Karun Nair was run out for 86 in a critical moment, but a strong partnership with Danish Malewar, who remains unbeaten on 138, helped Vidarbha recover to 254/4 against Kerala on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final in Nagpur. Vidarbha's innings struggled initially but was stabilised by the 215-run fourth-wicket stand.
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As India faces Australia in the fifth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground, all eyes are on Virat Kohli, who needs just 36 more runs to surpass Rahul Dravid as India's second-highest Test run-scorer at this venue. Kohli has scored 248 runs in three Tests at the SCG, and a good performance from him could be pivotal for India.
Saim Ayub is undergoing ankle injury rehabilitation in London after fracturing it during a match. Care is being provided by top sports injury experts, with the hope he recovers for next month's Champions Trophy. Ayub, highly regarded by former England captain Nasser Hussain, is part of Pakistan's provisional squad.
Karun Nair set a new world record in the Vijay Hazare Trophy by scoring the most List A runs consecutively without being dismissed, with a total of 530 runs across five unbeaten matches, surpassing the previous record held by James Franklin.
India spinner Varun Chakravarthy expressed his desire for improvement despite a match-winning performance against England in the first T20I. Dismissing key players including Jos Buttler, he used bounce to his advantage and kept the ball away from the hitting arc. Chakravarthy was named Player of the Match but emphasized the need for further development in his skills.
India's vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, emphasized the team's transitional phase following their struggles in the Brisbane Test. He has taken an impressive 18 wickets in the series so far, including a six-wicket spell in the first innings of the third Test in Brisbane, but India's batting disappointed once again. The series is level at 1-1.
Mumbai Indians' debutant Ashwani Kumar impressed with a record-setting spell on his IPL debut, taking 4 wickets for 24 runs. Skipper Hardik Pandya's pep talk boosted his confidence. MI's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey praised Ashwani's performance, highlighting his ability to swing the ball at high pace.
Steve Smith confirms Travis Head will open alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against Sri Lanka, with Sam Konstas being considered for the middle order. Smith notes the experience will benefit Konstas, even if he doesn't play, recalling his own development in similar situations.
Kevin Sinclair led the West Indies spin attack as Pakistan struggled to 76 for 4 after day two in the second Test. The West Indies set a challenging 254-run target, needing 6 more wickets to level the series. Kraigg Brathwaite contributed a crucial 52 for the tourists.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav's over-aggressive approach in the ongoing T20I series against England has been critiqued by former England captain Michael Vaughan. Vaughan suggests that Surya should focus on spending time in the middle and choosing the right balls to hit, emphasizing the need for sensible batting to rebuild innings.
The International League T20 is back for its third season with an impressive commentary team and thrilling cricket. The opening ceremony will feature Bollywood stars and hosts Dubai Capitals will face defending champions MI Emirates. Top international stars will participate, making the event a must-watch for cricket fans.