Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

World Test Championship: India and New Zealand get ready for the ultimate test

World Test Championship: India and New Zealand get ready for the ultimate test

INDIA face New Zealand in the inaugural World Test Championship final at the Hampshire Bowl on Friday (18), a clash that have a potential to impact cricket's popularity globally.

New Zealand are battle-hardened thanks to a 1-0 series win against England completed on Sunday with a dominant eight-wicket win at Edgbaston after a draw at Lord's.


The Blackcaps, who won in Birmingham despite making six changes, are set to welcome back captain and star batsman Kane Williamson and pace spearhead Tim Southee.

India on the other hand have named their playing XI where they have picked spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin to make up a five-man bowling attack.

Many cricket fans around the world would be happy to see New Zealand, a country with a population of around five million, compared with India's 1.3 billion, win a major global title after their agonising Super Over loss to England in the 2019 World Cup final at Lord's.

There is also widespread admiration for the way a well-balanced side has made the most of slender resources.

In the lead up to the final, India have not played a competitive game since the end of March and have had to make do with an intra-squad practice match while undergoing quarantine.

But they proved their strength in depth when an injury-hit side recovered from the humiliation of being dismissed for 36 in the first Test in Australia to win a four-match series 2-1 with a sensational chase in Brisbane in January - and that without inspirational captain Virat Kohli.

With Kohli now back in charge of a side that also features Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane as well as Ashwin, with a pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah - India will definitely take the field to emerge as champions.

More For You

Salah scored a decisive penalty in the 63rd minute to help Liverpool overcome Girona, debutants in the tournament. (Photo: Getty Images)
Salah scored a decisive penalty in the 63rd minute to help Liverpool overcome Girona, debutants in the tournament. (Photo: Getty Images)

Champions League: Liverpool extend winning run; Real Madrid back on track

MOHAMED SALAH'S penalty maintained Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a victory over Serie A leaders Atalanta.

Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain secured a crucial win against Salzburg, and Bayer Leverkusen edged past Inter Milan to move into second place in their group standings. Aston Villa, participating in the competition for the first time in 41 years, continued their impressive form with a 3-2 win over Leipzig, leaving them in third place.

Keep ReadingShow less
The exchange occurred after Siraj dismissed Head and pointed toward the Australia dressing room. (Photo: Getty Images)
The exchange occurred after Siraj dismissed Head and pointed toward the Australia dressing room. (Photo: Getty Images)

ICC penalises Siraj, Head for heated exchange during Adelaide Test

INDIA fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and Australia batsman Travis Head were fined for misconduct on Monday following an on-field exchange during the second Test in Adelaide.

Siraj was fined 20 per cent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he gave Head a send-off following his dismissal for 140 in Australia’s first innings.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cole Palmer celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal from the penalty spot during the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on December 8, 2024 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
Cole Palmer celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal from the penalty spot during the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on December 8, 2024 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Chelsea come from behind to beat Tottenham 4-3 and go second

COLE PALMER converted two penalties as Chelsea overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Tottenham 4-3 on Sunday, moving to second place in the Premier League standings.

Early goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski gave Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou a strong start. However, Chelsea capitalised on defensive lapses to extend their unbeaten Premier League streak to seven matches.

Keep ReadingShow less
For India, the defeat added to their struggles at Adelaide, recalling their 2020 collapse when they were bowled out for their lowest-ever Test score of 36. (Photo: Getty Images)
For India, the defeat added to their struggles at Adelaide, recalling their 2020 collapse when they were bowled out for their lowest-ever Test score of 36. (Photo: Getty Images)

Australia beat India by 10 wickets to level series at Adelaide

AUSTRALIA defeated India by 10 wickets in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, levelling the five-match series 1-1.

The hosts delivered a dominant performance with both bat and ball to secure victory on day three of the pink-ball Test.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bumrah’s Brilliance: Travis Head lauds Indian pacer ahead of Adelaide test
Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah’s Brilliance: Travis Head lauds Indian pacer ahead of Adelaide test

AUSTRALIA’S batsmen were dominated by Jasprit Bumrah in Perth, but Travis Head said they were looking forward to another round against the Indian spearhead, who he believes will be come to regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in history.

Captaining India in place of Rohit Sharma, Bumrah took eight wickets to lead the tourists to a resounding 295-run win in the series-opener at Perth Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less