Cricket

Hyderabad's relentless bowling attack, spearheaded by left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan's seven-wicket haul, proved too formidable for Pondicherry, leading to an emphatic innings and 50-run victory in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.Thyagarajan's exceptional performance marked his 10th five-wicket haul in just 23 Ranji matches, showcasing his growing stature as a potent spin threat. Pondicherry's hopes of salvaging a draw were dashed as Hyderabad's bowlers maintained a relentless pressure throughout the fourth and final day.Opener Ganga Sridhar Raju provided a glimmer of hope for Pondicherry with a fine maiden Ranji century (106 off 214 balls). His gritty innings demonstrated his ability to counter the home team's attack on a pitch that showed signs of wear and tear. However, Raju's dismissal by Rohit Rayudu, a part-time off-spinner, proved to be a turning point.From that moment on, Hyderabad's bowlers took wickets at regular intervals. Akash Kargave (31), Marimuthu Vinkeshwaran (21), and Ankit Sharma (22 not out) offered some resistance, but there was no substantial partnership to threaten the hosts.Thyagarajan's consistent line and length, coupled with his ability to spin the ball sharply away, proved too much for Pondicherry's batsmen. He chipped away at the opposition's lineup, ensuring that there were no dramatic turnarounds.Left-arm spinner Aniketh, who had taken six wickets in the first innings, was below par in the second innings, failing to add to his tally. However, pace bowler Chama Milind continued to impress, picking up one wicket.With this victory, Hyderabad has now accumulated seven points from three games, solidifying their position in the tournament standings.

Gujarat Titans, the reigning IPL champions, are gearing up for the upcoming mega auction by retaining three key players: captain Shubman Gill, star spinner Rashid Khan, and left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan. Uncapped hitters Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan are also expected to be retained by the franchise.Gill, a highly-rated young batsman, led the Titans for the first time in 2023, guiding them to an eighth-place finish. Despite the team's overall performance, Gill's leadership qualities and potential as a future Indian captain have impressed the franchise.Rashid Khan, the Afghan spin wizard, has been a consistent performer for the Titans since joining in 2022. In his debut season, he claimed 19 wickets, followed by 27 wickets in the following year. While his form dipped slightly in 2023, with 10 wickets in 12 games, his experience and match-winning abilities make him an invaluable asset.Sai Sudharsan, a rising star in Indian cricket, had a breakout year in 2023, amassing 527 runs in 12 games, including a century. His impressive performances have earned him a place in the national team, where he has featured in three ODIs and a T20.Uncapped all-rounder Shahrukh Khan, known for his explosive batting, is another player expected to be retained by the Titans. With a strike rate of 169.33, he provides a valuable option in the middle order.IPL veteran Rahul Tewatia, a left-handed batsman, is also likely to be retained. With close to 100 IPL games under his belt, Tewatia brings experience and a high strike rate to the team.The mega auction is expected to be held overseas in the last week of November, with an increased auction purse of Rs 120 crore. Teams can retain up to six players from their existing squad, the highest number in IPL history.

In the series-deciding third women's ODI between India and New Zealand, middle-order batter Brooke Halliday played a pivotal role in rescuing the Kiwis from a precarious position. Halliday's resilient 96-ball 86 lifted New Zealand from 88/5 to a respectable 232 all out.India's bowlers started the match with a bang, dismissing Suzie Bates and Lauren Down early on. Young leg-spinner Priya Mishra then dealt a major blow by bowling New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, leaving the visitors reeling at 36/3.Georgia Plimmer attempted to anchor the innings, but her dismissal by Mishra left New Zealand in further trouble at 88/5. However, Halliday and wicketkeeper batter Isabella Gaze forged a crucial 64-run partnership for the sixth wicket, providing much-needed stability.Halliday's innings was a masterclass in patience and determination. She faced 96 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and a six. Her knock allowed New Zealand to post a competitive total despite their early setbacks.India's bowlers, led by Mishra's 2/41, kept the pressure on throughout the innings. However, Halliday's resilience and Gaze's support proved too much to overcome.

Pakistan cricket is navigating a period of upheaval, marked by coaching departures, leadership changes, and player dynamics. Amidst this turmoil, former captain Babar Azam has emerged as a beacon of hope, receiving a warm welcome upon his arrival in Australia for the upcoming white-ball series.Despite a recent dip in form, fans eagerly awaited Azam's arrival at the airport, eager to take selfies and offer words of encouragement. The viral video of his reception underscores his enduring popularity.Azam returns to international cricket after being rested for the final two Tests against England. Relieved of the captaincy burden, he can now focus solely on his batting. He will feature in three ODIs and three T20Is against Australia before sitting out the Zimbabwe series to prepare for future challenges.Off the field, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is grappling with turbulence following Gary Kirsten's abrupt resignation as white-ball coach. Kirsten, who signed a two-year deal in April, departed after just six months, citing internal disagreements. The PCB's decision to remove voting powers from coaches in team selection reportedly contributed to the friction.With Kirsten's departure, Test coach Jason Gillespie will guide the team on the Australia tour. Pakistan will begin training in Melbourne on November 1, with the first ODI scheduled for November 4.As the squad seeks stability under new captain Mohammad Rizwan, all eyes will be on Babar Azam to rediscover his form and anchor the team through these crucial matches. His batting prowess and leadership qualities will be vital as Pakistan navigates this challenging period.

The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian cricket team. Despite facing adversity at every turn, the team emerged victorious in a series that will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history.The series began with a humiliating defeat in Adelaide, where India was bowled out for a paltry 36 runs. However, the team refused to be disheartened and fought back valiantly. In the second Test in Melbourne, India defied all odds to draw the match, setting the stage for a thrilling finale in Sydney.The third Test in Sydney was a battle of attrition, with both teams refusing to give an inch. Ravichandran Ashwin played a pivotal role in the draw, batting for over four hours with an aching back alongside Hanuma Vihari.As the series reached its climax in Brisbane, Australia captain Tim Paine resorted to sledging in an attempt to unsettle Ashwin. Paine's tactics failed, as Ashwin remained unfazed and India went on to win the series 2-1.Paine has since defended his sledging, claiming that he was simply trying to unsettle Ashwin, who had been "annoying" him by getting his wicket frequently. However, Ashwin has hit back, saying that Paine's sledging was aimed at him personally and that he pulled out of the Brisbane Test due to a genuine back injury.The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be remembered for its thrilling matches, intense rivalry, and the remarkable resilience of the Indian cricket team. It is a series that will inspire generations of cricketers to come.

Adelaide Strikers emerged victorious in their WBBL title defense opener, defeating Sydney Sixers by 11 runs at North Sydney Oval. The match was marred by a frightening incident involving Strikers wicketkeeper Bridget Patterson, who was struck in the face by a 119kph delivery.Patterson's injury occurred in the fourth over of the Sixers' chase, when a ball from Darcie Brown kicked up and hit her near the right eye. She was immediately attended to by medical staff and was able to walk off the field after a few minutes. Patterson remained at the ground for the rest of the game and will undergo further assessment.Despite the setback, the Strikers' middle order rallied to post a competitive total of 171. Patterson, Orla Prendergast, and Amanda-Jade Wellington combined for 123 runs off 92 balls, with Wellington particularly impressive, hitting two sixes and three fours in her 40-run knock.In reply, Ellyse Perry dominated the early stages of the chase with a 26-ball fifty, while Sarah Bryce impressed with 62 off 44 balls. However, after Bryce's dismissal, the Sixers innings collapsed, losing six wickets for just 18 runs.Legspinners Wellington and Anesu Mushangwe were instrumental in the Strikers' victory, bowling superbly in the closing overs. Mushangwe finished with figures of 3-27, while Wellington took 2-29.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: A Rising Star in Indian CricketFormer Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has hailed young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal as a "legend in the making." Jaiswal's exceptional talent and skill have impressed fans and seasoned players alike, earning him high praise from Tiwary.Known for his aggressive batting style and mature temperament, Jaiswal has made a strong impact in international cricket at a young age. In the second Test against New Zealand, he hammered 77 runs from just 65 balls in the second innings, standing out as the lone batter who could effectively counter the challenges posed by the Kiwi bowlers.Tiwary believes that Jaiswal has the potential to become one of India's future cricketing legends. "He is a legend in the making. I rate him very highly," said Tiwary. "He has everything a cricketer needs to become a great cricketer. And it is quite visible even at such a young age."Tiwary praised Jaiswal's technique, positive mindset, hunger, and desire to improve. He noted that Jaiswal's ability to dominate the bowling opposition, even on challenging wickets, is a testament to his exceptional talent."On such a wicket, the rest of the great players were not able to hit any big runs. But this player, at such a young age, the way he is bowling, the way he is hitting the shots — he is a God's gift to cricket," added Tiwary.Jaiswal's impressive performances have not gone unnoticed. He has been included in India's squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, a testament to his growing stature in the Indian cricket team.With continued hard work and guidance, Yashasvi Jaiswal has the potential to fulfill his promise and become one of the most successful cricketers of his generation. His talent, determination, and unwavering belief in his abilities make him a player to watch in the years to come.

Pakistan Cricket in Crisis: Basit Ali Blasts PCB for Kirsten's DepartureFormer Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the abrupt resignation of Gary Kirsten as the team's limited-overs coach. Ali, in a fiery rant on his YouTube channel, expressed his deep concern over the deteriorating state of Pakistan cricket."Pakistan's cricket is going down, and I don't want it to go down. In the coming days, it will get worse," Ali lamented. He criticized the PCB for its haphazard approach to hiring foreign coaches, arguing that they should first be tested at the junior levels.Ali drew comparisons to Australia and India, where coaches like Rodney Marsh and Rahul Dravid had worked with grassroots programs before taking on senior roles. "They've made a joke out of Pakistan," Ali said, hinting at internal interference in cricketing decisions.Ali mocked Kirsten's reported reservations about player selection, saying, "Now Gary Kirsten is acting innocent, saying, 'I won't accept it without Babar Azam.' So you don't want Rizwan as captain, and you don't want Shaheen Afridi—is this Pakistan's team or Gary Kirsten's team?"He further questioned Kirsten's commitment to Pakistan cricket, saying, "Next, he'll say, 'My academy is running in Cape Town,' and then join some IPL or PSL franchise. Why do you even give opportunities to people like this who can't spend their time in Pakistan?"Kirsten, who coached India to the 2011 World Cup win, was appointed by the PCB on a two-year contract in April. However, his tenure lasted just six months, with tensions reportedly brewing between the PCB and the coaching staff.The PCB's decision to strip Kirsten and Gillespie of their voting rights in team selection earlier this month fueled speculation of internal disagreements. The PCB has confirmed Kirsten's resignation and announced that Jason Gillespie, Pakistan's Test coach, will step in for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.Ali's outburst reflects the growing frustration among Pakistani cricket fans and experts over the team's recent struggles. Pakistan has failed to win a major ICC tournament since 2017 and has been plagued by inconsistent performances and off-field controversies.

Jacob Bethell, the promising Warwickshire all-rounder, has been called up to England's Test squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The 21-year-old replaces Jamie Smith, who will miss the trip due to paternity leave.Bethell's inclusion is a testament to his impressive performances in white-ball cricket. During his international debut against Australia in September, he showcased his batting prowess with a match-winning 44 off 24 deliveries in the second T20I.Despite his limited experience in first-class cricket, Bethell has made a strong impression. In his 20 County Championship appearances, he has demonstrated his all-around abilities, contributing with both bat and ball.Bethell's selection is the only change to the 16-man squad that recently faced Pakistan in a three-match Test series. Jordan Cox, who served as an unused batting reserve in Pakistan, is expected to make his Test debut as the wicketkeeper in Smith's absence.The England Test squad for the New Zealand tour is as follows:* Ben Stokes (captain)* Rehan Ahmed* Gus Atkinson* Shoaib Bashir* Jacob Bethell* Harry Brook* Brydon Carse* Jordan Cox* Zak Crawley* Ben Duckett* Jack Leach* Ollie Pope* Matthew Potts* Joe Root* Olly Stone* Chris WoakesEngland will be hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan and secure a positive result in New Zealand. Bethell's inclusion adds depth to the squad and provides an opportunity for the young all-rounder to showcase his talent on the international stage.