On Day 7 of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the Indian contingent added four medals to their tally, bringing it to a record-breaking 24 medals in a single edition. With only one medal away from their initial target of 25, set by chief of the Paralympic Committee of India Devendra Jhajharia, India has a strong chance of surpassing it on Day 8, with several medal events featuring Indian athletes in para shooting, para judo, para archery, para-athletics, and para powerlifting. This achievement would come three years after India's first double-digit medal haul at the Paralympics and marks a significant milestone for the nation in the world of para sports.
Indian National Cricket Team: A Legacy of Triumph
The Indian National Cricket Team, affectionately known as "Team India," has established itself as a formidable force in the world of cricket. With a rich history spanning over a century, the team has achieved numerous milestones and captivated the hearts of millions of fans across the globe.
Humble Beginnings and Early Success
The seeds of Indian cricket were sown in the late 19th century when British colonizers introduced the sport to the country. The first recorded cricket match in India took place in 1877 in Bombay (now Mumbai). In 1932, India became the sixth member of the Imperial Cricket Conference (now the International Cricket Council).
India's cricket fortunes began to rise in the 1950s under the legendary leadership of Vijay Hazare and Polly Umrigar. They tasted their first major international triumph by winning the Asia Cup in 1984.
Golden Era of Dominance
The 1990s marked a golden era for Indian cricket. Under the captaincy of Mohammad Azharuddin and later Sourav Ganguly, the team emerged as a formidable force, consistently challenging the top teams in the world. The iconic victory over Pakistan in the final of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup stands as one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket history.
Modern-Day Stalwarts
In recent years, the Indian team has continued to excel, boasting a galaxy of star players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. They have won the ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 and 2014, the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, and the ICC Test Championship in 2021.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: Who is the current captain of the Indian cricket team? A1: Rohit Sharma
Q2: What is India's highest score in Test cricket? A2: 752/4 declared against Sri Lanka in 2022
Q3: Who is the leading run-scorer for India in ODI cricket? A3: Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs)
Q4: Which Indian bowler has taken the most wickets in Test cricket? A4: Anil Kumble (619 wickets)
Q5: What is the name of the iconic stadium where many of India's greatest cricket matches have been played? A5: The Eden Gardens in Kolkata
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and former Australian opener Justin Langer pointed out the risky single taken by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli's misjudgment, leading to the former's run-out in the fourth Test match in Melbourne. The run-out had a significant impact on India's performance as they collapsed after Jaiswal's exit. With seasoned off-spinner Nathan Lyon expected to come into play on day three, India will need to put their heads down and build a strong partnership to stay in the game against the dominating Australian side.
During Day 2 of the 4th Test between India and Australia, former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad expressed his disappointment with Rohit Sharma's performance as both a captain and a batsman. Prasad also attributed Rohit's struggle in the series to his lack of form and match practice beforehand. Meanwhile, Steve Smith's century and a 112-run stand with captain Pat Cummins helped Australia maintain a strong lead over India on the second day of the Boxing Day Test match.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar discuss Rishabh Pant's mode of dismissal in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy fourth Test against Australia. Manjrekar points out that the wicketkeeper-batter will be questioned if he continues to get out while attempting unconventional shots. Gavaskar lambasts Pant, labeling his dismissal as 'stupid' and criticizing his shot selection. Despite Pant's early dismissal, India managed to cross the 300-run mark on Day 3 thanks to a seventh-wicket partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Follow Sportskeeda's live updates for the latest news and biddings at the IPL Auction 2025.
India's Nitish Kumar Reddy wowed the world with his extraordinary maiden Test century at the MCG, becoming the third youngest Indian to achieve the feat. After the third day's play, Reddy was welcomed by his emotional family members, including his father who had left his job to support Reddy's cricket journey. The BCCI released a video of the heartwarming reunion, capturing the overwhelming emotions of Reddy's mother, father, and sister. Reddy put up a resilient performance alongside Washington Sundar to rescue India from a precarious position and secure a potential match-saving unbeaten 105.
In a heartwarming gesture, India's Virat Kohli reached out and patted Australia's Steve Smith on the back after the latter scored his 34th Test century during the ongoing Boxing Day Test. This comes just a day after Kohli's heated altercation with Sam Konstas, which resulted in a fine from the International Cricket Council. Kohli's act of sportsmanship serves as an inspiration for all, especially after India suffered a familiar collapse after a crucial run-out on day two.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice hopes their pursuit for trophies will come to fruition in the new year, but knows they will need some help to catch up to Premier League leaders Liverpool. With a six point gap between the two teams and star winger Bukayo Saka out injured, Rice recognizes the importance of other teammates stepping up in his absence. Despite the challenges, Rice remains optimistic about his own performance and the potential for a successful season for Arsenal.
The New Zealand National Cricket Team emerged victorious in their first T20I match against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Despite a strong start by Sri Lanka, New Zealand's strong batting and strategic bowling led them to secure a dominant win, with player Kane Williamson leading the team with a record-breaking performance. Fans eagerly await the next match in the series to see if New Zealand can continue their winning streak.
Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy's spectacular maiden Test century on day three of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground not only helped rescue his team from a dangerous position, but also restored a sense of fight and character in the Indian dressing room. Reddy's century, scored from a position as low as number eight, also saw him break the 122-year-old record for the highest Test score by a batter playing at number eight or lower at the MCG. The young cricketer's efforts have earned praise and given a much-needed boost to the Indian team.
Australia's Steve Smith believes that the dramatic run-out of Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal late on Day 2 was the turning point in the ongoing Boxing Day Test match. Smith pointed out that the mix-up between Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, resulting in Jaiswal's dismissal, shifted the momentum in Australia's favor. India, who were well-positioned at 153/2, suffered a late collapse and ended the day at 164/5, trailing Australia's first-innings total by 310 runs. Smith also praised Jaiswal's aggressive innings and Kohli's measured knock, while highlighting the importance of breaking their partnership.
Amidst growing concerns and criticism, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is facing a crucial phase in his Test career. With only 152 runs in his last 14 innings and a string of low scores in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, questions are being raised about his future in the longest format. As his team secures a dominant win under a new captain, chief selector Ajit Agarkar's arrival in Melbourne suggests tough decisions could be on the horizon for Rohit Sharma. All eyes will be on him in the upcoming innings, as the cricketing world awaits his response.