Sports

IND vs ENG: School kids have gala time at Hyderabad’s Uppal stadium

admin 0

Around 23,000 fans made it through the gates and much to their delight, India had a great day in the field dominating the proceedings

Published Date – 25 January 2024, 11:56 PM


IND vs ENG: School kids have gala time at Hyderabad’s Uppal stadium

The excitement of fans was palpable as the packed stands erupted in loud cheers during the Test match. — Photos: Anand Dharmana

Hyderabad: With Test cricket returning to the city of Hyderabad after a gap of five years, the fans in the city had a gala time with the action-packed first day of the first Test between India and England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, on Thursday.

The last time India played a Test at this venue was way back in 2018. Around 23,000 fans made it through the gates and much to their delight, India had a great day in the field dominating the proceedings.

The first day was also special for school kids as 5,000 from various schools were allowed freely to watch the match. The West Stands in the stadium sported a colourful look with students from various schools in their colourful uniforms. The kids cheered every time India took a wicket or an Indian batter hit a boundary.

The Hyderabad Cricket Association had earlier announced that 5,000 students will be given free entry each day. They were also given free food and water.

With India fielding first, the morning session saw around 21,100 people while the number rose to 23,734 by the time of tea. Army Public School, Takshashila, St Peters and Bhashyam were some of the schools that sent their wards to witness the match.

A few students were also seen displaying placards of their favourite cricketers. Though Indian cricket star Virat Kohli was not part of the Test, many fans were seen wearing the Kohli jersey. The first loudest cheer in the morning was reserved for Hyderabad cricketer Mohammed Siraj who entered the field amidst much fanfare. Incidentally, Siraj was playing his first Test at his home ground.

Fan invades pitch

However, in a major embarrassment, a fan breached the security and invaded the pitch before the Indian innings began. The fan jumped over the fence from South-East stands and ran onto the pitch and touched the feet of Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma. Shell-shocked, the personnel acted swiftly, running on to the pitch to drag the spectator off the field.

Sports

Highlanders take lead in league

admin 0

Villagio Highlanders took the top spot with 196 Points, followed by Lahari Lions and Synthokem Swing Kings with 195 points each at the end of the second round of the World HPGL Season IV

Published Date – 25 January 2024, 11:41 PM


Highlanders take lead in league

Team members of the Vilagio Highlanders in Golconda on Thursday.

Hyderabad: Villagio Highlanders took the top spot with 196 Points, followed by Lahari Lions and Synthokem Swing Kings with 195 points each at the end of the second round of the World HPGL Season IV at the Hyderabad Golf Club at Golconda on Thursday.

Srinath Reddy and Suresh Raju top scored for Villagio with 36 points each. However, it was Nikhil Nanjappa of Synthokem Swing Kings, who took top honours of the day with 38 points, the highest individual score of the league so far.

Group A: Sama (194), Stonex (175), Kshema (178), Mysa (168);
Group B: Alpha (191), Lahari (195), Rough Riders (180), FInvista (184);
Group C: DSR (193), Agile (190), Sharkies (182), Tutoroot (161);
Group D: Meenakshi (196), Villagio (196), Myk (182), Synthokem (195).

Sports

Australia’s world-cup winning captain Pat Cummins named ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year

admin 0

The Australian skipper overcame tough competition from his teammate Travis Head, ODI cricketer of the year Virat Kohli and India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Published Date – 25 January 2024, 11:35 PM


Australia’s world-cup winning captain Pat Cummins named ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year


Dubai: Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins clinched the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2023.

For Cummins, 2023 was nothing short of a fairytale story, a year that saw him lift the ICC World Test Championship trophy, retain the Ashes, and a record-extending sixth World Cup title.

The Australian skipper overcame tough competition from his teammate Travis Head, ODI cricketer of the year Virat Kohli and India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Cummins finished the year with 422 runs and 59 wickets in 24 matches.

The Cummin-led Australian team didn’t have a dream start to 2023 as they ended up losing the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

But they started to turn things around after their WTC success over India and then successfully defended the Ashes series in England.

He spearheaded Australia’s pace attack against England in the first Test and provided a handy contribution of 38 runs to reduce the hosts’ lead to just 10 runs.

In the second innings, he claimed a four-wicket haul to ensure Australia required less than 300 runs to clinch victory.

When Australia found themselves at 192/6, Cummins played a valiant knock to guide his team to a remarkable victory.

Cummins signed off 2023 with his second 10-wicket haul in Test cricket. His efforts with the ball helped Australia win the Test series against Pakistan.

However, the 30-year-old stood out with his captaincy skills in the final of the ODI World Cup. After winning the toss, he put India to bat and introduced part-time spinner Glenn Maxwell to remove Rohit Sharma who was on a destructive path.

Cummins capitalized on the opportunity and removed Shreyas Iyer to put Australia in firm control and restrict India to a score of 240.

In reply, Travis Head’s 137 guided Australia to yet another World Cup triumph.

 

Sports

IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Spinners, Jaiswal give India Day 1 honours

admin 0

England got a taste of what their Bazball is up against in Indian conditions. The Indian spinners, on a pitch that offered a bit of turn and bounce, dictated the terms, dismissing the Three Lions for a below-par 246 in 64.3 overs

Updated On – 25 January 2024, 09:06 PM


IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Spinners, Jaiswal give India Day 1 honours

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in action against England at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad. (Photo: Anand Dharmana)

Hyderabad: England got a taste of what their Bazball is up against in Indian conditions. The Indian spinners, on a pitch that offered a bit of turn and bounce, dictated the terms, dismissing the Three Lions for a below-par 246 in 64.3 overs, on the first day of the first Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, on Thursday.

To make matters worse for Ben Stokes’ side, the Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (76 batting off 70; 9×4, 3×6) showed how the Bazball is played in these conditions, taking India to 119/1 in 23 overs. At stumps, Jaiswal was at the crease in the company of Shubman Gill (14 batting) as India trail by 127 runs.

Jaiswal started off flicking Mark Wood for a boundary on the very first ball and then hit spinner Tom Hartley for a couple of sixes in the second over to clear his intentions. He raced to his half-century in just 47 deliveries. Both Rohit Sharma (24) and Jaiswal provided blistering start adding 80 runs before the senior partner holed out at mid-on off Jack Leach. But Jaiswal never allowed the spinners to settle, finding boundaries at will. His counter-attacking game left the visiting spinners clueless.

Earlier, the duo of Ravichandran Ashwin (3/68) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/88) hunted in packs while Axar Patel (2/33) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/28) chipped in with crucial wickets. If not for the lone battle from the skipper Stokes himself, who made a fighting 88-ball 70, England would have folded up for much less total.

Stokes called it right at the toss and the visitors were off to a decent start making 41 in eight overs before Indian spinners took over. Ashwin struck the first blow removing Ben Duckett (35) in the 12th over when he trapped the batter in front of wickets. Three overs later, Jadeja induced an outside edge off Ollie Pope (2) and Rohit Sharma took a sharp catch at the first slip.

In the next over, Crawley (20) gifted Ashwin his second wicket as he advanced down the track to hit the ball straight to mid-off where Siraj took a brilliant catch as England were reduced from a comfortable 55/0 to 60/3 in the span of five overs. Experienced batters Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow did some damage control adding 61 runs, stitched on either side of the lunch break.

However, Axar Patel produced a beauty that missed Baitstow’s bat and castled his off stump to break the partnership. Jadeja then got the price wicket of Root after the batter went for a sweep only to top-edge it to Bumrah at the fine leg. Axar then accounted for Ben Foakes while Bumrah returned to dismiss Rehan Ahmed cheaply.

Stokes, who took 53 balls to score his first boundary, then opened up hitting Jadeja for three boundaries in the 57th over to take his team past 200-run mark at tea. In the final session, Ashwin got his third scalp castling Mark Wood’s (11) off stump. Though Stokes tried to go big, Bumrah ended the captain’s vigil.

Sports

IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Axar delighted with Bairstow’s dismissal

admin 0

Axar also lauded the way young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal unsettled the England spinners by taking on them from the word go

Published Date – 25 January 2024, 09:10 PM


IND vs ENG, 1st Test: Axar delighted with Bairstow’s dismissal

Axar also lauded the way young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal unsettled the England spinners by taking on them from the word go

Hyderabad: Indian spinner Axar Patel produced a dream delivery to dismiss the English wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow and the southpaw said that he enjoyed the dismissal a lot.

Speaking after the first day’s play of the first Test against England in Hyderabad, the all-rounder said, “That delivery really came off well. We were talking if it turns from there then it would be great because the odd ball was turning. Bairstow took a stance on the fourth wicket to avoid the lbw.”

“So, I thought of bowling at the stumps because he did cut a few shots close to the stumps. That was the plan and the one that turned from there was good and you would have seen my celebration,” he added.

Axar also lauded the way young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal unsettled the England spinners by taking on them from the word go. “We enjoyed the way Yashasvi was batting and he took on the spinners from the very first over. It was very good to unsettle them early.”

Talking about his role in the team given that R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were the main bowlers, Axar said, “I have learned a lot from seniors Ash and Jaddu bhai. I was trying to control the game from my end as they were bowling in partnership. They were taking wickets, so, I was not thinking about taking wickets. I know that if you are playing three spinners then one of them will get a lesser number of overs. They were also telling me what was happening on the wicket and what I should do. It is a privilege to bowl with them,” he added.

He also revealed that the pitch didn’t behave oddly on the first day. “There is spin but the wicket is slow and we know that we did well to restrict them to 246. We can adjust to it as the ball is getting slow after pitching. Yeah, it is a bit challenging as well for the batters but if you bat well then you can make runs here.”

Meanwhile, England opener Ben Duckett felt that they had posted a decent total until Indian openers played in the fashion that put the hosts in control. “I think we”re over par. It was a tricky Day 1 pitch with consistent spin from earlier on. Stokes was fantastic. I just said come down Day 3, Day 4, that could be a match winning knock if that pitch keeps getting harder to bat on,” said Duckett.

However, he also lauded Indian openers. “Credit to them. They played really well and were very attacking. You know, they don”t always go about it like that. So, to go about it that way it shows that they probably think the pitch is going to get quite a bit worse,” said Duckett.

Sports

Virat Kohli wins his fourth ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award

admin 0

The right-handed batsman showcased his all-round prowess by also claiming a wicket against Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup.

Updated On – 25 January 2024, 06:29 PM


Virat Kohli wins his fourth ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award


Hyderabad: Indian cricket maestro Virat Kohli won the prestigious ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2023, adding another feather to his illustrious cap.

This accolade marks Kohli’s fourth ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year title, securing previous wins in 2012, 2017, and 2018. With this, Kohli etched his name in history as the only player to achieve this remarkable feat in the annals of ODI cricket.

Kohli’s remarkable performance in ODIs during the year set him apart, amassing 1377 runs at an impressive average of 72.4 in 27 matches (24 innings) and securing 27 catches.

The right-handed batsman showcased his all-round prowess by also claiming a wicket against Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup.

Kohli registered six centuries and eight half-centuries in 2023, with a standout moment being his record-breaking 50th ODI hundred during the match against New Zealand.

In a historic feat, Kohli surpassed cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar during the World Cup, becoming the highest run-scorer with 765 runs, including three centuries, at a phenomenal strike rate and average of 95.62.

His century in the semi-finals against New Zealand propelled India to the World Cup finals after a 12-year hiatus.

As the cricket sphere applauds Kohli’s phenomenal achievements, the Indian superstar stands as a symbol of cricketing excellence, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

Sports

India dismiss England for 246

admin 0

Electing to bat first, England were off to a decent start with openers Zack Crawley and Ben Duckett negotiating the pacers well. Despite missed edges and beaten deliveries, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and local lad Mohammed Siraj failed to break the opening stand.

Updated On – 25 January 2024, 03:18 PM


India dismiss England for 246


Hyderabad: Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel got turn and bounce on the first day as they ran through England batting order to dismiss the visitors for a paltry 246 on the opening day of the first Test, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, on Thursday.

Ashwin, Jadeja scalped three wickets apiece while Axar and Jasprit Bumrah got two each as Ben Stokes’ side got a reality check on the first day itself. The visitors’ Bazball fell flat. Barring captain Ben Stokes, who himself took 53 deliveries to score his first boundary, waged a lone battle with an 88-ball 70 but others failed to show any stomach for a fight.

Electing to bat first, England were off to a decent start with openers Zack Crawley and Ben Duckett negotiating the pacers well. Despite missed edges and beaten deliveries, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and local lad Mohammed Siraj failed to break the opening stand.

However, the introduction of spin in the 10th over delivered good immediately. England were reduced from a comfortable 55/0 to 60/3 in the span of five overs. Ashwin struck the first blow removing Duckett (35) in the 12th over when he trapped the batter in front of wickets. Duckett reviewed the decision and the replays hitting the top of leg stump. Three overs later, Jadeja induced an outside edge off Ollie Pope where Rohit Sharma took a sharp catch at the first slip.

In the next over, Crawley (20) gifted Ashwin his second wicket as he advanced down the track to hit the ball straight to mid-off where Siraj took a brilliant catch. However, Joe Root (18 batting) and Johnny Bairstow (32 batting) added an unbeaten 48 runs for the fourth wicket to take their side to lunch.

In the fifth over after the lunch, Axar Patel produce a beauty that missed Baitstow’s bat and castled his off stump that ended the 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Jadeja then got the price wicket of Joe Root after the batter went for a sweep only to top-edge it to fine leg where Bumrah took a comfortable catch. Root’s (29) dismissal fastened the England fall as Axar then forced Ben Foakes to edge one to wicketkeeper Bharat while Bumrah returned to dismiss Rehan Ahmed with a slower one that took the batter’s inside edge on the way to wicketkeeper.

Stokes, who took 53 balls to score his first boundary, then opened up hitting Jadeja for three overs in the 57th over to take his team past 200-run mark as they reached 215/8 at tea. On resumption, Ashwin ended Mark Wood’s (11) stay at the wicket in the third over by uprooting his off stump to reduce the visitors to 234/9. In the company of the last man Jack Leach, Stokes tried to wage a lone battle. He did so by smashing Ashwin for a six but Bumrah then got one leaving his defence to hit the middle stump that ended the captain’s vigil and England’s innings in 64.3 overs.

 

Sports

Root surpasses Sachin to become highest run-scorer in India-England Tests

admin 0

Root stepped in the field needing mere 10 runs to outshine Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 2,535 runs in 32 matches against England.

Updated On – 25 January 2024, 02:27 PM


Root surpasses Sachin to become highest run-scorer in India-England Tests

Englands Joe Root plays a shot during the first day of their first test cricket match against India in Hyderabad. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Hyderabad: England batter Joe Root on Thursday surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest run-scorer in India-England Test matches during the series opener against the Rohit Sharma-led side, here at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Root stepped in the field needing mere 10 runs to outshine Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 2,535 runs in 32 matches against England. In the 21st over, with a boundary off Axar Patel, the 33-year-old English batter surpassed Tendulkar’s record, accumulating 2555 in 48 matches.

Root also inscribed his name in World Test Championship history by becoming the first batter to breach the 4000-run mark, amassing a staggering 4016 runs from 48 Tests.

In the ongoing first Test against India, Root’s inning ended on the score of 29 off 60 after he attempted a sweep shot off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja and got caught on the short fine-leg.

Sports

IND vs ENG: Spinners reduce England to 108/3 at Lunch

admin 0

Electing to bat first, England were off to a decent start with openers Zack Crawley and Ben Duckett negotiating the pacers well.

Updated On – 25 January 2024, 12:03 PM


IND vs ENG: Spinners reduce England to 108/3 at Lunch


Hyderabad: Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja made an immediate impact after their introduction to reduce England to 110/3 in the first session of the first Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Electing to bat first, England were off to a decent start with openers Zack Crawley and Ben Duckett negotiating the pacers well. Despite missed edges and beaten deliveries, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and local lad Mohammed Siraj failed to break the opening stand.

However, the introduction of spin in the 10th over delivered good immediately. England were reduced from a comfortable 55/0 to 60/3 in the span of five overs. Ashwin struck the first blow removing Duckett (35) in the 12th over when he trapped the batter in front of wickets. Duckett reviewed the decision and the replays hitting the top of leg stump. Three overs later, Jadeja induced an outside edge off Ollie Pope where Rohit Sharma took a sharp catch at the first slip.

In the next over, Crawley (20) gifted Ashwin his second wicket as he advanced down the track to hit the ball straight to mid-off where Siraj took a brilliant catch. However, Joe Root (18 batting) and Johnny Bairstow (32 batting) added an unbeaten 48 runs for the fourth wicket to take their side to lunch.

Sports

India makes comeback with 7-3 victory against USA in Hockey 5s Women’s WC

admin 0

In the first half, the United States seized the initiative, and Jacqueline Sumfest gave them the lead with a reverse shot finding the bottom corner of the Indian goal

Published Date – 25 January 2024, 11:40 AM


India makes comeback with 7-3 victory against USA in Hockey 5s Women’s WC


Muscat: India secured an astounding 7-3 comeback victory over the United States in their second game of the FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup in Pool C.

The goalscorers for India were Mahima Choudhary (17’), Mariana Kujur (20’, 22’), Deepika Soreng (23’, 25’), Mumtaz Khan (27’), and Ajmina Kujur (29’). Meanwhile, Jacqueline Sumfest (4’, 18’) and Captain Linnea Gonzales (14’) got on the scoresheet for the United States on Wednesday.

The United States took the initiative in the first half, and Jacqueline Sumfest granted them the lead with a reverse shot that found the bottom corner of the Indian goal. India threatened to equalise immediately, but goalie Kealsie Robles stood firm against a flurry of chances, charging out to deny multiple goal-scoring opportunities for India.

The Indian forwards kept piling the pressure on the United States in the later stages of the first half but failed to find the equaliser. With a minute left to play, United States’ Captain Linnea Gonzales intercepted a clearance from the Indian defense and unleashed a close-range shot to double their lead. Mariana looked to get a goal back for India, but Kealsie Robles remained vigilant in goal, swatting away the attempt as the first half drew to a close.

The second half began with India pegging the United States into their own half; the pressure resulted in a challenge which was converted by Mahima Choudhary to present India with their first goal and a foothold in the contest. However, the United States remained unfazed. They were quick to bounce back as Jacqueline Sumfest let loose a thunderous strike from the half-line to restore the two-goal cushion for the United States.

As India looked to get back on level terms, Mariana Kujur was on her toes, deflecting a cross to breach Kealsie Robles’s goal and put India within striking distance. Mariana continued to hound the United States’ defensive line in the second half, pouncing on a loose ball in the United States’s half and flashing a shot past Kealsie Robles to make it level at 3-3.

With renewed vigour, India pushed for another goal, and it was Deepika Soreng who scored from a tight angle to grant India the lead for the first time in the game. Looking to consolidate the lead, India slowed the tempo of the game. Deepika Soreng went on to attempt a shot from a tighter angle, finding the far post of the goal and granting India a two-goal lead in the second half.

The Indian onslaught continued as Mumtaz Khan deflected a scorching pass from Jyoti Chhatri into the goal to further extend India’s lead. With a minute left in the contest, Ajmina intercepted the ball right in front of the goal and scored the seventh goal for India with an easy push.

India will next face Namibia on January 25.