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India’s Test batting line-up is struggling even in home conditions. After a 3–0 whitewash against New Zealand last year, Team India now faces the threat of another clean sweep—this time from South Africa. The inability to chase even modest targets and the repeated failures against both pace and spin have exposed deep cracks in the batting unit. But hope lies in domestic cricket, where several young batters have been piling up runs consistently. These players have shown maturity, technique, and temperament—qualities India desperately needs in the longest format. Here are four promising talents who deserve an early opportunity in Test cricket: 1. Ravichandran Smaran – Karnataka The 22-year-old right-hander has emerged as one of Karnataka’s most dependable batters since his debut in ...

As India struggles in the ongoing Test series against South Africa, former cricketer Shreevats Goswami, who played alongside Virat Kohli in the U-19 World Cup and later at RCB, has said that Kohli made a mistake by retiring from Test cricket. His post on X has gone viral, triggering a fresh debate among fans and experts. India’s batting has collapsed repeatedly in the series. Across three innings, the team has managed just one half-century, reflecting deep issues in the batting lineup. After a heavy defeat in the first Test and another poor start in the second, India is now in danger of facing a second clean sweep within a year. In such a crisis, fans strongly feel the absence of Virat Kohli — one of India’s most successful and passionate Test players. “Kohli Should Have Retired from...

The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises often invest heavily in international stars, expecting them to replicate their global performances. However, some big names, despite their reputation, could not make a lasting impact in the IPL. Here are five such cricketers: 1. Herschelle GibbsSouth Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs was part of the 2009 IPL-winning Deccan Chargers. In 36 IPL matches, he scored 886 runs at an average of 27.68 with a strike rate of 109.78. Among overseas batsmen who scored over 500 runs in IPL history, Gibbs had one of the lowest strike rates. 2. Glenn MaxwellAustralia’s Glenn Maxwell received huge bids in almost every IPL auction, but apart from a few seasons, he struggled to deliver consistently. In 13 IPL seasons, he scored over 500 runs only twice. In five season...

Pakistan’s T20 captain and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has set a remarkable record in international cricket, leaving legends like India’s Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf behind. A Record-Breaking Year for Salman Ali AghaOn 23 November, during the fourth match of the tri-series against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi, Salman Ali Agha played his 54th international match in 2025. This marks the most international matches played by any cricketer in a single calendar year. Surpassing Rahul Dravid and OthersSalman Ali Agha has surpassed Rahul Dravid’s 26-year-old record. Dravid had played 53 international matches in 1999, the previous record for most games in a calendar year. Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf (2000) and India’s former captain MS Dhoni (2007) had also played 53 match...

India’s top-order batsmen struggled in the ongoing second Test against South Africa, prompting former Indian batter Karun Nair to share a cryptic message on social media, which even saw Ravichandran Ashwin react with laughter. South Africa Sets a Big TotalThe second Test of the two-match series is underway at Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first and scored a massive 489 runs over nearly two days, putting India under pressure. Indian Top Order FaltersOn the third day, India’s top order, including KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja, failed to make an impact, leaving the team struggling to save the innings. Karun Nair’s Cryptic MessageOn 24 November, Karun Nair took to X (formerly Twitter) to post...

While one team basks in riches, the other makes do with mere pennies. The recent victories of India’s women’s cricket teams highlight a glaring disparity in rewards. Blind Women’s Team Makes HistoryThe Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team created history by winning the T20 Blind World Cup in Colombo on 23 November, defeating Nepal in the final. This achievement came just 25 days after the Indian Women’s Cricket Team won the Women’s ODI World Cup on 2 November. Both teams are world champions, yet the prize money and match fees reveal a shocking contrast. Prize Money DisparityThe Women’s ODI World Cup-winning team received nearly ₹90 crore in rewards from the ICC and BCCI. In contrast, each player of the Blind Women’s Cricket Team will receive only ₹1–1.5 lakh. Moreover, this reward is be...

In the second Test against South Africa, the Indian cricket team is facing the looming threat of a follow-on. India has not been forced to follow-on at home in Test cricket since 2010. India Under PressureAt lunch on the third day of the second and final Test in Guwahati, India had scored 174/7 in their first innings. South Africa had posted a massive 489 runs in their first innings, leaving India trailing by 315 runs. At the lunch break, Washington Sundar was batting on 33 and Kuldeep Yadav on 14. The Indian team, led by Rishabh Pant, is under pressure to save the follow-on. How Many Runs to Avoid Follow-On?India had lost 7 wickets for just 122 runs before Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar stabilized the innings. The team needs to reach 290 runs in their first innings to avoid the...

India is set to begin a three-match ODI series against South Africa on 30 November, and the BCCI announced the squad on 23 November. With regular ODI captain Shubman Gill sidelined due to a neck injury sustained during the first Test against South Africa, the selectors have made a striking decision regarding leadership. KL Rahul to Lead in Shubman Gill’s AbsenceIn Shubman Gill’s absence, KL Rahul has been handed the captaincy for the upcoming ODI series. Interestingly, Rishabh Pant, who captained the Test side in Gill’s absence, is part of the ODI squad but has not been considered for leadership. This decision has raised questions among fans and cricket pundits alike. The Reason Behind the DecisionA BCCI source, speaking to PTI on condition of anonymity, explained: “KL Rahul’s leader...

Guwahati: The second Test between India and South Africa marks a historic moment for Guwahati, which has now joined India’s Test venues as the 30th city. The match also witnessed a leadership change for India. With Shubman Gill sidelined due to a neck injury, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was named India’s 38th Test captain, making history in India’s 95-year Test cricket legacy. However, Pant could not change India’s ongoing streak of misfortune with the toss. At the Barsapara Stadium, the coin fell in favor of South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma, allowing the visitors to bat first on the red soil pitch. India’s Toss Record Remains BleakIndia has lost the toss in 8 out of its last 9 Test matches, winning only once during this period. Earlier this year, in the five-match series in...

Perth: The first Test of the Ashes series between Australia and England is underway at Optus Stadium, Perth, and Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has been in sensational form. The pitch has already produced thrilling cricket, with both teams bowled out once within just two days, highlighting the challenging conditions. Starc, in particular, has been a nightmare for English batsmen, claiming 7 wickets in the first innings and 2 more in the second so far. A Catch to RememberStarc also pulled off an extraordinary catch in England’s second innings that has gone viral on social media. During the first over of England’s second innings, Starc was bowling to Jack Crawley, who played four consecutive dot balls. On the fifth delivery, Crawley attempted a drive, sending the ball high into...