Cricket

Kane Williamson's return from injury has bolstered New Zealand's squad for the upcoming Test series against England, while Nathan Smith has earned his maiden Test call-up.Williamson, who missed the recent tour of India due to a groin injury, has recovered in time to take his place in the squad. His return could put pressure on Will Young, who impressed as player of the series in India.Smith, a 26-year-old allrounder, has been rewarded for his impressive performances in domestic cricket. He was the leading wicket-taker in last season's Plunket Shield and has also performed well for Worcestershire in the County Championship.Uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy has also been included in the squad, while Bear Sears and Kyle Jamieson are unavailable due to injuries. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in Pune, will join the group for the second and third Tests in Wellington and Hamilton.Ajaz Patel, who claimed 15 wickets against India, has been omitted from the squad, meaning his record of taking all 85 of his Test wickets away from home will remain intact for now.The opening Test against England takes place in Christchurch from November 28. New Zealand will be looking to build on their 3-0 win in India, which has given them a chance of reaching the World Test Championship final."It's obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee, only raises it up further," said New Zealand selector Sam Wells."Tim has had a fabulous career and will go down as one of the great Black Caps. I am sure the team and the public will want to give Tim a fitting send-off in what is a highly anticipated series."

Virat Kohli, India's batting maestro, is poised to make history as he prepares to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, commencing on November 22 in Perth. Despite a recent dip in form, Kohli's impressive track record in Australia makes this series an ideal stage for him to rediscover his peak performance and leave an indelible mark on the game.Kohli is on the cusp of several significant milestones during this series. He is just 458 runs away from surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 1,809 Test runs in Australia, a feat that would solidify his status as India's greatest batter on Australian soil. Additionally, he is within striking distance of becoming the visiting player with the most Test centuries in Australia, currently trailing English legends Jack Hobbs and Wally Hammond by just one century.The Adelaide Oval holds a special place in Kohli's heart, as it is his most successful Australian venue. With 509 runs in four Tests at an average of 63.62, he is just 102 runs away from surpassing Brian Lara's tally of 610 runs and becoming the highest-scoring visiting batter at this iconic ground.Beyond Test cricket, Kohli is also in contention to top the list for most fifty-plus scores in international cricket by a visiting batter in Australia. He currently boasts an impressive 30 fifty-plus scores across all formats, putting him in the running alongside legends Viv Richards and Desmond Haynes.Kohli's consistent performance in Australia extends to overall international runs. He has accumulated 3,426 runs across all formats, putting him 126 runs ahead of Sachin Tendulkar's record of 3,300 runs. He is also aiming to become the first Indian to reach 4,000 international runs on Australian soil, requiring 574 more runs to achieve this milestone.The Adelaide Oval has been particularly kind to Kohli, as he has already notched five centuries at the venue. Scoring another century there wouldn't just make him the first visiting player to reach 1,000 runs at the venue, but also surpass Jack Hobbs' record of five centuries at the MCG.This series will mark Kohli's 100th international match against Australia, likely during the third Test at The Gabba. This achievement would make him the second Indian to reach this milestone, joining the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar who has played 110 matches against the Aussies.Kohli's current tally of 16 centuries against Australia puts him in a strong position to chase down Sachin Tendulkar's record of 20 international centuries against the Aussies.Having faced a challenging year with the bat, scoring just 488 runs in 19 matches across formats at an average of 20.33, Kohli will be eager to use this series as a platform for redemption. Australia has historically been a happy hunting ground for him, and his performance in this series holds the potential to shape not only the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also cement his legacy in Test cricket.

Rinku Singh's recent batting performances have raised concerns for the Indian cricket team ahead of the crucial fourth T20I against South Africa. Despite centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, India's batting has been inconsistent, and the team is seeking a more collective effort to clinch the series 3-1.Rinku, known for his exceptional T20 skills, has struggled in recent months. His batting position and use as a floater at numbers six and seven have not helped his cause. The Aligarh-born player has managed only 28 runs in three innings, with scores of 11, 9, and 8.While these scores may not seem alarming in isolation, the number of balls (34) Rinku has taken to score them is concerning. Even during the last IPL, he faced only 113 balls in 15 games for KKR, averaging 7.5 deliveries per game.As a specialist "finisher," Rinku is expected to face around 10 balls per innings. However, this strategy has eroded his confidence, leaving him caught between attacking and playing second fiddle.Most of Rinku's better performances have come when he has batted at number five. However, with Samson settling as an opener and Varma staking claim as a No. 3, it may be difficult for Rinku to be promoted ahead of Hardik Pandya.The team think-tank needs to address this issue promptly. India has used 12 out of their 15 players in the first three games, and it remains to be seen if one of the two uncapped pacers, Yash Dayal or Vysakh Vijaykumar, will make their debut if the pitch warrants an extra specialist speedster.For Samson, he will be eager to break his recent run of failures against Marco Jansen. In the final game, skipper Surya may consider Ramandeep Singh's steady medium pace as he offers multiple skills, including the ability to field at all positions except wicket-keeping.

Tim Southee, New Zealand's legendary seam bowler, has announced his retirement from Test cricket after a remarkable 18-year career. The 35-year-old will bid farewell to the longest format of the game on his home ground in Hamilton next month, at the conclusion of England's tour of New Zealand.Southee has been a cornerstone of the Black Caps' bowling attack since making his debut against England in 2008. He has claimed 385 Test wickets in 104 appearances, second only to Sir Richard Hadlee (431) among New Zealanders. His impressive tally includes 15 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket matches.Southee's recent performances have been particularly noteworthy. He played a key role in New Zealand's historic 3-0 series win in India, the first by a visiting team since 2012-13. Despite claiming just three wickets across the first two Tests, he dismissed India's captain, Rohit Sharma, for a duck in the series opener and their top-scorer, Sarfaraz Khan, for 150 in the second innings.Southee's retirement marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket. He is the country's most prolific bowler in international cricket, with 770 wickets across formats to date. No other bowler in international cricket has matched his feat of reaching 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets, and 100 T20I wickets.Beyond his bowling prowess, Southee has also been a valuable contributor with the bat. He has scored 93 Test sixes, second only to Brendon McCullum among New Zealanders. His maiden Test innings in 2008 saw him strike an unbeaten 77, which remains his highest score in the format.Southee's retirement announcement has been met with tributes from around the cricket world. He is widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers of his generation and a true ambassador for the game.

England have extended their winning streak in the T20I series against West Indies, winning the toss for the third consecutive time and opting to bowl first in the third match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia. The toss was delayed due to overnight rain, but Jos Buttler maintained his perfect record in the series by choosing to field.England, seeking an unassailable 3-0 lead, made one change to their lineup, bringing in Rehan Ahmed as the primary legspinner in place of Adil Rashid. West Indies, on the other hand, made three alterations, welcoming back Alzarri Joseph from suspension and replacing Matthew Forde and Sherfane Rutherford with Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer.The first two matches of the series have followed a similar pattern, with England restricting West Indies to modest totals and chasing them down comfortably. The conditions in Saint Lucia are expected to favor batters once again, with the floodlights and dew creating a conducive environment for run-scoring. However, the recent rains have left the outfield slightly damp and sluggish.England hold a slight historical advantage at this venue, having won both previous encounters here, including an eight-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. West Indies will be eager to turn their fortunes around and avoid a series sweep.

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee has urged Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to reset their approach and focus on technical refinement ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia.Lee emphasized the importance of introspection and a return to basics for the two batters, who have struggled for form in recent Tests. "When you have a couple of bad runs back to back, that's when the pressure gets set in," Lee said. "They've just got to go back to the drawing board."Lee believes that Rohit and Kohli's tendency to be overly aggressive may have contributed to their poor performances. "I can't say there's a technical fault there because I've seen him play for the last decade," Lee said of Rohit. "But maybe he's a little bit too aggressive."Lee also warned that the Australian pacers would be targeting Rohit and Kohli with the new ball. "I can promise you the Australian fast bowlers will be attacking Rohit Sharma with that brand-new ball," he said.Lee advised the Indian batters to work on their technique, freshen up mentally, and hit the ground running in Australia. "They are champions because they do the basics better than anybody else," Lee said. "Then, just hit the reset button, almost."Rohit has managed only 588 runs in 11 Tests this year, while Kohli has accumulated 250 runs in six Tests. Both batters will be under immense scrutiny during the Border-Gavaskar series, which begins in Perth on December 17.

Mohammed Shami, the Indian fast bowler, made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, taking four wickets for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy.Shami, who last played in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad in 2024, had raised concerns about his fitness after going wicketless in ten overs on the opening day. However, he dispelled those doubts with a superb performance on the second day, helping Bengal take a commanding lead.Despite being advised to tread cautiously, Shami bowled with intensity and accuracy, troubling the Madhya Pradesh batsmen with his trademark swing and seam. He bowled a total of 19 overs, taking four wickets for 54 runs.Bengal captain Anustup Majumdar praised Shami's determination to return to the field. "He has proven how desperate he was to return to the field," Majumdar said. "It didn't seem to me that he was returning from an injury."Shami's performance has raised hopes that he will be fit for India's upcoming tour of Australia. The Ranji Trophy is the only competitive red-ball cricket Shami will play before the tour, so his performance in Indore will be closely monitored by the national selectors.If Shami can maintain his fitness and form, he will be a valuable asset to the Indian team in Australia. His experience and skill will be crucial in the challenging conditions Down Under.

Varun Chakravarthy's journey in international cricket has been a rollercoaster ride. After a brief stint with the Indian team in 2021, he found himself out of favor and struggling to regain his place. However, through sheer determination and a willingness to reinvent himself, Chakravarthy has emerged as a formidable force in the Indian T20I setup.In 2023, Chakravarthy underwent a transformation in his bowling style. He abandoned his sidespin technique and embraced overspin, which gave him greater bite and accuracy. This change proved to be a masterstroke, as he finished the IPL season with 20 wickets and was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders' title triumph.His impressive IPL form earned him a recall to the Indian team for the T20I series against Bangladesh. In his first match back, he snared three wickets, and he continued to impress in subsequent games. Chakravarthy's ability to take wickets at crucial junctures has made him a valuable asset to the Indian team.In the recent T20I series against South Africa, Chakravarthy was the standout performer. He finished with ten wickets in four matches, including a five-wicket haul in the second game. His performances have not only solidified his place in the Indian team but have also made him a contender for a spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad.Chakravarthy's success is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. Despite setbacks and criticism, he has persevered and emerged as one of the most effective T20I bowlers in the world. His journey is an inspiration to all aspiring cricketers, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has embarked on a trophy tour of Pakistan, despite the uncertainty surrounding the hosting of the Champions Trophy in the country. The trophy arrived in Islamabad on Thursday and will embark on a tour of major Pakistani cities, including Skardu, Lahore, and Karachi.The tour is intended to generate excitement for the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 next year. However, the ICC is yet to announce the final schedule or comment on India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event.The trophy tour has been met with mixed reactions. Some cricket fans have welcomed the opportunity to see the trophy up close, while others have questioned the purpose of the tour given the uncertainty surrounding the tournament.Former Test captain Moin Khan expressed his skepticism, saying, "What is the purpose of this trophy tour when no one really knows at which venues the tournament will be held and whether Pakistan and India will play against each other in the event?"The ICC is expected to make a decision on the hosting of the Champions Trophy in the coming weeks. If India does not agree to travel to Pakistan, the tournament could be moved to a neutral venue or even canceled altogether.The trophy tour is part of the ICC's efforts to promote the Champions Trophy and build excitement for the event. The tournament will feature the top eight ODI teams in the world, including Pakistan, India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.The Champions Trophy is one of the most prestigious events in international cricket. It was first held in 1998 and has been won by India, Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa.