'It's Terrible. It's Un-Australian'
'There is no fight whatsoever. It is disgraceful.'
'My Job Is Not To Make Everyone Happy': Gambhir On Managing India's Deep Squad
Gautam Gambhir: India head coach Gautam Gambhir stressed that his job with the Indian team is ot to make everyone happy and that he focuses on taking ight call rather than popular decisions as he manages a deep T20I squad. India are currently on New Zealand shores for a five-match series, in which they are having an unassailable 3-1 lead. Speaking ahead of the fifth and final match of the series, Gambhir opened up on managing a deep Indian squad. First of all, my job is not to make everyone happy. My job is to take the right decisions, not the popular decisions. And that is what I'm there for. I think sometimes in today's day and age, with so much social media and all that chatter, what happens on the outside, Gambhir told broadcasters ahead of the fifth match at Seddon Park. No, it is very easy to take the popular decision. But for me, I think the important thing is to take the right decision and make sure that there is a lot of security inside the dressing room. Because, as you just mentioned, there's a lot of talent. But again, I think guys have done phenomenally well over a longer period of time. Obviously, they deserve a longer rope. And that is exactly how we approach the series, he added. Gambhir also hailed the team for their performance in the five-match series, despite it being a hectic T20I schedule in the last month or so. India arrived in New Zealand after having wrapped up a five-match T20I series against West Indies at home on October 17. They were on the field in completely different conditions on October 22 for the start of the five-match T20I series in New Zealand and won the first three matches. Obviously it's been a very short turnaround as well. We finished off on the 17th and flew on the 18th. Obviously we had one practice session. Got to give it to the boys, the way they adapted to the conditions. Obviously a lot of boys are coming here for the first time. And we all know how dangerous New Zealand is in their own backyard, Gambhir said. Gambhir also hailed the team for their performance in the five-match series, despite it being a hectic T20I schedule in the last month or so. India arrived in New Zealand after having wrapped up a five-match T20I series against West Indies at home on October 17. They were on the field in completely different conditions on October 22 for the start of the five-match T20I series in New Zealand and won the first three matches. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Snubbed Again As India Make 2 Changes In Playing XI For 5th T20I
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not find a place in India's playing XI for the fifth and final T20I at Seddon Park, Hamilton
'Un-Australian, Deplorable, Disgraceful': Warner Slams Cummins And Co. After SA Humbling
World Test Championship: Australia's humiliating series defeat to South Africa has triggered a savage backlash and mounting calls for changes, with former great David Warner calling the loss disgraceful and un-Australian. Entering day five with 288 to chase down, Australia never looked likely. Losing two wickets in the first over, the visitors found themselves at 6/42 through just 18 overs before bowing out with a measly 111 runs. With this, South Africa won the series 2-1. The result helped South Africa overtake Australia to become the No. 1 ranked side in the ICC Men's Test team rankings and also pushed Australia down to the No. 3 spot in the World Test Championship standings. I'm just upset. Its terrible. Its un-Australian. Theres no fight whatsoever. Its disgraceful, Warner said on Fox Sports. 288, youre winning a Test match; you could win a series. It's on the line. And this is the way theyre playing? A tour of South Africa that began with the Matt Renshaw-inspired visitors claiming a famous victory in Durban ended in ignominy on the fifth day in Cape Town, with an all too familiar batting collapse bringing about a first series loss in more than 1,300 days. I think its deplorable. The batters have let the bowlers down the whole series. Yes, Matt Renshaw showed fight in that first Test, but I think the batters have been disgraceful. What the batters should know is that this bloke here (Rabada) is going to come out firing. And he has done that. If you get through 10-15 overs Warner added. In each of the three Tests in the series, the eventual winner had struggled in the earlier stages of the test before eventually successfully winning the game. Australia were 124/6 in the Durban Test before eventually posting a match-winning first innings total of 390 that contributed to their 214-run win. Similarly, South Africa were 110/6 in the following Test in Gqeberha before posting 425/9 dec and winning the Test by an innings and 31 runs. In the Cape Town Test, South Africa collapsed from 203/1 in the first innings to 329 all out. In each of the three Tests in the series, the eventual winner had struggled in the earlier stages of the test before eventually successfully winning the game. Australia were 124/6 in the Durban Test before eventually posting a match-winning first innings total of 390 that contributed to their 214-run win. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
IND vs NZ fifth T20I: New Zealand opts to field against India
India have made two changes, with seasoned pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar returning to the playing XI, while Varun Chakaravarthy will play his first game on the tour
5th T20I: India Asked To Bat First As Bhuvneshwar, Varun Return
For New Zealand: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner finally won his first toss of the series as he asked India to bat first in the fifth and final T20I of the series at Seddon Park here on Sunday. Having lost all the previous four tosses, Santner had his luck with the coin and opted to bowl first for the fifth rubber as both teams made changes to their sides. India have brought back Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakravarthy as Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel missed out. For New Zealand, Blair Tickner back in for Matt Fisher as both teams rotated their personnel. I just assumed I'd lose the toss. We'll have a bowl. Obviously a new pitch. Might be a little bit of dew later. Have to adapt quickly to the dimensions. If there's a bit of bounce like Eden Park, it will be nice. Obviously, with the bat, we've been good this whole series. Was obviously a bit more in the wicket the other night which was nice for the seamers. One change. Tickner is back, New Zealand captain Santner said at the toss. Meanwhile, Shreyas wanted to bat first anyhow and got his wish despite having lost a rare toss. Great occasion to come here on this historical ground. We were looking to bat, wanted to test ourselves batting first. Auckland, the dimensions were different. But credit where it's due, Phillips played an incredible knock. Two changes, Varun comes in, and Bhuvi comes in. He's been waiting for his opportunity and even in the huddle he gave a beautiful speech today, Shreyas said after losing the toss. Bhuvneshwar was dropped for the previous match after he had not set the stage on fire during the three T20Is where he bowled. Chakravarthy has made a return after missing out on the one-off T20I against Japan and the Asian Games due to an abdominal side strain he picked up during the Afghanistan series. Meanwhile, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remained on the bench after having played only in two matches in this series when he came in for the then-injured Ishan Kishan. India have an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The Men in Blue won the first three matches to seal the series, while the Blackcaps bounced in the fourth match. Both sides look to end on a high note. Playing XIs: New Zealand: Tim Seifert (w), Finn Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner Playing XIs: Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Is This The End For Jadeja In ODIs?
'Jaddu might not come back into the team, but if someone gets injured, the first name that will come to mind will be Jaddu.'
New Zealand field in final T20I; Bhuvneshwar and Varun in for India
India have left out Axar Patel and Mayank Yadav for the dead rubber; New Zealand have replaced Matt Fisher with Blair Tickner
Boyle and Foxcroft make it a long, hard day for India A bowlers
Matthew Boyle and Dean Foxcroft have so far added 205 runs for the fourth wicket, having come together with New Zealand at 13 for 3 in the eighth over
IND vs NZ 5th T20I LIVE score: India look to bounce back in Hamilton after minor hiccup
The stage is set for the fifth T20I of the ongoing series between India and New Zealand. The teams meet at SeddonPark in Hamilton for the clash, and both sides will look to put in...
Jacob Duffy reflects on the prospect of facing Virat Kohli ahead of IND-NZ ODI series
India and New Zealand are all set to continue their ongoing multi-format series. After the conclusion of the T20I leg of the series, India and New Zealand will lock horns across five ODI matches. The...
India vs New Zealand 5th T20I LIVE Score: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi U-Turn The Big Talking Point
India vs New Zealand 5th T20I LIVE Score: Up 3-1 in the series, India square off against New Zealand with the spotlight on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential selection in the playing XI.
India vs New Zealand, 5th T20I Pitch Report, how will surface in Hamilton play?
The stage is set for the fifth and final T20I of the ongoing series between India and New Zealand. The two sides meet at Seddon Park in Hamilton for the clash on November 1st, and both sides will look to put in a good showing. It is worth noting that the Indian team has already won the series but will still look to register a win in the upcoming game and play some good cricket .
South Africa's Simon Harmer Scripts History With 10-For Against Australia In 3rd Test
Way back in 1957, Hugh Tayfield was the first South African spinner to take a ten-fer on home soil against England at Johannesburg, with figures of 4/79 and 9/113 across both the innings.
Harmer makes history in South Africa's stunning win vs Aus
Spinner Simon Harmer made history by becoming only the second South African spinner and the first since the team's re-admission to take a ten-wicket haul on home soil, securing a 2-1 series win over Australia in Cape Town.
Pat Cummins Admits Australia Need To Get Better, Changes Likely To Be Made
Pat Cummins 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.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Trolled Again As Congratulatory Post On Cricket Team Goes Viral
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is once again the target of social media criticism. And yet again, it is for a post on X about the Pakistan cricket team
Fakhar Zaman's Century Powers Pakistan to Thrilling Win Over Sri Lanka in Tri-Series Final
Opener Fakhar Zaman returned to form with a brilliant century to help Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the tri-series final in Lahore on Saturday. Zaman, who overcame a wretched streak of just 31 runs in four matches, smashed a 99-ball 127 to help Pakistan chase down a target of 326 with nine balls to spare. Sri Lanka pacer Dilshan Madushanka ended Zaman's innings in the 34th over with 106 needed for victory but Arafat Minhas (61) and Hasan Nawaz (37 not out) put on 94 for the sixth wicket to seal the win. Minhas hit four sixes and three fours in his 31-ball innings. Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi hit the winning six to send a packed Gaddafi Stadium into a frenzy. This became Pakistan's first tri-series title at home after failing in the finals of the 1994, 2004 and2025 tri-series. Zaman, who cracked 11 fours and half a dozen sixes in his 12th ODI hundred, lifted Pakistan from a disastrous start after Maaz Sadaqat (5) and Babar Azam (0) fell with the total at 14. Zaman added 149 off 140 balls for the third wicket with Saad Baig who scored a 74, bringing up his maiden ODI half-century. Shaheen said he always believed in Zaman. We made a great comeback in bowling and then here was a collapse with the bat again, but Fakhar played a brilliant knock, said Shaheen of the opener who completed 4,000 ODI runs in his 97th match. Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis blamed sloppy fielding. We were short of 25-30 runs but our bowling unit did well which was not supported by mistakes in the fielding, said Mendis referring to Zaman's drop catch on 69. Earlier, Sri Lanka were lifted to 325-8 by Kamindu Mendis, who scored 131 for his maiden ODI century, after Pakistan won the toss and sent the tourists in to bat. Kamindu and Pavan Rathnayake added 146 runs for the third wicket, before Pakistan skipper Shaheen dismissed Kamindu and Dasun Shanaka (17) in the space of two overs. Kamindu and Avishka Fernando (38) helped set Sri Lanka up for a big total as they shared an opening stand of 87 inside 18 overs. Spinner Salman Agha, who took 2-44, provided Pakistan with a double breakthrough, getting rid of Fernando and Kusal Mendis (8). But Kamindu anchored the innings, hitting 12 fours and two sixes, improving on his previous highest ODI score of 64. Pakistan pulled it back in the last five overs, taking three wickets for just 38 runs to stop Sri Lanka from posting a larger total. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Shaheen finished with 2-50 while Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also took two wickets each.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticised the Indian team management's decision to drop Bhuvneshwar Kumar after only three games.
India vs New Zealand Free Live Streaming, 5th T20I Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch
India vs New Zealand Free Live Streaming, 5th T20I Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch
IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Will Sooryavanshi, Kuldeep feature in the final T20I?
India has an unassailable 3-1 lead, but the World champions would certainly not want to sign off with a defeat after dominating the early part of the five-match series
Didn't Feel Bad For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After He Was Dropped: Ex-Star Explains R Ashwin Why
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play in the fifth T20I between India and New Zealand? That will be one question on the minds of his aficionados
It's Un-Australia, Disgraceful: David Warner Tears Into Pat Cummins' Team After 3rd Test Loss
David Warner lost his cool as Australia lost the third Test against South Africa after being bowled out for 111 in the second innings.
India vs New Zealand 5th T20I Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch Live Telecast
India vs New Zealand 5th T20I Live Streaming: Leading the series 3-1, India take on New Zealand in the 5th and final match of the series at Seddon Park.
Virat Kohli Frustrated In Nets, Troubled By Rookie India Pacer Ahead Of 1st ODI: Report
Virat Kohli was left visibly frustrated during a practice session as he faced Auqib Nabi in the nets ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand.
Same Pattern: Shreyas Iyer's 1 Big Captaincy Flaw Brutally Exposed By Ex-India Star
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif called out Shreyas Iyer's captaincy after India's defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Auckland on Friday.
With the series win wrapped up, India captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir could choose to field some different faces in the fifth T20I against New Zealand on Sunday.
India's Latest Move With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is Not Good News, Mohammad Kaif Explains How
Indian cricket team's strategy regarding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is clear. The team management wants to groom the youngster and give him national team exposure as much as possible
Jurel and Padikkal lift India-A on the opening day
Jurel (99 batting, 155b) and Akash Deep (25 batting) were at the crease at close; the eighth-wicket pair has so far added 69 in 18.4 overs
IND vs NZ 5th ODI: Will Sooryavanshi, Kuldeep feature in the final T20I?
India has an unassailable 3-1 lead, but the World champions would certainly not want to sign off with a defeat after dominating the early part of the five-match series
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
Within The First Hour, The Game Was Away From Us: Cummins Reflects On Australias Defeat
World Test Championship: Australia captain Pat Cummins admitted that his side lost control of the third and final Test against South Africa during the opening hour of the final day, saying the hosts capitalised on crucial moments to secure a 2-1 series victory at Newlands on Saturday. Australia suffered a 176-run defeat in the series decider after being bowled out for just 111 while chasing a target of 288. The loss also saw them surrender the number one position in the ICC Test rankings to South Africa, with New Zealand moving to the top of the World Test Championship standings. Reflecting on the contest, Cummins said the match had witnessed several momentum shifts, with Australia initially putting themselves in a strong position before South Africa fought back through their second-innings batting effort. I mean, really ebbed and flowed, didn't it? After a pretty hot start, I think we did brilliantly to take the ten wickets on day one. Gave ourselves a chance. Then, probably fell a little bit behind with the bat, but then a great partnership got us well ahead. And then, ending day three 4 for 40 effectively, in great position, Cummins said after the match. But really tough workout there yesterday. I thought a couple of the partnerships they put on made chasing today a pretty tough task, he added. The Australian skipper felt his side failed to respond adequately to the challenge on the final morning, when Kagiso Rabada removed three batters in a devastating opening spell before Simon Harmer completed the collapse with six wickets. I think the trend of this game was once you got yourself in, there were runs to be scored there, and you could face lots of balls. Probably, within the first hour really, the game was away from us. So just didn't really give ourselves a chance, he said. Australia had taken a 100-run first-innings lead after scoring 429 in response to South Africa's 329. However, centuries from Ryan Rickelton (101) and Wiaan Mulder (115) helped the hosts recover and post 387 in their second innings, setting the visitors a target of 288. Despite the series defeat, the Australian captain backed his team to bounce back, saying the upcoming home assignments would provide an opportunity to regroup and return to winning ways. I think we're a really good side. You know, tough opponents away from home. It's always really difficult. Now, we came here very hopeful and thought we were good enough to win, but we weren't. So, we'll have a couple of weeks to digest it. A couple of big series coming up. But we're going back home, a place we obviously know well. But overall relatively happy with how we're going, he said. Asked how he would look back at the series after some time, Cummins said the outcome had been decided by small moments rather than one major setback, while acknowledging that South Africa had handled those situations better. I think most series that you miss out on, even just individual Tests, it always comes down to little moments. You just wish you had those little moments again and, maybe, a catch went to hand or you opted for something different. It's never one big thing, he said. So, I think throughout this series we've had our little moments. But South Africa were better than us in those moments, he added. I think most series that you miss out on, even just individual Tests, it always comes down to little moments. You just wish you had those little moments again and, maybe, a catch went to hand or you opted for something different. It's never one big thing, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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.
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
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
'Putting Expectations To One Side Was Key: Harmer On His Match-winning Show Against Australia
Cape Town: South Africa spinner Simon Harmer said managing expectations and maintaining control were key to his match-winning performance against Australia in the third and final Test, where he claimed 10 wickets to help the hosts secure a 2-1 series victory at Newlands on Saturday. Harmer was named Player of the Match after returning figures of 4-104 in Australia's first innings and 6-16 in the second. His six-wicket haul in the final innings, alongside Kagiso Rabada's three scalps, helped South Africa bowl out Australia for 111 while defending a target of 288 runs. Reflecting on his performance in the fourth innings, Harmer said focusing on his responsibilities rather than the expectations surrounding him helped him deliver when it mattered most. I think it was just dealing with the expectation, putting that to one side and understanding what I needed to do, getting the ball in the right areas as often as I could. And then as partnerships sort of started to build, to try and play with my pace, my trajectories, the little sort of nuances that I've learned along the way. But yeah, I think it was the biggest thing was just trying to get the win today, and it all worked out all right, Harmer said after the match. The experienced spinner also credited Rabada's early breakthroughs for putting Australia under pressure and creating the perfect conditions for him to attack with players around the bat. Obviously we were in the game the way KG bowled this morning, taking those three wickets. I'm sure they (Australia) would have had a look at that total, but after that it was just about playing out for the draw. And as a spinner on a turning wicket, that's kind of what dreams are made of, he said. So to be able to bowl in that situation, guys around the bat, the theatre, creating pressure, it goes a really, really long way and it makes my job a lot easier. So, today was a hell of a lot of fun. It's been a tough few weeks, but yeah we'll enjoy tonight, he added. Harmer also spoke about the challenges of bowling in different conditions, admitting that he had questioned his performances during the series, particularly after the second Test in Gqeberha. For me I feel the wickets haven't offered as much turn as probably expected come day four and five. Asking myself a lot of hard questions at the end of Test matches, did I really bowl well enough? I think in PE I probably tried a little bit too hard. I was too desperate to try and take wickets, he said. South Africa's victory in Cape Town also helped them clinch the series 2-1 and move ahead of Australia in the Test rankings. The hosts had posted 329 in their first innings before Australia secured a 100-run lead with 429. For me I feel the wickets haven't offered as much turn as probably expected come day four and five. Asking myself a lot of hard questions at the end of Test matches, did I really bowl well enough? I think in PE I probably tried a little bit too hard. I was too desperate to try and take wickets, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
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.
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
Harmer's six-for powers South Africa to series win over Australia, reclaim No. 1 Test rankingv
Digital Desk | Cape Town, Oct 31 (IANS) Simon Harmer produced a match-winning six-wicket haul while Kagiso Rabada claimed three scalps as South Africa bowled out Australia for a mere 111 runs in their second innings to register a memorable 176-run victory in the third and final Test of the series at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday. With this win, South Africa clinched the three-match series 2-1 and reclaimed the number one position in the ICC Test team rankings from Australia. Chasing a challenging target of 288 to win the series decider, Australia were expected to put up a strong fight, especially after the pitch offered relatively favourable batting conditions on the fourth day. However, the visitors' batting line-up collapsed under pressure as Rabada and Harmer dismantled their resistance. Australia resumed on the final day, hoping to chase down the target or survive the remaining 90 overs to secure a draw. However, Rabada struck early blows to leave the visitors struggling at 60/7 at lunch, effectively putting South Africa in complete control of the contest. Rabada set the tone with a devastating opening spell, claiming three wickets for just 14 runs in five overs. He first dismissed Matthew Renshaw for a golden duck before trapping Marnus Labuschagne lbw for two. The pacer then removed Travis Head for 16, completing his 350 Test wickets in the process. Josh Inglis, who had scored a century in Australia's first innings, was run out for four following a misunderstanding with Cameron Green, adding to the visitors' troubles. Harmer then took charge of the proceedings, dismissing Alex Carey for 6 after the Australian wicketkeeper attempted an ill-judged reverse sweep. The spinner followed it up by removing Beau Webster for a duck, caught behind, as Australia continued to lose wickets. Green and Nathan Lyon attempted to delay the inevitable with a fighting partnership after the visitors had lost seven wickets in the first session. However, Harmer eventually broke their resistance by bowling Green for 27 off 110 deliveries. Australia captain Pat Cummins tried to extend the contest alongside Lyon, but Harmer ended his stay by trapping him lbw for 10 in the 54th over. The off-spinner then completed the victory in his next over by bowling Josh Hazlewood for a duck. Harmer returned impressive figures of 6-16 in 21.1 overs, while Rabada finished with three wickets as South Africa completed a comprehensive victory. Earlier, South Africa's remarkable recovery with the bat had laid the foundation for their victory. Resuming the fourth day at 140/4, the hosts rode on centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder to post 387 in their second innings and set Australia a target of 288 runs. Rickelton scored 101 off 219 deliveries, while Mulder made 115 off 221 balls. The duo shared a crucial 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket to revive South Africa's innings after Australia had gained a 100-run first-innings advantage. South Africa had scored 329 in their first innings, while Australia responded with 429 to take a significant lead. However, the hosts turned the contest around with their second-innings batting effort before their bowlers finished the job on the final day. Australia had won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs, while South Africa bounced back with an innings and 31-run victory in the second match at Gqeberha. The hosts then produced a commanding performance in Cape Town to win the decider and take the series 2-1. Brief scores: South Africa 329 & 387 all out in 134.4 overs (Wiaan Mulder 115, Ryan Rickelton 101; Mitchell Starc 3-65, Pat Cummins 2-71) beat Australia 429 & 111 all out in 57.1 overs (Nathan Lyon 33*, Cameron Green 27; Simon Harmer 6-16, Kagiso Rabada 3-39) by 176 runs.
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
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
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.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned the decision to drop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the fourth T20I against New Zealand once Ishan Kishan became available, arguing that the youngster should not be treated merely as a replacement for injured players.
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
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.
How did India benefit as West Indies beat Bangladesh to take 1-0 lead in Test series?
West Indies defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in the opening of the two-match Test series . A dominant batting display from John Campbell and Brandon King proved enough as West Indies chased 170 runs with ease in the fourth innings at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.
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.
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
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.
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
Muzumdar's Big Claim: India Women Poised to Rule White-Ball Cricket
Head coach Amol Muzumdar believes the Indian women's cricket team is poised to dominate white-ball formats within two years, citing a strong talent pipeline from age-group cricket. He emphasizes a coaching philosophy focused on winning, discipline, and intense practice, drawing parallels to his Mumbai cricket upbringing. Muzumdar also highlights team unity and a positive dressing room atmosphere as crucial for success, similar to factors behind India's ODI World Cup win last November.
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
'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.
Kagiso Rabada breaks Dale Steyn's world record with early twin blows in third Test vs Australia
South Africa ace pacer Kagiso Rabada broke Dale Steyns world record in the fourth innings of the third Test against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town. Chasing 288 runs to win the match and the...
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.
