Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has etched his name in the record books by becoming the leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). During the second Test against New Zealand at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Ashwin took two crucial wickets in the morning session, surpassing Australia's Nathan Lyon to claim the top spot.Ashwin dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham for 15 and Will Young for 18, helping India restrict New Zealand to 92/2 at lunch on Day 1. These dismissals brought Ashwin's tally to 188 wickets in 39 WTC matches, placing him ahead of Lyon, who has 187 wickets from 43 matches.Ashwin's remarkable achievement underscores his importance in India's bowling attack, as the team looks to bounce back in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand and secure a spot in the WTC final. The off-spinner has been a key figure in India's bowling lineup throughout the WTC, consistently delivering match-winning performances.With his latest milestone, Ashwin has further cemented his status as one of the world's leading bowlers in the longest format of the game. His ability to extract turn and bounce from any surface, combined with his exceptional control and variations, makes him a formidable opponent for any batting lineup.Ashwin's success in the WTC is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the sport. He has consistently performed at the highest level, showcasing his class and skill on the international stage.As India continues its quest for WTC glory, Ashwin will undoubtedly play a pivotal role. His experience, skill, and leadership will be invaluable as the team aims to secure a place in the final and challenge for the coveted trophy.

In a dramatic turn of events during the second Test between India and New Zealand in Pune, Sarfaraz Khan's unwavering conviction led to the dismissal of Will Young, stealing a crucial wicket for the hosts.The incident occurred in the 24th over of New Zealand's innings. Young, batting on 18, attempted to glance a delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin to the fine-leg boundary. However, he missed the ball, and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant collected it cleanly behind the stumps.Despite Pant's uncertainty, Sarfaraz, positioned at short-leg, was adamant that he had heard a faint sound. As the countdown to review commenced, Sarfaraz pleaded with skipper Rohit Sharma to send the decision upstairs. With Virat Kohli also backing his claim, Rohit reluctantly agreed.The Ultra-Edge technology subsequently confirmed a slight spike as the ball passed Young's glove. The Indian team erupted in jubilation as Sarfaraz's instincts proved correct. Ashwin claimed his second wicket of the morning session, having earlier dismissed Tom Latham for 15.Sarfaraz's unwavering belief and the subsequent review not only highlighted the importance of close-in fielders but also showcased the growing influence of technology in cricket. The incident served as a reminder that even the most subtle of sounds can make a significant difference in the outcome of a match.New Zealand ended the morning session at 92 for 2 in 31 overs, with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra unbeaten on 47 and 5 respectively. The match remains evenly poised, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in the crucial second Test.

KL Rahul's Time Running Out as Sarfaraz Khan's Form Mounts PressureAhead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, the Indian team faced a crucial decision: whether to retain out-of-form KL Rahul or select in-form Sarfaraz Khan. After India's loss in the opening Test, the debate intensified, with many experts calling for Sarfaraz's inclusion.At the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma ended the speculation by opting for Sarfaraz over Rahul. The decision was met with mixed reactions, but former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes it's a sign that time is running out for Rahul."Of course, the pressure is building because of his form," Chopra said. "He hasn't really been very good in the last 8 or 10 Test matches. That's also a fact. So, time is running out."Chopra highlighted that Sarfaraz's consistent run-scoring has increased the pressure on Rahul. Since his debut against England earlier this year, Sarfaraz has played four Tests, scoring 350 runs at an impressive average of 58.33, including three half-centuries and a century."Sarfaraz has already scored 150 in the last Test match," Chopra said. "That pressure is also there on KL Rahul. The team also knows that KL Rahul is basically an opener, but he has been pushed up and down the order way too many times. It is not fair for someone to always be in the line of fire and asked to adjust."Chopra emphasized that while the team is still backing Rahul, ultimately, it's about scoring runs. "There will be pressure on KL Rahul now. There's no doubt about it," he said.Rahul's struggles in red-ball cricket have been well-documented. In his last 10 Test matches, he has averaged just 26.70, with only one half-century. His poor form has raised questions about his place in the team, especially with Sarfaraz knocking on the door.The second Test in Pune will be a crucial one for Rahul. If he fails to perform, it could spell the end of his Test career. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, has a golden opportunity to cement his place in the Indian team.

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Gavaskar criticized the move, suggesting it indicated "panic" from the team management.India entered the second Test trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, making three changes to their lineup. New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and chose to bat first at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. India dropped Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and KL Rahul. Shubman Gill returned to the side, Akash Deep replaced Siraj, and Washington Sundar was included for his first Test match since March 2021.Gavaskar commented on the team changes during the match. "I do not see a lot of teams making three changes unless there are injury concerns. Washington Sundar's inclusion tells you they are worried about their batting. More than his bowling, they need his batting down the order as the cushion," he said.Gavaskar questioned the decision to leave out Kuldeep Yadav, noting his potential effectiveness against New Zealand's left-handed batters. "Yes, there is a lot of talk about the left-handers in the New Zealand batting unit, but I would have picked Kuldeep Yadav, who can also turn it away from a left-hander," he added.With pressure on India to secure a win in Pune, Gavaskar's comments highlight the critical nature of team selection decisions as they aim to preserve their home dominance and secure a spot in the WTC final.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, delivered a crucial early breakthrough for the hosts in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Ashwin dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham in his fifth delivery, setting the tone for India's bowling attack.Bowling with his customary precision, Ashwin pitched the ball on leg stump, inducing a sharp turn after landing. Latham attempted to defend the ball into the leg side but was caught plumb in front of the stumps. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger for the lbw decision.Latham, who had scored 15 runs off 22 balls with two boundaries, opted not to review the decision, marking the first wicket of the day. This dismissal highlighted Ashwin's ongoing dominance against Latham. In their previous encounters, Ashwin has dismissed Latham nine times in 11 innings, maintaining a remarkable average of 14.22.Ashwin continued his brilliant spell by dismissing Will Young, caught behind by Rishabh Pant, further tightening India's grip on the match. With this wicket, Ashwin not only gave India their second breakthrough but also became the leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) history.New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the stage for a challenging morning session for their batsmen. With Ashwin leading the charge, India looked to build on this early success and apply pressure on the New Zealand batting lineup.Ashwin's early wickets were a testament to his exceptional skills and experience on Indian pitches. His ability to generate sharp turn and deceive batsmen with his variations makes him a formidable force in home conditions.India will be hoping that Ashwin can continue his impressive form throughout the match and help them secure a crucial victory in the second Test. With the series level at 0-0, both teams will be eager to gain an advantage in the race for the World Test Championship final.

England's white-ball squads for their upcoming Caribbean tour have been bolstered by the additions of Jordan Cox and Rehan Ahmed. Both players are currently with the Test team in Pakistan, but will join the white-ball squad in Antigua on Monday.Cox, the Essex wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make his Test debut in New Zealand and may leave the Caribbean early. He is likely to miss the five-match T20I series but will arrive in New Zealand in time for England's warm-up match on November 23.Rehan, who has been named in England's XI for the third Test in Pakistan, will arrive late in the Caribbean and is unlikely to feature in the first ODI against West Indies on November 31.Cox made his international debut in England's T20I series against Australia last month and is likely to win his first ODI cap in the Caribbean. He will also deputise as England's keeper in the New Zealand series, with Jamie Smith set to miss at least one Test on paternity leave.Rehan's involvement in the third Test in Pakistan is likely to rule him out of at least the first ODI, and he may not be considered until the T20Is. He is one of three wristspinners in England's squads along with Adil Rashid and Jafer Chohan.England announced that Liam Livingstone will captain them in their three ODIs in the Caribbean, with Jos Buttler missing that leg of the tour due to injury. Essex's Michael Pepper has also been added to the squads as cover.West Indies are 2-0 down in an ODI series in Sri Lanka ahead of the final match on Saturday and are yet to announce their squads for the series against England. The first ODI takes place in Antigua on November 31, with the tour running until the fifth T20I in St Lucia on November 17.

South Africa's bowlers put in a dominant performance on the final morning of the first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, dismissing the hosts for 307 and setting themselves a target of 106 runs to win.Kagiso Rabada, who had already taken his 300th Test wicket on day three, struck early to remove Nayeem Hasan and complete a five-wicket haul. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had been Bangladesh's top scorer with 97, was the last man out, falling to Rabada's bowling just three runs short of a century.South Africa's bowlers had taken the remaining three wickets in just 4.5 overs on the opening morning, with Rabada finishing with figures of 6 for 46 and Keshav Maharaj taking 3 for 105.Bangladesh had resumed their innings on 283 for 7, with Mehidy and Taijul Islam at the crease. The pair added 24 runs to their overnight score before Taijul was dismissed for 12, caught at second slip off the bowling of Wiaan Mulder.Mehidy continued to bat aggressively, reaching the nineties with a boundary off Mulder. However, he was unable to convert his innings into a century, falling to Rabada for 97 when he attempted to ramp a delivery but sent a catch to slip instead.South Africa's bowlers had opted to use spinners with the old ball at the start of the day's play, but they had a new ball available as soon as play began. Rabada made immediate use of the new ball, dismissing Nayeem with his third delivery.South Africa will now be confident of chasing down the target and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The pitch has become better for batting, and the Proteas will be looking to their top order to get them off to a good start.

After his remarkable 150 in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Sarfaraz Khan's inclusion in the playing XI for the second Test in Pune was inevitable. His maiden Test century, scored under immense pressure, spearheaded India's fightback.With Virat Kohli dismissed on the final ball of Day 3 in the first Test, India faced a 125-run deficit at 231/3. Sarfaraz stepped up, forging a crucial 177-run partnership with Rishabh Pant (99) for the fourth wicket.Despite Shubman Gill's return to fitness, KL Rahul was dropped from the XI after scoring a duck and 12 in Bengaluru. Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir had previously expressed support for Rahul, citing his performance in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh.However, Rahul's last Test century came against South Africa in Centurion in December 2023, in a match India lost by an innings and 32 runs. His inconsistent form has raised concerns, and the team management's decision to select Sarfaraz over Rahul sends a clear message.Sarfaraz made his Test debut against England in Rajkot earlier this year, showcasing his temperament with half-centuries in both innings. He followed it up with a 56 in the fifth Test in Dharamsala, contributing to India's 4-1 series victory.Sarfaraz's exceptional performances in domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy, have earned him recognition as a potential mainstay in India's Test middle order. His ability to score big under pressure and adapt to different conditions makes him a valuable asset for the team.

Mohammed Shami, India's seasoned pacer, is on the road to recovery after a year-long absence due to an ankle injury. The 34-year-old underwent Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year and has been working diligently to return to competitive cricket.Shami's recovery has progressed steadily, and he recently shared a video on social media showcasing his bowling prowess in the nets. The clip, accompanied by a motivational quote, highlights his determination to regain his fitness."Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out," Shami wrote.The veteran fast bowler has been training intensively, even bowling to India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in the nets after India's first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Despite nearing full fitness, Shami was ruled out of the ongoing three-Test series against New Zealand. However, he remains optimistic about his return as India prepares for a five-Test series in Australia next month."It felt great because I had been bowling with half a run-up on and off since I can't put too much stress on my body," Shami said earlier. "We decided that I would bowl properly, and I gave my 100%. It felt great, and the results are good. Hopefully, I'll be back on track soon."Shami emphasized the importance of spending more time on the field before India's crucial tour of Australia, which begins on November 22 in Perth. He also expressed his desire to play a couple of domestic matches to regain match fitness before embarking on the overseas tour."I know what kind of an attack we want for that Test series (against Australia), so it's better I spend some more time on the ground before going," Shami said. "If I get fit and I get a gap of eight to 10 days, then it's better I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia."India will be hoping for a fully fit Shami to bolster their pace attack in what promises to be a high-intensity series Down Under.