England's star batter Joe Root made history on day three of the first Test against Pakistan, becoming his country's leading run scorer in Test cricket and surpassing his former captain Alastair Cook. Root's 35th century puts him at fifth on the all-time list, with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar's record of 15,921 runs as the ultimate target. Former captain Cook predicts that at just 33, Root has the potential to overtake Tendulkar and become the all-time leading Test runs scorer.
Recent slump in form has put Virat Kohli under harsh criticism, especially after his poor showing in the first Test against Bangladesh. But former Indian opener Parthiv Patel has come to the captain's defense, stating that the pressure of expectations and high standards set by Kohli are the reasons for his poor run. Ahead of the second Test, Patel believes Kohli's average in Tests is at an eight-year low, but points out that his standards are still much higher than most other players in the world.
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah once again proved himself as one of the top bowlers in world cricket with a 4-wicket haul in the first Test against Bangladesh. His consistency and skill have not gone unnoticed, with Australian batsman Steve Smith calling him the best bowler across all formats. Bumrah and Smith will face off in the much-awaited Test series between India and Australia, where Bumrah will aim to continue his impressive performance in the country. With Smith's record against India, it is sure to be a thrilling battle between the two players. Stay tuned for the start of the series on November 22 in Perth.
England captain Joe Root's brilliant innings of 143 helped his team recover from a difficult position to reach 358/7 on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's. Root's century, his 33rd in Tests, ties him with Alastair Cook for the most Test centuries at Lord's by an England player. He also becomes the active player with the most Test centuries, going past Steve Smith and Kane Williamson. Root's elegant cover drive after reaching his century was a highlight of his innings, which helped England get out of a spot of bother and take control of the match.
Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has stirred up controversy with his current favourite World Test XI. Picking seven Indian players, Bangar included retired legend Rahul Dravid but left out England's Joe Root and Australia's Steve Smith. With India dominating the squad, Bangar's choices have raised eyebrows, leaving out the top three run-scorers in World Test Championship history.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden believes that Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Australian batsman Steve Smith will be looking to dominate the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series and make their mark as their careers wind down. With both players known for their aggressive styles, Hayden believes they will be the key to determining the outcome of the series. As the two teams prepare for their first five-Test series since 1991-92, it will be hard to predict who has the advantage, but runs are expected to be the deciding factor in the series.
The T20 World Cup match between Bangladesh and Nepal had a controversial moment when Bangladesh batter Jaker Ali signaled for a review after the umpire's decision was already given. This has sparked criticism on social media, with many accusing the Bangladesh batters of seeking outside assistance. This incident is being compared to the infamous 'brain fade' incident involving Steve Smith in 2017.
Punjab Kings' Shashank Singh received high praise from Australia cricketer Steve Smith for his match-winning performance against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024. Despite being considered for auction, Shashank's 61 not out off 29 deliveries helped Punjab seal a victory with just one ball remaining. The partnership between Shashank and debutant Ashutosh Sharma was crucial in Punjab's win over Gujarat. Fans can stay updated on all the latest news and stats from IPL 2024, including Orange Cap and Purple Cap contenders, the IPL 2024 schedule, points table, and players with most sixes, fours, and fifties.
In a thrilling match against Gujarat Titans, Ashutosh Sharma proved to be the game-changer for Punjab Kings as he scored a rapid 61* off 29 balls. Former Australia cricketer Steve Smith called his knock incredible and expressed that Punjab Kings will not want to put him in the auction anymore. Former England cricketer Stuart Broad also praised Sharma's performance, highlighting his knowledge of the field and his ability to find boundaries under pressure. Both players agreed that Punjab would not have achieved their victory without his crucial partnership with Shashank Singh.
Former Rajasthan Royals captain Steve Smith has declared current skipper Sanju Samson as the finest captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the 2024 season, citing his strategic acumen and leadership skills. Smith's endorsement has been echoed across multiple media outlets and social media channels, shining a spotlight on Samson's meteoric rise as a leader in the competitive world of IPL. With the support of players like Smith and Jos Buttler, all eyes will be on Samson as he strives to solidify his legacy and lead the Rajasthan Royals to further success in this year's IPL.