Cricket

India's batting woes continued in the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, as they were bowled out for a paltry 156 in their first innings, handing the visitors a commanding 103-run lead. This marks the second consecutive home Test where India has conceded a lead of over 100 runs, a feat not seen in 23 years.The collapse began on Day 1, when India lost captain Rohit Sharma for a duck, leaving them at 16/1 overnight. On Day 2, the top-order showed some promise, with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal taking the score to 50/1. However, Gill's dismissal triggered a catastrophic collapse, with India losing nine wickets for 106 runs in just over 24 overs.Mitchell Santner led the charge for New Zealand, claiming career-best figures of 7 for 53. Ravindra Jadeja's late resistance of 38 off 46 balls was the only notable contribution from the Indian batters.This latest batting failure follows India's shocking collapse in the previous Test in Bengaluru, where they were bowled out for 46, their lowest home total. The back-to-back collapses have raised concerns about India's batting depth and resilience.The last time India conceded 100-plus leads in back-to-back home Tests was in 2001 against Australia. Despite this unwanted record, India famously came back to win that series, and they will be hoping for a similar resurgence against New Zealand.However, the task ahead is daunting. New Zealand's substantial first-innings lead has put India in a difficult position. The hosts will need to bat with much greater determination and resilience in their second innings to stay competitive in the match and series.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka LIVE Updates: India-Pakistan Final Looms in ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia CupThe stage is set for a potential India vs Pakistan final in the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup on Sunday. However, both teams must first overcome their respective semi-final opponents, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan, on Saturday.Pakistan Shaheens, the defending champions, will face Sri Lanka A in the first semi-final at the Al-Amerat Ground in Oman. The two teams have met twice in the tournament so far, with Pakistan winning both encounters.Sri Lanka A, led by Charith Asalanka, will be looking to avenge those defeats and reach their first final in the competition. They have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning four of their five matches.Pakistan Shaheens, captained by Mohammad Haris, will be confident of continuing their winning streak. They have a well-balanced team with a strong batting lineup and a potent bowling attack.The second semi-final will see India A take on Afghanistan. India A, led by Yash Dhull, have been the most dominant team in the tournament, winning all five of their matches. They will be the favorites to reach the final.Afghanistan, led by Noor Ahmad, will be hoping to cause an upset. They have shown glimpses of their potential in the tournament, but they will need to play their best cricket to beat India A.The winner of the two semi-finals will meet in the final on Sunday. A repeat of last year's final, when Pakistan beat India to win the Emerging Asia Cup title, is a possibility.

Pakistan's first innings faltered on day two of the third Test in Rawalpindi, as England's Rehan Ahmed claimed three crucial wickets to leave the hosts trailing by 80 runs. Resuming on 73 for 3, Pakistan's hopes rested on Saud Shakeel and skipper Shan Masood. However, Masood's dismissal for 26 off Shoaib Bashir's bowling set the tone for a challenging session.Shakeel, who resumed on 16, remained defiant, reaching his 11th Test fifty-plus score. However, a missed catch by Jamie Smith on 26 could have altered the course of the innings. Despite the setback, Shakeel and Masood consolidated their partnership, adding 53 runs in 130 deliveries.The introduction of Rehan Ahmed proved pivotal for England. The legspinner trapped Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha leg before in quick succession, before dismissing Aamer Jamal with a googly. Ahmed's impressive spell of 3 for 24 from eight overs, including two maidens, put England in the ascendancy.Pakistan's hopes now rest on Shakeel, who remains unbeaten on 72. However, the hosts face an uphill battle to avoid a significant deficit. England's bowlers, led by Ahmed, have shown their class, and Pakistan will need to dig deep to salvage the innings.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins has jokingly revealed his excuses for a potential loss in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast, Cummins quipped, "I will find some (laughs). Cameron Green was going to open the batting and bowling."Green's absence due to back surgery has disrupted Australia's plans. The all-rounder was expected to bat at number four and provide pace bowling support. His injury has left a void in the team's balance, forcing the management to reconsider their strategy.Cummins acknowledged the importance of a balanced contest between bat and ball. "It feels like if someone has scored a hundred, they have batted the house down. Taken them a few sessions whereas my first couple of years, some of those wickets were so flat," he said.The skipper expressed his desire for wickets that challenge both batsmen and bowlers. "I think some of those Indian spinning wickets as well, I think that last tour, Delhi we should have won, it just get the teams close to each other if you get the wickets like that, but you do not listen to our players complaining about those types of wickets," he added.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 at Perth. The series will feature five Tests, with the second Test in Adelaide played under lights. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The series will conclude with the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Queensland's One-Day Cup campaign got off to a flying start with a dominant nine-wicket victory over South Australia at Allan Border Field. Despite a valiant century from South Australian skipper Nathan McSweeney, the Bulls chased down the target with ease, securing a bonus point in the process.Left-arm paceman Liam Guthrie played a pivotal role in the victory, claiming three quick wickets in six overs to put the visitors on the back foot. Tom Straker also chipped in with three wickets, including the dangerous Alex Carey.McSweeney, who is in contention for a Test berth against India, played a lone hand for South Australia, scoring a magnificent 137 off 131 balls. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent the Bulls from cruising to victory.Wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson led the charge for Queensland, smashing an unbeaten 100 off 98 balls. Peirson's innings was a masterclass in strokeplay, with the left-hander showcasing his full range of shots.Test hopeful Matt Renshaw also played a key role, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 52 balls. Renshaw's innings was a timely reminder of his talent and will give him confidence ahead of the upcoming Test series.The victory was a welcome boost for Queensland, who had lost their first two matches of the One-Day Cup. It also served as a reminder of the depth of talent in the Bulls' squad.

Virat Kohli's ongoing struggles against spin bowling continued to haunt him in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. On Friday, the Indian batting maestro was dismissed for a mere 1 by New Zealand left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner.Kohli's dismissal came when he misjudged a low full toss, failing to connect as the ball slipped under his bat and crashed into the stumps. The dismissal left Kohli visibly frustrated and marked the 21st time since 2021 that he has fallen to spin in Asia.Kohli's struggles against spin have become a recurring theme, particularly in Asian conditions. Earlier in the series, during the first Test in Bengaluru, Kohli was dismissed in similar fashion by New Zealand spinner Glenn Phillips. India went on to lose that match by 8 wickets, trailing the three-match series 0-1.Kohli's troubles against spin, especially left-arm orthodox spinners like Santner, have become a glaring concern. Since 2021, out of his 21 dismissals to spinners, 10 have been at the hands of left-arm orthodox bowlers, against whom he averages a meager 27.10.In total, Kohli has managed just 606 runs against spinners during this period in Asian conditions, with an average of 28.85 - far below the high standards he set in his career.As India battled to recover from New Zealand's first-innings score of 259, Kohli's early exit put the team in a difficult position. By lunch on the second day, India had slumped to 107/7, with the visitors' spinners tightening their grip on the match. Kohli's dismissal, in particular, exacerbated India's struggles, as they sought to gain momentum in the series following their loss in the first Test.Kohli's struggles against spin have raised questions about his technique and adaptability to changing conditions. The Indian team management will be hoping that he can find a way to overcome this challenge and regain his dominance against spin bowling.

New Zealand's relentless bowling attack has put India on the back foot in the second Test in Mumbai, leaving the hosts with a daunting task to avoid a series defeat.On a challenging pitch that offered significant turn, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, claiming six wickets between them. Santner's persistent and accurate bowling proved too much for the Indian batsmen, while Phillips' variations kept them guessing.India's struggles began early on, with Shubman Gill falling to Santner in the 11th over. Virat Kohli's dismissal for 1, bowled by a full toss, further dented India's hopes. Phillips then dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, both caught behind, to leave India reeling at 57 for 4.The pressure continued to mount as Sarfaraz Khan and Ravichandran Ashwin also fell cheaply. With the pitch offering little respite, India's batsmen found it increasingly difficult to score runs.Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are now tasked with the unenviable task of rescuing India from a precarious position. However, with New Zealand's bowlers in such impressive form, the hosts face an uphill battle to avoid a series defeat.

New South Wales (NSW) dominated Victoria in a One-Day Cup clash at the Junction Oval, securing a resounding 140-run victory. Despite the absence of Josh Hazlewood due to illness, NSW showcased their batting prowess with half-centuries from Steven Smith, Nic Maddinson, and Matthew Gilkes.Smith, returning to form after a disappointing Sheffield Shield match, struck a fluent 56 off 54 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. Maddinson contributed 63 off 64 balls, while Gilkes provided a late surge with a blistering 74 off 42 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes.Victoria's bowlers struggled to contain NSW's onslaught, with only veteran Peter Siddle offering resistance. The 39-year-old claimed a List A career-best 5 for 49, including the wickets of Smith, Gilkes, Pat Cummins, Josh Philippe, and Moises Henriques.In reply, Victoria's chase was anchored by Matthew Short's impressive 80 off 57 balls. However, the loss of wickets at regular intervals hindered their progress. Cummins, making his return after a long layoff, claimed the key wicket of Sam Harper, while Chris Green picked up three wickets to finish with 3 for 27.The victory extends NSW's unbeaten start to the One-Day Cup, while Victoria remains winless after two matches.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Enters Test Cricket History Books with 1,000 Runs in a Calendar YearNew Delhi, India - Yashasvi Jaiswal, the prodigious Indian opener, has etched his name into the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the first Indian batter to amass 1,000 runs in a calendar year before turning 23. This remarkable achievement was accomplished during the second Test against New Zealand at Pune's MCA Stadium, where Jaiswal contributed 30 runs before being dismissed by Glenn Phillips.Jaiswal's historic feat places him among an elite group of Test cricket legends who have reached the 1,000-run milestone in a year at such a young age. He joins West Indies great Garfield Sobers (1958), South Africa's Graeme Smith (2003), AB de Villiers (2005), and England's Alastair Cook (2006) as the only batters to achieve this rare distinction.Jaiswal's journey to this milestone has been nothing short of extraordinary. The 22-year-old made his Test debut in December 2021 and has since established himself as a key member of the Indian batting lineup. His consistent performances throughout the year, including a century against Sri Lanka in March, have propelled him to the forefront of Indian cricket.Despite Jaiswal's historic achievement, India found themselves in a precarious position on the second day of the Test. Jaiswal's wicket left India struggling at 70/4 in the morning session, trailing New Zealand's first-innings total of 259. However, the young opener's record-breaking performance serves as a testament to his immense talent and potential as one of India's most promising young stars.