India's opening match against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru turned into a nightmare as they collapsed to just 46 runs in the first innings. To make things worse, star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant also suffered an injury to the same knee he had surgery on in December 2022. Captain Rohit Sharma provided an update on Pant's condition and whether or not he will be able to play for the rest of the match.
Rishabh Pant Injury Update and India's Nightmare Start Against New Zealand
Indian cricket team suffered a disastrous start to their third Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, collapsing to a dismal 46 runs in the first innings. Adding to the disappointment, star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant sustained an injury to the same knee he underwent surgery on last year.
Pant's Injury Update
Captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media after the first day's play, providing an update on Pant's condition. He stated that Pant had injured his knee while attempting to save a boundary during the New Zealand innings. The extent of the injury is yet to be determined, but Pant was sent for scans to ascertain the severity.
"It's not a good sign for us because he's an important player for us," Sharma said. "We'll have to assess the extent of the injury and then take a call."
India's Batting Woes
India's dismal batting performance was a major setback in their quest for a series victory. The top order crumbled under pressure, with Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli all failing to reach double figures.
K.S. Bharat, who stood in as wicketkeeper in Pant's absence, top-scored with 25 runs. Mohammed Shami's unbeaten 19 helped India reach their meager total.
New Zealand's Dominance
New Zealand, on the other hand, looked in complete control throughout the day. Their bowlers exploited the conditions to perfection, with Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Matt Henry sharing nine wickets between them.
The visitors also scored a solid 212 runs in their first innings, with Devon Conway leading the way with a half-century.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the extent of Rishabh Pant's injury? The extent of Pant's injury is still unknown. He is undergoing scans to determine the severity.
2. Will Pant be able to play in the rest of the match? Rohit Sharma said they will have to assess the injury and then take a call on Pant's availability.
3. What was the reason for India's batting collapse? India's top order failed to adjust to the conditions and put pressure on the lower order. They also made several unforced errors.
4. Who was India's top scorer in the first innings? K.S. Bharat was India's top scorer with 25 runs.
5. What was the score of New Zealand's first innings? New Zealand scored 212 runs in their first innings.
In a surprising move, 21-year-old England player Jacob Bethell has been selected to bat at number three in the first Test against New Zealand. This comes after regular wicketkeeper Jordan Cox was ruled out due to injury. Captain Ben Stokes has moved down the batting order to make room for Bethell, who has impressed in white-ball cricket and recently secured an Indian Premier League contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Bethell's elevation is seen as a testament to his talent and potential, and is eagerly anticipated by both fans and teammates.
In a disappointing match for Newcastle United, manager Eddie Howe expressed his dismay with the final 30 minutes of his team's performance against West Ham, resulting in a 2-0 loss at St James' Park. Despite a strong start, the Magpies were unable to maintain their momentum and were ultimately defeated by a more cohesive West Ham side. Howe's critique highlights the importance of maintaining consistency and focus throughout the entire game.
The IPL 2025 mega auction saw established stars fail to land a franchise, with names like Steven Smith, Pathum Nissanka, and Gus Atkinson going unsold. The Punjab Kings made the first pick of the auction, choosing uncapped Harnoor Singh, while the Rajasthan Royals quickly signed Jammu and Kashmir's Yudhvir Charak. Meanwhile, left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh became a big buy for Chennai Super Kings after a bidding tussle.
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have secured the services of versatile all-rounder Nitish Rana for INR 4.2 crores at the IPL 2025 auction. Rana, who has previously played for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, is known for his aggressive left-handed batting and handy off-spin. He was highly sought after by three teams but RR emerged victorious in a last-minute battle with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Rana's addition to the team adds depth and versatility to their middle-order, giving them a strong batting line-up for the upcoming season.
Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jedda, Saudi Arabia saw intense bidding from the 10 franchises as they competed to secure their top targets. The first day of the auction saw Lucknow Super Giants' record-breaking ₹27 crore purchase of Rishabh Pant and a total spending of ₹467.95 crore. Day 2 featured the auction of 33 capped players and an accelerated round with both capped and uncapped players. The total spend by the franchises in the two-day extravaganza reached an astounding ₹639.15 crore.
The Indian cricket team secured their position at the top of the World Test Championship 2023-25 points table with their convincing win against Australia in the first Test of the ongoing series. Captain Virat Kohli showed his batting prowess with an unbeaten century, breaking multiple records in the process. This win puts India in a strong position to qualify for the WTC 2025 final at Lord's next year.
On Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Auction, history was made when the 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi was signed by Rajasthan Royals for a record-breaking price of Rs 1.10 crore. Suryavanshi, who hails from Bihar, recently made headlines by becoming the youngest player in India's premier First-Class tournament. Along with Suryavanshi, Eshan Malinga's signing by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 1.20 crore was another notable moment in the auction. Malinga, a Sri Lankan pacer, impressed with his new-ball skills in the LPL and Emerging T20 Asia Cup.
In a shocking turn of events at the IPL 2025 auction, Mumbai Indians acquired English cricketer Will Jacks for a massive Rs 5.25 crore. The explosive power-hitter, who was previously released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, made headlines in the last season with a sensational unbeaten century off just 41 balls. RCB's decision to not use the RTM card for Jacks left fans and experts surprised, making this one of the most talked about deals at the auction.
In a dynamic and thrilling first game of the World Chess Championship, 18-year-old Gukesh took on defending champion Ding Liren and emerged victorious. Despite Ding's attempts to throw him off with an unusual opening, Gukesh confidently took control and left the champion struggling to catch up. With bold moves and confident play, Gukesh surprised pundits and fans alike, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.
At just 13 years old, Bihar's Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already made waves in the world of cricket. On Monday, he became the youngest player ever to be auctioned in the Indian Premier League, where he was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for a hefty sum of Rs 1.10 crore. With impressive records and performances including the fastest century by an Indian in Under-19 Tests, Suryavanshi is a rising star to watch out for in the world of cricket.