Cricket

Australia's white-ball season kicks off with a three-match ODI series against Pakistan, marking the first international cricket action for both teams in nearly a year. The series serves as a crucial preparation for Australia's Champions Trophy campaign, while Pakistan aims to build a competitive squad for the home tournament.Despite the absence of Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Cameron Green, Australia's ODI team remains largely settled. Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell headline the lineup, with Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short vying for Head's spot.Pakistan, on the other hand, has undergone significant changes since their last ODI outing. Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah return to the squad, while Mohammad Rizwan takes over the captaincy. The team is still searching for a stable XI, with Faisal Akram, a promising left-arm wristspinner, a potential inclusion.The series will be played on a pitch that has traditionally favored fast bowlers, and the overcast conditions could further assist the quicks. Australia holds a 10-4 win record against Pakistan at the MCG, but the visitors will be eager to break their recent losing streak.

Captain Liam Livingstone's maiden ODI century, coupled with a crucial 140-run partnership with Sam Curran, propelled England to a thrilling five-wicket victory over West Indies in the second ODI at Bridgetown, Barbados. The triumph leveled the three-match series at 1-1.Livingstone, who had been touted as one of England's most promising talents, finally showcased his full potential with a masterful innings of 124 not out from 85 deliveries. His century, which included 12 fours and four sixes, was a testament to his growing maturity and confidence as a batsman.West Indies had set England a formidable target of 329 after Shai Hope's 117 anchored their innings. Phil Salt's 59 and Jacob Bethell's maiden ODI half-century provided a solid foundation for England's chase.However, it was Livingstone's partnership with Curran that proved decisive. The duo combined for 140 runs, with Curran contributing a valuable 52 from 50 balls. Livingstone's ability to control the chase and accelerate when necessary was particularly impressive.Despite the loss of wickets at regular intervals, England remained composed and never allowed the required run rate to get out of hand. Livingstone's calm and collected approach at the crease inspired his teammates and ultimately led to the victory.The match was not without its moments of drama. West Indies had England on the ropes at 176-4 in the 30th over, but Livingstone and Curran's partnership turned the tide in England's favor.The victory was a significant boost for England, who had lost the first ODI by eight wickets. It also highlighted the growing depth and talent within the English ODI squad.

Smriti Mandhana, the prodigious Indian batter, has etched her name in the annals of women's cricket by surpassing Mithali Raj's record for the most ODI centuries scored by an Indian woman. With her latest century against New Zealand, Mandhana now boasts an impressive tally of eight ODI hundreds, eclipsing Raj's previous record of seven.Mandhana's remarkable achievement is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. At just 27 years of age, she is already one of India's most prolific batters and is well on her way to challenging Meg Lanning's record of 15 ODI centuries. Having reached her current tally in just 88 matches, Mandhana has ample time to pursue this feat, especially considering her prime form.Throughout her ODI career, Mandhana has amassed a staggering 3,690 runs with an impressive average of 45.00 and a strike rate of 84.92. In addition to her eight centuries, she has also notched up 27 half-centuries, further solidifying her status as a consistent run-scorer.Mandhana's aggressive style of play and unwavering consistency have been instrumental in her success. Her ability to consistently score big runs is evident in her impressive average and strike rate, which rank her among the best in the game.Reflecting on her record-breaking performance, Mandhana acknowledged the challenges she faced during the recent T20 World Cup in UAE. However, she expressed her determination to move forward and regain the team's confidence."It's not been easy, the last one and a half months for the team," Mandhana said. "We had a lot of expectations from all of us individually and as a team in the World Cup. The series came too soon for everyone. Half of everyone's mind was still on the World Cup. This series win (against NZ) is definitely going to boost confidence, especially this being such a young team, they take things to heart. I'm really happy that we could win the series today and start the journey again."Mandhana's record-breaking achievement is a source of immense pride for Indian cricket and serves as an inspiration to aspiring young batters. Her journey towards challenging Meg Lanning's record is sure to be an exciting one, and her fans will be eagerly following her progress.

Tom Latham's maiden Test captaincy assignment was a daunting one: leading New Zealand on a tour of India, a formidable opponent with an unblemished home record since 2012. The Kiwis had only managed two Test victories in India since their first match in 1955, and even the legendary Stephen Fleming couldn't secure a win on Indian soil.Despite the odds stacked against them, Latham approached the challenge with a calm and methodical style. His level-headed demeanor maintained team morale, especially in tense situations. In the first Test at Bengaluru, Latham's decision to bowl first proved advantageous as the Kiwis bundled out India for their lowest-ever Test total at home - 46.In the second Test on a turning track in Pune, Mitchell Santner's 13 wickets in the match played a crucial role. However, Latham's 86 in the second innings was equally significant, setting India a daunting target of 359 runs. The hosts fell short, handing New Zealand a historic 113-run victory and their first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil.Latham's experience as an opening batsman and seasoned Test player provided him with a deep understanding of New Zealand's strengths and weaknesses. He employed a balanced strategy, rotating bowlers effectively and adjusting fields to counter India's batting style. His approach emphasized resilience and discipline, encouraging his team to grind out runs and bowl consistently.Latham's trust in younger players like Daryl Mitchell and Will Young paid dividends, adding depth and adaptability to the New Zealand team. While his captaincy style may not have been as aggressive as some, his steady and balanced approach aligned well with the team's ethos.Despite the absence of batting mainstay Kane Williamson due to injury, Latham led New Zealand to a historic victory in India. His leadership provided stability and confidence, ensuring the Kiwis made history. Tom Latham's maiden Test captaincy assignment will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the finest in New Zealand cricket history.

Melbourne Stars Triumph Over Hobart Hurricanes with Bhatia's Stellar KnockIn a thrilling Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) encounter at Junction Oval, the Melbourne Stars emerged victorious over the Hobart Hurricanes by a comfortable seven-wicket margin. Indian opener Yastika Bhatia played a pivotal role in the Stars' success, anchoring their chase with a classy half-century.Batting first, the Hurricanes posted a competitive total of 133 for 7. Nicola Carey and Chloe Tryon provided the backbone of their innings, contributing 44 and 35 runs respectively. However, the Stars' bowling attack, led by Marizanne Kapp and Kim Garth, kept the Hurricanes in check.In response, the Stars chased down the target with ease, reaching 136 for 3 with 13 balls to spare. Bhatia led the charge with a superb 57 off 46 deliveries, including seven boundaries and a six. Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland also made significant contributions with the bat.Bhatia expressed her gratitude to Lanning for her guidance during the power surge, which helped her navigate the Hurricanes' bowling attack. She also acknowledged the presence of her family, making the victory even more special.Heather Graham provided some resistance for the Hurricanes, dismissing both Stars openers. Carey also claimed the crucial wicket of Lanning. However, the Stars' batting depth proved too strong, with Bhatia, Lanning, and Sutherland guiding them to a comfortable victory.Indian offspinner Deepti Sharma made her Stars debut in this match, taking 1 for 27 from four overs. Her economical spell further bolstered the Stars' bowling attack.

India's hopes of salvaging a win in the third and final Test against New Zealand hinge on the shoulders of their senior batters, particularly Virat Kohli. The Wankhede pitch has proven to be a spinner's paradise, with 24 of the 29 wickets falling to tweakers so far.New Zealand, who were bowled out for 171 in their first innings, hold a slender lead of 143 runs. India will likely chase around 150-160 when play resumes on Sunday.Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have been India's standout performers with the ball, taking seven wickets between them. However, New Zealand's spin attack, led by Ajaz Patel, poses a significant threat.Kohli has endured a difficult series, but his experience and class could prove invaluable in a tense, low-scoring contest. The former Indian captain has struggled for consistency, but he has the ability to produce match-winning performances when it matters most.India's younger batters, such as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, have shown promise, but they may struggle against New Zealand's spin-heavy attack. Senior players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma will need to handle the pressure and guide India to victory.For Kohli, this match represents an opportunity to redeem himself and gain valuable form ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. A match-winning innings would not only give India a consolation win but also provide the veteran batter a much-needed confidence boost.With New Zealand having spun their way to victories in Bengaluru and Pune, India will need Kohli to dig deep and navigate a challenging pitch to prevent a rare series whitewash at home. The stage is set for a classic fourth-innings battle, and Kohli's experience could make all the difference.

Rishabh Pant's release from the Delhi Capitals has sparked a frenzy among IPL franchises eager to acquire the star wicket-keeper batter. However, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), despite being linked with Pant, faces challenges in securing his services due to financial constraints.CSK retained Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana, and MS Dhoni ahead of the auction, leaving them with only one Right To Match (RTM) card. They are likely to use this card for opening batter Devon Conway.With just INR 55 crore remaining in their purse, CSK may struggle to compete for Pant, who is expected to fetch a fee of around INR 25 crore. The Super Kings have several areas to address, and spending such a significant amount on Pant could disrupt their balance.Other franchises with larger purses, such as Punjab Kings (INR 110.5 crore), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (INR 83 crore), and Lucknow Super Giants (INR 69 crore), are better positioned to sign Pant. Gujarat Titans (INR 69 crore) could also be in the race.Meanwhile, CSK could potentially reunite with Ravichandran Ashwin, who was released by the Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin has expressed his desire to play for his home franchise again, and this auction could provide an opportunity for that dream to be realized.

Rohit Sharma, India's captain, has faced criticism for his recent batting performances in Test matches. Despite leading India to victory in the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup, Rohit's Test form has been a cause for concern.In the recent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, Rohit failed to score a century and reached double figures only once. His dismissals have often been through clean bowling, a sign of vulnerability to early swing and seam movement.As India's captain and a senior batsman, Rohit faces pressure to perform and lead by example. However, this pressure can make it challenging to play with a free-flowing style, especially in high-stakes tournaments.Rohit's poor form has raised questions about his suitability as Test captain. Some critics have called for a change in leadership, while others believe that Rohit deserves more time to prove himself.With India's upcoming tour of Australia approaching, Rohit has one more chance to prove his worth as a Test batsman. A victory in the third Test against New Zealand would save India from a clean sweep at home and provide some respite for Rohit.However, the knives will be out Down Under, where India will face a formidable Australian team. Rohit's batting form will be crucial to India's chances of success in Australia.

KL Rahul's omission from the Lucknow Super Giants' retained players list for the IPL 2025 auctions has sparked speculation about his future destination. The former LSG captain, who was one of the most sought-after players in the league, is now a free agent and could be pursued by several franchises.One potential suitor is Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rahul's former team. RCB legend AB de Villiers has hinted that the franchise may be interested in bringing Rahul back. "If only we kept hold of KL Rahul, we never would've had to buy him back in the auction," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.De Villiers also suggested that RCB could target Kagiso Rabada, the South African fast bowler who had a disappointing IPL season with Punjab Kings in 2024. "Kagiso Rabada would be nice at RCB; that would be very, very cool," de Villiers said. "He is a guy that might go for a decent price like a discount. I think he is gonna have the best IPL of his life coming up in 2025."Another team that could be interested in Rahul is Punjab Kings. Newly-appointed coach Ricky Ponting expressed surprise at Rahul's release by LSG. "It seems certain franchises are aiming for a change in direction," Ponting said.Rahul's availability in the auction pool has created a buzz among IPL fans. The 31-year-old is a proven match-winner and has been one of the most consistent performers in the league. He has scored over 3,000 runs in the IPL, including two centuries and 27 half-centuries.Rahul's leadership skills are also highly regarded. He led LSG to the playoffs in their debut season in 2022. He has also captained India in limited-overs cricket.With the IPL 2025 auctions set to take place in December, Rahul's future destination remains uncertain. However, it is clear that he will be one of the most sought-after players in the league.