Cricket

As the Indian cricket team faces a potential whitewash against New Zealand, having lost the first two matches of the series, captain Rohit Sharma has received a bold suggestion to rest star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Despite being widely regarded as the country's finest pace bowler, Bumrah has struggled to make an impact on the spin-friendly pitches against New Zealand.Former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has urged the Indian team management to give Bumrah a break ahead of the upcoming tour of Australia. "Jasprit Bumrah definitely needs a rest without a doubt," Karthik told Cricbuzz. "That is happening, and you will see Mohammed Siraj come in."Karthik believes that Bumrah's absence will not significantly alter India's batting lineup, despite their poor performance in the first two matches. However, he anticipates that Siraj will replace Bumrah in the bowling attack."I can't think of any other change unless someone has a niggle," Karthik added. "I don't see any reason why the batters who played this game or the bowlers should not get an opportunity."Washington Sundar emerged as India's top performer with the ball in the Pune Test, which was dominated by spinners. However, India failed to level the series, suffering a second consecutive loss to trail 0-2.While the Indian team is unlikely to make drastic changes ahead of the must-win Test in Wankhede, some adjustments are expected to be made to the XI, keeping the World Test Championship in mind.Karthik acknowledged the disappointment of the defeats but emphasized the need to remain focused on the upcoming match. "The loss and the disappointment of the defeat are still weighing very heavily on my mind," he said. "I am not able to think very clearly about what the XI will be. It's too short a notice to be honest. But if I had to think straight away, I would say rest Bumrah and bring back Siraj."

Team India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand has sparked a wave of criticism, with former South Africa captain AB de Villiers weighing in on the matter. De Villiers believes that the perception of Indian players as exceptional spin players is outdated and that other teams have caught up.In the second Test, New Zealand's left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner exploited the Indian batters' weaknesses on a turning Pune track, taking 13 wickets in the match and handing India a 113-run defeat. This marked India's first Test series loss at home since 2012.De Villiers suggests that the belief in Indian players' spin prowess is a perception rather than a fact. He emphasizes that even the best batters can struggle against quality spin bowling on turning wickets. However, he also acknowledges the talent of Indian players, stating that they are "incredible players" who can play spin.De Villiers believes that India took a significant risk by preparing a turning track, which played into New Zealand's hands. He notes that New Zealand's bowlers, including part-timer Glenn Phillips, were able to exploit the conditions effectively."They lost the toss in the second Test. I think they took a big risk by really making sure that the wicket turns a lot from start to finish," said de Villiers. "With that, when you play against a street-smart team, guys like Glenn Phillips, no one thought of him as a spinner, but fiery spin right at the wickets quick, doesn't matter if you are a part-time spinner, you are in the match."De Villiers concludes that India's loss highlights the need for teams to adapt to different conditions and that the perception of Indian players as invincible spin players is no longer valid.

Former Indian batsman Manoj Tiwary has expressed his concerns over the Indian cricket team's recent Test series loss to New Zealand, criticizing captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir for their approach and team selection.Tiwary believes that India's downfall began with Rohit's decision to bat first in the rain-affected series opener in Bengaluru. "India's biggest enemy was the weather in Bengaluru, because they had prepared a turning track. After winning the toss India had the opportunity to field, but I don't know why they opted to bat first, and that is where it all started," Tiwary told Cricbuzz.He also criticized the team selection, particularly the inclusion of Washington Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav and the omission of Akash Deep in the first Test. "You already have a spin-bowling all-rounder in Axar Patel, who picked up wickets in spinning conditions previously. But you ignored him and then benched Kuldeep in the second Test. You did not play Akash Deep in Bengaluru, but included him in the second Test, where you did not give him the ball in the second innings. Then you did not start with Jasprit Bumrah in the attack. All these things will backfired," he added.Tiwary warned that these selection calls could lead to disturbances and even cracks within the team. "What this will lead to is in the coming days there will be a lot of disturbances in the team, there will be cracks in the team," he said.Rohit and Gambhir will be under pressure to turn things around in the third and final Test, starting November 1, before the crucial tour of Australia next month. India will play five Tests Down Under, with the series likely to determine their fate in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

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.

Team India Suffers Setback as Mayank Yadav Ruled Out of South Africa SeriesNew Delhi: Indian cricket has suffered a significant blow with the news that tearaway pacer Mayank Yadav will miss the upcoming four-match T20I series against South Africa due to injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad for the series, which begins on November 8, confirming Mayank's absence.Mayank, who made his international debut in the recent home T20Is against Bangladesh, has been plagued by recurring injuries. An abdominal muscle issue forced him to miss the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.Despite his injury woes, Mayank made a striking tournament debut for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023. He consistently bowled at speeds over 150 kph and earned the Player of the Match award in his first two games.In his four overs against Gujarat Titans, Mayank claimed 3 wickets for 27 runs, reaching a top speed of 155.8 kph. In his second IPL game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he improved upon that, clocking 156.7 kph - the fastest ball recorded in IPL 2023.Mayank consistently exceeded the 150 kph mark, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 14 in his four overs. Notably, he became the first player in IPL history to win the Player of the Match award in his first two matches.In the squad announcement, India included all-rounder Ramandeep Singh and pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak. Notably, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Reddy, who featured in the Bangladesh T20Is, are absent as they will be traveling to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Meanwhile, spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel, along with pacers Yash Dayal and Avesh Khan, have been added to the squad.Mayank's absence is a major setback for Team India, who will be looking to build on their recent success against Bangladesh. The pacer's ability to bowl at high speeds and generate swing would have been a valuable asset against South Africa's strong batting lineup.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an 18-member Indian cricket team squad for the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The series, which begins on November 22 in Perth, will feature matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.While the squad boasts a strong bowling lineup, there are notable absences, including Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner, was unavailable for selection due to a chronic left groin issue. He had featured in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru but was replaced by Washington Sundar in the second contest.BCCI clarified that Yadav has been referred to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for long-term resolution of his injury.Mohammed Shami, who last played in the ODI World Cup in November 2023, has not recovered from a knee injury in time. Despite assurances of being fit, he has not been included in the squad.Axar Patel, on the other hand, has been named in the T20 squad that will travel to South Africa for a four-match series starting next month.Despite these absences, India's bowling lineup remains formidable. The squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a prestigious series between India and Australia, and both teams will be eager to claim victory. India will be looking to retain the trophy, which they won in 2018-19.

Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, is known for his entertaining antics both on and off the field. In a recent video that has gone viral, Pant can be seen playing a "kick prank" on his teammate Sarfaraz Khan during a team huddle. The video shows Pant attempting to kick Khan, who quickly moves out of the way.Pant's playful behavior has been a constant throughout his career. Even when he is not playing, he is always looking for ways to keep the atmosphere light and fun. This latest prank is just one example of his infectious personality.In addition to his off-field antics, Pant has also been making waves on the field. He recently overtook Virat Kohli to reach the sixth spot in the ICC Test rankings for batters. Pant's impressive performance in the second innings of the opening Test against New Zealand, where he scored a counter-attacking 99, helped him gain three spots in the rankings.Pant's rise in the rankings is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has consistently performed well for India in all formats of the game, and he is now one of the most feared batsmen in the world.Pant's success is not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of the strength of Indian cricket. India currently has a number of world-class players, and Pant is one of the most exciting young talents in the team.With his unique style of play and his infectious personality, Rishabh Pant is one of the most popular cricketers in the world. He is a true entertainer, and he is sure to continue to make headlines for years to come.

Virat Kohli's Practice Session Electrifies Pune Crowd After Day 1 of India-New Zealand TestAfter a thrilling first day of the second Test between India and New Zealand in Pune, a significant portion of the crowd remained at the stadium to witness Virat Kohli's extended practice session. The atmosphere crackled with excitement as fans eagerly observed Kohli's meticulous technique and fine-tuning of his skills in the nets.Kohli's dedication and focus captivated the spectators, who cheered him on enthusiastically. The routine practice transformed into a memorable experience for those present, especially after Kohli's recent struggles with the bat. In the two-match Test series against Bangladesh and the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, he had failed to make a significant impact. However, in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, he bounced back with a solid 70, hinting at a return to form.Earlier in the day, Washington Sundar delivered a career-best performance, claiming seven wickets to dismantle New Zealand's batting lineup. Spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with three wickets, bowling out the visitors for 259. India ended the day at 16 for 1, losing captain Rohit Sharma early to a Tim Southee delivery. Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 10, while Yashasvi Jaiswal was not out on six at stumps.Sundar's inclusion in the side proved to be a masterstroke, as he justified his selection by ripping through New Zealand's middle and lower order. His impressive figures of 7 for 59 played a crucial role in India's strong position at the end of Day 1.

Washington Sundar's remarkable return to the Indian Test team was marked by a career-best performance in the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Replacing Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, Sundar made an immediate impact, claiming a seven-wicket haul to bowl out the Kiwis for 259 in their first innings.Sundar's introduction into the attack came with New Zealand at 32/1 after 8 overs. Despite bowling six overs in his first spell, he failed to make a breakthrough. However, his persistence paid off in his third spell, when he dismissed Rachin Ravindra with a beautiful delivery that drifted in on off, landed around a length, and turned sharply to clip off stump.As the match progressed, Sundar's bowling improved with each over. He showcased his exceptional drift and dip on a pitch that offered decent turn. Five of his seven dismissals were clean bowled, demonstrating his mastery of the conditions.Sundar's career-best spell of 7/59 was not only his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket but also his first in all First Class cricket since August 2022 and his first on Indian soil since October 2017. His performance was instrumental in turning the game in India's favor.Sundar's return to form is a testament to his resilience and determination. Having last played a Test match in 2021, he has worked tirelessly to regain his place in the Indian team. His performance in Pune has not only solidified his position but also given India a valuable all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.