Author: Crick Raja News

The role of wicket-keepers in cricket has transformed dramatically in the 21st century. Beyond their sharp reflexes and reliable glovework, modern keepers are now crucial contributors with the bat, often playing pivotal roles in their team’s success. Here, we rank the top 10 men’s Test wicketkeeper-batters of this era, factoring in their dismissals, batting impact, and match-winning performances. #10 Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) While Sangakkara later focused primarily on batting, his early days as a wicket-keeper were outstanding. Accumulating 151 dismissals in his keeping role and averaging 40 with the bat, he scored seven Test centuries as a keeper. His…

As India prepares to face New Zealand in the third Test at Wankhede Stadium, it’s worth reflecting on their last encounter at this venue. The match took place in December 2021 and was a significant one for the Indian team. India’s Dominant Performance In the final Test of the series, India and New Zealand had already played a drawn Test in Kanpur. Winning the toss, India opted to bat first, which initially seemed to work in their favor. The opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill set the tone with an 80-run partnership before Gill fell to Ajaz Patel.…

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s seasoned off-spinner, has had his share of highs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. As he prepares for the upcoming Test against New Zealand, let’s revisit his top three bowling performances at this iconic venue. #3 (5-156 & 4-34) vs West Indies – November 2011 Ashwin’s impressive debut series against West Indies in 2011 set the tone for his career. In the third Test at Wankhede, he claimed a total of nine wickets, earning the Player of the Match award. In the first innings, Ashwin bowled tirelessly for 52.1 overs, taking 5-156. Despite the West Indies posting…

Priya Mishra, the talented young leg-spinner, made her debut for the Indian Women’s cricket team recently and quickly captured attention with her impressive performances. Here are five intriguing facts about Priya that showcase her journey and talent: #5 Priya Mishra Was Among India A’s Top Performers on Their Tour to Australia Before stepping onto the international stage, Priya shone brightly with India A during their tour of Australia. She claimed six wickets in an unofficial Test and took five wickets in a remarkable third ODI, helping India A win by a staggering 171 runs. Her consistent performances signaled her potential…

With reports suggesting that Shreyas Iyer might be released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) before the IPL 2025 retention deadline, a potential opening arises for Punjab Kings (PBKS) to pursue him as their captain. Following Shikhar Dhawan’s retirement, PBKS is on the lookout for a strong leader. Here’s why Shreyas Iyer could be the perfect fit: 1. Proven Success with Ricky Ponting Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting share a successful history, having transformed Delhi Capitals into a top contender during Iyer’s captaincy. After taking over mid-season in 2018, Iyer, with Ponting’s guidance, helped Delhi qualify for the playoffs in 2019…

In their celebrated Test careers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have crafted masterpieces against all bowling styles. However, their recent records against spin, especially in Asian conditions, have raised questions about their vulnerability in this department. As both were dismissed cheaply by New Zealand’s spinners in the ongoing Test series, it became essential to examine their performances against spin in detail, particularly in recent years. Overall Performance Against Spin Rohit Sharma’s Record Against Spin in Tests Rohit has maintained a respectable overall Test average of 46.30 against spin, showcasing resilience and class against most spin types: He performs strongly against…

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone has reportedly been appointed as the captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, set to begin on Thursday, October 31. Regular white-ball skipper Jos Buttler, still recovering from a calf injury, is expected to join the squad later for the five-match T20I series, commencing on November 10. Buttler’s last competitive appearance was in England’s 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final loss to India in June. He initially picked up the calf injury while preparing for The Hundred with Northern Superchargers, ruling him out of that tournament and England’s entire home white-ball series against…

Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his grit and determination in red-ball cricket, delivered another masterclass in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 by scoring a magnificent 234 for Saurashtra against Chhattisgarh. Despite being left out of India’s national team, Pujara continues to make a strong case for a recall with his phenomenal performances on the domestic circuit. Pujara’s double century, which came off 383 balls, not only anchored Saurashtra’s innings but also allowed him to reach several personal milestones, further solidifying his legacy as one of India’s greatest red-ball cricketers. Here’s a look at five significant milestones Pujara achieved during this innings. #5…

New Zealand Women’s cricket team clinched the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 20. New Zealand set a competitive total of 158/5, with Amelia Kerr leading the charge with a 38-ball 43. Kerr and Rosemary Mair also delivered with the ball, each claiming three wickets, restricting South Africa to 126/9. This victory, under the leadership of Sophie Devine, marked a significant moment for the Kiwis, who have endured a challenging past in ICC tournaments. This win places Sophie Devine in the…

Team India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was forced to leave the field during Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand due to a painful knee injury. The injury occurred when a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja struck Pant on the right knee, an area not protected by his pads. Dhruv Jurel, the backup wicketkeeper, promptly took over the wicketkeeping duties in Pant’s absence. The incident unfolded on the final ball of the 37th over when New Zealand’s left-handed opener Devon Conway missed a sharply turning delivery from Jadeja. The ball narrowly missed the stumps and Pant’s gloves, hitting him directly…