Cricket

India's Historic Fourth-Innings Chases: A Tale of Triumph and TribulationChasing targets exceeding 300 runs in the fourth innings of a Test match has been a daunting task for Team India on home soil. In 26 such instances, India has managed to pull off only one successful chase: a memorable 387 against England in Chennai in 2008.That historic victory was orchestrated by Sachin Tendulkar's unbeaten 103, along with aggressive contributions from Virender Sehwag (83 off 68 balls) and Yuvraj Singh (85*). MS Dhoni, India's captain at the time, guided his side to a remarkable win, with Sehwag earning the Man of the Match award for his blazing knock.Despite their home dominance, India has often struggled with high fourth-innings chases. The team has lost 14 of these 26 chases and managed to draw nine times, with one match ending in a tie.No team has chased more than 345 runs against New Zealand in Tests, a record set by the West Indies in Auckland in 1969. In the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand, India found themselves in a challenging position in the second Test in Pune.After dismissing New Zealand for 259, India struggled with the bat, bowled out for 156 to concede a 103-run lead. New Zealand's second-innings total of 255 left India chasing 359 for victory in Pune.With the series already at 0-1 in New Zealand's favor, India faced an uphill battle to level the series. The outcome of the second Test will have a significant impact on the fate of the series and India's hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Former England captain Alastair Cook believes that Joe Root has the potential to become the leading run-scorer in Test cricket history, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Root recently surpassed Cook to become England's leading scorer in Test cricket during the ongoing series against Pakistan in Multan.Cook, who watched Root achieve this milestone, expressed his admiration and congratulated him. "I watched the moment, then I rang him after the end of the play," Cook said. "I couldn't think of the right words to write in a text message. So I thought I'd just ring him, see what he was up to, and make sure he had a beer in his hand, which I think he did."Root's current run tally stands at 12,716, just 3,206 runs shy of Tendulkar's record of 15,921 runs. Cook believes that Root has the ability to reach this milestone. "I think Joe Root could set a mark, certainly on an English side, that'll be very hard to beat," Cook said. "But you just never know. I hope he can get very close, if not be the first person who scores 16,000 Test runs. It'd be a great achievement."Before surpassing Tendulkar's record, Root must first overtake six other players: Jacques Kallis (13,289 runs), Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,288 runs), Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 runs), Brian Lara (11,953 runs), and Mahela Jayawardene (11,814 runs).Root will continue his pursuit of Tendulkar's record in the third Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, beginning on Thursday. If he continues to perform at his current level, he has a good chance of achieving this historic milestone.

Joe Root's remarkable Test career has reached new heights, with the former England captain surpassing Alastair Cook as his country's leading run-scorer. Cook, who witnessed Root's historic achievement in Multan, Pakistan, expressed his admiration and belief that Root has the potential to become the most prolific run-scorer in Test cricket history, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.Root's current tally of 12,716 runs places him just 3,206 runs behind Tendulkar's record of 15,921 runs. While the task may seem daunting, Cook believes that Root's exceptional talent and longevity could make it a reality."I think Joe Root could set a mark, certainly on an English side, that'll be very hard to beat," Cook said. "But you just never know. I hope he can get very close, if not be the first person who scores 16,000 Test runs. It'd be a great achievement."Root's journey to the top has been marked by consistency and brilliance. He has scored over 1,000 runs in a calendar year on seven occasions, including a record-breaking 1,786 runs in 2021. His ability to adapt to different conditions and bowl types has made him one of the most feared batsmen in the world.As Root continues to pile up runs, cricket fans are witnessing a potential shift in the history books. Tendulkar's record has stood for over two decades, but Root's relentless pursuit of excellence could see him break the unbreakable.

Virender Sehwag, the Indian Batting Legend, Celebrates 46th BirthdayIndian cricket legend Virender Sehwag turned 46 on Sunday, prompting an outpouring of birthday wishes from the cricket fraternity on social media.Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag's former teammate and fellow batting icon, humorously noted that Sehwag's age of 46 is a "perfect mix of four and six," mirroring his explosive batting style.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) extended its birthday greetings, highlighting Sehwag's remarkable achievements, including his 8,586 Test runs and 8,273 ODI runs.Yuvraj Singh, Sehwag's long-time teammate and World Cup-winning all-rounder, playfully remarked that Sehwag is the reason bowlers' economy rates are ruined.Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, who played a pivotal role in Sehwag's development as a batter, wished his "younger brother" a happy birthday.Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian spinner, expressed his admiration for Sehwag's "blazing centuries," which will forever be etched in the memories of cricket fans.Suresh Raina, the former middle-order batter, thanked Sehwag for inspiring generations with his "fearless cricket."Sehwag's illustrious career spanned 104 Test matches, 251 ODIs, and 19 T20Is. He holds the record for the fastest Test triple century, reaching 300 off just 278 balls. He is also the only Indian to have scored two Test triple hundreds.Sehwag's aggressive batting style and ability to dominate bowlers made him one of the most feared batsmen of his era. He retired from all forms of international cricket in October 2015, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances.

Virat Kohli's struggles in Test cricket continued in 2024, as he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings against New Zealand. Despite his poor form, Kohli's decision to promote himself to No. 3 in the batting order due to Shubman Gill's absence drew praise from former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar.Manjrekar hailed Kohli's willingness to sacrifice his usual No. 4 slot, claiming that it set him apart from legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. According to Manjrekar, Tendulkar and Ganguly were reluctant to move up the order in Tests, unlike Kohli."Hats off to Virat Kohli!" Manjrekar posted on social media. "Coming out to bat at no. 3 because the team needed it. Ganguly, Tendulkar were very keen to open in white ball cricket, but never wanted to go up the order in Tests. That's a true champion right there for you!"However, Manjrekar also criticized Kohli's aggressive approach from the first ball, which he believes has contributed to his recent struggles."Have said this before will say it again," Manjrekar tweeted. "Virat has compounded his problems by wanting to be on the front foot to every ball. No matter the length. Today's dismissal ball could have been comfortably tackled off the back foot."Manjrekar's comments sparked a debate about the batting positions of Tendulkar and Ganguly. While Tendulkar primarily batted at No. 4 in Tests, Ganguly had a significant number of innings at No. 3 earlier in his career.Tendulkar scored the vast majority of his Test runs at No. 4, with only 15 runs coming from the top three positions. Ganguly, on the other hand, scored 752 of his 7,212 Test runs at No. 3, while only 11 runs came as an opener.Ultimately, the decision of whether to move up the order in Tests is a personal one for each player. While some, like Kohli, are willing to sacrifice their preferred position for the benefit of the team, others may prefer to stay in their comfort zone.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's recent visit to the National Cricket League (NCL) in Dallas, USA, has sparked excitement among cricket enthusiasts. Tendulkar, a co-owner of the NCL, was joined by fellow Pakistani cricket icons Wasim Akram, Zaheer Abbas, and Moin Khan.Akram shared a photo on social media, capturing the moment with the caption, "With 2 Asian greats @sachin_rt & #ZaheerAbbas and of course one of the best wicket-keepers from Pakistan #MoinKhan at NCL."The NCL, played in the T10 format, aims to promote cricket in the United States. Tendulkar's involvement as a co-owner is a testament to his commitment to expanding the sport's reach.During his stay in the US, Tendulkar was honored at a Dallas Cowboys NFL game, where team owner Jerry Jones presented him with a custom No. 10 jersey. This gesture highlights the growing popularity of cricket in America.Tendulkar's presence at the NCL and his involvement in promoting cricket in the US are significant steps towards introducing the sport to new audiences. Through the NCL's innovative format, he is working to make cricket more accessible and engaging for American fans.The NCL's T10 format, with its fast-paced and exciting gameplay, is particularly well-suited to attract new viewers. The league's focus on entertainment and community engagement is also helping to build a strong foundation for cricket in the United States.Tendulkar's passion for cricket and his commitment to its growth are evident in his involvement with the NCL. His presence at the tournament and his collaboration with other cricket legends is a testament to his dedication to promoting the sport globally.

Sachin Tendulkar's Maiden Double Century: A Milestone in Indian Cricket HistorySachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian batsman, etched his name in the annals of cricket history with his six double centuries in Test cricket. Each of these innings showcased his exceptional skill, unwavering consistency, and ability to perform under pressure. However, it was his maiden double century that marked a significant turning point in his illustrious career.During New Zealand's tour of India in 1999, Tendulkar embarked on a remarkable journey that culminated in his first double hundred. In the third Test at Ahmedabad, the Indian captain led his team from the front, batting with unwavering determination. After the early dismissals of Devang Gandhi and Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar found an able partner in opener Sadagoppan Ramesh.Together, they stitched a solid partnership, with Ramesh reaching his century before Tendulkar. As the day progressed, Tendulkar's innings gained momentum, and he reached his maiden double century amidst thunderous applause from the Motera crowd. His 217-run knock, coupled with Sourav Ganguly's 125, propelled India to a formidable first-innings total of 583/7.New Zealand's response was valiant, but they were unable to match India's dominance. Anil Kumble's five-wicket haul restricted the visitors to 308 runs in their first innings. India declared their second innings at 148/5, setting New Zealand a challenging target of 424 runs.Despite a gritty performance from opener Gary Stead, New Zealand's hopes of victory were dashed by an unbroken 121-run stand between Craig Spearman and Stephen Fleming. The match ended in a draw, but India emerged victorious in the three-Test series with a 1-0 margin.Tendulkar's maiden double century was a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional batting prowess. It marked a significant milestone in his career, propelling him to even greater heights and inspiring generations of cricketers to come.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is set to inspire young athletes during his highly anticipated visit to Texas, where he will lead a special cricket clinic as part of the National Cricket League (NCL) finals weekend. The clinic, to be hosted at the University of Texas at Dallas, aims to motivate aspiring cricketers and promote the sport at the grassroots level in the U.S."Cricket has given me so much, and now it's my turn to give back," Tendulkar said ahead of the event slated for Sunday morning. "I'm excited to meet these young players and show them that with hard work and passion, anything is possible."In addition to the clinic, Tendulkar, who made waves with his recent appearance at the iconic TX-OU football game, will also be a special guest at the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday, further highlighting his high-profile engagement in the U.S. sports scene.NCL Chairman Arun Agarwal emphasized the significance of Tendulkar's involvement: "This is about more than cricket -- it's about inspiring hope and dreams. Having someone of Sachin's caliber mentoring these kids is a game-changer."The NCL's finals weekend is more than just a cricket tournament. Alongside the matches, fans will enjoy cultural celebrations, live Bollywood performances, and nightly themes, ranging from honoring local heroes to promoting sustainability. The tournament will conclude on October 14 at UT Dallas.With Tendulkar's participation and the introduction of the innovative 60 Strikes format, designed to engage U.S. sports fans with a fast-paced version of cricket, the NCL is positioning itself as a key player in the growing popularity of cricket in America.The NCL has attracted top cricketing talent, with icons like Sunil Gavaskar, Wasim Akram, and Sir Vivian Richards mentoring players. This season also features stars like Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Shakib Al Hasan, and Chris Lynn, making the NCL a premier event on the global cricket stage.Headquartered in Dallas, the National Cricket League USA is revolutionizing cricket in the U.S. with its innovative 'Sixty Strikes' format. The event is endorsed by the ICC and supported by SEE Holdings.

Joe Root, the English batting maestro, continues to dominate the Test arena, etching his name among the all-time greats. With his 35th Test century in Multan against Pakistan, Root has extended his lead as the active batter with the most Test runs.Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Root has the potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 15,291 Test runs. However, Vaughan emphasizes that Root must maintain his longevity in the game."Joe's love of the game means he will not be like Alastair Cook. Cook retired six years ago, at almost exactly the same age - 33 - that Joe is now. But I see Joe going into his forties, like Anderson has," Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph.Root's current tally of 12,500 Test runs places him just over 3,000 runs behind Tendulkar. The 33-year-old has played 147 Tests, while Tendulkar played 200 during his illustrious career.2024 has been a remarkable year for Root, who has amassed runs against India, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and now Pakistan. He became the first batter to cross 1,000 Test runs in 2024.Vaughan heaped praise on Root, stating, "Root is already cricketing royalty and there is no doubt in my eyes that he has become England's greatest batsman already. No one has played the different forms of the game better than him, and he has got the runs to show for it."Root also trails Tendulkar in another elite list. He has crossed 1,000 Test runs in five separate calendar years, while only Tendulkar has achieved this feat in six calendar years.Root's unwavering determination and exceptional batting skills make him a formidable force in Test cricket. If he continues to play at his current level and maintain his longevity, he has the potential to break Tendulkar's record and become the leading Test run-scorer of all time.