World number one India suffered a seven-wicket defeat in less than three days as New Zealand completed a 2-0 series sweep in the second Test, in Christchurch, on Monday. India were all out for 124 in their second innings to set New Zealand an easy target of 132 to win the match. The hosts cruised to victory, with openers Tom Latham (52) and Tom Blundell (55) both hitting half-centuries.
Shubman Gill had a good net session on Thursday and it is expected that he would be asked to open the innings alongside Mayank Agarwal if Prithvi Shaw is unable to make it for the second Test against New Zealand, starting in Christchurch on Saturday.
Images from Day 2 of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand, at The Hampshire Bowl, in Southampton, on Saturday.
Images from Day 1 of the second Test between New Zealand and India in Christchurch on Saturday.
Ajinkya Rahane wants to take on the New Zealand pace battery with more intent in the second Test. He has a foolproof strategy, which includes countering the awkward angles which became a nightmare for Indian batsmen during the first Test at the Basin Reserve.
The former India pace spearhead is happy how the team has shaped up in the four games so far, winning two convincingly and losing one to RCB in Super Over and other against CSK in the final over of the match.
The batsmen's inadequacies in adverse conditions were laid bare as India crashed to an embarrassing 10-wicket defeat against a ruthless New Zealand side that wrapped up the opening Test in just over three days, in Wellington, on Monday. Starting the day on 144 for four, India were all out for 191 in 81 overs in their second innings, a shade better after their dismal 165 in the first innings, which eventually proved decisive.
Pakistan were 30-1 at stumps on Day 2, still 401 runs behind New Zealand's 431 in the first innings.
Injuries to frontline fast bowlers have forced New Zealand to opt for fresh blood in their pace attack for the three-match ODI series against India starting February 5 in Hamilton. Kyle Jamieson could be in for a potential debut, while Scott Kuggeleijn and Hamish Bennett return to the squad after a long absence. Injury has meant the likes of Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry are unavailable for the series.
Kolkata Knight Riders outclassed Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets to snap their five-match losing streak in the IPL 2022 match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.
Trent Boult took the prized wicket of AB de Villiers then bowled Dwaine Pretorious in the penultimate over as New Zealand secured a series-levelling six-run victory in the second One-day international against South Africa on Wednesday.
Debutant Ishan Kishan was in awe of captain Virat Kohli during their 94-run stand in the second T20 International against England, in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
SunRisers Hyderabad has the biggest purse while Kolkata Knight Riders has the slimmest purse.
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir expects K L Rahul to have a stupendous IPL campaign when the T20 league resumes in the UAE on Sunday.
Kohli (871 points) and his deputy Rohit Sharma (855 points, ranked two) are out of action for some time due to COVID-19 forced break
Neesham replaced Doug Bracewell in the team while leg-spinner Ish Sodhi made way for Astle.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals in Pune on Tuesday.
IMAGES from the IPL 2022 game between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals in Mumbai on Friday.
One of the biggest turning points of the July 14 final was the overthrow on the fourth ball of the final over bowled by Trent Boult.
India's pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar said the eight-wicket loss to New Zealand is a 'reality check' for the team.
England beat New Zealand in the World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday. The match was tied after both teams scored 241 runs. Following is how the Super Over unfolded.
Their winning momentum punctured after a loss to Rising Pune Supergiants, Sunrisers Hyderabad would look to get back to their winning ways when they take on a struggling Royal Challengers Bangalore in an Indian Premier League Twenty20 match, in Hyderabad, on Saturday.
In an unusual occurrence, India were handed a five-run penalty after Ravindra Jadeja got a second warning for running on the pitch on day two of the third Test against New Zealand in Indore, on Sunday.
Doull said New Zealand were definitely benefited by the two games against England ahead of the marquee clash.
New Zealand's stand-in captain Tim Southee said long periods in bio-bubble takes a toll on the cricketers' physical and mental health and hopes that they don't have to play in protected environments for far too long.
The three early wickets proved a big jolt for Delhi Capitals, who struggled to get going after the horror start against Mumbai Indians in the IPL final.
Rajasthan Royals celebrated their return to their home ground at the Sawai Mansingh stadium with a 10-run win over Delhi Daredevils in the rain-hit Indian Premier League match in Jaipur on Wednesday.
Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma praised the pace-bowling duo of Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah after beating Delhi Capitals by 57 runs in the first qualifier of the Indian Premier League, in Dubai, on Thursday.
New Zealand seamer Trent Boult on Wednesday said that it will be difficult to find a charismatic leader like Brendon McCullum, while admitting that current skipper Kane Williamson is going "through pretty tough time" as a captain. Asked to compare the two, Boult gave an elaborate explanation. "Kane is a classy player and has been ranked as a top batsman for a reason. In a way, he has had pretty tough time walking into the role of captaincy. It has been a learning experience for the whole team to be honest.
Swing and seam friendly conditions, a lack of truly scary Australian bowlers and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum's retirement are all themes that will resonate when the first Test gets underway in Wellington on Friday.
He was the deserving Man-of-the-match for his explosive half-century but SunRisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner credited his bowlers for setting up the win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League on Monday.
Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow and fast bowler Mark Wood produced a rearguard counter-attack to drag England back into the second Test against New Zealand on Friday as the visitors ended the first day at Hagley Oval on 290 for eight.
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Following is the list of players who have been released by the different franchises ahead of the auction for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Mumbai Indians pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah says there is nothing that the bowlers have to change drastically following the hammering they received from Rajasthan Royals in the previous game.
Captain Kane Williamson struck a composed unbeaten century as New Zealand edged past South Africa by four wickets in a thrilling last-over finish.
Trent Boult produced an economical spell of bowling to take three wickets and help New Zealand to a tense three-run win over Sri Lanka in their first Twenty20 international on Thursday.
India captain Virat Kohli acknowledged the need for a "sixth bowling option" but also kept it open-ended when asked about flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya's bowling fitness, stating that the Baroda man "has to be fit to be able to bowl one or two overs."
Pictures from the IPL 2022 game between Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
The win also pushed the Black Caps firmly into contention for one of two berths in June's inaugural World Test Championship final at Lord's.
