Cricket

India's qualification for the World Test Championship final in June 2023 is uncertain, and even if they qualify, it would be surprising if skipper Rohit Sharma remains available for the next two-year WTC cycle. The same applies to Ravichandran Ashwin, who will be 41 by then. Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli, two exceptionally fit players, will be 39.The recent Test series defeat at home against New Zealand has sparked a debate about the effectiveness of some senior players. Former India coach Ravi Shastri expressed concern, stating that New Zealand's dominance in both Tests is a cause for reflection. He emphasized that it's early days for head coach Gautam Gambhir, but he will need to learn quickly.India faces a challenging transition as four world-class match-winners are expected to retire in the next few years. While there are options in batting, finding quality bowlers may be a struggle. Mohammed Shami, despite his return, is nearing the end of his illustrious career, and Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, while decent bowlers, lack the impact of Shami when paired with Bumrah.The next generation of bowlers is also a concern. Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed are quick, but consistency and fitness have been issues. Navdeep Saini's pace has declined, and Umran Malik has lost his way. Mukesh Kumar, Vyshak Vijaykumar, and Vidwath Kaverappa lack the pace to unsettle batters.Bumrah and Shami are exceptional talents, and unless someone like Mayank Yadav becomes consistently available, India's bowling cupboard is bare. Seam bowling all-rounders are also a concern unless Hardik Pandya, now 30, changes his mind. Nitish Reddy is a work in progress, but his inclusion is due to a lack of alternatives.In batting, Yashasvi Jaiswal has established himself as an opener, and three candidates are vying for the other slot once Rohit retires: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and B Sai Sudharsan. Easwaran has the most prolific record, but concerns remain about his temperament in big games. Gaikwad is a talented white-ball cricketer, but his limited first-class experience may be a concern.Sudharsan, on the other hand, has a solid technique, temperament, and appetite for big runs. He can bat as an opener or at number three. Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a half-century on Test debut, is an exciting option for Kohli's slot.Rishabh Pant remains the undisputed keeper-batter, while Sarfaraz Khan has impressed in his first five Tests. Axar Patel is a valuable bowler on under-prepared surfaces but may struggle on surfaces that offer less assistance. Washington Sundar could be the single spin-all-rounder in the post-Ashwin-Jadeja era.

After the disappointing loss in the first ODI, the New Zealand women's cricket team bounced back with a strong performance in the second match, posting a competitive total of 259 for nine. Skipper Sophie Devine led from the front, scoring a superb 79 off 86 balls, making up for her bizarre run-out in the previous game. She was ably supported by Suzie Bates, who contributed 58 off 70 balls, and Georgia Plimmer, who added 41 off 50 balls.The middle order also chipped in with valuable contributions. Maddy Green played a fine knock of 42 off 41 balls, while Amelia Kerr added 28 off 32 balls. The Indian bowlers struggled to contain the New Zealand batters, with Radha Yadav being the most successful with four wickets for 69 runs. However, it was her brilliant fielding that caught the eye, as she pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Bates.Deepti Sharma also bowled tidily, taking two for 30 from 10 overs, while the other bowlers conceded runs at an economy rate of around five or more. India's chase got off to a shaky start, as they lost Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma cheaply. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership, but both fell in quick succession.Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma then put on a 40-run stand, but the Indian innings faltered after Ghosh's dismissal. India eventually fell short by 30 runs, with Radha Yadav remaining unbeaten on 25. The New Zealand bowlers shared the wickets, with Jess Kerr and Hayley Jensen taking two each.The victory gives New Zealand a 1-1 draw in the three-match ODI series. The final match will be played on October 29, with India needing a win to clinch the series.

England's coach, Brendon McCullum, has expressed concern over Ben Stokes' struggles in Pakistan, but remains confident in his captain's ability to bounce back in New Zealand. Stokes, who returned from a hamstring injury, failed to make a significant impact in the 2-1 series defeat.McCullum attributed Stokes' performance to the lingering effects of his injury, which he believes may have affected his decision-making as both a batter and captain. He emphasized the importance of learning from these experiences and ensuring that Stokes remains clear-headed in future situations.Despite the series loss, McCullum praised Stokes' resilience and determination. He acknowledged that Stokes is disappointed but believes he will return stronger. The coach emphasized the need for the team to support Stokes and ensure that their messaging remains consistent.McCullum also acknowledged England's struggles in Asia, having lost six of their eight Tests this year. He stated that the team needs to improve their approach in spin-friendly conditions. He emphasized the importance of creating a confident and clear environment where the messaging is simple.The coach expressed optimism about the upcoming series in New Zealand, seeing it as an opportunity for England to learn from their mistakes and bounce back. He highlighted the need for a quick turnaround and the importance of applying the lessons learned in Pakistan.

Ajinkya Rahane, a seasoned Indian cricketer, has attributed his transformation in fitness, training, and nutrition to the profound influence of former skipper Virat Kohli. Rahane's admiration for Kohli's unwavering commitment to a disciplined lifestyle has inspired him to adopt similar practices."Virat Kohli has been a tremendous source of inspiration for me," Rahane revealed in an interview with Curly Tales. "His approach to the game, his training regimen, his fitness, and his diet have all left an indelible mark on me."Rahane's transformation extended beyond his physical attributes. He also embraced Kohli's mindset and unwavering determination. "I've learned so much from Virat," Rahane said. "His ability to stay focused, his resilience, and his unwavering belief in himself have been invaluable lessons for me."The duo's on-field chemistry has also been a testament to their mutual respect and understanding. "I've thoroughly enjoyed batting alongside Virat," Rahane added. "We complement each other well and have forged some memorable partnerships for India. My favorite partnership with him was the 260-run stand we shared in Australia during the 2014 Test series."Despite not being a regular fixture in the national team, Rahane remains a dependable middle-order batsman, particularly in overseas conditions. His leadership skills were evident during India's remarkable Test series victory in Australia in 2020-21, where he captained the team in Kohli's absence.Rahane's success as a captain stems from his belief in empowering his players. "There's no secret to success," he said. "I believe that this game is not about individuals; it's about the collective effort of 11 players. Every player is equally important.""As a captain, it's crucial to give players freedom and confidence," Rahane continued. "Every player has the potential to be a match-winner, and it's my responsibility to create an environment where they can thrive."Rahane's insights into the impact of Virat Kohli and his own leadership philosophy provide valuable lessons for aspiring cricketers and leaders alike. His emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and empowering individuals serves as a reminder of the essential ingredients for success in both sports and life.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the new captain of Pakistan's ODI and T20I teams, marking a significant shift in the nation's cricket leadership. The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter replaces Babar Azam, who stepped down following a string of disappointing performances in major ICC tournaments.Rizwan's appointment comes after Pakistan's early exits from both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Babar Azam confirmed his resignation from the white-ball formats via social media, citing the need for a fresh start.The PCB has also appointed Salman Ali Agha as the vice-captain of the white-ball team, signaling a move towards a new era of leadership under Rizwan's guidance. Rizwan's experience and leadership skills, honed during his successful tenure as captain of the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), are expected to bring stability to Pakistan's white-ball squads.Rizwan will begin his captaincy journey with Pakistan's upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour will provide Rizwan with an opportunity to implement his strategies and build a cohesive team.Meanwhile, star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi have been named in the squad for the Australia series but are set to be rested for the Zimbabwe tour later in the year. The PCB is also looking to introduce fresh talent during the Australia series, with Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub, and Faisal Akram among the rising stars expected to make their mark.Rizwan's appointment as captain is a testament to his leadership abilities and his commitment to Pakistan cricket. With his experience, composure, and tactical acumen, Rizwan is expected to lead Pakistan's white-ball teams to greater heights and restore their status as a formidable force in international cricket.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed support for current coach Gautam Gambhir despite India's Test series loss to New Zealand. This marks India's first home Test series defeat in 12 years.Shastri emphasized that Gambhir is still in the early stages of his coaching tenure and has ample time to improve. He acknowledged that the Indian batters were outplayed by New Zealand's spin attack, led by Mitchell Santner, who claimed 13 wickets in the match.In the first Test, New Zealand posted a competitive 259 thanks to half-centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. Washington Sundar then took seven wickets to dismiss the visitors. India, in response, were bowled out for 156, with Santner claiming seven wickets.In the second innings, New Zealand extended their lead to 358 runs, with Tom Latham scoring 86. India's chase of 359 began well, but after Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal, the hosts collapsed, losing by 113 runs. Santner once again starred with six wickets, taking his match tally to 13.Shastri believes that Gambhir will learn from this experience and improve as a coach. He urged patience and support for the new coach.

Radha Yadav's Fielding Brilliance Shines in India's ODI TriumphIn the second One-Day International against New Zealand Women at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India's experienced spin bowler Radha Yadav showcased her exceptional fielding prowess. Her stunning catches played a pivotal role in India's victory, disrupting New Zealand's batting momentum and securing a crucial breakthrough.In the 16th over of New Zealand's innings, Radha Yadav pulled off a breathtaking catch to dismiss in-form opener Georgia Plimmer. Deepti Sharma's well-flighted delivery tempted Plimmer to flick it to the on-side, but Radha Yadav, diving to her right, executed a spectacular catch, preventing a potential boundary.Radha Yadav's fielding brilliance continued as she took another breathtaking catch to dismiss Brooke Halliday. Halliday attempted to loft debutant Priya Mishra down the ground but only managed to sky the ball towards the extra cover region. Radha Yadav sprinted back, executing a full-length dive, and expertly reached the ball with both hands, ensuring it stayed secure after hitting the grass.Earlier, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat. India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur returned to the side after missing the series opener due to a niggle, while the hosts handed a maiden cap to young Priya Mishra. For New Zealand, Fran Jonas and Lea Tahuhu came in for injured Amelia Kerr and Molly Penfold.India lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first ODI by 59 runs. Radha Yadav's fielding brilliance, coupled with Deepti Sharma's bowling prowess, proved instrumental in India's victory, setting the stage for an exciting series finale.

Former Indian batsman Manoj Tiwary has expressed his concerns over the Indian cricket team's recent Test series loss to New Zealand, criticizing captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir for their approach and team selection.Tiwary believes that India's downfall began with Rohit's decision to bat first in the rain-affected series opener in Bengaluru. "India's biggest enemy was the weather in Bengaluru, because they had prepared a turning track. After winning the toss India had the opportunity to field, but I don't know why they opted to bat first, and that is where it all started," Tiwary told Cricbuzz.He also criticized the team selection, particularly the inclusion of Washington Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav and the omission of Akash Deep in the first Test. "You already have a spin-bowling all-rounder in Axar Patel, who picked up wickets in spinning conditions previously. But you ignored him and then benched Kuldeep in the second Test. You did not play Akash Deep in Bengaluru, but included him in the second Test, where you did not give him the ball in the second innings. Then you did not start with Jasprit Bumrah in the attack. All these things will backfired," he added.Tiwary warned that these selection calls could lead to disturbances and even cracks within the team. "What this will lead to is in the coming days there will be a lot of disturbances in the team, there will be cracks in the team," he said.Rohit and Gambhir will be under pressure to turn things around in the third and final Test, starting November 1, before the crucial tour of Australia next month. India will play five Tests Down Under, with the series likely to determine their fate in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Pakistan's hopes of reaching the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final next year have been revived after a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes. Despite a historic series defeat to Bangladesh and a subsequent loss in the opening Test against England, Pakistan's chances appeared all but over. However, a 2-1 series win over England at home has pushed them back into contention.India's dominance at home was shattered by a visiting New Zealand side, who secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series. This result shook up the WTC standings and made the race for the final more open.Currently, India and Australia remain in the top two positions in the standings. However, India's lead has been reduced to just 0.32 PCT, while New Zealand's strong performance has lifted them to fourth place with a 50.00 PCT. Pakistan, though still in seventh with 33.33 PCT, is now mathematically back in the race.For Pakistan to qualify for the WTC final, they must win all four of their remaining matches – two away games against South Africa and two against the West Indies at home. Doing so would raise their PCT to 52.38. However, this alone will not be enough. Pakistan will need other results to go their way, with teams like India, Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and South Africa needing to lose key matches to allow Pakistan to climb into the top two spots.While Pakistan's chances of reaching the final remain slim, the series victory over England and the shake-up caused by India's surprise defeat have ensured that they are still in the conversation. The road ahead is difficult, but Pakistan's qualification hopes are not over yet.