Cricket

Despite Pakistan's recent ODI series victory, Australia asserted their dominance in the T20I series, securing a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash. However, Pakistani fans found solace in the remarkable achievement of their captain, Babar Azam, who surpassed Virat Kohli to become the second-highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals.In the final T20I, Babar Azam played a pivotal role, anchoring Pakistan's innings with a well-crafted 41 runs off 28 balls, including four boundaries. Despite his efforts, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered, with other batsmen failing to make significant contributions. The team was eventually bowled out for a meager 117 runs in 18.1 overs.Babar Azam's 41-run knock propelled his total runs in T20 Internationals to 4192, surpassing Virat Kohli's tally of 4188 runs. The Pakistani skipper is now just 40 runs shy of surpassing Rohit Sharma's record of 4231 runs in T20 Internationals.Meanwhile, Australia's Marcus Stoinis led the run chase with a blistering 61 not out off 27 balls, guiding the hosts to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. The win completed Australia's 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan.Babar Azam's achievement is a testament to his exceptional batting prowess and consistency in the shortest format of the game. His ability to anchor the innings and score runs at a rapid pace has made him one of the most feared batsmen in T20 cricket.

Glenn Maxwell Joins Elite Club with 10,000 T20 RunsAustralian batter Glenn Maxwell has etched his name into the annals of T20 cricket history by becoming only the third Australian to surpass 10,000 runs in the format. The prolific batter achieved the milestone during the rain-hit first T20I against Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane.Maxwell's aggressive and innovative batting style has made him a formidable force in T20 leagues and for Australia. Known for his ability to score quickly and consistently, he has been a key player in numerous successful campaigns.With his 19-ball 43 in the first T20I against Pakistan, Maxwell joined David Warner (12411) and Aaron Finch (11458) as the only Australians to reach the 10,000-run mark in T20 cricket. Overall, he became the 16th batter to achieve this feat, led by Chris Gayle with 14,562 runs in 463 games.Maxwell's achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and longevity in the T20 format. He has played a pivotal role in Australia's success in T20 cricket, including their victory in the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.Beyond his international exploits, Maxwell has also been a standout performer in domestic and franchise-based T20 leagues around the world. His ability to adapt to different conditions and opposition has made him a highly sought-after player.Maxwell's latest milestone is a fitting recognition of his contributions to T20 cricket. He has consistently entertained fans with his explosive batting and has played a significant role in the growth and popularity of the format.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his delight at the performances of young Indian batters in the T20I format following the retirements of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Kaif believes that the seamless transition under new captain Suryakumar Yadav is a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket.After India's T20 World Cup triumph in June, Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from the format. However, the likes of Abhishek Varma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma have stepped up to fill the void, showcasing their potential on the international stage.In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, Tilak Varma smashed his maiden T20I century in the third match, while Abhishek Sharma blasted a 25-ball half-century in the second match. Earlier in the series, Samson hammered his second consecutive T20I century, becoming the first Indian batter to achieve this feat.Kaif praised the young batters for their impressive performances in challenging batting conditions in South Africa. He tweeted, "Watching Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson score runs in South Africa's tough batting conditions must be pleasing for Virat and Rohit. When it comes to T20, they have left Indian cricket in safe hands."India's T20I transition has been remarkably smooth since Rohit and Kohli's retirements. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the team has maintained its dominance, defeating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh 3-0 each before heading to South Africa.In the ongoing series against South Africa, India holds a 2-1 lead heading into the final T20I in Johannesburg on Friday. The team's impressive performances have raised hopes of a successful title defense at the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Ramandeep Singh, a 27-year-old cricketer from Punjab, India, has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian T20 cricket team. The all-rounder was presented with his first Indian cap by Hardik Pandya and will join the team for the third and final match against South Africa.Singh's selection is a testament to his impressive performances in recent tournaments. In the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup for India A, he showcased his batting prowess with a blistering 64 runs off 34 balls in the semi-final against Afghanistan. His consistent performances in first-class cricket have also caught the attention of the selectors.Singh has played for two Indian Premier League (IPL) teams: Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. He is currently on the roster of Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2025 IPL season. During the 2024 IPL season, he played in nine games for Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 125 runs at a strike rate of 201.61.Singh's inclusion in the Indian team comes as a replacement for Avesh Khan. He will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball, given his all-round abilities.In the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup tournament, Singh represented India's A team in four matches, scoring 94 runs and taking three wickets. His quickfire 66 runs in the semi-final against Afghanistan was a standout performance. He also contributed with 13 runs against Oman and 17 runs against Shaheen. As a bowler, he claimed three wickets over three innings.Singh's selection is a recognition of his hard work and dedication. He has consistently performed at the domestic level and has now earned his chance to represent his country at the highest level.

South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has expressed his admiration for Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, describing him as the "GOAT" of the format. Klaasen, known for his explosive batting style, revealed his thoughts on T20 cricket, his memorable innings, and his personal favorites in an interview with JioCinema's Q20s show.Klaasen described his batting style as "explosive" and named Suryakumar Yadav as the greatest T20 player of all time. He praised Yadav's ability to hit fine leg off straight balls, a technique he would like to incorporate into his own game.Reflecting on his T20 career, Klaasen recalled two standout performances against India: his 81 in 2022 and 69 in 2018. He chose the former as his favorite, citing the tougher conditions in which it was scored.Klaasen also shared his admiration for other players, naming Jasprit Bumrah as the "toughest bowler to hit out in T20s" and Yuzvendra Chahal as "the funniest non-South African player" he has played with. He expressed his love for butter chicken as his favorite Indian dish.For inspiration from other sports, Klaasen named Formula 1 World Drivers Championship winner Lewis Hamilton, saying, "I wish I had the ability to drive cars like him." He also suggested that Nicholas Pooran is the one batter who could potentially score a double hundred in T20 cricket.When asked who he would trust to bat for his life, Klaasen replied, "Probably Hashim Amla." He admitted that he hesitates to try Suryakumar Yadav's "Supla Shot" over fine leg, as he prefers not to get into line too much.Klaasen's insights provide a glimpse into the mindset of a modern-day T20 cricketer, who values explosive batting, innovation, and a competitive spirit.

Former England Test captain Sir Alastair Cook has emphasized the need for the team to finalize Jos Buttler's role in the white-ball setup. Buttler, who has been sidelined since the T20 World Cup semi-final due to a calf injury, will return as captain for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies.Cook believes that England must determine whether Buttler will continue as a wicketkeeper or transition to a specialist batter. This decision will significantly impact the team's lineup and strategy. He also expressed his confidence in Buttler's commitment to England, despite his recent signing of a two-year central contract.Cook highlighted the emergence of several promising young players in the T20I squad, including Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, and Liam Livingstone. He praised their modern approach to the game and their ability to execute a wide range of shots.However, Cook emphasized the need for these players to gain experience and make the step up to international cricket. He believes that one of them will eventually establish themselves as a standout performer.Cook also expressed his satisfaction with Jofra Archer's return to the ODI team. Archer has played all three ODIs against the West Indies, indicating his improved physical condition. Cook believes that Archer's versatility and ability to bowl in all phases of the game make him a valuable asset to the English bowling attack.

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, has expressed his desire to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite retiring from international cricket earlier this year. Anderson, who holds the record for the most Test wickets by a pacer, has registered for the IPL auction scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah.The 42-year-old Anderson, who currently serves as England's bowling coach, has set his base price at Rs 1.25 crore. Notably, Anderson has never played in any global T20 franchise league.Anderson's decision to enter the IPL auction has raised eyebrows, given his age and lack of recent T20 experience. However, the veteran pacer believes he still has the skills and fitness to compete at the highest level."I feel like I've still got something to offer in T20 cricket," Anderson said. "I've been bowling well in the nets and I'm confident I can still perform at the highest level."Anderson's entry into the IPL auction adds another dimension to the upcoming event. The IPL is the most lucrative T20 league in the world, and Anderson's presence will undoubtedly attract interest from franchises.However, Anderson's former teammate and England's Test captain Ben Stokes has not registered for the auction. Stokes, who is considered one of the best all-rounders in the world, has opted to focus on his international commitments.In total, 1574 players have registered for the IPL auction, including 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations. The 10 franchises have already announced their retained players, and the remaining 204 slots will be filled at the two-day auction.

Rishabh Pant's tenure with the Delhi Capitals (DC) has come to an end, as the franchise has opted not to retain him ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This decision marks a significant shift for both Pant and DC, who have been closely associated since 2016.Sources close to the development have revealed that Pant's desire for captaincy and involvement in team management played a role in the franchise's decision. While DC was open to retaining Pant, they were not convinced about his leadership abilities in the T20 format."Rishabh Pant wanted captaincy and wanted to be involved with regards to the appointment of coaches and support staff, but plenty in the DC set-up are not convinced about his T20 game," said a source.With Pant's departure, DC faces the challenge of finding a new captain. Axar Patel, who has been retained by the franchise, is a potential candidate. However, sources suggest that DC may explore options at the mega-auction, with Shreyas Iyer being a strong possibility."Axar Patel is there as an option, but there is a strong possibility of DC exploring options at the mega auction. Shreyas Iyer will definitely be on their radar as he enjoyed a lot of success in the DC set-up and understands the set-up well," added the source.DC has retained four players for the upcoming season: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristian Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel. They have also kept the option of Right To Match (RTM) card open for the mega auction.Pant's departure from DC marks the end of an era for the franchise. He joined the team as a young player in 2016 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming their captain in 2021. His aggressive batting and fearless leadership style made him a fan favorite.However, Pant's recent form in the T20 format has been inconsistent, and his captaincy has come under scrutiny. DC's decision to part ways with him is a reflection of their desire to rebuild and find a new leader who can guide them to success in the years to come.

India A Dominates Emerging Teams Asia Cup, Secures Semifinal BerthIndia A has emerged as a formidable force in the ongoing T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, securing an all-win record in their Group B league engagements. The team's impressive run began with a thrilling 7-run victory over Pakistan A, followed by a dominant 7-wicket triumph against UAE. In their final group match, India A showcased their batting prowess with a comprehensive 6-wicket victory over Oman.In the crucial semifinal clash against Afghanistan, India A continued their winning streak. Lucknow Super Giants youngster Ayush Badoni played a pivotal role, smashing a blistering 51 off just 27 balls. His explosive innings propelled India A to a comfortable 141-run target in a mere 15.2 overs.India A's success in the tournament is a testament to their depth and versatility. The team has displayed a balanced performance, with both their batting and bowling units contributing to their victories. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and strategies has been a key factor in their dominance.Meanwhile, in the first semifinal, Sri Lanka emerged victorious over Pakistan, securing a seven-wicket victory. The Sri Lankan team will now face India A in the highly anticipated final of the Emerging Asia Cup.