Cricket

Hardik Pandya, India's swashbuckling all-rounder, has sparked speculation about a potential return to Test cricket after posting a video of himself practicing with a red ball on Instagram. However, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has cast doubt on the possibility, citing Pandya's injury history and the physical demands of the longest format.Pandya, who hasn't played a Test match since September 2018, underwent back surgery in 2019. Patel believes that Pandya's body may not be able to withstand the rigors of four-day and five-day matches."I'm not looking at Hardik Pandya (in Tests)," Patel said on Jio cinema show during the second India vs Bangladesh Test in Kanpur. "He was practicing with the red ball only because the white ball wasn't available. I don't think his body allows four-day and five-day matches. He has to play at least one first-class game (before being considered for selection in Tests), which is very unlikely."Last year, Pandya was offered a place in the World Test Championship final against Australia but declined, stating that he did not want to be a regular Test player.Pandya's last first-class appearance was in December 2018. He also skipped this year's Duleep Trophy due to workload management.Patel's comments echo concerns raised by other experts about Pandya's fitness and durability. The all-rounder has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, including back, shoulder, and hamstring issues.If Pandya does not return to Test cricket, it would be a significant blow to India's hopes of regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from Australia in the upcoming series. Pandya's all-round abilities, including his aggressive batting and effective medium-pace bowling, would be a valuable asset to the team.However, it appears that Pandya's focus will remain on limited-overs cricket, where he has established himself as one of the world's leading all-rounders.

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper renowned for his composure at the crease, endured a rare and frustrating third day in the second Test against Sri Lanka. Dismissed twice within just four hours, his uncharacteristic departures left New Zealand reeling at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.Williamson's first dismissal came in New Zealand's first innings, when he misjudged a tossed-up delivery from spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and edged it to slip for just 7 off 53 balls. Following New Zealand's collapse to 88 all out, they were forced to follow on.In the second innings, Williamson partnered with Devon Conway in a resilient 97-run stand for the second wicket. However, his innings came to an abrupt end when he mistimed a shot off off-spinner Nishan Peiris and was caught by substitute fielder Ramesh Mendis for 46.Sri Lanka capitalized on these breakthroughs and was five wickets away from a comprehensive series victory at tea on day 3. Spinners Jayasuriya and Peiris dominated the day, pushing New Zealand into a corner as they continued to search for a way out of a dire situation.Williamson's uncharacteristic dismissals highlighted the pressure that Sri Lanka's spinners have exerted on the New Zealand batting lineup. The Black Caps will need to find a way to counter the spin threat if they are to avoid a series defeat.

Ravindra Jadeja, India's enigmatic all-rounder, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the first player to amass over 2000 runs and claim more than 200 wickets in winning causes. This remarkable feat was achieved during India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Jadeja's all-round brilliance has been a cornerstone of India's success in recent years. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made him an indispensable member of the team. In the Chennai Test, he played a pivotal role in India's recovery from a precarious position of 144 for six.Batting alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, Jadeja forged a crucial 199-run partnership for the seventh wicket, guiding India to a respectable total of 376. His gritty knock of 86 was overshadowed by Ashwin's century, but it was equally vital in setting up India's victory.With the ball, Jadeja claimed five wickets in the match, including three in the second innings. His accurate spin bowling and ability to extract turn from the pitch proved too much for the Bangladesh batsmen.Jadeja's achievement is even more remarkable considering that he has often played in the shadow of Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner. Despite his exceptional skills, Jadeja has remained humble and focused on his role within the team.His fighting spirit and task-oriented approach have made him a valuable asset for India. In the first Test against Bangladesh, he once again proved his worth by bailing out the team from a difficult situation.Jadeja's record-breaking feat is a testament to his all-round abilities and his unwavering determination. He has joined an elite group of cricketers who have achieved the grand double of 300 wickets and 3000 runs in Test cricket.

Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya's remarkable performance led Sri Lanka to a dominant position in the second Test against New Zealand. Jayasuriya's nine-wicket haul, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, played a pivotal role in New Zealand's collapse to 88 all out.Resuming their first innings at a precarious 22-2, New Zealand's batsmen failed to put up a fight. Jayasuriya dismissed Kane Williamson in the third over, triggering a batting collapse. Only Mitchell Santner (29) and William O'Rourke (2) managed to reach double figures.Sri Lanka captain Dhanajaya de Silva enforced the follow-on, and New Zealand stuttered to lunch at 3-1 after facing two overs in their second innings. Tom Latham was the man out, caught by Pathum Nissanka off the bowling of Nishan Peiris.Jayasuriya's performance was particularly impressive as he now needs just six more wickets in the second innings to equal the record for the fastest bowler to reach 100 Test wickets. The record has stood since 1896 when England's George Lohmann achieved the milestone in his 16th Test.De Silva's five catches at first slip tied the record for most in a Test innings by a non-wicketkeeper, a milestone shared with 15 others.Sri Lanka's dominance in the match has put New Zealand in a precarious position. The visitors need to avoid an innings defeat and will need a significant improvement in their batting performance in the second innings.

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has raised concerns over Rohit Sharma's reluctance to utilize Ravindra Jadeja against left-handed batsmen early in matches. Manjrekar cited Jadeja's impressive record against former England captain Alastair Cook as evidence of his effectiveness against left-handers.During the rain-shortened opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Jadeja, the only specialist spinner in the Indian team, was not called upon to bowl. Instead, pacer Akash Deep and veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared the bowling duties.Manjrekar believes that Rohit should have introduced Jadeja earlier, especially after Bangladesh lost their third wicket at 80. He pointed out that Jadeja has a remarkable record against left-handers, having dismissed Cook six times in eight innings during the 2016 series."Rohit needs to be shown this stat- JADEJA vs COOK, 2016 series: In 8 innings, got him out 6 times, conceded just 75 runs. Rohit tends to not bowl Jadeja early when there are left-handers out there," Manjrekar posted on social media.Manjrekar elaborated on his point during an analysis on ESPNcricinfo. He acknowledged that captains have their own approaches and preferences, but he emphasized that match-ups should be considered as guidelines rather than strict rules."Remember, he dismissed Alastair Cook six times in eight innings. So not giving him the ball at all was baffling," he added.Manjrekar's comments highlight the importance of utilizing bowlers effectively based on their strengths and the opposition's weaknesses. Jadeja's proven record against left-handers suggests that he could be a valuable asset for India in such situations.

India vs Bangladesh Live Score: Rain Threatens Second Day's PlayThe second day of the second and final Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur is under threat of rain, with the weather forecast predicting more showers throughout the day. This is a major concern for fans who are eager to witness the continuation of the match, especially after the first day was washed out due to heavy rainfall.India will be looking to make early inroads into the Bangladesh batting lineup on the second day, having won the toss and elected to field first. The hosts will be hoping to capitalize on the overcast conditions and exploit the moisture in the pitch to extract some movement for their pacers.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be determined to put up a strong fight and avoid a repeat of their performance in the first Test, where they were bundled out for just 150 runs in their first innings. The visitors will need their batsmen to show more resilience and application against India's formidable bowling attack.The weather conditions will play a crucial role in the outcome of the match. If the rain persists, it could significantly reduce the number of overs bowled and potentially lead to a draw. However, if the rain stays away, we can expect an exciting day of Test cricket with both teams looking to gain an advantage.

Kamindu Mendis has etched his name into the annals of cricket history, becoming the joint third-fastest player to reach the coveted milestone of 1,000 test runs. His remarkable achievement came during the second test against New Zealand in Galle, where Sri Lanka tightened its grip on the match.Mendis's blistering innings mirrored the legendary Don Bradman, who achieved the feat in 1930 against England at Headingley. Only England's Herbert Sutcliffe and West Indies great Everton Weekes reached the landmark in fewer innings, doing so in 12 knocks.In a career that has blossomed rapidly, Mendis notched his fifth century before lunch, his second century in two tests. Later, with audacious flair, he brought up his 1,000th run by stepping down the track to Rachin Ravindra and smashing a towering six straight back over the bowler's head.This remarkable achievement made him not only the fastest Sri Lankan but also the quickest Asian to the milestone, surpassing the likes of Sri Lanka great Roy Dias (23 innings) and India's Vinod Kambli (14).The crowd's celebrations were bittersweet, however, as Sri Lanka declared before Mendis could reach his maiden double century. He was unbeaten on 182 off 250 balls, an innings laced with 16 boundaries and four massive sixes."Kamindu Mendis has been sensational for us this year," said teammate Angelo Mathews. "He is doing stuff that none of us were able to do early in our careers. He is very matured, knows his game and plays very positively."Mendis found strong support from Kusal Mendis, who shrugged off recent struggles to post an undefeated 106, his 10th test century. Demoted to No. 7 in the order after disappointing performances, Kusal responded with a measured innings, combining with Kamindu for an unbroken 200-run partnership, the highest sixth-wicket stand for Sri Lanka against New Zealand on home soil. This partnership also set a record as the highest sixth-wicket stand in Galle, by any team, further cementing Sri Lanka's dominance.Earlier in the day, the hosts lost Mathews (88) and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (44) in the morning session, but Kamindu's relentless march, paired with Kusal's defiance, ensured Sri Lanka remained firmly in the driver's seat, with thoughts of a 2-0 series sweep looming large.New Zealand, meanwhile, missed crucial chances again to rein in Sri Lanka. Daryl Mitchell dropped Kamindu on 26 and Tom Blundell fluffing a straightforward stumping when he was on 113. The misery continued for the Kiwis when Sri Lanka struck early in their innings. Asitha Fernando set the tone, dismissing Tom Latham in the very first over with a sharp catch at gully. Prabath Jayasuriya then removed the other opener Devon Conway, snapped up at slip by De Silva on 9."It's a tough ask for us now," said New Zealand's Luke Ronchi. "The important thing is to play each ball, build partnerships and see through sessions. We have done it before in tough conditions. We need to take the game as deep as possible."

Pakistan's veteran batter Ahmed Shehzad has expressed outrage over the exclusion of domestic stalwart Kamran Ghulam from the team for the first Test against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-man squad for the series opener in Multan on October 7, but Ghulam was conspicuously absent.Ghulam has been in prolific form in the domestic circuit, amassing seven centuries in 13 first-class matches for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) since September 2023. Five of those centuries have come this year alone. Despite his impressive performances, Ghulam was overlooked for the Bangladesh Test series earlier this month and has now been dropped from the squad for the England series.Shehzad, who has played 13 Tests for Pakistan, slammed chief selector Mohammad Yousuf for Ghulam's exclusion. He questioned Yousuf's logic, suggesting that Ghulam's omission may be due to the presence of Babar Azam, who also bats at number three."Kamran Ghulam has been ignored because Mohammad Yousuf didn't make him a part of the 15-member squad," Shehzad said in a video posted on social media. "It's hard to understand. How will you justify not picking Kamran and Sahibzada Farhan in the squad? What sin did they commit? Is it because they bat in the same position where Babar bats?"Shehzad also criticized the PCB's selection policy, which he believes is based on fear of failure. "If Saim and Abdullah can be given chances, then why not Kamran and Mohammad Ali?" he asked. "This is a mindless strategy by the Pakistan Cricket Board."Ghulam, 28, has played just one game for Pakistan, an ODI against New Zealand last year, where he did not bat or bowl. However, he has been in impressive form in the ongoing Champions One Day Cup, scoring 248 runs at an average of 49.60 and a strike rate of 100 in five games.Despite his recent performances, Ghulam's exclusion from the Test squad has raised questions about the PCB's selection criteria. Shehzad's criticism highlights the growing frustration among some players and fans over the board's decision-making process.

Cameron Green's back injury has cast a shadow over Australia's ODI series against England and raised concerns about his availability for the upcoming home summer. The allrounder was ruled out of the final two ODIs after scans revealed soreness following the third match in Durham.Green's injury history includes stress fractures of the back, which he suffered in 2019 and during his time in the domestic system. While the extent of his current injury is yet to be determined, a prolonged absence would have significant implications for Australia's plans.Green's absence would create a vacancy in the middle order, potentially allowing Steven Smith to return to his preferred No. 4 position. It could also open the door for a specialist opener to partner Usman Khawaja.Head coach Andrew McDonald had previously indicated that the incumbent top six would start the Test series against India, but Green's injury could force a rethink. Cameron Bancroft, Matt Renshaw, and Marcus Harris are among the candidates who could be considered for a recall.Green's bowling would also be missed. Pat Cummins had anticipated that Green and Mitchell Marsh would share the workload with Australia's frontline attack during the Tests. If Green is unable to bowl, Marsh's role would become even more crucial.Ricky Ponting expressed concern about Green's injury, noting his history of back problems. However, he suggested that Green could still play as a specialist batter if his bowling is affected.Green was expected to feature in at least one Sheffield Shield match in October before the start of Australia's home international season. Pakistan will visit for T20Is and ODIs ahead of the Tests against India, which begin on November 22 in Perth.