'They have a belief that they can go and win anywhere.'
Rain played spoilsport on Day 2 of the first Test between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval. It caused three interruptions, but in the 30 overs that were bowled, Australia captain Michael Clarke did well to fight off pain and score 128, and Steve Smith a career-best 162 not out, as India's hapless bowling attack got a beating. At stumps, Australia were 517 for 7. A look at the statistical highlights from the start-stop day.
Australia captain Michael Clarke retired hurt on 60 with a lower back injury on day one, but after a sleep-deprived night of treatment and pain-killing injections, the 33-year-old's courageous 128 helped drive the hosts to 517 for seven by stumps against India in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia opener David Warner paid a fitting tribute to his deceased teammate Phillip Hughes, scoring a rollicking 145 before India dealt three quick blows at the fag end to share honours on an emotionally charged opening day in the first Test in Adelaide on Tuesday. Statistical highlights from the day's play.
Religion is but one trait where intolerance manifests itself. We come across 'chosen' races, communities, political ideologies, economic systems, all lending themselves to discriminatory arrangements, which trample the rights of those considered beyond the pale of whatever is the favoured calling.
Rajneesh Gupta gives us a list of noteworthy statistics from first-class and Ranji Trophy
Indian great Sachin Tendulkar remains the gold standard of batting in the post-Bradman era but Virat Kohli's latest masterclass in Sunday's World Twenty20 shootout against Australia has prompted comparisons with his famous compatriot.
Rajneesh Gupta surveys the bowling landscape in India-Australia Tests.
Looking back, the Indians had rubbed their hands in delight at the variety of marquee events at home the sporting calendar of 2017 offered, and they now look forward, with optimism and anticipation, to a challenging 2018.
David Warner hit a sparkling 145 from 163 balls before India captured a flurry of late wickets to reduce Australia to 354 for six at stumps on Day 1 of the first Test in Adelaide.
As late Australia cricketer Phillip Hughes made his final journey in this world, cricketers, politicians and family members paid homage to the Sydney batsman.
Indian swashbuckler Virat Kohli says the added responsibility has left no room for complacency in his batting and that has helped him achieve the record-breaking feat.
Captain Virat Kohli scored a record-breaking fourth double hundred as India's batsmen came up with a dominating performance to pile up a massive 687 for 6 declared on the second day of the one-off Test against Bangladesh, in Hyderabad.
Legendary South African batsman Barry Richards feels Virat Kohli is a few notches above his contemporaries in the Indian team but still has some way to go before one can compare him with the iconic Sachin Tendulkar.
His 39-ball 66 blitz may have helped Australia amass a massive 348-runs lead, but middle order batsman Joe Burns reckons that spin will play a major role as the fourth and final Test against India heads into the penultimate day.
The day belonged to Smith, who has now scored six Test hundreds against India in the last seven appearances and in the process also completed 5000 runs in Test cricket.
India are leading the five-match series 3-0 and should they taste success in the final Test, it will be their biggest against England, the previous being the 3-0 whitewash in 1992-93 under Mohammed Azharuddin's captaincy.
Former Australia captain Richie Benaud, the celebrated 'voice of cricket' in the commentary box, has died at the age of 84 after battling skin cancer.
Cricket aficionados' love, even passion, for their "god" Sachin Tendulkar is unlikely to recede even after his playing days.
Steve Smith led the way with another good knock as Australia raced to 251 for 6 and a lead of 348 over India before rain stopped play at the end of the fourth day in the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. Statistical highlights from the day's play.
New players from India and abroad have caught the attention of brand managers.
Australia's spin legend Shane Warne has called for changes to all formats of cricket in order to bring about a better balance between bat and ball and sustain the interest of fans.
This is the car major's second coming in India.
Can 2018 top its predecessor in Sporting Glory?
Rediff.com takes a look at few of Virender Sehwag's best knocks.
A game that is synonymous with the values of fair play and sportsmanship was left heartbroken at the loss of one its favourite sons, a kid from a banana plantation who dared to dream big.
Full text of Kevin Pieterse's Pataudi Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru
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
'He may be a scientist, a poet and a brat. And in addition to all this, Virat Kohli is also cricket's No 1 Rollerblade-Artist,' says Sreehari Nair.
'Narendra Modi might not have made 145 in Maharashtra, but it is definitely true that the Congress, and other dynastic parties, are well and truly stumped.'
So India lost its first World Twenty20 game on Tuesday night. Maybe, we fielded the wrong team :) Haresh Pandya picks 11 India greats who never played the shortest format, but can take on any team in the World T20 championships.
India ended an utterly forgettable tour of New Zealand by drawing the second and final Test at the Basin Reserve (Wellington) on Tuesday. Captain Brendon McCullum became the first New Zealand batsman to hit a triple century, a knock that helped stage an incredible turnaround that ensured his team a memorable series win.
'SBI is already too big. Too big to fail.' 'It already is a moral hazard. What will it do with 20,000 branches that it cannot do with 14,000, especially in these days of online and mobile banking?'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Australia will not be at the periphery of India's vision but at the centre of its thought, as he called for closer bilateral security cooperation and a comprehensive global strategy to tackle the menace of terrorism.
'Of the 32 captains who have led India in Test cricket, only four have been pure bowlers -- Ghulam Ahmed, Venkatraghavan, Bishan Bedi and myself.' 'The captain must lead with only one idea in mind -- to win the game. The draw mentality is partly because captains lacked confidence and partly because they want to protect their record. If you don't think winning is the point of the game, there is little point in even entering the field.' 'As the Monekygate controversy raged, I received a message from Bishen Bedi, no stranger to controversies himself. "As a captain," he wrote, "take a decision you will be proud of when you look back on history".' Anil Kumble, cricketing legend, on the Art of Captaincy.
Final Test: Exit Sachin Tendulkar, by writer-journalist Dilip D'Souza, is a close scrutiny of the batting legend's last Test, against the West Indies, at the Wankhede stadium, in Mumbai, last November.
Prem Panicker, a keen follower of the game and one of cricket's finest writers, analysed, debated and dissected the four semi-finalists on the Rediff World Cup Chat on Monday.
The full text of the speech delivered by VVS Laxman at the Pataudi Memorial Lecture in Kolkata.
Haresh Pandya picks his all-time best Indian Test team which is packed with some exciting stroke-players, a couple of heavy-scorers known to play monumental innings, some superb spinners, a world-class all-rounder and a top-notch wicketkeeper. Check out his list and then create your own Dream India XI, and share it with family and friends!
