CRICKET
Was this the greatest innings Rishabh Pant has played?
Rishabh Pant played an unbelievable, career-defining innings as India came back from certain defeat to quell England in the 3rd ODI.
His unbeaten 125 and Hardik Pandya’s superb all-round display have helped India seal a five-wicket victory and a 2-1 series win over England at Old Trafford.
Pant became the fourth Indian wicketkeeper to score a century in ODIs.
The southpaw raced away to a 106-ball hundred and joined MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid and KL Rahul as the Indian keepers who have scored ODI centuries.
Dhoni tops the list with nine hundreds.
Dravid has four centuries to his name while KL Rahul has scored one, where he was designated as wicket keeper.
Prior to the game, Pant had played 26 matches in which he scored five half-centuries with a top score of 85.
Pant rescues India from brink
Pant came to bat after Reece Topley removed both Indian openers with the score at 21 for two.
India lost skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for 17 runs each after both the batters fell to Reece Topley, while chasing 260.
From there on, he stitched together a partnership of 133 runs along with Hardik Pandya.
Pandya was brilliant as he scored a fluent 71 off 55 balls in the company of Pant.
He was unlucky to lose his wicket to a spectacular catch by Ben Stokes off the bowling of Brydon Carse.
The pair stitched together 133 for the fifth wicket to set up a comfortable win, with Pant going on to score his maiden ton in the format.
The highlight of Pant’s innings was a spectacular burst of explosive hitting when he plundered 5 consecutive boundaries off David Willey.
“Hopefully, I’ll remember my first ODI century for the rest of my life,” Pant said.
“But when I was in there, I was just focusing on one ball at a time. When a team is under pressure and you bat like that, that’s what you aspire to do.”
How the England innings went
England were dismissed for 259 in 45.5 overs after being asked to bat by India.
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj gave the Indians a perfect start by dismissing Jonny Bairstow and Root for ducks in the second over to leave England at 2-12.
Jason Roy (41) and Stokes (27) steadied the ship but Pandya struck in his first over to remove Roy and later dismissed Stokes to put the brakes on.
Moeen Ali then combined with Jos Buttler for a 75-run fifth-wicket stand before he was caught behind off Ravindra Jadeja.
India’s bowlers used the short ball to good effect and Buttler looked shaken up when he was hit twice on the helmet by two bouncers in one over from Siraj.
However, the skipper settled down and looked to push England towards a competitive total.
Then again, Pandya struck twice in the 36th over.
He dismissed Liam Livingstone (27) before getting rid of Buttler (60), with both batters holing out to Jadeja in the deep.
Craig Overton made 32 but the tail was cleaned up by Yuzvendra Chahal who took 3-60.
“We were short on runs,” admitted Buttler.
“We needed a good start with the ball so that was fantastic. We created chances, but two guys took the game away from us, that’s where we lost the game.”
Indian paceman Jasprit Bumrah missed the decider due to a back spasm.
India 261 for 5 (Pant 125*, Hardik 71, Topley 3-35) beat England 259 (Buttler 60, Roy 41, Hardik 4-24, Chahal 3-60) by five wickets
BIG NEWS
Nepal Premier League Becomes a Watershed Moment for Nepali Cricket
The NPL has become a watershed moment for Nepali cricket, elevating the sport to new heights. With its success, the league has brought national and international attention to Nepali cricket, attracting a broader fan base and better sponsorships.
This landmark event showcases the immense talent present in Nepal and provides a platform for local players to shine. The league has paved the way for a new generation of cricketers to gain recognition and advance their careers in the sport.
The NPL has also given Nepali cricket more global exposure. International players joining the league help raise the level of competition, further inspiring the local players. The league’s popularity continues to grow as it evolves and promises to be a cornerstone of Nepali cricket in the years to come.
As the league progresses, it is expected to inspire future stars and increase the overall development of cricket in Nepal. Fans eagerly follow every match, enjoying the thrilling action and supporting their favorite players and teams.
In conclusion, the Nepal Premier League has transformed Nepali cricket, setting the stage for future growth. This momentous development will surely lead to even greater success for Nepali cricket on the international stage.
The NPL has also sparked interest in domestic leagues across emerging cricket nations. It serves as a model for other countries to develop their cricketing infrastructure and provide young talent. As the NPL continues to grow, it is expected to play a vital role in shaping the future of Nepali cricket.
Fans have embraced the tournament, creating a sense of national pride. The NPL’s rise reflects the growing global interest in domestic cricket leagues and their role in nurturing future talent. It’s a significant milestone for Nepali cricket, ensuring that the sport will continue to evolve in the coming years.
BGT
Simon Katich Criticizes George Bailey’s Call to Axe Nathan McSweeney from Australian Team
Simon Katich has sharply criticized George Bailey’s decision to drop Nathan McSweeney from the Australian team. Simon Katich believes this call was a poor decision, especially after McSweeney’s consistent performance. Bailey’s choice has sparked discussions about the selection process and the reasoning behind it.
McSweeney’s exclusion has raised eyebrows, with many questioning why a player with such promise was dropped. Katich, in particular, feels that Bailey’s decision to axe McSweeney is questionable, especially when compared to the struggles of other top-order batters. Both teams in the recent series have faced challenges with their top-order batting, but the Australian selectors decided to make this change.
Katich’s comments reflect growing concerns about the selection strategy and the impact of dropping McSweeney. He pointed out that many players have struggled with their form, yet McSweeney was chosen to be left out. This, Katich argues, highlights the inconsistency in the decision-making process.
Top-order batters in both teams have faced difficulties, with neither side managing to produce consistent runs. Despite these struggles, the decision to remove McSweeney has left fans and experts questioning the rationale behind the move. Some believe that dropping McSweeney might have been premature, given the form of other players.
Katich’s criticism brings attention to the broader issue of player selections in international cricket. As teams prepare for future series, these decisions are likely to influence the direction of Australian cricket. The focus now shifts to how Bailey and the selectors will handle similar challenges in upcoming matches.
The debate continues, with many calling for more transparent and consistent decision-making regarding player selections in international cricket.
BGT
Steve Smith and Travis Head Address BCCI’s Influence in Cricket
Steve Smith recently commented on BCCI’s influence in cricket, sparking debates about its significant role in global governance. During a media interaction, Smith remarked that the International Cricket Council (ICC) appears less powerful than the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This statement drew attention, prompting Smith to clarify his intentions quickly.
Smith acknowledged that the BCCI holds a dominant position in cricket due to its financial and organizational contributions. He pointed out how the Indian board influences key decisions that shape the sport. However, Smith softened his tone, emphasizing that his comments were not meant as criticism of either the ICC or the BCCI.
Travis Head, Smith’s Australian teammate, also addressed BCCI’s influence in cricket. Head humorously referred to the Indian board as “rulers,” recognizing its ability to set global standards in cricket. He highlighted the board’s pivotal role in defining policies and establishing benchmarks for the sport.
These remarks have reignited discussions about power dynamics in international cricket. Critics argue that the BCCI’s financial clout often overshadows smaller cricketing nations. They believe this imbalance can hinder fair representation in decision-making. On the other hand, supporters emphasize the BCCI’s critical role in expanding cricket’s global reach and popularity.
As India hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup, the spotlight remains on the BCCI’s influence in cricket. The board’s central role in shaping schedules, policies, and trends continues to drive conversations about equity in the sport. Smith and Head’s remarks reflect ongoing concerns about maintaining fairness and inclusivity in global cricket governance.
Their comments underscore the need for balanced representation to ensure a fair future for cricket.
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