Cricket

Virat Kohli's Costly Run-Out Marred India's Day One in Mumbai TestIndia's hopes of salvaging a consolation win in the third and final Test against New Zealand suffered a major setback on Friday as they stumbled to 86 for four at stumps on the opening day in Mumbai. The hosts found themselves in a precarious position, trailing the Kiwis by 149 runs, after a series of unfortunate events, including a crucial run-out of star batter Virat Kohli.With just minutes remaining in the day's play, Kohli made a fatal error in judgment that resulted in his dismissal. Attempting to steal a single off a flighted delivery from Rachin Ravindra, Kohli pushed the ball towards mid-on and set off for a run. However, Matt Henry's quick reflexes and accurate throw caught Kohli short of his crease.The run-out was a major blow to India, who had already lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and nightwatchman Mohammed Siraj in the penultimate over of the day. Jaiswal was bowled around his legs by Ajaz Patel, while Siraj was trapped plumb in front for a golden duck.Earlier in the day, India's bowlers had put up a strong performance to dismiss New Zealand for 235. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar shared nine wickets between them, with Jadeja claiming 4 for 44 and Sundar taking 5 for 45. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the BlackCaps with a gritty 82.With New Zealand already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, India will need to produce a remarkable turnaround in the remaining two days to avoid a clean sweep. However, the loss of Kohli and the team's fragile batting lineup make that task appear daunting.

India's pursuit of a record-breaking 359 against New Zealand in the second Test at Pune hit a major roadblock on Saturday, despite a promising start. After losing captain Rohit Sharma early, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal kept India in the game with a blistering half-century.Jaiswal's 62-run partnership with Shubman Gill provided India with the momentum they needed. The 22-year-old was in scintillating form, scoring a rapid 77 off just 65 balls, including three sixes and nine fours. However, his dismissal by Mitchell Santner in the 22nd over proved to be a turning point.Disaster struck in the very next over when Rishabh Pant was run out for a duck, leaving India reeling at 127/4. The run-out, described as "avoidable," shifted the momentum in New Zealand's favor. Pant's dismissal also saw him join an unwanted list, becoming only the third Indian batter to be dismissed for a duck via run-out while batting in the top seven positions since 1990.With India losing momentum, the task of chasing down the daunting target became even more challenging. Virat Kohli, who was involved in the mix-up that led to Pant's run-out, will need to play a crucial role if India is to have any chance of victory.The match is evenly poised heading into the final day, with India needing to bat with patience and determination to reach their target. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and secure a series-leveling victory.

Ravindra Jadeja's lightning-fast reflexes and exceptional awareness on the field were on full display during the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The Indian all-rounder pulled off a stunning run out that left fans reminiscing about the legendary MS Dhoni.The incident occurred in the 70th over of New Zealand's second innings. Glenn Phillips and Will O'Rourke attempted to steal a couple of runs after Phillips hit Jadeja's delivery towards deep cover. Washington Sundar's throw was slightly off target, giving O'Rourke a chance to reach the non-striker's end.However, Jadeja's quick thinking and agility came into play. He palmed the ball towards the stumps, and replays confirmed that O'Rourke was just short of his crease when the bails were dislodged. The dismissal helped India bowl out New Zealand for 255 in the second innings.Jadeja's run out was reminiscent of MS Dhoni's trademark style of innovative and lightning-fast stumpings. The Chennai Super Kings posted a tribute on Twitter, comparing Jadeja's effort to Dhoni's brilliance.The run out was a crucial moment in the match, as New Zealand were within reach of a historic Test series win in India. The Black Caps resumed at 198-5 on day three and were dismissed inside the first hour of play on a turning pitch.India were left with a daunting target of 359 for victory, the highest successful Test chase for India at home being 387 against England in Chennai in 2008. New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0 and have never won a Test series in India.India spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja shared seven wickets between them, with Jadeja claiming three of the five to fall on Saturday morning. Glenn Phillips hit an unbeaten 48 after starting the day on nine.Skipper Tom Latham top-scored with 86, while left-arm spinner Santner put New Zealand firmly in the driving seat on day two with 7-53 to bowl out India for 156.India are now staring at their first home Test series loss since December 2012, when Alastair Cook's England beat them 2-1 in a four-match series.

India's Women Cricketers Triumph Over New Zealand in ODI OpenerIn a thrilling encounter, the Indian women's cricket team emerged victorious over recently crowned Women's T20 World Cup champions New Zealand by a commanding 59-run margin in the first ODI of the three-match series.One of the defining moments of the match came during India's bowling effort, when spinner Deepti Sharma displayed exceptional presence of mind to execute a clever run-out. As New Zealand captain Sophie Devine stepped out to block a delivery, Sharma noticed an opportunity. With Devine still out of her crease and unaware of the situation, Sharma swiftly threw the ball back to wicket-keeper Yastika Bhatia, who swiftly dislodged the bails before Devine could return.Devine's attempt to evade Sharma's throw proved futile, as Yastika's quick reflexes sealed her fate. The third umpire confirmed Devine's dismissal, bringing an abrupt end to her innings for just two runs off five balls.Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 227 in 44.3 overs. While no batter managed to reach a half-century, several contributions throughout the order laid the foundation for their success. Tejal Hasabnis, making her international debut, top-scored with a solid 42, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with a valuable 41.In the run chase, New Zealand struggled to gain momentum, failing to establish any significant partnerships. They were eventually bowled out for 168 in just 40.4 overs, falling short of India's target by a significant margin.Radha Yadav emerged as the leading wicket-taker for India, claiming three wickets. Saima Thakor, another debutant, contributed with two wickets, while Deepti Sharma added one wicket to her impressive run-out.This victory marks a significant achievement for India, who had previously lost to New Zealand in the group stage of the Women's T20 World Cup. The team will now aim to secure a series win in the remaining two ODIs.

India's Stunning Run Out Seals Victory in Second ODI Against Sri LankaIn a thrilling encounter at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium, India's Shreyas Iyer pulled off a remarkable run out to secure a 32-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI. The hosts had set a target of 241, but India's batting lineup faltered, collapsing to 208 all out in 42.2 overs.The match-winning moment came in the final over of Sri Lanka's innings. With the hosts needing quick runs, Kamindu Mendis attempted a pull shot off Arshdeep Singh's penultimate delivery. The ball flew high into the air, and Mendis scrambled for a run.Iyer, fielding at deep mid-wicket, collected the ball on the bounce and unleashed a lightning-fast throw towards the striker's end. The ball traveled with pinpoint accuracy, dislodging the bails without a bounce. Mendis, caught short of his crease, was left stunned as he walked away without even appealing to the umpire.Iyer's stunning throw not only sealed the victory for India but also highlighted the importance of fielding in cricket. A well-executed run out can often turn the tide of a match, and Iyer's effort was a prime example of this.Despite the victory, India's batting performance was a cause for concern. The top order failed to fire, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan all falling cheaply. Only Suryakumar Yadav (53) and Deepak Chahar (38) offered any resistance.Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/37) and Maheesh Theekshana (3/45), exploited the Indian batsmen's weaknesses, bowling with accuracy and variation.With the series tied at 1-1, the third and final ODI will be a crucial encounter. India will need to improve their batting performance, while Sri Lanka will look to build on their momentum and secure a series victory.

Axar Patel's unfortunate run-out in the 2024 T20 World Cup Final against South Africa left India reeling at 106/4. Sent in to bat at a precarious 34/3, Patel played a crucial role in stabilizing India's innings, scoring a brisk 47 off just 31 deliveries.Patel's innings was a blend of power and finesse, featuring four towering sixes and a solitary boundary. His quickfire knock eased the pressure on Virat Kohli, who played an anchor role at the other end. Patel's dismissal, however, came at a crucial juncture, leaving India in a precarious position.The run-out occurred when a delivery from Kagiso Rabada deflected off Kohli's thigh pad towards the leg-side. Patel, assuming a run was on, set off for the crease but was caught short by a direct hit from South Africa wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.India captain Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment at the soft nature of Patel's dismissal, which he described as "unacceptable." Patel's departure left a significant void in India's batting lineup, as he had been instrumental in building a solid foundation for the team.Despite Patel's untimely exit, Kohli continued to anchor India's innings, reaching his fifty in 48 balls. However, the Proteas bowlers kept the pressure on, and India found themselves chasing a challenging target of 180 runs.The 2024 T20 World Cup Final was a highly anticipated clash between two evenly matched teams. India, seeking their second T20 World Cup title, faced off against an upbeat South Africa side eager to claim their maiden title. The match promised to be a thrilling spectacle, with both teams determined to etch their names in cricket history.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Andre Russell Suffers Costly Run Out in Loss to Mumbai IndiansKolkata Knight Riders' hopes of securing their first win at the Wankhede Stadium since 2012 were dashed on Friday as they were bowled out for a modest 169 by the Mumbai Indians. The match was poised for a thrilling finish when Andre Russell, known for his explosive hitting, entered the crease with the score at 140 for six in the 17th over.Russell began his innings with a thunderous six off Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya's first delivery. However, disaster struck three balls later when he was involved in a calamitous run out. Russell's partner, Venkatesh Iyer, failed to respond to his call for a run on the final ball of the over. Iyer reverse-swept a Pandya delivery to short third man, and Russell immediately set off from the non-striker's end.To Russell's dismay, Iyer remained rooted to his crease. By the time Russell had almost reached his partner, it was too late. Pandya collected a wide throw and swiftly dismantled the stumps at the non-striker's end, sending Russell back to the pavilion for a mere 2-ball 7.Commentator Shane Watson later lamented that Russell's run out cost Kolkata Knight Riders approximately 30 runs towards the end of their innings. The costly dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as Mumbai Indians went on to restrict Kolkata Knight Riders to a below-par total.With six wins in nine matches, Kolkata Knight Riders currently occupy the second spot on the points table. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, languish at the ninth spot with just three wins in 10 games.

MS Dhoni's Unbeaten Streak Ends in Dramatic Run-OutChennai Super Kings' talismanic captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saw his remarkable unbeaten run in IPL 2024 come to an end in a thrilling last-ball finish against Punjab Kings.In a pulsating encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Dhoni had once again showcased his vintage brilliance, striking a six and a four in the final overs. However, his innings was cut short in dramatic fashion on the last delivery.After hitting Arshdeep Singh for a single, Dhoni attempted a second run but was caught short by a brilliant throw from Harshal Patel. Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma gathered the ball and swiftly hit the stumps, leaving Dhoni stranded by a matter of inches.The 42-year-old legend, known for his composure and leadership, uncharacteristically walked back to the pavilion without even looking at the umpire. His dismissal marked the end of an impressive unbeaten streak that had seen him amass 96 runs in seven matches at a staggering strike rate of nearly 260.Despite the setback, Dhoni's contribution to CSK's campaign has been significant. In the 10 matches he has played so far, he has scored 110 runs with an average of 110.00 and a strike rate of 229.16.His experience and leadership have been invaluable to the team, and his dismissal will undoubtedly be a blow to their hopes of securing a playoff berth. However, Dhoni's legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time remains intact, and his fans will eagerly await his return to the crease.