Cricket

Rohit Sharma's Unfortunate Dismissal Mars India's Fightback in Bengaluru TestIndia's hopes of salvaging the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru suffered a setback on Friday as opener Rohit Sharma was dismissed in an unfortunate manner. After trailing by 356 runs in the first innings, India had made a promising start to their second innings, with Sharma leading the charge.However, the Indian captain's impressive stay at the crease was cut short by a moment of misfortune. Facing left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, Sharma attempted a defensive stroke to a ball on the off-stump. The ball, however, glanced off the inside edge and trickled onto the stumps before Sharma could react.The dismissal left Sharma and the Chinnaswamy crowd in disbelief. The Indian opener had looked solid in his innings, scoring 52 runs off 83 balls. His departure was a major blow to India's hopes of building a substantial lead.Earlier in the day, New Zealand had been dismissed for 402 in their first innings. Rachin Ravindra (134) and Tim Southee (65) had put together a brisk 134-run partnership for the eighth wicket to extend the visitors' advantage.India's bowlers, led by Ravindra Jadeja (3/72), had struck early to reduce New Zealand to 233 for seven. However, Ravindra and Southee's partnership helped the Kiwis add valuable runs to their total.With Sharma's dismissal, India's task became even more challenging. The hosts will need to bat with patience and determination to avoid a heavy defeat in the first Test.

Pakistan's Test victory over England in Multan has brought a sense of relief to captain Shan Masood and the team, who had endured a four-year home winless streak. Masood emphasized the importance of the win, stating that it was a step towards addressing the unacceptable recent results.The victory was achieved through a bold strategy that involved overhauling the team's template and bringing in three uncapped spinners. The decision to reuse the same pitch as the first Test also proved crucial. Masood reiterated the team's unwavering commitment to taking 20 wickets in Test matches, regardless of the conditions.The gamble paid off as spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali shared all 20 English wickets, marking the first time since 1972 that two players have been responsible for all opposition wickets in a Test match. Masood praised the spinners' performance, acknowledging that they bowled like seasoned campaigners.Masood emphasized the need to take risks in order to achieve the desired results. He acknowledged that Pakistan had lost many matches while pursuing this approach, but the recent victory justified the strategy. However, he also recognized the need to adapt to different conditions, leaving open the possibility of a different approach in Rawalpindi.Despite the victory, Masood remained cautious, acknowledging that the team's journey was far from over. He expressed hope that the win would mark the beginning of a new era for Pakistan cricket, where they could consistently perform well in their home conditions.

England captain Ben Stokes has expressed regret for his outburst of frustration during the third evening of the second Test against Pakistan in Multan. The incident occurred as the match slipped away from England due to a series of dropped catches and fielding errors.Stokes, who was making his return to the side after a nine-week absence due to a hamstring injury, admitted to behaving like a "tired and grumpy old man" when he berated his players at a critical juncture of Pakistan's second innings. The flashpoint came during a spell of reverse-swing bowling from Brydon Carse, who had just dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for the third time in the series.However, two overs later, Carse suffered two drops in the space of three balls, first by Jamie Smith and then by Joe Root. Salman Agha, who was dropped on 4 and 6, went on to make a match-defining 63 from 89 balls. Stokes' frustration boiled over when Jack Leach fumbled at point to give away an unnecessary single in Carse's subsequent over."I actually apologized to the group up there last night," Stokes said afterwards. "It's the first time in my captaincy that I've let my emotions show in my body language, with how I was feeling as the game was unfolding. I owned up to that, and I'm very annoyed at myself for letting that out."Stokes acknowledged that the challenge of getting back to match fitness had been tough, having played no competitive cricket since August. "I've worked so, so hard to get fit for this Test match, but nothing can prepare you for standing out on the field in hot weather," he said.Despite the fielding lapses, Stokes praised Carse's performance, calling him "fantastic" and highlighting his heart, pace, and skill. England head coach Brendon McCullum agreed, saying that Carse had been the "standout" of England's attack.McCullum also defended Smith's display, saying that he had been "very disappointed" about dropping the catch but that his overall keeping had been "as good as I've seen in these conditions."

Pakistan's frontline spinners, led by Noman Ali's eight-wicket haul, orchestrated a resounding 152-run victory over England in the second Test in Multan, leveling the three-match series at 1-1.Chasing a challenging target of 297 on a turning Multan Cricket Stadium pitch, England's batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pressure of Pakistan's spin attack. Skipper Ben Stokes, who has often played match-defining knocks, top-scored for England with 37, but his efforts proved futile.Noman Ali emerged as the star performer for Pakistan, claiming 8-46 in a devastating spell. His victims included England's top-order batters, including Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jamie Smith. Off-spinner Sajid Khan also contributed with the wicket of Ollie Pope.England's batting woes began early on the fourth day's morning session, as they resumed on 36-2. Pope's dismissal in the second over set the tone for a collapse. Noman Ali then ran amok, trapping Root lbw and Brook in similar fashion.Stokes, known for his aggressive batting, attempted to revive England's hopes with a counterattacking approach. However, his dismissal, caught at midwicket while attempting a big shot, proved to be the final nail in the coffin.Pakistan's victory was a testament to the effectiveness of their spin attack on a turning track. The hosts' bowlers exploited the conditions to their advantage, making it difficult for England's batters to negotiate the spin and bounce.The result leaves the series evenly poised heading into the final Test in Karachi. Pakistan will be confident of securing a series win on home soil, while England will be determined to bounce back and claim the series.

Travis Head, Australia's versatile all-format player, has signed a one-year deal to return to the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. However, his hectic international schedule will limit his availability to a maximum of three games.Head, 30, captained the Strikers to the BBL title in 2017-18 but has not played for the club since the 2022-23 season. His return is a significant boost for the Strikers, who are looking to improve on their disappointing performance last season.However, Head's availability will be limited due to his commitments to the Australian Test team. The upcoming five-match Test series against India, followed by a Test tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy, means he will only be available for three matches on January 11, 15, and 18.The BBL had hoped that Australia's Test stars would be available to give the competition a boost at the back end of this summer's tournament. However, there are concerns over player workload coming out of a gruelling Test series against India and with so little time to prepare for an overseas Test tour in spinning conditions in Sri Lanka.Head's workload has become a key consideration for Australia's selectors and coaching staff since he became an all-format player in the last 12 months. There were concerns over his decision to play in the recent Major League Cricket tournament in July, which came on the back of a busy period of playing that included the ODI World Cup, five home Tests, a T20I and Test tour of New Zealand, the IPL, and the T20 World Cup.Head is being rested from the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, partly due to the upcoming birth of his second child. But his decision to add some BBL cricket in January means his next decent break will likely have to wait until after the Champions Trophy in February and March.New Strikers coach Tim Paine is aware of Head's workload but was keen to have him play some BBL matches. "We understand Trav has a hectic international schedule," Paine said. "But we also know how much he loves getting back in the blue whenever the chance arises and we look forward to our fans being treated to more of his magic this summer."

Pakistan's Salman Agha has expressed his determination to secure a historic home Test victory against England in Multan, as the hosts seek to level the series. With England needing 261 runs to win and Pakistan requiring eight wickets, the match is poised for an exciting conclusion.After suffering an innings defeat in the first Test, Pakistan made significant changes to their team, opting for a spin-heavy attack on a worn pitch. Agha praised the team's response to the upheaval, highlighting the contributions of new players like Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.England, meanwhile, face a daunting chase in challenging conditions. Assistant coach Paul Collingwood acknowledged the difficulty of the task but expressed confidence in his team's ability to pull off an upset. He cited their remarkable victory in India last year as evidence of their resilience.Pakistan's recent home Test record has been dismal, with no wins in their last 11 matches. Agha emphasized the importance of ending this streak, stating that a victory in Multan would be a significant achievement.The match is set to resume on the fourth day, with Pakistan aiming to secure the eight wickets they need to level the series. England, on the other hand, will need to produce a remarkable chase to secure a 2-0 lead.

Ashwin's Masterclass: Off-spinner Delivers Crucial Wicket in India vs. New Zealand TestOn the second day of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, star Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his brilliance with a stunning delivery that dismissed well-set opener Devon Conway.Captain Rohit Sharma's astute decision to bring Ashwin back for his second spell proved fruitful as the veteran spinner delivered a tossed-up delivery from around the stumps. Conway, who had been batting aggressively, attempted a premeditated reverse-sweep but missed the ball entirely, resulting in a clean bowled dismissal.The dismissal was initially referred to the third umpire to determine whether wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel's gloves were in front of the stumps at the point of delivery. After careful examination, the third umpire ruled that Jurel's gloves were within the permitted boundaries, upholding the original decision of out.Ashwin's breakthrough came at a crucial juncture, halting Conway's progress and shifting the momentum in India's favor. The dismissal highlighted Ashwin's exceptional skill and experience, reinforcing his status as a pivotal player in India's bowling attack.Known for his ability to outfox top-order batsmen, Ashwin's dismissal of Conway showcased his class and guile. The off-spinner's ability to vary his pace, trajectory, and spin makes him a formidable opponent for even the most accomplished batsmen.With Conway's dismissal, India gained a significant advantage in the match. The off-spinner's crucial wicket has put the Indian team in a strong position to take control of the Test and secure a vital victory in the series opener.

Rishabh Pant's Injury Raises Concerns for Team IndiaTeam India's hopes of a strong start to the Test series against New Zealand were dealt a blow on Thursday when wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant was forced to leave the field due to a knee injury. The incident occurred on the final ball of the 37th over, as Pant was struck on the right knee by a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja.Pant immediately collapsed to the ground in pain, and the physio was called onto the field to assess the injury. After a brief examination, Pant was helped off the field by the physio and a substitute fielder. The extent of the injury is still unknown, but any setback to Pant's recovery could have a significant impact on India's plans for the ongoing Test series and the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Pant has been a key figure in India's middle order in recent years, and his dynamic presence is vital for the team's stability. He is known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to score runs quickly, and his absence would be a major blow to India's chances of success.The injury to Pant is a reminder of the physical demands of Test cricket, and the importance of staying fit and healthy. Pant has had a history of injuries in the past, and he will be hoping to make a speedy recovery from this latest setback.Fans and teammates alike are hoping for a positive update on Pant's condition, and they will be keeping their fingers crossed that he will be able to return to the field soon.

Virat Kohli's struggles in Test cricket continued in 2024, as he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings against New Zealand. Despite his poor form, Kohli's decision to promote himself to No. 3 in the batting order due to Shubman Gill's absence drew praise from former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar.Manjrekar hailed Kohli's willingness to sacrifice his usual No. 4 slot, claiming that it set him apart from legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. According to Manjrekar, Tendulkar and Ganguly were reluctant to move up the order in Tests, unlike Kohli."Hats off to Virat Kohli!" Manjrekar posted on social media. "Coming out to bat at no. 3 because the team needed it. Ganguly, Tendulkar were very keen to open in white ball cricket, but never wanted to go up the order in Tests. That's a true champion right there for you!"However, Manjrekar also criticized Kohli's aggressive approach from the first ball, which he believes has contributed to his recent struggles."Have said this before will say it again," Manjrekar tweeted. "Virat has compounded his problems by wanting to be on the front foot to every ball. No matter the length. Today's dismissal ball could have been comfortably tackled off the back foot."Manjrekar's comments sparked a debate about the batting positions of Tendulkar and Ganguly. While Tendulkar primarily batted at No. 4 in Tests, Ganguly had a significant number of innings at No. 3 earlier in his career.Tendulkar scored the vast majority of his Test runs at No. 4, with only 15 runs coming from the top three positions. Ganguly, on the other hand, scored 752 of his 7,212 Test runs at No. 3, while only 11 runs came as an opener.Ultimately, the decision of whether to move up the order in Tests is a personal one for each player. While some, like Kohli, are willing to sacrifice their preferred position for the benefit of the team, others may prefer to stay in their comfort zone.