Tendulkar hopes 'Exciting Times' Ahead For Rachin, Sarfaraz After Centuries In Bengaluru

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Tendulkar hopes 'Exciting Times' Ahead For Rachin, Sarfaraz After Centuries I...

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Ravindra played a knock of 134 runs studded with 13 fours and four sixes. He also became the first New Zealand batter to score a Test century in India since 2012

On the other hand, Sarfaraz amassed his first Test ton in India's second innings as he along with Rishabh Pant led the charge on Saturday

New Delhi, Oct 19: Legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar hailed centurions Rachin Ravindra and Sarafaraz Khan after their heroics in the first Test between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

New Zealand batter Rachin, who has his roots from Bengaluru, scored his second Test ton to guide the visitors to 402 in their first innings after bundling out India to 46 - their lowest Test total at home. He played a knock of 134 runs studded with 13 fours and four sixes. He also became the first New Zealand batter to score a Test century in India since 2012.

On the other hand, Sarfaraz amassed his first Test ton in India's second innings as he along with Rishabh Pant led the charge on Saturday. The duo added an unbroken 113-run partnership for the fourth wicket before rain stopped play in the first session and enforced early lunch. India were 344/3 in 71 overs with Sarfaraz (125*) and Pant (53*) on the crease.

"Cricket has a way of connecting us to our roots. Rachin Ravindra seems to have a special connection with Bengaluru, where his family hails from! Another century to his name," Tendulkar wrote on X.

"And Sarfaraz Khan, what an occasion to score your first Test century, when India needed it most! Exciting times ahead for both these talented youngsters," he added.

Resuming from 70, Sarfaraz continued to be audacious in his approach and peppered the square boundary on the off-side with tons of cheeky backfoot cuts and slices. He was well-supported by Pant, who unleashed his aggressive self after a brief period of patience, with the wicketkeeper-batter.

After Pant got a mistimed loft off Henry over mid-on for four, Sarfaraz reached his hundred in a dominating fashion – a backfoot punch off Southee cleared the in-field for four – with the right-handed batter running while holding the bat high and his hands aloft. He then took the helmet off, roared and swung the bat delightfully, before getting a bear hug from Pant, as the stadium was up on its feet to applaud an incredible knock under pressure.

While Sarfaraz continued to paddle and dab his way to get more boundaries, Pant began to cut loose by smashing Southee for six and four respectively. He then showed good footwork in slamming Ajaz Patel for two mighty sixes, before getting to overturn a lbw decision as replays showed a big inside edge.

It was followed by New Zealand burning a review on the very next ball as Pant got bat on the skiddy delivery. Pant then got two more boundaries off Patel and Glenn Phillips to bring up his fifty in 55 balls, quashing all queries on his fitness after hobbling off the field due to being hit on the right knee while being on wicketkeeping duties on day two.

(IANS)

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1st Test: NZ Need 107 To Win After O'Rourke And Henry Three-Fers Bowl Out India For 462

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Bengaluru, Oct 19: New Zealand need 107 runs to win the first Test against India at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after three-fers from fast-bowlers William O'Rourke and Matt Henry bowled out the hosts for 462 in their second innings on day four here Saturday.

At one point, India were 408/3 and looked primed to set a big target for New Zealand, thanks to a thrilling counter-attacking 177-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99).

But once New Zealand took the second new ball and from there on, they took the remaining seven wickets for just 54 runs as India crumbed to 462 all out in 99.3 overs.

With the pitch having cracks and offering help to pacers, India will need a special effort from their bowlers to conjure up an unlikely win.

Sarfaraz slammed a fantastic maiden ton laced with strokes mostly on square through the off-side, while Pant, despite not being at his 100% best around the right knee, was exhilarating in his 99, his seventh Test score in the 90s.

Resuming at 70, Sarfaraz continued to be audacious in his approach and peppered the square boundary on the off-side with several cheeky back foot cuts and slices. In the morning, with dark clouds hanging around, Sarfaraz welcomed O’Rourke with two cuts on the off-side, followed by taking another four and dispatching Henry for two more boundaries.

A huge mix-up between the two could have resulted in a run-out of Pant, who was halfway down the pitch if an out-of-position Tom Blundell hadn’t missed the throw at the stumps. After Pant got a mistimed loft off Henry over mid-on for four, Sarfaraz reached his hundred in a dominating fashion – a backfoot punch off Southee cleared the in-field for four – with the right-handed batter running while holding the bat high and his hands aloft.

He then took the helmet off, roared, and swung the bat delightfully, before getting a bear hug from Pant, as the stadium was up on its feet to applaud an incredible knock under pressure. While Sarfaraz continued to paddle and dab his way to get more boundaries, a patient Pant began to cut loose by smashing Southee for six and four respectively.

He then showed good footwork in slamming Ajaz Patel for two mighty sixes, before getting to overturn a lbw decision as replays showed a big inside edge. It was followed by New Zealand burning a review on the very next ball as Pant got bat on the skiddy delivery.

Pant then got two more boundaries off Patel and Glenn Phillips to bring up his fifty in just 55 balls, quashing all queries on his fitness after hobbling off the field due to being hit on the right knee while being on wicketkeeping duties on the second day, before rain brought early lunch.

After a rain delay, Pant began by smacking, flat-batting and reverse-sweeping to get his early rush of boundaries. After Sarfaraz ramped O’Rourke for four, Pant cut through the gap and went inside-out to collect more boundaries. Sarfaraz drilled Phillips for a boundary before getting the single taking him to 150 for the first time in Tests.

But in the very next over, Sarfaraz went for the lofted cover drive, but extra bounce from Southee meant the ball lobbed to cover, bringing an end to his wonderful knock, which was laced with 18 fours and three sixes. Pant astonished everyone when he slog-swept Southee for a staggering 107-m six going on the roof of square leg boundary.

There was anticipation and nervousness in the crowd eager to see Pant get his hundred, but his attempt to punch off O’Rourke didn’t account for the extra bounce and rattled the leg-stump, as he got out for 99, laced with nine fours and five sixes.

O’Rourke again struck at the stroke of tea when Rahul poked at a short-of-length delivery and took edge behind. Post tea, O’Rourke was excellent again when Ravindra Jadeja pulled straight to mid-wicket. Henry then came in to trap Ravichandran Ashwin lbw and had Jasprit Bumrah nicking behind before wrapping up India’s innings by having Mohammed Siraj hit straight to mid-on.

Brief scores:

India 46 and 462 all out in 99.3 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 150, Rishabh Pant 99; William O’Rourke 3-92, Matt Henry 3-102) lead New Zealand 402 by 106 runs

(IANS)

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Bala Devi Becomes First Indian Woman To Score 50 International Goals

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Kathmandu, Oct 19: Bala Devi, often referred to as the "goal machine" of Indian women's football, reached an exceptional milestone by becoming the first Indian woman to score her 50th international goal during the 2024 SAFF Women's Championship in Nepal, in a match against Pakistan.

Her achievement was celebrated not only by Indian fans but also by local supporters, as the crowd in Nepal honoured her with a standing ovation after the match, as per the AIFF Media Team.

When asked about her feelings on reaching this milestone, Bala Devi shared, "I feel proud to score 50 goals for India. It was a very special moment for me," as per quoted by the AIFF Media Team.

Bala Devi dedicated her goal to her father, expressing the deep influence he had on her career.

"Everything I am today is because of my father. He taught me everything since childhood, from kicking the ball to scoring a goal. He always encouraged me to stay connected with the game. As I stepped into the field against Pakistan, memories of him flooded back and I couldn't stop crying. I missed him so much at that moment. The motivation to score that goal came from him and everything he taught me," Devi said.

Reflecting on her goal against Pakistan, Bala revealed her thought process.

"Whatever strategy the coach and players decide for set-pieces, we stick to it. Who takes the kick depends on the situation, whether it's from the right or left. At that moment, I felt I should take the kick, and Manisha came over and said, 'Di, you take it.' I asked her to just touch the ball, and I went in for the shot. Manisha's pass was perfect, with spot-on accuracy, and the ball went in," she noted, as per quoted by the AIFF Media Team.

Devi, who has been a part of the national team since 2005, reflected on her long career and the admiration she receives.

"When I arrived in Nepal, many people recognised me. Some even asked if I was coming as a coach. Some players from another team still wanted me on the field as a player. I started playing for India back in 2005, and while the atmosphere within the team has changed over the years, the support and affection everyone shows me are overwhelming. I feel proud to have continued playing for so many years and to still be loved by the fans. It's a great feeling to play in a foreign country and gain new experiences in the game," Devi remarked.

After a month-long break due to injury, Bala Devi made a strong return to the national camp. She emphasized the importance of mental strength and the support she received.

"I have been involved with football all my life, so I know how to keep my mentality strong when I am injured. And I always try to push myself a little extra during training sessions, focusing on maintaining my fitness. A lot of people have supported me along the way, especially coach Santosh. After my injury, I didn't have the confidence to play, but he created a comfortable environment in Goa that helped me regain it. I am grateful to all the coaches, staff, and players for their efforts. Everyone contributes, from managing diets and training to the hard work put in by the young players. Together, we maintain a positive atmosphere, and that has been my biggest motivation," she said as per quoted by the AIFF Media Team.

Discussing her experiences in Indian and European football, Bala said, "I have learned a lot during my time at Rangers. How to stay fit, maintain professionalism, and had good experience in Europe. Indian women's football is growing and we can see now players are going abroad to play after me. AIFF has also been very supportive, and the women's department is putting in a lot of effort for us. If this level of support continues, we can achieve great things and go a long way."

When asked to describe her career in one word, Bala chose "SHE POWER." She explained, "I call it 'SHE POWER' because I work hard from morning till evening. I take care of myself and manage my household, it's all hard work. Nothing comes easy."