Cricket

Mumbai's bowlers, led by Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur, dominated the opening day of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Tamil Nadu, bowling out the visitors for a paltry 146.Deshpande (3/24) and Thakur (2/48) exploited the movement and turn on offer at the BKC Ground, making life miserable for the Tamil Nadu batters. B Sai Sudharsan was trapped leg-before on the fourth ball of the match, setting the tone for a disastrous start for the visitors.Mohit Avasthi had N Jagadeesan caught at short leg, while Deshpande took a fine return catch to dismiss Pradosh Ranjan Paul. Tamil Nadu skipper B Sai Kishore promoted himself ahead of Baba Indrajith, but his footwork was all over the place as Deshpande bowled him for 17.Tanush Kotian took a sharp diving catch to remove Indrajith, leaving Tamil Nadu reeling at 17/4. Vijay Shankar and Washington Sundar fought back with a 67-run partnership, but Deshpande's relentless pressure led to Shankar's dismissal for 44.Sundar, who was dropped twice, showed some resistance with a 43-ball 43, but Mohammed Mohammed's late flurry of fours helped Tamil Nadu reach 146.Mumbai lost Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani cheaply, but Musheer Khan (24 not out) and nightwatchman Mohit Avasthi (1 not out) guided the hosts to 45/2 at stumps, trailing by 101 runs.

Joe Root's controversial LBW dismissal in the fourth India-England Test in Ranchi has sparked a heated debate over the use of DRS (decision review system). The England camp has vehemently criticized the technology, demanding its abolition, while former skipper Michael Vaughan has labeled Root's dismissal a "shocker."Paul Hawkins, founder of Hawk-Eye, the technology provider for DRS, has hit back at Vaughan's comments, dismissing them as "uneducated." He maintains that the correct decision was made by third umpire Joel Wilson in overturning on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena's call.Hawkins has accused Vaughan of lacking understanding of the technology and its operation. He has urged journalists to be more responsible in their reporting and to ensure factual accuracy.Vaughan, in response, has demanded full transparency from Hawk-Eye, requesting them to demonstrate the exact workings of the system. He believes that this will help dispel any misconceptions and provide a clearer understanding of how DRS operates.The DRS controversy has cast a shadow over the ongoing Test series, which India has already clinched with an unassailable 3-1 lead. The fifth and final game will commence in Dharamsala on March 7.

The absence of Virat Kohli has cast a long shadow over the India-England Test series, with legendary England pacer James Anderson expressing his disappointment at missing out on a chance to face the Indian batting maestro.Kohli opted out of the series citing personal reasons, having recently welcomed his second child with wife Anushka Sharma. Anderson, who has engaged in several memorable on-field battles with Kohli, lamented the star batter's absence."Yeah, you always want to play against the best players. And it's been a shame that he's not been a part of the series. We have had some great battles over the years," Anderson said on JioCinema.Anderson acknowledged that Kohli's absence may have been a relief for England fans, but he emphasized the importance of facing the world's best players."I guess English fans will be thankful he's not playing because he's such a quality player. But from our point of view you want to test yourself, you want to come up against the best and he's been someone who I've found really challenging to bowl at over the years and it's a shame he's not been playing," Anderson added.India have already secured an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, with the fifth and final Test set to be played in Edgbaston. India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will return for the final Test, while batter KL Rahul will miss out again due to a quad injury.Despite Kohli's absence, the series has been marked by intense competition and high-quality cricket. England will be looking to salvage some pride in the final Test, while India will aim to complete a memorable series victory.

Western Australia's quest for a third consecutive Sheffield Shield title gained momentum after a dominant bowling performance against Queensland at the WACA Ground.In response to WA's competitive 310, Queensland were bundled out for a paltry 170 in 54.5 overs on a challenging day marked by overcast conditions and gusty winds. WA openers Cameron Bancroft and Sam Whiteman safely negotiated 16 runs before lightning forced an early end to the day's play.Spinner Corey Rocchiccioli played a pivotal role in dismantling Queensland's tail, claiming 4 for 54. Joel Paris continued his impressive form with 2 for 15 off 12 overs, while Charlie Stobo and Cameron Gannon also chipped in with wickets.Queensland's top order faltered in the overcast conditions, with Paris dismissing Bryce Street for a duck. Gannon produced a spectacular diving one-handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss Angus Lovell. Jack Clayton, Jimmy Peirson, and Jack Wildermuth all made starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores.WA's bowlers maintained a relentless pressure, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Queensland managed to add 46 runs for their last two wickets, but WA held a commanding lead of 156 runs.The victory puts WA in a strong position to secure a top-two finish in the Shield standings. They currently sit third but have an opportunity to leapfrog second-placed Victoria, who are facing defeat against ladder leaders Tasmania.WA will face Victoria in the final round at Junction Oval, meaning their fate is in their own hands. Bancroft and Whiteman will be crucial in forming a solid second-innings partnership when play resumes on Sunday.

Gautam Gambhir Steps Down from Political Duties to Focus on CricketFormer Indian cricketer and current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir has requested party president J.P. Nadda to relieve him of his political responsibilities. This decision comes as Gambhir prepares to take on a new role in the upcoming cricket season.Gambhir, who represents the East Delhi constituency in Parliament, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the opportunity to serve the people. He stated that he had made the request to focus on his upcoming cricket commitments.Gambhir's decision to step down from politics marks a significant shift in his career. He joined the BJP in March 2019 and was elected to the Lok Sabha in the subsequent general election. During his tenure as an MP, Gambhir has been actively involved in various initiatives, including promoting sports and education.However, Gambhir's passion for cricket has remained strong. He has recently returned to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise as its mentor ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Gambhir previously served as mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants.Gambhir's decision to prioritize cricket over politics has been met with mixed reactions. Some have expressed disappointment, while others have praised his commitment to his sport. Regardless of the differing opinions, Gambhir's decision is a testament to his unwavering passion for cricket.As Gambhir embarks on this new chapter in his career, it remains to be seen how he will balance his cricket commitments with his political aspirations. However, one thing is certain: his love for the game of cricket will continue to drive him forward.

South African cricket legend Lance Klusener has been appointed as the assistant coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The announcement was made by LSG on Friday, adding Klusener to their already formidable coaching staff led by head coach Justin Langer and assistant coach S Sriram.Klusener brings a wealth of experience to the LSG dugout, having previously served as an assistant coach for the Mumbai Indians under Shaun Pollock in the early years of the IPL. He also has a successful track record as head coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, guiding them to their maiden CPL title.Beyond his IPL and CPL stints, Klusener has also held coaching roles with the Afghanistan national team, as well as the South Africa and Zimbabwe batting units. He has also worked in the Indian domestic circuit with Tripura.During his playing days, Klusener was renowned as one of the finest all-rounders in white-ball cricket. He was a key member of the South African team that reached the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. Klusener's all-round abilities, including his explosive batting and accurate medium-pace bowling, made him a formidable force on the field.Klusener's appointment as assistant coach at LSG is expected to further strengthen the team's coaching setup. His experience and expertise will be invaluable to the players, particularly in the areas of batting and all-round development. LSG will be hoping to build on their impressive performance in the 2023 IPL season, where they reached the playoffs under the guidance of Langer and Sriram.

Yuvraj Singh, the legendary Indian cricketer, has refuted rumors of his political aspirations in Gurdaspur, Punjab. The former all-rounder, known for his exceptional batting and bowling skills, has clarified that his focus remains on philanthropy and supporting people in need.Singh's illustrious career spanned over two decades, during which he played a pivotal role in India's triumphs at the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup. His stylish left-handed batting and effective spin bowling earned him immense popularity both on and off the field.Despite retiring from cricket, Singh remains actively involved in charitable work through his foundation, YOUWECAN. He has expressed his commitment to continue his philanthropic endeavors, stating, "My passion lies in supporting and helping people in various capacities, and I will continue to do so through my foundation."Recently, Singh commented on the captaincy change at Mumbai Indians, with Hardik Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma. He acknowledged the importance of promoting young talent but emphasized the value of experience. "In franchise cricket, it always gets tough as you get old. Every franchise is always looking to promote a young player on whom they have spent a lot, and that is only fair. But then, there can't be a replacement for experience," Singh said.Singh's denial of political ambitions comes amidst speculation about his potential entry into the electoral fray. However, he has made it clear that his focus remains on his charitable work and supporting people in need.

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr has responded to England Test coach Brendon McCullum's call for increased playing time for young spinners Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley by suggesting that Bashir could be allowed to go out on loan.Bashir and Hartley have impressed in India despite limited experience in the county game, and McCullum believes they should be given more opportunities in the upcoming season. However, Kerr acknowledges that it may be difficult to accommodate two specialist spinners in the team at the start of the County Championship, which typically favors seam bowling in spring conditions."It's certainly not easy, but I always try to put myself in the player's shoes and what they want is to play cricket," Kerr said. "We start the season on April 5, and I'd be surprised if too many teams are playing two specialist spinners. So I understand there will be some questions about it."Kerr emphasized the importance of having honest conversations with Bashir about his future. "Bash will be on cloud nine right now and riding that. He would have seen the world very differently at the start of the winter than he does now that he's had international opportunities and done very well. So it's important to have really honest, transparent conversations."Bashir joined Somerset last summer and played six times in the Championship, taking 10 wickets. He has since surpassed that number in two Tests for England but will likely find himself behind Jack Leach, England's senior spinner, who is recovering from a knee injury."There's still a lot of water to go under the bridge, but what I'm not going to do is stand in the way of anyone's opportunity," Kerr said. "We will always do what is best for the player and we've done it time and time again. We've allowed people to go on loan and get some cricket because it can benefit them and us in the future, and we've said no to players because they're next in line and we might need them."Kerr indicated that Leach would be at the forefront of his planning once fit. "It's important we see both of the guys bowling first but we also look at what Leachy has done for club and country over the years," he said. "We always want competition for places and we want it to be healthy. Nobody has the right to start, but Jack has got a lot of experience, and from my side, that counts for a lot."Kerr acknowledged Bashir's potential but emphasized the need for patience. "Bash has so much time to grow and to become a world-class spinner who can bowl on all surfaces and know when to defend and attack. He'll be coming back from India to very different conditions in the UK."

UP Warriorz Triumph Over Gujarat Giants in WPL EncounterIn a thrilling Women's Premier League (WPL) match in Bengaluru on Friday, UP Warriorz emerged victorious with a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Gujarat Giants. The Warriorz's chase was spearheaded by the brilliant Grace Harris, whose unbeaten 60 runs off just 33 balls proved pivotal on a sluggish surface.Harris's blistering innings, which included nine boundaries and two sixes, guided the Warriorz to their target of 143 runs in a mere 15.4 overs. Skipper Alyssa Healy also played a significant role, contributing a quickfire 33 runs off 21 balls to set the tone for the chase.The Giants' innings had a promising start, with Lara Wolvaardt's 28 runs helping them reach 41 in the Powerplay. However, they struggled to maintain momentum, managing to score just 142 runs for the loss of five wickets.Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone's impressive spell of 3/20 capitalized on the sluggish pitch conditions, restricting the Giants' scoring rate. Despite a brief comeback by the Giants, where they picked up quick wickets to reduce UP to 90 for 4, Harris and Deepti Sharma (17 not out) ensured victory with their aggressive batting display.Earlier, Phoebe Litchfield (35 runs off 26 balls) and Asheligh Gardner (30 runs off 17 balls) provided some resistance for the Giants with a 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, their efforts were not enough to propel their team to a competitive total, as the Warriors comfortably chased down the target with Harris leading the charge.