Cricket

NZ vs IND 5th T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XIs

NZ vs IND 5th T20I , Cricket Tips : The ongoing five-match T20I series between New Zealand and India will host the final game. Team India are leading by a 3-1 margin, but they suffered a record defeat in the fourth T20I in Auckland. New Zealand humiliated them by 87 runs and scored 257 runs, which is the highest T20I total against India. Team India failed with the ball; their death bowling was poor. It has been an issue for a while that the Indian bowlers are struggling. Can they find some bowling form in the final game? The final T20I will start at 12:30 PM IST on Sunday at Seddon Park in Hamilton. New Zealand will be high on confidence after the last win. NZ vs IND: Match Details Date : November 1, 2026 (Sunday) Time : 12:30 PM IST Venue : Seddon Park, Hamilton NZ vs IND: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live telecast on the Sony sports channel. Fans can watch on the Sony LIV app or website. NZ vs IND: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 35 New Zealand : 12 India : 22 No - result : 1 NZ vs IND: Ground Pitch Report Seddon Park offers a flat wicket, where it will be tough to bowl. The boundaries are not big enough, which will allow the batters to go for a big shot. It is tough to defend for the bowlers here. The bounce and pace will be consistent, though. NZ vs IND: Predicted XIs New Zealand : Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitch Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher India : Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav NZ vs IND: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma and Glenn Phillips are two top scores for their teams. They have looked at their best and played a key role in wins for their teams. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh and Mitchell Santner have been smart operators and they have used the conditions better than other bowlers. Today Match Prediction : New Zealand have the momentum, and they will start this game as favorites. NZ vs IND Match 5th T20I, Today Match NZ vs IND, NZ vs IND Prediction, NZ vs IND Predicted XIs, Injury Update for New Zealand vs India Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Mumbai's National Cricket Club Selects 45 Young Cricketers Through Talent Hunt

The National Cricket Club (NCC), Mumbai, organized a Recognition Ceremony today at the club to announce the selection of promising young cricketers selected through its recently concluded Talent Hunt'

Fakhar Zaman Century Propels Pakistan To 3-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka In Tri-series Cricket Final

Opener Fakhar Zaman overcame a bruised knee and a lean run to score 127 and lead Pakistan past Sri Lanka by three wickets in the final of the one-day international cricket tri-series on Saturday

India A vs New Zealand A Day 2 Live Score, 2nd Unofficial Test Live Updates

India A vs New Zealand A Day 2 Live Score, 2nd Unofficial Test Live Updates: Dhruv Jurel led a spirited lower-order recovery with an unbeaten 99 as India A finished the opening day at 291/7 against New Zealand A in the second unofficial Test

Pakistan Clinch First ODI Tri-Series Title Since 2008

Fakhar Zaman's 127 and Arafat Minhas' half-century powered Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka, ending their 18-year wait for an ODI tri-series title.

Cummins accepts change is on the cards as Australia come up short again

Australia captain takes criticism on the chin after third loss in five Tests

Pat Cummins Admits Changes May Be Made After Loss To South Africa

Australian captain Pat Cummins admitted that changes were possible after South Africa beat his side by 176 runs on the fifth day of the third Test at Newlands on Saturday. It was Australia's second successive defeat as South Africa clinched the series 2-1 and went past Australia to the top of the International Cricket Council's Test rankings. I still think we're a really good side, Cummins told journalists. Playing the now number one side in their own country we had our moments in every Test. But he acknowledged that it was fair to ask whether there was a need for changes as Australia embark on a heavy programme of Test matches over the next year. We'll be asking those questions internally as well, he said. We need to get better if we want to get back to number one. Maybe there will be some changes in style, changes in the personnel. Cummins said any chance of Australia chasing down a target of 288 were destroyed when Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in the first over and followed up with a third in a devastating opening spell which ripped out Australia's top three batsmen. They were bowled out for 111, with off-spinner Simon Harmer taking a career-best six for 16 in 21.1 overs. South African captain Temba Bavuma said the series win was a tribute to the character of his team. Bavuma said the partnership between century-makers Ryan Rickleton and Wiaan Mulder on the fourth day had shown the resilience of the team after they had been behind the game after three days. When the batters did what they did, the bowlers had the confidence. The way Rabada started today he got everything going. From then on we were able to keep a tight grip on things. Bavuma said Harmer's man of the match performance - he had match figures of 10 for 120 - illustrated the strength of South Africa's bowling attack. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It's been the backbone of our team, said Bavuma. It's been a big part of why we've been successful. When the wicket suits the fast bowlers, we have the guys. And when the spinners come into the game, we also have that ability.

Want To Leave The Proteas Badge In A Better Place: Bavuma On Reclaiming No. 1 Test Ranking

The South African: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma described reclaiming the number one position in the ICC Test rankings as an exceptional achievement, saying the team was determined to raise its standards and leave the Proteas badge in a better place after clinching the three-match series against Australia 2-1. South Africa secured a memorable 176-run victory in the third and final Test at Newlands on Saturday, bowling out Australia for just 111 in their second innings to seal the series. The result saw the hosts replace Australia at the top of the Test rankings. Yeah, that's exceptional. I think that's obviously been a part of our ambition as a team. We're trying to push that standard as high as we can. And, with this opportunity that we have, we want to leave the Proteas badge in a better place. So we will definitely celebrate that milestone as a team, Bavuma said after the victory. The South African captain rated the series as the best he had been part of, highlighting the challenge of competing against Australia and the quality of cricket played by both sides over the 15 days. Definitely up there. I mean every time you get an opportunity to come up against Australia, you savour that. You obviously want to get the better of them and you know that you're going to work very hard. So I mean this, not just this game, but this series is one - I don't think I've been involved in a better series like that. So yeah, this is definitely there at number one, he said. Reflecting on his team's comeback after Australia had taken a 100-run first-innings lead in the deciding Test, Bavuma credited the resilience shown by his players throughout the series. I think firstly, I mean it's been an enthralling 15 days of cricket, right? I think from the first Test, the second Test, third Test, I think you saw two quality sides coming up against each other, exploiting each other's weaknesses. And I guess at the end of the day there has to be a victor, right? But I mean, we at times, we found ourselves in awe of the Australians, so credit to Pat and his troops, he said. But I think a lot of it for us was, I guess that whole South African trait of resilience, right? We seem to play a lot better when we're behind the game. Whether that's a good or bad thing, that's for us. But, I think the fans and everyone globally have been treated to proper cricket, he added. The captain also underlined the importance of having a versatile bowling attack, praising Simon Harmer for bouncing back strongly after a disappointing outing in the second Test at Gqeberha. It does make your job a lot easier. I think our bowling attack, it's been the backbone of our team. It's been a big part of why we've been successful, when the wicket suits the fast bowlers, we have the guys to do so. And when the slow bowlers, the spinners come into game, we also have that ability. So I think very dynamic within our bowling attack and I mean super, super happy for a guy like Simon. He was disappointed in Gqeberha after how he went about there. And the way that he's bounced back here speaks to that champion mindset of his, he added. Harmer finished with 10 wickets in the match, including figures of 6-16 in the second innings, while Rabada claimed three wickets to complete Australia's collapse. South Africa will now turn their attention to their upcoming assignments, including the Bangladesh series, but Bavuma said the players first needed time to celebrate and appreciate their achievement. We have got a couple of days now. So I think with all the emotions that we have gone through, we will have to give that time to settle. We will celebrate each other's performances, the team's performances, just bask in that a little bit. And then probably in a week or so we'll meet up as a team and we will start prepping for Bangladesh, he said. South Africa will now turn their attention to their upcoming assignments, including the Bangladesh series, but Bavuma said the players first needed time to celebrate and appreciate their achievement. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

WTA 250 Chennai Open: A chance for Vaishnavi, Maaya and Sahaja to show their mettle

Indias Jensi Kanabar, Zeel Desai, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, and Diya Ramesh bowed out in Qualifying

Pat Cummins backs Australia despite series defeat to South Africa, says 'relatively happy' with progress

Despite a 176-run defeat in the third Test in Cape Town and a 2-1 series defeat to South Africa, Australia captain Pat Cummins has backed his team's overall performances. However, their recent run of form in red-ball cricket cant be taken for granted as they suffered four defeats in the last seven Tests, which resulted in the team slipping to third on the WTC points table and also losing the number one ICC Test rank after nearly three years .

Amite Hasan Replaces Mominul Haque In Bangladesh Squad For Second West Indies Test

The Bangladesh Cricket Board: Right-handed batter Amite Hasan has been named in Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the second Test against the West Indies, replacing Mominul Haque, who has been ruled out under the mandatory concussion protocol. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the change on Saturday, ahead of the second Test scheduled to be played in Sylhet. Mominul is unavailable as he has not completed the mandatory seven-calendar-day period away from play following a concussion diagnosis. The BCB said in its media release that a player diagnosed with concussion must observe a minimum of seven calendar days away from play before returning to the field. Right-hander Amite Hasan has replaced Mominul Haque, who is unavailable for the second Test due to the concussion rule that states that a player diagnosed with a concussion must observe a mandatory minimum of seven calendar days away from play before returning to the field, BCD said in a statement. The squad will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz named vice-captain. The other members are Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury. Bangladesh will look to bounce back in the second Test after suffering an eight-wicket defeat in the series opener, which gave the West Indies a 1-0 lead. In the first Test, Roston Chase claimed five wickets for 36 runs in Bangladesh's second innings, while Jomel Warrican picked up four for 63 to dismiss the hosts for 142 and set the West Indies a target of 170. The visitors chased down the target with eight wickets in hand, with Brandon King remaining unbeaten on 81 and John Campbell contributing 49. The pair shared a 112-run opening partnership to put the West Indies firmly in control of the chase. Nayeem Hasan's 52 had earlier provided some resistance for Bangladesh, but it was not enough to prevent the hosts from wrapping up the contest with a day to spare. The visitors chased down the target with eight wickets in hand, with Brandon King remaining unbeaten on 81 and John Campbell contributing 49. The pair shared a 112-run opening partnership to put the West Indies firmly in control of the chase. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Hong Kong Sixes: India Lose To UAE And England, To Play Against Bangladesh For 11th-Place

India had a day to forget at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes on Saturday -- going down to the UAE in their final group game and then losing a Bowl semifinal to England by three runs.

Indian womens cricket in a healthy state: Muzumdar

The head coach feels the next generation is ready to excel in the T20 format

How Pep fan Yo Mahesh has embraced the football model

This Win Is Number 1: South Africa Skipper Temba Bavuma On Comeback Test Series Victory Over Australia

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma described the team's 2-1 Test series victory over Australia as his best series experience, crediting the collective character of the side and its bowling attack for helping them secure the triumph and reach the top of the ICC Men's Test rankings.

Cummins Admits Australia Must Find Answers After South Africa Routs

Pat Cummins admitted Australia must answer tough questions and consider changes after consecutive heavy defeats against South Africa cost them the series and their No. 1 Test ranking.

Bangladesh bring in Amite Hasan for Mominul Haque for Sylhet Test

Mushfiqur Rahim is still in the squad despite missing the first Test with a finger injury

Shanto blames Bangladesh spinners' inconsistency for Mirpur Test defeat

The Bangladesh captain threw his weight behind Taijul Islam, who has taken just five wickets in his last five Test matches

Temba Bavuma toasts South Africa's 'No.1 Test win'

After their heavy defeat in Durban, South Africa bounced back against Australia to claim the series and the No.1 ranking

South Africa Rise To Second, New Zealand Take Top Spot In WTC Standings After Australia Defeat

ICC World Test Championship: South Africa's 176-run victory over Australia in the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town has triggered a significant reshuffle in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings, with New Zealand moving to the top of the table and the Proteas climbing to second place. Australia, who entered the series decider as the table-toppers, have slipped to third following their defeat, while India have moved up to fourth after Bangladesh suffered a loss against the West Indies in Dhaka. New Zealand now lead the standings with a points percentage (PCT) of 72.22, while South Africa have moved into second place with 71.43 PCT, improving from their previous 66.67 following the series-clinching victory. Australia have dropped to third with 69.23 PCT after losing the series 1-2. The hosts produced a dominant performance in Cape Town, bowling out Australia for just 111 in their second innings while defending a target of 288 runs. Simon Harmer led the attack with six wickets and Kagiso Rabada bagged three as South Africa registered a convincing 176-run victory. The result also saw the Proteas dethrone Australia as the number one-ranked Test side. Earlier, India moved up one place to fourth in the WTC standings with 51.52 PCT, benefiting from Bangladesh's defeat against the West Indies. Bangladesh had occupied fourth place before the Dhaka Test with 55.56 PCT, having won three of their six matches, lost two and drawn one. India were fifth with 51.52 PCT after recording five victories and two draws from 11 matches. However, the West Indies' victory resulted in Bangladesh's PCT falling to 47.62, pushing them down the table and allowing India to move ahead. The West Indies, meanwhile, have improved their position with their PCT rising from 20.83 to 26.92. They remain eighth but have narrowed the gap on seventh-placed Sri Lanka, who have a PCT of 33.33. Before the latest results, Australia were leading the WTC standings, followed by New Zealand and South Africa. The latest outcomes have brought the top three teams closer, making the race for a place in the final increasingly competitive. The West Indies, meanwhile, have improved their position with their PCT rising from 20.83 to 26.92. They remain eighth but have narrowed the gap on seventh-placed Sri Lanka, who have a PCT of 33.33. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Cummins: 'I think we're a really good side'

Skipper says he's relatively happy with how Australia is going despite 2-1 series loss to SA and losing four of their last seven Tests

Simon Harmer Shines As South Africa Win 3rd Test Against Australia To Claim Series

Simon Harmer picked a career-best 6-16 as South Africa bowled out Australia for 111 to win the third test by 176 runs and clinch the three-match series 2-1 on Saturday

Australia lose top spot in WTC standings and Test ranking after Cape Town defeat

Australia also lost their No.1 ranking to South Africa after suffering defeat in Cape Town

Harmer shines as South Africa wins third Test against Australia to claim series 2-1

The Proteas rallied from 1-0 down in the first Test series between the teams in South Africa since the Sandpapergate scandal in 2018.

South Africa beat Australia to become number-one-ranked ICC Test team after 10 long years

South Africa returned to the top of the ICC Test rankings for the first time in more than a decade after defeating Australia by 176 runs in the series-deciding third Test at Newlands, Cape Town. The victory, which secured a 2-1 series triumph, marked a significant milestone for the Proteas, who had last held the No.1 position in January 2016.

India Could Soon Have A Specialist Womens T20I Squad, Says Head Coach Amol Muzumdar

ODI World Cup: India womens head coach Amol Muzumdar said on Saturday it wouldnt take much time to have a specialist T20I squad, citing that the next generation of cricketers coming through are better equipped to meet the demands of the shortest format. India are current holders of the ODI World Cup, which they won in Navi Mumbai in 2025, but are yet to win a T20 World Cup. Not long. Were already on that path. Theres some amazing talent coming through. The talent Ive seen at the CoE (Centre of Excellence), where they hold the India Under-15 and U-19 camps, is terrific. The work at the CoE is superb. The camps are a good reflection of where Indian womens cricket is at the moment. Im sure its in a healthy state, Muzumdar said at an event organised by Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM). He added that youngsters understand what modern T20 cricket demands. They are tuned in. They are professionals. Even the U-15 players are professionals. They understand the nutrition aspect of the game. They understand the fitness aspect of the game. They understand fielding. Theyre terrific fielders. Theyre good athletes. They understand that athleticism is key in cricket. Youll soon find that when the younger generation takes over, India will be in a good state. Years in domestic cricket have given Muzumdar an eye for spotting talented players, but he said he valued how open a player was to learning as much as their skill. I see whether he or she is receptive. If he or she is receptive, you know it from their body language. You need to learn to understand the body language of the player. Over the years, I have spent a few years in First-Class cricket, and I do understand that I can know a certain player through their body language on the ground. I try to catch those signals. Sometimes you have to respect the space that the athlete wants. You can have 10,000 things as a coach to tell that athlete. But whether he or she is in that time frame or the mind frame to understand what you are doing, he said. With the first anniversary of India winning their first Womens ODI World Cup coming on Monday, Muzumdar was asked about that one memory the team must hold on to from that campaign. If I have to pinpoint just one, then I think the unity in the camp and the dressing room atmosphere. Because of that unity, the dressing room atmosphere was very light. There was a little bit of a buzz around in the dressing room, which I love to create, he said. On Smriti Mandhana taking over as captain from Harmanpreet Kaur, Muzumdar spoke warmly about the outgoing skipper. I had a very good time with Harman as a captain. But Im also looking forward to the future. With utmost respect, the manner in which she conducted herself as a captain, as a skipper, was superb. I feel myself really lucky that I had that opportunity for the three years that I spent with her as a coach. I could gather the mindset of the captain... I could gather the mindset of the leader in her. I consider myself really lucky about it. Muzumdar stated the next step was for the team to dominate world cricket. Two years down the line, if they start dominatingDominance is something that we have always spoken about within the squad. Being ruthless on the ground is another thing that we have always maintained. I dont know where it stems from. I feel myself really lucky that I had that opportunity for the three years that I spent with her as a coach. I could gather the mindset of the captain... I could gather the mindset of the leader in her. I consider myself really lucky about it. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

WTC Points Table Sees Major Twist After Australia's Cape Town Collapse vs South Africa

Australia had 288 runs to chase on the final day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. They folded for 111 in the second innings in less than two sessions. With that, the race to the World Test Championship final has taken an interesting turn

Hong Kong Sixes: India Lost To UAE And England, To Play Against Bangladesh For 11th Place

Hong Kong Sixes: India had a day to forget at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes on Saturday - going down to the UAE in their final group game and then losing a Bowl semi-final to England by three runs. Krunal Pandyas side will now take on Bangladesh in the 11th-12th place playoff on Sunday. In the final Group C match, UAEs Zahid Ali took three early wickets to reduce India to 14/3. Rahul Tripathi (24) and Krunal (15 off 8 balls) offered brief resistance before T Natarajan smashed an unbeaten 38 off 14 balls, with three fours and four sixes, to lift India to 94/6. In reply, UAE had a stroll in the park. Captain Khalid Shah (who hit an unbeaten 52 off 14 balls, with six sixes) and Ansh Tandon (not out on 39 off 12 balls) hammered 25 off the first over and wrapped up the chase in 4.2 overs without losing a wicket. UAE moved into the Cup semi-finals, while the defeat relegated India to the Bowl phase of the competition. The Bowl semi-final against England had its moments too. England made 124/2, with Martin Andersson smashing 51 off 13 balls and Ed Barnard an unbeaten 35 off 14 deliveries. Tripathi hit back with 56 off 14 balls, including seven sixes, and Krunal chipped in with 28 off 7 balls, but India fell three runs short to end up at 121. South Africa won the other Bowl semi-final off the last ball against Bangladesh. Habibur Rahman smashed 60 off 14 balls, including six consecutive sixes off Blake Simpson in the fourth over that cost 36 runs, as Bangladesh posted 129/4. Jorich van Schalkwyks 50 off 13 balls kept the chase alive, while Ayabulela Gqamane hit four sixes in a row off Abu Hider. Van Schalkwyk closed the deal with three sixes and a four in the last over, as South Africa will meet England in the Bowl final. The Cup final, meanwhile, will be between Australia and Afghanistan. Australia beat UAE by 53 runs, with Max Bryant (60 off 15 balls) and Nick Hobson (53 off 11 balls) doing the early damage, before Chris Green and Alex Ross took two wickets each. Afghanistan then saw off Scotland by 21 runs, with captain Gulbadin Naib leading from the front with an unbeaten 51 off 16 balls For Scotland, Jack Jarvis made 54 off 17 balls. Earlier, Afghanistan had chased 121 against Oman in 5.2 overs. Sediqullah Pacha struck an unbeaten 45 off 10 balls and Farmanullah Safi hit an unbeaten 37 off 11 balls. Pacha then took 22 runs off Aamir Kaleem in the fourth over and 30 runs off Shafiq Jan in the fifth. Oman had posted 120/4 on the back of Usman Alis unbeaten 71 off 17 balls, with 10 sixes, and went into the Plate semis. Scotland entered the Cup semis by beating Sri Lanka by 26 runs, with Michael Leask smashing an unbeaten 70 off 15 balls with 10 sixes. Jasper Davidson then took three wickets in the fourth over to keep Sri Lanka to 118/3. In the Plate semi-finals, Oman chased 93 against Sri Lanka in 4.4 overs, with Zohaib Amanat making an unbeaten 43 off 13 balls and Usman Ali 46 off 14 balls. Pakistan then beat hosts Hong Kong, China by six wickets. Scotland entered the Cup semis by beating Sri Lanka by 26 runs, with Michael Leask smashing an unbeaten 70 off 15 balls with 10 sixes. Jasper Davidson then took three wickets in the fourth over to keep Sri Lanka to 118/3. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Australia dethroned, loses top spot in WTC points table as South Africa clinch 176-run win to seal Test series

South Africa defeated Australia by 176 runs in the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town to seal the three-match Test series 2-1. They suffered a crushing defeat in the opening game of the series,...

West Indies Crush Bangladesh By 8 Wickets In 1st Test

Brandon King struck a career-best 81 not out as West Indies cruised to an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Test on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Chase hails 'good craftsman' Jomel Warrican

The left-arm spinner claimed nine wickets and the Player-of-the-Match award in the first Test in Mirpur

'This Is A Significant Victory For West Indies Cricket': Ian Bishop Lauds Team's Win Over Bangladesh

Former West Indies: West Indies legend Ian Bishop hailed the national team's impressive win over Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Saturday, calling it a significant victory at a time when the Windies cricket has been facing financial challenges. West Indies chased down 170 in the opening Test of the two-match series with eight wickets in hand, marking another strong result for the team that had recently held two-time reigning T20 world champions India in the latter's own backyard for a 2-2 draw in a five-match T20I series. This time the Windies showed a strong performance in the longest format. Bishop hailed the team for the win. This is a significant victory for West Indies cricket. Bangladesh is no longer an easy team to defeat, especially at home, the legendary former fast bowler wrote on X. Given the financial challenges faced by cricket in the region, the players have to be lauded for their commitment and professionalism. One more Test to go, but well to Roston Chases men, he wrote. Former West Indies batter Daren Ganga also heaped praise on the team's performance, highlighting that the Bangladesh win adds to the strong showing in India. Congrats WI Mens Test Team, a solid 8-wicket victory against Bangladesh in Mirpur. After success in the white-ball series vs India in India, multi-format players are showing the ability to adapt and mesh with the red-ball specialist players. The winning attitude seems ingrained!! he wrote on X. The Windies cricket has been facing financial challenges. Last month, Cricket West Indies announced a financial restructuring, under which players are set for a 25% pay cut. Upcoming events - Super50 and the Women's T20 Blaze - have also been suspended. Recently, head coach Daren Sammy had asked the players for a strong finish in the World Test Championship cycle, highlighting that impressive performances can help them negotiate with the board. If you look at the way we played in the India series when the news was put to the players, how they responded shows the drive, the passion, the willingness to help turn around West Indies cricket. I think there's reality and there's understanding where you are as a professional, as a board, and there's no secret where we are, obviously financially. My word to the guys, especially this World Test Championship, you finish in the top five there's extra incentives. ICC has invested a lot of money in the World Test Championship in terms of prize money, and it's an opportunity for our boys to come up from the number eight that we have finished last two cycles. I don't think it's a conversation that's in the dressing room now, but we are aware. I have challenged the guys to put ourselves in a better position to negotiate and attract sponsors by the performances we put on the field. I thought the white-ball teams did that extremely well in India and hopefully we could do that as a red-ball team here in Bangladesh, Sammy told reporters in a press conference ahead of the opening Test against Bangladesh. Coming to the first Test, the Windies chased down a meagre total of 170 on Day 4 of the Test as Brandon King made an unbeaten 81, while No.4 Kavem Hodge also remained unscathed on 31. They helped the visitors hunt down the target in only 35.1 overs with eight wickets in hand. Left-arm finger-spinner Jomel Warrican and off-spinner Roston Chase ruled the roost in both innings. Bangladesh batted first and made 272, with opener Shadman Islam making 105. Warrican picked up a five-wicket haul as he made life difficult for the Bangladesh players. Coming to the first Test, the Windies chased down a meagre total of 170 on Day 4 of the Test as Brandon King made an unbeaten 81, while No.4 Kavem Hodge also remained unscathed on 31. They helped the visitors hunt down the target in only 35.1 overs with eight wickets in hand. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to 325 after Kamindu's maiden ODI century

He shared a 146-run stand with Pavan Rathnayake, but Pakistan's quicks pulled the game back in the final 10 over

Scorchers romp over Renegades; Strikers ease past Stars

Bowlers and Mooney shone for Scorchers, while Wolvaardt, Penna and Wellington led Strikers

Rest finally in sight for (some of) India's T20I globetrotters

It's been an extremely busy period for India's T20I team, but most of them will be able to get a break after the final match in Hamilton

King, Chase star as West Indies beat Bangladesh by eight wickets to take 1-0 lead

Digital Desk | Dhaka, Oct 31 (IANS) West Indies rode on Roston Chases five-wicket haul and an unbeaten half-century from Brandon King to defeat Bangladesh by eight wickets in the opening Test and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series on Saturday. Chasing 170 for victory, the hosts made light work of the target, reaching 170/2 at a scoring rate of nearly five runs per over, with King remaining unbeaten on 81 and Kavem Hodge providing support at the other end. The result also meant the West Indies wrapped up the contest with a day to spare. Bangladesh, resuming their second innings at 79/6 on the fourth morning, had hoped to stretch their overall advantage beyond the 100-run mark. However, the West Indies bowlers ensured the visitors could not build a substantial total despite some resistance from Nayeem Hasan. Jomel Warrican broke through early, having Jaker Ali caught by Chase at slip, before Chase and Warrican continued to trouble the lower order. Nayeem survived two dropped chances to keep Bangladesh in the contest and eventually brought up a maiden Test half-century, scoring 52. Chase, however, ended his resistance by dismissing him shortly after a rain interruption, completing his five-wicket haul with figures of 5-36. Warrican claimed four wickets for 63 runs, taking his match tally to nine and earning the Player of the Match award. Bangladesh were dismissed for 142, setting the West Indies a target of 170. The hosts began their chase positively, with King and John Campbell putting together a commanding 112-run opening partnership. Both batters took advantage of the conditions, regularly finding the boundary and preventing Bangladesh from building pressure. Campbell narrowly missed out on a half-century, falling for 49 after edging Shoriful Islam onto his stumps. King, meanwhile, continued his aggressive approach and brought up his fifty with three successive boundaries. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was dismissed for a brief score, offering Bangladesh a fleeting opportunity to fight back, but King remained in control. Hodge joined him and accelerated the scoring as the hosts moved closer to the target. King finished unbeaten on 81, while Hodge remained at the crease as West Indies completed the chase comfortably. For Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam picked up a wicket apiece, but their efforts were insufficient to prevent a comprehensive defeat. Brief Scores: Bangladesh 272 & 142 (Nayeem Hasan 52, Jaker Ali 22; Roston Chase 5-36, Jomel Warrican 4-63) lost to West Indies 245 & 170/2 (Brandon King 81*, John Campbell 49; Hasan Mahmud 1-14, Shoriful Islam 1-20) by 8 wickets

West Indies Crush Bangladesh By 8 Wickets In First Test

Brandon King struck a career-best 81 not out as West Indies cruised to an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Test on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. King hit 10 fours and a six in his 115-ball knock to help the visitors chase down the target of 170 in 35.1 overs on the fourth day in Mirpur after Bangladesh were bowled out for 142 in their second innings. Jomel Warrican, who was named player of the match, claimed 4-63 to follow up his five-wicket haul in Bangladesh's first innings as the hosts were bowled out in 48.4 overs. West Indies captain Roston Chase took 5-36 in the second innings, his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Bangladesh had resumed the fourth day at 79-6, holding a lead of 106, but their hopes of setting a challenging target suffered an early blow when Jaker Ali edged Warrican to slip, where Chase took the catch. Jaker, who scored 22 off 34 balls, was the second-highest scorer for Bangladesh in the innings. Nayeem Hasan survived two dropped catches off Chase, on 21 and 29, to keep Bangladesh going. He added 26 runs with Hasan Mahmud before Warrican trapped the latter lbw for eight. Taijul Islam contributed eight in a 17-run partnership with Nayeem before Chase dismissed him to leave Bangladesh at 127-9. Nayeem then reached his maiden Test half-century off 87 balls, with four boundaries, but his resistance ended when he attempted to hit Chase over long-on and was caught by Joshua Bishop. He made 52 off 91 balls, while Shoriful Islam remained unbeaten on seven as Bangladesh were dismissed cheaply. West Indies started confidently, with openers King and John Campbell continuing their aggressive approach to take the visitors to 64 without loss in 14.1 overs before rain interrupted play. After a delay of around an hour, they added another 23 runs before bad light and lightning forced a further stoppage of 45 minutes. King was dropped on 70 by substitute fielder Ebadot Hossain off Taijul after the break, but the opener made Bangladesh pay with his fine, unbeaten knock. Campbell fell just short of a half-century, bowled by Shoriful for 49 off 55 balls, with six fours and a six. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories The second Test will be played in Sylhet from November 5.

Brandon King steers West Indies to victory in first Test vs Bangladesh

West Indies secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Mirpur, chasing down 170 on the fourth day to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

600 Wickets and Counting! Rabada Joins South Africa Greats

Kagiso Rabada became the fifth South African to claim 600 international wickets, while reaching 350 Test scalps in 13,808 deliveries, the fastest bowler to achieve the milestone.

End Of The Road For Ravindra Jadeja In ODIs? Cheteshwar Pujara Gives Concerning Verdict

Former Indian cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara and Abhishek Nayar discussed the future of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has been facing selection rejections in some of the recent ODI series.

India Move Up To Fourth In WTC Points Table After Bangladesh's Loss To West Indies

World Test Championship: India gained a crucial place in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table after the West Indies defeated Bangladesh in the first Test match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium near Dhaka on Saturday. The Windies chased down a meagre total of 170 on Day 4 of the Test as Brandon King made an unbeaten 81, while No.4 Kavem Hodge also remained unscathed on 31. They helped the visitors hunt down the target in only 35.1 overs with eight wickets in hand. After the result, Bangladesh slipped to No.5 in the WTC standings as India moved up from fifth to fourth. West Indies remain eighth but have closed in on the seventh-ranked Sri Lankan side. Before the game, Bangladesh were fourth with a PCT of 55.56%, having won three of their six matches with one drawn game. India were fifth with a PCT of 51.52%, having bagged five wins and two draws in 11 matches. The Windies chased down a meagre total of 170 on Day 4 of the Test as Brandon King made an unbeaten 81, while No.4 Kavem Hodge also remained unscathed on 31. They helped the visitors hunt down the target in only 35.1 overs with eight wickets in hand. After the result, Bangladesh slipped to No.5 in the WTC standings as India moved up from fifth to fourth. West Indies remain eighth but have closed in on the seventh-ranked Sri Lankan side. Before the game, Bangladesh were fourth with a PCT of 55.56%, having won three of their six matches with one drawn game. India were fifth with a PCT of 51.52%, having bagged five wins and two draws in 11 matches in this WTC cycle. The Windies were eighth with a PCT of 20.83%. However, the Windies' victory has changed the standings. Bangladesh's PCT has dropped to 47.62%, and they fell behind India. The West Indies now have a PCT of 26.92% as they moved closer to Sri Lanka's PCT of 33.33%. Following the win, West Indies captain Roston Chase stated that the team wants to end the WTC cycle with a sixth or fifth place finish. Yeah, well, we came here with a goal to win these two Test matches to go up in the rankings. We want to finish at least sixth or fifth in the table. And to do that, we need to win these two matches, Chase said after the win. In the match, left-arm finger-spinner Jomel Warrican and Roston Chase ruled the roost in both innings. Bangladesh batted first and made 272, with opener Shadman Islam making 105. Warrican picked up a five-wicket haul as he made life difficult for the Bangladesh players. In reply, the Windies made 245 on the back of half-centuries from John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul and contributions from Justin Greaves (46) and Chase (43). Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan picked up 4-33. In the match, left-arm finger-spinner Jomel Warrican and Roston Chase ruled the roost in both innings. Bangladesh batted first and made 272, with opener Shadman Islam making 105. Warrican picked up a five-wicket haul as he made life difficult for the Bangladesh players. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Rested After 3 T20I Games Post Comeback, Ex-India Star Raises Some Important 'Questions'

While his return was seen as a potential solution to India's bowling concerns, Bhuvneshwar Kumar's performances in the first three T20Is against New Zealand left much to be desired.

Not Full-Time Employee: Kevin Pietersen Clarifies Role As England's White-Ball Mentor Ahead Of 2027 World Cup

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen on Saturday said he is not a full-time employee of the side, but is associated with them as a consultant, and will not travel with the white-ball side for every game over the next 12 months.

Rabada and Harmer share six as South Africa close in on 2-1 series win

Australia lost seven wickets in the opening session of the fifth day and are in danger of being bowled out for under 100 for a second time in the series

India ponder over changes as they seek winning finish to T20Is against New Zealand (Preview)

Digital Desk | Hamilton, Oct 31 (IANS) India will consider a few tactical tweaks to their playing eleven when they take on New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park on Sunday, India lead 3-1 but were beaten by 87 runs in Auckland, a result that could rattle the think tanks long-held line on the starting eleven, as they aim to sign off from the series with a win. The most likely change could be Vaibhav Sooryavanshi coming in, with Sanju Samson making way. After making 67 in the series opener in Christchurch, Samson has made scores of 14, 18 and 4. Captain Shreyas Iyer, too, has had a lean run since hitting his maiden T20I hundred against the West Indies in Lucknow. Iyer has so far managed scores of 40, 1, 16, 22, 42, 7, 5 and 22 in his last eight innings in the format. He will want a big score in the series before shifting focus to the ODI series. Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been valuable lower-order hitters, but are yet to shine with the ball. Spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule did hint that wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy could come into the playing eleven in Hamilton if conditions demand the same. But that would mean leaving out Dhir, which in turn will cost them batting depth and some part-time off-spin. For New Zealand, they will be relying on in-form Glenn Phillips to help them get a big score after hitting a majestic century in Auckland. According to CricViz, Phillips has 276 runs in four matches, more than any New Zealand batter in a five-match bilateral T20I series except Mark Chapmans 290 runs against Pakistan in 2023. The all-format record is with England wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt, who hit 331 against West Indies in 2023, and Phillips needs 56 more to go past him. Michael Bracewell, who smashed a fifty in Auckland, is in good form as well. Theres also a sharp contrast between the two left-arm spinners, with skipper Mitchell Santner having a productive series. Axar Patel has bowled at an average speed of 97 kph against Mitchell Santners 89 kph. Santner has been fuller 55 percent of the time and bowled shorter 45 percent, while Axar has gone shorter 72 percent of the time and fuller only 28 percent. With Hamilton being another small venue, the battle of left-arm spinners will be another crucial factor in deciding who between India and New Zealand will sign off on a high. When: November 1, 2026, 12:30 PM Where: Seddon Park, Hamilton Where to watch: The match will be shown live on the Sony Sports Network channels on TV, and live streaming is available on the Sony LIV app and website. Squads: India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kumar Kushagra. New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Devon Conway (wk), Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Bevon Jacobs, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher and Blair Tickner.

Rabada Scripts History, Becomes Fastest Bowler To 350 Test Wickets

Cape Town Test: South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada scripted history during the second innings of the third Test against Australia at Newlands here on Saturday by completing his 350 wickets in Test cricket on Day 5 of the Cape Town Test, becoming the quickest bowler to reach the milestone in terms of balls taken. The Proteas speedster achieved the feat when he got the prized wicket of Aussie star Travis Head in the 288-run defence in the series-deciding Test. He lured Head into a drive with a fuller ball outside off. The Aussie opener went for a drive and edged it behind for Marco Jansen to grab it in gully as the Proteas went up in celebration. The scalp helped Rabada complete his 350th wicket in the format, and he is now the quickest bowler to get there in terms of balls taken. The Proteas speedster has taken 350 Test wickets in 13808 balls, surpassing the previous fastest, Dale Steyn, who is his compatriot. Fewest balls to 350 Test wickets: 13808 - Kagiso Rabada* 14719 - Dale Steyn 14905 - Waqar Younis 16285 - Malcolm Marshall 16908 - Mitchell Starc Meanwhile, Rabada achieved the feat in 75 Test matches, which is the joint fourth-fewest among fast bowlers, alongside West Indies legend Malcolm Marshall. The record is jointly held by Richard Hadlee and Steyn, both of whom achieved the feat in 69 Tests. Quickest fast bowler to 350 Test wickets (among pacers): 69 - Richard Hadlee / Dale Steyn 70 - Dennis Lillee 74 - Glenn McGrath 75 - Malcolm Marshall / KG Rabada 78 - Waqar Younis 79 - Imran Khan Rabada provided the Proteas with a rollicking start with the ball on Day 5. He got Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne in the first over itself. Rabada nicked behind Renshaw on the third ball of the innings as the Aussie opener tried to guide it on the leg side but got an edge for Ryan Rickelton to pouch it behind. 79 - Imran Khan Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Kagiso Rabada Scripts History, Becomes 'Fastest' To Mega World Record In Test Cricket During South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada scripted history during the second innings of the third Test against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town, on Saturday by completing his 350 wickets in Test cricket

It Was Like We Were Superstars - Sudha Shah Recalls Indias First Womens Test Match

Indian Cricketers Association: Sudha Shah was part of the Indian side that played the countrys first womens Test match against the West Indies in Bangalore on October 31, 1976. On its 50th anniversary, which was also Indias first international cricket game, Sudha recalled the crowd followed the team later in the series, especially in Patna, as it made the players feel like we were superstars. In Patna, the thing I remember most about the Test we won is the crowd. Every day, there was a crowd of nearly 20,000 to 30,000. After we won, they lined up on either side of the road, and when our bus went to where we were staying, it was like we were superstars. We had never even dreamt of experiencing something like that, Sudha was quoted as saying by bcci.tv on Saturday. The celebrations in the dressing room got a little out of hand, added Sudha. We had to wave to the crowd from the balcony because they just werent leaving. All of us were screaming and jumping around, and Sharmila Chakraborty broke the basin in the dressing room bathroom! We just couldnt believe that we had won a Test match. That series was the start of a 15-year international career for Sudha, who played 21 official Tests, scoring 601 runs and taking five wickets, and 13 ODIs. Her 21 consecutive Test appearances are the second-most in womens cricket. In those days, when we played, we just played. Nobody thought of records or breaking records. We played a lot of games that were later classified as unofficial. Out of 35, only 21 are official. But believe me, we took it in our stride, she added. Finding grounds and money was a constant struggle for Sudhas generation. It gives a lot of satisfaction that we did pursue cricket at that time despite all the difficulties we faced, be it on the field or off the field. We did toil, and to see the game where it is today gives you the satisfaction that what we did at that time hasnt gone in vain. Cricket has got to a point today where we are right on top of the world, and that really gives such a lot of satisfaction. She credited the BCCI, who took over the womens game in 2006 and has since introduced equal match fees, for turning cricket into a real career for women. At that time, we faced a lot of difficulties with finances and getting grounds, but we took it in our stride. If you had told me 50 years ago that girls would be making cricket a career, I wouldnt have believed it. At that time, we played purely for the love of the game. I never imagined that they would be getting paid and that the game would come this far. So, credit goes to the BCCI. The board gave Shah its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. It is a great honour. To be acknowledged for the years we put in validates the fact that our early efforts laid a strong foundation for the game, she said. As the head coach, Shah took India to their first World Cup final in 2005, a big achievement given how little the team had to work with. In 2003, we started working towards the World Cup in 2005. When we won the semi-final, we celebrated as if we had won the World Cup. It was a great achievement, considering the facilities the girls have today and what we had at that time. India lost that final and the wait for the trophy ended on November 2 last year, and Sudha nearly missed it. She voted in her local cricket associations elections, rushed to the airport for a late-afternoon flight and made it into the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai only because rain had delayed the start. When I entered DY Patil through the gate, I could hear the national anthem being played, and I said, Todays my day. When we won, I had tears in my eyes, and I rushed to the ground. I said, No, Im not sitting in the stands. We went onto the ground, and Harman (Harmanpreet Kaur) came and gave me the trophy. Harmanpreet had made her India debut when Sudha was the head coach. When she (Harmanpreet) gave me that trophy, I thought, Boy, I never ever dreamt that I would hold it. But it felt so good. The only regret I had was that I was so excited that I didnt have the presence of mind to get a photograph taken! She was also delighted by Indias Test win over England at Lords this year. We were very happy. It was so good. We have been playing very few Tests, but we have been managing to win those Test matches, and that is very commendable. I think Test cricket really tests the character of a cricketer. We lived on Test cricket. The present generation thrives on T20 and 50-over cricket, but when it comes to Test cricket, we have been playing well, and that really augurs well for womens cricket. I think the girls should be playing more Test matches. Sudha further stated the Womens Premier League (WPL) had raised standards in the domestic game. Thanks to the WPL, our domestic players have gained good exposure. Sharing the dressing room with foreign players, rubbing shoulders with them and observing their routines closely has made a great difference. Today, the youngsters are playing much more fearless cricket, and their confidence has grown. With India set to host the inaugural ICC Womens Champions Trophy in 2027, Sudha signed off by saying televised home tournaments were bringing far more girls into the game. Today, with all these tournaments being televised, even if young girls are not able to get to the grounds, they are watching, and that itself makes a big difference. Having these ICC tournaments held here increases the interest, and a lot more girls are coming forward to play. I can see the difference from 15 or 20 years back when it was more of an elimination than a proper selection for our state sides. Now, there are thousands of girls coming to play, and that is a massive boost. With India set to host the inaugural ICC Womens Champions Trophy in 2027, Sudha signed off by saying televised home tournaments were bringing far more girls into the game. Today, with all these tournaments being televised, even if young girls are not able to get to the grounds, they are watching, and that itself makes a big difference. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

'Will you play Sooryavanshi only when someone is injured?'

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made way for Ishan Kishan despite scoring a blistering 45 from 19 balls in India's thumping six-wicket victory in the third T20I against New Zealand.

Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal star after Yashasvi Jaiswal flops again vs New Zealand A

India A captain Dhruv Jurel stood firm against a challenging New Zealand A bowling attack, guiding his team to 291 for seven on the opening day of the second tour match at Hagley Oval . The keeper-batter remained unbeaten on 99 at stumps, as India A are in a good position to build a competitive first-innings total after a difficult middle session.

Abhishek Sharma: Indian Cricket's 'New-Generation Superstar'

Once dismissed as a flat-track bully, India's Abhishek Sharma has developed into one of the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket. The 26-year-old left-hander underlined his rare talent with a blistering 113 off 38 balls against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday, an innings that propelled him back to the top of the world T20 rankings. A protege of former India star Yuvraj Singh, Abhishek has become the face of India's aggressive new-era batting, combining a punishing strike-rate of 196 with a sound technique that experts say sets him apart from his contemporaries. Veteran writer Sharda Ugra said India had a new cricketing idol in Abhishek, with star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the twilight of their careers. He is already the next big thing in Indian cricket, Ugra told AFP. I think he has just caught everyone's eye with his consistency as much as his explosive batting. He is the new-generation superstar. Abhishek's latest century against New Zealand, studded with nine fours and 11 sixes, also drew praise from opposition batter Daryl Mitchell. Some of that hitting was world-class, and that's why he is one of the best in the world at what he does, Mitchell said. You take your hat off and say, well played. Abhishek's knocks in different conditions has helped rubbish criticism that he can perform only on flat batting tracks. Stop saying that he can only bat on a particular pitch, former India batter Mohammad Kaif said. He is already moving towards greatness in T20 cricket, Kaif added, calling for Abhishek to be given a chance in the 50-over format as well. Born in the northern state of Punjab, Abhishek honed his craft under the watchful eye of Yuvraj during India's Covid-19 lockdown. Yuvraj, also a left-handed batsman, was among the first to applaud his Wellington knock. I can't make 100 off 30 or 34 balls. Well played sir, he wrote on X. In 71 T20 internationals Abhishek has scored 2,267 runs with four centuries at an average of 33.33. He is yet to play ODI or Test cricket. - 'Not slogging' - Abhishek's success comes amid fierce competition for places at the top of India's batting order, with wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also vying for opportunities. Everybody thought Vaibhav is going to be it (next superstar) but Abhishek has come and snatched this away from him, said Ugra. In the sense that he has created a template which is very hard to match around the world and you cannot find a player of that quality and that consistency. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt believes Abhishek's batting approach gives him an edge over others. It's percentage cricket involving calculated risks, where the risk element is less, Butt said. That's because chances are taken seeing the ball and the bowler's angle. It's not blind hitting, not slogging either. Just well thought-out batting. Abhishek has risen up the ranks, having represented India in the triumphant Under-19 World Cup squad in 2018 under Rahul Dravid. In the Indian Premier League he emerged as a star for Sunrisers Hyderabad after an initial stint with Delhi Capitals, forging a formidable opening partnership with Australia's Travis Head. Abhishek's popularity has surged off the field as well. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories His boyish charm and growing profile have attracted a string of endorsement deals, making him one of the most marketable faces among India's new generation of cricket stars.

Kagiso Rabada Joins Elite Club, Reaches 600 International Wickets

South African speedster Kagiso Rabada has become the fifth bowler from his country to claim 600 wickets in international cricket, achieving the landmark during the ongoing third Test against Australia in Cape Town.

Not A Full-time Employee - Pietersen Clarifies On Role As Englands Specialist White-ball Mentor

England Cricket Team: Former England batter Kevin Pietersen on Saturday said he is not a full-time employee of the side, but is associated with them as a consultant, and will not travel with the white-ball side for every game over the next 12 months. Pietersens clarification came after England failed to make the final of the 50-over tri-series in Pakistan, with questions over how closely he is involved in the setup. Just need to clear something up once and for all. I am a consultant to the England Cricket Team. I am not a full-time employee. So I WILL NOT be with the white ball team all the time and for EVERY game they play over the next 12 months. Excited to travel to Aus for a few weeks to be with the team on Monday! Hope that clears things up once and for all! Pietersen said in a post on his X account on Saturday. Pietersen is contracted to work with Englands white-ball side for about 150 days till the end of the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. He will join the England team for the tour of Australia comprising three ODIs and five T20Is, starting on November 12 in Perth. Pietersen will also be present for Englands tour of South Africa, the country where he grew up, as well as be present for all of the sides games against Pakistan and New Zealand in the run-up to the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup. Pietersen played 136 ODIs and 37 T20Is for England, scoring more than 5,500 runs. He also amassed 8,181 runs in 104 Test matches. He was also named player of the tournament when England won the Mens T20 World Cup for the first time in 2010. Pietersen will also be present for Englands tour of South Africa, the country where he grew up, as well as be present for all of the sides games against Pakistan and New Zealand in the run-up to the 2027 Mens ODI World Cup. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

We Want To Dominate World Cricket: Amol Muzumdar's Big Vision For India

Head coach Amol Muzumdar on Saturday said the Indian women's cricket team should be able to consistently dominate the white ball formats in two years time, considering the talent rush from age-group cricket.

Twenty Seasons On, Ellyse Perry Still Wants To Be a Better Version Of Herself

Big Bash League: Nearly two decades after she first played for Australia as a 16-year-old, premier all-rounder Ellyse Perry said she still goes into every day trying to be a better player than she was the day before. Ellyse, 35, is now in her 20th season of playing professional cricket. She marked its start by hitting 58, a knock that anchored the Sydney Sixers chase in their last-ball win over the Brisbane Heat in the Womens Big Bash League (WBBL) opener at the Allan Border Field. I just like to be a better version than what I am today, and thats a challenge every day. Thats really fun to take on and you learn lots as you go so, yeah, hopefully if or whenever I finish playing, I can be a better player than what I was when I started, that will be awesome, Ellyse was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Saturday. Ellyse was named the ICC womens cricketer of the decade for 2011 to 2020 and has won the World Player of the Year award thrice. She was the first cricketer, male or female, to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is, and she has more than 3,000 runs and over 150 wickets in ODIs. Asked how she stays hungry after so many years, the dual international, who also played for the Matildas at the FIFA Womens World Cup, said the younger players around her keep pushing her. Oh, its pretty easy because theres so many great players around that its pretty hard to keep up most of the time. The creativity (among the younger players) is phenomenal and just seeing that is motivation in itself to try and keep pace, but also try and continue to contribute to whatever teams youre a part of - and I love that. I also love just being fit and active and healthy and being a professional sportsperson kind of leads to that. So I dont have any special kind of goals or secrets or anything like that. Just amazing amount of support and Im just fortunate, she added. Her routine has barely changed since her teenage years. Ellyse, who will turn out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2027 WPL, said she still spends as much time in the nets as she did when she was dreaming of wearing the Australian colours, and that batting practice gives her a rare moment of calm. Batting for me, especially in the nets, is probably a little bit like meditation in a way. You dont have your phone attached to you. Youre sort of down there by yourself just hitting balls. So I really enjoy that. I just love training with the girls as well. Like bowling in the nets or out on the field, its great fun. And crickets the summer sport too, so you get to do it under the Australian sun, which is pretty nice, she added. Batting for me, especially in the nets, is probably a little bit like meditation in a way. You dont have your phone attached to you. Youre sort of down there by yourself just hitting balls. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

India Could Have Used Kuldeep Yadav: Ex India Star Criticises Team Selection Against New Zealand

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has questioned India's decision to leave Kuldeep Yadav out of the playing XI for the fourth T20I against New Zealand.

All Of Us Were Very Excited': Shubhangi Kulkarni Recalls Indias First Womens Test In 1976

ODI World Cup: Exactly fifty years after she walked out at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for Indias first womens Test against the West Indies, Shubhangi Kulkarni still remembers how excited the dressing room was that morning. The match also marked the first international game played by India womens cricket team. All of us were very excited. We were all very young, mostly college-going girls around 17 or 18 years old. We were just getting exposed to international competition, and all of us were thrilled to be playing international matches, Shubhangi was quoted as saying by bcci.tv as Indian womens cricket marks its golden jubilee on Saturday. In that game, Shubhangi, a leg-spinner from Pune, became the third-youngest debutant in womens Test history at 17 years and 104 days. She took 5-48 in the first innings and finished the match with figures of 7-76. The squad had trained under former India batter Lala Amarnath, and the excitement came with a fair amount of self-belief. We had a camp before the series with Lala Amarnath, and then we played the West Indies team, which was known for having good fast bowlers. We thought our spinners were very good, and we were really looking forward to the competition. The first Test match was very memorable for me because I got five wickets. It was the first time I was bowling to international cricketers. I had just learned a few tricks and was trying them out, she added. The excitement turned to celebration in the fourth Test at Patnas Moin-ul-Haq Stadium. Shubhangi took 3-43 and 4-14 as India won a Test match for the first time. Her 23 wickets in the six-match series are still a joint record for the most in a womens Test series. The kind of response we got from the crowd was something we had never anticipated. After we won, the crowd response was so overwhelming that it took us a long time to get back to the hotel because the crowds wouldnt allow the bus to move. We kept signing autographs. Initially, people came out of curiosity just to see us play. But once they started watching, they appreciated our skills and realised that girls could play cricket too. It took people a lot of time to accept us playing the sport, recalled Shubhangi. For many players, she said, the first hurdle was at home, and the second was money. The biggest challenge for most girls was getting permission from home to play cricket. Parents were worried about the hard ball causing injuries, or that playing for long hours in the sun would make the girls dark. Another major challenge was funding. We had to spend money from our own pockets to travel for domestic events, often paying our own train fares. We stayed in dormitories and travelled in unreserved or second-class train compartments, sometimes carrying our own food to save money, she added. Shubhangis international career lasted 15 years. She played 17 consecutive Tests, the seventh-longest run in the format, and bowled 3,329 deliveries, ninth on the all-time list. She took 60 Test wickets with five five-wicket hauls, a joint world record, and her 16 stumpings are the second-most in womens Tests. She also took 38 ODI wickets at an economy rate of 3.49. Her best innings came on her captaincy debut against England at Collingham in 1986. With India at 105/5, she made a career-best 118 and added 106 for the eighth wicket with Minoti Desai, the fifth-highest eighth-wicket stand in womens Tests, as India reached 323. She received the Arjuna Award in 1985. Off the field, as honorary secretary of the Womens Cricket Association of India (WCAI), Shubhangi helped bring about its merger with the BCCI in 2006. She credited former BCCI president Sharad Pawar with making that happen. That is where things changed for womens cricket in India and that is when the girls started getting the facilities. Those were challenging times. But looking back at where we are today, it gives us a sense of satisfaction that what we did in the beginning has borne fruit. She credited ICC chairman Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary, and the present board administration with speeding up the games growth, adding that todays players have support her generation could not have imagined. The facilities that the BCCI is providing to women cricketers are excellent now. If you compare it to our time, when we played on college grounds, club grounds, and uneven surfaces, today these girls are playing on top-class grounds, which significantly improves fielding and overall play. The facilities provided, such as state teams staying in four-star or five-star hotels and travelling by air, are a stark contrast to our struggles. The equal match fees and the central contracts that the girls are getting allow them to focus entirely on their game without worrying about finances. They are well-provided for, and the BCCIs support has completely transformed the sport. The most significant change has been the introduction of the Womens Premier League (WPL), which has opened up numerous opportunities for domestic players to play alongside international stars and learn from them in the dressing room, she said. India won their first ICC Womens ODI World Cup on November 2 last year, and Shubhangi said the title meant as much to former players as to the team. It was a dream come true for most of us former players because winning a World Cup is something we all wanted. Seeing this team achieve it gave me immense satisfaction. The team performed exceptionally well; they gave their 100% and never gave up. There were challenges, but they overcame them, making it a total team effort. The way they played, hats off to Harmanpreet and the entire team. Shubhangi further said she valued the way Harmanpreet Kaurs side has honoured the pioneers. It is very nice of the current players to appreciate and recognise the efforts of the earlier players. During our time, we played for the love and passion of the game. It felt like they truly valued all of that, and I am really proud that the team felt that way. She also recalled the contribution of the founders of the womens game in India: Mahendra Kumar Sharma, Pramila Bai Chavan and Chandra Tripathi. In 1973, when the organisation was formed and Mr Sharma registered it, he actually gave the girls a platform to play a sport and turn what had been a hobby into a national sport, she said. Looking ahead, Shubhangi signed off by welcoming Indias hosting of the inaugural ICC Womens Champions Trophy in February 2027. I think the timing is absolutely right for hosting the first-ever Womens Champions Trophy. After winning the World Cup last year and then the match at Lords, I think we have the momentum, and this is the fastest-growing sport in India. She also recalled the contribution of the founders of the womens game in India: Mahendra Kumar Sharma, Pramila Bai Chavan and Chandra Tripathi. In 1973, when the organisation was formed and Mr Sharma registered it, he actually gave the girls a platform to play a sport and turn what had been a hobby into a national sport, she said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Will India Drop Sanju Samson? Selection Dilemma Looms Ahead Of Final T20I

Even though the Indian team management is steadfast in their backing of the established line, the Auckland shellacking might have triggered the thoughts of making some tactical rejigging to the playing eleven in the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand on Sunday.

Rabada's early strikes leave Australia reeling on Day 5

Kagiso Rabada's devastating three-wicket burst with the new ball on Day 5 of the third Test left Australia reeling at 32/3, chasing 288 for victory, and put South Africa firmly in control.

Yastika Bhatia Set For Brisbane Heat Debut After India's Zimbabwe Sweep

After being a part of India's 3-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in Vadodara, wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia will link up with Brisbane Heat squad and is set to make her debut for the club against Sydney Thunder at the Drummoyne Oval in the ongoing WBBL.

Gannon five-for trumps Harper, Kellaway half-centuries

Harper and Harris added 102 for the first wicket before Victoria suffered a collapse

The Next Big Thing: Why Experts Are Raving About Abhishek Sharma

Once dismissed as a flat-track bully, India's Abhishek Sharma has developed into one of the most destructive batsmen in T20 cricket.

The Building Has Come Up Beautifully, Says Diana Edulji As Indian Womens Cricket Team Turns 50

ODI World Cup: The foundation laid by Indias women cricketers 50 years ago has grown into a structure that now holds an ODI World Cup title, said former captain Diana Edulji on the occasion of 50 years since the side played its first official international match. India played their first official international match on October 31, 1976, against West Indies in Bangalore, the opening game of a six-Test series. Shanta Rangaswamy captained the side, and Diana played alongside her sister Behroze in the match ending in a draw. This was the beginning, and the journey has been wonderful. I cant believe that 50 years is already around the corner, and Im very happy that we will be able to see this day. We made sure that we played, whatever the conditions. And today, I think, through the foundation we laid, the building has come up beautifully, Diana was quoted as saying by bcci.tv. on Saturday. She recalled that early players faced every kind of hardship, from poor facilities to little money, but never considered walking away from the sport. We went through what I would describe as a complete overhaul. We went through the rigmarole. You name it, and we faced it. It was that difficult, but not once did we ever think, No, lets stop. Never. You wont believe it. Because we were not used to that pace, we didnt have a very firm grip on the bat, and when they (the West Indies) bowled, the bat would fly out of our hands. Thats when we realised that Indian cricket had a lot of catching up to do to match the standards of other teams, added Diana. Despite that, India, coached by former mens batter Lala Amarnath at that time, still won the fourth Test in Patna, the countrys first international victory, and Diana hit the winning runs. The most pleasurable moment for me was hitting the winning run in the Test match we won in Patna. We had a good crowd, which was something we could not believe. About 30,000 to 35,000 people were in that stadium. When the crowd erupted after the victory, it was something we had seen only in mens cricket. People ran onto the ground, and we were completely surrounded. We were so overwhelmed, but it was such a great feeling. In fact, I lost my bat and gloves; they were simply snatched away, but it was worth it. I can still picture that experience. Even after 50 years, that memory remains fixed in my mind, she added. Diana became Indias first ODI captain and the first to lead the country in a World Cup. She was the first Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in womens international cricket, and remains the only bowler to have sent down more than 5,000 balls in womens Tests. She was the first Indian woman cricketer to receive the Padma Shri and the first Indian woman inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Over the next five decades, India reached several World Cup finals and won a Commonwealth Games silver medal, two consecutive Asian Games golds and eight Asia Cup titles. They also won the first womens Test played at Lords. Diana said the 2017 World Cup final, which India lost to England at Lords, was when the country began to pay attention to the women's team. All of them became household names during that time. Lords was packed, and the match was watched by people all over the world. The Prime Minister of India invited a team that had lost the final to his residence for high tea. That showed that this team had arrived, and womens cricket really moved forward. Diana served on the Committee of Administrators (CoA) that ran the BCCI briefly and recalled how the panel began the push for equal treatment, which led to current ICC chairman Jay Shah implementing it in his time as the BCCI secretary through pay parity and the launch of the Womens Premier League (WPL). We did our bit as members of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) to help women cricketers become more equal and give them the benefits that men were receiving. We then handed it over to Mr Jay Shah, who took it forward. He ensured that the WPL was launched, and I think that was another turning point for womens cricket. Mr Jay Shahs vision has helped womens cricket prosper a lot. Undoubtedly, he has made a significant contribution as BCCI Secretary and, even more so, as ICC Chairman. He has taken the game to the global stage. He has helped bring cricket into the Olympics, which is something we would never have dreamt of. India is now slated to host the inaugural ICC Womens Champions Trophy in February 2027. Now, with the Champions Trophy coming in, you can see how the game is expanding, and that is largely due to the ICCs genuine commitment to promoting womens cricket. We have had people promoting the game before, but not at this level. So, hats off to Mr Jay Shah and his team at the ICC, and to the BCCI as well, added Diana. Monday, November 2, will be the first anniversary of India winning the first ICC Womens World Cup, and Diana recalled seeing that winning moment from the stands last year. It was a great, great feeling. I was so happy to be watching it live. I was at the stadium, and this was the dream we had, because that was the only trophy missing from the cabinet. The BCCI, after doing so much for women cricketers, deserved this trophy. India is now slated to host the inaugural ICC Womens Champions Trophy in February 2027. Now, with the Champions Trophy coming in, you can see how the game is expanding, and that is largely due to the ICCs genuine commitment to promoting womens cricket. We have had people promoting the game before, but not at this level. So, hats off to Mr Jay Shah and his team at the ICC, and to the BCCI as well, added Diana. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Bird winds back the clock to put Tasmania in command over NSW

Nic Maddinson fell cheaply on his return from Test duty as the visitors lurched towards a potential follow on

'Kuldeep A Very Good Bowler, But Not Up To Mark With Bat': Pujara On Bowler's Limited ODI Presence

New Delhi: Former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara opined that Kuldeep Yadav's limited capability with the bat is a key reason behind his sparse appearances in India's ODI side as the team wants a cushion in the lower-middle order. India have given Kuldeep limited games this year in ODIs as he has had to sit out of five of the 12 matches and mostly in overseas conditions. He was in India's squad for the three-match ODI series against England but had to warm the bench as India played Shivam Dube at No.8 and Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as their spinners. India have also generally preferred playing Harshit Rana at No.8, and although he is currently injured, he remains in the scheme of things for longer period. Speaking on Kuldeep's limited appearances, Pujara stated that the bowler is not that capable with the bat, which remains the key reason for him to warm the benches. I think in ODI cricket, you need depth, especially when you play outside India. So, when you look at any team, their balance is better only when they have the option of batting at number seven and number eight. Number seven has to be an all-rounder, and number eight has to be a bowler who can bat a bit. With Kuldeep, he is a very good bowler, but his batting is not up to the mark. So, India are always looking at someone who can bat at number eight, Pujara told JioStar. Meanwhile, ex-India cricketer and former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar emphasised the importance of having five proper bowlers in the Playing XI, highlighting how Australia used the strategy during the World Cup 2023. In T20 cricket, I believe you need depth because you play attacking cricket. In ODI cricket, you have time to adapt, right? According to me, if you don't take wickets, no matter how long your batting line-up goes, very rarely will a team win a championship because of their seventh or eighth batsman. Number seven has to be an all-rounder, and number eight has to be a bowler who can bat a bit. With Kuldeep, he is a very good bowler, but his batting is not up to the mark. So, India are always looking at someone who can bat at number eight, Pujara told JioStar. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Will India bring in Kuldeep, Varun after Auckland thrashing?

Despite an unassailable 3-1 lead, the Indian team management is contemplating tactical changes for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand in Hamilton, potentially bringing in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and addressing concerns over Sanju Samson's form and bowling inconsistencies.

After ODI Series Win Over Zimbabwe, Yastika Bhatia To Make Brisbane Heat Debut In WBBL

WBBL Brisbane Heat Squad: After being a part of Indias 3-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in Vadodara, wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia will link up with Brisbane Heat squad and is set to make her debut for the club against Sydney Thunder at the Drummoyne Oval in the ongoing Womens Big Bash League (WBBL). Yastika being with the India ODI side, though she bagged a duck in the third and final game against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium, meant she wasnt available for the Heats season opener against the Sydney Sixers at Allan Border Field on Friday night. The Sixers won that game off the last ball after Australia left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton bowled a superb final over. Yastika replaces Mikayla Wrigley in the Heats only change to the 13-member squad from that game starting at 2:40pm local time. Yastika was signed up by the club after veteran Australia left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen was ruled out of the season with a neck injury. Yastika has played 28 T20Is and 29 ODIs for India so far. In July, she became the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lords, which is currently the high point of her international career. The left-handed batter is no stranger to the WBBL, having played for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL two seasons ago. Apart from Yastika, Englands Sarah Glenn and Irelands Orla Prendergast are the Heats overseas recruits for the ongoing WBBL season. Another player in line for a Heat debut is 19-year-old fast bowler Catherine White. She was with the franchise last season as a local replacement player but did not play a match, and will make her WBBL debut if she is picked in the playing eleven. The left-handed batter is no stranger to the WBBL, having played for the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL two seasons ago. Apart from Yastika, Englands Sarah Glenn and Irelands Orla Prendergast are the Heats overseas recruits for the ongoing WBBL season. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Why was Bhuvneshwar Kumar not picked in India's fourth T20I against New Zealand? Former cricketer opines

The Indian team lost the fourth T20I of the ongoing series against New Zealand. The two sides met at Eden Park in Auckland for the clash on October 30th, batting first. New Zealand posted a...

Pakistan bowl in tri-series final with Shadab out

Sri Lanka made one change as well with Theekshana coming in for Malinga

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming ODI Tri-Series Final Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch In India

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming ODI Tri-Series Final Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch In India

'Jadeja Might Not Be Selected': Pujara On All-rounder; Nayar Calls Him 'insurance Policy'

ODI World Cup: Former Indian cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara and Abhishek Nayar discussed the future of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has been facing selection rejections in some of the recent ODI series. The 37-year-old was not picked for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Axar Patel being the first-choice left-arm finger spinner for the Men in Blue. With a year left for the ODI World Cup and Jadeja not getting a place in the Indian ODI team in overseas conditions, it raised eyebrows as to what his future holds for the World Cup. Speaking on his exclusion, Pujara pointed out that it might be the end of the road for Jadeja, as Axar seems to be above him in the pecking order. I believe so, because if you want to keep Ravindra Jadeja in ODI cricket, then he should have been selected. I'm sure it was communicated to him that he might not be selected because Axar Patel has been the main all-rounder in ODI cricket and is being given more opportunities. Looking at his age, I feel the team management might have told him that he is now only a part of Test cricket, so he should focus there, and that they are not looking at him for white-ball cricket. So, it could be the end of the road because, obviously, he has retired from T20 Internationals. I feel he might not be selected just for the ODIs, Pujara told JioStar. However, Nayar felt that Jadeja still remains the insurance policy for India, and he might be the backup for Axar in the World Cup. Jaddu might not come back into the team, but if someone gets injured, the first name that will come to mind will be Jaddu. Because after Axar, there is no one. The valid question right now would be: After Axar, who is the frontrunner? Currently, the frontrunner is Axar Patel, and after him, Jaddu is still your insurance policy. If something happens to Axar Patel before the World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja will come into the team, he said on the same show. However, Nayar felt that Jadeja still remains the insurance policy for India, and he might be the backup for Axar in the World Cup. Jaddu might not come back into the team, but if someone gets injured, the first name that will come to mind will be Jaddu. Because after Axar, there is no one. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Dinesh Karthik Has A Solution For Playing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Without Dropping Sanju Samson In 5th India vs NZ T20I

India play the final T20I of a five-match series against New Zealand on Saturday. So far, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have played in all the matches

Dhruv Jurel Unbeaten On 99 As India A Fight Back Against New Zealand A In 2nd Unofficial Test

Skipper Dhruv Jurel made a solid unbeaten 99 after Devdutt Padikkal's breezy 80 as India A recovered well to score a strong 291 for seven against New Zealand A on the opening day of the four-day match on Saturday.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live Score ODI Tri-Series Final

PAK vs SL Live Score ODI Tri-Series Final: Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the final of the ODI tri-series at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

South Africa vs Australia Live Score 3rd Test Day 5

South Africa vs AustraliaLive Updates 3rd Test: Australia will begin their chase of 288 on the final day of the series-deciding Cape Town Test against South Africa at Newlands.

'He's Playing For His Career': O'Keeffe On Labuschagne As Aussies Eye Cape Town Win

Cape Town Test: With so much on the line on the final day of a gripping Test series between South Africa and Australia, Australian cricket great Kerry O'Keeffe feels that Marnus Labuschagne will be batting to play for his career on Day 5 of the Cape Town Test on Saturday. The series is locked 1-1, and Australia need 288 to secure a famous win and keep the No.1 Test rankings. The visitors are without their talisman Steve Smith, as the new-generation batters Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Alex Carey showed muscle in the first innings. Now with the series on the line after South Africa were bowled out for 387, Australia will want their batters to fire and hand them the series. O'Keeffe opined that Labuschagne, who has gone without scoring a Test century since 2023, will be playing for his career now in the second innings. I think hes playing for his career in this second innings, OKeeffe said, as quoted by foxsports.com.au. Hes been a marvellous player, but hes in a drought, and theyve given him a lot of opportunity to get out of it. It hasnt happened yet. Ex-Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian believed that uncertainty around the batter's future can give him freedom to play in the second innings. Hes got an advantage here to go; if theyre going to drop me, Im just going to go for it. Im going to play my shots, Julian told foxsports.com.au. Hes looked tentative. He hasnt looked settled at the crease. I think this is an opportunity for him just to let it go and swing hard. Thats what Id be doing, he added and opined that Labuschagne won't be playing the next Test match. I dont think hes going to play the next Test match in Perth, Julian said. Meanwhile, another Aussie great Michael Hussey has not written the batter off. Well, Id never say its the end of his Test career if he doesnt make runs this time, Hussey told foxsports.com.au. Hes looked tentative. He hasnt looked settled at the crease. I think this is an opportunity for him just to let it go and swing hard. Thats what Id be doing, he added and opined that Labuschagne won't be playing the next Test match. I dont think hes going to play the next Test match in Perth, Julian said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

2nd Unofficial Test: Jurel hits 99 not out as India A recover to 291/7 against NZ A

Digital Desk | Christchurch, Oct 31 (IANS) Skipper Dhruv Jurel stood firm with an unbeaten 99 to steer India A out of trouble and take them to 291/7 on the opening day of the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Hagley Oval on Saturday. Jurels composed knock, coupled with Devdutt Padikkals fluent 80, helped the visitors recover from a dramatic middle-order collapse after New Zealand A had seized control with a flurry of wickets. India As innings got off to a disastrous start when Fraser Sheat struck in the opening over, removing Yashasvi Jaiswal for a four-ball duck. However, Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan ensured there was no further damage before lunch, stitching together a 91-run partnership for the second wicket. Sudharsan looked comfortable during his 41 off 63 deliveries but departed shortly after the break, caught by Mitchell Hay off Jarrod McKay. Yash Rathods brief stay ended at 13 when he edged Brett Randell to the wicketkeeper, leaving India A at 131/3. Padikkal continued to dictate terms with an assured innings featuring 12 boundaries, bringing up a valuable half-century. His dismissal for 80, bowled by Sheat, triggered Indias biggest setback of the day as the visitors slipped from 137/3 to 137/5. Sheat struck twice in quick succession, trapping Smaran Ravichandran and Washington Sundar leg-before for ducks and eight respectively. With India A suddenly struggling at 160/6, Jurel took responsibility for rebuilding the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter found an important ally in Manav Suthar, adding 62 runs for the seventh wicket. Suthar contributed 22 before departing, but Jurel continued to hold the innings together. Akash Deep then provided valuable support at the other end as the pair frustrated the New Zealand A attack with an unbeaten 69-run partnership. Jurel moved to 99 not out, leaving him just one run short of a century at stumps, while Akash remained alongside him. Sheat was the standout bowler for the hosts, finishing with figures of 4-50 from 19 overs. Randell, McKay and Jayden Lennox claimed a wicket each. Brief scores: India A 291/7 in 88 overs (Dhruv Jurel 99*, Devdutt Padikkal 80; Fraser Sheat 4-50) vs New Zealand A.

Jurel's unbeaten 99 and Padikkal 80 carry India A

Fraser Sheat led the charge for New Zealand A with four wickets on the opening day's play in Christchurch

Pak PM Trolled For Celebrating Win Over India

'I had to Google 'Hong Kong Sixes' just to see what it was, and it turns out to be basically organised gully cricket.'

West Indies need 170 to win after Chase five-for in Dhaka

Jomel Warrican also took a four-for to bowl out Bangladesh for 142

It's Win Or Lose: Ryan Rickelton Sets Stage For Blockbuster South Africa vs Australia Test Finale

The series-deciding final Test between South Africa and Australia is set for a thrilling finish on Saturday, with the series result, the No. 1 Test ranking and crucial World Test Championship points all at stake on the final day.

Auqib Nabi replaces Prasidh Krishna for New Zealand ODIs

Pace bowler Auqib Nabi has been added to the Indian squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand, replacing the injured Prasidh Krishna, who failed to recover from a hamstring injury.

What A Fighter: Dhawan Hails Manishas Historic World Championships Gold

Senior World Championships Wrestling: Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan congratulated wrestler Manisha Bhanwala after she scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Senior World Championships Wrestling, praising her fighting spirit following an extraordinary comeback in the womens 59 kg final in Astana, Kazakhstan. From 0-6 down to becoming a World Champion! What a fighter, Manisha! Youve made the entire nation proud. Congratulations!, Dhawan wrote on X. Manisha produced a remarkable turnaround against the USAs Abigail Nette on Friday, overturning a six-point deficit to secure an 8-6 victory and deliver Indias maiden gold in the history of the Senior World Championships. The Indian wrestler endured a difficult start as Nette established a 5-0 advantage through a four-point throw and an additional point after Indias unsuccessful challenge. A subsequent caution against Manisha extended the Americans lead to 6-0. However, Manisha refused to surrender and opened her account with a stepout point before the break. She carried that momentum into the second period, executing a takedown to reduce the deficit. Another unsuccessful challenge from the American corner handed Manisha an additional point and an opportunity to attack from par terre. She capitalised with a two-point gut-wrench to level the scores at 6-6 before delivering the decisive pressure takedown to move ahead 8-6. Manisha then held her ground against Nettes attempts to regain the advantage and secured a memorable victory. Her journey to the final was equally impressive. She began her campaign with a 6-2 win over Canadas Laurence Beauregard in the pre-quarterfinals before defeating Mongolias Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in the semifinals to book her place in the gold-medal bout. She capitalised with a two-point gut-wrench to level the scores at 6-6 before delivering the decisive pressure takedown to move ahead 8-6. Manisha then held her ground against Nettes attempts to regain the advantage and secured a memorable victory. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder Script World Record With Twin Centuries, End 37-Year Drought

Ryan Rickelton (101) and Wiaan Mulder (115) stitched together a 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket, helping South Africa set a target of 287.

Auqib Nabi added to ODI squad for first three games against New Zealand after injury to Prasidh Krishna

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) took centre stage and announced that pacer Auqib Nabi will be added to the Indian teams ODI squad for the first three ODIs of the series...

BCCI Makes Late Change To Team India's Squad Ahead of New Zealand ODIs

The BCCI have added pacer Auqib Nabi to Team India's squad for the first matches of the upcoming five-game ODI series against New Zealand, starting November 4.

Auqib Nabi added to India squad for first three NZ ODIs

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 31 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi has received an extended opportunity in Indias ODI setup after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) included him in the squad for the first three matches of the five-game series against New Zealand, having initially been picked only for the final two games. The selection committees decision, announced on Saturday, means Nabi will now be available for the entire five-match series, which begins on November 4. His inclusion comes a day after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out of the tour, with the pacer requiring additional time to recover from a hamstring injury and regain the workload needed for competitive cricket. Nabis recent performances in New Zealand appear to have strengthened his case. The 29-year-old was among Indias standout bowlers in the opening unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at Lincoln last week, claiming six wickets and exploiting the assistance on offer from the surface. He was originally named in the India A squad for all three unofficial Tests but was subsequently withdrawn from the groups for the second and third matches. Before heading to New Zealand, Nabi also featured for Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup against Rest of India, where he picked up four wickets. The call-up offers the right-arm seamer another opportunity to establish himself at the international level following an underwhelming start to his ODI career. Nabi made his debut against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30 but endured a difficult outing, conceding 84 runs in 8.5 overs. He was left out of the playing XI for the third and final ODI in Mullanpur, with Mohammed Siraj replacing him. However, his domestic record provides a compelling case for another opportunity. Nabi was central to Jammu and Kashmirs historic maiden Ranji Trophy triumph in the 2025-26 season, finishing with 60 wickets and establishing himself as one of the competitions most effective fast bowlers. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill will captain India in the opening three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer taking over leadership duties for the final two matches. Gill and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul are scheduled to leave the squad after the third ODI to prepare for the subsequent two-match Test series. Indias updated ODI squad for the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (only for the first ODI), Auqib Nabi. Indias ODI squad for fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wk, vc), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav

Former India cricketer heaps praise on NZ, credits them for their plan against Abhishek Sharma in fourth T20I

The Indian team lost the fourth T20I of the ongoing series against New Zealand . The teams met at Eden Park in Auckland for the clash, and the game saw the Black Caps bat first and post a total of 259 runs in the first innings after an exceptional performance with the bat.

Padikkal rescues India A as Jaiswal fails again

Devdutt Padikkal's fluent 80 runs helped India A recover from an early collapse against New Zealand A on Day 1 of the second unofficial Test, reaching 195/6 at stumps.

'Australia faces tough Day 5 chase on slow Newlands wicket'

Australia faces a challenging target of 288 runs against South Africa on a deteriorating Newlands wicket, with the home side's pace attack and spinner Simon Harmer expected to exploit the conditions to clinch the three-match Test series.