Cricket

Pakistan vs England 2nd Test: Beleaguered Pakistan Aim for Comeback Amidst Key AbsencesPakistan, reeling from a humiliating defeat in the first Test, will face England in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium from October 15-19. The match will be a crucial test for the beleaguered Pakistani side, which has not won a home Test in over a year.Pakistan's woes have been compounded by the absence of key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah. Azam, the team's captain and star batsman, was dropped for the second Test due to poor form. Afridi and Shah, two of Pakistan's most potent bowlers, are also out injured.In their absence, Shan Masood will lead Pakistan, while England will welcome back captain Ben Stokes. Stokes missed the first Test due to a family bereavement but is expected to return for the second match.Pakistan's batting lineup will be under immense pressure after their dismal performance in the first Test. Despite posting a total of 556 in the first innings, they were bowled out for just 152 in the second innings, handing England an innings victory.England, on the other hand, will be confident after their dominant display in the first Test. Led by Stokes' aggressive captaincy and the brilliance of Jonny Bairstow, England will be looking to seal the series victory in Multan.The match will be a fascinating contest between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Pakistan will be desperate to salvage some pride and kickstart a comeback in the series, while England will be aiming to continue their winning ways and secure a series victory.

India's historic two-wicket victory over Australia in 1964 remains etched in the annals of cricket as one of the most thrilling Test matches ever played. On October 15, 1964, at the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay, India pulled off an improbable triumph that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.The match was played on a freshly laid pitch that favored neither batsmen nor bowlers. Australia posted a respectable 320 in their first innings, but India responded with a gritty 341, setting the stage for a tense second innings.Australia's second innings collapsed for 274, leaving India with a daunting target of 254 to win. The Indian batting lineup faltered, losing six wickets for just 122 runs. However, captain MAK Pataudi and Vijay Manjrekar steadied the ship with an 83-run partnership.With Pataudi and Manjrekar dismissed in quick succession, the onus fell on Chandu Borde and wicketkeeper KS Indrajitsinhji to guide India home. Amidst mounting tension, Borde remained composed, scoring an unbeaten 30. Indrajitsinhji played a crucial role, stonewalling the Australian attack for 41 minutes and contributing a priceless 3.In the dying moments of the match, Borde drove an over-pitched delivery from Tom Veivers for four, securing India's historic victory. The crowd erupted in jubilation, hoisting Borde and Indrajitsinhji on their shoulders.The victory was a testament to India's collective spirit and determination. BS Chandrashekhar's eight wickets and Bapu Nadkarni's all-round contributions played a vital role. However, it was Borde and Indrajitsinhji who became the heroes of the day, etching their names in Indian cricket folklore.

Rachin Ravindra, the India-origin all-rounder, is set to make a special Test debut in Bengaluru against India, the city where his family hails from. Ravindra, who turns 25 in November, made his Test debut in 2021 against India in Kanpur."I guess it makes it extra significant because of the family connection," said Ravindra. "It's amazing and I am very proud of my Indian heritage and to be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something very special."Ravindra has had a promising start to his international career, scoring 672 runs in 9 Tests at an average of 50.98, including one century and three half-centuries. He has also played 25 ODIs and 23 T20Is."There will be a bunch of them (family members) in the crowd, and I know dad will be here watching," added Ravindra. "Those moments, you pinch yourself on the journey and this is definitely one of them."Ravindra announced himself in a big way during the ODI World Cup in India last year, scoring 578 runs in 10 matches that included three centuries. He then went on to represent the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, scoring 222 runs."Obviously when I was here last, there was the IPL and then before that it was the ODI World Cup. Two pretty cool experiences to have. (I was) part of two very good teams and had those experiences but I guess it's something different about playing a Test match," said Ravindra. "You are here for five days, it's tradition, Test cricket is the pinnacle. So it's always nice to play Test cricket, not just in New Zealand but also away."Ravindra's useful spin bowling has also yielded 10 Test wickets so far. He is expected to play a key role in New Zealand's quest to win their first Test series in India since 1969.

Australia's pace attack, comprising Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, has been a formidable force in recent Test matches. However, with the upcoming five-match series against India looming, selectors are considering their options in light of allrounder Cameron Green's absence due to injury.Last summer, the trio played in all nine Tests, aided by bowler-friendly conditions. However, India's formidable batting lineup poses a different challenge, raising concerns about whether Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood can maintain their workload throughout the grueling series.Australia's pace depth has been tested, with several fringe bowlers recovering from injuries. Lance Morris, a regular squad member, recently suffered a quad strain but is expected to return before the end of the month. Scott Boland and Michael Neser have overcome niggles and will participate in Australia A's upcoming red-ball series against India A.Selectors acknowledge that last summer's unchanged pace attack may have been an outlier and are prepared to make adjustments if necessary. The triumvirate's workload could increase with Green's absence, but Mitchell Marsh may be required to fill the void despite limited bowling since his hamstring injury.If selectors opt for a like-for-like replacement, Aaron Hardie and Beau Webster are potential candidates. Hardie is set to return from injury for Western Australia's next match, while Webster has impressed with his all-round abilities.Selectors emphasize that having an allrounder is a luxury rather than a necessity, as the current pace trio has performed well without one. However, they will continue to prepare Marsh to bowl some overs.Australia's hierarchy has carefully managed the workloads of their quicks ahead of the India series, with Cummins missing the white-ball England tour to rest. Cummins is unlikely to play a Shield game before the series, while Hazlewood and Starc are expected to feature in at least one match.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian skipper, has been facing intense scrutiny over his struggles against spin bowling. In the past 28 Test matches, he has been dismissed by spinners on 21 occasions, primarily by off-spinners. Despite the mounting criticism, Kohli remains determined to rediscover his form.At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Kohli first showcased his fourth-innings heroics against New Zealand in 2012, he spent considerable time facing spinners in the nets. While there were moments of hesitation, he also displayed his trademark cuts and hoists over the infield, executed with impeccable footwork.Kohli's comfort at the Chinnaswamy Stadium stems from his early success in red-ball cricket. In 2012, he scored a century and an unbeaten 51 against New Zealand, playing a crucial role in India's victory. However, in recent years, he has struggled against New Zealand's spinners, including Jeetan Patel, Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra.The recent series against Bangladesh further highlighted Kohli's vulnerability against spin. In four innings, he managed only 99 runs and was dismissed by off-spin twice. His tendency to play early or against the spin has contributed to his struggles.Despite the setbacks, Kohli has found support in head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir emphasized the importance of backing players and selecting the best playing XI, regardless of their recent form. He also highlighted Kohli's hunger to excel, stating that he is "as hungry as when he made his debut."As Kohli looks to regain his form, he is approaching the 9,000-run mark in Test cricket. While the 10,000-run milestone is already being discussed, Gambhir believes that Kohli's focus is on scoring runs in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.

England captain Ben Stokes is set to make his long-awaited return to competitive cricket in the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, starting October 15. Stokes, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred, has been named in England's playing XI for the second game at the Multan Cricket Stadium.The 33-year-old all-rounder has been bowling and batting without any discomfort in the nets in the lead-up to the match. In his absence, Ollie Pope led England to a comprehensive victory in the series opener last week.Pakistan, on the other hand, have made some significant changes to their team ahead of the second Test, dropping former captain Babar Azam and star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. When asked about these changes, Stokes declined to comment, stating that it was an internal matter for Pakistan cricket.Stokes missed the three-match home series against Sri Lanka and last week's first Test, which England won by an innings. Durham seamer Matthew Potts also returns to the side for the first time since the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka at the end of August. Seamers Gus Atkinson and Chris Woakes have been rested.With England dropping two pacers, Stokes confirmed that he will be "playing as a third seamer" alongside Potts and Brydon Carse, who impressed on his debut in Multan.Pakistan became the first team in Test cricket's 147-year history to lose by an innings after posting a 550-plus total in their first innings. Under pressure to level the series, Pakistan have named three frontline spinners in their team.They have made four changes, including bringing in batter Kamran Ghulam for his debut.

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction looming, the future of India captain Rohit Sharma at Mumbai Indians (MI) remains uncertain. Rohit was surprisingly removed as captain by MI last season, with the franchise handing over the leadership duties to Hardik Pandya, who was traded from Gujarat Titans (GT).All 10 IPL teams can retain up to six players ahead of the auction. However, there is no clarity whether MI will retain Rohit, or will the six-time IPL winner enter the auction for the first time in 13 years.According to recent reports, multiple franchises are interested in acquiring Rohit, including the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). During a recent interaction with India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, a fan expressed his excitement over the possibility of having Virat Kohli and Rohit in the same team.Reacting to the fan's wish, Ashwin said that RCB would have to keep at least Rs 20 crore aside for Rohit at the auction table. "Agar Rohit Sharma ke liye aap jaa rahe hai to 20 crore rakhna padega (You need to keep 20 crores with yourself if you want to sign up Rohit Sharma)," Ashwin said during a discussion on his YouTube channel.MI had traded Hardik from GT ahead of IPL 2024. However, the decision to sack Rohit as captain wasn't welcomed by the fans. In the end, MI finished last in the 10-team points table.With as many as 6 players allowed by the BCCI, including Right-To-Match, some tough decisions are expected to unfold in the coming months. It is the discretion of the franchise to choose its combination for Retentions and RTMs. The 6 retention/RTMs can have a maximum of 5 capped players (Indian & Overseas) and a maximum of 2 uncapped players.Rohit, who joined MI ahead of IPL 2011, led the franchise to five IPL titles. His departure would mark a significant change for MI, who have been one of the most successful teams in IPL history.

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has expressed his support for the national team as they prepare for the second Test against England in Multan. Afridi, along with Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, was released from the squad for the remaining two Tests of the series.The changes to Pakistan's squad were made by a newly-formed selection committee, formed hours after the hosts suffered an embarrassing loss by an innings and 47 runs to England in the first Test at Multan. Pakistan are 0-1 behind in the three-match Test series against England and are also at the bottom of the ongoing World Test Championship standings.Afridi, who has been struggling with form and fitness, took to social media to wish the team well. "Wishing Team Pakistan the best of luck! Rooting for a strong comeback. We're all cheering for you!" he wrote on Twitter.The second Test between Pakistan and England will be played on the same pitch as the series opener in Multan from Tuesday. Pakistan will be hoping to level the series and avoid a humiliating whitewash.Pakistan squad for second and third Tests:* Shan Masood (captain)* Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)* Aamir Jamal* Abdullah Shafique* Haseebullah (wicket-keeper)* Kamran Ghulam* Mehran Mumtaz* Mir Hamza* Mohammad Ali* Mohammad Huraira* Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)* Noman Ali* Saim Ayub* Sajid Khan* Salman Ali Agha* Zahid Mehmood

Gurjapneet Singh, a 25-year-old pacer from Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a rising star in Indian cricket. Despite facing setbacks in his early career, Gurjapneet has persevered and is now making a significant impact in the Ranji Trophy.Born and raised in Ambala, Gurjapneet initially struggled to break into the Punjab age-group team. Undeterred, he relocated to Chennai in search of better opportunities. After initial challenges, he has become a key player for Tamil Nadu, helping them win crucial matches.In a recent Elite Group D match against Saurashtra, Gurjapneet claimed a six-wicket haul, including the prized scalps of Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson. His impressive figures of 14-5-22-6 showcased his exceptional bowling skills.Gurjapneet's journey has been marked by memorable encounters with some of India's top cricketers. During a recent net session with the Indian team, he famously castled Virat Kohli, an incident that left the star batter visibly frustrated. However, Kohli's subsequent advice proved invaluable to Gurjapneet."He told me, when there is no movement, change the angle and try bowling around the wicket. Because with that angle, even if you manage to get slight movement, it will end up troubling most batsmen," Gurjapneet recalled.Gurjapneet also shared his strategy for dismissing Pujara, a renowned batsman. "When you bowl to a legendary batsman like him, you have to be accurate from the word go. So the plan was to push him on the backfoot and then send in a good front foot ball that would make him uncomfortable," he explained.Gurjapneet's success is a testament to his determination and hard work. He has overcome challenges and embraced opportunities, proving that with perseverance and the right guidance, anything is possible.