Cricket

India's remarkable 12-year winning streak on home soil came to an abrupt end with a clean sweep by New Zealand in the recently concluded Test series. This unprecedented defeat has sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket fraternity and raised questions about the team's future.The streak, which began in 2013, saw India dominate visiting teams at home, winning 42 and losing just four of 53 Tests. This dominance was built on a formidable spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who exploited the turning tracks prepared for home matches.However, the New Zealand series exposed some weaknesses in India's approach. The pitches, which were once considered fortresses for the spinners, failed to provide the same level of assistance, allowing the Kiwi batters to score freely. Additionally, India's batting lineup, which had been the backbone of their success, struggled against the disciplined bowling of the visitors.The defeat has raised concerns about the transition that India is facing. Ashwin and Jadeja, both in their late 30s, are nearing the end of their careers. The team's search for their successors has not yet yielded promising results. Similarly, the batting lineup, which has relied heavily on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, needs to find new stars to carry the mantle.The New Zealand series has served as a wake-up call for India. The team must now reassess its strategies and identify the areas that need improvement. The transition to a new generation of players will be challenging, but it is essential for India to maintain its status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have etched their name in the Indian Premier League (IPL) record books by equaling Mumbai Indians' (MI) feat of five consecutive victories over Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This remarkable achievement was secured after a dominant 7-wicket win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.PBKS's winning streak against CSK commenced in the 2021 IPL season and has continued unabated. Prior to this, MI held the record for the most successive wins against CSK, which they achieved between the 2018 and 2019 seasons.In addition to matching MI's record, PBKS also became the second franchise to record the most wins by a visiting team against CSK at Chepauk in the IPL. Mumbai Indians lead the way with five wins, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have three victories.The match itself was a one-sided affair, with PBKS effortlessly chasing down CSK's total of 163 with more than two overs to spare. Stand-in skipper Sam Curran's decision to bat first proved to be a masterstroke, as the dew factor made bowling difficult for CSK in the second half.Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for CSK with 62 off 48 deliveries, while MS Dhoni provided a late flourish with a quickfire 28. However, PBKS's batting lineup proved too strong, with Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw putting on a 64-run partnership to set the platform for victory.Curran and Shashank Singh then applied the finishing touches to seal a comprehensive 7-wicket win for PBKS. This victory not only extends their winning streak against CSK but also strengthens their position in the IPL standings.