Author: Bharath Ramaraj

Rafael Nadal had last played a competitive singles match around 8,400 hours ago. But watching his first point in his comeback outing against Dominic Thiem, at the Brisbane Open, it seemed as if he must have taken part in numerous tournaments last year. In that rally, Nadal’s initial plan was to jam the returner with the body serve. He followed it up with the cross-court forehand before delivering the killer punch through a stinging inside-out forehand. It was a statement of sorts from the 22-time Grand Slam champion that he is here to compete in what could be his last…

“Nandre Burger to Jaiswal, no run, starts with a peach of a delivery. A lovely length ball with a straight seam that shapes away after pitching and beats Jaiswal on the outside edge,” Cricbuzz Text commentary. This was the first ball bowled by South African Burger in his Test career against India. His last ball of the opening Test wobbled off the pitch to whistle past the No.11 batter’s outside edge. In a nutshell, the tall left-arm pace bowler knew what to do on a track which had its share of indentations. Most of the time, he…

On a moving day, Dean Elgar’s unbeaten 140 gave South Africa the upper hand against India at Centurion. The hosts ended Day 2 of the first Test at 256 for 5, in front by 11 runs. India had begun the day on a bright note. KL Rahul continued to play with a degree of freedom, upper-cutting, pulling and finally hoicking Gerlad Coetzee across the line to complete arguably his best international hundred. Mohammed Siraj, the No. 10 batter, gave him decent support, as the duo added 47 crucial runs. When Siraj was dismissed, Rahul was on 95. He soon stole…

Just a glimpse of Kagiso Rabada’s piercing glare and it makes you feel as if a proud lion is on the prowl. The lion certainly roared at his favourite hunting ground — the SuperSport Park in Centurion — as he ripped through the cream of the Indian batting unit and bagged a five-for on the opening day of the Test. Despite returning from an injury and not touching top pace, there was an air of bristling energy and aggression surrounding Rabada’s bowling. The first ball of the opening over itself served as a cue for the rest of the day,…

On a spicy Centurion deck, India ended up with 208 for 8 on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa. KL Rahul was the fulcrum of the visiting side’s batting unit, scoring a fluent unbeaten 70, while Kagiso Rabada bagged a five-for. India had begun the day on the wrong note, losing their first three wickets for just 24 runs. Rabada, who was returning from a bruised heel, dismissed Rohit Sharma with a short ball. On a deck with spongy bounce, Rohit could have shown a degree of caution. Yashasvi Jaiswal was done in by a fuller length…

There is always a bit of buzz surrounding a bunch of fast bowlers playing a Test on the Highveld. The fast-bowling tribe will look to probe the defences of the batters – both on the mental and physical side. Meanwhile, the batter is trying to survive or counter-attack. On December 26, we are going to see the latest chapter of this intriguing duel in Centurion. Festivities surrounding the Boxing Day Test adds further lustre to the Test between India and South Africa. First things first. The South African think-tank is still sweating over the fitness of Kagiso Rabada (heel)…

February 13, 2022: Sushant Mishra unsold in IPL auction. December 23, 2022: His name doesn’t appear in the final list. December 19, 2023: Bought for Rs 2.2 crore by Gujarat Titans. From not finding bidders at the auction table to both Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans showing interest, the contrast in fortunes couldn’t have been starker. So, what does Sushant Mishra make of it all? “I was a bit emotional. I was not there last year. It is really nice to be picked in the auction. I saw the first bid and got a bit emotional, I did not see…

How do you win a Test series in South Africa? This question has perhaps turned out to be one of the biggest jigsaw puzzles for think-tanks around the cricketing landscape. Analysts and coaches would have scrutinised videos and zoomed in on information to develop different hypotheses, but the story for many teams has remained the same – slipping to series defeats in the Rainbow Nation. So, will it change for India this time around? What could be the likely conditions that they encounter at the two venues for the series – Centurion and Cape Town? Let’s examine further to have…

Are you ready for some snarl and bite from the fast-bowling tribes? With the two-Test series between India and South Africa starting in Centurion on December 26, it is time for a pack of speedsters to leave the batters with bruised egos on tracks set to offer bounce and movement. Both sides have been battling with injuries to key fast bowlers. India have already lost Mohammed Shami to an ankle injury. Who are the contenders to take his place in the XI? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the bowlers expected to step in for Shami? Here’s a lowdown…

Mitchell Starc became the most expensive signing in Indian Premier League history, with Kolkata Knight Riders forking out a mind-blowing INR 24.75 crores for the Australian left-arm pace bowler in the IPL Auction 2024. Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans all tried to buy the veteran fast bowler, but to no avail. His base price was 2 crore. Just 90 minutes earlier, Pat Cummins had broken the record for the most expensive buy in any IPL auction. Incidentally, before the start of the auction, that record was held by Sam Curran, the England all-rounder, who was bought by…