Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, legendary figures in Indian cricket, share a deep mutual respect. Their bond has been crucial to Indian cricket's success. Dhoni transitioned to a mentor role and supported Kohli's career profoundly. Their friendship, characterized by guidance and camaraderie, continues robustly even after Dhoni's international retirement.
Joe Root, following his 34th Test century at Lord's against Sri Lanka, conveyed his unwavering desire to score more runs and enhance his performance. Root acknowledged the impact of the dynamic approach introduced by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, stressing the need for continuous improvement and evolution in cricket.
In the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's, England established a strong lead with Joe Root’s 34th Test century, scoring 103 in the second innings. Setting a target of 483, Sri Lanka concluded the third day at 53-2. The match sees Sri Lanka facing a significant challenge to avoid defeat.
Joe Root surpassed Alastair Cook's record of most Test centuries for England, achieving his 34th century in the second Test against Sri Lanka. Cook praised Root, calling him England's greatest. Root has accumulated 12,377 runs at an average of 50.93 in his career. Root's highest individual Test score is 254.
India's participation in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan is under debate. Former cricketers Rashid Latif and Danish Kaneria have opposing views on the safety of Indian players. Political tensions may lead to a hybrid model in Dubai, similar to last year's Asia Cup arrangements. India last visited Pakistan in 2008.
England led by 256 runs at Lord's after bowling Sri Lanka out for 196 on Day 2 of the second Test. Gus Atkinson's maiden century ensured a commanding position. Despite Kamindu Mendis scoring 74, Sri Lanka remained in trouble in their first essay. England decided not to enforce follow-on and ended the day at 25 for 1 in their second innings.
On the second day of the Test at Lord's, Sri Lanka fell 231 runs short of England's first innings total of 427. Only Kamindu Mendis showed significant resistance with a score of 74. England's seam attack was effective, sharing the wickets evenly. England chose not to enforce the follow-on, prioritizing strategic goals and player management.
Joe Root's 33rd Test century bolstered England to 358 for 7 on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's. Root, alongside Gus Atkinson's unbeaten 74, helped recover from early dismissals, giving England a strong start as they strive for a series lead.
Suresh Raina advises not to overlook Bangladesh’s potent spin attack in the upcoming Test series, labelling it as essential prep for India’s Australia tour. He supports BCCI's approach in featuring top players in the Duleep Trophy. Raina also praised Rishabh Pant for his performance in India's recent T20 World Cup victory.
Lucknow Super Giants' owner Sanjiv Goenka revealed that Zaheer Khan would be the team's new mentor. Responding to rumors, Goenka dismissed the idea of spending Rs 50 crore on Rohit Sharma, emphasizing the impracticality. LSG's goal is to create a balanced squad, rather than focusing on a single marquee player, to maintain team strength.
Babar Azam is once again facing scrutiny after scoring 0 and 22 in the first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The hosts lost the match on the final day by 10 wickets due to a dramatic batting collapse. Babar's continued poor form has drawn attention from both fans and critics, raising concerns about his performance.
Lucknow Super Giants have welcomed Zaheer Khan as their mentor for the upcoming IPL season, focusing on building a solid cricket culture. Team owner Sanjiv Goenka appreciates Khan's winning approach. Topics like player retention, including KL Rahul's future, team dynamics, and potential interest in The Hundred are also discussed.
Umran Malik's swift rise in the IPL led to an India call-up, but he hasn't played for the national team in over a year. Former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey attributes this to Malik's limited red-ball experience, emphasizing the necessity of First-Class cricket in developing a bowler's skills and endurance for sustained success in international cricket.
The West Indies secured an eight-wicket victory over South Africa, completing a 3-0 T20 International series sweep in a rain-affected third match at the Brian Lara Stadium. Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran guided the chase to reach the revised target of 116 runs in 13 overs, achieving it in just 9.2 overs with an aggressive batting strategy.
Newly elected ICC Chairman Jay Shah, at 35, emphasized Test cricket as a priority and expressed his commitment to elevating the global game. Shah, who succeeds Greg Barclay, acknowledged the transformative time for cricket, particularly with its upcoming Olympic debut in 2028, and outlined plans to support women’s and differently-abled cricket.
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, expressed readiness to earn a Test spot despite a strong start in T20s. After an injury following his Test debut, Yadav stated his commitment to red-ball cricket remains paramount. He praised coach Gautam Gambhir for giving players freedom, aiding their performances in the recent series win against Sri Lanka.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed frustration over the lack of quality backup players after Pakistan's 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first Test. This defeat, Pakistan's first in 14 Tests against Bangladesh, highlights ongoing struggles. Naqvi identified systemic issues in player development and selection, emphasizing the need for structural changes within Pakistan cricket.
Rinku Singh, omitted from India's main squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, was named a reserve player, sparking discussions. Post-announcement, Rohit Sharma encouraged Rinku, emphasizing future opportunities and perseverance. Rinku expressed admiration for Rohit’s leadership, highlighting his positive outlook despite the exclusion, and acknowledged both Rohit’s and Virat Kohli’s captaincy styles.
Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan credited his success to Dilip Vengsarkar and Sandeep Patil for their crucial selections. Patil insisted on Dhawan's inclusion in the 2013 Mohali Test, resulting in a memorable debut century. Earlier, Vengsarkar pushed for Dhawan's inclusion in the 2004 Under-19 World Cup, where he excelled as the highest run-getter.
Pakistan's road to the World Test Championship final became nearly impossible following their defeat to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Currently eighth on the points table with just two wins in six matches, Pakistan now need to win all their remaining eight Tests to advance. India and Australia remain the top contenders for the final.
Cricketer Ahmed Shehzad criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board's strategy and selection policies following Pakistan's historic 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the Rawalpindi Test. Shehzad blamed the PCB for making short-term decisions that led to the decline of Pakistan cricket, equating the situation to the downfall of Pakistani hockey. He called for introspection and changes within the PCB.
Rohit Sharma, who emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 648 runs at an average of 81.00, including five centuries, later expressed his belief that MS Dhoni should have batted at number four. In the crucial semi-final, Dhoni batted at number seven, scoring 50 runs off 72 balls before being run out by Martin Guptill.
Shaheen Shah Afridi got engaged to Ansha, the second-eldest daughter of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, in 2021. Their nikah took place in a private ceremony in February last year, followed by a week of wedding celebrations and Ansha's rukhsati in September 2023. Afridi is expected to rejoin his team ahead of the second Test, scheduled to begin in Rawalpindi on August 30.
A controlled 64-run partnership between Joe Root and Jamie Smith guided England to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first Test at Old Trafford on Saturday. Root dug in after England had made a shaky start to chasing a modest victory target of 205, reaching his half-century off 108 balls. The second Test starts at Lord's on Thursday.
The Bengaluru Blasters and Hubli Tigers' Maharaja Trophy match etched its name in the annals of cricket history when the game required three Super Overs to determine a winner, an unprecedented occurrence in the sport. Led by Manish Pandey, the Hubli Tigers emerged victorious against Mayank Agarwal's Bengaluru Blasters after the standard 20 overs and two Super Overs failed to break the deadlock between the two teams.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, celebrated for his unflappable composure during cricket matches, harbors an intense affection for motorcycles that rivals his dedication to the sport. His enthusiasm for two-wheeled machines is common knowledge among his supporters and cricketing peers. Dhoni's impressive motorcycle collection spans from vintage classics to cutting-edge superbikes, reflecting his diverse tastes.
Dinesh Karthik explained the omission of MS Dhoni from his all-time India XI, admitting that he forgot to include a wicketkeeper. Karthik emphasized Dhoni's significance, stating he would have placed Dhoni in the No. 7 spot and made him captain if the oversight hadn’t occurred. Karthik’s selection underscored the depth of Indian cricket talent.
To emphasise this point, Dravid recalled two finals during his nearly three-year tenure as Team India head coach—one in Ahmedabad and the other in Barbados. The first was the 2023 World Cup final on Nov 19, when Travis Head survived a probing spell from India’s newball pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami before his 137-run knock broke a billion Indian hearts.
Jamie Smith's latest Test fifty took England into a narrow first-innings lead in their series opener against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford on Thursday. England were 259-6 in reply to Sri Lanka's 236, a slender advantage of 23 runs, when a combination of bad light and rain forced an early close to the second day of the three-Test series. Smith, promoted up the order to No 6 in the absence of injured captain Ben Stokes, was 72 not out -- the 24-year-old wicketkeeper's third fifty in his four Tests.
At Old Trafford, Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya delivered a stunning ball reminiscent of Shane Warne's "Ball of the Century" to dismiss England's Harry Brook on day two of the first Test. Brook, who had scored 56, was deceived by a perfectly pitched delivery that spun sharply, clipping the top of off stump. This crucial wicket shifted momentum back to Sri Lanka, underscoring the enduring magic and significance of spin bowling at this iconic venue.
Rohit Sharma, as a captain, strikes a balance between granting autonomy and demanding responsibility from his team members during matches. His composed manner allows him to encourage players to express themselves freely on the field while establishing well-defined standards of performance. When the situation calls for it, Rohit offers helpful critique to his teammates. If an individual fails to meet the required standards, Rohit's understated but expressive responses convey his thoughts effectively without the need for verbal communication.
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid on Wednesday said the support staff strived to carry the energetic "team atmosphere" from the ODI World Cup in 2023 to the T20 showpiece, and the approach helped the team to end a barren run in ICC tournaments. Dravid masterminded India's triumph in the T20 World Cup in the Americas before signing off from his role as the head coach in June this year.
Star batter Rohit Sharma on Wednesday said former head coach Rahul Dravid, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and BCCI secretary Jay Shah backed him to the hilt in his effort to extract the best from players without worrying about results, eventuating in India's T20 World Cup triumph under him.
Rohit Sharma won 'Men's International Cricketer of the Year' at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards 2023-24, while Rahul Dravid received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award.' Virat Kohli was named 'Men's ODI Batter of the Year,' and Mohammed Shami 'ODI Bowler of the Year.' Yashasvi Jaiswal and R. Ashwin won Test honors. Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma were also recognized.
Mayank Yadav was a standout player in IPL 2024, delivering fast-paced bowling for Lucknow Super Giants before an injury cut his season short. Despite his promising performance, doubts remain about his participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series, with experts suggesting he be eased back into first-class cricket for better development and injury management.
This marks the most significant hurdle to date for the planned Disney-Reliance merger, which aims to create the largest entertainment company in India. The resulting entity would rival Sony, Zee Entertainment, Netflix, and Amazon, boasting a portfolio of 120 TV channels and two streaming platforms. The CCI has asked that the companies provide an explanation within 30 days as to why an investigation into the matter should not be initiated.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's impressive start to his international career is yet to earn him an ODI cap, and according to Dinesh Karthik, the 22-year-old youngster will remain a "back-up opener" for India as far as the 2025 Champions Trophy is concerned, where Shubman Gill is likely to continue opening with skipper Rohit Sharma.
Jay Shah is considered as one of the most influential faces in the ICC board room. He is currently the head of ICC's all-powerful Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee. As per ICC rules, the chairman's election comprises of 16 votes and now a simple majority of nine votes is required (51%) for the winner. Earlier, to become the chairman, the incumbent needed to have two-third majority.
The batsman cemented his place in history as the first Samoan player to hit a century in international cricket. His game-changing knock of 132 runs from a mere 62 deliveries proved to be the catalyst for Samoa's second victory in the tournament. Visser's outstanding innings featured an impressive tally of 14 sixes.
The review panel consists of six members, including Tom Harrison, the former chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and Sana Mir, the former captain of the Pakistan women's team. The panel will collaborate with independent consultants to conduct the review.
Karun Nair turned back the clock in the most entertaining fashion for the Indian cricket fans on Monday with his unbeaten knock of 124 in just 48 balls for the Mysore Warriors against the Mangalore Dragons in the Maharaj Trophy T20 tournament at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Warriors won the rain-shortened match by 27 runs (VJD method).
In the red-ball leg of South Africa's tour of the Caribbean, the home team suffered a 1-0 defeat in the two-Test series that was part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle. The Windies now seek to maintain their impressive form in the T20I format, having emerged victorious in four out of their last five bilateral T20I series.
Ishan, who marked his return to red-ball domestic cricket in the match, scored 107 off 114 balls in the first innings, with his century coming off just 86 balls. The left-handed batsman delivered the goods again in the second innings with an unbeaten 41 to take Jharkhand to a narrow two-wicket win.
The BCCI declined to host the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, shifting focus to the UAE as the likely venue. Bangladesh remains keen despite its situation. Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka are also contenders. The ICC will decide this week. Malaysia will host the 2025 U-19 Women's T20 World Cup after Thailand's withdrawal.
Deepti Sharma led London Spirit to a thrilling victory in The Hundred Women's final, hitting a match-winning six with 4 runs needed off 3 balls. Her unbeaten 16 off 16 balls guided the team to a four-wicket win while chasing 116. Despite a tense situation at 110-6, Deepti remained composed under pressure. Earlier, Welsh Fire posted 115-8, with Jess Jonassen top-scoring. London Spirit's first Hundred title was sealed by Deepti's heroics, capping an outstanding tournament for her.
Delhi cricket has finally got a showpiece event. The inaugural Delhi Premier League T20 got underway with a glitzy opening ceremony at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday evening.
Keshav Maharaj took three wickets to lead South Africa to a 40-run win over West Indies in the second Test in Georgetown on Saturday and become his country’s most successful spin bowler.
Rishabh Pant made a cautious return to competitive cricket, scoring 35 off 32 balls in his Delhi Premier League debut for Purani Dilli 6 against South Delhi Superstarz. While the knock lacked his typical explosiveness, it highlighted his evolving approach. Pant's comeback was celebrated by the DDCA and BCCI for his key role in India's recent T20 World Cup win, where he scored 171 runs and excelled as a wicketkeeper.