CRICKET
4th Test: Any result possible on Day 5
England are on course to chase a whopping 368-run target set by India.
Without losing a wicket on Day 4, the hosts look all set for a tough fight to save the test or even win it.
England are 77/0 on their pursuit to rewrite history.
This will be the highest-ever run chase from the Englishmen if they accomplish it.
They need another 291 runs in 90 overs on Day 5. The biggest target that England have chased down is 362/9 at Headingley.
It’s incredible how India have weaved a web around the hosts, put themselves in the driving seat despite a horrific start to the Test where the entire side was bundled out for merely 191 runs.
England openers stand tall
Chasing a big total is often dependent on how the openers treat the new ball.
So far, the Englishmen will be happy with what they have seen.
After a duck in the first inning, Haseeb Hameed has been in brilliant touch.
The right-handed opener, who is making a case for himself in the Ashes series, has already got 43 runs in the brief play on Day 4.
Burns seems solid on 31* as well.
With how everything looks so far, if the England openers can stretch their stand to 150, the hosts could make history at the Oval.
It was stunning to see how they handled Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.
The India pace cartel kept on testing the openers with variations, but the Burns-Hameed duo looked unshakeable.
Their prolonged partnership was monumental in England’s victory in the third Test as well. So this isn’t something new for them.
Virat Kohli has a Mo problem
Day 4 of the 4th Test had everyone looking forward to Virat Kohli’s crispy cover drives and flicks.
Kohli looked in a sublime shape until he reached 40*.
The Indian skipper then had a long haul with Rishabh Pant where he did not trouble the scorers for a good half hour.
He then departed for 44, courtesy of a brilliant Moeen Ali delivery.
The England spinner got Kohli in a similar manner the English pace cartel has been dismissing him.
Ali got him caught at first slip to Craig Overton.
He looked visibly angry on his way back to the hut.
A video of the Indian skipper punching the door of the dressing room is also making rounds on social media.
Thakur lights the Oval
Shardul Thakur has been superb with the bat.
When it comes to handling Jimmy Anderson and co, the India all-rounder did well under pressure to add a gritty fifty to his name.
Thakur’s 60 off 72 could be the nail in the coffin for the hosts.
Just when the Englishmen were rejoicing the wicket of Kohli, Thakur took charge.
He took a few balls to settle in then went berserk alongside wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
The lefty-righty duo put up a 100-run stand.
After Joe Root got the better of Thakur and Moeen Ali dismissed pant on 50, the tailenders put up a fight as well.
Jasprit Bumrah crisped four fours to score 24 runs.
Umesh Yadav did not hold back either.
The pacer smashed two sixes and a four to score 25 off 23.
Hence, India finished at 466 to set up an intriguing final day.
England 290 and 77 for 0 (Hameed 43*, Burns 31*) need 291 more runs to beat India 191 and 466 (Rohit 127, Pujara 61, Thakur 60, Pant 50, Woakes 3-83)
Ben Curran, brother of England cricketers Sam and Tom Curran, has earned his maiden call-up to Zimbabwe’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The Curran family has deep ties to Zimbabwean cricket, with Ben’s father, Kevin Malcolm Curran, and grandfather, Kevin Patrick Curran, representing Zimbabwe internationally.
The series begins with T20Is on December 11, followed by ODIs and Tests. Ben will feature exclusively in the 50-over format. A left-handed batter, Ben boasts an impressive domestic career, averaging 33.30 in List A and 34.70 in first-class cricket. His inclusion reflects Zimbabwe’s reliance on talent with global exposure.
Zimbabwe’s ODI squad, led by Craig Ervine, also features rising stars like Newman Nyamhuri. The T20I side, captained by Sikandar Raza, includes dynamic players like Blessing Muzarabani and Ryan Burl, signaling a balanced blend of experience and youth for the challenging series ahead.
Following India’s heavy loss to Australia in the first Test of the series, Australian media highlighted key concerns for the Indian team, including Rohit Sharma’s performance as captain. Pat Cummins and his team’s emphatic win by 209 runs sparked discussions about India’s bowling strategy and batting collapse.
Australian newspapers like The Age underscored Mitchell Starc’s lethal bowling display as a stark reminder of his prowess in Test cricket. Starc’s fiery spell dismantled India’s top order, a performance seen as pivotal in Australia’s dominant victory. The media also pointed out the pressure mounting on Rohit Sharma for tactical shortcomings, including field placements and decision-making under challenging circumstances.
India’s batting lineup faltered against Australia’s aggressive bowling, with only a few players resisting. Critics emphasized that the Indian team’s inability to adapt to the pink-ball conditions in Adelaide cost them dearly. The media also praised Australia for its disciplined approach, particularly the consistency of its pace attack, which Starc and Cummins led.
As the series progresses, this defeat puts India under immense pressure to bounce back, especially with the spotlight on Rohit Sharma’s leadership and the team’s resilience. Fans now await India’s response in the next Test.
Chitwan Rhinos delivered a commanding performance to hand Sudurpaschim Royals their first defeat in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) at Kirtipur. Winning the toss, Chitwan set a competitive total of 164/5 in 20 overs, led by Hassan Eisakhil’s stellar 65 off 52 balls. Ravi Bopara added an explosive 36 off 18 balls, while Sudurpaschim’s bowlers Scott Kuggeleijn and Dipendra Singh Airee each picked up crucial wickets.
In response, Sudurpaschim struggled, bowled out for 131 in 18.2 overs. Despite Ishan Pandey’s resilient 35 and contributions from Saif Zaib and Brandon McMullen, Chitwan’s disciplined bowling attack, featuring Kushal Malla and Amar Routela taking two wickets each, sealed the game. Chitwan now sits third on the table, while Sudurpaschim retains second due to net run rate.
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