Cricket

New Zealand's bowlers have put them on the cusp of a historic Test victory in India, but pacer William O'Rourke has warned against complacency despite the seemingly achievable target of 107 runs.O'Rourke and Matt Henry shared six wickets between them to dismiss India for 462 in their second innings, setting up a tantalizing chase for the Kiwis. However, O'Rourke emphasized the need for caution, acknowledging the quality of the Indian team."I wouldn't say it's an easy win from here," O'Rourke said. "We've got a world-class team going up against us. But we've got to be confident going out there tomorrow."O'Rourke, who is on his first tour of India, has relished the experience, particularly the pace and bounce offered by the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch. He singled out the dismissal of Virat Kohli in the first innings, where he induced the star batter to jab at a steep bouncer, resulting in a catch to Glenn Phillips at gully."It's obviously pretty special getting someone so great, one of the greats of our game, out like that," O'Rourke remarked. "Obviously, you grow up watching those guys. So, to come here and take that wicket, it's probably right up there."The young pacer acknowledged the pressure put on the Kiwis by Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99), who added 177 runs for the fourth wicket. However, he credited the second new ball for helping them gain some momentum, with Tim Southee getting the breakthrough by dismissing Sarfaraz, followed by O'Rourke's dismissal of Pant."I've been pretty hot and cold with the ball," O'Rourke said. "Pant and Sarfaraz have batted very well for a long time, but that second new ball started doing a little bit for us.""So, good to Timmy (Southee) getting that first breakthrough (Sarfaraz) and then lucky enough to get a chop (Pant) there to sort of give us a bit of momentum going through."O'Rourke also expressed gratitude towards his mentor, Kyle Jamieson, who is currently recovering from a back stress fracture. "Kyle's been a bit in the background," he said. "So, learning from him and, obviously, he's had a hell of a start to his international career and he's one of the best bowlers in the world."

Sarfaraz Khan's scintillating century in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand has reignited his hopes of cementing a place in the Indian Test team. The 25-year-old right-hander, who was drafted in as a replacement for the injured Shubman Gill, seized the opportunity with both hands, scoring a magnificent 150 runs to lead India's fightback.After a disappointing duck in the first innings, Sarfaraz showed his class and determination in the second, playing a series of eye-catching strokes to bring up his maiden Test century. He reached the milestone with a boundary off Tim Southee and celebrated with a jubilant sprint, his teammates and the support staff joining in the celebration from the dressing room.Sarfaraz's century was a testament to his hard work and perseverance. He has been in impressive form in domestic cricket for several years, but had yet to translate that success into the international arena. This knock has undoubtedly put him on the radar of the selectors and will give him confidence for the rest of the series.The BCCI shared a montage of two moments separated by more than nine years, featuring Sarfaraz and Virat Kohli. In the first clip, from IPL 2015, a 17-year-old Sarfaraz scored a cracking 21-ball 45 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As soon as he finished his innings, Kohli came onto the field with a big smile and bowed to him, a gesture that left a lasting impression on the young batsman.Recalling the moment, Sarfaraz said, "I met him at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time. I had scored 45 runs in 21 balls here and he bowed at me. I had a lot of fun that day. It was a dream to share an Indian team dressing room with him it will come true in the future if I get the opportunity."Sarfaraz also spoke about his experience of playing alongside Kohli in RCB, highlighting his passion and love for the game. "His (Virat Kohli's) passion and spirit are unmatched. Whenever I saw him, even in the pre-match meetings, he'd take charge and tell everyone how many runs he'd score off a particular bowler and break that down for everyone. To be gutsy enough to stand up and talk with such positivity in front of everyone and then deliver the next day is a very unique ability," Sarfaraz said.Sarfaraz's century has given India a glimmer of hope in the first Test against New Zealand. The hosts still trail by a significant margin, but Sarfaraz's knock has shown that they have the batting firepower to compete with the world champions.

Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has revealed the strategic decision to move Steve Smith back to his familiar batting position at number four in Tests. This shift comes after a brief experiment with Smith opening the batting, which yielded limited success.McDonald explained that the decision was made collectively by the leadership group, including captain Pat Cummins. They believed that Smith's return to number four would benefit the team's overall balance and performance."We felt it was best for the team for him to make that shift away from opening," McDonald said. "We've got different challenges this summer, and that was a collective decision."With Usman Khawaja set to open in Tests, the race for his opening partner is heating up. Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Matthew Renshaw, and Sam Konstas will all be vying for the spot in the upcoming round of Sheffield Shield matches.McDonald emphasized that all four players are in contention for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, which begins on November 22. He noted that Konstas' impressive performance in the first Shield game has earned him a place in the Australia A squad."We've got a bit of an eye to the future in some of the (Australia A) selections, and a bit of an eye to here and now," McDonald said. "We've got some left-handed options, some right-handed options, and some guys that have piled on runs over a period of time."McDonald stressed that the decision will not be based solely on batting performance but will also consider other factors. "It's not a bat-off," he said. "We've got to reward what we see at that point in time."

Rishabh Pant's valiant 99-run knock on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru was a testament to his exceptional batting prowess. Despite agonizingly missing out on a well-deserved century by just 1 run, Pant's innings was a masterclass in strokeplay and determination.After being sidelined for the entire third day due to a knee injury, Pant returned to the crease with a vengeance. Alongside Sarfaraz Khan, he forged an indomitable 177-run partnership that propelled India into the lead. Pant's innings was a whirlwind of boundaries, with 9 fours and 5 sixes peppering the Kiwi bowlers.Pant's dismissal on 99 was a cruel twist of fate. A short-of-length delivery from William O'Rourke kicked up and surprised him, forcing him into a defensive shot. The ball crashed into his leg stump, ending a magnificent knock that had brought India to the brink of a commanding position.Despite the disappointment of falling short of a century, Pant's innings was a reminder of his immense talent and fighting spirit. He now joins an elite group of Indian batters to be dismissed most times in the 90s in Tests, a testament to his ability to consistently perform at the highest level.Pant's knock also highlighted the growing maturity and resilience of the Indian team. Despite facing a daunting deficit of 356 runs, they fought back with determination and skill. Pant's innings was a catalyst for this resurgence, inspiring his teammates to believe in their ability to overcome adversity.As the Test match enters its final day, India will be looking to build on Pant's momentum and secure a crucial victory. With the series level at 0-0, every run and wicket will be vital in determining the outcome.

Sarfaraz Khan's Historic Feat: Duck and 150-Plus in Same TestRising Indian star Sarfaraz Khan has etched his name into the annals of cricket history with a remarkable achievement during the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Khan became only the third Indian cricketer to score a duck and a 150-plus score in the same Test match.In the first innings, Khan was dismissed for a duck, failing to trouble the scorers. However, he made a resounding comeback in the second innings, smashing 150 off 195 balls studded with 18 fours and three sixes. His knock solidified his position as one of India's rising stars in the longer format.Khan's achievement mirrors similar performances by two Indian batters. In 1953, Madhav Apte made 0 and 163* against the West Indies at Port of Spain, while Nayan Mongia followed with 152 and 0 against Australia in Delhi during the 1996 Test series.Khan's innings was pivotal, sparking a remarkable recovery for India after they were bowled out for a mere 46 in the first innings. New Zealand responded with a commanding 402, securing a massive 356-run first-innings lead.Resuming from 70 on the fourth day of the match, Khan went on to slam his maiden Test hundred. His innings showcased his resilience and ability to bounce back after failure, highlighting his potential to handle pressure in crucial moments.Khan's achievement is a testament to his talent and determination. It is a reminder that even after a setback, it is possible to come back stronger and make a significant contribution to the team.

Rishabh Pant's blistering knock on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand has etched his name into the annals of Indian cricket history. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter became the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to reach the milestone of 2500 Test runs, surpassing the previous record held by MS Dhoni.Pant achieved the feat in just 62 innings, eclipsing Dhoni's mark of 69 innings. Farokh Engineer, another legendary Indian wicketkeeper, had previously held the record with 82 innings. Pant's achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and aggressive batting style.Pant's milestone came as India fought back valiantly, reaching 344/3 before rain forced an early lunch. His aggressive innings of 53 off 56 balls played a pivotal role in India's resurgence, alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his maiden Test century.Despite suffering a knee injury while keeping on Day 3, Pant showed no signs of discomfort as he took charge with his trademark attacking approach. After a cautious start, he launched a counter-attack, smashing two sixes off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel in quick succession and following up with a series of elegant drives and sweeps.Pant brought up his 12th Test fifty in 55 balls, with a stunning cover drive off Glenn Phillips that showcased his controlled aggression. His partnership with Sarfaraz, worth 113 runs in 22 overs, was instrumental in guiding India out of an early wobble and putting them on course for a potential lead.Sarfaraz, in only his fifth Test, stole the spotlight with a sublime century, but Pant's contribution was equally vital in stabilizing the innings. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has become a cornerstone of India's Test lineup since his debut in 2018, with several match-winning knocks in overseas conditions, including memorable performances in Australia and England.Pant's record-breaking achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has emerged as one of the most exciting and dynamic wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket, and his contributions will be crucial as India aims to secure a series victory against New Zealand.

Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has criticized young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for throwing away his wicket cheaply in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Jaiswal was dismissed for 35 off 52 balls, stumped by Tom Blundell off Ajaz Patel, leaving fans and experts frustrated with his shot selection at a critical moment.Basit voiced his frustration on his YouTube channel, labelling Jaiswal as a "kacha player" (not ripe yet). He acknowledged Jaiswal's talent but stressed the importance of staying at the crease to support the team. "I agree that you have many shots in your arsenal, but it was crucial for you to stay at the wicket because you're a left-hander, my prince. A left-hander disrupts the opposition’s bowling rhythm," Basit remarked. "In the first innings, you got out early due to the toss (India's decision to bat first in overcast conditions), but this time you handed your wicket to Ajaz Patel. For the team’s sake, you needed to stay longer; this mindset is necessary."Jaiswal’s dismissal came at a moment when India needed stability to fight back from a first-innings disaster. The opener stepped out of the crease, aiming to dominate Patel, but the ball dipped and then bounced unexpectedly, beating his bat and allowing Blundell to complete the stumping. While Jaiswal showed glimpses of his potential with six boundaries, his aggressive approach ended prematurely, giving New Zealand their first breakthrough on Friday.India, bowled out for a humiliating 46 in the first innings, trailed New Zealand by 356 runs after the visitors posted 402. Rachin Ravindra's brilliant 134 and Tim Southee’s 65 propelled New Zealand to a commanding lead. However, India bounced back in the second innings, reaching 231-3 at stumps on Day 3, thanks to a gritty 136-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan.Furthermore, Basit also emphasized that India would not be playing for a draw but a win even if they eventually lose the match.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has heaped praise on Sarfaraz Khan, comparing him to legendary Pakistani batter Javed Miandad. Manjrekar's comments came after Sarfaraz's impressive performance in the first Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur.Sarfaraz, who replaced the injured Shubman Gill in the Indian team, scored a half-century in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 70 off 78 balls at the end of Day 3. Manjrekar was particularly impressed with Sarfaraz's approach to batting, both offensively and defensively."Sarfaraz reminds me of a Javed Miandad of the 1980s but this is a 2024 version of a Javed Miandad," Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo's YouTube channel. "Really impressed with the way he played. We know he plays spin well but I liked the way he played fast bowlers."Miandad, who played for Pakistan from 1975 to 1996, is considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He scored over 16,000 international runs, including 8,832 in Tests at an average of 52.57.Manjrekar also praised Sarfaraz's game awareness, particularly towards the end of the day's play. "Towards the end of the day's play, he was looking to play defensively and wanting bad light when there was actually bright light," Manjrekar said. "I loved the way he was ducking to bouncers, just trying to play the day out so he has that game as well and that augurs well for India and Sarfaraz Khan for Australia because he has shown that element of batting as well."Sarfaraz stitched a 136-run partnership with Virat Kohli in the second innings, before the latter departed on the final ball of Day 3. India will resume their innings on Day 4 with Sarfaraz looking to convert his half-century into a century.

Pakistan's cricket team has finally broken a three-year drought on home soil, defeating England by 152 runs in the second Test in Multan. The victory levels the three-match series 1-1.The win is a significant achievement for Pakistan, which has struggled in recent years. The team's new selection committee made some bold changes to the squad for the last two Tests, dropping star batter Babar Azam and pacer Shaheen Afridi. The decision was met with mixed reactions, but it ultimately proved to be the right call.Noman Ali and Sajid Khan were the heroes for Pakistan, taking 8-46 and 2-93 respectively to wrap up England's second innings for 144. The visitors were set a daunting target of 297, which proved to be too much.The 152-run victory is Pakistan's first home win since February 2021. It is also a major boost for the team's confidence, which had been dented by a heavy defeat in the first Test.The final Test of the series will start in Rawalpindi on October 24. Pakistan will be hoping to complete a famous series victory over England.