Cricket

New Zealand has made history by securing their first-ever Test series victory in India. After seven decades of waiting, the Black Caps have finally triumphed in emphatic fashion, dominating the hosts for the second consecutive week.India's 12-year-long unbeaten series record at home has been shattered. The World Test Championship final spot is now in jeopardy, and the team faces a mountain of questions before heading to Mumbai for the Diwali Test.New Zealand's dominance began in the first Test in Bengaluru, where they won after 36 years. In the second Test in Pune, the Kiwis thrashed India by 113 runs, completing a comprehensive victory.This is the first Test series loss for India at home in 12 years. The team has won 18 consecutive Test series, a remarkable streak that has now come to an end.After winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand posted a competitive 259, thanks to half-centuries from Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65).India's response was feeble, as they were dismissed for a paltry 156. Mitchell Santner proved to be the nemesis for the Indian batsmen, claiming seven wickets in the first innings.New Zealand's captain, Tom Latham, led from the front in the second innings, scoring a brilliant 86 to take the team's lead past 300. Tom Blundell remained unbeaten on 30, ensuring a commanding position for the Kiwis.Washington Sundar, who replaced Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test, bowled superbly and took his career-best 7 for 59. Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed with three wickets.In the first Test at Bengaluru, Indian batsmen succumbed to New Zealand's pace bowling, posting their lowest total at home of 46. In the second Test, they fell prey to the guile of Mitchell Santner (7 for 53), who dismissed them for 156, giving New Zealand a crucial 103-run lead.In the second innings, New Zealand's Tom Latham played some brilliant shots to score 86. Tom Blundell (41) and Glenn Phillips (48 not out) contributed to give a massive lead of 358 for India. Chasing a target of 359, India were on the backfoot with the dismissal of their captain Rohit Sharma for just 8. But Yashasvi Jaiswal (77) and Shubman Gill (23) played positive cricket to lift Indian hopes. However, the quick dismissal of Jaiswal and Gill opened the gates for New Zealand bowlers, particularly Mitchell Santner.Mitchell Santner played a crucial role in New Zealand's second Test win. Santner took 13 wickets in this match and scored crucial runs in the first innings.

In the twilight of their careers, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal faced off in the 2017 Australian Open final, both battling injuries and fading from prominence. Despite the odds, they delivered an unforgettable match, with Federer emerging victorious. In a poignant moment, Federer expressed his willingness to share the title with Nadal, acknowledging the sport's unforgiving nature.Similarly, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali had faded from view in Pakistan cricket, with no recent first-class appearances and dwindling hopes of a national team return. However, in a remarkable turn of events, they emerged as the stars of Pakistan's recent Test series against England, sharing 39 of the 40 English wickets to fall.Sajid, awarded the Player of the Series, echoed Federer's sentiment, crediting Noman's mentorship and experience. "Nomi bhai is one of the most experienced players on the Pakistan domestic circuit," Sajid said. "We should be sharing these Player of the Series awards. He's a great spinner who has mentored and helped me as well."For England, the series was a disaster, but for Pakistan, it will be remembered for the resurgence of Sajid and Noman. Their dominance over England's batters seemed inevitable in hindsight, but when England reached 211 for 2 in the first innings in Multan, it was Sajid and Noman's reputations that were on the line.Despite Sajid's insistence that he felt no pressure, the weight of expectation was evident. "There wasn't so much pressure [of the series] but [there was] some pressure of the comeback," he admitted. "The captain, the vice captain, the whole team was gelling well together. We play domestic cricket together, on these kinds of wickets, so there wasn't that much pressure."Noman, the elder statesman at 38, recognized the significance of their performance. "We're grateful we had the conditions for the opportunity to win the series this way," he said. "The way we came back is especially pleasing, and we hope we get similar conditions in future and we'll pose difficulties for other teams."However, Noman also acknowledged the shortcomings in Pakistan's spin strategy. "I think if you want to prepare spinners, you need to play more red-ball cricket," he said. "You get all kinds of conditions in first-class cricket with new and old ball. When you do that, it gives you a lot of experience."As Pakistan contemplates the future of their spin attack, the lessons learned from this series will be invaluable. If they are to continue employing a spin-heavy approach, they must invest in developing their spinners through regular first-class cricket.

Pakistan's cricket team has achieved a remarkable feat by securing a 2-1 series victory against England on home soil. This triumph marks their first Test series win since 2021.After suffering an innings defeat in the series opener, Pakistan displayed resilience and determination to level the series in Multan. They then rolled out a raging turner in Rawalpindi, where their spin twins, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, wreaked havoc on the English batters.Ali and Khan claimed 19 of the 20 English wickets in the second Test, while also contributing useful cameos with the bat. Their performances vindicated Pakistan's bold selection call to drop three frontline players, including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi.Sajid Khan, despite sustaining a cut on his chin while batting, returned to the field and spun a web around the English batters. Pakistan captain Shan Masood praised his team's character and fighting spirit, highlighting the contributions of players who "literally bled for us."England, on the other hand, struggled to adapt to the turning tracks and Pakistan's in-form spinners. Their usual tactics of swashbuckling batting proved inadequate, leading to a meager 112 in their second innings. Only Joe Root managed to offer some resistance with a score of 33.England captain Ben Stokes acknowledged the challenges faced by his team and expressed disappointment with their inability to match Pakistan's intensity. He emphasized the need to move on from the setbacks and prepare for the upcoming challenge in New Zealand.Pakistan's victory is a testament to their resilience and the effectiveness of their spin attack. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of home advantage in Test cricket.

Virat Kohli's struggles against spinners in Asian conditions continued in the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Chasing a daunting target of 359, India lost two quick wickets before Kohli and Washington Sundar steadied the innings with a 20-run partnership.However, Mitchell Santner dismissed Kohli leg-before wicket for 17, leaving India in a precarious position. Kohli's dismissal marked the first time a left-arm spinner had dismissed him in both innings of a Test match.Santner's brilliance continued as he bowled Sarfaraz Khan for 9, completing his second five-wicket haul of the match. He became the first New Zealand spinner to claim two five-wicket hauls in a single Test on Indian soil since Steve O'Keefe in 2017.Santner's performance put New Zealand in a commanding position as India struggled to chase down the target. His guile and accuracy proved too much for the Indian batters, who were unable to cope with his variations.Kohli's dismissal highlighted his ongoing difficulties against spinners in Asian conditions. Despite his impressive record against pace bowlers, he has struggled to adapt to the slower, turning pitches of the subcontinent.Santner's success against Kohli and the Indian batters demonstrated the importance of spin bowling in Asian conditions. Spinners can exploit the dry, dusty pitches to create turn and variation, making it difficult for batters to score runs.As the series progresses, India will need to find a way to counter the threat posed by Santner and other spinners. If they are unable to do so, they may struggle to win the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the prodigious Indian opener, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history with his remarkable achievements in 2024. The 22-year-old left-hander has become only the third Indian cricketer to amass over 1000 runs in home Tests in a single calendar year, joining the legendary Gundappa Vishwanath and Sunil Gavaskar.Jaiswal's stellar run began in July 2023 when he made his India debut. Since then, he has accumulated over 1300 runs in his short Test career, averaging an impressive 60. His tally includes three centuries and eight fifties, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.In the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune, Jaiswal further cemented his place in cricket history. He became the first Indian and only the second batter to hit more than 30 sixes in Test cricket in a calendar year, joining New Zealand's Brendon McCullum.During India's chase of a formidable 359-run target, Jaiswal led the charge with a gutsy half-century. His 77 off 65 balls, including a crucial 62-run partnership with Shubman Gill, kept India in the hunt for a remarkable victory.Jaiswal's achievements have not gone unnoticed. He has been hailed as one of India's most exciting young talents in Test cricket. His ability to score runs consistently, both at home and away, has earned him comparisons to some of the greatest batsmen in the game.As Jaiswal continues to break records and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with, Indian cricket fans can look forward to many more memorable performances from this rising star.

Pakistan is on the verge of securing their first home series victory since 2021 after dismantling England for a mere 112 runs in the third and final Test in Rawalpindi. The hosts now require a modest 36 runs to seal the triumph.Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, the dynamic spin duo, once again proved their mettle, claiming all 10 English wickets between them. Noman, with his left-arm spin, bagged six wickets for 42 runs, marking his sixth five-wicket haul. Sajid, on the other hand, registered four wickets for 69 runs, securing his second 10-wicket match haul in his 10-Test career.England's batting lineup, which had started the day 53 runs behind, initially showed promise with Joe Root and Harry Brook at the crease. However, Sajid and Noman's introduction turned the tide. Brook was dismissed by Noman after a promising start, while Sajid accounted for Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith.Root, who had been England's beacon of hope, was eventually trapped by Noman's guile. The veteran spinner delivered a perfect delivery that dipped onto a length, enticing Root to drive forward and nick the ball to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.Sajid then cleaned up the tail, dismissing Gus Atkinson and Rehan Ahmed to secure his second 10-wicket match haul. Shoaib Bashir was initially given out LBW, but a DRS review overturned the decision. However, Noman soon ended Bashir's resistance, while Jack Leach was stumped by Rizwan.Pakistan's victory in this Test series is a testament to the brilliance of Noman and Sajid. Since their inclusion in the squad, they have combined for 39 wickets, with Noman taking 20 at an average of 13.85 and Sajid claiming 19 at an average of 21.01.

Ravindra Jadeja's lightning-fast reflexes and exceptional awareness on the field were on full display during the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The Indian all-rounder pulled off a stunning run out that left fans reminiscing about the legendary MS Dhoni.The incident occurred in the 70th over of New Zealand's second innings. Glenn Phillips and Will O'Rourke attempted to steal a couple of runs after Phillips hit Jadeja's delivery towards deep cover. Washington Sundar's throw was slightly off target, giving O'Rourke a chance to reach the non-striker's end.However, Jadeja's quick thinking and agility came into play. He palmed the ball towards the stumps, and replays confirmed that O'Rourke was just short of his crease when the bails were dislodged. The dismissal helped India bowl out New Zealand for 255 in the second innings.Jadeja's run out was reminiscent of MS Dhoni's trademark style of innovative and lightning-fast stumpings. The Chennai Super Kings posted a tribute on Twitter, comparing Jadeja's effort to Dhoni's brilliance.The run out was a crucial moment in the match, as New Zealand were within reach of a historic Test series win in India. The Black Caps resumed at 198-5 on day three and were dismissed inside the first hour of play on a turning pitch.India were left with a daunting target of 359 for victory, the highest successful Test chase for India at home being 387 against England in Chennai in 2008. New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0 and have never won a Test series in India.India spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja shared seven wickets between them, with Jadeja claiming three of the five to fall on Saturday morning. Glenn Phillips hit an unbeaten 48 after starting the day on nine.Skipper Tom Latham top-scored with 86, while left-arm spinner Santner put New Zealand firmly in the driving seat on day two with 7-53 to bowl out India for 156.India are now staring at their first home Test series loss since December 2012, when Alastair Cook's England beat them 2-1 in a four-match series.

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.

India's Test woes continue against New Zealand, with the visitors taking a commanding lead in the third innings of the second Test in Pune. Amidst the disappointment, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team to focus on the present series rather than the upcoming India vs Australia Test series.Gavaskar's comments came during commentary on the second day of the second Test, when fellow commentator Dinesh Karthik mentioned the Australia series. Gavaskar promptly interjected, emphasizing the importance of staying present and not getting distracted by future events."Don't talk about Australia now. That is a mistake that a lot of people often make. You've got to worry about what's happening now. Your focus should be only on what's happening at the moment. Australia will take care of itself. When you go there, you will find the methods to beat Australia. You've done that over the last couple of trips there. You found a way," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar also pointed out that the media and others outside the team are contributing to the distraction by constantly discussing the Australia series. He believes that this external noise can be detrimental to the team's performance in the current series."It's not the players. The players are focused on the game. It's the circle around which is the media and everybody else which is talking about Australia. There is so much of coverage about what is going to happen in Australia. The Australian players are all the time talking about the Indian team, what should be the team and all that. Pick him, pick that player. No body is asking us about the Australian team. All the former Australian players are telling us pick this guy, that guy. Ask us too who should be in the Australian team," Gavaskar said.Gavaskar's advice echoes the sentiments of many experts who believe that India needs to address its current challenges before looking ahead to the Australia series. The team has struggled with batting collapses and inconsistent bowling performances in the ongoing series against New Zealand, and these issues need to be resolved before they can hope to compete against a formidable Australian side.