Cricket

Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, spearheading Bengal's thrilling 11-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy encounter. Shami's impressive performance, including a seven-wicket haul, bodes well for Team India ahead of their upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.In the match, Bengal posted a competitive 228 runs in their first innings, with Shahbaz Ahmed's quickfire 92 leading the charge. Madhya Pradesh's bowlers, Aryan Pandey and Kulwant Khejroliya, claimed four wickets each.Shami's impact was immediate as he ripped through Madhya Pradesh's batting lineup, claiming four wickets for 54 runs in the first innings. His incisive bowling, coupled with contributions from Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Kaif, and Rohit Kumar, restricted Madhya Pradesh to 167 runs, giving Bengal a 61-run lead.In the second innings, Bengal capitalized on their advantage, posting a formidable 276 runs. Writtick Chatterjee and Wriddhiman Saha anchored the innings with half-centuries, while Shami's valuable 37-run cameo propelled Bengal to a challenging target of 338 runs.Madhya Pradesh's chase fell agonizingly short as they were bowled out for 326 runs. Skipper Shubham Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, and Subhranshu Senapati scored half-centuries, but Shami's 3/102 in 24.2 overs proved too much to overcome. Shahbaz Ahmed's all-round performance, including 4/48 with the ball, earned him the 'Player of the Match' award.Shami's return to domestic cricket is a significant milestone in his comeback journey. His sensational performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, where he emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker, showcased his exceptional talent. Despite missing the T20 World Cup due to injury, Shami's return to form is a welcome boost for Team India.With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the horizon, Shami's experience and proven track record in Australia will be invaluable. India's pace attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and promising talents like Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna, will benefit immensely from Shami's guidance and leadership.

Australia's bowlers, led by Spencer Johnson's five-wicket haul, put in a dominant performance to secure a series victory over Pakistan in the second T20I match.Johnson's devastating spell of 5/26 saw him claim the first five wickets of Pakistan's innings, reducing them to 29/5. The visitors never recovered from this early setback, eventually being bowled out for a paltry 134.Usman Khan's half-century (52 off 38) was a lone bright spot for Pakistan, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide any meaningful resistance.Earlier, Australia had posted a modest total of 147, with Matthew Short top-scoring with 32. Haris Rauf was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking 4/32.The victory gives Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one match remaining. It also marks the first series defeat for Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan's new white-ball captain.Johnson's performance was particularly impressive, as he became the first Australian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a T20I match against Pakistan. His wickets included the dangerous Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who had scored centuries in the first T20I.Australia's victory was a testament to their bowling strength, which has been a key factor in their recent success in the shortest format. They will be looking to complete a clean sweep of the series in the third and final T20I on Friday.

Mohammed Shami's remarkable return to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy has earned him high praise from Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla. After a year-long absence due to an ankle injury, Shami made a stunning comeback on Thursday, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills against Madhya Pradesh.In his first appearance since last year's ODI World Cup, Shami bowled with precision and pace, capturing 4 wickets for 54 runs in 19 overs. His impressive performance put Bengal in a commanding position at the Holkar Stadium.Shukla was particularly impressed by Shami's ability to return to form after such a long layoff. "Someone has come back after one year and has bowled 19 overs and taken so many wickets... what's there to say?" Shukla said. "He came into the match without doing any match simulation. Can you imagine? But obviously, if he plays more, he will get better."Shami started economically, conceding only 34 runs in his first 10 overs. However, he grew in confidence as the innings progressed, rattling the Madhya Pradesh batting order with his mesmerizing pace. He dismissed key batsmen, including skipper Shubham Sharma, Saransh Jain, Kumar Kartikeya, and Kulwant Khejroliya."He bowled one six-over spell and one five-over spell," Shukla added. "Players who bowl in the IPL don't even know how to bowl more than four overs. He bowled the sort of spells fast bowlers are expected to. I have never seen a fast bowler come back so strongly after one year away. What he did today is like a fairy tale."Shami's performance has reignited hopes that he could be available for India's upcoming Test series against Australia. The seasoned speedster missed out on a call for the Border Gavaskar Trophy but has started to make a case for his inclusion if needed.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its new batch of central contracts, with notable omissions of former captain Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz. The contracts, which were pending approval for some time, have been awarded to 16 players, with Fatima Sana, the current captain, moving up to Category A.Dar, who was in Category A last year, and Riaz, who had been demoted to Category B, have been omitted due to concerns about their form and attitude within the team. Eyman Fatima, Anoosha Nasir, Sidra Nawaz, and Shawaal Zulfiqar also miss out on contracts this season, while Bismah Maroof's retirement earlier this year means she no longer features.The PCB stated that these players will remain available for selection as the board shifts its focus towards developing the next generation of cricketers in alignment with the ICC's Women's FTP (Future Tours Programme) for 2025-29.Sana's promotion to Category A is a reward for her outstanding all-round performances in the run-up to and at the T20 World Cup in the UAE. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka at the tournament but lost their three other group games to India, Australia, and eventual champions New Zealand.Muneeba Ali, the wicketkeeper-batter, has also been promoted to Category A, joining Sidra Amin, who retains her position. Gull Feroza and Rameen Shamim return to the central contracts list for the first time since 2018 and 2022-23, respectively, while Tasmia Rubab is included for the first time.The contracts have been backdated to the end of July, when the previous contracts expired. The delay in the contracts is part of a general trend of upheaval and uncertainty in Pakistan women's cricket, where the PCB has struggled to get projects off the ground, including the long-promised women's PSL."The 2024-25 central contracts reflect our forward-looking strategy as we prepare for the new ICC Women's Future Tours Programme," said PCB's new chief operating officer Sumair Ahmad Syed. "By further investing in established players through significantly enhanced retainers and offering clear pathways to the emerging cricketer, we aim to strike a balance between nurturing future stars and sustaining competitiveness at the highest level."

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Perth due to the birth of his second child. Sharma and his wife Ritika welcomed a baby boy on Friday night, and the Indian captain has decided to stay back in Mumbai to spend time with his family.Sharma's absence from the first Test will be a significant blow to the Indian team, as he is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world. He has scored over 15,000 runs in Test cricket, including 30 centuries, and is considered one of the best openers in the game.In Sharma's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian team in the first Test. Bumrah is one of the world's leading fast bowlers, and he will be looking to make a statement as captain. KL Rahul is expected to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Shubman Gill is unlikely to feature due to a fractured thumb.The Indian team left for Perth in two batches on November 10 and 11, with Sharma staying back in Mumbai for the birth of his child. The team has been preparing for the Test series in Perth, and they will be hoping to start the series with a win.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on December 17 in Perth. The series is expected to be closely contested, and Sharma's absence from the first Test will give Australia a slight advantage. However, the Indian team will be confident of winning the series, and they will be looking to make a strong start in Perth.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has raised concerns among former Australian captain Tim Paine. Paine believes that Gambhir's "prickly" coaching style may not be a good fit for the team, especially in the wake of their recent 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand.Paine highlighted the contrast between Gambhir's approach and that of former coach Ravi Shastri, who was known for his positive and motivating style. He expressed concern that Gambhir's "prickly" nature could create a tense atmosphere within the team, especially under pressure.Paine's comments stem from a recent media interaction where Gambhir took issue with Ricky Ponting's remarks on Virat Kohli's struggling form. Gambhir's response, which Paine described as "prickly," has raised questions about his ability to handle criticism and stay calm under pressure.Paine believes that Gambhir's biggest concern is not the form of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, but his own ability to remain composed under pressure. He emphasized that the coach's demeanor can have a significant impact on the team's performance, especially in a high-stakes environment like the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir's appointment has also raised questions about the future of the Indian team. The team has struggled in recent months, and the loss to New Zealand has further dented their confidence. Paine believes that if India fails to start strong in the Perth Test, it could be a "long summer" for Gambhir and the team.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has hailed Rishabh Pant's recovery from a horrific car accident as a "miracle." Shastri visited Pant in the hospital shortly after the incident and was initially uncertain about his cricketing future."Honestly, if you had seen him, you would not have given him a hope in hell to play cricket again," Shastri said. "He was in terrible shape. I went to see him in hospital a month after he was injured. He was battered and bruised, scarred all over."Pant underwent a major operation and had stitches all over his body. Shastri said that from that point, for him to recover and play cricket again was a miracle."To then go on and play in a World Cup-winning team and be a part of the Test team is a truly remarkable achievement," Shastri added.Pant has been in incredible form since his return to the game, averaging 62 on his two tours of Australia. Shastri said that Pant returns to Australia for this tour in form and as a man Australia fears, an unthinkable prospect when he was bailed up in hospital unable to walk."When you speak to him now, the respect he has for the game is even more," Shastri said. "He was nowhere. Suddenly he is back and he values that. But I have seen him work really, really hard over the past few months to get in to the shape he is to play Test cricket."Pant's accident occurred in December 2022 while he was returning to his hometown from New Delhi. He had a narrow escape thanks to some good Samaritans and his own presence of mind, which prompted him to break the windshield of his car."First time in my life I had that feeling of letting it go. I felt my time in this world was over," Pant had said. "When my accident happened, I felt something spiritual saved me. I can't even imagine how much worse it could have been. Doctors even spoke to me about amputation."Pant was later airlifted to Mumbai, where he underwent reconstruction in three knee ligaments."I asked the doctor how long it would take for me to recover. He said it would take 16 to 18 months," Pant said. "I told the doctor that whatever timeline he gave me, I would reduce six months from it."Pant's determination and hard work have paid off, and he is now back playing at the highest level. His recovery is a testament to his resilience and the power of the human spirit.

Adelaide Strikers emerged victorious in their WBBL clash against Hobart Hurricanes, securing a 38-run win at Adelaide Oval. The victory snapped a five-match losing streak for the defending champions, who are still placed last in the standings.Madeline Penna played a pivotal role for the Strikers, scoring a crucial 60 off 40 deliveries. Her innings, which included six fours and two sixes, helped the Strikers post a competitive total of 140 for 7.In response, the Hurricanes' batting lineup faltered, with only Elyse Villani (44 off 39) managing to make a significant contribution. Tahlia McGrath, the Strikers' captain, led the bowling attack with an impressive 4 for 13, while Megan Schutt and Anesu Mushangwe chipped in with two wickets each.The Hurricanes' innings collapsed dramatically after they reached 63 for 1 in the ninth over. They lost nine wickets for just 39 runs, handing the Strikers a much-needed victory.Penna expressed her delight after the match, stating, "It's been a long time coming, and it's so good we can get a win. To get it at home in front of our fans is so nice."McGrath also shared her excitement, saying, "It's been a really tough season. We haven't quite been up to our standard, and cricket is a brutal game when you're not at your standards."Despite their victory, the Strikers remain at the bottom of the table with a 2-6 record. However, the win provides a glimmer of hope for the defending champions as they look to salvage something from the season.

Tamil Nadu Crushes Railways in Innings VictoryIn a stunning display of dominance, Tamil Nadu annihilated Railways by an innings and 25 runs in a Ranji Trophy Group-D encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. The victory was secured in a mere 20 minutes on the fourth day, as Tamil Nadu's bowlers wreaked havoc on the Railways batting lineup.R. Sonu Yadav and S. Ajith Ram were the architects of the demolition, claiming four wickets each. Sonu's strategy of bowling straight to the stumps proved effective, while Ajith Ram's left-arm spin bamboozled the Railways batters.The collapse began with Mohammad Saif's dismissal, as Shahrukh Khan dove low to his right and snared a half-chance. Shivam Chaudhary's edge was safely taken by Shahrukh, who had to run almost 20 yards to complete the catch.Sonu then sent Yuvraj Singh and Kunal Yadav packing in quick succession, leaving Railways reeling at 184 all out. The innings victory earned Tamil Nadu seven points."To get five wickets in 3.4 overs is not at all easy," said Sonu. "We took those and happy that that miracle happened."Ajith Ram added, "Our goal was to restrict them and make sure we had to chase less than a 100. But once we got the first wicket, everything went down so quickly."Tamil Nadu captain N. Jagadeesan was delighted with the crucial win. "These are things that just happen only once in a while and credit to the way Sonu and Ajith Ram bowled."