Cricket

India's Slip-Up: Missed Chance Haunts Bowlers in Bengaluru TestIndia's bowlers were dealt a cruel blow on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru when a glaring fielding error allowed New Zealand captain Tom Latham to escape unscathed.With India reeling from a dismal 46-run first innings total, their bowlers desperately needed early wickets to claw their way back into the match. In the 13th over, Mohammed Siraj delivered a short-of-length delivery that induced an edge from Latham's bat. The ball flew towards the slips, where Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were stationed at first and second slip, respectively.To the astonishment of everyone, both fielders hesitated and the ball slipped through their grasp, racing to the third man fence. The catch was a routine one at the international level, and the lapse in concentration proved costly for India.Rahul, who had earlier scored a duck with the bat, later suggested that he had not spotted the ball well. However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating on the match, suggested that the revamped slip cordon, due to the absence of Shubman Gill, may have contributed to the missed chance.India captain Rohit Sharma, already facing criticism for his decision to bat first after winning the toss, was visibly frustrated by the fielding error. He threw his arms in disgust, expressing his disappointment with the team's performance in the field.The missed chance proved to be a turning point in the match, as Latham went on to score a crucial 95 runs, helping New Zealand build a substantial lead. India's bowlers toiled hard but were unable to make further inroads into the New Zealand batting lineup, and the visitors eventually declared their innings at 348/10.India's fielding woes continued throughout the match, with several other dropped catches and misfields. The team's poor fielding performance added to their batting woes, leaving them in a precarious position as they head into the second innings.

With Cameron Green's back injury and Steven Smith's return to the middle order, Australia's Test selection plans for the summer have undergone significant changes. Several players are vying for a spot in the squad, with a combination of Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches providing opportunities to impress.Top-Order Contenders:Marcus Harris, despite a strong start to the season, faces competition from Cameron Bancroft, who has consistently performed in the Shield. Sam Konstas, a promising 19-year-old, has also emerged as a potential candidate. Matt Renshaw, a former Test player, remains in contention despite being overlooked for the Australia A squad.Allrounder Options:With Green's absence, the search for a like-for-like replacement is unlikely. Beau Webster, a Tasmanian allrounder, has impressive batting and bowling numbers. Aaron Hardie, another emerging allrounder, will have opportunities to showcase his skills in the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan.Reserve Batter:Nathan McSweeney, the South Australia captain, is highly regarded for his run-scoring and leadership. He could be considered as a reserve batter, potentially opening up the possibility of an incumbent moving up the order.Bowlers:Scott Boland and Michael Neser are the frontrunners to provide backup to the established pace trio. Sean Abbott, who has previous Test experience, could also be in contention due to his batting depth.Upcoming Matches:The Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches will provide crucial opportunities for players to stake their claim. Harris will face a stern test against New South Wales, while Konstas will take on Scott Boland at the MCG. Webster and Hardie will feature in the Australia A series, where strong performances could enhance their chances of a Test call-up.

India's Humiliating Collapse: Lowest Test Total at HomeThe Indian cricket team endured a catastrophic collapse on Thursday, registering their lowest-ever Test total at home against New Zealand in Bengaluru. After rain washed out the opening day, India opted to bat first in overcast conditions, a decision that proved disastrous.The Indian batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pressure of New Zealand's pace attack. Five batters—Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin—were dismissed for ducks, while openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal managed only 2 and 13 runs, respectively.Rishabh Pant emerged as the top-scorer with a meager 20 runs, highlighting the team's abysmal performance. The collapse sparked widespread criticism on social media, with fans and pundits calling for the return of veteran batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.At lunch, India was reeling at 34 for 6, and their slide continued after the break. R Ashwin and Pant fell in quick succession, followed by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, who contributed only 1 and 2 runs, respectively.The humiliating collapse has raised serious questions about India's batting depth and the team's ability to perform under pressure. The selectors' decision to move on from Rahane and Pujara has come under scrutiny, as the younger players have failed to live up to expectations.

Anil Kumble's Commentary Anecdote: A Close Call Before 300th Test WicketIndian bowling legend Anil Kumble, celebrating his 53rd birthday today, shared a captivating anecdote from his playing days while commentating on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Kumble, who hails from Karnataka, recalled an incident that nearly prevented him from reaching a significant milestone on his home ground. In December 2001, he was bowling to Sachin Tendulkar in the nets ahead of a Test match against England."I was at 299 wickets and on the verge of reaching a milestone on my home ground," said Kumble. "A day before the match, I was bowling to Sachin in the nets. We generally don't go to pick up the ball until the other bowler has delivered, but somehow I went in after Sachin had played a shot off my last delivery."What happened next was a moment of panic for Kumble. "While I was picking up the ball, Harbhajan (Singh) had bowled a delivery to Sachin, which he drove fiercely and the shot ended up hitting me smack in the ribs. Sachin was like 'yeh maine kya kar diya, iska to home ground hai, iska 300 to gaya (what have I done; it's his home ground, his 300th wicket is surely gone now)," narrated Kumble."Luckily, nothing happened. I played the match and went on to complete my 300 wickets at my home venue (M Chinnaswamy Stadium)."Kumble became the first Indian spinner to take 300 Test wickets. He ended his career with 619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 wickets in 271 ODIs.One of Kumble's most memorable achievements was taking all 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in 1999. This feat, known as a "perfect 10," is considered one of the greatest bowling performances in cricket history.Kumble's commentary anecdote not only entertained viewers but also highlighted the camaraderie and competitive spirit that existed within the Indian team during his playing days.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma's poor form continued on Day 2 of the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday. Sharma was dismissed for just 2 runs, failing to cross the 30-run mark in both Test matches against Bangladesh and the ongoing series against New Zealand.Sharma's dismissal came after he was completely beaten by the swing of a delivery from New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee. The ball crashed into the stumps, ending Sharma's short stay at the crease.Sharma's poor form has led to a lot of criticism on social media, with many calling for him to retire. However, Sharma has the backing of the team management, who believe that he is still the best batsman in the world.In the absence of Shubman Gill, who is not 100% fit due to neck stiffness, Sarfaraz Khan came into India's playing eleven. Kuldeep Yadav was also included in the team as the third spinner alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.New Zealand skipper Tom Latham said Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are the spin-bowling allrounders for the visitors alongside left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel. They will be complemented by three pacers in Matt Henry, Tim Southee, and William O'Rourke.

Virat Kohli, the prolific Indian batter, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the second-most-capped international cricketer for India across all formats. During the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli marked his 536th international appearance, surpassing former captain MS Dhoni's tally of 535 matches.Kohli's illustrious international career began in 2008 with an ODI debut in Sri Lanka. Since then, he has amassed an astonishing 27,041 runs across 115 Tests, 295 ODIs, and 125 T20Is. His exceptional leadership skills have also been evident, as he has captained India in 213 matches, including 68 Tests, 95 ODIs, and 50 T20Is.Kohli's remarkable achievement places him behind only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most international caps (664) for India. Among active cricketers, Kohli is followed by India captain Rohit Sharma (486 caps) and Ravindra Jadeja (346 caps).In terms of Test appearances for India, Kohli is tied for eighth with 116 caps. He has accumulated 8947 runs in the longer format, just 53 runs shy of becoming the fourth Indian to complete 9000 Test runs after Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.Kohli's consistency and longevity have been remarkable. He became the fastest player to reach 27,000 international runs during the second Test against Bangladesh last month, surpassing Tendulkar's record of 623 innings. Kohli achieved this feat in just 594 innings, making him the only cricketer to reach 27,000 international runs in under 600 outings.Kohli's achievements are a testament to his unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and unwavering determination. He continues to inspire generations of cricketers and fans alike, and his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen of all time is secure.

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli's struggles continued on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as he was dismissed for a duck, equaling an embarrassing record. Kohli's dismissal marked his 38th international duck, tying him with New Zealand's Tim Southee for the most ducks among active cricketers. India skipper Rohit Sharma is third on the list with 33 ducks.Kohli's dismissal came off a short-length delivery from fast bowler Will O'Rourke. The ball flew off Kohli's gloves, and Glenn Phillips completed a good catch at leg gully. Kohli's poor form has been a concern for India, as he has failed to score a century in his last 10 Test innings.Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the rain-truncated opening Test. India made two changes to their team, with Sarfaraz Khan replacing an injured Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav replacing seamer Akash Deep.The first day's play was washed out due to persistent rain. India and New Zealand will play two more Tests, at Pune from October 24-28 and at Mumbai from November 1-5.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rising star of Indian cricket, has quickly ascended the ranks with his exceptional adaptability and versatility. His impressive performances have earned him high praise from his captain, Rohit Sharma, who believes he possesses the potential to succeed at the highest level.Jaiswal's ability to switch gears seamlessly between attacking and defensive play has been a key factor in his success. Despite his aggressive approach, he maintains a cool head and executes his shots with finesse. This adaptability has allowed him to excel in both home and away conditions.In his debut Test against the West Indies, Jaiswal showcased his patience and resilience by spending over 500 minutes at the crease to score a 387-ball 171. However, in the following match, he displayed his versatility by scoring a quick-fire 74 off just 57 balls.Jaiswal's consistency has been remarkable, with at least a half-century in each of his seven home Tests. He has also notched up two double centuries, including a staggering 901 runs in seven matches.Rohit Sharma has been a staunch supporter of Jaiswal, recognizing his talent and potential. "He has the game to suit any conditions," Rohit said. "He is new to international cricket, but he has all the ingredients for success."Jaiswal's adaptability and versatility make him a valuable asset to the Indian team. As he continues to learn and develop, he is poised to become a key player in India's quest for success in the upcoming Test series in Australia.

Ben Duckett Breaks Record, England Faces Collapse in Multan TestEngland opener Ben Duckett has etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the fastest batter to reach 2,000 Test runs in terms of balls faced. On Day 2 of the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, Duckett's brilliant knock of 114 off 129 balls propelled him to this remarkable milestone.Duckett's innings was a masterclass in batting, showcasing his exceptional technique and aggressive strokeplay. He surpassed the previous record held by New Zealand's Tim Southee, who had reached the 2,000-run mark in 2,418 balls. Duckett achieved the feat in just 2,293 deliveries, leaving behind renowned batters like Adam Gilchrist, Virender Sehwag, and Rishabh Pant.In reply to Pakistan's first-innings total of 366, Duckett and Zak Crawley provided England with a solid start, adding 73 runs in just 12 overs. Duckett was particularly effective against spin, using sweeps and reverse sweeps to disrupt Pakistan's bowlers. He brought up his fourth Test century with ease, showcasing his class and composure.Duckett went on to stitch another important 52-run partnership with Ollie Pope, further consolidating England's innings. However, his individual brilliance wasn't enough to prevent a dramatic England collapse later in the day.Pakistan's off-spinner Sajid Khan engineered a stunning fightback, dismantling England's middle order with a four-wicket haul. Sajid's spell included key dismissals, such as Duckett, Joe Root, and Harry Brook. Duckett, who seemed untouchable, eventually nicked one to slip while attempting to drive a sharply turning delivery, leaving England vulnerable at 239/6 by stumps.Duckett's record-breaking knock will be remembered as a moment of brilliance in a challenging Test match. Despite England's collapse, his innings has given them a glimmer of hope as they look to salvage the match and level the series.