England captain Alastair Cook is still hurting after the Test series defeat by Pakistan but believes his side are equipped to strike back against the world's number one team in South Africa. As he prepared to fly out with his team to South Africa on Thursday, Cook, who has never won a Test series against the Proteas, described just how important a victory will be."It would mean a huge amount to beat the world number one nation in their backyard," the 30-year-old, leading the current fifth-ranked Test nation, told a news conference. "That's the challenge we've got ahead of us.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's wicket-keeping skills in the Test format has came under scrutiny yet again with former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe saying that the Indian captain has become a mere "stopper" due to burnout and attrition.
Joe Root hit an unbeaten century as England beat India by 86 runs to level the three-match series at 1-1, in Lord's in London, on Saturday.
India's lower order put on a rock-solid show to help the hosts take a slender lead.
India captain Virat Kohli and off-spinner R Ashwin put on splendid performances to put the hosts in the driver's seat on Day 3 of the 2nd Test. Here are the statistical highlights from the day's play from the match played between India and England in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
The BCCI also wrote a few words wishing luck to the former SA captain.
Rajneesh Gupta throws up all the numbers from Test encounters between India and South Africa.
Rajneesh Gupta highlights all the important numbers from cricket World Cups held between 1975 to 2015.
The maestro wants a repeat of the teamwork from the current pace battery.
When South Africa's AB de Villiers scored the quickest century on Sunday, he broke more than just an ODI record. Here is how the South African has rewritten cricketing history.
South Africa's Farhaan Behardien reckons that the batsmen will have to be smart with shot-selection
Rajneesh Gupta highlights the six top performances by Indian spinners in Tests abroad since the 2000s began.
Rajneesh Gupta presents the numbers from the first Test.
In a three part series, Rajneesh Gupta highlights all the important numbers from cricket World Cups held between 1975 to 2015.
South Africa's Quinton de Kock was probably already feeling the most pressure of his fledgling international career before captain AB de Villiers dumped even more of it on his shoulders.
Josh Hazlewood and Brad Haddin set new milestones as Australia, replying to India's first innings score of 408, ended Day 2 in the second Test at the Gabba on 221 for four. Check out the day's days statistical highlights.
Statistical highlights of a Group B ODI match of the ICC Champions Trophy between Pakistan and South Africa in Birmingham on Monday night.
The 8th Champions Trophy begins in England this week. Rajneesh Gupta captures the tournament in all its statistical glory like only he can.
Rajneesh Gupta surveys the cricketing milestones from the Mohali Test.
In what turned out to be one of the most one-sided matches in recent times, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's young side outclassed the hosts in all departments, first bowling them out for 123, their lowest total in the series, and then romping home in 21.5 overs.
Ahead of the three-match series, commencing in Dharamsala on Friday, Rajneesh Gupta presents a recap on battles between the two sides over the years.
United States President Barack Obama has nominated Nisha Desai Biswal as the new assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs.
How many Tests has India won in South Africa? Who first captained India in South Africa in 1992-1993? Rajneesh Gupta answers all your questions.
AB De Villiers required just 31 balls for his genius to propel him to the fastest ever one-day international century, a matchless masterclass that left even Chris Gayle bowing in admiration as South Africa walloped West Indies on Sunday.
Statistical highlights from the day's play
Last season's early elimination still fresh in his mind, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir, on Saturday, said his team would not take anything for granted.
Jimmy Anderson is the first Englishman to take 500 Test wickets.
He is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of the modern era. Extreme pace with the ability to swing the ball both ways makes Dale Steyn a complete pacer. The South African speedster reflects on his 11-year old career at the international stage. How did the dream of playing cricket begin for you and when did it start taking shape? I was about 10 or so when I first came in contact with cricket. I was visiting my family in Zimbabwe and played the game in the backyard. And I remember when I got back to school after the vacations in January, everyone seemed to be playing this crazy sport called cricket. I joined the party and since then there has been no looking back. Why fast bowling? I did everything when I was growing up. I was an opening batter in primary school, but fast bowling was one thing that I was always better at than anybody else. I started playing Men's club cricket at a very young age. I was like this little 14-year old playing against full grown men who were 25 years and upwards. You know, you start to get this confidence that you can get grown men out. Your own teammates fill you up with a lot of confidence when they see you get a great batsman out. I was lucky enough to be a part of the Northern Titan Cricket Academy. This was the same time when the 2003 World Cup was on and I got a chance to bowl to all the international pros who came for practice, made them jump around a little bit and built confidence from there.
Virat Kohli hit a splendid century but Mitchell McClenaghan claimed four wickets to lift New Zealand to a thrilling 24-run victory against India in the first One-Day International in Napier.
The veteran Sri Lankan batsman, who will retire from One-Day Internationals at the end of the World Cup, is on a record-breaking spree.
Rajneesh Gupta glances at the history of this fascinating 21st century cricketing rivalry.
Sri Lanka, who won the last edition of the World T20 in 2014, have 21 wins from 31 matches in the six editions of the tournament, while India have 17 victories from 28 games. Check out the records of the previous five editions of the World T20.
A look at the players' record and their individual performances ahead of the two-Test series.
'This was not the cleanest game of cricket you've ever seen -- there were too many flubs and fumbles for that. But it was certainly the semi-final this mostly blah tournament has needed -- two tough, well-rounded teams, toe to toe, slugging it out, bleeding and drawing blood until there was only one left standing.'
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