Cricket

Ishan Kishan, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, made a surprise appearance in the India C team for the Duleep Trophy match against India B on Thursday. Despite being initially omitted from the squad, Kishan was included at the last moment and made a significant impact.Kishan's inclusion in the India C squad raised eyebrows, as he was previously ruled out of the first round of matches due to a groin injury. However, his recovery has been swift, and he was cleared to play in the second round.Batting at No. 4, Kishan showcased his aggressive style, scoring a brilliant 111 off 126 balls. His innings was studded with 14 fours and three sixes, demonstrating his ability to dominate the bowling attack.Kishan's performance is a welcome boost for India C, who are looking to secure a place in the final. It also serves as a reminder of his immense talent and potential.Despite his impressive performance, Kishan has faced criticism in the past for his perceived reluctance to participate in domestic cricket. However, his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad suggests that he is committed to regaining his place in the national team.Kishan's return to form is a positive sign for Indian cricket. With his aggressive batting and reliable wicketkeeping skills, he is a valuable asset to any team. His performance in the Duleep Trophy will be closely monitored, and if he continues to impress, he could soon be back in contention for international selection.

In a rare and unexpected turn of events, Jharkhand captain and star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan showcased his bowling skills during a Buchi Babu invitational tournament match against Hyderabad in Chennai. A viral video captured Kishan bowling off-spin with Jharkhand facing an uphill battle after a disappointing batting performance in the first innings. Despite the team's struggles, Kishan's bowling proved effective, as he conceded only five runs from his two overs.This surprising display of bowling prowess comes on the heels of Rishabh Pant's own bowling experiment during the Delhi Premier League (DPL). Notably, Kishan has never bowled for the Indian team or in the Indian Premier League. However, he has bowled five overs in First Class cricket, albeit without claiming a wicket.Kishan's bowling debut in the Buchi Babu tournament was not his only notable performance. He also excelled with the bat, helping Jharkhand secure a victory over Madhya Pradesh earlier this week. In the first innings, he scored a brilliant 114 off 107 balls. In the second innings, he remained unbeaten on 41, guiding Jharkhand to a two-wicket win.Kishan's return to red-ball cricket has been a resounding success. His decision to participate in the Buchi Babu tournament, despite not being initially included in Jharkhand's long list, has paid off handsomely. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Kishan has also expressed his desire to return to the Ranji Trophy fold during the 2024-25 season.Kishan's last domestic first-class game was in December 2022. His absence from the Ranji Trophy towards the end of the 2023-24 domestic season proved costly, as he was removed from the central contract list for not prioritizing domestic cricket. However, his recent performances suggest that he is fully committed to regaining his place in the Indian team.

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan etched his name in the annals of Test cricket history on Thursday, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter from his nation to score 150 or more since Kamran Akmal in 2009. Rizwan's unbeaten 171 against Sri Lanka in the ongoing first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium marked a significant milestone for Pakistan, ending a 15-year wait for such a feat.Rizwan's innings was a testament to his resilience and determination. After Pakistan lost three wickets for just 16 runs on Wednesday, Rizwan and Saud Shakeel steadied the ship with a 98-run partnership. Rizwan then went on to forge a mammoth 240-run stand with Shakeel, who also scored a brilliant 141.Rizwan's knock was a masterclass in batting. He played with patience and precision, accumulating runs steadily while also punishing loose deliveries. His innings included three towering sixes and 11 boundaries, showcasing his power and finesse.Despite Rizwan's heroics, Pakistan captain Shan Masood declared the innings at 448/6 late in the final session, denying Rizwan a double century. However, Rizwan's contribution was pivotal in giving Pakistan a commanding position in the match.Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan negotiated 12 overs of pace without any trouble, leaving Pakistan with work to do on Day 3. The Rawalpindi pitch has not provided much assistance to the bowlers so far, but Pakistan will hope that their bowlers can make inroads into the Bangladesh batting lineup.Rizwan's achievement is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has established himself as one of the most consistent and reliable wicketkeeper-batters in the world, and his latest feat is a testament to his exceptional talent.

Rishabh Pant, India's dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, made a measured return to competitive cricket in his Delhi Premier League (DPL) debut on Saturday. Captaining Purani Dilli 6, Pant scored a composed 35 runs off 32 deliveries against South Delhi Superstarz at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.While the knock lacked the explosive flair Pant is known for, it showcased his evolving approach and adaptability. His innings, featuring four boundaries and a six, came at a strike rate of 109, indicating a more calculated strategy compared to his usual aggressive style.Pant's return to the field was met with much fanfare. Prior to the match, he was felicitated by Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla for his pivotal role in India's recent ICC T20 World Cup triumph.In the World Cup, Pant played a crucial role, amassing 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 24.42. His highest score of 42 came in challenging conditions at the Nassau County Stadium in the USA, demonstrating his temperament and ability to anchor the innings when needed. Beyond his batting contributions, Pant was exceptional behind the stumps, claiming 13 catches and effecting one stumping to finish with a tournament-high 14 dismissals.Pant's participation added further luster to the inaugural edition of the Delhi Premier League, which commenced with a star-studded opening ceremony at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The event, featuring performances by music icon Badshah and actress Sonam Bajwa, was attended by prominent figures from the DDCA, franchise owners, players, and support staff from all participating teams.The tournament, scheduled to run from August 17 to September 8, 2024, promises 23 days of exhilarating cricketing action. A total of 40 matches – 33 in the men's category and 7 in the women's – are slated to be played, offering a platform for both established and emerging talent to showcase their skills.

Jamie Smith, England's wicketkeeper-batter, has opened up about the mental toll of his first three weeks as a Test cricketer. Despite making two attacking half-centuries, Smith found the experience "mentally draining."Smith's workload was compounded by his wicketkeeping duties, which he admitted contributed to his fatigue. He also acknowledged the intense emotions and expectations that come with Test cricket."It's been different for me," Smith said. "Mentally and physically, it was quite a lot in three weeks, going from county cricket into that, and with the potential for more stuff to come."Smith's admission highlights the challenges of transitioning from domestic to international cricket. The intensity and pressure of Test cricket can be overwhelming for even the most experienced players.Despite the mental toll, Smith remains open to moving up the batting order to No. 6 in the absence of Ben Stokes. He has batted at various positions in his career and believes he can adapt to the role.England have two options to replace Stokes: bring in uncapped batter Jordan Cox or promote Smith and Chris Woakes up the order. Smith's experience as a specialist batter in the County Championship could make him a suitable candidate for No. 6.Smith's workload management will be crucial in the coming months. England have a busy schedule, including white-ball series against Australia and West Indies, and Test series in Pakistan and New Zealand.Smith's girlfriend is also expecting their first child in December, which could affect his availability for some of England's Test series in New Zealand."It's not been massively discussed," Smith said. "I'll just play it by ear… there's no guarantee that I'll be selected for anything moving forward anyway."Smith's situation underscores the challenges of balancing international cricket with personal commitments. As England look to manage their players' workloads, Smith's versatility and adaptability will be valuable assets.

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has expressed his desire to move past his past differences with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and contribute to the team's success. Speaking at the Eden Gardens, Saha emphasized his focus on the present and his willingness to serve Bengal cricket in any capacity.Saha, 39, parted ways with Bengal before the 2022-23 season following a dispute with CAB joint-secretary Debabrata Das. However, he has now indicated his readiness to reconcile and help the team achieve its goals. "I don't think of the past or the future, but only stay in the present. And on that note, currently, all I am thinking about is about playing for Bengal. I have forgotten everything that happened in the past," he said.Saha also expressed his openness to coaching Bengal in the future. "I am open to help Bengal in any capacity possible. Since I am a cricketer, I would be better off helping Bengal in coaching instead of any administrative role," he said.CAB president Snehasish Ganguly welcomed Saha's return, acknowledging his experience and value to the team. "Someone of Saha's experience was necessary for Bengal to fill the gap left by Tiwary," Ganguly said.Saha's return raises questions about the balance between grooming young wicketkeeper Abishek Porel and utilizing Saha's experience. However, Saha assured that he would support Porel's growth and ensure he doesn't fall by the wayside. "Even before I left Bengal, I was grooming Abishek from the sidelines, and that will continue," Saha said.Saha also addressed concerns about the lack of Bengali cricketers in the Bengal team. He emphasized that merit should be the primary criteria for selection. "If you play well, you will get an opportunity, and that's what has been happening in Bengal," he said.Despite a disappointing season last year, Saha remains optimistic about Bengal's prospects. "I am sure the management will aim to give Abishek all the opportunities possible," he said. "I can understand that some people may feel that the Bengal team should have more Bengalis, but I don't feel that's enough reason as talent and hard work should be the primary criteria."

Sanju Samson, the enigmatic wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, has been a constant subject of debate among cricket enthusiasts. Despite his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and sporadic appearances for the national team, Samson has often found himself on the sidelines of the Indian squad.Samson's international debut came in 2015, but he has since struggled to cement his place in the team. He was overlooked for the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 squads, despite his consistent performances in the IPL. He was eventually included in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad but did not feature in any matches.Recently, Samson played two matches in India's three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, but failed to score a single run. Despite these setbacks, the 29-year-old remains unfazed."I will just go and play whenever they select me. That's it! End of the day, our team is doing well. I am the kind of person who believes in higher purpose. I just try to take things positively under controllable circumstances and put up the efforts," Samson said at a recent event.Samson's resilience is evident in his performances for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In the 2024 season, he emerged as the fifth highest run-scorer with 531 runs in 15 matches.Overall, Samson has played 30 T20Is for India, scoring 444 runs, and 16 ODIs, scoring 510 runs. He has also played 167 IPL matches, amassing 4419 runs.Despite his impressive record, Samson's omission from the Indian team has raised questions about the selection criteria. Some experts believe that his inconsistent performances in international cricket have cost him his place, while others argue that he deserves more opportunities.As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024, Samson's form and selection will be closely monitored. If he can replicate his IPL performances on the international stage, he could prove to be a valuable asset for the team.

Melbourne Renegades have bolstered their batting lineup with the acquisition of New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert on a two-year deal. The 29-year-old will be available for the entirety of the next two BBL seasons as the Renegades aim to improve upon their seventh-place finish last season.Seifert's signing means he will miss a portion of the Super Smash, New Zealand's domestic T20 tournament, and will not be available for the white-ball series against Pakistan over the Christmas and New Year period.With an impressive international record of three ODIs and 61 T20Is for New Zealand, Seifert brings a wealth of experience to the Renegades. He has also featured in T20 leagues worldwide, averaging 27.43 with a strike rate of 130.12 in the format, including three centuries.In the recent Lanka Premier League, Seifert emerged as the leading run-scorer with 400 runs at an average of 57.14 and a strike rate of 135.13.Seifert is expected to form a formidable top three for the Renegades alongside Josh Brown and Jake Fraser-McGurk. He is also a frontrunner to take over the wicketkeeping duties, a role shared by overseas signings Quinton de Kock and Jordan Cox last season."I'm thrilled to be here for the next two seasons," said Seifert. "I'll be able to enjoy the environment and get to know the club on a deeper level, which doesn't often happen in franchise cricket. I'm excited to call myself a Gade for the next couple of seasons at least."Renegades general manager James Rosengarten expressed his delight at Seifert's signing. "Tim gives us a double threat; we get a powerful and skilled batter plus an established international keeper and regular member of the Blackcaps program," said Rosengarten. "We're excited to welcome him into the club."The BBL draft will take place on September 1, with the Renegades holding pick numbers 2, 10, 23, and 26.

Since his abrupt departure from the Indian Test team in South Africa last year, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has struggled to regain his place in the national setup. Despite being part of the ODI World Cup team in India last year, Kishan failed to feature in any matches. His subsequent absence from domestic cricket and a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign have further diminished his chances of a recall.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has attributed Kishan's downfall to a loss of focus, suggesting that he became preoccupied with fashion. Ali believes that Kishan's chances of returning to the Indian team are slim, given the strong competition from Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and other emerging keeper-batters.Kishan's decision to leave the South Africa tour midway has also raised questions about his commitment. He cited fatigue as the reason for his departure, but his subsequent absence from domestic cricket raised eyebrows. In an interview with Indian Express, Kishan explained that he was experiencing travel fatigue and needed a break. However, his explanation has not been widely accepted.Kishan's poor form in the IPL 2024, where he managed only 324 runs in 14 games, further damaged his chances of a recall. He was subsequently ignored for the T20 World Cup in the Americas, which India won.With the likes of Pant, Samson, and other talented keeper-batters vying for a place in the Indian team, Kishan's chances of a comeback appear to be dwindling. He will need to rediscover his form and prove his commitment to the team if he wants to regain his place in the national setup.