India A Bowlers Fight Back, Australia A Extend Lead in Women's Test

India A Bowlers Fight Back, Australia A Extend Lead in Women’s Test

India A’s bowlers put up a valiant fightback on the second day of the unofficial one-off women’s Test against Australia A, but the hosts extended their overall lead to 192 runs.

India A captain Minnu Mani completed her match haul of 10 wickets, but Kate Peterson’s impressive 5/16 gave Australia a slender 28-run lead in the first innings. Resuming at 100/2, India A looked set to take a substantial lead, but Peterson’s incisive bowling derailed their plans.

Tejal Hasabnis (32) and Shweta Sehrawat (40) were the first to fall, triggering a collapse that saw India A lose five wickets for 27 runs. However, Sayali Satghare (21), Mani (17), and Mannat Kashyap (19) added 56 runs to deny Australia a larger lead.

Mani then turned the tables with the ball, dismissing Georgia Voll and Charli Knott for ducks in consecutive overs. She also accounted for Nicole Faltum (16) and Tess Fintoo, leaving Australia A reeling at 0/4.

Emma de Broughe held firm for the hosts, scoring a gritty 58 off 117 balls. Wicketkeeper Maddy Drake played a crucial role in Australia’s recovery, hitting an unbeaten half-century (54 not out off 100 deliveries).

Drake and Maitlan Brown (26 off 45) added 54 for the sixth wicket before Brown became Mani’s tenth victim. At the end of play, Australia A were 164/7, with Drake and Darke at the crease.

Arsenal Face Villa Test, Man Utd Defense Examined

Arsenal Face Villa Test, Man Utd Defense Examined

Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations face an early test as they travel to Aston Villa, a team that has proven to be a bogey side for the Gunners in recent seasons. Manchester United, meanwhile, will face a stern examination of their defense when they visit Brighton.

Arsenal’s two defeats to Villa last season played a significant role in their failure to win the league title for the first time in 20 years. The Gunners are determined to dethrone Manchester City this season, but their trip to Villa Park marks the beginning of a challenging run of fixtures.

Mikel Arteta’s men will also face north London rivals Tottenham and Manchester City in their opening five games. However, they got off to a winning start at home to Wolves, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz showing no signs of fatigue from their exertions at Euro 2024.

Arsenal will need to maintain that level of performance against a Villa side that also started the season with an encouraging 2-1 away win at West Ham. Villa have strengthened their squad in preparation for their first Champions League campaign since 1982/83.

Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Fulham on the opening night of the season could be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, it was a much-needed victory for a team that finished eighth last season. On the other hand, the ease with which Fulham created chances raised concerns about United’s defensive capabilities.

A truer test of United’s credentials will come at the Amex on Saturday against a Brighton side that is flying high after a 3-0 win at Everton. The Seagulls have Kaoru Mitoma back fit and could hand a debut to new signing Georginio Rutter.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking to steady the ship after a chaotic summer at Stamford Bridge and an opening defeat to Manchester City. Manager Enzo Maresca has been tasked with fostering a team spirit from a squad that has been described as a “double squad” by Pep Guardiola.

Raheem Sterling has been added to the list of star names cut out from first-team training, and his squad number has been handed over to Pedro Neto. Maresca has insisted that he is not working with a “mess,” but the Blues squad continues to grow, with Joao Felix joining on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid.

Ilkay Gundogan Returns to Manchester City After Barcelona Stint

Ilkay Gundogan Returns to Manchester City After Barcelona Stint

Ilkay Gundogan’s sensational return to Manchester City marks a remarkable chapter in the German midfielder’s illustrious career. After a brief and trophyless stint with Barcelona, Gundogan has reunited with the club where he achieved unprecedented success.

Gundogan’s departure from Barcelona was prompted by the club’s financial woes, which have plagued the Catalan giants in recent years. Despite his impressive performances, scoring five goals and providing 14 assists in a challenging season, Gundogan’s exit will allow Barcelona to register their new signing, Dani Olmo.

In a heartfelt farewell message to Barcelona fans, Gundogan expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for the club he had always admired. However, he acknowledged the difficult situation the club is facing and expressed hope that his departure would provide financial relief.

Gundogan’s return to City is a testament to his enduring legacy at the club. During his first spell between 2016 and 2023, he played a pivotal role in City’s dominance, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League among 12 major trophies.

The 33-year-old’s experience and leadership will be invaluable to City as they aim to continue their domestic and European success. Gundogan’s versatility and ability to control the midfield will provide manager Pep Guardiola with tactical flexibility.

Gundogan’s return also highlights the financial strength of Manchester City, who have been able to attract top talent despite the ongoing financial challenges faced by many clubs. The club’s commitment to building a world-class squad is evident in their willingness to invest in experienced players like Gundogan.

As Gundogan embarks on his second chapter at City, he will be eager to add to his impressive trophy haul and cement his status as one of the club’s most decorated players. His return is a major boost for City and a reminder of the club’s unwavering ambition to dominate both domestically and internationally.

Avani Lekhara: From Tragedy to Paralympic Glory

Avani Lekhara: From Tragedy to Paralympic Glory

Avani Lekhara’s journey to becoming a Paralympic shooting champion is a testament to her resilience and determination. After a car accident left her paralyzed at the age of 11, Avani found solace in shooting, a sport that gave her a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

With the support of her parents, Avani began practicing shooting in 2015. Within six years, she had become a national champion and was representing India at the Tokyo Paralympics. In Tokyo, Avani made history by winning India’s first medals in shooting at the Paralympics, a gold in the 10m air rifle and a bronze in the 50m rifle 3-positions.

Avani’s success has brought with it expectations, but she remains focused on her process and technique. She believes that by controlling the controllable and focusing on her training, she can achieve her goals.

Avani’s preparations for the Paris Paralympics have been aided by a quick recovery from gallbladder surgery. She is also benefiting from a healthy rivalry with upcoming shooter Mona Agarwal, who won gold at the World Cup in Delhi.

Avani credits her personal coach, Chandra Shekhar, for her success. She says that he has been an integral part of her journey, helping her to focus on her basics and improve her technique.

With her determination, resilience, and the support of her coach and family, Avani is poised to make history once again at the Paris Paralympics.

Rohit Sharma Vows to Continue Winning Trophies for India

Rohit Sharma Vows to Continue Winning Trophies for India

India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his unwavering determination to continue winning major trophies for his country. Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Awards, Rohit emphasized the team’s commitment to pushing themselves and striving for excellence.

“There is a reason I won five IPL trophies. I am not going to stop, because once you get the taste of winning games, and winning Cups, you do not want to stop and we will keep pushing as a team. We will keep striving for better things in the future,” Rohit declared.

Rohit acknowledged the team’s upcoming challenges, including the tour to Australia, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the ICC World Test Championship final. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome these obstacles.

“We have got a couple of solid tours coming up, very challenging ones as well. For us, it never stops. Once you achieve something you always look forward to achieving more. That is what I will be doing. I am pretty sure my teammates will be thinking on the same line,” he said.

Rohit attributed his success as captain to the support of his “three pillars”: former head coach Rahul Dravid, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. He emphasized the importance of creating an environment where players can play freely without excessive focus on statistics and milestones.

“It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats, the results, to make sure that we create that environment where people can go out there and play freely without thinking too much. That is what was required. I got a lot of help from my three pillars, who are Mr Jay Shah, Mr Rahul Dravid (and the) chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar,” Rohit said.

The Indian skipper also praised the contributions of his players, particularly Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, who played pivotal roles in the T20 World Cup victory. He thanked the nation for celebrating the team’s triumph.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test Series to Feature Rest Day for Presidential Elections

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test Series to Feature Rest Day for Presidential Elections

The upcoming Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test series, commencing on September 18 in Galle, will feature a unique twist: a rest day scheduled to accommodate Sri Lanka’s presidential elections on September 21. This marks the first instance of a rest day in a Test match since 2008, when Bangladesh and Sri Lanka accommodated a parliamentary election.

The two-Test series forms part of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Sri Lanka last hosted a rest day in a Test match in 2001 against Zimbabwe, due to a full moon being a public holiday in the Buddhist nation.

Historically, Sundays were designated as rest days in Test matches in England until the 1990s. However, this practice has since faded into obscurity.

New Zealand and Sri Lanka last met in a Test series in early 2023, with New Zealand emerging victorious 2-0 on home soil. New Zealand’s last tour of Sri Lanka in 2019 resulted in a 1-1 draw in the Test series and a 2-1 victory for New Zealand in the T20Is.

New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka follows a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida. The Black Caps have a busy summer of cricket ahead, with Test series against India and England before Sri Lanka returns to New Zealand in December for three T20Is and three ODIs.

Dinesh Karthik Raises Concerns Over Jasprit Bumrah's Captaincy Prospects

Dinesh Karthik Raises Concerns Over Jasprit Bumrah’s Captaincy Prospects

Jasprit Bumrah’s Captaincy Prospects: Dinesh Karthik Raises Concerns

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed reservations about the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah becoming the captain of the Indian national cricket team. While acknowledging Bumrah’s leadership qualities, Karthik emphasized the importance of preserving his fitness and avoiding the potential risks associated with the added responsibility of captaincy.

Karthik highlighted the physical demands of fast bowling and the need to protect Bumrah for crucial matches. He described Bumrah as a “Kohinoor diamond” for Indian cricket, whose well-being must be carefully managed. “Being a fast bowler, especially at Bumrah’s level, it is so important to protect him and play him in important matches,” Karthik said.

He further explained that burdening Bumrah with captaincy could increase the risk of injury, potentially jeopardizing his availability for important matches. “To burden him with captaincy and then see him end up playing a lot of series and injuring himself would be a huge problem,” Karthik added.

Karthik’s comments come amidst discussions about Bumrah’s potential as India’s captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the T20 format. However, the T20I captaincy was ultimately handed to Suryakumar Yadav, Bumrah’s teammate from the Mumbai Indians.

Bumrah has previously led India as a stand-in captain during the one-off Test against England at Edgbaston in 2022 and also captained India to a 2-0 series victory in a three-match T20I series against Ireland last year. Despite his success in these limited captaincy stints, Karthik’s concerns underscore the importance of carefully managing Bumrah’s workload to maximize his effectiveness and longevity in international cricket.

Rafael Benitez Hails Steven Gerrard as the Best Player He Has Ever Coached

Rafael Benitez Hails Steven Gerrard as the Best Player He Has Ever Coached

Rafael Benitez, the esteemed football manager, has recently declared Steven Gerrard as the finest player he has ever coached. Despite managing elite clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Chelsea, and working with world-class talents such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard, Benitez believes Gerrard’s abilities surpass all.

In an interview with Gary Neville on “The Overlap,” Benitez highlighted Gerrard’s exceptional skills, boundless energy, and versatility on the pitch. He noted that Gerrard’s natural talent was evident, but he lacked the tactical understanding of foreign players. However, Benitez guided Gerrard in developing this aspect, transforming him into a complete footballer.

Benitez’s tenure at Liverpool from 2004 to 2010 was marked by Gerrard’s pivotal role in winning the Champions League and FA Cup. Benitez considers his time at Liverpool, particularly working with Gerrard, as one of his career’s highlights. He believes Gerrard’s talent would command a staggering £180 million in today’s market.

Benitez’s admiration for Gerrard is particularly noteworthy given his brief stint at Real Madrid, where he coached Ronaldo. Despite Ronaldo’s legendary status, Benitez maintains that Gerrard’s all-around abilities and leadership qualities make him the superior player.

After leaving Liverpool, Benitez had successful coaching stints with Chelsea, winning the Europa League, and Napoli, securing the Italian Cup. He recently managed Celta Vigo but was dismissed due to poor results. Benitez remains without a club and has been linked with the US national team manager role, although it is expected to go to Mauricio Pochettino.

Benitez’s assessment of Gerrard as the best player he has ever coached is a testament to the Englishman’s exceptional talent and the manager’s ability to nurture and develop players. Gerrard’s legacy as a Liverpool legend and one of the greatest midfielders of his generation is further cemented by Benitez’s high praise.

KL Rahul Prepares for Red-Ball Season with Duleep Trophy Stint

KL Rahul Prepares for Red-Ball Season with Duleep Trophy Stint

KL Rahul, the Indian cricket team’s star batter, is preparing for the upcoming red-ball season with renewed vigor. After making his comeback in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rahul is now gearing up for the Duleep Trophy, which commences on September 5.

Rahul’s return to the Indian team was marked by a solid performance in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, where he scored 31 runs off 43 balls. However, he was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the second match. Despite the setback, Rahul remains determined to cement his place in the team and is using the Duleep Trophy as an opportunity to showcase his skills.

The Duleep Trophy is a prestigious domestic tournament that provides a platform for players to stake their claim for national selection. Rahul will be playing for Team A, led by young India batter Shubman Gill. The tournament will give him a chance to regain his form and prove his worth in the longer format of the game.

Rahul’s recent batting session has been the talk of social media, with a viral video showcasing his impressive straight drive over the bowler’s head. The video has generated excitement among fans, who are eager to see Rahul back in action in the red-ball format.

The Duleep Trophy will be a crucial test for Rahul as he aims to regain his place in the Indian Test team. With a strong performance, he can cement his position as one of the team’s key players and help India achieve success in the upcoming Test series against Australia and Bangladesh.

Shakib Al Hasan Accused in Murder Case Amidst Bangladesh Unrest

Shakib Al Hasan Accused in Murder Case Amidst Bangladesh Unrest

Shakib Al Hasan Implicated in Murder Case Amidst Bangladesh Political Turmoil

Bangladesh cricket all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been named as an accused in a murder case stemming from the ongoing protests in the country. The case was filed by Rafiqul Islam, whose son Rubel was killed during a rally on August 7. Rubel was reportedly shot in the chest and abdomen and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

The case, filed at the Adabor police station in Dhaka, lists Shakib as the 28th accused and popular Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed as the 55th accused. Both Shakib and Ahmed are former Awami League MPs in the parliament. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 154 others are also named in the case, along with around 400-500 unidentified persons.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed former skipper Faruque Ahmed as its new president following the resignation of Nazmul Hassan, a close ally of Hasina. Hassan, who also served as sports minister during Hasina’s 15-year rule, resigned from his BCB post.

The protests in Bangladesh erupted over student-led demonstrations against Hasina’s rule. Over 450 people were killed during the month-long unrest, leading to Hasina’s resignation and subsequent departure from the country.

Faruque, who briefly captained Bangladesh in the 1994 ICC Trophy and played seven ODIs, has been elected by the BCB’s directors and has taken charge immediately. He previously held the position of national chief selector from 2005 to 2014.

The murder case against Shakib and the political turmoil in Bangladesh have cast a shadow over the country’s cricket scene. The BCB is yet to comment on the allegations against Shakib, who is one of the most prominent cricketers in the world.

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