Cricket

Abhishek Sharma's Explosive Cameo Powers India to a Big Total in JohannesburgAfter a slow start to the series, India's opening batter Abhishek Sharma has found his rhythm in the final two matches, tormenting South African bowlers with his aggressive batting. In the fourth and final T20I in Johannesburg on Friday, Sharma continued his impressive form, scoring a blistering 36 off just 18 balls to set the tone for a big total.Sharma's innings was a display of power and precision, as he smashed four sixes and two fours. The highlight of his knock came in the fifth over when he launched Proteas pacer Andile Simelane for a massive six out of the ground. Charging down the track, Sharma created room and smoked the ball over extra cover, sending it soaring onto the roof before it bounced out of the ground.Sharma's resurgence in the series is a welcome sign for India, who have been looking for consistency from their openers. In the third T20I in Centurion, Sharma found his mojo back with a blistering fifty off just 25 balls, which included five sixes and three fours.In the first two matches of the series, Sharma struggled to make an impact, scoring only 7 runs in the first T20I and 4 runs in the second. However, his dismissals in both innings were strikingly similar, as he was caught behind the wicket while attempting to play aggressive shots.Sharma's recent performances suggest that he has overcome his early struggles and is now ready to play a significant role in India's batting lineup. His ability to score quickly and aggressively makes him a valuable asset to the team, especially in the T20 format.

India and South Africa will face off in the fourth and final T20I match in Johannesburg on Friday, November 15, with the series win on the line. India currently holds a 2-1 lead after winning the third game by a narrow margin.In the opening match, India dominated with a 61-run victory, thanks to Sanju Samson's brilliant century (107 off 50 balls). However, South Africa bounced back in the second game, winning by 3 wickets despite Varun Chakaravarthy's five-wicket haul.In the third game, Tilak Varma shone with an unbeaten 107 as India edged past South Africa by 11 runs. The Proteas fought hard in the chase of 220 but fell short at 208 for 7.India will be aiming to seal the series win in the fourth T20I, while South Africa will be desperate to level the series. The match will be played at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, starting at 08:30 PM IST.The match will be telecast live on Sports18 and Colors Cineplex TV channels in India. It will also be streamed live on Jio Cinema app and website.

India, with an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match T20I series against South Africa, is poised to secure a historic series victory. The Proteas, despite being unable to win the series, will aim to salvage a 2-2 draw.For the fourth and final match, India may consider handing debuts to pacers Vijakumar Vyshak and Yash Dayal. All-rounder Ramandeep Singh made his T20I debut in the third match, and the management may opt to give more players their first caps.India has utilized 12 of its 15 players in the series, and it remains to be seen if either Dayal or Vyshak will be given a chance to showcase their skills. Sanju Samson, who has struggled against Marco Jansen in recent matches, will be eager to break out of his slump.Skipper Surya Kumar Yadav may consider using Ramandeep Singh's medium pace in the final game, as he offers versatility and can field anywhere except as a wicketkeeper.Centuries from Samson and Tilak Varma have been crucial for India's success in the series, but the team will need a more collective batting effort to clinch a 3-1 victory.The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg has been a favorable venue for India, where they won the 2007 T20 World Cup final. Yadav, who has an impressive victory percentage of 81.25 as captain, will aim to improve upon the 1-1 draw in the previous series in South Africa.

England have extended their winning streak in the T20I series against West Indies, winning the toss for the third consecutive time and opting to bowl first in the third match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia. The toss was delayed due to overnight rain, but Jos Buttler maintained his perfect record in the series by choosing to field.England, seeking an unassailable 3-0 lead, made one change to their lineup, bringing in Rehan Ahmed as the primary legspinner in place of Adil Rashid. West Indies, on the other hand, made three alterations, welcoming back Alzarri Joseph from suspension and replacing Matthew Forde and Sherfane Rutherford with Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer.The first two matches of the series have followed a similar pattern, with England restricting West Indies to modest totals and chasing them down comfortably. The conditions in Saint Lucia are expected to favor batters once again, with the floodlights and dew creating a conducive environment for run-scoring. However, the recent rains have left the outfield slightly damp and sluggish.England hold a slight historical advantage at this venue, having won both previous encounters here, including an eight-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. West Indies will be eager to turn their fortunes around and avoid a series sweep.

Varun Chakravarthy's journey in international cricket has been a rollercoaster ride. After a brief stint with the Indian team in 2021, he found himself out of favor and struggling to regain his place. However, through sheer determination and a willingness to reinvent himself, Chakravarthy has emerged as a formidable force in the Indian T20I setup.In 2023, Chakravarthy underwent a transformation in his bowling style. He abandoned his sidespin technique and embraced overspin, which gave him greater bite and accuracy. This change proved to be a masterstroke, as he finished the IPL season with 20 wickets and was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders' title triumph.His impressive IPL form earned him a recall to the Indian team for the T20I series against Bangladesh. In his first match back, he snared three wickets, and he continued to impress in subsequent games. Chakravarthy's ability to take wickets at crucial junctures has made him a valuable asset to the Indian team.In the recent T20I series against South Africa, Chakravarthy was the standout performer. He finished with ten wickets in four matches, including a five-wicket haul in the second game. His performances have not only solidified his place in the Indian team but have also made him a contender for a spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad.Chakravarthy's success is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. Despite setbacks and criticism, he has persevered and emerged as one of the most effective T20I bowlers in the world. His journey is an inspiration to all aspiring cricketers, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

Pakistan Opts to Field First in Rain-Delayed T20I Opener Against AustraliaIn a rain-affected first T20I at the Gabba, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan elected to field first after winning the toss. The match, initially scheduled for a full 20 overs, was reduced to a seven-over contest due to persistent lightning and rain in Brisbane.Pakistan's batting-heavy lineup features the return of wicketkeeper-batter Sahibzada Farhan, who replaced left-arm fast bowler Jahandad Khan at the last minute. The pace attack boasts the formidable trio of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, while Babar Azam and Rizwan will open the batting.Australia's captain, Josh Inglis, echoed Rizwan's decision to field first. Their top five remains largely unchanged from the ODI series, with Adam Zampa as the specialist spinner and Tim David slotting into the middle order. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson complete the bowling attack.The reduced format of the match means that only two bowlers can bowl a maximum of two overs each, while all other bowlers are restricted to one over. The powerplay consists of two overs.Australia:1. Jake Fraser-McGurk2. Matt Short3. Josh Inglis (capt & wk)4. Glenn Maxwell5. Tim David6. Marcus Stoinis7. Aaron Hardie8. Xavier Bartlett9. Nathan Ellis10. Adam Zampa11. Spencer JohnsonPakistan:1. Babar Azam2. Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk)3. Sahibzada Farhan4. Usman Khan5. Salman Agha6. Irfan Khan7. Abbas Afridi8. Shaheen Shah Afridi9. Haseebullah Khan10. Haris Rauf11. Naseem Shah

Tilak Varma, the rising star of Indian cricket, expressed his sincere appreciation for captain Suryakumar Yadav after his remarkable century in the third T20I against South Africa. Varma's exceptional knock of 107 not out off 56 balls steered India to an 11-run triumph, securing a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.Varma revealed how Suryakumar, fondly called 'SKY,' generously offered him the No. 3 batting spot for the match, paving the way for Varma's extraordinary performance. "When Suryakumar knocked on my hotel room door and told me I'd bat at No. 3, I was filled with gratitude. He said, ‘Go out there and express yourself. It's a good opportunity.’ I promised him that I wouldn't let him down," Varma said after the match.Staying true to his promise, Varma delivered a spectacular performance, reaching his century in just 51 balls, with his second fifty achieved in a mere 19 balls. His innings was highlighted by seven powerful sixes and eight fours, showcasing his batting prowess, particularly against his former Mumbai Indians teammate Gerald Coetzee, the fastest bowler of the day.Upon reaching his century, Varma acknowledged his captain's gesture by blowing a flying kiss toward the Indian dugout, recognizing the faith entrusted in him. "It was for 'SKY' because he gave me the chance to bat at number three. I love batting at that position, and I wanted to repay the trust he placed in me," he said.Varma's 107-run partnership with young talent Abhishek Sharma, who contributed a crucial half-century, played a pivotal role in India's impressive total of 219/6. Varma, the second-youngest Indian to score a century in T20I history, shared his experiences of battling injuries that led to him missing international tours to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka earlier this year."It was frustrating to miss two series because of finger injuries, but I knew my time would come. I stayed patient, focused on my process, and worked hard. Today, that hard work paid off," Varma said.Recognized for his powerful batting, Varma is also diligently working on his off-spin, aiming to become a valuable all-rounder for the team. "I've worked hard on my bowling. The ball is coming out well, and I want to be seen as an all-rounder who can contribute to the team's success," he added.Varma's century is a testament to his talent and determination. With his exceptional performance, he has cemented his place in the Indian team and has emerged as a future star of Indian cricket.

South African all-rounder Marco Jansen has emerged as a hot prospect ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, following his scintillating performance in the third T20I against India. Jansen's explosive batting and impressive bowling skills have caught the attention of cricket pundits and fans alike.In the high-scoring encounter, Jansen played a pivotal role in South Africa's chase of India's 219/6. Coming in at number seven, he unleashed a whirlwind innings of 54 off just 17 balls, setting a new record for the fastest T20I fifty against India. His innings was a display of power-hitting, featuring four boundaries and five sixes.Jansen's aggressive batting put India under immense pressure in the crucial final overs. Despite his heroics, South Africa fell short by 11 runs, but Jansen's performance left an indelible mark on the match.Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn took to social media to predict a substantial payday for Jansen in the upcoming IPL auction. "Marco Jansen. A 10 crore player? I'd say so," Steyn tweeted.Jansen, who was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) after the 2023 season, will be a sought-after player in the auction. His ability to bowl at high speeds and contribute crucial runs with the bat makes him a valuable asset.The cricketing world is abuzz with discussions about Jansen's power-packed innings, solidifying his position as a prime target in the IPL 2025 auction. The mega auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24-25.

South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, expressed pride in his team's performance despite their 11-run loss to India in the third T20I of the four-match series. Markram acknowledged the contributions of the lower order and emphasized the importance of executing their plans."We're proud of the effort to get that close," Markram said. "It was good to see the contributions from the lower order. We just need to execute what we discussed."India's victory was largely due to Tilak Varma's unbeaten century and Arshdeep Singh's three-wicket haul. Varma's 107 runs off 56 balls included eight fours and seven sixes, while Singh's 3/37 in four overs proved crucial in restricting South Africa's chase.Markram highlighted the challenges of chasing a high total at the SuperSport Park. "This is a ground where you can chase 220," he said. "It's almost an over-by-over thing. If you win those overs, you have a great chance."South Africa's bowlers, led by Andile Simelane and Keshav Maharaj, had earlier restricted India to 219/6. Abhishek Sharma's 50 off 25 balls and Varma's century were the standout performances for India.In the chase, Heinrich Klaasen (41 off 22) and Marco Jansen (54 off 17) kept South Africa in contention. However, Arshdeep's wickets in the death overs proved decisive.Markram expressed confidence in his team's ability to improve for the fourth and final match of the series. "We will see areas to improve for the next game," he said.