Cricket

Rishabh Pant's stellar performance in the second innings of the opening Test against New Zealand has propelled him to the sixth spot in the ICC Test rankings for batters, surpassing his illustrious teammate Virat Kohli. Pant's counter-attacking 99 earned him a three-spot jump, while Kohli's fluent 70 saw him drop to eighth.India's highest-ranked batter remains opener Yashasvi Jaiswal at fourth, while captain Rohit Sharma slipped two places to joint 15th alongside Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne. England's Joe Root continues to dominate the rankings at the top.New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway made significant gains in the batters' rankings, climbing 36 and 12 spots to 18th and 36th respectively. Matt Henry emerged as the standout performer in the bowlers' category, rising two rungs to ninth with a new career-high rating.Henry's eight wickets in New Zealand's drought-breaking victory over India in Bengaluru earned him the recognition, while teammate Will O'Rourke also moved up two spots to 39th for his seven scalps in the same match.Pakistan spinner Noman Ali re-entered the rankings at 17th after claiming 11 wickets across two innings against England. His teammate Sajid Khan jumped 22 places to 50th after being named Player of the Match in the same contest.India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah remains atop the bowlers' rankings, followed by teammate R Ashwin. Ravindra Jadeja, retaining the seventh spot, is another Indian in the top 10.

Virat Kohli's 'Shot of the Century': A Moment Etched in Cricket HistoryTwo years ago, on this day, the cricketing world witnessed a moment of brilliance that would forever be etched in the annals of the sport. Virat Kohli, the Indian batting maestro, executed one of the most stunning shots in cricket history during the India vs Pakistan match at the 2022 T20 World Cup.With India in a precarious position, needing 28 runs off just eight balls, Kohli's performance became a beacon of hope. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf was bowling exceptionally well, but Kohli turned the tide by smashing two sixes off his deliveries.The first was a breathtaking back-foot punch that soared down the ground, a moment that captured the hearts of fans and analysts alike. However, it was the second six, a tennis-like shot out of the park, that mesmerized every eye.Kohli's unbeaten 83 runs off 52 balls proved pivotal as India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over their arch-rivals. The shot, dubbed the 'Shot of the Century' by the ICC, became an instant sensation, showcasing Kohli's exceptional talent and unwavering determination.Haris Rauf himself later acknowledged Kohli's extraordinary talent, stating in an interview, "That was his class and the kind of shots that he plays, and the two sixes that he hit, I don't think any other player could hit those kind of shots."Kohli's shot not only won India the match but also cemented his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. It was a moment that transcended cricket, becoming a symbol of hope and inspiration for millions around the world.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's heartwarming interaction with a young fangirl has captured the hearts of fans on social media. Ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, the girl approached Rohit for an autograph, expressing her admiration and revealing that she had traveled a long distance.In a playful twist, the fangirl requested Rohit to convey her message to former captain Virat Kohli, saying, "Tell Virat bhai that a huge fan had come." Rohit responded with a smile, assuring her that he would pass on the message.The interaction highlights the special bond between cricketers and their fans. Rohit's willingness to engage with the young girl and fulfill her request demonstrates his humility and appreciation for the support he receives.Meanwhile, Team India is focused on leveling the ongoing Test series against New Zealand after a disappointing loss in the first Test. Despite wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant's knee injury, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate remains optimistic about his participation in the second Test.Pant's courageous 99 in the second innings of the first Test helped India recover from a disastrous first innings total of 46. However, he aggravated the same knee that was previously operated on following a severe car crash in 2022.India faces a selection dilemma, with Shubman Gill set to return while KL Rahul struggles with form. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be without their star batsman Kane Williamson, who is sidelined with a groin injury.The second Test promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to gain an advantage in the series. Rohit Sharma's leadership and the team's determination will be crucial in their quest to level the series and regain momentum.

Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne has thrown down a playful challenge to Indian captain Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming Test series between the two nations. Labuschagne, known for his exceptional batting skills, has hinted that he may surprise Kohli with his bowling prowess.In an interview with Australian channel Channel 7, Labuschagne revealed that he believes he can bowl bouncers up to 135 kmph. While he admitted to never reaching that mark, he claimed to have come close."I'd love to hit a little 135 bouncer. I've got that in me, I reckon," Labuschagne said jokingly. "My highest recorded is 132. So 3 kmph."Labuschagne's playful banter has sparked curiosity among cricket fans, who are eager to see if he can back up his words against one of the world's best batsmen. Kohli, who has struggled in recent Test matches, will be keen to prove his mettle against Australia, especially after missing three of the four Tests Down Under in the previous series.Labuschagne's bowling aspirations may seem surprising, given that he has primarily focused on his batting throughout his career. However, he has occasionally bowled legbreaks in Test matches, claiming 13 wickets in 50 games.The upcoming Test series between Australia and India promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Labuschagne is expected to play a crucial role in Australia's middle order, while Kohli will be determined to lead India to victory.

Sarfaraz Khan's Maiden Test Century: A Moment of Triumph Amidst India's Bengaluru LossIn the recently concluded first Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, Sarfaraz Khan emerged as a beacon of hope for the Indian team. Despite India's eventual defeat, Khan's maiden Test century was a testament to his growing confidence and potential.With India in a precarious situation, Khan stepped up to the plate and played a pivotal role in the team's recovery. His century was a display of resilience and determination, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. The Mumbai batter's performance has raised expectations that he will be given a longer run in the playing XI.Beyond his on-field achievements, Khan also welcomed a new addition to his family during the match. The birth of his baby boy brought joy to the Khan household amidst the disappointment of India's loss.Expressing his delight after scoring his maiden Test century, Khan described the feeling as "flying in the sky." He credited star batter Virat Kohli for motivating him to back his skills and play his shots freely. Kohli's encouragement has played a significant role in Khan's development as a cricketer.Despite India's dismal performance in the first innings, where they were bowled out for a mere 46 runs, Khan and Rishab Pant provided some respite with their impressive batting in the second innings. Khan notched up 150 runs, while Pant contributed a valuable 99.While India's loss in Bengaluru was a setback, Khan's performance offers a glimmer of hope for the future. His maiden Test century is a testament to his talent and determination, and it is expected that he will continue to play a key role in the Indian team's success in the years to come.

Former England captain Michael Atherton has drawn comparisons between India's recent collapse to 46 all out against New Zealand and England's infamous 46 all out against West Indies in 1994. Atherton, now a respected pundit, highlighted the unique distinction held by Virat Kohli, who has been part of two of India's three lowest-ever scores.Atherton noted that India's collapse occurred in the first innings of a home Test, where they had won the toss and elected to bat. In contrast, England's 46 all out came in the final innings of an away Test, where they had lost the toss.Despite these differences, Atherton identified some similarities between the two innings. Both teams were bowled out by pace bowling, and both collapses featured a number of soft dismissals. Atherton also pointed out that both India and England had been in strong positions before their batting collapses.Atherton welcomed India captain Rohit Sharma to "his world," as he had also experienced the ignominy of captaining a side bowled out for 46. He emphasized the pain and embarrassment that follows such a collapse, despite the adulation from fans.Atherton's analysis highlights the fragility of batting in Test cricket, even for the world's best teams. It also raises questions about India's batting lineup, which has been under scrutiny in recent months.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has hailed Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as an "extraordinary leader" at the NDTV World Summit. Cameron, a self-proclaimed cricket enthusiast, was asked to name his favorite Indian cricketer and heaped praise on both Rahul Dravid and Kohli.Cameron recalled watching legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi and witnessing Dravid's brilliant century in England. He then highlighted Kohli's exceptional leadership qualities, stating that he had witnessed "incredible captaincy and inspiration" from the Indian batter on the field."I think in Virat Kohli, you had an extraordinary leader. Sometimes, you can see, as we have done with Ben Stokes as our captain, just incredible captaincy on the field and inspiration. I think you had that with Virat Kohli," Cameron said.Cameron also expressed his admiration for the upcoming generation of British-Indian cricketers, predicting that they would soon challenge India and potentially emerge victorious.Kohli recently joined an elite group of cricketers by scoring his 9,000th run in Test matches during the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Batting at No. 3, Kohli turned the tables after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings.Alongside Sarfaraz Khan, Kohli forged a crucial partnership of 136 runs that revived India's innings. He reached his half-century off 70 balls and carefully accumulated the additional three runs needed to reach the milestone.Kohli became the 18th player to score 9,000 runs in Test cricket and joined Joe Root and Steve Smith as the only active players in this exclusive club. He also became the fourth Indian to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

With the IPL player retention deadline looming, franchises are strategizing their rosters for the upcoming cycle. For the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the focus remains on Virat Kohli, but beyond that, the team faces a dilemma.RCB retained Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj ahead of the 2022 mega auction. However, Siraj's recent struggles and Maxwell's poor 2024 performance raise questions about their value. Skipper Faf Du Plessis' age (40) also presents a concern.Cameron Green, acquired from Mumbai Indians, is unlikely to be retained due to his recent back surgery. Dinesh Karthik's retirement leaves a void in the finisher role, while Rajat Patidar's potential may not warrant a significant investment.This leaves RCB with the need to rebuild at the mega auction. The Right to Match (RTM) option remains, but premium costs make it unlikely for multiple retentions. The team's priority is finding a long-term captain.Over the years, RCB has neglected local Bengaluru players. Devdutt Padikkal was the last consistent local talent, while Vyshak Vijay Kumar has played sparingly. Government pressure may force the franchise to prioritize Karnataka players in the auction.One potential target is KL Rahul, who fits the bill as a top-order batter, captaincy candidate, and local player. However, his availability depends on his relationship with the Lucknow Supergiants. If Rahul becomes available, RCB could face intense competition for his services.For RCB, the preparations revolve around Virat Kohli, with the rest of the roster to be determined at the auction. The team's future success hinges on finding the right balance of experience and potential.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, the celebrated Indian cricketer and Bollywood actress duo, graced the Krishna Das kirtan event at Nesco, Mumbai on October 20. Their presence added a touch of stardom to the spiritual gathering, where they immersed themselves in the serene atmosphere and sought blessings.The event organizers shared captivating images of the couple enjoying the live performance from the front row. Anushka Sharma was seen clapping enthusiastically as the crowd rose in unison, while Kohli beamed with joy throughout the event. The organizers expressed their gratitude on social media, stating that the couple's presence enhanced the collective devotion and made the gathering even more special.A video captured by attendees showcased the couple's heartfelt engagement with the kirtan. This is not the first time Kohli and Sharma have attended a Krishna Das kirtan. Earlier this year, they were spotted at a similar event in London.Kohli's recent cricketing endeavors saw him participate in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, where India unfortunately lost by eight wickets. Despite his valiant efforts, scoring 0 and 70 in the two innings, India faced setbacks in both innings. The second Test of the three-match series between India and New Zealand is scheduled to commence on October 24.