Cricket

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and New Zealand's veteran Daryl Mitchell have ascended to the top 10 of the ICC Test rankings following their impressive performances in the third Test in Mumbai. Pant's half-centuries in both innings have propelled him five spots to sixth position, inching closer to his career-best ranking of fifth. Mitchell's first-inning score of 82 has earned him an eight-place jump to seventh overall, joining his compatriot Kane Williamson in the top 10.England's Joe Root remains firmly at the summit of the Test batter rankings, followed by Williamson, Harry Brook, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Steve Smith. India's Shubman Gill has also made significant progress, moving up four places to 16th after his 90-run knock in the first innings against New Zealand. Player of the Series Will Young has surged 29 places to 44th overall, reflecting his crucial contributions to New Zealand's success.In the bowling department, India's Ravindra Jadeja has climbed two spots to sixth position after his 10-wicket haul against New Zealand. Washington Sundar has also made gains, advancing seven places to 46th among Test bowlers. New Zealand's spin attack has also been rewarded, with Ajaz Patel rising 12 places to 22nd and Ish Sodhi improving by three rungs to equal 70th.South Africa's Keshav Maharaj has risen four places to 19th, bolstered by his 13-wicket haul against Bangladesh in South Africa's recent series victory.The latest ODI rankings also feature notable movement. West Indies captain Shai Hope has moved up five places to 12th among ODI batters, following his 17th ODI century in the second match against England. England's Liam Livingstone has seen a significant rise, moving up 32 spots to 58th after his century in the same clash.Pace bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Mitchell Starc have made strides on the ODI Bowler Rankings. Afridi has moved up three spots to claim fourth, while Starc has climbed four places to 14th following their opening performances in Australia's ODI series against Pakistan. Scotland's Brandon McMullen has also seen an improvement in the ODI all-rounder category, advancing three spots to reach sixth.

Virat Kohli Celebrates 36th Birthday with Well Wishes from Paul PogbaIndian cricket legend Virat Kohli turned 36 on Tuesday, November 5, and received an outpouring of birthday wishes from fans and fellow athletes worldwide. Among those who extended their greetings was French footballer Paul Pogba.In a surprise appearance on a livestream with popular American YouTuber 'IShowSpeed,' Pogba wished Kohli a happy birthday. Despite being out of football action for over a year due to a doping ban, Pogba showed his recognition of Kohli's stature in the world of cricket.Upon being shown a picture of Kohli and informed that he is a cricketer, Pogba exclaimed, "Happy Birthday bro (brother), long life!" Speed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., also praised Kohli as a "legend" and one of the best cricketers in the world.Pogba's birthday wish to Kohli was a highlight of his unexpected appearance on Speed's channel. The duo also engaged in football and video game challenges during their collaboration.Kohli's birthday celebration comes amidst intense scrutiny of his form following India's 0-3 home Test series whitewash against New Zealand. The batter managed only 93 runs in three Tests in the recently-concluded series.Despite the recent setbacks, Kohli remains a revered figure in the cricketing world. He is set to play in the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in Australia, which begins on November 22.

Sri Lanka has announced its squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, with Kusal Perera and Mohamed Shiraz making notable inclusions.Perera, who has been out of the ODI team for nearly a year, has earned a recall based on his impressive performance in the recent T20I series against West Indies, where he scored an unbeaten 55. Shiraz, a 29-year-old seamer, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, taking 84 wickets at an average of 18.75 in List A matches. However, he has only bowled four overs in international cricket so far.The T20I squad remains unchanged from the one that faced West Indies, with all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe retaining his place. Dinesh Chandimal, who has not played international white-ball cricket since 2022, has also been included in the T20I squad after impressing in domestic competitions.Sri Lanka's batting lineup remains largely unchanged, with Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Charith Asalanka expected to form the core of the top order. In T20Is, Bhanuka Rajapaksa provides a power-hitting option in the middle order, while Janith Liyanage offers a more accumulative approach in ODIs, along with his seam bowling abilities.The spin department features the regular duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, with Jeffrey Vandersay and Dunith Wellalage also included in both squads. However, there are some changes in the seam-bowling department. Slingers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara are only in the T20I squad, while left-armer Dilshan Madushanka and Shiraz are ODI bowlers who do not make the T20 outfit. Asitha Fernando is the only seamer to be included in both squads.The series against New Zealand will begin on November 9, with four matches (three T20Is and one ODI) to be played in Dambulla and the remaining two ODIs in Pallekele.

The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) super auction, scheduled for November 24-25 in Jeddah, has attracted a diverse pool of 1,574 players, including notable names from England, Italy, and the United States.Among the top Indian players released by their franchises are Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, R Ashwin, and Yuzvendra Chahal. These players have a base price of Rs 2 crore each. Other prominent Indian players on the list include Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar, Ishan Kishan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, all with a base price of Rs 2 crore.International players also feature prominently in the auction pool. Former England pacer James Anderson, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year, has registered for the IPL for the first time with a base price of Rs 1.25 crore. Italian quick Thomas Draca, the first Italian player to sign up for the IPL, has a base price of Rs 30 lakh.India-born USA medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar, who impressed at the T20 World Cup earlier this year, will also go under the hammer with a base salary of Rs 30 lakh. Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who was unsold in previous auctions, has entered the race with a starting price of Rs 2 crore. Mitchell Starc, an Australian pacer who cost Rs 24.50 crore at the last IPL auction, is back in the running with a base price of Rs 2 crore. England pacer Jofra Archer, who last competed in the 2023 edition, is also priced at the same base level.IPL teams can assemble a squad of 25 players each, with up to six players allowed to be retained prior to the super auction. After 10 teams collectively retained 46 players, there will be 204 spots available. Punjab Kings have the highest available funds with Rs 110.5 crore, while Mumbai Indians have the lowest with Rs 45 crore.

South Australia's dominance over Victoria continued in the One-Day Cup, with a resounding nine-wicket victory at Karen Rolton Oval. The triumph marked a remarkable week for the Redbacks, who had earlier secured their first Sheffield Shield win over the Vics in nine years.Mackenzie Harvey and Daniel Drew were the architects of South Australia's success, scoring magnificent centuries to chase down Victoria's total of 286 for 7. Harvey, the nephew of former Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey, struck an unbeaten 134 off 110 balls, his maiden One-Day Cup century. The stylish left-hander showcased his class, accelerating after a cautious start to dominate his former team.Drew, 28, was equally impressive, contributing an unbeaten 108 off 86 deliveries. The duo's partnership of 186 ensured South Australia reached their target in just 38 overs, securing a vital bonus point.Victoria skipper Peter Handscomb had earlier rescued his side from a precarious position with a superb 104 from 121 deliveries. After Johnson and Brendan Doggett tore through the top order, Handscomb steadied the ship, combining aggression and patience to accumulate a valuable century.However, Johnson's fiery spell of 4 for 46 proved decisive for South Australia. The left-armer removed Josh Brown and Campbell Kellaway in quick succession, setting the tone for the Redbacks' victory.South Australia's triumph was a testament to their all-round strength. Harvey and Drew's batting brilliance was complemented by Johnson's incisive bowling, while Carey's leadership and the team's fielding were also impressive.The win consolidates South Australia's position in the One-Day Cup standings and gives them a crucial boost in their quest for a finals berth. Victoria, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around.

India's Test Performances at the WACA and Perth StadiumThe WACA Ground in Perth, Australia, is renowned for its fast and bouncy pitches, posing a formidable challenge for visiting batsmen. Indian batsmen, accustomed to slower and lower pitches at home, have faced significant hurdles at the WACA.India's first Test at the WACA in 1977 ended in a narrow two-wicket defeat. Despite Chetan Chauhan's 88 and Mohinder Amarnath's 90 in the first innings, Australia's Tony Mann and Peter Toohey guided their team to victory.In 1992, a young Sachin Tendulkar etched his name in history with a magnificent century at the WACA. Facing a formidable Australian bowling attack, Tendulkar's innings showcased his exceptional talent and resilience. However, India lost the match by 300 runs.India's first Test victory at the WACA came in 2008. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar laid the foundation with solid knocks, while Ishant Sharma and RP Singh bowled superbly to restrict Australia. VVS Laxman's 79 in the second innings set up a challenging target, which Australia failed to chase down.In 2012, India suffered a heavy defeat by an innings and 37 runs at the WACA. Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle wreaked havoc with the ball, dismissing India twice for under 200 runs.In 2018, the first Test at the new Perth Stadium resulted in a 146-run defeat for India. Despite Virat Kohli's century, Australia's Nathan Lyon and Mohammed Shami's six-wicket haul proved too much for the visitors.

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, remains steadfast in his belief that Australia will emerge victorious in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against India. In an interview with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ponting reiterated his earlier prediction of a 3-1 series win for Australia, citing the absence of veteran Indian pacer Mohammad Shami as a significant factor.Shami's side strain injury has cast doubt on his availability for the series, and Ponting believes that his absence will make it challenging for India to take 20 wickets in a Test match in Australia. "Shami just leaves such a big hole in that bowling group," Ponting told the ICC website. "Taking 20 wickets in a Test match for India is going to be the biggest challenge."Compounding India's concerns is their recent 0-3 whitewash at home by New Zealand. However, Ponting acknowledges that the visitors have the potential to win one of the five Tests. "I think India will win a Test match somewhere through the five Test matches," he predicted.Despite India's struggles, Ponting believes that Australia is the more settled and experienced team, making them difficult to beat at home. "Australia probably look a bit more settled, a bit more experienced and we know that they're a very hard team to beat at home," he said.Ponting also identified Steve Smith and Rishabh Pant as potential leading run-scorers in the series. "Leading run scorer, I'm going to go (with) Steve Smith or Rishabh Pant," he said.Pant has been in impressive form, scoring 261 runs in six innings against New Zealand, while Smith has moved back down to his preferred position at No. 4 in the batting order. "I think Smith, the fact that he's moved back down from opener to No. 4 probably makes it feel like he's got more of a point to prove," Ponting said.The first Test of the BGT series begins in Perth on November 22, and Ponting's predictions will be put to the test as Australia and India battle for supremacy in one of the most intense rivalries in cricket.

Former Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh has played a pivotal role in the development of young all-rounder Abhishek Sharma, who is now set to make his mark on the international stage.Sharma, who hails from Punjab, has been mentored by a galaxy of cricketing greats, including Yuvraj, Brian Lara, and Rahul Dravid. His father, Raj Kumar Sharma, is also a respected cricket coach.Yuvraj, who is Sharma's boyhood hero, spotted his potential during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided him with valuable guidance. The former left-handed batsman heaped praise on Sharma after he scored a century in Zimbabwe in July 2022.Sharma's impressive performances in domestic tournaments and the Indian Premier League (IPL) earned him a call-up to the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.Ahead of the series, Sharma expressed his excitement about playing at Kingsmead, Durban, where Yuvraj had famously smashed six sixes off England's Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup."I have come here for the first time, but when I saw it (the ground) on TV and now that I am here, it's like a dream come true," Sharma said in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)."I was inspired by Yuvraj Singh's six sixes in 2007. The first day when I came here I was trying to figure out from what end to which end he had hit the sixes. He had sixes all over the ground, it's a great memory."Sharma recalled watching the historic moment with his family and celebrating India's victory with his entire neighborhood. He expressed his gratitude to Yuvraj for inspiring him and vowed to make him proud.The South Africa tour was not originally part of India's schedule but was arranged following discussions between the BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The T20I series will be played across four venues: Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Johannesburg, with matches scheduled for November 8, 10, 13, and 15.

David Warner has urged Cricket Australia (CA) to provide a thorough explanation regarding the controversial ball change incident that occurred during the final day of the Australia A-India A match in Mackay. The incident sparked outrage among Indian players, particularly wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, who vehemently protested the umpires' decision to replace the ball.Audio captured by the stump microphone revealed umpire Shawn Craig informing Kishan that the previous ball had scratches and that he would be reported for calling the decision "stupid." Craig stated, "You scratch it, we change the ball. There will be no more discussion, let's play."Hours after the match concluded, CA released a statement claiming that the ball had "deteriorated" and that no further action would be taken. The statement added that both teams' captains and managers had been informed of the decision before play resumed.Warner, who admitted to not having witnessed the entire incident but had observed the on-field exchanges, suggested that the issue had been swiftly addressed ahead of India's impending arrival for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He emphasized the need for CA to provide a comprehensive explanation, stating, "The ultimate decision is with CA isn't it? I think they have obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India is coming out here this summer."Warner also expressed his belief that the match referee should address the umpires' actions and stand by their decisions. He added, "I think the match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff which are the umpires. And if they're sticking by the umpire's decisions, you have to stand up for that."It is understood that no footage exists of any untoward behavior involving the ball. According to the laws of the game, a five-run penalty is imposed if the umpires determine that the ball has been unfairly altered. However, CA's playing conditions include an additional clause that allows the umpires to change the ball without imposing penalty runs if the cause of the damage is unclear.Warner's comments came on the same day he was announced as the captain of the Sydney Thunder following the overturning of his lifetime leadership ban imposed for his involvement in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018. He acknowledged the severity of his punishment and expressed his acceptance of it, stating, "The punishment that was handed down was there for a reason and I thoroughly accept that."Warner emphasized his desire to share his knowledge and experience with the Thunder's younger players, hoping to inspire them to become future leaders in the sport.