Cricket

Rain dashed New Zealand's hopes of a consolation victory against Sri Lanka, washing out the third and final One Day International (ODI) on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.Sri Lanka secured its fifth ODI series win at home this year after defeating the Black Caps in the first two rain-affected matches. New Zealand made a promising start in the series, reaching 112-1 in 21 overs before rain halted play. Will Young completed his half-century and remained unbeaten on 56, while Henry Nicholls finally found some form with an unbeaten 46.Both batters looked set to post a challenging total, sharing an 88-run stand off 106 balls. Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka timed a spectacular leap to perfection at mid-off, taking a stunning catch over his head to dismiss Tim Robinson for 9 in the fourth over.Rain deprived Sri Lanka of testing its bench strength after the host made five changes. Seam bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe debuted but bowled only two overs for 14 runs. New Zealand brought in fast bowlers Zakary Foulkes, who made his ODI debut, and Adam Milne in place of Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy. Milne replaced Lockie Ferguson, who flew home after a calf injury during the preceding drawn Twenty20 series at Dambulla.The series served as preparation for New Zealand for next year's Champions Trophy, which Sri Lanka failed to qualify for by finishing ninth in last year's World Cup in India.

The Indian blind cricket team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Pakistan has been denied by the Indian government due to security concerns. The team was scheduled to cross the Wagah border on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, for the event, which is set to take place from November 23 to December 3.The Indian blind cricket team had received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sports ministry for participation but was unable to obtain clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). According to Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), the team was unofficially informed that they would not be permitted to travel to Pakistan."We have been told unofficially that the blind team will not be permitted to travel to Pakistan. We were scheduled to travel to Wagah border tomorrow. But as of now no clearance has come from the ministry officials. So, we are a bit disappointed," Yadav said.Yadav expressed frustration over the late notice of the decision, stating that the team could have been informed earlier. "They are saying when the mainstream cricket team is not safe how can you be safe there. Of course, we will accept the decision, but why hold the decision till the last minute, why not inform us a month or 25 days back. There is a process," Yadav added.The Indian government's decision has drawn criticism from the blind cricket community. Former Indian blind cricket captain Ajay Reddy expressed his disappointment, saying that the team had been preparing for the World Cup for a long time. "We are very disappointed. We have been preparing for this World Cup for a long time. We had a good chance of winning the title. But now our dreams have been shattered," Reddy said.The Indian blind cricket team is one of the strongest in the world, having won the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2017. The team was also the runner-up in the 2015 World Cup.The T20 World Cup for the Blind is an international cricket tournament for blind and visually impaired cricketers. The tournament is organized by the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) and is held every four years. The first T20 World Cup for the Blind was held in 2012 in India.

India's stand-in head coach V.V.S. Laxman has praised his team's fearless approach in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. India currently leads the four-match series 2-1, with the final match scheduled to be played later today at the Wanderers.Laxman believes that the team's fearless attitude has been a key factor in their success. "What we have seen in these three matches is the fearless approach of this team," he said during a reception hosted for the Indian team in Johannesburg.Laxman also emphasized the importance of entertaining the fans along with winning matches. "During any tours to any foreign country, we play and try to entertain the crowd. And we always feel that we are playing at home," he said.The Indian team has received tremendous support from the Indian community in South Africa. Laxman acknowledged this support, saying, "The reason for that is all the wonderful fans of the Indian cricket team – the diaspora of India who settled down in various countries but still love the Indian team and the Indian cricketers."Skipper Suryakumar Yadav echoed Laxman's sentiments, saying, "It's always good to meet the Indian community when we come away from home. It makes us feel like we are at home."Indian Consul General Mahesh Kumar highlighted the long-standing cricket relations between India and South Africa, dating back over a century. He expressed hope that the two countries would continue to collaborate in the future.Chairman of Cricket South Africa Pearl Maphoshe made a plea for the Indian squad to return to South Africa in 2025. "We cannot have enough of Indian teams in South Africa. We really love you," he said.

James Anderson Registers for IPL Auction to Enhance Knowledge and Coaching SkillsEngland's legendary pace bowler James Anderson has made a surprising move by registering for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. The 42-year-old, who retired from international cricket earlier this year as the most successful fast bowler in Test history, is seeking to expand his knowledge and experience in the world's biggest T20 league.Anderson, known as the "Burnley Express," has never played a T20 match in the IPL. His last T20 appearance was for his county side Lancashire in August 2014, while his final T20 international for England came in November 2009. Despite his lack of IPL experience, Anderson believes he has much to offer as a player and coach."There is still definitely something in me that thinks like I can still play. I have never done the IPL; I have never experienced it and I think for a number of reasons I feel like I have more to give as a player," Anderson told BBC Radio 4 Today in a podcast.Anderson's primary motivation for joining the IPL is to enhance his knowledge as a bowler and gain valuable experience as a coach. He has already begun mentoring young England players and believes that the IPL will provide him with a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the world."I have done a little bit of coaching since I have finished in the summer. I have been around the England team doing a bit of mentoring or whatever you like to call it," he said. "I just think opening my eyes to something like that and experiencing it, sort of might help me grow my knowledge of the game and help further down the line."Anderson's decision to register for the IPL auction has raised eyebrows, but it is a testament to his unwavering passion for the game. Despite his age, he remains one of the most respected and experienced bowlers in the world. His presence in the IPL could prove invaluable for any team that acquires his services.

Pakistan cricket legend Zaheer Abbas has dismissed comparisons between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, asserting that Kohli's unmatched consistency sets him apart from the underperforming Pakistani batter.Abbas, once hailed as part of the "Fab Five" alongside Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson, expressed his disappointment with Babar's recent slump in form. "These comparisons are pointless," Abbas stated. "Virat Kohli scores in every match, while the other player (Babar) doesn't score in any match. So how can you compare them? The person who scores is the bigger player."Kohli boasts an impressive 80 international centuries, while the younger Babar has scored 31 centuries across formats. Abbas also praised India's overall consistency, predicting that the Rohit Sharma-led team will be a strong contender for the upcoming Champions Trophy."The Indian team is very good," Abbas said. "Their batters are doing well, and the bowlers are both good. It's a very balanced team that plays thoughtfully.""They have a very good captain who understands cricket very well," he added. "When everything is going in your favor, it's smooth sailing. That's the case with India right now."Abbas believes that Test cricket remains the true test of a player's character, resilience, mental strength, technique, and consistency. "Test cricket is real cricket," he emphasized. "It's the real test of any player, bowler. At one point, India and Pakistan's Test teams used to be good. And now the boards are realizing that we can't go on without Test cricket.""How many T20s can you play? How many white-ball tournaments can the ICC organize? Maybe 2 or 3, but in the end, you have to return to ODI or Tests," Abbas said. "If you continue Test cricket, the cricket will last longer. I know people like to get results fast, but slowly they will get bored of T20s, and we need Tests and ODIs."Abbas expressed concern over the increasing number of players turning down central contracts to focus on T20 franchise leagues. "Test cricket is ultimate," he said. "Anyone can win in T20. Teams can win by fluke. But that's not the case in Test cricket as it has two innings. You have the scope to do well in one innings. Test cricket teaches you a lot.""I know a lot of the players don't want to play Test cricket and play T20 instead. That needs to be stopped," Abbas urged. "They need to come up with something... Something like you have to play at least 5 or 6 Test matches a year, then you can play ODI or T20s. Every year, a minimum number of Test matches need to be allotted."Pakistan's recent Test series loss to Bangladesh was a major setback, according to Abbas. "It was a huge setback that Pakistan lost to Bangladesh," he said. "We never thought that not only Pakistan will lose but it will lose so bad.""Pakistan cricket is not doing great," Abbas admitted. "The performance has dropped. I am hopeful that it will get better. The reasons behind this are many.""It happens, the West Indies used to be the best in the world, that's not the case now," Abbas said. "But I'm hopeful that Pakistan cricket returns to the top, the boys are working hard."Abbas also urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address the growing rivalry between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. "Yes, there have been rivalries in the Pakistan teams in the past, but the board should take note of the rivalry between Babar and Shaheen fast," he said. "The faster the better because it will keep on escalating.""Rivalry is good, but it should not become serious, if it does, it harms the team," Abbas warned.

Ravi Bishnoi's fielding prowess has always been evident, but he elevated it to new heights in the third T20I against Zimbabwe. His breathtaking catch off Avesh Khan to dismiss Brian Bennett left his Indian teammate in awe and became the talk of the dressing room.India's 23-run victory on Wednesday gave them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, but the highlight was Bishnoi's astonishing catch that reduced Zimbabwe to 19 for 3 in the fourth over.Avesh Khan, who took two wickets in India's defense of 182, expressed his shock at the catch. "When he took the catch, I don't think he got the reaction time. I also did not get the reaction time (to see what happened). I was, in fact, shocked how he took that catch," said Khan.Khan emphasized that the wicket should be credited to Bishnoi for his exceptional effort. "He is a good fielder, works a lot on his fielding. The catch that he took, the scoreboard will show that it was taken by me, but it should be credited in his (Bishnoi's) account," added Khan in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).India skipper Shubman Gill praised Bishnoi's remarkable effort, highlighting the importance of enjoying fielding. "Very happy with the team's win to go 2-1 up in the series and the catch that Bishi (Bishnoi) took was absolutely remarkable. It was truly delightful to watch. Cricket is definitely a team sport and it's more so a team sport when you're fielding. So, it's very important to have fun when you are fielding. If you are having fun then you are always in the game," added Gill.Washington Sundar, who had a clear view of the catch from mid-on, described it as a "great opportunity." "It was a great opportunity for me to stand at mid-on and have a clear view of whatever happened throughout the catch... and throughout that particular ball. It (ball) went at rocket speed and Bishnoi... that rocket speed was there (he also displayed rocket speed)," said Sundar.Bishnoi himself remained humble about the catch, attributing it to his increased fielding drills. "Yes, it felt good, We were talking about fielding for the last 2-3 days, how to improve my fielding even more. It's a new normal for me to take the catch off Avesh's bowling. As long as we don't make that effort to take the catch we won't know if it is near or far. So, I push myself to be as close to the catch as possible," added Bishnoi.Rinku Singh acknowledged that this was not the first time Bishnoi had taken an outstanding catch. "It was an outstanding catch, (but) it's not that he has taken such a catch for the first time; he has taken several good catches in international cricket and IPL," said Singh.Bishnoi's fielding brilliance has become a key asset for India, showcasing his athleticism and dedication to the game.

India's young cricket team suffered a disappointing 13-run defeat to an inexperienced Zimbabwe side in the first T20I of the five-match series in Harare on July 6.Led by debutant captain Shubman Gill, India opted to field first and restricted Zimbabwe to 115/9 in 20 overs. Wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi claimed a career-best 4 for 13, while off-spin-allrounder Washington Sundar snapped 2 for 11.However, India's batting lineup faltered in pursuit of the modest target. Despite handing debuts to Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel, the young Indian batters failed to shine. Eight of the Indian batsmen were dismissed for single-digit scores, leaving Washington Sundar (27 off 34 balls) as the only batsman to offer any resistance.Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza led from the front with his tidy 3/25 from his spin bowling, while Tendai Chatara bagged 3/16 from 3.1 overs.This defeat marks India's first loss in the T20I format in 2024. It also highlights the challenges facing the young Indian team as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Batting legend Vivian Richards, a revered figure in the cricketing world, recently visited the Indian team's dressing room and expressed his unwavering support for Rohit Sharma and his men. Richards, who is known for his aggressive batting style and charismatic personality, shared his insights and offered words of encouragement to the Indian squad.During his visit, Richards witnessed India's impressive victory over Bangladesh in the Super Eights match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. After the match, he presented the fielding medal to Suryakumar Yadav for his brilliant catch in the outfield. Richards also took the opportunity to commend "pocket rocket" Rishabh Pant on his return to action after a challenging period.Richards' presence in the dressing room was met with great enthusiasm by the Indian players. He shared his admiration for the team's current form and expressed his belief that they have the potential to win the T20 World Cup. "If the guys in maroon don't get it done, I will be backing you," Richards declared, referring to the West Indies team.Richards' visit not only boosted the morale of the Indian team but also highlighted the strong bond between the two cricketing nations. The West Indian legend has always been a vocal supporter of Indian cricket, and his words of encouragement will undoubtedly inspire the team as they navigate the challenges of the tournament.India currently sits atop their group with 4 points from two games and a healthy net run rate. They will next face Australia in their final Super Eights clash, a match that will determine their fate in the tournament. With Richards' support behind them, the Indian team will be confident in their ability to overcome any obstacles and emerge victorious.

The highly anticipated Super Eights clash between an undefeated India and a struggling Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup promises to be a captivating encounter. The two South Asian rivals have a long history of on-field rivalry and off-field drama, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this crucial match.India, a formidable cricketing power, enters the game with a professional performance against Afghanistan in their opening Super Eights match. However, the team's batting stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have yet to deliver defining knocks. Shivam Dube, who was expected to provide power-hitting in the middle and death overs, has also failed to impress.Bangladesh, on the other hand, finds themselves in a must-win situation after their loss to Australia. Their batting has been a major concern throughout the tournament, with openers Litton Das and Tanzid Khan underperforming. The lack of power-hitters is also hurting their chances.Despite their struggles, Bangladesh has shown resilience in the past. They will need to find a way to tackle India's formidable bowling attack, led by the sensational Jasprit Bumrah. The pacers, led by Mustafizur Rahman, have done alright, but leg-spinner Rishad Hossain needs more support in the spin department.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams desperate for a victory. India will be looking to solidify their position as a title contender, while Bangladesh will be fighting to keep their hopes alive. The outcome of this clash could have a significant impact on the tournament standings and the eventual winner.