This Suryakumar Yadav’s India is looking like a team to beat as of now. After successful series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the Men in Blue wreaked havoc in their opening match against South Africa. Sanju Samson laid the foundation with his blistering hundred. He broke numerous records, including one of MS Dhoni’s. The Indian bowlers, especially spinners took care of the Proteas batting lineup as they won by 61 runs. Apart from this, there were developments for the Champions Trophy as well. During the AUS A vs IND A four-day match, KL Rahul was dismissed in a horrible fashion. On that note, here are six of the most eye-catching stories from November 08, Friday.
Sanju Samson on beast mode, breaks MS Dhoni’s record
Sanju Samson’s on fire! He’s the first Indian to smash two T20I centuries in a row. His knocks, including the most recent 47-ball hundred against South Africa, were pure class. There are hardly any batter who look as delightful as Samson when on song. His timing, power, and ability to hit the ball to all parts of the ground have made him a force to reckon with. Among the plethora of records, Samson surpassed MS Dhoni in the race of the fastest Indian to 7000 T20 runs. While Dhoni did it in 305 innings, Samson has completed his 7,000 T20 runs in just 269 innings. The fastest Indian is KL Rahul, who completed the landmark in 197 knocks.
KL Rahul, what were you thinking?
KL Rahul’s struggles continue. The star Indian batter’s recent disappointing performance in the India A vs. Australia A second unofficial Test has been talked about. Rahul’s dismissal in the second innings, a brain fade moment against rookie spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, further showed his miserable form. KL Rahul tried to leave a simple ball off the spinner only to see the delivery go through his legs and onto the stumps. This match was crucial for Rahul to prove his form ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Apart from this, other Test hopefuls also fared poorly. Prasidh Krishna and Dhruv Jurel have stood out so far.
PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi’s message to India
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi has asserted that Pakistan shouldn’t always accommodate India’s expectations. Naqvi messaged somewhat highlighted Pakistan’s participation in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Amidst geopolitical tensions, India’s involvement in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan is uncertain and lies solely in the hands of the Indian Government. Naqvi dismissed reports of India’s potential withdrawal and emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to hosting. He seeks an official response from the BCCI and Indian government. Naqvi also stressed keeping cricket separate from politics.
IPL 2025 Auction for Anderson: Why?
James Anderson, despite retiring from T20Is in 2009, is set to surprise fans by entering the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 42-year-old pacer, forced to retire from Test cricket, still feels he has more to offer. He believes participating in the IPL will enhance his cricket knowledge and potentially aid his future coaching career. Though he attempted to enter the league in 2012, he failed to receive bids. This time, with a different perspective and a desire to experience franchise cricket, Anderson hopes to make a mark in the IPL.
Gautam Gambhir – the head coach under pressure
India’s recent 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand has led to a comprehensive review by the BCCI. Key topics discussed include the controversial pitch selection in Mumbai, the decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah, and Gautam Gambhir’s coaching style. While the meeting was attended by key figures like Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, and Jay Shah, Gambhir participated virtually. There have been murmurs of BCCI not being happy about Gambhir’s take ever since he has become India’s head coach.
Men’s U-19 Asia Cup!
The Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2024 is set to begin on November 29th in the UAE. Defending champions Bangladesh will face Afghanistan in the opener, while India and Pakistan will clash in the second match on November 30. Eight teams, including Nepal, Japan, and the UAE, are divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on December 6th, with the final scheduled for December 8th at the Dubai International Stadium.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
EXCLUSIVE | 22-year-old Rohit Sharma "was destined for greatness", says former MI teammate Herschelle Gibbs
Top Stories
