Cricket

India's recent 113-run defeat to New Zealand in the Pune Test has raised concerns about the team's batting performance. Captain Rohit Sharma has identified the batters' inability to match New Zealand's first-innings total of 259 as the primary reason for the loss.Mitchell Santner's exceptional bowling performance, with 7 for 53 in the first innings and 6 for 104 in the second, played a significant role in India's collapse to 156 all out in their first innings. This deficit of 103 runs put India on the back foot for the remainder of the match.Despite a promising start in the second innings, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring a brisk 77 off 65 balls, India fell short of the target of 359. Rohit acknowledged the team's failure to put up a competitive score in the first innings."We didn't put enough runs on the board in the first innings, and then we were behind in the game," Rohit said. "We came out thinking that we can chase that target, but again, the continuous pressure from both ends meant that we were not able to respond to those challenges."While the pitch conditions were challenging, Rohit believes that India's bowlers did a commendable job in restricting New Zealand to 259. However, he emphasized that the batters needed to step up and contribute more runs."We just didn't bat well enough," Rohit said. "Had we gotten closer to that score of first innings, things would have been slightly different."With the series deficit at 2-0, India faces the daunting task of preventing a whitewash in the third Test in Mumbai. They also need to secure enough points in the remaining matches to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final next year.Rohit remains optimistic about the team's ability to bounce back. "We want to show up well at Wankhede and try and win that Test match," he said. "Not thinking too far ahead. It's important that we focus on our next game, what better we can do as a unit because it's a collective failure."

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concern over captain Rohit Sharma's defensive technique, particularly in the ongoing second Test against New Zealand. Rohit's nine-ball duck in the first innings, dismissed by Tim Southee, has raised questions about his approach while defending.Manjrekar highlighted Rohit's struggles against Southee, who has now dismissed him 14 times in international cricket, the joint-most by any bowler. He pointed out that Rohit's loose defense, which was a concern at the start of his international career, has resurfaced."He would not take a step forward and he would react just with the bat, that is starting to happen," Manjrekar said. "He was able to leave balls outside the off stump, but they have worked out a way to bowl to Rohit Sharma."Manjrekar believes that Rohit's vulnerability stems from his tendency to react with the bat rather than using his pad to defend. "That makes him a little vulnerable when there is a little bit in the pitch and the ball is hard," he said.However, Manjrekar praised Rohit's temperament and suggested that he needs to tighten up his defense. "He just maybe has to tighten up his defense a little more and things should be okay," he added.Rohit's dismissal in the first innings has put pressure on the Indian captain, who has been under scrutiny for his recent form. He will be looking to bounce back in the second innings and prove that he can overcome his defensive deficiencies.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has criticized captain Rohit Sharma's tactics on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Pune. India were bowled out for 156 in the first innings, conceding a lead of 103 runs to the Kiwis, who consolidated their position by reaching 85/2 at tea in the second innings.Shastri, who was on commentary duty, felt Rohit didn't make aggressive field placements, especially with India already chasing New Zealand in the match after conceding a big lead. During the second session on Day 2, Shastri and former India spinner Murali Kartik had a detailed discussion on Rohit's tactics."New Zealand have managed to scatter away all the men around the bat," Kartik pointed out. "Also tells you, tactically how you should be thinking. India should be thinking how to bowl out New Zealand for 120. For that to happen, you need to think wickets, you need people in attacking positions. Yes, if the side gets to 60 for no loss, you can start to think differently. It also makes the bowl think that he wants wickets, not with a spread out field like this," Shastri responded.Tom Latham and Will Young batted with confidence in the second innings as New Zealand consolidated their position in the second Test, reaching 85/2 at tea to take an overall lead of 188 runs. Latham (37 not out) and Young (23) overcame the early hiccup of losing Devon Conway by stitching together a 42-run partnership after Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner had demolished the Indian batting line-up for 156 in the first innings with career-best figures of 7/53 in 19.3 overs.New Zealand had made 259 in the first innings. India started the day on a positive note with Shubman Gill (30) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) adding 49 for the second wicket before six wickets fell for the addition of 53 runs as the hosts were left tottering at 107 for 7 at lunch. Virat Kohli played the most forgettable shot of the morning to be clean bowled for 1. Santner then returned in the post-lunch session to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah cheaply.

India vs New Zealand Test: India Faces Early Setback in AhmedabadIn the ongoing India vs New Zealand Test match in Ahmedabad, India is facing an uphill battle after New Zealand posted a competitive score of 243 in their first innings. The Indian team suffered an early setback when skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck by Tim Southee.Resuming their innings on Day 2, India will look to regain momentum and establish a solid foundation. The onus will be on the middle order, led by Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, to anchor the innings and build a substantial partnership.New Zealand's bowlers, led by Southee and Trent Boult, will be eager to maintain their dominance and exploit the Indian batting lineup's vulnerability. The pitch in Ahmedabad has shown signs of assistance for the seamers, making it crucial for India's batsmen to adapt quickly and negotiate the challenging conditions.India's bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, will need to step up and restrict New Zealand's scoring rate. The spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will also play a vital role in containing the opposition and creating wicket-taking opportunities.The match is evenly poised at this stage, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. India will need to show resilience and determination to overcome the early setback and put themselves in a commanding position. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be aiming to capitalize on their advantage and put pressure on the Indian batsmen.The outcome of this Test match will have a significant impact on the series standings. India will be keen to level the series after losing the first Test in Kanpur, while New Zealand will be looking to consolidate their lead and secure a series victory.

Rohit Sharma's Test Woes Continue as Tim Southee Strikes AgainIndian captain Rohit Sharma's struggles in Test cricket extended on Thursday as he was dismissed for a duck on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Kiwi pacer Tim Southee delivered a venomous delivery that left Rohit bamboozled, marking the 14th time Southee has dismissed the Indian skipper across all formats.Southee's delivery was a masterclass in seam bowling. Pitched on a good length around middle and off, the ball moved away off the seam, leaving Rohit completely squared up in defense. As he attempted to defend from the crease, the ball nipped away slightly, clipping the top of off stump after a slight deflection off his back pad.Rohit's dismissal was a major setback for India, who were looking to bounce back from their defeat in the first Test. However, Washington Sundar provided a much-needed boost, making a spectacular return to the Test side with a seven-wicket haul.Sundar's off-spin proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen, as he ripped through their middle order. Fellow off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin also chipped in with three wickets, as New Zealand were bundled out for 259 in 79.1 overs.At the close of play, India were 16 for 1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal on six and Shubman Gill on ten. The hosts trail by 243 runs, but will be hoping to make a strong comeback on day two.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has lauded Rohit Sharma's leadership, highlighting his ability to empower players and recognize their potential. Shami, who has played under Rohit's captaincy in limited-overs cricket, praised his understanding of each player's strengths and his ability to utilize them effectively."Rohit gives players freedom and knows which player can perform best in a given situation," Shami said. "He understands that well since he's played with everyone for so long and knows their abilities."Shami's comments come after Rohit announced his retirement from T20 internationals following India's World Cup triumph. Rohit expressed pride in his T20 journey, having begun his career in the format and achieving the ultimate goal of lifting the trophy.Meanwhile, Shami has assured fans that he has fully recovered from his recent knee issues and is preparing for India's upcoming Test series against Australia. The pacer, who has been managing an ankle injury since last year, confirmed that he is now pain-free and will likely play a few Ranji Trophy matches to regain form ahead of the crucial tour.Rohit had previously expressed concerns about Shami's fitness, but the pacer is confident in his preparation and aims to be at his best for the Border-Gavaskar series, which begins on November 22 in Perth.Shami's return to full fitness is a significant boost for India, who will be looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil. The pacer's experience and skill will be crucial in India's quest to overcome the challenges of playing in unfamiliar conditions.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's heartwarming interaction with a young fangirl has captured the hearts of fans on social media. Ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, the girl approached Rohit for an autograph, expressing her admiration and revealing that she had traveled a long distance.In a playful twist, the fangirl requested Rohit to convey her message to former captain Virat Kohli, saying, "Tell Virat bhai that a huge fan had come." Rohit responded with a smile, assuring her that he would pass on the message.The interaction highlights the special bond between cricketers and their fans. Rohit's willingness to engage with the young girl and fulfill her request demonstrates his humility and appreciation for the support he receives.Meanwhile, Team India is focused on leveling the ongoing Test series against New Zealand after a disappointing loss in the first Test. Despite wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant's knee injury, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate remains optimistic about his participation in the second Test.Pant's courageous 99 in the second innings of the first Test helped India recover from a disastrous first innings total of 46. However, he aggravated the same knee that was previously operated on following a severe car crash in 2022.India faces a selection dilemma, with Shubman Gill set to return while KL Rahul struggles with form. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be without their star batsman Kane Williamson, who is sidelined with a groin injury.The second Test promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to gain an advantage in the series. Rohit Sharma's leadership and the team's determination will be crucial in their quest to level the series and regain momentum.

India's humiliating 46-all out collapse in the first Test against New Zealand has sparked severe criticism from former cricketer Manoj Tiwary. Tiwary lambasted the team's selection and decision-making, particularly the bizarre choice to bat despite a rain-washed day.Tiwary questioned the logic behind captain Rohit Sharma's decision, emphasizing that common sense should have prevailed. He argued that the team should have opted for three pacers and given more overs to Ravichandran Ashwin, who has over 500 Test wickets.Tiwary also criticized coach Gautam Gambhir for failing to guide Sharma in his selection process. He pointed out that Sharma himself admitted to misreading the pitch, which could have been avoided with proper guidance."Good captains make mistakes, but the coach's role is crucial in providing constant guidance," Tiwary said. "I don't know why that didn't happen."Tiwary expressed concern about the impact on pacer Akash Deep, who was dropped from the XI after an impressive performance in the Bangladesh series. He suggested that Deep's confidence may have been shattered by the decision.With two Tests remaining in the series, Tiwary urged India to make a comeback. He emphasized the need for better decision-making and a more balanced approach to team selection.

The highly anticipated Test series between India and New Zealand shifts to Pune for the second match, commencing on Thursday, October 24. The hosts, led by Rohit Sharma, will be eager to redeem themselves after their disappointing defeat in the first Test in Bengaluru.In the opening match, New Zealand emerged victorious by a commanding 8 wickets, largely due to India's disastrous first innings collapse, where they were bundled out for a mere 46 runs. Despite a valiant fightback in the second innings, the Indian batsmen were unable to salvage the match.Both teams have now set up camp in Pune, hoping for favorable weather conditions that will allow for a full five days of play. According to the latest weather forecast, the opening day of the match is expected to be partly cloudy, with temperatures hovering around the early 30s. The cloud cover is predicted to be 58% in the morning, reducing to 43% in the afternoon.India's victory in Pune would significantly strengthen their position at the top of the World Test Championship 2023-25 table. To bolster their squad, they have added spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar. New Zealand, on the other hand, will continue to be without their regular skipper Kane Williamson, who is still undergoing rehabilitation.The second Test promises to be an intriguing contest, with both teams determined to prove their mettle. India will be looking to bounce back from their Bengaluru setback, while New Zealand will aim to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory.