Cricket

Evin Lewis's scintillating 94-run knock propelled West Indies to a resounding eight-wicket victory over England in the rain-affected opening ODI of the three-match series in Antigua.Chasing a revised target of 157 from 35 overs, Lewis unleashed a barrage of boundaries, smashing five fours and eight towering sixes in his 69-ball innings. He forged a crucial 118-run partnership with Brandon King (30) to lay the foundation for the West Indies' triumph.Lewis's pursuit of his sixth ODI century was halted by Jacob Bethell, who caught him off Adil Rashid's bowling with just 13 runs needed for victory. However, Keacy Carty (19) and captain Shai Hope (6) guided the West Indies home with 55 balls to spare.England, fielding four ODI debutants, were dismissed for 209 runs in 49.4 overs. Stand-in captain Liam Livingstone top-scored with 48, while Sam Curran contributed 37.Gudakesh Motie was the star of the West Indies bowling attack, claiming 4 for 41, while Jayden Seales took 2 for 22.The victory gives West Indies a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second match scheduled for Saturday at the same venue.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Indian Superstars Hit the Market, MI Retains CoreAs the IPL gears up for its mega auction on November 24-25, three Indian superstars have become available for bidding after not being retained by their previous franchises. Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul will join the auction pool, adding intrigue to the proceedings.Pant, who spent nine years with the Delhi Capitals, and Iyer, the title-winning captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, are both highly sought-after leaders. Multiple teams, including DC, Punjab Kings, RCB, and LSG, are reportedly interested in Iyer's services.Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians have retained their core Indian players, including captain Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma. Pandya will continue to lead the team despite their disappointing performance in 2024.The Delhi Capitals have retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and South African batter Tristan Stubbs. If they fail to acquire Iyer in the auction, Axar may be considered for the captaincy role.The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have retained Nicholas Pooran as their top pick, while the Chennai Super Kings have retained MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shivam Dube.The Sunrisers Hyderabad have broken the bank to retain Heinrich Klaasen for a whopping Rs 23 crore. They have also retained captain Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Reddy.The Rajasthan Royals have opted not to retain Jos Buttler, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin. They have instead retained Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer.The Gujarat Titans have retained Rashid Khan as their premium player, while Shubman Gill has taken a pay cut to stay with the team.The Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained Virat Kohli for Rs 21 crore but have released Faf du Plessis and Mohammed Siraj.The Punjab Kings have let go of Arshdeep Singh and will enter the auction with a substantial purse of Rs 110.5 crore.

West Indies captain Shai Hope elected to bowl first after winning the toss in the opening ODI against England in Antigua. The match marked the international debuts of John Turner and Dan Mousley for England, along with 50-over debuts for Jamie Overton and Jordan Cox.Liam Livingstone, standing in for the injured Jos Buttler, made his captaincy debut for England. Despite missing key players like Harry Brook due to upcoming Test tours, Livingstone expressed excitement for the young team's opportunities.Turner's selection came after impressing in the 2023 Men's Hundred, while Mousley's inclusion provided England with four allrounder spin options alongside Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, and Livingstone. Cox was slated to bat at No. 3, while Overton would be available to bowl after playing as a batter in his T20I debut against Australia.West Indies, returning from their Sri Lanka tour, made one change to their lineup, with Shimron Hetmyer replacing Jewel Andrew in the middle order.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the rising star of Indian cricket, has expressed his gratitude to the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for their unwavering support and has pledged to repay their trust. Reddy, a fast-bowling all-rounder, was retained by SRH for INR 6 crore, marking a significant milestone for the Andhra Pradesh native.Reddy's journey to the IPL began in 2023 when he was acquired by SRH for INR 20 lakh. Despite limited opportunities in his debut season, he showcased his potential in IPL 2024, earning the Emerging Player of the Season award. His impressive performances, including a match-winning 64 against Punjab Kings and an unbeaten 76 against Rajasthan Royals, propelled him to the Indian national team.Reddy's retention by SRH is a testament to his rapid rise in the cricketing world. It also marks a significant moment for Andhra Pradesh, as Reddy becomes the first player from the state to secure an IPL retention.In an exclusive interview, Reddy expressed his pride in representing his region and his commitment to the SRH franchise. "Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad fills me with pride. As a Telugu speaker, I'm proud to represent my region when playing for the team in the IPL," he said.Reddy credits the IPL with transforming his life. "Everything has just changed like a rapid fire. Like in one year from nowhere to being something, I really feel that IPL is a big stage where my talent came out and everyone knows me now," he said.The all-rounder emphasized the importance of hard work and preparation, particularly in developing his power-hitting game. He also highlighted the role of shadow practicing in improving his downswing.Reflecting on his journey, Reddy expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by his father, Mutyala. "When he took the decision to retire early to focus on my cricket, everyone turned upon us. But once you don't have the government job, people treat you so differently and I saw that," he said.Reddy's father played a pivotal role in his development, traveling with him to matches and providing support. "I still remember all these things my father did for me in becoming what I am," he said.For Reddy, the joy of cricket lies in the nostalgia of his childhood days spent on the field. "For me, whenever you play cricket, you should not be feeling that you should take the pressure or something like that. You should just enjoy being in the game, as that's how everything started for me," he said.

South Africa's relentless bowling attack, led by Keshav Maharaj's five-wicket haul, propelled them to a historic Test victory over Bangladesh in Chattogram. The Proteas secured an innings and 273-run triumph, their largest ever in Test cricket, completing a 2-0 series sweep.Bangladesh's batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a paltry 143 in their second innings, failing to overcome a massive 416-run deficit. Maharaj's left-arm spin proved lethal, claiming 5-59, while Kagiso Rabada's pace had earlier decimated the hosts with 5-37 in the first innings.The Proteas' dominance was evident from the outset, with Rabada striking twice in quick succession to reduce Bangladesh to 48-8. Mominul Haque's valiant 82 provided a brief respite, but Maharaj's dismissal of the opener for a duck in the second innings extinguished any hopes of a comeback.Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh's experienced campaigners, failed to deliver, falling cheaply to Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy, respectively. Najmul Hossain Shanto's dismissal by Muthusamy left the hosts reeling at 78-7.Hasan Mahmud's late resistance, including four sixes, delayed the inevitable, but Maharaj sealed the match by dismissing Nahid Rana for a duck. Muthusamy also impressed with 4-45 in the second innings, completing a comprehensive bowling performance for South Africa."We had some special performances that got us into strong positions," said stand-in captain Aiden Markram. "It's a proud moment for us, and one we'll reflect on as a special team."Bangladesh skipper Najmul acknowledged their batting struggles, stating, "If the top order doesn't contribute well, this is the kind of result we'll get."South Africa's victory was built on the foundation of three maiden Test centuries in their first innings: Tony De Zorzi (177), Tristan Stubbs (106), and Wiaan Mulder (105 not out). The Proteas' dominance extended to the bowling department, with Rabada and Maharaj leading the charge.Bangladesh's inability to match South Africa's batting and bowling prowess resulted in their 16th consecutive Test defeat against the Proteas. The series sweep highlights the gulf in quality between the two sides and serves as a wake-up call for Bangladesh to address their batting deficiencies.

India faces a daunting challenge as they prepare to host New Zealand in the third and decisive Test match, starting Friday. After losing the first two Tests, India is desperate to salvage pride and avoid a humiliating home series defeat.The pressure is mounting on India's batting lineup, which has struggled against both pace and spin in the first two matches. The team's famed spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, have also been outplayed by New Zealand's spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel.In a bid to turn the tide, India has opted for a rank turner at the Wankhede Stadium, where the ball is expected to turn sharply from the first hour. The team has also called in 20 slow bowlers for net practice and drawn white lines on the pitch to gauge the length and lines.However, India's desperation could lead to recklessness, as they attempt to force a win on a pitch that may favor the bowlers. The team's recent performances have raised questions about their ability to negotiate quality spin attacks, and a three-day finish is on the cards.Despite their struggles, India's senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ashwin, and Jadeja, will be expected to lead the fightback. However, they may need to share the workload with younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.New Zealand, on the other hand, has been meticulous in their preparation and execution, exposing India's weaknesses with both pace and spin. The visitors will be confident of completing a series sweep and further dent India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has defended his spinners despite their poor performance in Pune, but his own approach and form will be under scrutiny. Kohli, too, is under pressure to deliver big runs as India faces a transition period in Test cricket.Amidst the odds stacked against them, India's batters will face a stern challenge on a pitch that is expected to favor the spinners. Ashwin and Jadeja have not looked menacing even on home soil, and Axar Patel may be brought into the team for his ability to bowl on turning tracks.The team management has rested Jasprit Bumrah for the match, keeping in mind the upcoming tour of Australia. While the Wankhede pitch may provide some early assistance to the fast bowlers, it is expected to play in favor of the spinners sooner rather than later.India will be hoping to replicate their success against Australia in 2004, when Murali Kartik wreaked havoc on a similar pitch. However, New Zealand will be determined to prevent a repeat of that result and secure a historic series victory in India.

Hardik Pandya's leadership of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been extended for the 2025 season, despite the team's dismal performance under his guidance in 2024.Pandya's reappointment was met with mixed reactions. Some fans and experts believe that he deserves another chance to prove himself as a captain, while others question his ability to lead a team to success.Pandya himself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue leading MI. "I have received a lot of love back, (it) means the world to me. My journey started here and you know everything that I have achieved in my life has been part of Mumbai Indians," he said.Referring to MI's five retained players, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, Pandya stated, "We are five fingers but one fist, that's how I look at it."However, the question remains whether Pandya can transform the five fingers into a cohesive unit on the field. In IPL 2024, MI finished at the bottom of the table, appearing disjointed and lacking direction.The upcoming season will be a crucial test for Pandya's leadership skills. With Rohit Sharma, India's Test and ODI captain, Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, and Jasprit Bumrah, India's Test vice-captain, in the team, Pandya will need to find a way to manage their egos and create a harmonious environment.MI owner Akash Ambani expressed confidence in his team's abilities. "We have always believed that the strength of a family lies in its core and this belief has been reinforced during the course of recent events," Ambani said."...This unified effort reinstates MI's commitment to building strong trust and ownership amongst our core group, our fans, and other stakeholders. We will strive to continue playing the passionate brand of cricket everyone expects from us."

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have announced their retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, prioritizing players who embody a winning mindset and team-first attitude. The franchise's owner, Sanjiv Goenka, emphasized the importance of retaining a strong core within the available purse.LSG's most notable retention is Nicholas Pooran, who has been secured for INR 21 crore. Goenka described Pooran as an "automatic choice" due to his exceptional performances and leadership qualities. The Trinidadian wicketkeeper-batter was LSG's second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024, amassing 499 runs at a blistering strike rate of 178.Alongside Pooran, LSG has retained three bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan. Bishnoi and Khan are both young and promising Indian spinners, while Yadav impressed in his IPL debut season with his raw pace and ability to swing the ball.Ayush Badoni, a versatile middle-order batter, has also been retained by LSG. Despite a modest run tally in IPL 2024, the franchise sees him as a long-term prospect due to his adaptability and potential to contribute in various roles.LSG's decision not to retain KL Rahul, their former captain, has raised eyebrows. Rahul was the team's leading run-scorer in IPL 2024, but his departure is seen as a strategic move to free up salary space and allow the franchise to build a more balanced squad.With five players retained at a total cost of INR 51 crore, LSG has INR 69 crore remaining to spend at the mega auction. The franchise has one right-to-match option, which they can use to buy back one of their capped players if they are not picked up by another team.LSG's retentions reflect their commitment to building a competitive team that can challenge for the IPL title. By prioritizing players with a winning mindset and a team-first approach, the franchise hopes to create a cohesive unit that can achieve success in the upcoming season.

England's cricket team has made a bold move by awarding Jamie Smith a lucrative two-year central contract, signaling their intention to build their future around the rising star. Smith, 24, has impressed in both Test and white-ball cricket, earning recognition as the PCA's Young Player of the Year.Despite limited opportunities in white-ball cricket, Smith showcased his potential in the recent ODI series against Australia. He is expected to play a key role in England's upcoming white-ball tour of India and the Champions Trophy. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson has also received a two-year deal, extending his existing contract.England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, and white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, have both signed two-year deals, demonstrating their commitment to the team. Buttler's contract is a show of faith despite his ongoing calf injury.England's contract system has been revamped to reflect the growing influence of T20 franchise cricket. 18 of the 26 offers are multi-year deals, with 19 of this year's 29 deals being for one year only.Five players have signed their first central contracts: Shoaib Bashir, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Will Jacks, and Jacob Bethell. Three players have been handed development contracts, including Josh Hull and John Turner.Seven players have been cut from England's list, including Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, and James Anderson, who have retired. Ollie Robinson and Ben Foakes, who were dropped from the Test team in the summer, are also notable absentees."The strength and depth of talent across England Men's red and white-ball cricket is clear," said Rob Key, England men's managing director. "These contracts reward the players we believe will play an important role for our England Men's teams."