Cricket

India's dominance in the fourth and final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg was a testament to their all-round brilliance. The visitors clinched the series 3-1 with a resounding 135-run victory, showcasing their prowess in both batting and bowling.Chasing a mammoth 284-run target, South Africa's hopes were shattered by the brilliance of pacer Arshdeep Singh. His devastating spell reduced the hosts to a disastrous 10/4 within just three overs, effectively ending the contest early. Singh's ability to swing the ball both ways proved too much for the South African batsmen, dismissing Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, and Heinrich Klaasen in quick succession.David Miller and Tristan Stubbs attempted to salvage the innings with an 86-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi. Stubbs fell off the very next ball after Miller's dismissal, and South Africa were eventually bowled out in the 19th over. Marco Jansen's late hitting provided some consolation, but it was too little, too late.Earlier, India had set a commanding 283/1, their highest-ever T20I score overseas and the highest by any team on South African soil. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma were the architects of this record-breaking total, combining for a 210-run partnership for the second wicket.Samson, who had already struck a century in the first game, once again showcased his precision and elegance, scoring 109* off 56 balls. Varma, batting at number three, continued his sensational form with a muscular 120* off 47 balls. The duo's centuries marked a rare feat in T20I cricket, with two Indian batters reaching the milestone in the same innings.Abhishek Sharma also played a crucial role, setting the tone in the Powerplay with four huge sixes. On a flat track offering true bounce, the Indian batsmen were in full flow, hammering a record 23 sixes. Samson's nine maximums were just one shy of Varma's 10.India's comprehensive victory in the fourth T20I was a fitting end to a successful series. Their all-round performance, led by the brilliance of Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma, proved too much for South Africa to handle.

Opener Subhransu Senapati's gritty half-century kept Madhya Pradesh in the hunt for an outright win over Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.Resuming at 170 for five, Bengal made 276 in its second innings, setting Madhya Pradesh a target of 338. The contest is evenly poised as the host, at 150 for three on day three, needs 188 runs while Bengal requires seven wickets to record victory on the final day.Overnight batters Writtick Chatterjee (52, 106b, 6x4) and Wriddhiman Saha (44, 115b, 3x4) concentrated hard for a 67-run stand. Writtick pulled Kumar Kartikeya to deep-square leg shortly after completing his half-century.A patient Saha mostly scored in singles before being given out, caught at first slip off Kartikeya while trying a scoop, and walked back disappointed.Riding his luck, Mohammed Shami (37, 36b, 2x4 2x6) swung his bat to add 39 runs with his brother Kaif for the final wicket before becoming Kartikeya's fourth victim. His cameo helped Bengal set a challenging target.With the track becoming docile and some deliveries keeping low, Bengal bowlers had to work hard. The right-left opening combination of Senapati (50, 110b, 6x4) and Himanshu Mantri (44, 77b, 4x4) gave Madhya Pradesh a fine start.Senapati, who survived two lbw appeals and got a 'life' on 14, played fluent drives on either side, while Mantri mostly rotated the strike and occasionally found a boundary.Shami, bowling 11 overs in four spells at a good speed, tried different lengths and leaked runs. Rohit Kumar provided the breakthrough as Mantri's leading edge went to deep fine-leg.Senapati added 41 runs with Rajat Patidar (32, 41b, 4x4) before being bowled by Shahbaz. Shami removed night watchman Anubhav Agarwal cheaply, but captain Shubham Sharma and Patidar, who executed sweetly-timed shots, prevented further damage.

New Zealand's triumph in the Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last month was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite being considered underdogs, the White Ferns defied expectations and emerged victorious.Craig McMillan, the team's assistant coach, had unwavering faith in his players. "We have worked hard over a period of time, and we know the improvements they've made over the last 12 months," he said. "Sometimes the stars align, but you still have to be good to make the most of those stars aligning."Amelia Kerr was the shining star for New Zealand. The leg-spinning all-rounder, who holds the record for the youngest cricketer to score a double hundred in ODIs, was named player of the final and the tournament. She was the competition's leading wicket-taker and scored a crucial 43 off 38 balls in the final."She bowled beautifully," said McMillan. "In the final, she stepped up when we needed her."Kerr's all-round performance was complemented by contributions from the entire team. "It has always been a strength of New Zealand sides, whether men's or women's — everyone chips in," said McMillan. "Rosemary Mair did a great job with the ball, Lea Tahuhu, who has been around a long time, picked up key wickets."New Zealand's fielding was also exceptional throughout the tournament. "That is so important in the T20 game," said McMillan. "We had only one bad game against the West Indies, but apart from that, against India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and then in the final against South Africa, we took our catches, and that was crucial."The win against India in New Zealand's opening match was particularly significant. "It was a very strong group, as Australia was also there," said McMillan. "And we knew that we probably had to win one of those first two games to actually be able to go through to the next stage. So we really targeted those games. Against India it was almost probably our best performance. It got us off to a great start. And momentum is really important in the World Cup."McMillan believes the team's success was also due to the presence of several all-rounders. "Some of them, like skipper Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are, in fact, double internationals, in hockey and basketball respectively," he said.McMillan emphasizes the importance of playing multiple sports, especially for young athletes. "I think it's really important that not only females, but males too, play as many sports as they can," he said. "I myself played a lot of football up until 18 and then I had to make a decision. I was a tough centre-back. I used to cut strikers down. But I just think you get multi-skilled players when they play other sports. That helps them when they come and have to make a decision at some stage."McMillan is optimistic about the future of women's cricket. "It will get stronger and stronger," he said. "I think even in the last two or three years, you have seen the development, with the WPL and all that. Those franchises play a big part in terms of the development of the players. But we are just seeing some really talented females who are given the opportunity to show how good they are around the world. It is important that it not only grows in Australia, England and India, but in all the countries."

Mumbai's 17-year-old prodigy Ayush Mhatre continues to impress, scoring a commanding second first-class century against Services in the Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match. His 116 off 149 balls, studded with 12 boundaries and three sixes, gave Mumbai a 13-run lead.Mhatre's rise has been meteoric. Earlier this season, he showcased his talent with a marathon innings of 176 against Maharashtra. His consistent performances have established him as a key player in Mumbai's batting lineup, and now, with his U-19 selection, he is on the cusp of greater opportunities.Mumbai's innings began on a shaky note in their response to Services' total of 240. However, Mhatre anchored the innings, combining aggression with composure. He found valuable support from Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 47 off 46 balls. Together, they stitched a crucial 109-run partnership in just 104 balls, helping Mumbai regain their footing.Meanwhile, Mumbai's pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur delivered an impressive performance, taking four wickets to wrap up Services' innings. Thakur, overlooked by the national selectors for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, showcased his grit with figures of 4 for 46 in 19 overs.Mhatre's performance has also caught the attention of the Indian Premier League (IPL) giants Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has been approached by CSK for IPL trials and has expressed his interest in playing alongside legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni."Yes, I got a call from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) talent scout team for the trials a few days back. I think I will go for the trials, but right now, my focus is on red-ball cricket. Since this is the last match of the first half of the Ranji Trophy season, I want to finish it on a high note," Mhatre said."I can't say if I will be picked in the auction, but yes if I get a chance to play in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings, I will try to be productive for the franchise. Playing alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni is every youngster's dream and it will be a dream come true for me. I haven't met him yet, but let's see what happens," he added.Mhatre's rise is a testament to his talent and hard work. He is a player to watch out for in the future, and his potential is limitless.

In a historic display of batting prowess, India shattered records and left South Africa's bowlers bewildered in the fourth and final T20I at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma etched their names in the annals of cricket history, becoming the first pair to score centuries in the same T20I innings.Samson, known for his audacious strokeplay, unleashed a whirlwind knock of 109* off just 56 deliveries, peppering the boundaries with 6 fours and 9 towering sixes. Varma, the young prodigy, matched Samson's brilliance with a stunning 120* off a mere 47 balls, smashing 9 fours and 10 sixes.India's batting onslaught propelled them to a mammoth 283/1, the highest total ever recorded in a T20I between two Full Member sides. The previous record of 297/6, set by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, was shattered by this extraordinary performance.The partnership between Samson and Varma was equally remarkable, reaching a staggering 210* runs. This became the highest partnership for any wicket for India and the highest partnership for any wicket against South Africa in a T20I. It also stands as the highest partnership for the second wicket or below in all T20Is.India's batting fireworks extended to the six-hitting department, as they smashed a record 23 sixes. This surpassed the previous best of 22 sixes, which had been achieved by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, by West Indies against South Africa in Centurion in 2023, and by Afghanistan against Ireland in Dehradun in 2019.Samson's century was his third in T20Is in 2024, making him the first player ever to achieve this feat in a calendar year. He has now been involved in three 170+ T20I partnerships, the most for any batter.India also set a new record for the fewest overs taken to reach 200 runs in a T20I, achieving the milestone in just 14.1 overs. This surpassed the previous best of 13.5 overs, set by South Africa against West Indies in Centurion in 2023, and 13.6 overs, set by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.

Abhishek Sharma's Explosive Cameo Powers India to a Big Total in JohannesburgAfter a slow start to the series, India's opening batter Abhishek Sharma has found his rhythm in the final two matches, tormenting South African bowlers with his aggressive batting. In the fourth and final T20I in Johannesburg on Friday, Sharma continued his impressive form, scoring a blistering 36 off just 18 balls to set the tone for a big total.Sharma's innings was a display of power and precision, as he smashed four sixes and two fours. The highlight of his knock came in the fifth over when he launched Proteas pacer Andile Simelane for a massive six out of the ground. Charging down the track, Sharma created room and smoked the ball over extra cover, sending it soaring onto the roof before it bounced out of the ground.Sharma's resurgence in the series is a welcome sign for India, who have been looking for consistency from their openers. In the third T20I in Centurion, Sharma found his mojo back with a blistering fifty off just 25 balls, which included five sixes and three fours.In the first two matches of the series, Sharma struggled to make an impact, scoring only 7 runs in the first T20I and 4 runs in the second. However, his dismissals in both innings were strikingly similar, as he was caught behind the wicket while attempting to play aggressive shots.Sharma's recent performances suggest that he has overcome his early struggles and is now ready to play a significant role in India's batting lineup. His ability to score quickly and aggressively makes him a valuable asset to the team, especially in the T20 format.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will feature a star-studded list of 574 players, including Indian stalwarts Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Arshdeep Singh.Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is expected to command the highest bid, with teams like Punjab Kings eager to secure his services. Other top-tier Indian players include Iyer, the IPL-winning captain; Arshdeep, India's leading T20I bowler; Rahul, the stylish opener; Mohammed Shami, the experienced pacer; Mohammed Siraj, the rising star; Yuzvendra Chahal, the wily leg-spinner; and Avesh Khan, the promising fast bowler.The auction will also see a strong contingent of overseas players, with 81 in the top base price bracket of Rs 2 crore. England's Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Jonny Bairstow are among the most sought-after, while South Africa's Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, Australia's Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Starc are also highly rated.Notably, retired England pacer James Anderson has made the cut despite T20 not being his forte. Other notable overseas players include Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra, both priced at Rs 1.25 crore.The auction will also feature 48 capped Indians and 193 capped overseas players. Former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand, now an Associate member nation player, has made the cut, while Saurabh Nethravalkar, who impressed during the T20 World Cup, was not shortlisted.

Rajasthan's bowlers, led by Aniket Choudhary's four-wicket haul, put the visitors in a commanding position against Uttarakhand in their Ranji Trophy Group B encounter. Resuming on 109/2, Uttarakhand lost skipper Ravikumar Samarth early, adding just one run to his overnight score. Aniket dismissed Samarth for 51, while Kukna Ajay Singh bowled Swapnil Singh for 36.Yuvraj Chaudhary and Aditya Tare steadied the innings with a 62-run stand, but Ajay Singh broke the partnership by having Tare stumped. Deepak Chahar and Ajay Singh further dented Uttarakhand's hopes, removing Abhimanyu Singh and Abhay Negi respectively.Yuvraj found an ally in Deepak Dhapola, adding 60 runs for the eighth wicket. However, Aniket struck twice in the same over, dismissing Dhapola and Dikshanshu Negi to leave Uttarakhand reeling at 347/9.Yuvraj remained unbeaten on a valiant 144, hitting 16 fours and six sixes. Aniket and Ajay Singh shared seven wickets between them, with Aniket finishing with figures of 4/79 and Ajay Singh claiming 3/80.Earlier, Rajasthan had declared their first innings on 660/7, with Mahipal Lomror smashing an unbeaten 300 and Kartik Sharma contributing 113. Uttarakhand now trail by a massive 313 runs with just one wicket remaining.

Amidst concerns over his form, former India captain Virat Kohli took the field on Friday for a match simulation ahead of the 1st Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium. Just a day after undergoing scans, the legendary batter scored 15 runs in the first innings of the simulation match at the WACA Ground in Perth.According to a report in the Times of India, Kohli batted without any discomfort despite undergoing a scan on Thursday. However, the report couldn't clarify the reason behind Kohli's injury scare."Virat Kohli is absolutely fine. He batted in the match simulation without any discomfort and also had a hit in the net after he got out. No concerns there," the report quoted a source as saying.KL Rahul, who is tipped to open in Perth Test in the absence for captain Rohit Sharma, was hit by a ball in the match simulation and couldn't bat any further. However, the report added that "there are no major concerns there as well".After being dismissed, Kohli also took throwdowns on the sidelines of the simulation match. Not only that, he also came out to bat for the second time in the match, scoring an unbeaten 30 before leaving the field.The Indian batters, in general, struggled against the bowlers in the match simulation. Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Kumar Reddy troubled the Indian batters, including Kohli and Rishabh Pant.While Kohli left the field unbeaten on 30, Pant was castled for the second time in the day.The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia kicks off on November 22, with the first Test at Perth. The second Test, featuring the day-night format, will take place under lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. Fans will then turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test, scheduled from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will mark the series' penultimate stage. The fifth and final Test will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising an exciting climax to a highly anticipated series.