Cricket

The ICC World Test Championship standings are heating up, with India and Australia neck-and-neck at the top. India currently holds a slim lead with 62.82% of possible points, while Australia trails closely behind with 62.50%.India's remaining schedule includes a home Test against New Zealand and a five-Test series in Australia. Despite recent setbacks against New Zealand, India can still finish with a maximum of 74.56% of points. The upcoming series against Australia will be crucial for their chances of reaching a third consecutive World Test Championship final.Australia, the reigning champions, need to win at least four of their remaining seven Tests to defend their title. They have the advantage of playing two Tests in Sri Lanka next year, which could potentially allow them to draw 2-2 with India and still remain in contention for the final. However, their immediate focus will be on regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home, where they have struggled against India in recent years.Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand are also in the mix for a top-two finish. Sri Lanka's victory over England has given them hope, but they face challenging series against South Africa and Australia. New Zealand's historic series win in India has put them back in contention, but they will likely need to win all four of their remaining Tests. South Africa's success in the sub-continent has boosted their chances, and they have the advantage of playing four matches at home.England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the West Indies are currently out of contention for the final, but they will be looking to finish the cycle on a positive note with strong performances in their remaining matches.

India's remarkable home dominance in Test cricket has been shattered by New Zealand, who are on the verge of inflicting a series whitewash on the hosts. This would mark the first time in over two decades that India has suffered a clean sweep at home.Since their last home series loss to South Africa in 2000, India has maintained an unblemished record, winning 18 consecutive series and going unbeaten for 12 years. However, New Zealand's emphatic victories in the first two Tests have put India's proud home record in jeopardy.The last time India was whitewashed in a Test series, home or away, was also against New Zealand in 2020. Since the 2000 home clean sweep by South Africa, India has endured four more series whitewashes, all away from home.South Africa's 2000 Home Whitewash of IndiaIn February 2000, South Africa became the last team to whitewash India at home. Led by Hansie Cronje, the Proteas won the two-match series convincingly.In the first Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India was bowled out for 225 despite Sachin Tendulkar's 97. South Africa responded with 176, giving India a slender 49-run lead. However, India's second innings collapsed to 113, setting South Africa a modest target of 163. The visitors chased down the target with four wickets in hand.In the second Test in Bengaluru, India was again dismissed for a low score of 158. South Africa then piled up 479, with five half-centuries. India's second innings was more competitive, with Mohammad Azharuddin scoring a century. However, South Africa's spinners proved too strong, and India was bowled out for 250, losing by an innings and 71 runs.New Zealand's Chance to Repeat HistoryNew Zealand has a golden opportunity to repeat South Africa's feat and become the first team to whitewash India at home since 2000. After winning the first two Tests by comfortable margins, the Black Caps need only a draw in the third and final Test to secure the series.If New Zealand can complete the whitewash, it will be a significant achievement and a testament to their growing dominance in Test cricket. For India, it will be a bitter pill to swallow, as they will lose their long-held home invincibility.

Left-arm spinners have consistently posed a formidable challenge to the Indian cricket team, particularly in recent years. Here are some notable instances where these bowlers have wreaked havoc on Indian batters:Monty Panesar (England):In 2012, Panesar tormented India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After toiling for five wickets in the first innings, he found the pitch more conducive to his bowling in the second. He dismissed Sachin Tendulkar twice, once bowled and once lbw, and ripped through the rest of the Indian batting lineup to help England secure a famous 10-wicket victory.Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka):In 2015, Herath played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's stunning victory over India at Galle. After going wicketless in the first innings, he produced a mesmerizing spell of 7-48 in the second, dismissing India for just 112 and securing a memorable Independence Day triumph for the hosts.Steve O'Keefe (Australia):In 2017, O'Keefe played a key role in Australia's 333-run victory over India in Pune. He exploited the dry pitch conditions to great effect, taking 6-35 in both innings and bowling India out for a paltry 105 in the first innings.Ajaz Patel (New Zealand):In 2021, Patel became only the third cricketer in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings when he dismissed India for 119 in Mumbai. He followed up with another four wickets in the second innings, giving him a match haul of 14 wickets, the most by an overseas bowler in India.Tom Hartley (England):In 2024, Hartley made a sensational debut for England in Hyderabad. With India chasing a modest target of 231, Hartley exploited the crumbling pitch conditions to take 7-62 and bowl England to a famous 28-run victory.Matt Kuhnemann (Australia):In 2023, Kuhnemann made a significant impact in Australia's victory over India in Indore. Bowling on a bald, dry track, he took 5-16 in the first innings, restricting India to just 109 runs.These instances highlight the effectiveness of left-arm spinners against India, particularly on pitches that offer assistance to their bowling style. Their ability to generate turn and bounce has consistently troubled Indian batters, making them a formidable force in Test cricket.

Virat Kohli's struggles in Test cricket continue to raise concerns, with the former Indian captain managing just 88 runs in four innings against New Zealand in the ongoing home series. The majority of his runs (70) came in a single innings, highlighting his ongoing difficulties in the red-ball format.Former teammate Dinesh Karthik has suggested that Kohli may need to return to domestic cricket to regain his form. "What he needs to do is probably go back to domestic cricket," Karthik said on a Cricbuzz show. "He is a man who is searching for answers."India's 113-run defeat in Pune confirmed New Zealand's historic maiden Test series victory in India. Kohli was dismissed by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner in both innings for scores of 1 and 17.Karthik believes that left-arm spinners pose a significant threat to Kohli. "Virat Kohli has not had it easy," he said. "The series has not been good to him; (in) three out of four innings he has disappointed. It's obviously a recurring pattern where spinners have troubled him."Kohli's Test record against spin has been underwhelming in recent years. "Virat Kohli's Test record in the last 2-3 years has not been great against spin," Karthik said.The third and final Test of the series begins in Mumbai on November 1. Kohli will be hoping to end the series on a high and silence his critics.

India's recent Test failures in Bengaluru and Pune have exposed a fundamental flaw in their batting approach: a lack of understanding of the grammar of Test match batting. The team's reliance on white-ball cricket, where explosiveness is prioritized over technique and patience, has left them ill-prepared for the rigors of Test cricket.The absence of key players from domestic first-class cricket has exacerbated this issue. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the team's batting stalwarts, have not played a first-class game this season. While their reasons may be genuine, their lack of match practice has hindered their ability to hone their defensive techniques and increase their capacity to bat for extended periods.This lack of match readiness was evident in India's batting collapses in Bengaluru and Pune. The team's inability to read the pitch conditions and adjust their batting strategies accordingly led to their downfall. Rohit Sharma's incorrect assessment of the Bengaluru pitch and his decision to remove pacers from the game in Pune's second innings highlighted the team's tactical deficiencies.The Indian skipper's acknowledgment of the team's batting shortcomings is a positive sign. However, it remains to be seen whether the team can address these issues in time for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. The troika of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul is expected to provide stability to the batting lineup, but their recent form and manner of dismissals raise concerns.To their credit, Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir have not shied away from acknowledging the team's shortcomings. They have emphasized the need for patience, technique, and the ability to handle pressure and bat out sessions consistently. This optimism is crucial for India's chances of success in Australia and qualification for the World Test Championship.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, is renowned for his exceptional wicket-keeping skills, particularly his remarkable stumpings. His innovative techniques and lightning-fast reflexes have left batsmen bewildered and set a benchmark for wicketkeepers worldwide.In a recent viral video, Dhoni shared an amusing anecdote that highlights his wife Sakshi's limited understanding of cricket rules. While watching an ODI match together, a batsman was stumped off a wide delivery. Sakshi, unaware of the rule, insisted that the batsman could not be dismissed in such a manner.Dhoni patiently explained that stumpings are indeed possible off wide balls, but not off no balls. However, Sakshi remained unconvinced, claiming that Dhoni was mistaken. As the conversation continued, the batsman had already returned to the pavilion.Sakshi's initial skepticism turned into confusion when the next batsman entered the field. She realized that something was amiss and finally acknowledged that she might have been wrong. The audience erupted in laughter at Dhoni's humorous account.Dhoni's stumpings are not only celebrated for their brilliance but also for their impact on the outcome of matches. His quick thinking and anticipation have often turned the tide in India's favor. His techniques have inspired countless wicketkeepers, demonstrating the importance of agility, anticipation, and a deep understanding of the game.

Gary Kirsten's tenure as Pakistan's white-ball head coach is reportedly nearing an end, just a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Mohammad Rizwan as the new full-time white-ball captain.According to Cricbuzz, significant differences have emerged between Kirsten and the players, as well as disagreements with the PCB over coaching staff decisions. Kirsten had reportedly requested the appointment of David Reid as High Performance coach, a suggestion that did not align with the PCB's preferences. The board allegedly proposed alternatives, which Kirsten found unacceptable.Kirsten's departure is a blow to Pakistan cricket, as he was seen as a key figure in the team's rebuilding process. However, his tenure has been marred by a lack of success on the field. Pakistan lost a bilateral series in England and suffered a disappointing early exit in the T20 World Cup, with losses to the United States and India derailing their campaign.With the ICC Champions Trophy less than four months away and Pakistan set to host an international tournament for the first time in over two decades, the PCB faces the urgent task of appointing a new white-ball coach. Speculation suggests that Jason Gillespie, Pakistan's red-ball coach, could temporarily take over both formats. However, Aaqib Javed, a former fast bowler and current national selector, is seen as the frontrunner for the position. Javed is credited with the team's recent success in the home Test series against England, which Pakistan won 2-1.An official announcement is expected soon as the PCB navigates this challenging coaching situation ahead of a critical period for Pakistan cricket.

Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's newly appointed white-ball captain, has emphasized his commitment to serving the team rather than assuming a position of authority. Ahead of Pakistan's upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, Rizwan expressed his determination to lead by example and inspire his teammates to fight for every victory."As a leader, I am here to serve the 15 men of the team," Rizwan stated. "If I start considering myself a king, everything will fall apart." He acknowledged the support and encouragement from the team's management, who have urged them to display unwavering determination.Rizwan outlined his responsibilities as captain, including attending presentations, handling conferences, and carrying out tasks. He emphasized that all players are leaders in their own right and contribute to the team's success.Pakistan has announced 15-member squads for both tours, with Rizwan available for the Australia matches and Zimbabwe ODIs but not the T20Is. The squads include three debutants: Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf, and Sufyan Moqim.

India's Test dominance at home came to an abrupt end as New Zealand scripted history by defeating the hosts by 113 runs in the second Test in Pune, securing their first-ever series win on Indian soil. The loss marked India's first home Test series defeat since 2012, snapping an 18-series winning streak.Skipper Rohit Sharma, while acknowledging the disappointment, defended the performance of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who have been under scrutiny for their recent form. Rohit emphasized that the team's success or failure should not be solely attributed to two players."There's too much expectation on those two guys. Every game they play, they are expected to take wickets, run through the (opposition) team and win Test matches for us. I don't think that is fair. It's the responsibility of all of us to make sure that we get the Test wins, not just the two guys," Rohit said.He added that both Ashwin and Jadeja are allowed to have off days. "I'm not going to look into too much, especially with those two guys. They know exactly what happens and sometimes they are allowed to have some bad games here and there and not go by that expectation that 'okay, this is the opportunity for me to take wickets and run through the opposition'. That's not going to happen every time," he explained.In the Pune Test, Ashwin claimed five wickets and scored 22 runs, while Jadeja picked up three wickets and contributed 80 runs with the bat. However, their performances were overshadowed by New Zealand's impressive bowling attack, led by Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in the match.India's batting also faltered, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal managing to score a half-century in the second innings. The hosts were bowled out for 245, handing New Zealand a comfortable victory.The series loss is a significant setback for India, who had been unbeaten in home Test series since 2012. It also raises questions about the team's ability to maintain their dominance in the longest format of the game.