Cricket

Rising Indian stars B. Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal showcased their exceptional batting prowess on day two of the first 'Unofficial Test' against Australia-A, guiding India-A to a commanding position with a 120-run lead.Mukesh Kumar, the Bengal seamer, had earlier stolen the show with a remarkable six-wicket haul, restricting Australia-A to 195 in their first innings. Despite his heroics, the hosts managed to secure a crucial 88-run lead.India-A's second innings began with a shaky start, losing skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhimanyu Easwaran cheaply. However, Sudharsan and Padikkal steadied the ship with a resolute 178-run stand for the third wicket.Sudharsan, known for his aggressive strokeplay, struck nine boundaries in his 185-ball 96, while Padikkal played a patient yet composed knock, scoring an unbeaten 80 from 167 balls. Their partnership allowed India-A to seize control of the match.Sudharsan's innings was characterized by his ability to dispatch anything short, cutting and pulling with precision. Padikkal, on the other hand, worked the ball around for quick singles and capitalized on loose deliveries to reach his half-century.With two more days remaining in the four-day fixture, India-A now hold a significant advantage. The scores stand at: India-A 107 and 208/2 in 64 overs (Sai Sudharsan 96 batting, Devdutt Padikkal 80 batting) vs Australia-A 195 in 62.4 overs (Nathan McSweeney 39; Mukesh Kumar 6/46, Prasidh Krishna 3/59).

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the prolific opener, is poised to lead India A on their upcoming tour of Australia later this month. The 15-man squad will feature a host of talented players, including Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Devdutt Padikkal, who are all vying for a spot in the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.With Rohit Sharma expected to miss the first two matches of the Test series due to personal reasons, India will need to name a reserve opener. The matches against Australia A will provide an opportunity for Easwaran and Sudharsan to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the Test squad.Easwaran, 29, has been in exceptional form this domestic season, scoring two centuries in the Duleep Trophy, another century in the Irani Trophy, and a ton for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. Sudharsan, 23, has also impressed with a first-class hundred for English county Surrey, a century in the Duleep Trophy, and a double-hundred in Tamil Nadu's ongoing Ranji Trophy match.The middle-order of the India A squad will be bolstered by Padikkal, B Indrajith, and Ricky Bhui, while Abishek Porel and Ishan Kishan will share wicket-keeping duties. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar will provide all-round options, and the pace attack will be led by Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.Reddy, 21, has recently recovered from a hernia and made his T20I debut for India against Bangladesh earlier this month. He is seen as a promising all-rounder who could benefit from more experience and exposure.India A will play Australia A in two four-day matches in Mackay from October 31 and in Melbourne from November 7. They will then face the India squad in a warm-up match in Perth between November 15 and 17 before the first Test against Australia begins on November 22.

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) will face Gujarat Titans (GT) in the highly anticipated Match 66 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 16.SRH, currently ranked fourth on the points table with 14 points from 12 matches, will be looking to continue their winning momentum after their impressive 10-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, are eighth with 11 points from 12 matches and will be eager to improve their position.The pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is expected to favor batters, with an average first-innings score of 171 runs in the last 20 matches. Pacers have been more successful at this venue, taking 75% of the wickets.In terms of head-to-head records, Gujarat Titans have the upper hand over SunRisers Hyderabad, having won three out of four previous encounters. However, SRH will be confident after their recent victory over Lucknow Super Giants.Key Players to Watch:* Travis Head (SRH): The Australian batter has been in excellent form, averaging 69 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Sai Sudharsan (GT): The young Indian batter has impressed with his consistency, averaging 63 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Pat Cummins (GT): The Australian pacer is a reliable fantasy performer, averaging 49 fantasy points in the last 10 games.* Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH): The Indian pacer is a wicket-taking threat, averaging 39 fantasy points in the last 10 games.Fantasy XI Team:* Wicket-Keeper: Heinrich Klaasen (GT)* Batters: Abhishek Sharma (SRH), Travis Head (SRH), Sai Sudharsan (GT), Shubman Gill (GT)* All-Rounders: Shahrukh Khan (GT)* Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH), Pat Cummins (GT), Mohit Sharma (GT), T Natarajan (SRH)* Captain: Abhishek Sharma (SRH)* Vice-Captain: Sai Sudharsan (GT)

Sai Sudharsan Breaks Records, Becomes Fastest Indian to 1000 IPL RunsGujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan has etched his name in the history books of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by becoming the fastest Indian to reach the milestone of 1000 runs. The 21-year-old achieved this remarkable feat during the Titans' home game against Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.Sudharsan's blistering knock of 51-ball 103 not only propelled the Titans to a comfortable victory but also saw him surpass legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Chennai Super Kings' Ruturaj Gaikwad as the fastest Indian to reach the 1000-run mark. Tendulkar had taken 31 innings to reach the milestone, while Gaikwad had equaled his record earlier this season.Sudharsan's remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and consistency. He has been a key contributor to the Titans' success in the ongoing IPL season, consistently delivering match-winning performances at the top of the order.The young opener's journey to 1000 IPL runs has been nothing short of impressive. He made his IPL debut in 2022 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and quickly caught the attention of fans and experts alike with his aggressive batting style. In his first season, he scored 319 runs in 14 matches, including two half-centuries.Sudharsan's performances earned him a move to the Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2023 season, and he has continued to shine in his new team. In just 25 IPL innings, he has amassed 1000 runs at an impressive average of 41.67 and a strike rate of 142.86.Sudharsan's achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the growing depth of talent in Indian cricket. The young opener is one of several promising players who are emerging as future stars of the game.

In a historic feat that will be etched in the annals of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gujarat Titans' opening duo of Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill became the first pair to score individual centuries in the same match. Their remarkable achievement came against the Chennai Super Kings, showcasing their exceptional batting prowess and dominance over the opposition's bowling attack.Sudharsan, making his IPL debut, displayed maturity beyond his years, striking a magnificent 103 off just 50 deliveries. His innings was a symphony of power and precision, featuring seven towering sixes and five elegant fours. Gill, the more experienced of the two, continued his impressive form, notching up his fourth IPL century with a blistering 104 off 50 balls. His knock was adorned with nine boundaries and six maximums.The pair's partnership was a masterclass in opening batting. They complemented each other perfectly, rotating the strike with ease and punishing loose deliveries with ruthless efficiency. Their 210-run stand equaled the record set by Lucknow Super Giants' openers Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022.The Chennai Super Kings' bowlers were left helpless as Sudharsan and Gill toyed with their attack. The duo's aggressive approach and smart cricketing strategies kept the scoreboard ticking over at a rapid pace. Their dominance was such that they both reached their centuries in the same over, a testament to their exceptional timing and coordination.Unfortunately, both batters fell shortly after reaching their milestones, as they attempted to accelerate the scoring rate. However, their contributions had already secured a memorable victory for the Gujarat Titans.This historic achievement by Sudharsan and Gill is a testament to their immense talent and the depth of batting talent in the IPL. It is a moment that will be remembered for years to come and will inspire future generations of cricketers.