Cricket

In a thrilling encounter at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, West Indies pulled off a remarkable five-wicket victory over England in the fourth T20I, narrowing the series deficit to 3-1.England, who had already secured the series, opted to bat first and posted a formidable total of 218/6. Phil Salt (55) and Will Jacks (54) provided a solid start, while Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 62 and Sam Curran's late cameo of 24 propelled the visitors to a challenging score.West Indies bowlers Alzarri Joseph, Rehan Ahmed, and Roston Chase claimed crucial wickets, but England's batters took advantage of the favorable batting conditions.In response, West Indies openers Shai Hope and Evin Lewis unleashed a blistering assault, putting on a 136-run partnership. Hope reached his half-century in just 23 balls, while Lewis smashed seven sixes in his 26-ball 68.England fought back with three quick wickets, but West Indies captain Rovman Powell (38) and Sharfane Rutherford (29) steadied the innings. Rutherford sealed the victory in style, smashing two sixes off Dan Mousley in the penultimate over to ensure the hosts reached the target with six balls to spare."Guys were more committed today," said Powell after the match. "The team showed a lot of fight, and 3-2 looks much better than 4-1. We'll aim to finish strong tomorrow."England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged the quality of the contest despite the loss. "I thought we had a great start and posted a strong score, but they played exceptionally well to chase it down," he said.The fifth and final T20I takes place on Sunday, with West Indies aiming to end the series on a high.

India's T20I dominance in 2024 reached unprecedented heights, culminating in a record-breaking series win over South Africa. With a massive 283-run total in Johannesburg, India secured a 3-1 series victory and cemented their status as the world's leading T20I team.The year marked a remarkable turnaround for India, who had endured a disappointing ODI World Cup final defeat earlier in the year. However, the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA proved to be a transformative moment, as India went unbeaten throughout the tournament to claim their second T20 World Cup title.The triumph was a testament to the team's aggressive and fearless approach, led by Suryakumar Yadav, who took over the captaincy after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepped away from the format. India's win percentage of 92.31 in T20Is was the highest ever by any team, surpassing Pakistan's previous record.Individually, Sanju Samson emerged as a standout performer, becoming the first player to score three centuries in T20Is. He finished the year as India's top run-getter with 436 runs, averaging over 40 and striking at an impressive 180. Tilak Varma also impressed with two centuries and a strike rate of over 187.India's batting prowess was evident throughout the year, as they scored 200-plus totals nine times, including three in the series against South Africa. They also set a record for the most team centuries in a calendar year in T20Is, with seven centuries in total.On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh led the charge with 36 wickets in 18 matches, the highest haul for a Test-playing nation bowler this year. Indian bowlers averaged 8.39 wickets per innings, the highest-ever among Test-playing nations in a calendar year.Overall, India's performance in 2024 was a testament to their aggressive and fearless approach, which has transformed them into the world's leading T20I team.

India's cricket team has achieved a remarkable triumph in their T20 International series against South Africa, securing a resounding 3-1 victory. The series win is a testament to the team's resilience and determination, as they faced a formidable opponent on their home turf.Led by stand-in captain V.V.S. Laxman, India showcased their depth and talent throughout the series. Young batters Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson emerged as key contributors, while experienced all-rounder Varun Chakravarty played a pivotal role with his exceptional bowling.In the first match of the series, India set a challenging target of 212 runs, which South Africa failed to chase down. Varma and Samson played crucial knocks of 48 and 63, respectively, while Chakravarty claimed three wickets.The second match saw India suffer a narrow defeat, but they bounced back strongly in the third match. Samson once again starred with a blistering 86 off just 59 deliveries, while Chakravarty continued his impressive form with another three-wicket haul.In the final match of the series, India produced a dominant performance to secure a massive 135-run victory. Varma and Samson continued their impressive run with half-centuries, while Chakravarty and fellow spinner Axar Patel shared seven wickets between them.Laxman hailed the team's performance as "a special effort," praising their spirit and determination. He highlighted the contributions of the young players and the support provided by the non-playing members.Captain Suryakumar Yadav also expressed his delight with the series win, describing it as "special." He credited the team's collective effort and the fearless approach they displayed throughout the series.India's T20I series triumph against South Africa is a significant achievement, demonstrating the team's potential and their ability to compete at the highest level. The victory will provide a much-needed boost of confidence as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.

Australia's bowlers, led by Spencer Johnson's five-wicket haul, put in a dominant performance to secure a series victory over Pakistan in the second T20I match.Johnson's devastating spell of 5/26 saw him claim the first five wickets of Pakistan's innings, reducing them to 29/5. The visitors never recovered from this early setback, eventually being bowled out for a paltry 134.Usman Khan's half-century (52 off 38) was a lone bright spot for Pakistan, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide any meaningful resistance.Earlier, Australia had posted a modest total of 147, with Matthew Short top-scoring with 32. Haris Rauf was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking 4/32.The victory gives Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one match remaining. It also marks the first series defeat for Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan's new white-ball captain.Johnson's performance was particularly impressive, as he became the first Australian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a T20I match against Pakistan. His wickets included the dangerous Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who had scored centuries in the first T20I.Australia's victory was a testament to their bowling strength, which has been a key factor in their recent success in the shortest format. They will be looking to complete a clean sweep of the series in the third and final T20I on Friday.

India's T20I team has found a new batting star in Tilak Varma, who has cemented his position as the team's No. 3 batter with back-to-back centuries in the recently concluded series against South Africa.Varma's rise to prominence has been a welcome sight for India, who have been searching for a consistent performer at the crucial No. 3 spot since Virat Kohli's departure. The 22-year-old Mumbai Indians all-rounder has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, showcasing his exceptional talent and maturity beyond his years.India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who sacrificed his own spot for Varma, has been full of praise for the youngster. "He just walked the talk," said Yadav. "The way he batted at SuperSport and here was incredible. Hope he continues, not only in T20s but in all formats."Varma's centuries have been instrumental in India's 3-1 series triumph over South Africa. In the fourth T20I, he smashed an unbeaten 120 off just 47 balls, while in the third T20I, he scored 106 not out off 56 deliveries.Together with opener Sanju Samson, who also scored a century in the fourth T20I, Varma formed a formidable partnership that propelled India to a massive 283 for 1, the fifth-highest total in men's T20Is.Varma's success has underlined India's new-found dominance in T20I cricket, even after the retirement of several senior players. It also speaks volumes about the strength and depth of Indian cricket, with young players eager to step up and make their mark.Yadav believes that Varma's emergence is a testament to the strong base of Indian cricket. "Guys playing a lot of domestic cricket for their respective states. Guys wanting to go back and play for their states, that speaks a lot about their urge to play for their state, deliver, and keep that run," he said.Varma's success has also raised questions about the future of other players who have been tried at No. 3, such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson. Yadav, however, believes that the competition is healthy and will ultimately benefit the team."It's a good headache to have going forward," he said. "When they come back, we'll discuss it calmly (aram se). It will be tough, but it's a good headache to have."For Varma, his success is a dream come true. "I can't express my feelings right now. It's unbelievable. Can't imagine scoring back-to-back hundreds, that too in SA. Right now, I can't express my feelings," he said.As India looks ahead to the future, Tilak Varma is poised to play a key role in the team's success. His ability to anchor the innings, score runs at a rapid pace, and play under pressure makes him a valuable asset for the team.

Sanju Samson has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the first player to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year. This remarkable feat cements his status as one of the most explosive batters in the shortest format of the game.Samson's extraordinary run began with his maiden T20I hundred against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on October 12. He reached the century mark in just 40 balls, the second-fastest hundred by an Indian in T20I cricket. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed 111 off 47 balls, including 11 boundaries and 8 sixes, dismantling the Bangladeshi bowlers.Building on this, Samson continued his extraordinary form against South Africa. In the first T20I of the ongoing India-South Africa series, he hammered his second T20I century, scoring 107 off 50 balls with 7 boundaries and 10 sixes. In Johannesburg on Friday (November 15, 2024), he dominated the South African bowlers once again, finishing unbeaten on 109 off 56 deliveries with 6 boundaries and 9 sixes.With these performances, Samson not only became the first Indian but also the second player overall to score two centuries in a single T20I series. England's Phil Salt was the first to achieve this feat, scoring two centuries against the West Indies in December 2023.Adding to the fireworks, Tilak Varma also showcased his prowess by scoring his second T20I century in the same series, becoming the second Indian and third overall to achieve this feat. Varma delivered a scintillating unbeaten 120 off 47 balls, featuring 9 sixes and 10 fours. His contribution helped set a massive target of 284 runs for South Africa to chase in their 20 overs.Samson's remarkable achievement has not only earned him accolades but has also raised expectations for his future performances. As India gears up for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Samson's explosive batting will be a crucial asset for the team. His ability to score runs at a rapid pace and clear the boundaries with ease makes him a formidable opponent for any bowling attack.

South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter has acknowledged the team's recent struggles in bilateral T20I series, but emphasized the importance of balancing the need to field the best XI with exposing younger players to top-level competition.In the recently concluded series against India, South Africa's bowling attack, which lacked the experience of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi, conceded over 200 runs three times in four matches. Walter explained that this was a consequence of trying to deepen the player pool."To grow the net of players, there's times we have to play younger guys even in big series against good teams. And ultimately, that's where they're going to learn the most," Walter said.However, Walter acknowledged that the team's performance was not acceptable. "It's really a balancing act and there's no right or wrong. We're trying to get it right, we're trying to get rest right, we're trying to get rotation right, we're trying to get exposure right all at the same time. But it doesn't excuse the performance. We still need to be better and that starts with me as the head coach of the team."Walter also highlighted the discrepancy between South Africa's bilateral form and their success in major tournaments, such as the T20 World Cup. "The easy answer is that when we go to the world tournaments, we're picking our very best 15 players but we can't pick those same 15 players every single time we play. It's just not feasible. It's just too much cricket."Walter recognized the depth of India's squad, which allowed them to field a strong team even in the absence of key players. "Their fringe players are stepping up and creating pressure on the guys that are in main XI," he said.Walter also addressed the issue of players opting out of central contracts to play in franchise leagues. "A guy like Anrich, I certainly wouldn't doubt his want to play for South Africa and his commitment to do that. But he made a decision personally around contracting so that he could move away from playing Test cricket for a while. I think physically he was finding it a bit tough to do everything and I respect that," Walter said."At the end of the day, when it comes to the world tournaments, we want to pick our best side. And if he is one of those best players, we consider him. Shammo has done exactly the same thing. We need to be cognisant of what's happening in world cricket. It's not easy and the national side is competing with franchise cricket. The money lies in franchise cricket, not international cricket. That's the reality that we live in."Walter concluded by emphasizing the ongoing balancing act between fielding the best team and developing younger players. "And so, again, the balancing act continues."

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20 internationals has paved the way for emerging talents like Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson to shine. In India's recent tour of South Africa, the duo showcased their exceptional batting prowess, leading the team to a 3-1 series victory.Tilak Varma emerged as a standout performer, scoring two consecutive centuries in the four-match series. His unbeaten 120 off just 47 balls in the fourth match was a testament to his aggressive and fearless approach. Varma's knock included 10 sixes and 9 fours, making him only the fifth batsman in T20I history to achieve the feat of back-to-back centuries.Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson also played a crucial role in India's success. Opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma, Samson hammered an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls, including 6 fours and 9 sixes. The Varma-Samson pair added an impressive 210 runs in their undefeated second-wicket partnership, marking the first instance of two batsmen making centuries in the same T20I contest between two Full Member teams.Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif expressed his admiration for the duo's performances, stating that even Kohli and Rohit would have been impressed. "Two players will be the happiest: one is Virat Kohli and the other Rohit Sharma," said Kaif. "Even they would not have imagined that when they retire (from T20Is), we will get players who will take India forward in such fashion, with such powerful batting."Kaif praised Varma's ability to repay skipper Suryakumar Yadav's trust by delivering at the crucial number three position. He also lauded Samson's consistency, noting that he either scores a zero or a hundred.India's victory was a collective effort, with all six bowlers used by captain Suryakumar Yadav contributing to the Proteas' dismissal. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh led the charts with his spell of 3 for 20, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets apiece.The performance of Varma and Samson has given Indian cricket fans hope for the future, proving that the team has the talent to continue its success even after the departure of its legendary batsmen.

West Indies, after losing the first three matches of the five-match T20I series against England, finally won the toss and elected to bowl first in the fourth encounter at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia. England, who have already secured the series victory, made one change to their lineup, handing a T20I debut to 23-year-old fast bowler John Turner, who replaces Jofra Archer.West Indies, on the other hand, made two changes, bringing in Sherfane Rutherford for the injured Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy for Terrance Hinds. Captain Rovman Powell expressed his team's determination to salvage some pride in the remaining matches, acknowledging the importance of starting well with the ball.England captain Jos Buttler praised his team's performance so far and emphasized the need to maintain their high standards. He believes that setting a competitive total and defending it effectively will be key to their success.The match was played on the same pitch used in the third T20I, where England emerged victorious by three wickets. The West Indies team includes Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, and Obed McCoy.England's lineup consists of Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, John Turner, and Saqib Mahmood.