Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has advised Pakistan's Babar Azam to prioritize domestic cricket and focus on improving his fitness and mental resilience. Sehwag's comments come after Azam's recent struggles in international cricket, which culminated in his omission from the final two Tests against England.Despite facing criticism, Azam displayed resilience in the second Test, scoring a gritty 118 against a formidable English bowling attack. However, Sehwag believes that Azam needs to address his mental and physical well-being."Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness, spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player," Sehwag said.Sehwag emphasized that Azam's mental state has been significantly affected by the pressure and expectations placed upon him. "With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong. He's a talented player, and players like him tend to bounce back quickly," he added.While Azam's absence from the Test team raised eyebrows, Pakistan's spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan proved their worth, taking all 20 wickets in the second Test. Sajid's 7/111 in the first innings and Noman's 8/46 in the second innings played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 125-run victory, leveling the series at 1-1.The series decider will be played in Rawalpindi from October 24, with both teams aiming to secure a series victory.

In the realm of cricket, Sarfaraz Khan has emerged as a maverick, defying conventional norms with his unique style and unwavering determination. Like the legendary Imran Tahir, whose exuberant celebrations became synonymous with his wicket-taking prowess, Sarfaraz's sprint around the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after reaching his maiden Test century was a testament to his unbridled joy and the fulfillment of a childhood dream.Despite his unconventional appearance, Sarfaraz possesses an exceptional batting ability that has earned him a place in the Indian Test team. His journey to the top has been marked by perseverance and a refusal to be defined by his physical attributes. In the recently concluded Test match against New Zealand, Sarfaraz showcased his resilience and adaptability, overcoming a shaky start to produce a match-winning century.Initially, Sarfaraz's inclusion in the team was seen as a backdoor entry, but he proved his worth with a series of impressive performances in domestic and India-A matches. His debut in Rajkot was a testament to his talent, as he scored twin half-centuries and displayed a fearless approach against the English bowlers.However, fate had other plans for Sarfaraz. With the return of Virat Kohli and K.L. Rahul, he found himself on the sidelines for the Chennai and Kanpur Tests. Undeterred, he continued to work hard, knowing that his opportunity would come again.That opportunity arrived in Bengaluru, where he was thrust into the middle order after Shubman Gill suffered an injury. Despite being unfamiliar with the No. 4 position, Sarfaraz embraced the challenge with characteristic enthusiasm.The conditions were far from ideal, with a damp track and a formidable Kiwi bowling attack. Sarfaraz's first innings ended prematurely, but he returned with a vengeance in the second innings. His response to the game situation was a powerful sweep off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, a stroke he repeated to signal his intent.For the next five hours, Sarfaraz was an immovable object, showcasing his Mumbai-honed street smarts and the guidance of his father. The New Zealand bowlers tried to exploit his perceived weakness against the short ball, but Sarfaraz countered with a variety of shots, including late-cuts, dabs, upper-cuts, and ramps.His partnership with Rishabh Pant was a masterclass in attacking cricket. The duo complemented each other perfectly, dismantling the Kiwi bowlers with a combination of power and finesse. Sarfaraz's ability to play the ball late and his penchant for scoring behind square on the off-side proved to be a constant thorn in the opposition's side.With his century, Sarfaraz has cemented his place in the Indian Test team. He has shown that he is not just a one-dimensional player but a versatile batsman capable of adapting to different situations. His journey is a reminder that talent and determination can overcome any obstacle, and that the path to success is often paved with unexpected twists and turns.

Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's injury scare during the first Test against New Zealand raised concerns for the Indian team. Pant suffered a blow to his operated knee on Day 2, forcing him to leave the field. Despite the injury, Pant returned to bat on Day 3 and played a crucial role in India's fightback.However, Pant's innings ended just one run short of a century, and India suffered another batting collapse. After the match, Pant shared a cryptic post on Instagram, hinting at his frustration. He also took to Twitter to thank the fans for their support and vowed that the team would bounce back.Pant's injury scare is a major concern for India, as he is a key player in the team's batting lineup. The wicketkeeper-batter has been in excellent form in recent months, and his absence would be a significant blow.New Zealand's victory in the first Test was their first in India since 1988. The win gives them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra played crucial roles in New Zealand's victory, with Young scoring 48 not out and Ravindra scoring 39 not out.The second Test between India and New Zealand will be played in Pune from October 24. India will be looking to level the series, while New Zealand will be aiming to secure a series victory.

India's Test cricket dominance suffered a setback as they were comprehensively defeated by New Zealand in the first Test match in Bengaluru. The Kiwis outplayed India in all departments, securing an emphatic 8-wicket victory.Captain Rohit Sharma's decision to bat first despite overcast conditions proved costly. India's batsmen struggled against New Zealand's fast bowlers, who exploited the damp pitch to bundle out the hosts for a mere 46 runs. It was India's lowest total at home in Test cricket.Rachin Ravindra's brilliant century propelled New Zealand to a commanding lead. The visitors' bowlers continued to dominate, dismissing India for 212 in the second innings. Despite valiant efforts from Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, India's batting lineup failed to match New Zealand's prowess.Another tactical error by India was their selection of three spinners and two fast bowlers. The inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav over Akash Deep proved ineffective, as the fast bowler would have been more suited to the conditions.The defeat exposed India's weaknesses in Test cricket. Their inability to adapt to different conditions and their reliance on spinners on a seamer-friendly pitch were major factors in their downfall.Despite the loss, India maintained their top spot in the World Test Championship table, while New Zealand rose to fourth position. The second Test of the series will be played in Mumbai from December 3-7.

Washington Sundar Joins Team India for Second and Third Tests Against New ZealandNew Delhi, India - All-rounder Washington Sundar has been added to the Indian squad for the second and third Test matches against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the updated squad on Sunday.Sundar, who has been in impressive form for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, will join the team in Pune ahead of the second Test. The 23-year-old has played eight Tests for India, scoring 318 runs and taking 25 wickets.The addition of Sundar strengthens India's spin bowling options, which already include Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. Sundar's ability to bat in the lower order and contribute with the ball makes him a valuable asset to the team.India will be looking to bounce back in the second Test after losing the first match by 10 wickets in Kanpur. The second Test will be played in Mumbai from December 3-7, while the third Test will be held in Indore from December 12-16.

Indian cricket team opener Shubman Gill, who missed the first Test against New Zealand due to a stiff neck, is making significant progress in his recovery and could be available for the second Test in Pune starting on Thursday.Gill was spotted at the ground on Day 5 of the first Test in Bengaluru, facing throwdowns and having a prolonged net batting session. He faced fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Mayank Yadav, both traveling reserves for the Indian team, as well as Akash Deep.Gill's return would be a major boost for India, who lost the first Test by eight wickets. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form in recent months, scoring a century in the third Test against Australia in March and a half-century in the first ODI against New Zealand in August.If Gill is fit to play, he is likely to replace Abhimanyu Easwaran, who made his Test debut in the first Test but failed to impress. Gill's inclusion would provide India with a more experienced and reliable opening partner for Rohit Sharma.New Zealand's victory in the first Test was their first in India in 36 years. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on an unbroken 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.India will be looking to level the series in the second Test, which begins on Thursday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

Rachin Ravindra, the rising star of New Zealand cricket, has once again showcased his exceptional batting prowess, this time on Indian soil. In the recently concluded first Test match against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Ravindra played a pivotal role in his team's historic eight-wicket victory.Ravindra's impressive performance, which included a match-winning 134 and an unbeaten 39, earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to adapt to the challenging Indian conditions and play with composure and precision was evident throughout the match.Speaking after the match, Ravindra attributed his success to a combination of form and meticulous preparation. He emphasized the importance of understanding the nuances of playing in India, particularly the need to maintain a solid stance and move forward and back to create scoring opportunities."I guess it's a combination of both (form and preparation)," Ravindra said. "As long as I have clarity of what needs to be done and I know what my plan is, it's great."Ravindra's preparation for the tour included a week-long stint at the Chennai Super Kings high-performance academy in Chennai, where he worked closely with coach Sriram Krishnamurthy. This experience proved invaluable, as it allowed him to acclimatize to the different surfaces and bowling styles he would encounter in India."Preparation does help," Ravindra said. "When you've got six Tests in a row, you're always looking to do something extra. Lucky enough it all worked out today."Ravindra's performance in Bengaluru was particularly special for him, as his father, Ravindra Krishnamurthy, was in attendance. The city holds a special significance for Ravindra, as his family hails from there."It's a nice city, and a nice wicket to bat on," Ravindra said. "So the odds are in my favor. Whenever I play in Bangalore, it's quite nice to have the support. My phone starts blowing up. The fans are great too, I love the support. It's nice having dad and close family here, it always makes it special."Ravindra's success in India is a testament to his talent, hard work, and adaptability. As New Zealand continues its tour, he will undoubtedly be a key player for the team, looking to build on his impressive start and contribute to further victories.

Pakistan's spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have etched their names in cricketing history by becoming the seventh pair of bowlers to capture all 20 wickets in a Test match. Their remarkable feat propelled Pakistan to a resounding 152-run victory over England in the second Test at Multan, setting up a thrilling winner-takes-all showdown in the series finale at Rawalpindi.Noman, the senior partner at 38, led the charge with a career-best 8-46 in England's second innings, while Sajid's 7-111 in the first innings laid the foundation for Pakistan's crucial 75-run lead. Their combined match figures of 11-147 and 9-204, respectively, highlight their dominance on a worn and turning Multan track.The spin pair's success stems from their contrasting styles and unwavering confidence. Noman's left-arm spin provides accuracy and control, while Sajid's off-spin generates sharp turn and bounce. Together, they kept the England batsmen guessing, exploiting the conditions to perfection."We bowled with a lot of confidence and his energy is always very high," Noman said of his partner. "Our plan was to keep it simple. We knew the England batsman would attack, so we were not distracted and kept it simple."Sajid, known for his flamboyant celebrations and immaculately groomed mustache, has become a fan favorite. "I followed my father in keeping a mustache," he said. "David Warner once said he was frightened of my mustache."Former Pakistan spinner Iqbal Qasim believes that Noman and Sajid complement each other perfectly. "Spin gives us the winning formula which we were not using," he said. "Noman and Sajid have matured with experience and can continue to give home wins like this."While it is too early to compare them to India's spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Noman and Sajid have undoubtedly established themselves as a formidable force. Their performance in Multan has reignited Pakistan's hopes of a series victory and has set the stage for an epic showdown in Rawalpindi.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has revealed that the team is taking extra precautions with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's knee injury, which he sustained during the first innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Pant, who has undergone multiple surgeries on his knee following a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, was seen struggling to run comfortably while batting in India's second innings. He was eventually dismissed for 99 off 105 balls."He's had a massive operation on his leg, so we all know what he went through," Rohit said after India's eight-wicket defeat. "It's just to be a little careful about where he is at and what he is to us."Pant injured his knee on the second day of the Test while attempting to stump Devon Conway. He was replaced by Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps for the remainder of the first innings and the first 27.4 overs of New Zealand's second innings.Rohit emphasized the importance of being cautious with Pant's knee, given his recent history of injuries."He's had a lot of minor surgeries [and] one big surgery on his knee and he went through a lot of trauma, to be honest, in the last one-and-a-half years," Rohit said. "So it's just about being extra careful, not [just] careful with him."Despite his knee injury, Pant displayed his usual aggressive batting style, smashing nine fours and five sixes."No one knows what goes in his mind, to be honest," Rohit said with a smile. "He decides what he wants to do. I don't think there's anything that you need to speak to him [about]. We spoke to him about 'please understand the situation' and stuff like that, but that's Rishabh - he wants to play in a certain way and then, as a captain, as a coach, we want to back that because like he has produced results for us having that mindset. So let him go and play freely."