Cricket

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka Unleashes Batting Fury in Dambulla T20ISri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka set the Dambulla International Stadium ablaze with an extraordinary display of strokeplay in the second T20I against the West Indies on Tuesday. The left-handed opener's blistering knock in the fourth over of the innings left the crowd in awe and sent shockwaves through the opposition.Nissanka's onslaught began with a stroke of luck. He mistimed a heave off Shamar Joseph's first delivery, but the ball deflected off his pads and rolled to the boundary for four leg byes. This fortunate start seemed to ignite a fire within Nissanka, who proceeded to unleash a barrage of boundaries.On the next ball, Nissanka danced down the track and lofted a 138kmph length ball elegantly over extra cover. The following delivery was pulled with brute force over backward square leg, leaving the fielder stranded. Three boundaries were now on the trot, and Nissanka wasn't done yet.The very next ball was drilled straight down the ground through wide mid-off, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers. With Joseph visibly shaken, Nissanka took full advantage. The over culminated in style as Nissanka waited on a slower back-of-length ball, dissecting the gap between backward point and short third with pinpoint precision.Six boundaries (including one leg bye) had come off the over, tallying a massive 25 runs! This blitzkrieg propelled Sri Lanka to an aggressive start, with Nissanka finishing his innings on 54 off 49 balls.Nissanka's batting masterclass in the fourth over was a testament to his exceptional talent and fearless approach. It not only set the tone for Sri Lanka's innings but also left an unforgettable mark on the match.

Pakistan's Test captain Babar Azam's omission from the second Test against England has sparked a debate about his form and comparisons with India's Virat Kohli. Azam's last half-century in the format came in December 2022, and his average in his last 17 Test innings is a meager 20.70.On Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel, the former India spinner weighed in on the discussion. "Definitely, if he is given a chance, he will score runs. If there is class, that's okay. I feel we should end this debate once and for all," Ashwin said.However, Ashwin drew a clear distinction between Azam and Kohli. "First of all, across the border, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli shouldn't be mentioned in the same line," he asserted. "I am very sorry, I really rate Babar Azam as an outstanding player, but Virat Kohli's credentials are something else. Across terrains, across times, across pressure situations, the kind of heists he has done, no one has done that in world cricket."Ashwin's comments highlight the immense respect he holds for Kohli's achievements. Kohli has amassed over 25,000 international runs across all formats, including 71 centuries. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.Pakistan's Test struggles have extended beyond Azam's form. They have not won a Test at home since 2022, losing six out of ten matches and drawing four. In the first Test against England, they became the first team to lose a Test match by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in the first innings.Ahead of the second Test, Pakistan made the surprising decision to drop Azam, along with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Azam's scores of 30 and five in the first Test were not enough to save his place in the team.Pakistan will be desperate to end their winless streak in the second Test. However, they will face a formidable England side that is brimming with confidence after their dominant performance in the first match.

Karnataka's Ranji Trophy hopes have received a significant boost with the return of experienced leg-spinning all-rounder Shreyas Gopal. After a brief stint with Kerala in the 2023-24 season, Gopal has rejoined his home state, eager to contribute to their elusive Ranji Trophy triumph since 2014-15.Gopal's return is a testament to his unwavering loyalty to Karnataka. Despite receiving offers from other states, he has chosen to prioritize his home team's success. This decision reflects his deep connection to Karnataka and his desire to make a meaningful impact on their cricketing fortunes.In the 2022-23 First Class season, Gopal's batting prowess came to the fore as he scored 360 runs at an average of 45. However, he is determined to regain his status as a formidable bowler. He has spent the last year honing his skills, focusing on improving his accuracy and consistency.Gopal's return is particularly crucial for Karnataka, who have struggled to find a reliable spinner in recent years. His experience and ability to control the game with his spin bowling will be invaluable to the team. He is confident of contributing with both bat and ball, aiming for a target of 30-35 wickets and 500 runs in the upcoming season.As a senior pro, Gopal also recognizes his responsibility to mentor the team's younger spinners, Hardik Raj and Mohsin Khan. He is eager to share his knowledge and experience, helping them develop their skills and reach their full potential.Karnataka will be hoping that Gopal's return will inspire the team to break their Ranji Trophy drought. With his experience, leadership, and all-round abilities, he is poised to play a pivotal role in their quest for glory.

Sanju Samson, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has confirmed his availability for Kerala's upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, scheduled to commence on October 18 in Alur. This announcement comes after Samson's impressive performances in the recently concluded three-T20I series against Bangladesh.Samson's inclusion in the Kerala squad is a significant boost for the team, which has already secured a convincing eight-wicket victory in its opening game against Punjab. The 28-year-old's experience and skill will be invaluable to the Sachin Baby-led unit."Yes, Sanju Samson reached out to me and confirmed his availability for the next game. He will be playing the match vs Karnataka in Alur," said P Prasanth, chairman of Kerala's senior selection committee.While Samson's availability for this particular match is confirmed, his future participation in the Ranji Trophy will depend on his commitments to the Indian team. To ensure continuity within the squad, Baby will continue to lead the side."For now, Sanju's availability for this game is confirmed. His future availability depends on his India commitments. So that's why Baby will continue to lead the side," added Prasanth.Samson's recent performances in the Duleep Trophy have been impressive, with the batter scoring a century and a couple of substantial 40s for India D. However, it remains uncertain whether he will don the wicketkeeping gloves for Kerala in the upcoming fixture."That the coach and all will take the call along with Sanju. Whether he keeps or not is totally up to them," said Prasanth.Kerala finds itself in Group C of the ongoing Ranji Trophy alongside Bengal, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. A convincing win in the opening fixture has undoubtedly boosted the team's confidence.Prior to the season, Kerala acquired the services of Baba Aparajith, a former India U-19 player and a consistent performer for Tamil Nadu. Aparajith's contributions with both bat and ball have been crucial for the team.

Jonty Sidhu, the 26-year-old left-handed batsman, has made a strong start to the new Ranji Trophy season, echoing his impressive performance in the previous campaign. In the opening fixture against Chhattisgarh, Sidhu's unbeaten 103 played a crucial role in Delhi securing the first-innings lead and three points.Sidhu's innings was a testament to his ability to blend caution with aggression, particularly when the team was in a precarious position at 202 for five. He forged valuable partnerships with the lower order, demonstrating his composure and adaptability in challenging situations.Despite his impressive average of 49.1 after 23 First Class matches, this was surprisingly Sidhu's first selection for Delhi's opening game in three seasons. Buoyed by his strong start, he is optimistic about his prospects and aims to make the most of his opportunity.Sidhu's ideal batting position is at No. 4, and he believes that this will allow him to make a more significant impact on the team's performance. He is particularly excited about Delhi's upcoming match against Tamil Nadu, a team against which he has a strong record, having scored two fifties and a century in three previous encounters.Sidhu's resurgence is a welcome boost for Delhi, who have struggled in recent seasons. His ability to contribute consistently with the bat will be crucial to their hopes of improving their fortunes in the Ranji Trophy.

India's disappointing exit from the Women's T20 World Cup has sparked calls for a change in leadership, with former captain Mithali Raj advocating for a younger skipper. Raj believes that the time is ripe for a transition, as India has failed to progress under Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy.Raj suggests that Jemimah Rodrigues, who has impressed with her energy and leadership qualities, would be a suitable replacement. She highlights Rodrigues' ability to build momentum and connect with her teammates.Raj attributes India's poor performance to their inability to adapt quickly to the slow wickets in South Africa. She contrasts this with the adaptability shown by New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who scored a crucial half-century against India.Beyond the captaincy issue, Raj expresses concern about the team's lack of growth in recent years. She believes that India has become complacent in beating lower-ranked teams and has failed to challenge themselves against top sides like Australia.Raj also questions the team management's tactics, particularly their decision not to give opportunities to fringe players in the lead-up to the World Cup. She argues that this lack of depth has hindered India's ability to compete at the highest level.Furthermore, Raj criticizes the fitness levels of some players, which she believes contributed to dropped catches. She emphasizes the need for a consistent fitness benchmark throughout the year, rather than relying on short-term camps.

New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham is hopeful that the overcast conditions and the pitch being under covers for an extended period due to heavy rainfall in Bengaluru will favor the fast bowlers, giving the visitors a chance to compete in the first Test against India.Latham acknowledged the challenges New Zealand faced against spin in their recent 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka, where they lost 37 wickets to spinners. However, he emphasized that the team performed well in other aspects, particularly in the first Test in Galle, where they scored 340 and 211.Despite the setbacks in Sri Lanka, Latham believes that the conditions in India may offer more opportunities for the seamers. He also noted that spin could become a more significant factor in the later stages of the series.As the new full-time Test captain, Latham is eager to lead the team to success. He has a decent record in Tests in India, with five fifties in as many Tests while averaging 35.70. He is confident that his past experiences in India will be beneficial in this crucial three-game series.While acknowledging the trend towards more aggressive batting in Test cricket, Latham wants his players to play to their strengths. He believes that each player has a different game plan, and the team's focus is on allowing them to express themselves and execute their plans effectively.New Zealand has never won a series in India, and Latham recognizes that his side will need to perform exceptionally well to change that record. He is banking on the team's recent visits to India and their subcontinent experience to help them achieve a positive result.

Kamran Ghulam's unwavering determination to represent Pakistan in international cricket has finally borne fruit. After 11 years of toil in domestic cricket, the 29-year-old made a remarkable Test debut, becoming the 13th Pakistani to score a century on his first appearance.Ghulam's journey to the international stage has been marked by patience and perseverance. Despite being repeatedly overlooked for selection, he never lost sight of his dream. "I'd been waiting for my chance a long time but I never gave up," he said. "I had been waiting for my chance. That's all I thought about."His debut came under immense pressure, replacing the injured Babar Azam. With Pakistan struggling at 19 for 2, Ghulam walked out to face the daunting England spinners. However, he remained unfazed, drawing on his vast experience in domestic cricket.Ghulam's first-class record is impressive, with only 12 players scoring more runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy since his debut in 2013. His average of nearly 50 places him among the elite batsmen in Pakistan.In his Test debut, Ghulam showcased his aggressive style, banking his shots before lunch and setting the platform for a crucial partnership with Saim Ayub. He then built another solid stand with Mohammad Rizwan, reaching his century with a stylish slap over midwicket off Joe Root.Ghulam's innings of 118, his 17th first-class hundred, was a testament to his hard work and determination. "I've scored a lot of first-class runs," he said. "I didn't care about the venue or the team, I just needed to make my debut."Despite the pressure of replacing a legend like Babar Azam, Ghulam remained focused on giving his best. "Babar is a very good player and at the back of my mind I was thinking he's a legend, a very good player," he said. "But I thought I'd give 110% and play with a positive mindset."Ghulam's debut century has not only fulfilled his long-held dream but also given Pakistan a much-needed boost in the ongoing Test series against England. His performance is a reminder that perseverance and hard work can overcome any obstacle.

India's Test juggernaut rolls into Bengaluru for the first of three matches against New Zealand, starting Wednesday at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The hosts, riding high on a six-match winning streak, will be aiming to extend their dominance against a New Zealand side missing the services of star batter Kane Williamson.For Indian opener KL Rahul, this Test holds special significance as it marks a homecoming to the city where his cricketing dreams took flight. In an interview with BCCI TV, Rahul expressed his emotional connection to the Bengaluru ground, recalling his journey from an 11-year-old boy to an international cricketer."It's always special for me to come back here," Rahul said. "This is where I grew up, played all my cricket. The feeling for me as an eleven year old boy who came here first time, played a game, that feeling for me hasn't changed."Rahul described the overwhelming flood of memories that come rushing in whenever he steps onto the field at Chinnaswamy. "From the time you leave the dressing room and walk to the middle, so many emotions hit you. It's like a whole three-hour movie plays in your mind – from my early cricketing days at U13s, U15s, U19s, to Ranji Trophy and IPL matches, and finally, representing India internationally. It gives me goosebumps."He also fondly reminisced about his time in the clubhouse canteen, where breakfast routines became a cherished tradition. "From age-group cricket to Ranji Trophy, we'd have breakfast at the canteen, finish training, and return for lunch," Rahul recalled. "I haven't been there in the last year or so. I don't know if that place has changed now. But it used to be really delicious and our morning started really good with dosa and coffee."Rahul, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2014, has garnered 2969 runs in 52 Tests, averaging 34.52. In 2024, he has featured in four Tests, scoring 222 runs at an average of 44.40, with two fifties.Rahul also displayed his form in the Duleep Trophy, scoring 37 and 57 for India A. With one eye on the upcoming Australia tour, Rahul will be eager to prove his mettle and cement his spot in the team's starting eleven for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.