Cricket

The highly anticipated India vs New Zealand Test match in Bengaluru has reached a pivotal point, with all possible outcomes still on the table. However, the weather could play a decisive role in determining the fate of the match.After a rain-marred first day, the match commenced under overcast conditions. New Zealand's fast bowlers wreaked havoc on India's batting lineup, dismissing them for a paltry 46 runs. The visitors then amassed a formidable 402 runs, putting India under immense pressure.In response, India fought back with a resilient 462 runs, setting New Zealand a target of 107 runs to win. With all ten second-innings wickets in hand, New Zealand will resume their chase on the fifth and final day.However, the weather forecast for Bengaluru is casting a shadow over the match. The Indian Meteorological Department predicts "generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers" on Sunday. Accuweather also forecasts "thunderstorms in the area late Saturday night through Sunday evening."These weather conditions could prove advantageous for India, as they could limit the time available for New Zealand to score the required runs. Conversely, New Zealand will be hoping for a clear spell of cricket to allow them to chase down the target.The M Chinnaswamy Stadium boasts a world-class drainage facility and a subsurface aeration system, which enables play to resume quickly after rainfall. However, if the rain persists or becomes too heavy, it could force the match to be abandoned or result in a draw.As the match enters its final day, the tension is palpable. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory, but the weather could ultimately have the final say.

Sarfaraz Khan's scintillating century in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand has reignited his hopes of cementing a place in the Indian Test team. The 25-year-old right-hander, who was drafted in as a replacement for the injured Shubman Gill, seized the opportunity with both hands, scoring a magnificent 150 runs to lead India's fightback.After a disappointing duck in the first innings, Sarfaraz showed his class and determination in the second, playing a series of eye-catching strokes to bring up his maiden Test century. He reached the milestone with a boundary off Tim Southee and celebrated with a jubilant sprint, his teammates and the support staff joining in the celebration from the dressing room.Sarfaraz's century was a testament to his hard work and perseverance. He has been in impressive form in domestic cricket for several years, but had yet to translate that success into the international arena. This knock has undoubtedly put him on the radar of the selectors and will give him confidence for the rest of the series.The BCCI shared a montage of two moments separated by more than nine years, featuring Sarfaraz and Virat Kohli. In the first clip, from IPL 2015, a 17-year-old Sarfaraz scored a cracking 21-ball 45 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As soon as he finished his innings, Kohli came onto the field with a big smile and bowed to him, a gesture that left a lasting impression on the young batsman.Recalling the moment, Sarfaraz said, "I met him at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time. I had scored 45 runs in 21 balls here and he bowed at me. I had a lot of fun that day. It was a dream to share an Indian team dressing room with him it will come true in the future if I get the opportunity."Sarfaraz also spoke about his experience of playing alongside Kohli in RCB, highlighting his passion and love for the game. "His (Virat Kohli's) passion and spirit are unmatched. Whenever I saw him, even in the pre-match meetings, he'd take charge and tell everyone how many runs he'd score off a particular bowler and break that down for everyone. To be gutsy enough to stand up and talk with such positivity in front of everyone and then deliver the next day is a very unique ability," Sarfaraz said.Sarfaraz's century has given India a glimmer of hope in the first Test against New Zealand. The hosts still trail by a significant margin, but Sarfaraz's knock has shown that they have the batting firepower to compete with the world champions.

Brendon McCullum, England's coach, has dismissed suggestions that his team has been exposed on spinning pitches, despite Pakistan's captain Shan Masood expressing a desire for another turner in the series decider in Rawalpindi.Pakistan's radical overhaul of their strategy in the second Test in Multan, which included the addition of three spinners and the use of the same pitch for a second week, paid off handsomely. Sajid Khan and Noman Ali shared 20 wickets to set up a series-levelling 152-run win.However, McCullum believes that England's defeat was not due to a lack of ability against spin. "We were outplayed in this game," he said. "We'll see what Rawalpindi's got to offer and we'll try and adapt accordingly."Masood, on the other hand, is hoping for a drier pitch in Rawalpindi that will assist the spinners. "I would like to see the ball turn in the third Test," he said. "We want to get 20 wickets wherever we play, and we want to back that up with the bat."McCullum, however, predicted that the surface will be "the antithesis of the green seamer" for the decider. "I actually don't mind," he said. "We said right at the outset that we'll try to adapt to whatever conditions we come up against."Despite England's recent struggles on the subcontinent, McCullum is confident that his team has the ability to handle spinning conditions. "We've got a pretty good record here [in Pakistan]," he said. "Even that Test match we won in India, that was probably the most extreme of the spinning conditions. I don't know: we'll find out. I certainly don't mind if it spins in the next one. I think we've got the artillery to be able to handle it."McCullum also defended England's aggressive approach with the bat during the second Test. "We saw in this Test match that so many wickets fell to people trying to hang in there," he said. "It was those that were prepared to be brave enough to sweep, reverse-sweep, put the opposition under pressure, who were actually able to score runs."

Jordan Cox, a promising 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, is poised to make his Test debut for England during their upcoming tour to New Zealand. Cox's opportunity arises due to Jamie Smith's expected absence for paternity leave during part of the series.Cox, who has been England's spare batter for their last five Tests, has impressed with his performances for Essex. Despite missing the wicketkeeping role this summer due to a broken finger, he has been working diligently with Brendon McCullum in Pakistan to enhance his glovework.McCullum expressed confidence in Cox's abilities, stating that New Zealand is a "comfortable place" to keep wicket. He believes Cox's "solid" glovework and talent with the bat make him a suitable candidate for the Test level.Cox's journey to the England Test team has been marked by determination and a desire for change. After feeling stagnant at Kent, he moved to Essex to reignite his passion for four-day cricket. His impressive performances for Essex, including four centuries, have earned him a place in the England squad.While Cox's lack of recent wicketkeeping experience may raise some concerns, England's selection of Smith earlier this summer, despite his second-choice status at Surrey, suggests that this is not a major issue.Cox's Test debut will provide him with an opportunity to showcase his skills and stake a claim for a permanent spot in the England team. His self-assured character and talent make him a promising prospect for the future.

Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has revealed the strategic decision to move Steve Smith back to his familiar batting position at number four in Tests. This shift comes after a brief experiment with Smith opening the batting, which yielded limited success.McDonald explained that the decision was made collectively by the leadership group, including captain Pat Cummins. They believed that Smith's return to number four would benefit the team's overall balance and performance."We felt it was best for the team for him to make that shift away from opening," McDonald said. "We've got different challenges this summer, and that was a collective decision."With Usman Khawaja set to open in Tests, the race for his opening partner is heating up. Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Matthew Renshaw, and Sam Konstas will all be vying for the spot in the upcoming round of Sheffield Shield matches.McDonald emphasized that all four players are in contention for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, which begins on November 22. He noted that Konstas' impressive performance in the first Shield game has earned him a place in the Australia A squad."We've got a bit of an eye to the future in some of the (Australia A) selections, and a bit of an eye to here and now," McDonald said. "We've got some left-handed options, some right-handed options, and some guys that have piled on runs over a period of time."McDonald stressed that the decision will not be based solely on batting performance but will also consider other factors. "It's not a bat-off," he said. "We've got to reward what we see at that point in time."

Bangladesh cricket is experiencing a tumultuous period, but newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons is determined to keep the focus on the upcoming Test series against South Africa.Simmons, who replaced Chandika Hathurusinghe on Tuesday, faces a challenging task. Shakib Al Hasan, the team's star all-rounder, has withdrawn from the Test side due to ongoing protests against him. Additionally, Hathurusinghe has publicly criticized the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) since his dismissal.Despite these distractions, Simmons is adamant about maintaining the team's concentration on the cricket. "Our job is to keep the players focused on the cricket and not on the outside noise," he said. "We can control how we prepare for Monday, and that's how we're trying to get the team to focus."Simmons brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role, having worked with several international teams and T20 franchises. He believes his past experiences will be invaluable in preparing Bangladesh for the Test series."Afghanistan helped me with the language barrier sometimes. Ireland helped me with developing young players. It all comes in handy at the end of the day," he said.Simmons has been impressed by the young players in the Bangladesh squad, particularly their performance in the recent Test series win against Pakistan. He believes they have the potential to beat South Africa, who have not won a Test series in the subcontinent in the last ten years."Bangladesh are usually very strong at home. So it is a very good opportunity for us to win the Test series," Simmons said. "South Africa has that record hanging over their head, but they are a resilient team. They will work hard to change that."Simmons is confident in Bangladesh's chances, but he is also wary of taking South Africa lightly. He believes the team must prepare thoroughly and execute their plans effectively to achieve success.

Rishabh Pant's valiant 99-run knock on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru was a testament to his exceptional batting prowess. Despite agonizingly missing out on a well-deserved century by just 1 run, Pant's innings was a masterclass in strokeplay and determination.After being sidelined for the entire third day due to a knee injury, Pant returned to the crease with a vengeance. Alongside Sarfaraz Khan, he forged an indomitable 177-run partnership that propelled India into the lead. Pant's innings was a whirlwind of boundaries, with 9 fours and 5 sixes peppering the Kiwi bowlers.Pant's dismissal on 99 was a cruel twist of fate. A short-of-length delivery from William O'Rourke kicked up and surprised him, forcing him into a defensive shot. The ball crashed into his leg stump, ending a magnificent knock that had brought India to the brink of a commanding position.Despite the disappointment of falling short of a century, Pant's innings was a reminder of his immense talent and fighting spirit. He now joins an elite group of Indian batters to be dismissed most times in the 90s in Tests, a testament to his ability to consistently perform at the highest level.Pant's knock also highlighted the growing maturity and resilience of the Indian team. Despite facing a daunting deficit of 356 runs, they fought back with determination and skill. Pant's innings was a catalyst for this resurgence, inspiring his teammates to believe in their ability to overcome adversity.As the Test match enters its final day, India will be looking to build on Pant's momentum and secure a crucial victory. With the series level at 0-0, every run and wicket will be vital in determining the outcome.

Sarfaraz Khan's Historic Feat: Duck and 150-Plus in Same TestRising Indian star Sarfaraz Khan has etched his name into the annals of cricket history with a remarkable achievement during the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Khan became only the third Indian cricketer to score a duck and a 150-plus score in the same Test match.In the first innings, Khan was dismissed for a duck, failing to trouble the scorers. However, he made a resounding comeback in the second innings, smashing 150 off 195 balls studded with 18 fours and three sixes. His knock solidified his position as one of India's rising stars in the longer format.Khan's achievement mirrors similar performances by two Indian batters. In 1953, Madhav Apte made 0 and 163* against the West Indies at Port of Spain, while Nayan Mongia followed with 152 and 0 against Australia in Delhi during the 1996 Test series.Khan's innings was pivotal, sparking a remarkable recovery for India after they were bowled out for a mere 46 in the first innings. New Zealand responded with a commanding 402, securing a massive 356-run first-innings lead.Resuming from 70 on the fourth day of the match, Khan went on to slam his maiden Test hundred. His innings showcased his resilience and ability to bounce back after failure, highlighting his potential to handle pressure in crucial moments.Khan's achievement is a testament to his talent and determination. It is a reminder that even after a setback, it is possible to come back stronger and make a significant contribution to the team.

Rishabh Pant's blistering knock on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand has etched his name into the annals of Indian cricket history. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter became the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to reach the milestone of 2500 Test runs, surpassing the previous record held by MS Dhoni.Pant achieved the feat in just 62 innings, eclipsing Dhoni's mark of 69 innings. Farokh Engineer, another legendary Indian wicketkeeper, had previously held the record with 82 innings. Pant's achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and aggressive batting style.Pant's milestone came as India fought back valiantly, reaching 344/3 before rain forced an early lunch. His aggressive innings of 53 off 56 balls played a pivotal role in India's resurgence, alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who scored his maiden Test century.Despite suffering a knee injury while keeping on Day 3, Pant showed no signs of discomfort as he took charge with his trademark attacking approach. After a cautious start, he launched a counter-attack, smashing two sixes off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel in quick succession and following up with a series of elegant drives and sweeps.Pant brought up his 12th Test fifty in 55 balls, with a stunning cover drive off Glenn Phillips that showcased his controlled aggression. His partnership with Sarfaraz, worth 113 runs in 22 overs, was instrumental in guiding India out of an early wobble and putting them on course for a potential lead.Sarfaraz, in only his fifth Test, stole the spotlight with a sublime century, but Pant's contribution was equally vital in stabilizing the innings. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has become a cornerstone of India's Test lineup since his debut in 2018, with several match-winning knocks in overseas conditions, including memorable performances in Australia and England.Pant's record-breaking achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has emerged as one of the most exciting and dynamic wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket, and his contributions will be crucial as India aims to secure a series victory against New Zealand.