Cricket

Rishabh Pant's valiant half-century in the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was a beacon of hope for Team India, but his controversial dismissal left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans and pundits alike.With India reeling at 29/5 in pursuit of 147 runs for victory, Pant entered the fray and played a counterattacking knock, reaching his fifty in just 48 balls. His aggressive approach gave India a glimmer of hope, but his innings was cut short in the 22nd over.Ajaz Patel's delivery initially appeared to miss Pant's bat, but replays indicated a spike on UltraEdge as the ball passed. The on-field umpire initially ruled not out, but New Zealand captain Tom Latham and Patel convinced him to review the decision.After a tense wait, the third umpire ruled in favor of the fielding team, much to the dismay of Pant and the Indian team. Pant briefly contested the decision with the on-field umpire before expressing his disappointment in the dressing room.Despite the setback, Pant finished the three-match series as the top run-scorer with 261 runs at an average of 43.50 and a strike rate of 89.38. His impressive performance included three half-centuries, with a highest score of 99.Pant's dismissal sparked a heated debate on social media, with many fans and experts questioning the decision. Some argued that the sound on UltraEdge could have been caused by Pant's bat hitting his pads, while others maintained that the ball had clearly nicked the bat.The incident highlighted the challenges of using technology in cricket and the fine line between a legitimate dismissal and an unfortunate error. It also served as a reminder of the immense pressure that players face in high-stakes matches.Despite the loss, Pant's fighting spirit and determination left a lasting impression on fans. His performance in the series showcased his ability to counterattack on challenging pitches and his unwavering belief in his team.

India's Test dominance at home has been shattered by New Zealand, who have inflicted a humiliating 0-3 whitewash on the hosts. This is the first time India have been swept aside in a home Test series since 1998, when Australia achieved the feat.The Kiwis' triumph began with an eight-wicket victory in Bengaluru, followed by a 113-run triumph in Pune. In Mumbai, they completed the clean sweep with a 25-run win at the Wankhede Stadium.Chasing a modest 147, India's batting crumbled once again. Captain Rohit Sharma (11) fell early, followed by Shubman Gill (1) and Virat Kohli (1). Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) and Sarfaraz Khan (1) also departed cheaply, leaving India reeling at 29/5.Rishabh Pant (64) and Ravindra Jadeja (28) provided some resistance with a 42-run stand, but Pant's dismissal after lunch triggered a collapse. Ajaz Patel (6/57) was the wrecker-in-chief, while Matt Henry (1/10) and Glenn Philips (3/42) also contributed.New Zealand's victory marks the first time they have won a Test series in India since 2012. They are also the first team to whitewash India in a home Test series in over 24 years.India's batting woes have been a major concern throughout the series. The top order has failed to provide a solid foundation, while the middle order has been unable to capitalize on starts. The bowling attack, led by Jadeja, has been competitive but has lacked support from the batsmen.New Zealand, on the other hand, have played with great discipline and determination. Their bowlers have been relentless, while their batsmen have shown resilience and adaptability.The whitewash is a major setback for India, who have been the dominant force in Test cricket in recent years. It will be interesting to see how they respond in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional bowling performance in the third and final Test against New Zealand at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history. The all-rounder claimed five wickets in both innings, completing a remarkable 10-wicket haul (10/120) and becoming only the second Indian to achieve this feat against the Kiwis.Jadeja's first-innings five-fer gave India a crucial early advantage, dismissing New Zealand for a mere 162 runs. His relentless pressure continued in the second innings, as he picked up another five wickets to dismantle the opposition's batting lineup. This is the first time in his career that Jadeja has taken a five-wicket haul in both innings of a Test match.Jadeja's performance is a testament to his exceptional skill and consistency. He has now joined an elite group of Indian bowlers with multiple 10-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Here's the updated list:1. Anil Kumble – 82. R. Ashwin – 8*3. Harbhajan Singh – 54. Ravindra Jadeja – 3*5. Kapil Dev – 26. Irfan Pathan – 2Jadeja's second-innings performance maintained relentless pressure on the New Zealand lineup, forcing them to follow-on. India eventually won the match by an innings and 266 runs, completing a 3-0 series sweep.Jadeja's 10-wicket haul is a fitting tribute to his all-round abilities. He has emerged as one of the most valuable players in the Indian team, contributing with both bat and ball. His performance in this series has further cemented his status as one of the world's leading all-rounders.

India's quest for a series-leveling victory against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium took a significant turn on the final day, as Ravindra Jadeja's devastating bowling performance set up a challenging chase of 147 runs.Resuming the day with a slender lead of 143 and only one wicket remaining, New Zealand's hopes rested on the shoulders of their last pair, Ajaz Patel and Will Somerville. However, Jadeja proved too formidable, dismissing Patel with a sharp-turning delivery that found the edge and was caught at deep midwicket.With the last wicket down, India's bowlers had completed a remarkable turnaround, having conceded 235 runs in the first innings but restricting New Zealand to just 174 in the second. Jadeja's match figures of 5-55 were his second-best in Test cricket, while Ashwin chipped in with 3-63.The target of 147 runs is the highest fourth-innings chase ever set at the Wankhede Stadium. Only eight teams have successfully chased down a higher target in the fourth innings of a Test match.India's pursuit of victory began cautiously, with openers Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill negotiating the early overs without any major alarms. However, the task ahead remains daunting, as the pitch is expected to deteriorate further and assist the spinners.If India can pull off this chase, it will be a remarkable achievement, considering their struggles in the first two Tests of the series. A victory would also prevent New Zealand from completing their first-ever series whitewash in India in a series of three Tests or more.

Ajaz Patel, New Zealand's premier spinner, has rediscovered his form in the ongoing Test series against India. After a disappointing start to the series, Patel has emerged as a key figure for the Black Caps, claiming 5/103 in the first innings of the third Test in Mumbai.Patel's performance in Mumbai was a reminder of his heroics at the same venue in 2021, where he became only the third bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings. His latest five-wicket haul has helped New Zealand restrict India to a manageable total of 263, giving them a glimmer of hope in the series.Patel's resurgence has been a welcome boost for New Zealand, who have struggled to contain India's batting lineup in the first two Tests. The left-arm spinner has credited his improved performance to a change in mindset and a renewed focus on his strengths."I've been working hard on my game and trying to stay positive," Patel said after the day's play. "I knew that if I kept putting in the effort, the wickets would eventually come."Patel's performance has also been praised by his teammates, who have hailed his resilience and determination."Ajaz is a world-class spinner," said New Zealand captain Tim Southee. "He's shown great character to bounce back from a tough start to the series. His wickets today were crucial for us."With the series still in the balance, Patel will be looking to continue his good form in the remaining two Tests. If he can maintain his current level of performance, he could play a pivotal role in helping New Zealand salvage a draw or even an unlikely victory.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, made history on day two of the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai by batting at number 10 for the first time in his illustrious Test career.Throughout his career, Ashwin has primarily batted at number 8, where he has amassed 1977 runs in 83 innings at an average of 26.01, with four centuries and seven half-centuries to his name. He has also found considerable success at number 6, where he has accumulated 531 runs at an average of 35.40, including two Test centuries.Prior to this innings, Ashwin's lowest batting position was number 9, where he had featured in 20 innings. The only previous instance of Ashwin batting at number 10 in international cricket occurred in a T20I against England in 2011.Ashwin's innings at number 10 was brief, as he edged an Ajaz Patel delivery to Daryl Mitchell at slip while attempting a defensive stroke, departing for six runs off 13 balls. However, his appearance at this position marked a significant milestone in his career.Across his 105 Test matches, Ashwin has compiled 3466 runs at an average of 26.06, including six centuries and fourteen half-centuries. His batting prowess has often been overshadowed by his exceptional bowling skills, but he has consistently contributed with the bat, providing valuable runs for the Indian team.Ashwin's batting at number 10 is a testament to his versatility and adaptability. It also highlights the depth of India's batting lineup, which allows them to experiment with different batting orders depending on the match situation.

Rishabh Pant Blazes to Record-Breaking Test Fifty Against New ZealandIndian star batter Rishabh Pant etched his name into the record books on Saturday, smashing the fastest Test fifty by an Indian against New Zealand. On Day 2 of the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Pant reached his half-century in a blistering 36 balls, eclipsing Yashasvi Jaiswal's previous mark of 41 balls set in the Pune Test.Pant's whirlwind innings came at a crucial juncture for India, who had suffered a mini-collapse late on Day 1. Joining Shubman Gill at the crease, Pant played with characteristic aggression, helping India recover from the loss of key wickets, including Virat Kohli and Jaiswal.The left-hander's quickfire 60, adorned with eight boundaries and two towering sixes, shifted the momentum back in India's favor. Pant's fearless approach kept the New Zealand bowlers on their toes, forcing them to adjust their tactics.However, Pant's luck ran out when he was trapped lbw by Ish Sodhi. Despite his dismissal, Pant's 60 off 59 balls, including two sixes and eight fours, left an indelible mark on India's innings.Pant's record-breaking fifty is a testament to his exceptional talent and ability to play match-winning knocks under pressure. It also highlights the growing maturity and consistency of the young Indian batter, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in world cricket.

Ravindra Jadeja's mesmerizing spell of left-arm spin wreaked havoc on New Zealand's batting lineup in the first innings of the third Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.With India already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, New Zealand opted to bat first after winning the toss. They made a promising start, reaching 159 for 4 with Will Young and Daryl Mitchell forging a solid partnership of 87 runs.However, the introduction of Jadeja proved to be a game-changer. The veteran spinner extracted sharp turn and bounce from the pitch, making life difficult for the Kiwi batsmen. In the 45th over, he struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Young for 71 and Tom Blundell for a three-ball duck.Jadeja's relentless attack continued, as he claimed the next three wickets to fall. He rattled the stumps behind Glenn Phillips for 17, trapped Ish Sodhi in front for 7, and cleaned up Matt Henry for 0 in his second double-wicket over of the day. This brought up his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.New Zealand's innings crumbled rapidly after Jadeja's onslaught. Off-spinner Washington Sundar joined the party, dismissing top-scorer Mitchell for 82 and Ajaz Patel for 7 to finish with impressive figures of 4 for 81.The Kiwis were eventually bowled out for 235 in 65.4 overs, with Jadeja finishing with a match-winning haul of 5 for 47. His exceptional performance put India in a commanding position in the match and brought them closer to a series sweep.

Virat Kohli's Infectious Dance Moves Light Up Wankhede StadiumIndian cricket superstar Virat Kohli brought a touch of Bollywood flair to the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. Amidst the intense competition, Kohli couldn't resist showcasing his playful side by dancing to the iconic Bollywood number "My Name is Lakhan" from the 1988 film Ram Lakhan.Kohli's infectious dance moves were captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, delighting fans and teammates alike. The moment provided a lighthearted respite from the high-stakes match, showcasing Kohli's ability to find joy even in the most competitive of environments.The dance came just a day after Kohli was retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the next three IPL seasons. The Rs 21 crore contract makes Kohli the joint-second costliest retained player in the IPL 2025 retention list, alongside Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad leads the list with a Rs 23 crore retention.Kohli's retention by RCB is a testament to his enduring value as a player and leader. The former Indian captain has been a cornerstone of the franchise since 2008, leading them to two IPL titles and numerous other accolades.Kohli's dance at the Wankhede Stadium is a reminder that even the most accomplished athletes can find moments of joy and levity amidst the pressures of competition. His infectious enthusiasm and playful spirit are a testament to his love for the game and his ability to connect with fans on a personal level.