Cricket

Team India's batting woes continued on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as they were bundled out for a paltry 46 runs, their lowest Test total on home soil. The collapse was triggered by a devastating bowling performance from Matt Henry and William O'Rourke, who shared nine wickets between them.Rohit Sharma's decision to bat first backfired spectacularly, with four of India's top seven batters dismissed for ducks, including star batsman Virat Kohli. The Indian batting lineup was unable to cope with the New Zealand bowlers' relentless pressure, with only Shreyas Iyer (10) and Ravichandran Ashwin (13) reaching double figures.Former India captain Anil Kumble criticized the team's batting approach, particularly the decision to bat Kohli at number three. Kumble argued that Kohli should have batted at his usual position of number four, while a solid player like Cheteshwar Pujara should have been brought in at number three to tackle the new ball."Virat Kohli should have batted at No. 4, he is your number one batter at that position. For the number three position, [you need] someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, who did so well for so many years playing there. 100 Test matches because he would have been there today, then I don't think he would have gone looking to hit the ball," Kumble said.Kumble also criticized the Indian batters' lack of patience, saying they were trying to play every ball. "He would allow the ball to come on and that's where you miss someone like that (Pujara). Kind of an approach today. And India is certainly in a spot of bother here," he added.Meanwhile, New Zealand took a commanding lead of 134 runs on Day 2, thanks to a solid batting performance led by opener Devon Conway, who scored 91 runs. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell were unbeaten on 22 and 14, respectively, when bad light stopped play in an extended session.

Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealand cricketer with deep-rooted connections to Bengaluru, has once again showcased his exceptional talent on Indian soil. During the second Test match against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Ravindra scored a magnificent 134 runs off 157 balls, helping his team post a formidable total.Ravindra's innings was characterized by a combination of caution and aggression. Against the tight bowling of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, he played defensively, focusing on rotating the strike. However, he unleashed his attacking instincts against the spinners, smashing Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin for boundaries and sixes.Ravindra's success in India is not a coincidence. He has spent considerable time adapting to the subcontinent's conditions, thanks to the guidance of his father, Ravindra Krishnamurthy, who was also his first coach. In the lead-up to the World Cup last year, Ravindra traveled to Bengaluru and Anantapur with his club, the Hutt Hawks, to gain experience on Indian pitches.Before the Black Caps' tour of the subcontinent, Ravindra trained at the Chennai Super Kings Academy, where he underwent rigorous batting drills in challenging conditions. His father, who witnessed his son's century, attributed it to the preparation he received at the academy."Rachin trained at the academy for about a week. In 40 degrees Celsius, in that humidity, he practiced on a gravel kind of surface. The ball is jumping and turning, dust is coming off, and you are drenched in sweat. I mean nothing can get worse than that. This century, I think, is because of that preparation," said Ravindra Krishnamurthy.Ravindra himself acknowledged the value of his training in India. "It was an invaluable experience. I thought it'd be the best thing for me to go and have a few days of training there in more realistic conditions than what we'd have doctored in New Zealand," he said.Ravindra's performance in the second Test is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has proven himself to be a versatile batsman who can adapt to different conditions and challenges. As the series progresses, he will be one to watch as New Zealand looks to level the score against India.

Pakistan's recent victory over England in the second Test at Multan has sparked a mix of jubilation and controversy. The triumph ended a string of Test defeats, but it also reignited criticism of former captain Babar Azam and alleged favoritism during his tenure.After Pakistan's loss in the first Test, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) new selection panel, led by former pacer Aaqib Javed, dropped Babar from the Test squad. Other notable omissions included fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, as well as wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed.The move proved fruitful as debutant Kamran Ghulam scored a century, while the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 152-run victory within four days. Noman and Sajid claimed all 20 English wickets, with Noman taking 11 and Sajid claiming nine.However, the win has fueled further criticism of Babar, prompting veteran pacer Mohammad Amir to speak out. "Please end these petty talks that the team won because Babar or other players were not in the team," Amir wrote on social media. "We played with better planning, took the home advantage, and won."Amir urged fans to focus on performance rather than personal attacks on players. The three-match series is now level at 1-1, with the deciding Test scheduled to begin on October 24 in Rawalpindi.

Former Indian cricketer and National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman has lauded Rohit Sharma's leadership qualities, particularly his ability to take ownership of mistakes. Laxman praised Rohit's decision to bat first in the opening Test against New Zealand, despite it backfiring spectacularly.Laxman emphasized the importance of leaders acknowledging their errors and taking responsibility for their decisions. He cited Rohit's post-match press conference, where he admitted to misreading the pitch, as an example of exemplary leadership.Laxman also highlighted the significance of preparation and having a clear roadmap for success. He believes that great leaders are the best performers in their teams, and Rohit has exemplified this with the Indian team. Rohit has instilled a selfless style of play, encouraging his teammates to play with freedom and aggression.Despite India's poor start in the Bengaluru Test, Laxman remains optimistic about a turnaround. He believes that the Indian batters, including Sarfaraz Khan and Virat Kohli, have the ability to contribute significantly. He also expressed confidence in the Indian spinners to make an impact in the fourth innings.Laxman emphasized the importance of trusting one's strengths in pressure situations, as demonstrated by Sarfaraz Khan's unbeaten 70. He believes that the Indian team will approach the remaining innings with a positive mindset and a determination to win.

Kuldeep Yadav, India's left-arm wrist spinner, expressed optimism about the pitch's increasing turn and emphasized the importance of the batters building a substantial lead in the second innings to provide the spinners with an advantage.After the third day of the first Test, India trailed by 125 runs with a score of 231 for three. "The spinners were getting some assistance when we were bowling, and we hope to get more spin on Day 5," Kuldeep stated in the post-day press conference. "However, we need a good total to defend."Kuldeep acknowledged the need for a competitive target, given India's potent bowling attack. "We can't predict a specific total right now because we still have a lot of batting to do," he added.The spinner expressed confidence in Sarfaraz Khan, who was unbeaten on 70, to contribute significantly. "We witnessed his 200-run knock in the Irani Trophy," Kuldeep said. "We expect him to deliver another big score here. His technique is irrelevant as long as he keeps scoring runs."Kuldeep praised Rachin Ravindra's century for New Zealand. "He batted exceptionally well," he said. "I missed a few opportunities to dismiss him, but he's a talented player who has improved significantly in recent years."Regarding the Indian bowlers' strategy against the Ravindra-Southee partnership, Kuldeep explained, "My plan was to get them out by any means necessary. Southee was fortunate to survive some close calls, but he played well and contributed valuable runs. I focused on bowling good lengths."Kuldeep's three wickets in 18.3 overs helped restrict New Zealand to 402 in their first innings, giving India a 356-run lead.

Saqib Mahmood, the 27-year-old Lancashire fast bowler, has signed a three-year white-ball deal with the club, but he insists that he still harbors ambitions of playing Test cricket for England.Mahmood, who made his Test debut in the Caribbean in March 2022, has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, including consecutive stress fractures of the back in 2022 and 2023. He has not played a first-class match for Lancashire since May, but he returned to the England set-up in last month's T20I series against Australia.Despite his injury woes, Mahmood remains determined to play Test cricket for England again. "While this is a white-ball contract, I still have an ambition to play red-ball cricket for England again and for Lancashire in the County Championship," he said. "There are options within this contract for that to happen."Lancashire's director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, said that the club's priority is to manage Mahmood's availability around their full Blast schedule. "This contract allows greater control over Saqib's availability during the Vitality Blast blocks in the summer," Chilton said. "This is something we will work closely with Saqib on, particularly around his franchise commitments."Mahmood's deal does not preclude him from forming part of the "stable" of fast bowlers that England head coach Brendon McCullum has said he wants to be able to call upon ahead of next year's Ashes tour. However, it represents a potential retreat from availability, with his previous injury issues meaning that a future on the T20 franchise circuit might be a prudent option for his longevity.The encroachment of franchise tournaments on the English season is a challenge to the county game that will require a coherent response going forward, according to ECB chief executive Richard Gould. "We are certainly hearing from our clubs and our members that we need to control things a little bit," Gould said. "We have to be proud of what we've got and protect it."

India has etched its name in the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the first team to smash 100 sixes in a calendar year. This remarkable feat was achieved on Day 3 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, marking a watershed moment in the sport.The Rohit Sharma-led side has been on a six-hitting spree throughout 2023, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill leading the charge with 29 and 16 sixes respectively. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 89 sixes set by England in 2022.India's dominance in this aspect is a testament to their aggressive approach and the presence of power hitters in their batting lineup. The team's ability to clear the boundary with ease has put pressure on opposition bowlers and created scoring opportunities.In the ongoing Test against New Zealand, India's batting prowess was on full display. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Sarfaraz Khan all struck fluent fifties, keeping their team in the hunt despite a significant first-innings deficit. Kohli's knock was particularly significant as he reached the milestone of 9,000 Test runs.New Zealand had earlier posted a formidable total of 402, thanks to Rachin Ravindra's century and Tim Southee's quickfire 63. However, India's counter-attacking approach has given them a glimmer of hope in the match.With two days remaining in the Test, India faces an uphill task to chase down the target and secure victory. However, their ability to hit sixes at will could prove to be a game-changer.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the fourth Indian to surpass the 9000-run mark. This remarkable achievement was reached on the third day of the opening Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru on October 18, 2024.Kohli joined an elite group of Indian cricketers who have scaled this milestone, including Sachin Tendulkar (15921), Rahul Dravid (13265), and Sunil Gavaskar (10122). However, Kohli's journey to this landmark was the slowest among them, taking 197 innings.The 35-year-old Kohli reached the milestone after crossing his half-century in India's second innings. Batting at No. 3, Kohli had fallen for a nine-ball duck in the first innings as India were dismissed for a paltry 46.Kohli's achievement is a testament to his unwavering determination and exceptional batting skills. He has consistently been a pillar of strength for the Indian team, anchoring the batting lineup and guiding them to numerous victories.In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Kohli became the quickest batter to complete 27,000 international runs in only 594 innings. This remarkable feat further solidifies his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.Kohli's achievement has been met with widespread praise and admiration from the cricketing fraternity. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar hailed Kohli as "a true legend of the game," while current Indian skipper Rohit Sharma called him "an inspiration to all young cricketers."As Kohli continues to grace the cricket field, he is poised to break even more records and cement his legacy as one of the most prolific batsmen in the history of the sport.

Virat Kohli's Resurgence: A Milestone and a Lifeline for IndiaVirat Kohli, the former Indian captain and batting maestro, has finally broken his century drought in Test cricket, marking his return to form with a crucial half-century in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand.Kohli's 52-run knock came at a time when India desperately needed a stabilizing force after losing early wickets. His innings was a testament to his resilience and determination, as he weathered the storm and played with the composure of a seasoned veteran.With this half-century, Kohli became the fourth Indian batter to surpass 9,000 runs in Test cricket, joining the illustrious ranks of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. However, Kohli's journey to this milestone was the longest among the quartet, taking him 197 innings to reach the coveted mark.Kohli's resurgence is a welcome sight for Indian cricket fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his return to his dominant form. His half-century has not only boosted India's chances in the ongoing Test but has also reignited hopes of a successful World Test Championship campaign.The Indian team has been struggling for consistency in recent months, and Kohli's return to form could be the catalyst they need to turn their fortunes around. His experience, leadership, and ability to score runs in all conditions make him an invaluable asset to the side.As India prepares for the second Test against New Zealand, Kohli will be expected to continue his good form and guide the team to victory. His return to form is a timely boost for India, who will be looking to secure a series win and consolidate their position in the World Test Championship standings.