Cricket

New Zealand tour of India 2021

India head coach Rahul Dravid has successfully led India to its first Test series win against India after taking over the reins permanently. The veteran Indian coach was appointed head coach after the T20 World Cup and but now faces a selection dilemma ahead of South Africa. India are set to travel to South Africa for a Test and ODI series. "Good to see the boys step up and take their opportunities, we were missing a few seniors, but the youngsters have taken their chances. Jayant (Yadav) found it difficult yesterday but came up well this morning. A lot of these guys don't get the opportunity to play a lot (of Test cricket), but it's nice to see them do well, especially the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Mayank Agarwal, Axar Patel and Jayant," Dravid said after India’s win in Mumbai. &nbsp;Dust is yet to settle after the win against New Zealand, but the eyes are already on the upcoming tour to the Proteas. Players like Shreyas Iyer, Mayank Agarwal have showcased why they can't be ignored for the future. Shreyas score a hundred on debut at Green Park while Mayank was sensational with the bat in the Mumbai Test with a hundred and fifty. Rahul also emphasized that he has clear communication with the players. Players like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are struggling for form while injuries to Ishant Sharma have also not produced his best. With players like Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shammi also waiting in the wings, Dravid faces a tough selection problem to have. The South Africa tour could see headline names missing if Dravid and company decide to drop big names.

new-zealand-tour-of-india-17-nov-2021

Selection headache for SA tour concerns Rahul Dravid after Mumbai win

New Zealand batter Mark Chapman who scored 63 runs added a unique record to his name. After scoring 63 runs off 50 balls against India in the first T20I of the three-match T20I series, Chapman became the first ever player to score half-centuries for two different nations in T20I cricket. Chapman who made his international debut for Honk Kong in 2013 scored his first T20I half-century against Oman in 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 27-year-old Hong Kong-born New Zealand batter was also the vice-captain of the side for the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 and Asia Cup 2016 qualifiers. In 2018, after committing to Auckland cricket, he expressed his desire to represent New Zealand in the future and was dropped from Hong Kong squad for the 2018 Cricket World Cup qualifiers. &nbsp;&nbsp;Representing New Zealand from February 2018, for the Trans-Tasman tri-series, Chapman was added to the T20I squad. On February 13, 2018, the left-handed batter made his T20I debut for New Zealand against England and became the sixth player in the history of cricket to play for two different nations. So far, the Kiwi batter has played 12 T20Is and has scored 206 runs for the BlackCaps with an average of 25.75. &nbsp;&nbsp;The southpaw had also scored his first ODI century for Hong Kong. He made his ODI debut for Hong Kong in 2015 against UAE in World Cricket League fixtures. The left-handed batter went on to score 124 runs off 116 balls, becoming the first-ever Hong Kong player to score a century in ODI cricket. With his blistering knock, he also became the first batter from the associate nations to score a century on their ODI debut. The southpaw has only two scores above fifty in T20I format and coincidently both are the same score (63).

Mark Chapman creates unique record with two 63-run knock six years apart

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is not happy with Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s performances of late. Inzamam feels Pant has not lived up to expectations in the middle order, including his inconsistent run in recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2021 where India got knocked out at the Super 12 stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I had a lot of expectations from Rishabh Pant. The way he has performed in the last two years, I rated him highly. I saw him play in Australia, then against England when they toured India earlier this year. The conditions he played in. I thought that like Dhoni, when the top order fails, he makes up for it at the bottom. I felt that Pant is that sort of player. But during the World Cup, he didn’t live up to my expectations,” said Inzamam on his YouTube channel.&nbsp;In the run chase of 165 at Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur, Pant scored a run-a-ball 17 to help India get over the line. But Pant struggled to hit big shots and played as many as five dot deliveries (excluding leg byes. His only boundary came off the fourth delivery of the last over when he hit Daryl Mitchell over mid-off to finish off the match.&nbsp;“He appeared under pressure. Earlier as well, he has been under pressure but he always used to hit his way out of it. So lately, he hasn’t lived up to my expectations. He scored 17 off 17 but having said that, he is a treat to watch. He must have realised it and I’m certain he will improve his game,” he added.&nbsp;Despite India cruising towards target in the middle overs, the wickets of skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav put pressure on India in death overs of run chase. Despite single-digit scores from Shreyas Iyer and debutant Venkatesh Iyer, India won the match with two balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the series. India will play New Zealand in the second T20I on November 19 in Ranchi.

Inzamam-ul-Haq not happy with Rishabh Pant's run-a-ball 17, regrets comparing him with MS Dhoni

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill surpasses India’s former T20I skipper Virat Kohli to become the leading run-scorer in T20Is. Guptill went past Kohli’s tally of runs in the second T20I at JSCA International Stadium Complex Stadium, Ranchi.&nbsp;&nbsp;Before the clash, Guptill had 3,217 runs from 110 matches and needed 11 more runs to get to the top of the list. The hard-hitting opener achieved the milestone with a boundary off Bhuvenshwar Kumar in the first over of T20I. The 35-year-old scored 14 runs in the first over including three boundaries and a couple of runs. He got out after scoring 31 runs from 15 deliveries including three fours and two sixes. Deepak Chahar got his wicket for the second time in the series.&nbsp;He was dropped by KL Rahul on the fourth delivery of the innings. The veteran could not pick the knuckleball bowled by Bhuvneshwar but survived as Rahul could not hold on to the ball upon impact. He also got his first boundary with a thick edge that went past the first slip fielder.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We got to knockout stage in the T20 World Cup, so that was good. The other night we were just a little short of where we wanted to be with the bat. It's all about contributing to the team and doing whatever I can to get us to win. I contributed a bit with the bat in the T20 World Cup and took it very deep against Scotland. I just want to go out tonight and do the same things that I have been doing. There is no guarantee in T20 cricket,” the Kiwi opener had said before the second T20I.&nbsp;In the first T20I, Guptill scored 72 runs from 40 deliveries including three fours and four sixes. He top scored for New Zealand and helped them post 164/6 in the first innings in Jaipur.&nbsp;&nbsp;Guptill's competitionOn the other hand, Kohli has scored 3,227 runs from 95 matches at an average of 52.04 including 29 half-centuries. While Kohli has been rested for the T20I series, India’s newly-appointed T20I skipper Rohit Sharma is the third batter with more than 3,000 runs in the format. Before the second T20I, Rohit had 3,086 runs from 117 matches at an average of 32.82 including four centuries and 24 half-centuries.&nbsp;

Martin Guptill dethrones Virat Kohli from this T20I batters list

The India we expected in T20 World Cup showed up at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. The new-look Indian side led by Rohit Sharma took an unassailable lead in the three-match series with an seven-wicket win over New Zealand. With toss going India’s way, the top order batters made short work of the par total set by the Kiwis, chasing down the total with 15 balls to spare. The win also marked a series-winning start for Rohit Sharma-Rahul Dravid duo.&nbsp;Rahul-Rohit dominationThe attacking duo took on the Kiwi challenge head-on and created, equalled a few records midway. India were right on track in the run chase with 45 runs in the powerplay overs. They accelerated in the middle overs and hit Kiwis out of the game with a flurry of fours and sixes. Rohit hit as many as five sixes in his innings in his 36-ball 55. On the other hand, Rahul scored 65 runs off 49 deliveries including six fours and two sixes. The two shared a dominating 117-run opening partnership.&nbsp; Pant finishes it off after hiccupsAfter Rahul’s wicket, Venkatesh Iyer was promoted up the order. With Rohit following him back to the dressing room in the 16th over along with Suryakumar Yadav, India needed to finish off the run chase instead of dragging it till the last over like the previous game. Pant ensured that the game does not go any further with consecutive sixes off James Neesham to end the run chase early making up for the run-a-ball 17 in the previous encounter. Lightning start for KiwisDropped in first over by KL Rahul, Martin Guptill looked in prime of his hitting abilities in the powerplay overs. Guptill took on Indian pacers during his 31-run knock off 15 deliveries including three fours and two sixes. Daryl Mitchell also contributed from the other end as the BlackCaps posted 64 runs in the powerplay overs. However, Guptill’s carnage ended early as Deepak Chahar got his wicket in the second consecutive game.&nbsp; Ashwin-Axar make Kiwis struggleRavichandran Ashwin has been in impressive form after his five-year absence from the T20I team. Ashwin took the solitary wicket of Tim Seifert but gave just 19 runs from his four overs. Bowling in tandem with Ashwin, Axar Patel troubled Kiwi middle-order as well. The left-arm spinner got the wicket of half-centurion of previous game, Mark Chapman. Also, he conceded 26 runs from four overs.&nbsp; Harshal’s T20I debut &amp; silent death oversThe purple cap winner of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 made an impact straightaway on his T20I debut. Patel bowled a couple of overs in the middle and brought back to bowl in death overs. First, he got the wicket of Mitchell in his second over. In death overs, he took the wicket of Glenn Phillips after getting hit for a six in the 17th over and bowling a no ball. He came back well in his next over conceding just six runs in the penultimate over. The 30-year-old gave just 25 runs from his four overs and picked up a couple of wickets. In last 23 balls, not a single boundary was scored. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Chahar kept the Kiwi lower-middle order quiet and restricted them for 153/6.&nbsp;

Rohit, Rahul execute attacking brand of cricket to take impregnable lead in T20I series

Ahead of the final T20I of the three-match series between India and New Zealand at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, Avishek Dalmiya has said that the Bengal association has ensured that not only players and staff but groundsmen will also be in the separate bio-bubble and use masks, sanitizers and other safety kits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Following the safety protocols, New Zealand’s recce team seemed quite happy after analysing all the arrangements at Eden Gardens.&nbsp;“We have shown them [Zealand recce team] the route, how things would function and what exactly is expected from the association, as far as the safety point of view is concerned. So we explained them the entire functioning of the bubble, which they found it to be in order and which they have also liked it,” the CAB chief told Sportskeeda.&nbsp;Moreover, the CAB president revealed that the recee team had suggested them to arrange separate PPE kits and face shields for the groundsmen.&nbsp;“Yes, one suggestion that they have given is that, the groundsmen should be wearing the PPE kits and face shields. Not that every stadium has that facility, but we keep the staff also in the bubble. So we ensure that the groundsmen and other support staff are not only tested but they are also part of the bubble. So they are lesser vulnerable than the others. But since they have asked for that, we will try to cater to it,” Dalmiya added.&nbsp;Earlier, the West Bengal Government had allowed Sporting complexes to operate on 70% capacity. The overall seating capacity of Eden Gardens stadium is approximately 68,000 which means around 47,600 fans can witness tonight’s contest between India and New Zealand live from the stadium.

‘The groundsmen will be wearing the PPE kits and face shields’: CAB president ahead of IND vs NZ third T20I

India whitewash New Zealand in the “meaningless” (pun intended) three-T20I series with a massive win by 73 runs in the dead rubber at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Despite the talk around T20I series getting started within 72 hours of the T20 World Cup 2021 final, this will go down as India’s second T20I series win on the trot as they had whitewashed the Kiwis in their own backyard last year.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2020, India had beaten New Zealand 5-0 in the T20I series. Even if Kane Williamson was absent from the team, New Zealand more or less had the same set of players who featured in the Super 12 clash in T20 World Cup 2021 barring the injured Devon Conway. As a result, even if the outside noise including a former Kiwi player Mitchell McClenaghan says that the series was played by a tired bunch of Kiwis, it is a whitewash nevertheless.&nbsp;Kiwi batting collapseNew Zealand opener Martin Guptill turned out to be only batter who posed a threat against Indian bowlers. While Guptill scored 51 runs from 36 deliveries including four fours and four sixes, he barely had support from the other end. Chasing 185, New Zealand were reduced to 30/3 in the fifth over.&nbsp;&nbsp;Axar Patel derailed the Kiwi run chase early with three big wickets. New Zealand’s T20 WC semi-final hero got out for a score of five whereas Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips were dismissed for a duck. With Guptill getting out in the 11th over to comeback man Yuzvendra Chahal, the run chase went from bad to worse. After the veteran’s wicket no other Kiwi batter could make an impact as they were bundled out for 111 in the 18th over. In the end, Lockie Ferguson did provide some entertainment with a couple of sixes but it did not make any difference. The 73-run win is India's biggest against New Zealand in the format.&nbsp;Harshal Patel continued his good run picking two wickets in his second T20I game. On the other hand, the designated all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer got his maiden T20I wicket. Venkatesh bowled three overs, conceded 12 runs and picked up one wicket.&nbsp;&nbsp;Big-hitting throughoutAt Eden Gardens, we got a glimpse of how India will approach T20Is while batting first. India got off a flier with 69-run partnership in the powerplay overs. Skipper Rohit Sharma who won his third toss in the row, went on a boundary-hitting spree while Ishan Kishan complimented him from the other end. Even the wickets of Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant did not slow down the run rate. Rohit kept hitting and scored his 25th half-century in the format. He scored 56 runs from 31 deliveries before losing his wicket in the 12th over.&nbsp;The Iyers (Shreyas and Venkatesh) did some damage control after Rohit’s wicket and the run rate picked up again. The cameos were followed by another set of cameos as India’s bowling all-rounders Harshal and Deepak Chahar contributed with 11-ball 18 and an unbeaten 8-ball 21 respectively. In the end, India managed to post 184/7 on the scoreboard leaving enough for their bowlers to defend.

India whitewash New Zealand again to win 'meaningless' T20I series with record margin

In Rohit Sharma’s T20I series as the permanent T20I captain, he handed Venkatesh Iyer his debut cap as the team’s designated all-rounder. After winning the toss at Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur and opting to bowl, Rohit also revealed that Shreyas Iyer is making a comeback along with Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel. Shreyas, Deepak and Siraj were in India's reserves for T20 World Cup 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;In Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is going to lead the pace attack after an impressive run in the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2021. It will be interesting to see where Venkatesh bats in the absence of Ishan Kishan from the playing XI.&nbsp;Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021’s second phase, the sensational Venkatesh opened the innings alongside Shubman Gill. He scored 370 runs from 10 matches including four half-centuries. He was impressive in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy too for Madhya Pradesh with 155 runs from five innings including a half-century.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Everyone who plays cricket aspires to play for the country, so I feel good that I've been presented with this opportunity. Feels good to play under Rahul (Dravid) sir, I'm really excited and looking forward to it. As a cricketer you got to be flexible, and I'll look to capitalise on the role I've been given. I'm ready to bat at any position, or bowl whenever I've been asked to. It's wonderful to play in front of the (Indian) crowd, it's great to have them back,” Venkatesh told the broadcasters before the match.&nbsp;India Playing XI:&nbsp;Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj&nbsp;New Zealand Playing XI:&nbsp;Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (c), Todd Astle, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Venkatesh Iyer makes his T20I debut as India's designated all-rounder: Here are the all changes for 1st T20I

India registered their fifth consecutive T20I series win at home with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Tim Southee’s New Zealand in Ranchi T20I. This is also India’s second consecutive T20I series win over New Zealand. Virat Kohli-led India had whitewashed New Zealand 5-0 when they toured them in 2020.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the Ranchi T20I, the Indian team achieved a unique feat even before a ball was bowled. With Harshal Patel’s debut, India now have 94 debutants in the format equalling South Africa and Pakistan. Australia are on the top of the list with 98 T20I debutants so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;As India made short work of New Zealand’s par total, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma also equalled and broke a few records. The opening duo became the first Indian pair with five consecutive fifty-plus stands. The 117-run opening partnership was their fourth century stand. The Indian pair has also equalled record of most opening century stands. Pakistan’s Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan and India’s Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit also have the same number of 100-plus partnerships.&nbsp;&nbsp;Within a short time frame, Rohit and Rahul have put on 1,000-plus runs in partnerships becoming the second Indian opening pair to do so.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 53-run knock was Rohit’s 29th fifty-plus score in T20Is. The Indian opener equalled Virat Kohli’s record of most fifty-plus scores in the format. However, Rohit has four centuries and 25 half-centuries compared to Kohli’s 29 half-centuries. Rohit also became the fastest to hit 450 sixes in international cricket in his 404th innings going past former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier in the first innings, Martin Guptill went past Kohli to become the leading run-scorer in the format. Before the match, Guptill needed just 11 runs to surpass the former Indian T20I skipper.&nbsp;

Most opening century stands to second-most debuts in T20I cricket: All records created in IND vs NZ 2nd T20I clash

Ahead of the first Test of the two-match series in India, New Zealand cricket team has demanded special khichadi and famous sweets of Kanpur after they arrived at the destination. The first Test of the series is scheduled at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur and the Kiwis have demanded different kinds of cuisines before the contest.&nbsp;The speciality of Kanpur’s khichadi&nbsp;&nbsp;The khichadi is different because of the addition of a special Kanpur’s mixture of spices. The ingredients include spicy mixtures, salt and pepper. Moreover, the khichadi is served with Ghee in order to neutralize the spiciness. In addition, to better its taste, pickle, lemon, onion and coriander are also sprinkled on it.&nbsp;Different meals for both teamsFor breakfast, the BlackCaps will be served a variety of salads and sweets. While for dinner, they will have meat, fish and special khichadi. In the evening snacks, they will have soups, plain biscuits, fruit cakes and a mixture of various kinds of nuts. At dinner also, they will be having khichadi and pasta.&nbsp;New Zealand will enjoy their lunch in the form of khichadi sweets, sugar-free drinks and red meat while Indian players will be served corn and millet bread with yellow arhar lentil.&nbsp;&nbsp;After the heavy meal, the Indian team will be served veg biryani, mutton biryani and vanilla ice cream. On the other hand, kiwis will get chicken, pasta and fresh fruits.&nbsp;Players from the Indian Test squad arrived in Kanpur on Friday (November 19). All the players are staying in the hotel Landmark Tower. Players will have typical Kanpur hospitality during their stay and will be served with a special variety of dishes as per their demands. The remaining squad will join them after the final T20I of the ongoing series which will be played on November 21 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

New Zealand team demands special khichadi and sweets of Kanpur

Ahead of the first Test of the two-match Test series against New Zealand at Green Park in Kanpur, India’s interim vice-captain Cheteshwar Pujara has indicated that the prodigious Indian opener, Shubman Gill will come back into the playing XI after missing out on England tour.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Rahul bhai (Dravid) is there, he will give the best guidance. So I think he will just have to play his natural game. I can’t reveal the position he will bat at, but he is well prepared and I am sure he is looking forward to this series,” Pujara told the reporters in a virtual press conference.&nbsp;However, India’s dependable batter has refused to confirm the batting position for Gill. It remains to be seen whether Gill opens with KL Rahul in absence of Rohit Sharma or bats in the middle-order. India will be also be without services of skipper Virat Kohli who will return to the fold for the second Test in Mumbai. On the other hand, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been rested for the Test series&nbsp;“Can’t reveal that at this stage. But see, he (Gill) is a talented player and definitely he will be part of the team. So someone like him, you know he doesn’t need to worry too much, he has been playing good cricket for a couple of years since he has made his debut. It was unfortunate that he missed out on England, but he is a talented player, and I don’t think personally I will need to tell him much,” the right-handed batter added.&nbsp;Injury had forced Gill to return home early from England tour as he struggled with shin issues. Now, in the absence of Rohit, the 22-year-old has come back in the Test squad and in high likeliness, any two from Mayank Agarwal and Gill will open the innings.&nbsp;&nbsp;India Test squad:&nbsp;Ajinkya Rahane (Captain),&nbsp;KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

‘He is well prepared and looking forward to this series': Pujara hints at Gill’s inclusion for 1st Test

November 25, 2021, this date is going to be of great significance for Shreyas Iyer's family as he made his Test debut at Green Park, Kanpur against New Zealand. Iyer got off to a brilliant start with an unbeaten 74 on Day 1 of the first Test that helped Indian from three wickets in the second session. After Iyer was handed his debut cap by legendary Sunil Gavaskar, the Mumbai batter's father Santosh revealed a heartwarming story behind not changing his WhatsApp display picture (DP) for the past four years. Earlier, the senior Iyer had kept the profile photo of his son Shreyas carrying the trophy after India defeated Australia 2-1 in the home series in 2017.&nbsp; “I have had this DP since then (2017). I have never changed it because I always wanted to remind him (Shreyas) that this (playing Test cricket for India) should be his ultimate goal. I am thrilled it’s finally happening,” Santosh told mid-day while expressing delight at his son's debut. “Test cricket is the real cricket. I always wanted him to play Tests. Today, that dream will come true. My wife and I are absolutely delighted,” Shreyas’ father added. Furthermore, Santosh believes that in the absence of India's big guns, the two-match Test series against New Zealand at home is a wonderful opportunity for his son to make a major statement. “We always wanted him to play Test cricket. I have been telling Shreyas to try for a Test spot. He always used to say that it will happen. So, that’s what has happened now. Honestly, we were not expecting it to happen against New Zealand. I will be on my toes, certainly. We expect him to perform well. It is a big opportunity since other stalwarts are not in the team,” Santosh concluded.&nbsp;Iyer will have a chance to become 11th Indian batsman to score a Test century on debut. &nbsp;

Shreyas Iyer's father reveals the story behind not changing his WhatsApp profile photo for 4 years 

After a dismal showing with the ball in the Kanpur Test, India fast bowler Ishant Sharma has gained plenty of criticism from all corners. The 33-year-old pacer went wicketless at Green Park and now faces a tough challenge to retain his place in the team, according to former England pacer Steve Harmison. The former pace bowler believes Ishant is not worthy of a place in the team. "For me both seamers were also below par in the first Test match, for the life of me I don’t understand how Ishant Sharma got another game of Test cricket after what he did in England, so for me, I'd bring [Mohammed] Siraj in for him. The three spinners bowled well enough, so they'll be the only changes I make," Harmison said on his Youtube channel.&nbsp;Missed milestone It’s worth noting that Ishant was on 311 wickets coming into the Kanpur Test and was pepped to go past Zaheer Khan's tally. However, below par performance in the match have hampered his place in the starting eleven. Mohammed Siraj is waiting in the reserves to make an impact. Umesh Yadav though should make the cut in the second Test in Mumbai starting December 3. While Indian pacers got just two wickets, Kiwi pacers claimed 14 out of 17 Indian wickets.&nbsp;Question mark over South Africa ticket The Delhi-born seamer has been in a tough run of form. The 33-year-old's last notable display came two years ago against Bangladesh. Mohammed Shami is another player who is not available for the ongoing series as he was rested. With the South Africa tour soon approaching Ishant needs to make an impact to be on the flight on December 8. Team India will leave for South Africa next week with the first Test starting in Johannesburg on December 17. While Harmison remains critical of Ishant, England are also in for a tough fight with the Ashes beginning down under on December 8 with new Australian skipper Pat Cummins taking on Eoin Morgan’s England.

'I don't understand how Ishant got another Test after what he did in England': Steve Harmison

It turned out to be a monumental day of Test cricket as India came out on top to beat New Zealand in the second Test. In doing so India got their revenge on New Zealand after losing the World Test Championship (WTC) final in Southampton in June. The 372 run margin win in Mumbai is India’s biggest win in terms of runs in Test match cricket. Ravichandran Ashwin was adjudged ‘Man of the Series' for his 14 wickets in the series and contribution with the bat while Mayank Agarwal was adjudged ‘ Man of the Match’.&nbsp;New Zealand batting no match to the Indian bowling attack&nbsp;India were at their ‘A game’ having set a target of 540 runs to chase for New Zealand. New Zealand while chasing the target of 540 were hardly in the game as Indian spinners dominated them right from the word go. They lost constituent wickets in both innings as they were bundled out for 62 in the first innings while things were not different in the second innings. Daryl Mitchell showed some resilience in the second innings but there was no gas left in the tank for the Blackcaps.&nbsp;Mayank Agarwal and Ravichandran Ashwin turn the screw for India&nbsp;Mayank Agarwal was the hero for the Indian team with a hundred in the first innings as he smashed 150 in the first innings followed by 62 in the second innings. There were question marks on who will start as the openers for the team while India also struggled with injuries on Day 1. Mayank though showed his class and underlined his importance in the team.&nbsp;While Ajaz Patel was enjoying the track with a 10-wicket haul, it was the Indian spinners magic that ultimately decided the contest. Ashwin took eight wickets in the match with four each in both innings. The former World Cup winner proved to be the decisive factor in the end as he demolished the opposition batting lineup.&nbsp;Missing Kane Williamson&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Captain Kane Williamson was not available for selection for the Kiwis as he sustained an elbow injury. The skipper's absence ultimately proved to be the decisive factor and was the missing piece in the puzzle for the Blackcaps. It will be back to the drawing board for them the team reflects on the performances. Their pace attack in Kanpur couldn’t replicate their magic in Mumbai while Ajaz Patel’s heroics were academic.&nbsp;Ajaz Patel ends with bittersweet memories&nbsp;Ajaz Patel wrote his name in the history book on Day 2 of the Mumbai Test as he became just the third man to take 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match. Ajaz joined Anil Kumble and Jim Laker in the club of bowlers to take 10 wickets in an innings.&nbsp;Next for India is the delayed South Africa tour as the team prepares for the pandemic hit nation’s tour. India have also earned 12 valuable points in the WTC standings and are third in the standings. Players like Shreyas Iyer, Mayank Agarwal will have heads held high while there will be question marks on the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, but for now, India have a moment to endeavor.

India clinch the series with record 372-run win in Mumbai

Mayank Agarwal on Sunday (December 5) has become just the fourth player to score two fifty-plus scores in the same Test at Wankhede. The Indian opener who scored his fourth Test hundred in the first innings followed that with another 62 runs in the second innings. 30-year-old Agarwal was dismissed trying to accelerate the attack as Ajaz Patel got him. The Karnataka batter has now joined Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth in scoring multiple fifty-plus scores in the same Test at the iconic venue. Chauhan and Gavaskar both achieved the feat in the same match in December 1978 against then world champions West Indies. The match ended in a draw but will be remembered for a special reason as local hero Gavaskar smashed 205 in the first innings, while his partner in crime Chetan scored 52. The West Indies bowling attack consisted of the likes of Sylvester Clarke, Vanburn Holder. In the second both Gavaskar and Chetan scored 73 and 84 respectively, Gavaskar missed out on a hundred in the second innings as he was dismissed by Clarke. The match is also remembered for 187 runs scored by Alvin Kallicharran. In 1987 against the same opposition Kris Shrikant scored 71 before he was bowled by the great Courtney Walsh in the first innings. India had a horrible collapse in the second innings as opener Shrikant and captain Dilip Vengsarkar were the only players in double figures as India were bowled out for 173. Shrikant ended with 65 before falling to Patrick Patterson. Agarwal could have joined a special club of players had he scored a hundred in the second innings. He could have become just the eighth player to score double tons in the same match. Agarwal’s head coach Rahul Dravid achieved the feat twice.

Mayank Agarwal joins Sunil Gavaskar in this interesting club

Ajaz Patel has enjoyed a fulminating couple of days in the Mumbai Test as the left-arm spinner has been breaking records on several fronts. After a terrific second day of the match, Ajaz added four more wickets to his tally of 10 wickets from the first innings to take his overall tally to 14 wickets in the match. He now has the best bowling figures by any bowler against India. Day 2 of the match saw him become just the third bowler after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble to pick up 10 wickets in an innings. The veteran bowler took 10 wickets for 119 runs to write his name in the history books. The Mumbai –born spinner made the breakthrough for New Zealand when he sent Mayank Agarwal to the pavilion after he and Pujara had put up a 107 run opening stand. He quickly followed that with three more wickets. He has now surpassed Ian Botham’s figure for having the best bowling figures by any visiting player. Ian Botham picked-up 13 wickets against India in February 1980. England embarrassed India in that match to win by 10 wickets, a match in which Botham also scored a ton with 115 in the first innings. When it comes to the best bowling figures by any bowler on Indian soil, the 33-year-old is now ranked fifth. Only Narendra Hirwani (16) and Harbhajan Singh (15) have picked more wickets in a Test match on Indian soil. Ajaz shares the record with Jasubhai Patel and Anil Kumble who both picked up 14 wickets each. New Zealand though have failed to consolidate on Ajaz’s bowling heroics as they are made to chase a total of 540 with still seven sessions of the match remaining.

Ajaz Patel writes history to surpass Ian Botham's 41-year-old record

Luck favours the brave and New Zealand opener Tom Latham is the perfect example of this saying. In the ongoing Test against India in Kanpur, Latham survived as many as three wrong umpiring decisions. During two sessions, Latham was given out thrice but every time DRS came to his rescue and the umpire had to change his decision. The southpaw also equalled an unusual record of Moeen Ali as the latter also used DRS thrice to overturn on-field umpire's decision in a Test against Bangladesh in 2016/17. The 29-year-old may become the first batter in Test cricket to use DRS successfully for the fourth time in a Test innings.&nbsp;&nbsp;Latham along with Will Young put on a strong partnership of unbeaten 129 runs on Day 2. At the end of day's play, Latham was batting at 50 runs while Young was at 75.&nbsp;New ball scare Indian pacer Ishant Sharma was bowling with his usual around the stumps angle to the left-handed batter in the third over of New Zealand innings. The ball hit Latham on the pad and the umpire Nitin Menon's finger went up straight away. The inside edge wasn't really evident to the naked eye but the DRS showed that there was an inside edge off the bat before the ball hit his pads..&nbsp;Latham left fuming The last ball of 14th over spun sharply from outside off as Latham was looking to play it on the back foot and got stuck on the pads, but off a massive inside edge. Indian players again appealed for LBW and the umpire again gave him out. But, the Kiwi batter was literally livid with the decision and went for the review straightaway. He knew he had hit it, he'd actually smashed that one onto his pad. The third umpire didn't even need UltraEdge to overturn that decision as it was clearly visible that the ball first hit the bat first.&nbsp;The third escape&nbsp; On the last ball of the 56th over, Ashwin bowled a flighted delivery that drew Latham forward. The ball turned more than usual and missed the bat. Ashwin thought he had his man and appealed loudly and the umpire raised his finger. Once again, Latham reviewed it immediately because he knew that the sound was of his bat touching the pad after the ball had passed. After seeing the ultraedge when the ball was passing the bat, the third umpire made a final decision and gave Latham not out.

Gutsy Tom Latham equals unusual Moeen Ali DRS record on Day 2

Axar Patel’s sensation bowling on a Day 3 Kanpur pitch has tilted the game in India’s favour again. Patel’s fifth fifer in his fourth Test helped India bundled out New Zealand for 296 in the third session and take a 51-run lead. However, India suffered an early blow in the second innings as Kyle Jamieson got rid of Shubman Gill. India could add only 14 runs to the board and ended the day with a 63-run lead. New Zealand were 129/0 at the start of day’s play. The Kiwi openers had frustrated Indian bowlers for two sessions. The partnership was broken by India’s veteran off-spinner R Ashwin in the 10th over of the day. William Young departed for 89 whereas Tom Latham carried on. Latham would have followed him to the dressing room had India opted for DRS off Ashwin’s bowling. At the stroke of lunch time, Umesh Yadav trapped Mayank Agarwal in front of the stumps to get India another breakthrough.&nbsp; In the second session, India made short work of New Zealand’s middle-order. Patel added another wicket to his tally by removing Henry Nicholls early. The left-arm spinner wreaked havoc in the session as he got Latham stumped out off a beauty of a delivery. Latham missed his century by just five runs. Ravindra Jadeja joined the party too as he got the wicket of Rachin Ravindra before tea break. In the third session, he also got the wicket of Tom Blundell to put the Kiwis under pressure. &nbsp;He followed it up with Tim Southee’s wicket to register his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Kyle Jamieson added some crucial runs to the Kiwi total but Ashwin broke the partnership between him and William Somerville. Ashwin bagged two wickets in the third session as New Zealand fell short of four runs of 300-run mark.&nbsp; Earlier Srikar Bharat kept wickets as Wriddhiman Saha had a stiff neck. Bharat was top-notch for a better part of the day as he took two catches and affected one stumping.

Axar's magic sees India back in game; tough challenge awaits India on Day 4

Ravichandran Ashwin has become India’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket against New Zealand by breaking the 45-year-old record of former Indian skipper Bishan Singh Bedi. With a couple of wickets in the first session of Day 5 at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, Ashwin now has 58 wickets against Kiwis in his 10th Test (15th innings).&nbsp;&nbsp;The veteran off-spinner went past Bedi’s tally of 57 wickets from 12 Tests (22 innings) with the wicket of Tom <a href="https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/8216/tom-latham">Latham</a> &nbsp;and <a href="https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/10717/tom-blundell">Tom Blundell</a> . The left-arm spinner had a bowling average of 19.14 including four five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul in the match. On the other hand, Ashwin has three 10-wicket haul and six five-wicket haul against the BlackCaps. Also, his bowling average is just below 17.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 35-year-old spinner also surpassed Harbhajan Singh’s tally of wickets (417) to become India’s third-highest wicket-taker in the longest format of the game. The list is topped by Anil Kumble with 619 wickets followed by Kapil Dev who has 434 wickets. The Tamil Nadu spinner will have Dev’s record in sights with plenty of Test series lined up.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, Ashwin is now only second to New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee in India vs New Zealand Test history. Hadlee has taken most wickets between the two sides. Before hanging his boots, the Kiwi pacer had taken 65 wickets from 14 matches at an average of 22.96 and best bowling figures of 7 for 23.&nbsp;Before the start of Kanpur Test, Ashwin had 52 wickets from seven Tests. He also has most five-wicket hauls in India vs New Zealand red-ball clashes.&nbsp;

R Ashwin breaks Bishan Singh Bedi's 45-year-old record 

The Kanpur Test match produced rare drama on last day India and New Zealand fought till the last ball was bowled. Records were broken on multiple fronts as Shreyas Iyer became the 16th Indian to score a hundred on debut whereas Ravichandran Ashwin got past Harbhajan Singh's tally of 417 wickets. On the other hand, Ishant Sharma though was in the news for all the wrong reasons. The tall, lanky fast bowler completed 300 no-balls in Test cricket. Playing in his 104th Test, Ishant now holds a unique record of having picked up more than 300 wickets and bowled 300 no-balls in the red-ball format. On the fifth day of the Kanpur Test, Ishant attempted a short delivery against nightwatchman William Somerville but overstepped in doing so.&nbsp;Missed feat for wicketless Ishant The 33-year-old had a tough Test as he managed to bowl only seven overs in the second innings while he went wicketless for the entire duration of the match. In his 22 overs, the Delhi-born fast bowler was unable to trouble the New Zealand batters. On the other hand, Kiwi pacers Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson picked up 14 wickets on the same track. Had he taken at least one wicket, he would have surpassed Zaheer Khan's tally of 311 wickets to become India's fifth-highest wicket-taker in the format.&nbsp;Ishant's fitness Question marks will be raised on Ishant’s selection in the Mumbai Test. He is likely to miss the next Test if he does not regain full fitness before December 3. Prasidh Krishna or Mohammed Siraj can replace him as the second pacer in the side at Wankhede stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp;With Virat Kohli returning to the side, few changes can be expected in the side. Apart from Ishant, Wriddhiman Saha could not keep wickets because of strain in his neck. Srikar Bharat can make his Test debut if Saha does not get fit in time. It will be interesting to see who Kohli replaces in the side as Shreyas Iyer proved his mettle with record-breaking knocks on debut.&nbsp;

Ishant Sharma reaches an unwanted milestone for crossing the line 300 times

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