Cricket

Rinku Singh's life took a dramatic turn after his extraordinary feat of hitting five consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans' Yash Dayal in an IPL 2023 match. This remarkable performance not only propelled him to international fame but also earned him a lucrative contract renewal with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering Rs 13 crore.Born into a humble family in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Singh's journey to the pinnacle of cricket is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing financial hardships, his passion for the sport and his desire to support his family drove him to pursue cricket professionally.Singh's rise through the ranks was marked by hard work and exceptional talent. He honed his skills at the local level before making his mark in the domestic circuit. His fearless batting and exceptional finishing abilities caught the attention of KKR, who signed him in 2022.In the 2023 IPL season, Singh's star shone brightly. His unforgettable performance against Gujarat Titans, where he smashed five sixes in an over, cemented his place as a key player for KKR. This incredible feat earned him widespread recognition and admiration from cricket fans across the country.With his recent contract renewal, Singh has decided to invest in his dream home in his hometown of Aligarh. The luxurious bungalow, located in The Golden Estate of Ozone City, is a symbol of his achievements and gratitude towards his roots. The 500-square-yard property boasts a rooftop bar, private pool, and a special space dedicated to the bat with which he hit those five historic sixes.Singh's journey is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. His success story highlights the importance of perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering belief in one's dreams.

Glenn Maxwell Joins Elite Club with 10,000 T20 RunsAustralian batter Glenn Maxwell has etched his name into the annals of T20 cricket history by becoming only the third Australian to surpass 10,000 runs in the format. The prolific batter achieved the milestone during the rain-hit first T20I against Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane.Maxwell's aggressive and innovative batting style has made him a formidable force in T20 leagues and for Australia. Known for his ability to score quickly and consistently, he has been a key player in numerous successful campaigns.With his 19-ball 43 in the first T20I against Pakistan, Maxwell joined David Warner (12411) and Aaron Finch (11458) as the only Australians to reach the 10,000-run mark in T20 cricket. Overall, he became the 16th batter to achieve this feat, led by Chris Gayle with 14,562 runs in 463 games.Maxwell's achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and longevity in the T20 format. He has played a pivotal role in Australia's success in T20 cricket, including their victory in the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.Beyond his international exploits, Maxwell has also been a standout performer in domestic and franchise-based T20 leagues around the world. His ability to adapt to different conditions and opposition has made him a highly sought-after player.Maxwell's latest milestone is a fitting recognition of his contributions to T20 cricket. He has consistently entertained fans with his explosive batting and has played a significant role in the growth and popularity of the format.

New Zealand's recent ODI loss to Sri Lanka in Dambulla may have been a setback, but it provided valuable lessons for the young Kiwi squad. With three debutants in the lineup, the match offered an opportunity to observe and learn from the hosts' mastery of unfamiliar conditions.Michael Bracewell, one of the debutants, emphasized the importance of adapting to the unique challenges of playing in Sri Lanka. "The conditions here are very different from what we face back home," he said. "We need to bank these experiences and learn from them to become better players."Sri Lanka's openers, Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando, showcased their expertise on a sluggish pitch, amassing a 206-run partnership that set the tone for the match. Bracewell acknowledged the significance of partnerships, noting that the Mendis-Fernando duo's contribution "changed the game."Despite a promising start from New Zealand's openers, Will Young and Tim Robinson, the chase faltered after their dismissals. Bracewell, who remained unbeaten on 34, expressed regret over not taking the game on earlier. "I could have taken the game on a little bit earlier," he said. "We didn't quite time the chase very well."The match highlighted the challenges of batting on Sri Lankan wickets, where spin is often dominant. However, Bracewell emphasized that batters can still succeed on such surfaces. "The batters played really well," he said. "We'll have to keep coming up with different answers and throwing different things at the Sri Lankan batters throughout the series."

Pakistan Opts to Field First in Rain-Delayed T20I Opener Against AustraliaIn a rain-affected first T20I at the Gabba, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan elected to field first after winning the toss. The match, initially scheduled for a full 20 overs, was reduced to a seven-over contest due to persistent lightning and rain in Brisbane.Pakistan's batting-heavy lineup features the return of wicketkeeper-batter Sahibzada Farhan, who replaced left-arm fast bowler Jahandad Khan at the last minute. The pace attack boasts the formidable trio of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, while Babar Azam and Rizwan will open the batting.Australia's captain, Josh Inglis, echoed Rizwan's decision to field first. Their top five remains largely unchanged from the ODI series, with Adam Zampa as the specialist spinner and Tim David slotting into the middle order. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson complete the bowling attack.The reduced format of the match means that only two bowlers can bowl a maximum of two overs each, while all other bowlers are restricted to one over. The powerplay consists of two overs.Australia:1. Jake Fraser-McGurk2. Matt Short3. Josh Inglis (capt & wk)4. Glenn Maxwell5. Tim David6. Marcus Stoinis7. Aaron Hardie8. Xavier Bartlett9. Nathan Ellis10. Adam Zampa11. Spencer JohnsonPakistan:1. Babar Azam2. Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk)3. Sahibzada Farhan4. Usman Khan5. Salman Agha6. Irfan Khan7. Abbas Afridi8. Shaheen Shah Afridi9. Haseebullah Khan10. Haris Rauf11. Naseem Shah

Courtney Winfield-Hill, a former dual-sport professional, has been appointed as an assistant coach for the England Women's cricket team. She will join the squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa and the Women's Ashes.Winfield-Hill, 37, has a wealth of experience in both cricket and rugby league. As a player, she represented Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat in cricket, and Leeds Rhinos in rugby league, leading them to a Grand Final and Challenge Cup double in 2019. She also represented England in rugby league at the 2022 World Cup.In recent years, Winfield-Hill has transitioned into coaching, holding roles with WBBL side Brisbane Heat, Trent Rockets in the Women's Hundred, and Northern Diamonds. She has also worked as an assistant coach with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League and England Women's A and U19 squads.Winfield-Hill's appointment is seen as a positive step for the England Women's team, as she brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge to the coaching staff."I am really proud to be a part of the set-up," Winfield-Hill said. "Since working with England teams, I have been made to feel nothing but welcomed and feel the ECB have invested in developing me as a coach.""The development of the domestic game over the last five years has been brilliant to watch and I have taken a lot from recent involvements with the England A, development games and the Ireland tour. South Africa and the Ashes are two exciting series and I am really looking forward to linking up and working with the group."Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women's Cricket, praised Winfield-Hill's appointment, saying: "Courtney has played such an important role in developing the up-and-coming players on our international pathway and adds tremendous value in any environment she is part of.""She will bring a different outlook on the game into the coaching team which will ensure the support we provide to players continually moves forward in what will be an exciting period for the senior team."

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is undergoing rigorous training in Mumbai to prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite uncertainty surrounding his participation due to family reasons, Rohit is determined to stay match-fit.Sources close to the team reveal that Rohit is training at both the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) facilities and Reliance Corporate Park (RCP). His training regimen includes treadmill sprints, weight training, and outdoor runs. The focus is on honing his skills and conditioning for the challenging series against Australia.Rohit's decision on his travel plans will be made after attending to family matters. Meanwhile, other members of the Indian team have already arrived in Perth. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammed Siraj traveled in two batches, while former captain Virat Kohli arrived with his family. Jasprit Bumrah joined the team later on Monday.As captain, Rohit faces added pressure following India's recent struggles in Test matches. His own form has also been under scrutiny. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which kicks off on November 22 in Perth, will be a crucial test for Rohit and the Indian team. The series features a day-night Test in Adelaide and concludes in Sydney in early January.

Virat Kohli, the star Indian batter, has been diligently preparing for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in Perth. A recent video shared by Fox Cricket on Twitter captured Kohli's intense training session, showcasing his unwavering determination ahead of the crucial series.Kohli's presence in Australia has generated immense excitement among fans, who eagerly gathered at the Perth nets to witness their hero in action. The video highlights the lengths fans went to catch a glimpse of the "King," as Fox Cricket aptly described him.Kohli's popularity in Australia has always been evident, with his presence consistently attracting extensive media coverage and high viewership. However, this upcoming series holds immense significance for Kohli, who is facing pressure to regain his best form and secure his place in the Test squad.With younger players emerging and vying for spots in the starting eleven, Kohli's position in the team is under scrutiny. The Australian series presents him with an opportunity to silence critics and prove his worth. Kohli has a history of exceptional performances in Australia, and his supporters are hopeful that he can replicate his past success.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a pivotal moment in Kohli's illustrious career. It is a chance for him to demonstrate his resilience and reaffirm his status as one of the greatest batters of all time. With the eyes of the cricketing world upon him, Kohli is determined to deliver and lead India to victory.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his delight at the performances of young Indian batters in the T20I format following the retirements of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Kaif believes that the seamless transition under new captain Suryakumar Yadav is a testament to the depth of talent in Indian cricket.After India's T20 World Cup triumph in June, Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from the format. However, the likes of Abhishek Varma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma have stepped up to fill the void, showcasing their potential on the international stage.In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, Tilak Varma smashed his maiden T20I century in the third match, while Abhishek Sharma blasted a 25-ball half-century in the second match. Earlier in the series, Samson hammered his second consecutive T20I century, becoming the first Indian batter to achieve this feat.Kaif praised the young batters for their impressive performances in challenging batting conditions in South Africa. He tweeted, "Watching Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson score runs in South Africa's tough batting conditions must be pleasing for Virat and Rohit. When it comes to T20, they have left Indian cricket in safe hands."India's T20I transition has been remarkably smooth since Rohit and Kohli's retirements. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the team has maintained its dominance, defeating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh 3-0 each before heading to South Africa.In the ongoing series against South Africa, India holds a 2-1 lead heading into the final T20I in Johannesburg on Friday. The team's impressive performances have raised hopes of a successful title defense at the 2026 T20 World Cup.

South Africa's fast-bowling spearhead Lungi Ngidi has been sidelined for an extended period due to a groin injury, ruling him out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka and the all-format tour of Pakistan. The setback is a significant blow to the Proteas, who are set to embark on a crucial home summer.Ngidi's injury was detected during a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning program. Scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy, a condition that affects the tendons in the groin area. The 26-year-old will now undergo a rehabilitation program and is expected to return to action in January.Meanwhile, South Africa's Test captain Temba Bavuma remains a doubt for the first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on November 27 in Durban. Bavuma has been recovering from a left elbow injury sustained during the ODI series against Ireland last month. He will undergo a fitness test on November 18 to determine his availability.If Bavuma is unable to play, Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas. However, Markram's recent form has been underwhelming, with the batter failing to score more than 33 in his last six Test innings. Ryan Rickelton, who played in the Tests against Bangladesh, could retain Bavuma's spot in the batting order.Bavuma's injury is a concern for South Africa, who are aiming to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Proteas need to win all four home Tests to secure their spot at Lord's, but three wins and other favorable results could also get them there.South Africa's Test schedule for the home summer is as follows:* 1st Test vs. Sri Lanka: November 27-December 1, Durban* 2nd Test vs. Sri Lanka: December 6-10, Centurion* 1st Test vs. Pakistan: December 26-30, Centurion* 2nd Test vs. Pakistan: January 3-7, Johannesburg* 3rd Test vs. Pakistan: January 11-15, Rawalpindi