allowed this team to show their talent and pushed them into positive."

India's wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is renowned for his animated and enthusiastic presence behind the stumps. During the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Pant once again displayed his humorous side with a hilarious piece of advice for spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.As Bangladesh batter Mominul Haque repeatedly attempted to sweep Ashwin's deliveries, Pant suggested an unconventional strategy to trap him leg-before-wicket (LBW). "Helmet se ek LBW le sakta hai bhai (You can get him out LBW with his helmet)," Pant quipped to Ashwin from behind the stumps.Mominul's diminutive stature, standing at just 5'3", meant that his low sweeping technique brought his head close to the line of the stumps. Pant's spontaneous advice prompted Ashwin to consider the possibility of dismissing Mominul by hitting his helmet.Despite Pant's suggestion, Mominul remained unyielding, surviving the onslaught of Indian bowlers and eventually scoring a magnificent 13th Test century, his first on Indian soil. He remained unbeaten on 107 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 233.On the other hand, Ashwin claimed the wickets of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan, finishing with figures of 2/45 in 15 overs.India's response to Bangladesh's total was equally impressive. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Rohit Sharma provided a flying start, guiding India to the fastest-ever team fifty in Test cricket history. Rohit and Jaiswal reached the milestone in just three overs.While Rohit departed soon after, Jaiswal continued the momentum alongside Shubman Gill. India reached the 100-run mark in 10.1 overs, also the fastest to that score in Test history, surpassing their own record set in 2023 against West Indies.

Virat Kohli's Close Call and India's Dominant Display in Kanpur TestOn the fourth day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Indian captain Virat Kohli narrowly escaped a run-out after a miscommunication with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. The incident occurred when Kohli attempted a drive off Khaled Ahmed and got an inside edge. Pant called for a single, but Kohli quickly realized the danger and retreated, leaving him stranded far from the crease. Fortunately for India, Khaled missed the opportunity to complete the run-out.Despite the close call, India remained in control of the match. Earlier in the day, they had declared their first innings at 285 for nine, giving them a 52-run lead. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul played aggressive knocks, scoring 72 off 52 balls and 68 off 43 balls respectively. Virat Kohli also contributed with a fluent 47 off 35 balls.Bangladesh's bowlers struggled to contain India's batsmen, with veteran left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan taking 4/78 and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz claiming 4/41.In response, Bangladesh were bowled out for 233 in their first innings. India's bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj (3/30) and Umesh Yadav (3/40), kept the Bangladeshi batsmen in check.With a substantial lead, India will be confident of securing a victory in the second Test and taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Rishabh Pant's Witty Banter Adds Lightheartedness to India-Bangladesh TestIndia's wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant, renowned for his explosive batting and lively chatter behind the stumps, brought a touch of humor to the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur on Friday.During the first day's play, Pant engaged in a playful exchange with Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque, who stands at a height of five-feet-three-inches. After Mominul failed to connect with a sweep shot, Pant jokingly appealed for leg before wicket (LBW), even though replays showed the ball had hit the bat."Isse helmet se bhi LBW lelenge," Pant was heard repeatedly saying, implying that he would appeal for LBW even if the ball hit Mominul's helmet.Pant's witty remark drew laughter from commentators and fans alike, adding to his growing collection of memorable stump mic moments.The incident occurred during the 33rd over, when Mominul attempted to sweep Ravichandran Ashwin's delivery. Ashwin initially indicated that the ball had touched the bat, but Pant's confident appeal prompted a review. Replays confirmed Ashwin's assessment, but Pant's playful banter injected a touch of lightheartedness into the tense match.Pant's stump mic antics have become a staple of Indian cricket, with his witty observations and lively chatter often going viral on social media. His ability to entertain fans while maintaining his focus on the game has made him a fan favorite.The first day's play was cut short due to bad light and heavy rain, with Bangladesh reaching 107-3 before the match was called off early.