Cricket

India's stand-in head coach V.V.S. Laxman has praised his team's fearless approach in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. India currently leads the four-match series 2-1, with the final match scheduled to be played later today at the Wanderers.Laxman believes that the team's fearless attitude has been a key factor in their success. "What we have seen in these three matches is the fearless approach of this team," he said during a reception hosted for the Indian team in Johannesburg.Laxman also emphasized the importance of entertaining the fans along with winning matches. "During any tours to any foreign country, we play and try to entertain the crowd. And we always feel that we are playing at home," he said.The Indian team has received tremendous support from the Indian community in South Africa. Laxman acknowledged this support, saying, "The reason for that is all the wonderful fans of the Indian cricket team – the diaspora of India who settled down in various countries but still love the Indian team and the Indian cricketers."Skipper Suryakumar Yadav echoed Laxman's sentiments, saying, "It's always good to meet the Indian community when we come away from home. It makes us feel like we are at home."Indian Consul General Mahesh Kumar highlighted the long-standing cricket relations between India and South Africa, dating back over a century. He expressed hope that the two countries would continue to collaborate in the future.Chairman of Cricket South Africa Pearl Maphoshe made a plea for the Indian squad to return to South Africa in 2025. "We cannot have enough of Indian teams in South Africa. We really love you," he said.

Krishnan Shrijith's First Class debut for Karnataka against Uttar Pradesh was a bittersweet moment. While he celebrated a remarkable century, the absence of his late father weighed heavily on his heart.Shrijith's father had always been a source of inspiration, urging him to work hard and never give up. His words echoed in Shrijith's mind as he faced the daunting task of rescuing Karnataka from a precarious position.With the team reeling at five for two, Shrijith stepped up to the plate and played a gritty innings. He faced 125 deliveries, hitting 14 boundaries and two sixes. His century not only helped Karnataka recover but also marked a significant milestone in his career.Shrijith's success is a testament to his determination and the guidance he received from his father. He credits the Maharaja T20 Trophy for preparing him for the challenges of First Class cricket. The tournament's high-intensity games and demanding schedule helped him develop mental resilience and adaptability.As Shrijith looks to cement his place in the Karnataka team, his century has raised hopes that he could be the answer to their wicketkeeper-batter conundrum. His ability to combine solid batting with reliable wicketkeeping skills makes him a valuable asset.Shrijith's journey is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of having a strong support system. His father's legacy will continue to inspire him as he strives to achieve greater heights in the sport.

Andhra Pradesh made a strong start in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Hyderabad, thanks to a five-wicket haul from off-spinner Tripurana Vijay and a fluent half-century from S.K. Rasheed.Vijay, playing in his first Ranji Trophy match, impressed with his immaculate line and length, claiming the wickets of Abhirath Reddy, K. Rohit Rayudu, K. Himateja, G. Rahul Singh, and Chama Milind. His career-best figures of 5/118 helped restrict Hyderabad to 301 in their first innings.Hyderabad's innings was anchored by Tanmay Agarwal, who scored a gritty 159 despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Agarwal's knock included two huge sixes off Vijay, but he eventually fell to Rafi.In response, Andhra openers M. Hemanth Reddy and Abhishek Reddy got off to a solid start, putting on 67 runs for the second wicket. However, both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Andhra at 84/2.Rasheed then took center stage, showcasing his class with a fluent 79 not out. He timed his shots beautifully, particularly through the midwicket and cover regions, and combined rock-solid defense with excellent stroke-play.Karan Shinde provided valuable support to Rasheed, contributing 41 runs. The duo denied Hyderabad any further success, as the bowlers struggled on a pitch that offered little assistance.At the close of play on the second day, Andhra had reached 168/2, trailing Hyderabad by 133 runs. Rasheed and Shinde remained unbeaten at the crease, looking to build on their partnership and put Andhra in a strong position.

Debutants Krishnan Shrijith and Yashovardhan Parantap played pivotal roles as Karnataka tightened their grip on Uttar Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.Shrijith, resuming on 68, played a composed innings, reaching his maiden century off 125 balls. He was ably supported by Parantap, who contributed a gritty 118-ball half-century. The duo's partnership of 61 for the seventh wicket helped Karnataka extend their first-innings lead to 186 runs.Uttar Pradesh's bowlers struggled to contain the lower order, with three defiant partnerships contributing to Karnataka's total. Skipper Aryan Juyal and Madhav Kaushik led the hosts' fightback in the second innings, but Karnataka's bowlers kept them in check.Shrijith's century was a testament to his patience and determination. He weathered a barrage of short balls from Shivam Mavi and Aaqib Khan, and played with a solid technique. Parantap, on the other hand, showed maturity beyond his years, exhibiting a precocious grit that belied his 20 years.The match is poised for an exciting finish, with Uttar Pradesh needing to bat aggressively to chase down a challenging target. Karnataka, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and secure a crucial victory.

Virat Kohli's Test Dominance in Australia Earns Him Unparalleled RespectIn the lead-up to the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has shed light on the immense respect Virat Kohli commands in Australia, attributing it to his remarkable performances in Test matches on Australian soil.Chopra believes that Test cricket holds a special place in Australia, and dominating in this format is the ultimate way to earn respect. He emphasized that Kohli's stellar Test record in Australia, with 1,352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, has made him a celebrated figure among Australian fans and media alike.Chopra dismissed any suggestion that the hype surrounding Kohli is a result of media manipulation, stating that Kohli has "commanded" respect, not demanded it. He explained that Kohli's ability to conquer challenging Australian grounds and decimate their team has earned him the admiration of the Australian public.Chopra contrasted Kohli's achievements with those of current India captain Rohit Sharma, pointing out that despite Rohit's greatness in limited-overs cricket, especially against Australia, he hasn't had the same impact in Test matches Down Under. Rohit has scored 408 runs at an average of 31.38 in 14 Test innings in Australia, without a century to his name.Chopra also noted that the widespread recognition of Kohli is reminiscent of the respect shown to Sachin Tendulkar in Australia, where his Test exploits earned him lasting admiration. He emphasized that to earn respect in Australia and England, players must perform exceptionally in Test matches, and Kohli has undoubtedly achieved this.

Anshul Kamboj, the Haryana fast bowler, unleashed a devastating spell on Thursday, claiming all eight wickets to fall in his side's Ranji Trophy match against Kerala at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium.Kamboj, known for his restless energy on the field, channeled his intensity into his bowling, hustling the Kerala batters with his pace and accuracy. The 23-year-old started the day with three wickets and added five more, leaving the Kerala batting order in tatters."Yesterday we bowled a little too outside the off stump. We could have had more wickets, considering the way the ball was moving. So, today I bowled a little straighter so that the batter plays every ball," said Kamboj after the day's play.With Kerala down to its last two wickets, Kamboj now has a glorious chance to enter the history books. Only two players have ever achieved the feat of taking all 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings – Bengal's Premangsu Chatterjee in 1957 and Rajasthan's Pradeep Sunderam in 1985.Kamboj is candid enough to admit that the possibility of a ten-wicket-haul entices him. "Since such a situation [ten wickets] doesn't come very often, I will try to get two more wickets. But if the team is getting the wickets, I am equally happy," said Kamboj with a nervous smile.Kamboj's performance has not only put Haryana in a commanding position in the match but has also brought him into the limelight. The young fast bowler has been making waves in domestic cricket with his impressive pace and wicket-taking ability.If Kamboj can complete the ten-wicket-haul, he will not only etch his name in the history books but also boost his chances of a call-up to the Indian national team. The Indian team is currently in search of a young and talented fast bowler who can provide them with the cutting edge in international cricket.

India's refusal to participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan has sparked a diplomatic standoff between the two nations, leaving the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a quandary. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the ICC that it will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to seek an explanation.The PCB has reportedly rejected a hybrid model that would allow India to play its matches at a neutral venue. Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi has advised the board to proceed cautiously and avoid emotional decision-making. He emphasized that the ICC will likely side with India, which has significant financial clout.Sethi warned that if Pakistan refuses to participate in the tournament or future ICC events, it could face financial consequences and isolation from the international cricket community. He suggested that the PCB consider the possibility that India's boycott is a diplomatic tactic aimed at securing concessions.The Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The PCB has offered to host all of India's matches in Lahore, allowing the team to travel and return home on the same day via the Attari border. However, India remains adamant in its refusal to play in Pakistan.The ICC is now facing a difficult decision. It must balance the interests of both India and Pakistan while ensuring the integrity of the tournament. The standoff has raised questions about the future of cricket diplomacy and the ability of the ICC to navigate political tensions between member nations.

The Australian soil has been a breeding ground for Indian cricketers, with many making their mark on the international stage. From Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli, the country has witnessed the rise of several stars. This tradition continues with the current Indian squad, which features promising youngsters who could make their Test or international debuts during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Irfan Pathan (2003)Pathan's Test debut in 2003 was a memorable one, with India securing a historic win at Adelaide. He made his mark as an all-rounder, scoring a century and taking a wicket in his debut match. Pathan went on to play 173 matches for India, winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Champions Trophy 2013.Vinay Kumar (2012)Kumar made his Test debut in 2012 under MS Dhoni's captaincy. He picked up a wicket in his only Test outing and also played 31 ODIs and nine T20Is for India. After retiring from first-class cricket in 2020, Kumar joined the Mumbai Indians talent scouting team and later became the bowling coach for MI Emirates.Karn Sharma (2014)Sharma made his Test debut in 2014 under Virat Kohli's captaincy. He took four wickets in the match but was overshadowed by Nathan Lyon's 12-wicket haul. Sharma has since played two ODIs and a T20I for India and continues to be a key domestic cricket player for Railways.KL Rahul (2014)Rahul made his international debut in 2014 and has since become a regular in the Indian team. He has scored over 8,000 runs in international cricket, including 17 centuries. Rahul will be looking to make a strong impact in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has an average of just over 20.Mayank Agarwal (2018)Agarwal made his Test debut in 2018 and played a crucial role in India's victory in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He scored 195 runs in two innings, including a fine 76 in the first innings. Agarwal has since played 21 Tests for India, scoring over 1,400 runs with four centuries.Mohammed Siraj (2020)Siraj's Test debut was a moment of resilience and emotion. He stepped up in the absence of injured senior players and led the pace battery in the final Test at Gabba. Siraj took 5/73 in the match-winning effort, helping India to an inspirational series win. He is now an all-format star for India, having taken 165 wickets in 91 matches.Navdeep Saini (2021)Saini made his Test debut in 2021 and has since taken 23 wickets in 21 international matches. He was recently picked for the India A series Down Under and is present in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad as a reserve player.Shubman Gill (2021)Gill made his Test debut in 2021 and played a crucial role in India's 2-1 win over Australia. He scored 259 runs in three matches, including two half-centuries. Gill has since become an all-format star, scoring over 4,700 runs in 97 matches with 12 centuries.Washington Sundar (2021)Sundar made his Test debut in the iconic Gabba Test win in 2021. He scored 62 and 22 in the match and took four wickets, including three in the first innings. Sundar has since been picked up as the third spinner for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.T Natarajan (2021)Natarajan made his debut across all formats during the 2020-21 tour to Australia. He played his first Test at Gabba, picking up three wickets. Natarajan has not played first-class cricket since then and his last international match was against England in March 2021.

Cricket Australia (CA) has extended its ban on former Sri Lankan Test player Dulip Samaraweera for an additional 10 years, bringing his total suspension to 30 years. The latest ban stems from allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a second player while Samaraweera was coaching.Samaraweera was initially suspended for 20 years in September 2022 after an investigation found him guilty of inappropriate behavior towards a female player. The second allegation relates to his time as a private coach while employed by Cricket Victoria.Samaraweera has denied the latest claim but declined to participate in the investigation. As a result, he has been banned for 10 years for breaching the sport's code of conduct. The ban will run concurrently with his initial 20-year suspension, meaning he will not be eligible to return to any coaching role in Australia until 2044.Neither complainant has pursued criminal charges at this time. Samaraweera had been involved in Cricket Victoria's women's program for nearly 16 years, including as an assistant coach for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. He resigned from his position in May 2023.Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins condemned Samaraweera's conduct as "utterly reprehensible" and "a betrayal of everything we stand for." He praised the victim for her courage in speaking out and pledged ongoing support.Samaraweera, who played seven Tests for Sri Lanka, has been an assistant coach with the Stars since the inaugural WBBL season in 2015. He also served as Victoria's interim head coach for most of the 2022-23 summer.Samaraweera was set to take over the head coach role full-time but resigned in May 2023 due to a conflict of interest policy that prevented him from hiring his brother, Thilan, to the coaching staff.