Cricket

Indian cricket team opener Shubman Gill, who missed the first Test against New Zealand due to a stiff neck, is making significant progress in his recovery and could be available for the second Test in Pune starting on Thursday.Gill was spotted at the ground on Day 5 of the first Test in Bengaluru, facing throwdowns and having a prolonged net batting session. He faced fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Mayank Yadav, both traveling reserves for the Indian team, as well as Akash Deep.Gill's return would be a major boost for India, who lost the first Test by eight wickets. The 23-year-old has been in impressive form in recent months, scoring a century in the third Test against Australia in March and a half-century in the first ODI against New Zealand in August.If Gill is fit to play, he is likely to replace Abhimanyu Easwaran, who made his Test debut in the first Test but failed to impress. Gill's inclusion would provide India with a more experienced and reliable opening partner for Rohit Sharma.New Zealand's victory in the first Test was their first in India in 36 years. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on an unbroken 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.India will be looking to level the series in the second Test, which begins on Thursday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

Virat Kohli, the fiery Indian batter, displayed an uncharacteristic restraint during the first Test against New Zealand. Known for his passionate and aggressive on-field demeanor, Kohli's muted reaction to a controversial dismissal raised eyebrows.In the 89th over of New Zealand's innings, Rachin Ravindra was given out caught behind off Mohammed Siraj's bowling. The entire Indian team erupted in celebration, including umpire Michael Gough. However, replays revealed that the ball had not touched Ravindra's bat, but rather a separate noise had occurred.Commentators Harsha Bhogle and Ian Smith noticed that Kohli, positioned at first slip, remained unmoved throughout the proceedings. Replays confirmed that Kohli had indeed not celebrated, despite the initial jubilation from his teammates.Bhogle remarked that Kohli, known for his expressive nature, was at the top of the list of "most expressive people in the world." He suggested that Kohli's muted reaction may have hinted at his belief that the dismissal was not legitimate.Kohli's restraint stood in stark contrast to his usual on-field persona. As India's former captain, he had earned a reputation for wearing his heart on his sleeve and approaching every game with an aggressive, but fair, demeanor.The incident highlights the complexities of the game of cricket and the importance of fair play. While the Indian team initially celebrated the dismissal, Kohli's muted reaction served as a reminder that the spirit of the game should always prevail.Despite India's strong batting performance on Day 3, they suffered a setback when Kohli was dismissed caught behind on the final ball of the day. India ended the day on 231/3, still trailing New Zealand by a significant margin of 125 runs.

New Zealand's historic triumph in India after 36 years was a testament to their resilience and the emergence of young talent. Despite the absence of their injured batting stalwart Kane Williamson, the Black Caps rose to the occasion, led by the impressive performance of Rachin Ravindra.Ravindra, whose parents hail from Bengaluru, played a pivotal role in New Zealand's victory. His composed innings of 134 in the first innings set the tone for the match. After dismissing India for a mere 46 runs, the Black Caps posted a formidable total of 402.India fought back with a strong batting performance, scoring 462 in their second innings. However, Ravindra's composure guided New Zealand to a remarkable eight-wicket win on Sunday."Our first two innings were outstanding," said New Zealand captain Tom Latham. "Rachin was a huge part in that. The way he played... a 137-run stand with a number nine batsman (Tim Southee) is awesome."Ravindra's performance was particularly impressive considering his relative inexperience at Test level. With Williamson's return uncertain due to a groin injury, Ravindra's emergence provides New Zealand with a much-needed boost."Anyone of Kane's calibre, if he's right and able to come back into the side, would be great," said Latham. "Selection headaches are always great things to have and fingers crossed he'll be alright and can get over here as soon as possible."As the series moves to Pune and then Mumbai for the final match, New Zealand will be hoping to maintain their momentum. Ravindra's performance has shown that they have the depth and talent to overcome the absence of their star batsman.

Mohammed Shami Bowls in Bengaluru, Boosting Hopes for Team IndiaIn a significant development for the Indian cricket team, pacer Mohammed Shami has resumed bowling at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The session, which lasted nearly an hour, took place following India's defeat to New Zealand in the first Test on Sunday.Shami, who has been recovering from ankle surgery, engaged in an extensive bowling session with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. Despite having his left knee strapped up as a precautionary measure, Shami showcased his rhythm and accuracy, focusing on maintaining a consistent line and length.The experienced pacer also bowled to Shubman Gill with a slightly shortened run-up, while bowling coach Morne Morkel observed him closely. Shami's performance in the session has raised hopes that he may be fit for the upcoming Test tour of Australia.However, skipper Rohit Sharma had previously expressed concerns about Shami's fitness, citing setbacks in his recovery due to swelling in his knees. Rohit emphasized that it would not be wise to take an "undercooked" version of the pacer for such a high-profile series.Shami last represented India in the ODI World Cup final last year and has been recovering from the ankle surgery since then. He is currently working with physios and doctors at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to regain full fitness.The Indian team management will be closely monitoring Shami's progress in the coming weeks. If he is able to prove his fitness, he will be a valuable addition to the squad for the Australia tour, which begins in December.

Rachin Ravindra, the rising star of New Zealand cricket, has once again showcased his exceptional batting prowess, this time on Indian soil. In the recently concluded first Test match against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Ravindra played a pivotal role in his team's historic eight-wicket victory.Ravindra's impressive performance, which included a match-winning 134 and an unbeaten 39, earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to adapt to the challenging Indian conditions and play with composure and precision was evident throughout the match.Speaking after the match, Ravindra attributed his success to a combination of form and meticulous preparation. He emphasized the importance of understanding the nuances of playing in India, particularly the need to maintain a solid stance and move forward and back to create scoring opportunities."I guess it's a combination of both (form and preparation)," Ravindra said. "As long as I have clarity of what needs to be done and I know what my plan is, it's great."Ravindra's preparation for the tour included a week-long stint at the Chennai Super Kings high-performance academy in Chennai, where he worked closely with coach Sriram Krishnamurthy. This experience proved invaluable, as it allowed him to acclimatize to the different surfaces and bowling styles he would encounter in India."Preparation does help," Ravindra said. "When you've got six Tests in a row, you're always looking to do something extra. Lucky enough it all worked out today."Ravindra's performance in Bengaluru was particularly special for him, as his father, Ravindra Krishnamurthy, was in attendance. The city holds a special significance for Ravindra, as his family hails from there."It's a nice city, and a nice wicket to bat on," Ravindra said. "So the odds are in my favor. Whenever I play in Bangalore, it's quite nice to have the support. My phone starts blowing up. The fans are great too, I love the support. It's nice having dad and close family here, it always makes it special."Ravindra's success in India is a testament to his talent, hard work, and adaptability. As New Zealand continues its tour, he will undoubtedly be a key player for the team, looking to build on his impressive start and contribute to further victories.

India's Collapse in First Test: Rohit Sharma Downplays SignificanceIndian skipper Rohit Sharma has downplayed the significance of India's disastrous collapse in the first Test against New Zealand, asserting that it will not define the team's capabilities. Despite a valiant fightback in the second innings, India succumbed to an eight-wicket defeat in Kanpur.Sharma acknowledged that the team made "small mistakes" but emphasized the importance of staying calm and avoiding panic ahead of the second Test in Pune. He believes that the team has the ability to bounce back from setbacks, as they have done in the past."We have made small mistakes in this game and we are suffering the consequences. But that doesn't mean that everything is over," Sharma said. "We have lost such matches before and we have made a comeback after that. So, we will try not to think too much about this Test."Sharma praised the performance of Sarfaraz Khan, who stepped up as a replacement for Shubman Gill. Khan's century helped India recover from a precarious position in the second innings. Sharma also provided an update on Gill's fitness, indicating that a decision on his availability for the second Test will be made later.Regarding Rishabh Pant, who suffered a blow to his operated knee, Sharma expressed caution. He emphasized the need to protect Pant, who is still recovering from a serious injury."He had a massive operation on his leg. It's just to be a little careful about where he is at and what he is to us," Sharma said. "Even when he was batting, he was not comfortably running. He was trying to only put the ball in the stands."Sharma praised Jasprit Bumrah's performance in the Test, but declined to single out any bowler for underperforming. He stressed the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere within the team and focusing on the upcoming match."Now, it's just about keeping a very calm atmosphere, and not to send panic messages. It's important that we stay strong and try and see how we can nail that second game," Sharma said.

Pakistan's spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have etched their names in cricketing history by becoming the seventh pair of bowlers to capture all 20 wickets in a Test match. Their remarkable feat propelled Pakistan to a resounding 152-run victory over England in the second Test at Multan, setting up a thrilling winner-takes-all showdown in the series finale at Rawalpindi.Noman, the senior partner at 38, led the charge with a career-best 8-46 in England's second innings, while Sajid's 7-111 in the first innings laid the foundation for Pakistan's crucial 75-run lead. Their combined match figures of 11-147 and 9-204, respectively, highlight their dominance on a worn and turning Multan track.The spin pair's success stems from their contrasting styles and unwavering confidence. Noman's left-arm spin provides accuracy and control, while Sajid's off-spin generates sharp turn and bounce. Together, they kept the England batsmen guessing, exploiting the conditions to perfection."We bowled with a lot of confidence and his energy is always very high," Noman said of his partner. "Our plan was to keep it simple. We knew the England batsman would attack, so we were not distracted and kept it simple."Sajid, known for his flamboyant celebrations and immaculately groomed mustache, has become a fan favorite. "I followed my father in keeping a mustache," he said. "David Warner once said he was frightened of my mustache."Former Pakistan spinner Iqbal Qasim believes that Noman and Sajid complement each other perfectly. "Spin gives us the winning formula which we were not using," he said. "Noman and Sajid have matured with experience and can continue to give home wins like this."While it is too early to compare them to India's spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Noman and Sajid have undoubtedly established themselves as a formidable force. Their performance in Multan has reignited Pakistan's hopes of a series victory and has set the stage for an epic showdown in Rawalpindi.

Tasmania's batting lineup faced a stern test on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia at the WACA, as the hosts' frontline attack restricted them to 158 for 5.Allrounder Aaron Hardie, making his first Shield appearance of the season, impressed with a lively opening spell, while offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli claimed two crucial wickets before lunch.After winning the toss and electing to bowl, WA skipper Sam Whiteman's decision was vindicated as the quicks relished the green wicket. Rocchiccioli, who recently earned Australia A selection, showcased his sharp turn and bounce to dismiss Jake Weatherald and Jordan Silk.Brody Couch, who had a mixed debut against Queensland, was fiery and clocked speeds reaching 143kph. He rewarded for the breakthrough of Caleb Jewell, who edged a good length delivery to second slip.However, Tasmania's No.5 Jake Doran held firm, anchoring the innings with an attractive 59 not out. He combined in a half-century partnership with Charlie Wakim, who was eventually dismissed by Cameron Gannon.Allrounder Beau Webster, who is also in Test calculations to replace Cameron Green, made just 3 before nicking off to seamer Matt Kelly.Despite the rain interruption, WA's bowlers maintained a stranglehold on the game, with Mitchell Marsh yet to enter the attack.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has revealed that the team is taking extra precautions with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's knee injury, which he sustained during the first innings of the second Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Pant, who has undergone multiple surgeries on his knee following a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, was seen struggling to run comfortably while batting in India's second innings. He was eventually dismissed for 99 off 105 balls."He's had a massive operation on his leg, so we all know what he went through," Rohit said after India's eight-wicket defeat. "It's just to be a little careful about where he is at and what he is to us."Pant injured his knee on the second day of the Test while attempting to stump Devon Conway. He was replaced by Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps for the remainder of the first innings and the first 27.4 overs of New Zealand's second innings.Rohit emphasized the importance of being cautious with Pant's knee, given his recent history of injuries."He's had a lot of minor surgeries [and] one big surgery on his knee and he went through a lot of trauma, to be honest, in the last one-and-a-half years," Rohit said. "So it's just about being extra careful, not [just] careful with him."Despite his knee injury, Pant displayed his usual aggressive batting style, smashing nine fours and five sixes."No one knows what goes in his mind, to be honest," Rohit said with a smile. "He decides what he wants to do. I don't think there's anything that you need to speak to him [about]. We spoke to him about 'please understand the situation' and stuff like that, but that's Rishabh - he wants to play in a certain way and then, as a captain, as a coach, we want to back that because like he has produced results for us having that mindset. So let him go and play freely."