Cricket

New Zealand's top-order batter Rachin Ravindra has emphasized the significance of neutralizing the formidable spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in their upcoming Test series against India. Ashwin and Jadeja, with over 800 Test wickets between them, pose a significant threat to the Kiwi batting lineup.Ravindra acknowledged the consistency and skill of the Indian spinners, stating, "They've got consistent bowlers who bowl in an area for a long period of time. Ashwin and Jadeja are two very accomplished bowlers who can also bat, making them even more challenging."The 24-year-old batter drew upon his previous experiences playing in India, including the ODI World Cup and IPL, to bolster his confidence. "Although it is different formats, it gives you confidence that you can perform in this part of the world," he said.From a team perspective, Ravindra emphasized the importance of focusing on their own game plan rather than being preoccupied with India's approach. "We know what a quality side they are, but I think if we're able to play our game and be consistent, hopefully, that will result in a win," he added.Despite their recent 0-2 loss to Sri Lanka and the washout against Afghanistan, Ravindra expressed confidence in the team's ability to learn from those experiences. "We did some really good stuff during the Sri Lankan series, but we came on the wrong side of the win and loss column," he said.Ravindra highlighted the need for the team to maintain their focus and intensity throughout the match. "We've got to understand that we've got to do it (fighting) for long periods of time because that's what Test match cricket is about," he said.The Kiwi batter emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions in India, which are similar to those in Sri Lanka in terms of spin. "We have learnt a lot. So, it's about, you know, seeing how we can play our game and how we can bring that here to India," he concluded.

Somerset County Cricket Club has secured the return of Australian fast bowler Riley Meredith for the 2025 season. The 28-year-old will bolster Somerset's bowling attack in the Vitality Blast, with the potential to also feature in the County Championship and One-Day Cup.Meredith made a significant impact during his first stint with Somerset in 2023. His 14 wickets in the Vitality Blast played a crucial role in the team's run to Finals Day, although he missed the knockout stages due to international commitments with Australia. He also claimed six wickets in three One-Day Cup appearances."I had a fantastic time at Somerset this year and I'm thrilled to be coming back next summer," said Meredith. "We had some great success, and I'm eager to contribute to even more victories in 2025."Somerset's director of cricket, Andy Hurry, praised Meredith's performances and character. "Riley's on-field contributions were exceptional, and he integrated seamlessly into our team," said Hurry. "His world-class pace and aggression will be invaluable to our squad once again."Meredith's return is a major boost for Somerset, who are aiming to challenge for silverware in all three domestic competitions. The Australian quick will provide a potent threat with the new ball, complementing the existing pace attack of Josh Davey, Jack Brooks, and Lewis Gregory.Somerset's 2025 campaign will begin with the Vitality Blast in May. The County Championship and One-Day Cup will follow, with the exact schedule yet to be confirmed. Meredith's availability for these competitions will depend on the structure of the season and his international commitments.

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has heaped praise on India coach Gautam Gambhir, describing him as a brilliant strategist who prioritizes the team's needs and seeks to gain an edge through tactical adjustments. Starc's admiration stems from his experience working with Gambhir as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR enjoyed a dominant season, culminating in their first IPL title in a decade. Starc was impressed by Gambhir's ability to analyze opponents and devise strategies to exploit their weaknesses. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack," Starc said.Gambhir's focus extends beyond individual players, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and identifying subtle adjustments that can provide an advantage. "It's not just individual players, it's always about the team focus and how to get on top of little things that he might see in techniques or in a field placement or anything like that," Starc added.KKR acquired Starc for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive buy in IPL history. Despite a modest league stage performance, Starc proved his worth with match-winning spells in the knockout rounds. "The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic. In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things," Starc said.However, the two will find themselves on opposite sides when Australia hosts India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Perth next month. Starc acknowledged that Gambhir's tactical acumen will pose a significant challenge for the Australian team.

Nikin Jose's valiant 99 (216b, 8x4, 6x6) denied Madhya Pradesh the bragging rights over Karnataka as their 2024-25 Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C opener petered out to a draw at the Holkar Stadium.The hosts, resuming on 425 for eight, set themselves a minimum of 98 overs to bowl Karnataka out and secure three points. For the visitors, gaining the lead was a distant dream, but it was an ideal opportunity to showcase their resilience and set the tone for the season ahead.Nikin and Shreyas Gopal (60 n.o., 110b, 7x4, 1x6) rose to the challenge, rescuing Karnataka from a precarious 72 for four with a 127-run partnership. Nikin fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century, trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya minutes before tea.However, the 24-year-old, who had endured a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, had already made a significant impact on both his team and himself. At 206 for five, bad light and a slight drizzle officially ended proceedings, giving both sides a point each.Nikin, who opened the innings, weathered the early onslaught of off-spinner Saransh Jain and Kartikeya, who bowled 32 of the 37 overs in the morning session as the new cherry gripped, turned, and bounced. Mayank Agarwal and Manish Pandey were both caught by close-in fielders off Kartikeya, while Devdutt Padikkal paid the price for playing back to Saransh's delivery that slid and thudded into the pads.Debutant R. Smaran concentrated hard (17, 51b, 1x4, 1x6), but had his off-stump rearranged by Saransh while trying to guard against the one that would hold its line. From there on, Nikin and Shreyas dug in. After safely negotiating until lunch, the duo scored briskly, collecting 46 runs from the next 10 overs. Nikin, after impressing with his cut shots early, slapped Saransh for a four and six down the ground. The half-century was had by flicking Avesh Khan to the mid-wicket fence.Shreyas, who was reprieved by Rajat Patidar at backward short-leg when on six, played the ideal foil, nudging, driving, and sweeping his way to his 15th First Class fifty. Nikin moved into the 90s with towering back-to-back maximums off Saransh. Kartikeya spared his spin partner of further misery, but it came a tad too late.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) draft for the 2024-25 season witnessed a flurry of activity as teams eagerly snapped up top-tier talent. Taskin Ahmed, the seasoned fast bowler, emerged as the first overall pick, joining the newly formed Durbar Rajshahi franchise. Defending champions Fortune Barishal opted for Mahmudullah, the recently retired T20I star, with the seventh pick.Other notable first-round selections included fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud (Khulna Tigers) and Nahid Rana (Rangpur Riders), as well as established batters Litton Das (Dhaka Capitals), Shamim Hossain (Chittagong Kings), and Rony Talukdar (Sylhet Strikers).Despite their Category A status, legspinner Rishad Hossain and T20I captain Najmul Hossain Shanto went unpicked in the first round. However, Barishal later acquired both players with the 15th and 43rd overall picks, respectively. Shanto's recent form has been underwhelming, while Rishad's availability remains uncertain due to his BBL contract with the Hobart Hurricanes.Sylhet Strikers, who retained several key players from last season, added veteran all-rounder Mashrafe Mortaza to their ranks. They also secured the services of overseas stars Reece Topley, Rahkeem Cornwall, and Samiullah Shenwari.Barishal, the defending champions, retained Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim while directly signing a host of international players, including Dawid Malan, Kyle Mayers, Mohammad Nabi, and Faheem Ashraf. They also picked up Sri Lankan batter Pathum Nissanka, who will be available for a limited period during the BPL.Pakistani cricketers Saim Ayub, Akif Javed, and Mohammad Hasnain were among the first overseas players selected, followed by James Fuller (Barishal) and Graham Clark (Chittagong).Uncapped Bangladeshi players also made their mark in the draft, with Nahid Rana, Habibur Rahman Sohan, and Jishan Alam being early picks.The BPL teams have until the tournament's scheduled start date of December 27 to continue signing players directly. The new season will feature a mix of established franchises (Barishal, Khulna, Sylhet, and Rangpur) and new entrants (Dhaka, Chittagong, and Rajshahi).

Indore's Holkar Stadium witnessed a frustrating day three of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C opener between Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka as inclement weather and poor light conditions halted play prematurely.After the opening day was washed out without a ball being bowled, Sunday's proceedings began under clear skies and sunshine. However, only 57 overs could be completed before light worsened, forcing an early tea break. Two rounds of rain subsequently brought an end to the day's play.At stumps, Madhya Pradesh had reached 425 for eight in their first innings, thanks to a solid batting performance led by skipper Shubham Sharma. Sharma, who had retired hurt on day one, returned to notch up his ninth First-Class century, scoring an unbeaten 143 off 243 deliveries.The 30-year-old exhibited a textbook approach to batting, playing with patience and precision. He defended resolutely, played close to his body, and always timed the ball well.Karnataka's bowlers, led by speedster V. Vyshak, started strongly. Vyshak dismissed Venkatesh Iyer in the second over of the day, while Harpreet Singh Bhatia was castled by V. Koushik for 91.However, Shubham and Saransh Jain (51 off 128 balls) steadied the Madhya Pradesh innings, putting on a 131-run partnership for the seventh wicket. This partnership ensured that Karnataka would likely only earn a single point from the match.Karnataka's absence of lead pacer Prasidh Krishna was keenly felt. Krishna, who had returned from a quadriceps injury in the Duleep Trophy, walked off the field on day one after bowling just eight overs. His absence left a void in the Karnataka attack, which struggled to make consistent breakthroughs.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the women's team for their valiant effort against Australia in their T20 World Cup 2024 match in Sharjah on Sunday. Despite a heartbreaking loss, Manjrekar praised the team's determination and Harmanpreet's leadership.The Indian women's team fell short by 14 runs in their pursuit of Australia's 150-run target, with Harmanpreet scoring an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls. Manjrekar believes that no other team could have come as close to the target on a challenging pitch."No other team other than India would have come so close to the big target Aus set on a difficult pitch. I say, well done India! And again what a star Harman is!" Manjrekar tweeted.However, fans expressed frustration with Manjrekar's comments, calling them an "excuse" for the team's failure to win. They argued that the team should be held accountable for their performance, regardless of the pitch conditions.Manjrekar defended his stance, stating that Harmanpreet's unbeaten knock showcased her caliber. "Harmanpreet Kaur showed in the end why she is so great. She almost won the match. The pitch was very tricky, the score was almost like chasing 250, and they reached so close. It's a matter of great pride for me," he said on Star Sports.He also praised the team's overall performance, highlighting their ability to score runs without Smriti Mandhana's contribution and their effective bowling."The Indian team touched new heights today. This was a very important match... the batters kept scoring without Mandhana's contribution, and the bowling was good," he added.Manjrekar believes that the team's performance against Australia is a testament to their progress and potential. "They set an excellent score on the tough pitch in Sharjah. They set 150 where the average score is around 115. India almost won this match. So they reached close to Mount Everest, they reached the third or fourth base," he explained.Despite the loss, Manjrekar remains optimistic about the team's future. He believes that they have the talent and determination to achieve success in the future.

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant injected a dose of humor into India's practice session ahead of the highly anticipated home Test series against New Zealand. In a lighthearted exchange with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Pant joked about sharing a chair, creating a playful moment amidst the intense preparations.In a video posted on Pant's social media handle, the 27-year-old keeper playfully asked Jaiswal, "Chair chahiye kya tereko?" (Do you need a chair?). With only one free chair available, Pant cheekily added, "Yeh toh nahi dunga" (I won't give it to you), leaving both cricketers in laughter.Beyond the banter, Pant displayed his serious side, practicing various shots in the nets. The video captures him working on a wide range of strokes, hinting at the explosive form he aims to carry into the upcoming series.India has announced a formidable 15-member squad for the three-match Test series, which begins on October 16 in Bengaluru as part of the ICC World Test Championship. The team is led by Rohit Sharma, with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain. Bumrah's elevation to deputy comes as India prepare for the grueling five-Test tour of Australia next month.However, the squad will miss the services of experienced pacer Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from ankle surgery. Shami sustained the injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup and will sit out the entire New Zealand series. Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, part of the squad for the Bangladesh series, has been omitted.Despite the changes, India, having recently swept Bangladesh 2-0, remain focused on extending their lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings. The team will be eager to put on a strong performance against New Zealand and continue their dominance in the longest format of the game.

Bhargav Bhatt's exceptional bowling performance propelled Baroda to a rare Ranji Trophy victory over defending champions Mumbai on Monday. The left-arm spinner's 18th five-wicket haul in First-Class cricket proved decisive as Baroda secured an 84-run triumph at the Vadodara International Cricket Academy.Baroda had only defeated Mumbai four times in their 66 previous encounters, with their last win coming in 1998-99. History repeated itself as Bhatt's 6/55 dismantled Mumbai's batting lineup.At the start of the final day, Mumbai needed 220 runs with eight wickets in hand to chase down a target of 262. However, the deteriorating pitch made their task challenging. Captain Ajinkya Rahane's early dismissal by Bhatt set the tone for Mumbai's collapse.Bhatt continued to torment the Mumbai batters, trapping opener Ayush Mhatre and then removing Shreyas Iyer, who had attempted to counterattack. The Mumbai allrounder trio of Shams Mulani, Shardul Thakur, and Tanush Kotian fell without resistance, leaving only Siddhesh Lad to offer any resistance.Lad, returning to the Mumbai team after four and a half years, scored a solid fifty. However, Bhatt's relentless bowling proved too much for him, as he accepted a return catch to end the match.Baroda's victory was a testament to Bhatt's exceptional bowling skills. The 26-year-old spinner has now taken 10 wickets in a match against Mumbai for the second consecutive time.