After a dominant 109-run victory over Sri Lanka, South Africa has emerged as the new leader in the World Test Championship points table, surpassing Australia. The win was led by Keshav Maharaj who took five wickets, securing a 2-0 series sweep for the home team. With two more home tests against Pakistan, South Africa is now in a strong position to qualify for their first WTC final next year.
South Africa Surges to Top of World Test Championship Standings
After a resounding 109-run victory over Sri Lanka, South Africa has ascended to the summit of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, eclipsing Australia. The triumph was spearheaded by Keshav Maharaj's five-wicket haul, which sealed a 2-0 series sweep for the home team.
Background:
The WTC is a two-year tournament that began in 2019, with nine teams vying for the title. Each team plays a minimum of six series, with points awarded based on match results. The top two teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the final.
South Africa's Resurgence:
South Africa has been in scintillating form in the current WTC cycle, winning five of their seven series so far. Their success has been attributed to a combination of factors, including their newfound consistency, a potent bowling attack led by Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada, and a resilient batting lineup.
Upcoming Challenges:
South Africa has two remaining home Tests against Pakistan, a formidable opponent that currently sits fourth in the WTC standings. These matches will be crucial in determining South Africa's chances of qualifying for the final.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Who are the current leaders in the WTC standings? South Africa
2. Who took five wickets to lead South Africa to victory over Sri Lanka? Keshav Maharaj
3. How many series have South Africa won in the current WTC cycle? 5
4. Who is South Africa's leading wicket-taker in the WTC? Kagiso Rabada
5. Which two teams are currently in the top two positions in the WTC standings? South Africa and Australia
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.