Cricket

Musheer Khan, the younger brother of Indian Test debutant Sarfaraz Khan, has etched his name in the annals of Ranji Trophy history by surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record as the youngest Mumbai batter to score a century in the tournament's final.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, Musheer, aged 19 years and 14 days, crafted a masterful knock of 136 off 326 deliveries, adorned with 10 boundaries. His monumental innings propelled Mumbai to a commanding 500-plus run lead.Musheer's achievement is even more remarkable considering that the iconic Tendulkar, who was present at the stands, was just under 22 years old when he scored twin centuries in the 1994-95 season final against Punjab.The 19-year-old's exquisite ton came off 255 balls, showcasing his patience and technical prowess. His brother, Sarfaraz, took to Instagram to express his pride and admiration for Musheer's performance.Musheer's journey to this historic moment has been marked by consistent brilliance. In the semifinal against Tamil Nadu, he played a crucial role with a valuable 55 off 131 balls, paving the way for Mumbai's innings and 70-run victory.During the quarterfinal against Baroda, Musheer converted his maiden first-class century into a double ton, smashing 203 off 357 balls in the first innings. He followed it up with a quickfire 33 off 25 balls in the second innings, helping Mumbai secure a draw and advance on the basis of their first-innings lead.In three matches so far, Musheer has amassed 433 runs at an astonishing average of 108.25, including two centuries and a half-century. His best score remains his 203* against Baroda.Musheer's talent extends beyond batting. In the U19 World Cup tournament, he played seven matches, scoring 360 runs at an average of 60, with a strike rate of over 98. He scored two centuries and a fifty, ending as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament. His best score was an impressive 131.Additionally, Musheer has played 14 Youth ODIs, scoring 554 runs at an average of 61.55, with two centuries and two fifties. With 13 wickets, he is also a useful spin-bowling all-rounder.Musheer's achievements have not gone unnoticed. His elder brother, Sarfaraz, recently made his much-anticipated international debut against England, scoring twin half-centuries in his first Test match.The Khan brothers are a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket. Musheer's record-breaking performance in the Ranji Trophy final is a harbinger of his potential to become a future star for both Mumbai and India.

Mumbai's Musheer Khan has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history by surpassing a record previously held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar during the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.The 19-year-old, younger brother of India cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, showcased exceptional skill and composure as he scored a century in Mumbai's second innings of the title clash. In achieving this milestone, Musheer became the youngest batsman from his team to achieve such a feat in a Ranji final, eclipsing Tendulkar's previous record set at the age of 21.Tendulkar's iconic 140 against Punjab in the 1994-95 Ranji Trophy final had remained a benchmark for nearly three decades until Musheer's historic knock. Notably, both instances occurred at the hallowed grounds of the Wankhede Stadium, adding to the significance of Musheer's achievement.Facing the formidable Vidarbha attack, Musheer exhibited maturity beyond his years, patiently accumulating runs before reaching the coveted three-figure mark after negotiating 255 deliveries. The presence of Tendulkar himself at the venue to witness the proceedings of Day 3 added a surreal dimension to Musheer's accomplishment.Prior to his heroics in the Ranji final, Musheer had already made waves on the cricketing scene by representing India at the ICC U-19 World Cup earlier in the year. His stellar performance, amassing 360 runs in the tournament, underscored his potential as one of the brightest talents in Indian cricket.Moreover, Musheer had demonstrated his prowess with the bat during the Ranji Trophy quarter-final clash against Baroda, where he notched up his maiden First-Class century, later converting it into a double-ton with a remarkable 203 off 357 balls.With his elder brother Sarfaraz Khan also making headlines with his exploits in the Test arena, the Khan brothers have become a talking point in Indian cricket circles. Musheer's meteoric rise, coupled with Sarfaraz's success, exemplifies Mumbai's rich cricketing legacy.As Mumbai set their sights on clinching a record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title, Musheer Khan's monumental achievement serves as a testament to the city's cricketing prowess and the promising future of Indian cricket.

Wankhede Stadium: A Testament to Sachin Tendulkar's LegacyThe iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket history, particularly for the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. From his debut at the tender age of 10 to his triumphant farewell in the 2011 World Cup, the stadium has been an integral part of Tendulkar's illustrious career.Built in 1974, the Wankhede Stadium has hosted numerous historic matches, including its first Test in 1975 when West Indies toured India. It has also been the venue for 12 Ranji Trophy finals, including the ongoing clash between Mumbai and Vidarbha.For Sachin Tendulkar, the Wankhede Stadium holds a special significance. It was here that he made his Mumbai debut as a 10-year-old, showcasing his prodigious talent from an early age. The stadium also witnessed his rise to stardom, as he became one of the greatest batsmen of all time.In 2011, the Wankhede Stadium played host to the unforgettable World Cup final, where Tendulkar led India to a historic victory over Sri Lanka. The stadium erupted in jubilation as Tendulkar lifted the trophy, marking the culmination of his illustrious career.On the occasion of the stadium's 50th anniversary, Tendulkar took to social media to express his emotional connection to the Wankhede. "The Wankhede has been my second home," he wrote. "It's where I've shared some of my most precious cricketing moments."The Wankhede Stadium will forever be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history, and it will always be remembered as a testament to the legacy of Sachin Tendulkar.

International Women's Day: Sachin Tendulkar Highlights the Rise of Women in SportsOn International Women's Day, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in sports. He emphasized the significant progress made by women in the field, both in India and globally.Tendulkar recalled an emotional moment in 2008, after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, when India defeated England in a cricket match. He shared that one of the first people he embraced was a female ground staff member, highlighting the important role women play in the sport.He also acknowledged the groundbreaking achievement of Jacintha Kalyan, who became India's first female pitch curator in 2024. Tendulkar expressed his hope that Kalyan's success would inspire many more women to pursue careers in sports."This #InternationalWomensDay, let us encourage and applaud these role models who continue to break barriers and set examples in all fields," Tendulkar wrote.Tendulkar's message aligns with the United Nations' call to "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." By supporting women in sports and other areas, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society.

Cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar has hailed Kane Williamson and Tim Southee as the "torchbearers" of New Zealand cricket after the Kiwi duo reached the milestone of playing 100 Test matches. Tendulkar, in a social media post, noted that it was "fitting" that both Williamson and Southee played their 100th Test match together, 16 years after they played in the 2008 U19 World Cup.Southee and Williamson became just the fifth and sixth Black Caps players to reach the milestone of 100 Test matches. The two Blackcaps veterans were teammates at the ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup in 2008, where the team reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions, India.Southee had already made his senior international debut a few weeks before the U19 World Cup, in the T20I format. He would go on to make his Test debut within a year. Williamson, on the other hand, had to wait until 2010 to make his Test debut, but since made rapid strides across formats to evolve into one of New Zealand's greatest-ever batters.Williamson has 8675 runs in Tests, well ahead of Ross Taylor, the next best for New Zealand, and averages 55.25 in the format. No other active player has more Test hundreds than Williamson's 32. Southee, meanwhile, has 378 Test wickets and is just over 50 wickets away from eclipsing Richard Hadlee's tally for most Test wickets by a Kiwi bowler.Tendulkar, in his social media post, praised Williamson and Southee for their contributions to New Zealand cricket. "Kane Williamson and Tim Southee have been the torchbearers of New Zealand cricket ever since they burst onto the scene at the 2008 U-19 World Cup," Tendulkar wrote. "It is only fitting that they also play their 100th Test match together around 16 years later. All the very best to them for their landmark match against familiar foes Australia."

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, recently made a return to the cricket field in a match of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL). The ISPL is a T10 tournament featuring celebrities like Kareen Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan as team owners.In the fun match, Tendulkar, along with other notable players like Robin Uthappa and Akshay Kumar, faced off against Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui. Faruqui, known for his comedic skills, surprisingly dismissed Tendulkar for 30 runs. The dismissal sent shockwaves through the stadium, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.Despite the setback, Tendulkar remains a strong advocate for the importance of domestic cricket. He believes that playing in the Ranji Trophy provides national players with an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and elevate the level of domestic competition."When India players turn up for their domestic teams, it raises the quality of play for youngsters and sometimes new talent is identified," Tendulkar said. "It also gives the national players a chance to sometimes rediscover the basics."Tendulkar's comments come in the wake of the BCCI's recent decision to make it mandatory for centrally contracted players to participate in domestic red-ball cricket when not on national duty or at the NCA. This move aims to strengthen the domestic circuit and provide more opportunities for young players to learn from experienced professionals.Tendulkar's own experience playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy has shaped his belief in the importance of domestic cricket. "Growing up, we had almost 7-8 India players in our dressing room, and it was fun to play alongside them," he said.The participation of star Indian players in domestic tournaments is expected to generate more interest and support for these competitions. Tendulkar believes that over time, fans will become more invested in their domestic teams, leading to a stronger and more vibrant domestic cricket ecosystem.

Kane Williamson, the star New Zealand batter, is set to play his 100th Test match, a milestone that has him reflecting on his journey and the surreal experience of his debut against India in 2010.Williamson, now 33, vividly recalls the awe he felt when he walked out to bat in Ahmedabad, surrounded by legendary Indian cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman."I remember walking out and looking around the field and seeing all my heroes," Williamson said. "I used to love playing backyard cricket as a youngster, and all those guys were in that team that I would try and select.""It was Tendulkar and Laxman and Dravid, and it was kind of like, 'How am I here? I'd better start watching the ball and try and compete.'"Despite the intimidating presence of the Indian greats, Williamson made a memorable debut, scoring 131 in New Zealand's first innings. He credits that experience with shaping his approach to the game."It was quite surreal," he said. "I remember being quite eager to try and get into the opposition's dressing room and chat to some of those guys if I could."Over the past decade, Williamson has established himself as one of the world's leading batters, amassing 8675 runs at an average of 55.25, including 32 centuries and 33 fifties. He has also led New Zealand to the World Test Championship title in 2021.Reflecting on his journey, Williamson emphasized the importance of continuous learning and improvement."Then a few grey hairs later and (after) a number of different experiences over that time, there's not been many days - probably any - where I haven't tried to improve and get better as a player," he said."It's never a perfect journey. You go through so much. The format of Test cricket in particular really takes you through that. The learning - physically, (and) mentally - the reflection, (and) the memories of almost every Test that when you sit down and dissect it, there's so much that you do recall."Williamson's 100th Test match will be a special occasion for him and for New Zealand cricket. It is a testament to his longevity, skill, and dedication to the game.

Pakistan Cricket Expert Slams Comparisons Between Babar Azam and Sachin TendulkarPakistan YouTuber and cricket expert Wasay Habib has vehemently denounced comparisons between Babar Azam and legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. During an analysis on GTV News, Habib expressed his disbelief at the notion of comparing the two players."First [comparison of Babar Azam with] Virat Kohli, then Shubman Gill, and now you have jumped to Sachin Tendulkar! Have you seen Sachin play? Khuda ka khauf kare (Have the fear of God please). Please don't ask me such a question; I am a passionate cricket fan. Who are these people asking such questions? How is Babar and Tendulkar comparisons even possible?" Habib exclaimed in a viral clip.Habib's outburst stems from the recent trend of comparing Azam, Pakistan's current captain, to some of the greatest cricketers of all time. Earlier, legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram had mentioned Brian Lara and Tendulkar while discussing Azam's batting prowess."Babar is a very good player. He is among the three best batters in the world right now and he plays proper cricketing shots. Had he been a pinch hitter, then the bowler would know that he has a chance to get him out," Akram said.However, Habib believes that such comparisons are premature and disrespectful to Tendulkar's legacy. "Sachin Tendulkar is a legend. He has achieved so much in his career. Babar Azam is still a young player. He has a long way to go before he can be compared to someone like Tendulkar," Habib argued.Habib's comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans, with some agreeing with his stance and others believing that Azam has the potential to reach the same heights as Tendulkar. Regardless of the differing opinions, it is clear that Azam has established himself as one of the most talented batsmen in the world and has the potential to become a legend in his own right.