Cricket

Washington Sundar's remarkable return to the Indian Test team was marked by a career-best performance in the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Replacing Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, Sundar made an immediate impact, claiming a seven-wicket haul to bowl out the Kiwis for 259 in their first innings.Sundar's introduction into the attack came with New Zealand at 32/1 after 8 overs. Despite bowling six overs in his first spell, he failed to make a breakthrough. However, his persistence paid off in his third spell, when he dismissed Rachin Ravindra with a beautiful delivery that drifted in on off, landed around a length, and turned sharply to clip off stump.As the match progressed, Sundar's bowling improved with each over. He showcased his exceptional drift and dip on a pitch that offered decent turn. Five of his seven dismissals were clean bowled, demonstrating his mastery of the conditions.Sundar's career-best spell of 7/59 was not only his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket but also his first in all First Class cricket since August 2022 and his first on Indian soil since October 2017. His performance was instrumental in turning the game in India's favor.Sundar's return to form is a testament to his resilience and determination. Having last played a Test match in 2021, he has worked tirelessly to regain his place in the Indian team. His performance in Pune has not only solidified his position but also given India a valuable all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.

KL Rahul's future with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) hangs in the balance as the franchise prepares for the upcoming IPL mega auction. Rahul, who has captained LSG since their inception in 2022, is unlikely to be retained and is expected to enter the auction pool.Despite being LSG's leading run-scorer in all three seasons, Rahul's strike rate has come under scrutiny. In IPL 2024, he averaged 136.12, which is below the league's average in recent seasons.Following LSG's disappointing seventh-place finish in IPL 2024, owner Sanjeev Goenka was seen having an animated conversation with Rahul on the field. While Goenka later clarified that the exchange was amicable, it sparked speculation about Rahul's future.At an event in August, Goenka referred to Rahul as "family" but remained non-committal on player retention. Sources indicate that Rahul has not yet committed to accepting a retention offer if one is made.The deadline for franchises to submit their retained player lists is October 31. Teams can retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped internationals.Rahul's departure would be a significant blow to LSG, who have relied heavily on his batting prowess. However, the franchise may be looking to rebuild with a new captain and a more aggressive batting approach.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has urged selectors to abandon the experiment of using Steve Smith as an opener and instead opt for a specialist opener for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against India.Clarke's suggestion stems from Smith's struggles at the top of the order since David Warner's retirement. Smith, who prefers batting at No. 4, has failed to replicate his success as an opener.With all-rounder Cameron Green ruled out due to injury, Australia faces a shortage of reliable openers. Clarke believes the team should not repeat the mistake of moving Smith to the top and instead select a specialist."We made a mistake in getting Steve Smith to open the batting in Test cricket, so let's not make the same mistake," Clarke said. "Let's pick a specialist opener, whoever is best equipped."Australia has several options for the opener's position, including Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris, Josh Inglis, and Nathan McSweeney. However, Clarke expressed skepticism about the latter two, questioning their experience and suitability for the role."How can you justify Josh Inglis is a better person to open the batting in a Test match against this Indian attack than a specialist opener?" Clarke asked. "He scored Shield runs, yes, but he bats in the middle order."Clarke also highlighted the lack of runs from specialist openers in the current Shield cricket season. He suggested Cameron Bancroft as a potential candidate, citing his consistent performance over the past three seasons."I would probably go with Cameron Bancroft because he's been the leading run scorer for the last two years in Shield cricket," Clarke said. "I care about Shield cricket. I think he's earned the right to be selected based on runs."Clarke's comments come amid speculation that Warner may return from retirement for the India series. However, the former captain believes Australia should not rely on Warner and instead focus on developing a long-term solution at the top of the order.

Pakistan Spinners Dominate England on Day 1 of Deciding TestIn a captivating opening day of the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi, Pakistan's spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali wreaked havoc on England's batting lineup.England, opting to bat first, made a promising start with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley putting on a 52-run partnership. However, Noman Ali broke the stand by dismissing Crawley for 29. Sajid Khan then joined the fray, and together with Noman, they ripped through England's top order.Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook all fell cheaply, scoring just 3, 5, and 5 runs respectively. England slumped to 98 for five in the first session, with Pakistan keeper Mohammad Rizwan teasing batter Harry Brook over the stump mic, saying, "No more Bazball."The collapse continued after lunch as England lost skipper Ben Stokes for 12. At the close of play, England were struggling at 110 for six, with Sajid Khan and Noman Ali having taken three wickets each.Sajid Khan's impressive performance included the wicket of England's star batter Joe Root, who was trapped leg before wicket for just 5 runs. Noman Ali, meanwhile, dismissed Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Ben Stokes.Pakistan's dominance with the ball has put them in a strong position in the match. England will need to find a way to counter the spin threat if they are to avoid a series defeat.

The second Test match between India and New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune witnessed an intriguing first day, marked by a spirited comeback from the Indian bowlers and a resilient batting performance from the Kiwis.After New Zealand opted to bat first, openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway provided a cautious start. However, the introduction of spin proved pivotal as Ravichandran Ashwin struck in his first over, dismissing Latham for 15. Will Young joined Conway, but their partnership was cut short when Young edged one to Rishabh Pant, giving Ashwin his second scalp.Conway, however, remained unfazed and continued to attack the Indian bowling. He reached his second half-century of the series in 109 balls, with six fours. Rachin Ravindra, who joined Conway at the crease, also played with confidence and brought up his fourth fifty in 93 balls.The 62-run partnership between Conway and Ravindra was broken by Ashwin, who got Conway for 76 in 141 balls. Daryl Mitchell joined Ravindra, and the duo continued to frustrate the Indian bowlers. Ravindra reached his half-century in 93 balls, with three fours and a six.Washington Sundar provided another breakthrough for India, dismissing Ravindra for 65 in 105 balls. Tom Blundell was then removed by Sundar for three, leaving New Zealand at 201/5 heading into tea break.The Indian bowlers, led by Ashwin and Sundar, showed great resilience to mount a comeback after a difficult period against Conway and Ravindra. The crowd at the MCA Stadium played their part, urging Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to give Virat Kohli a bowl.

Cricket's Water Crisis: Balancing Sport and Community NeedsCricket, a beloved sport in many parts of the world, faces a growing challenge: balancing the needs of the game with the needs of local communities. In regions grappling with water scarcity, the large-scale water usage for cricket matches has sparked public outcry and protests.In areas where water is a precious resource, the use of potable water for cricket stadiums has come under scrutiny. During severe droughts, courts have ruled against such practices, prioritizing the water needs of local populations over entertainment.The recent Test match between India and New Zealand in Pune, Maharashtra, highlighted the water crisis. Fans at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium faced severe drinking water shortages due to the scorching heat. The lack of proper arrangements by authorities led to dehydration and health risks for spectators.Social media posts from fans expressed their frustration and anger. One user tweeted, "NO WATER in the MCA Stadium at Pune. That too in the month of October when there's scorching HEAT. What's the point of boasting about stadiums when fans can't get basic facilities? SHAME!"Another fan reported, "Ind vs NZ, MCA stadium, it has been 2 hours since the water supply stopped. The vendors are selling 100ml for 80 Rs. @RRPSpeaks Please look into this, almost 4 senior citizens have collapsed because of the dehydration. @BCCI."The water crisis in cricket stadiums not only affects fans but also raises concerns about the sport's sustainability. Water conservation measures in stadiums can limit drinking water availability, sanitation facilities, and overall comfort for spectators. This can lead to complaints about a lack of basic amenities and a diminished fan experience.Cricket authorities face the challenge of finding a balance between the needs of the sport and the needs of local communities. They must implement responsible water management practices, explore alternative water sources, and educate fans about the importance of water conservation.By addressing the water crisis, cricket can not only ensure the safety and well-being of fans but also demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and community responsibility.

India's women's cricket team, led by Smriti Mandhana in the absence of injured captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chose to bat first in the opening ODI against New Zealand at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. This is the first women's ODI to be played at this venue since April 2013.India handed ODI debuts to Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor, while Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh provided the pace options. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav were the spin options, with D Hemalatha batting at No. 4 in place of Harmanpreet. Yastika Bhatia took over the wicketkeeping duties and batted at one-down.New Zealand, who are looking to earn crucial ICC Women's Championship points in this series, fielded a similar lineup to the one that won them the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Lauren Down, returning from maternity leave, slotted into the lower middle order, while tall fast bowler Molly Penfold made her debut. Experienced fast bowler Lea Tahuhu was rested.

Pakistani Fan's Placard for 'Dropped' Babar Azam Sparks Social Media FrenzyIn an unexpected twist during the Pakistan vs England series decider at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a Pakistani fan displayed a placard expressing support for the recently dropped Babar Azam. The placard, which read "I skipped school to see King Babar," drew attention on the opening day of the third and final Test.Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain and star batsman, was surprisingly omitted from the team for the second and third Tests against England due to a poor run of form. In the first Test in Multan, he scored a disappointing 30 and 5, following a string of low scores against Bangladesh at home.The fan's placard sparked a flurry of witty comments on social media. Some users questioned the fan's decision to skip school, while others praised his unwavering support for Babar Azam.Meanwhile, on the field, England struggled to 110 for five at lunch on the opening day. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali wreaked havoc on the English top order, with Sajid claiming three wickets and Noman taking two. Ben Duckett (52) and Zak Crawley (29) provided a steady start, but Ollie Pope (3), Joe Root (5), and Harry Brook (5) were dismissed cheaply.Skipper Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith remained unbeaten at the break on 6 and 5, respectively, as England faced an uphill battle in the series-deciding contest.

South Africa's Test resurgence continued in emphatic fashion as they secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at Dhaka's Shere Bangla National Stadium. This triumph marks the Proteas' first Test win in Asia since 2014 and significantly boosts their standing in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's decision to field first proved costly as South Africa's bowlers exploited the favorable conditions to skittle the hosts for a mere 106 runs in the first innings. Kagiso Rabada led the charge with 3/32, while Lungi Ngidi and Simon Harmer chipped in with two wickets each.In response, South Africa posted a solid 308, thanks to a resilient century from Kyle Verreynne (114 off 144 balls). Wiaan Mulder (54 off 112 balls) and Dane Piedt (32 off 87 balls) provided valuable support, giving the Proteas a substantial 202-run lead.Bangladesh's second innings started promisingly, but Rabada's impressive 6/46 reduced them to 112/6 at one stage. However, a gritty knock of 97 from Mehidy Hasan allowed Bangladesh to reach 307, setting South Africa a target of 106 runs to win.South Africa chased down the target with relative ease, with Tony de Zorzi contributing 41 off 52 balls and Tristan Stubbs finishing unbeaten on 30 off 37 balls. This victory not only gives the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the two-match series but also elevates them to fourth place in the WTC standings.India (68.06) and Australia (62.50) continue to hold the top two spots, with Sri Lanka at third with 55.56 point percentage. South Africa's win improved their point percentage to 47.62, allowing them to jump ahead of New Zealand and England. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's loss dropped their point percentage to 30.56, leaving them in seventh place.