It’s Monday, and we are here with another edition of the newsletter.
Controversies
Pant’s controversial dismissal
Rishabh Pant’s dismissal sparked a controversy on Day 3 of the Mumbai Test between India and New Zealand. Batting on 64, Pant stepped down the track to defend a good length ball from Ajaz Patel. However, failing to reach the length, he pushed at the delivery which ballooned up in the air straight to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell after hitting the front pad and seemingly taking an inside edge.
The on-field umpire adjudged it not out, and the Kiwi skipper Tom Latham sent the decision upstairs. The UltraEdge showed a spike when the ball was passing the bat. However, the bat was also in contact with the front pad at the same point.
The question was what led to the disturbance on the UltraEdge — a faint inside edge or the bat hitting the pad?
The third umpire overruled the decision while Pant was seen chatting with the on-field umpires, informing them that the noise detected on the UltraEdge was from the bat hitting the pad. It was a critical moment in the game given Pant was batting on 64 with India’s score now reading 106/7 while chasing 147. Fans took to social media asking why the richest board in the world (the BCCI) doesn’t have the Hotspot technology, which would have cleared all doubts.
The KL Rahul-LSG fallout
After months of anticipation, the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams announced their retentions ahead of the mega-auction for the 2025 season. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) didn’t retain their long-standing captain, KL Rahul.
While various reports had surfaced that Rahul wanted to be retained and then that he wanted to move on due to personal and professional reasons, the LSG owner cleared the air from his end.
Sanjeev Goenka, the LSG owner said, “We had a very simple mindset to go in with players who have a mindset to win, who put the team before their personal goals and aspirations.”
These comments have, in fact, further instigated debates about differences between the LSG owners and their skipper, Rahul.
Kishan lands himself in controversy
Down Under, in India A’s first unofficial Test against Australia A, Ishan Kishan got into a heated argument with the on-field umpire Shawn Craig about his decision to change the ball. Kishan called Craig’s decision to change the ball “stupid”.
Craig didn’t take it well and blamed it on Kishan, stating that the wicketkeeper batter had scratched the ball.
“Excuse me, you’ll be on report for dissent. That’s inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions, we changed the ball,” he told Kishan.
That puts Kishan in serious danger, as he goes into the report for dissent, and further trouble could ensue for the 26-year-old in case they find the ball tampered with.
Weekly Recap
In the Spotlight
New Zealand script history
The Kiwis have yet again punched above their weight when everyone sidelined them. Having already clinched the series, New Zealand went a step further by winning the Mumbai Test as well and whitewashing India 0-3.
This is the first time in cricket history that India have lost 0-3 at home. For New Zealand, they have won three Tests in a series for the first time and that too in India, which is deemed one of the toughest sides to beat at home in Test cricket.
Latham said it was a series he would never forget. Rohit Sharma, the losing skipper, took the responsibility on himself, stating that he didn’t click as a captain and a batter.
IPL retentions are here
The moment everyone had waited for. On October 31, all 10 teams confirmed their retentions ahead of the mega-auction for the 2025 season. Some big names were released, including Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Jos Buttler while some retentions raised a few eyebrows.
For full analysis, click here: IPL Retention Takeaways
Rizwan to lead Pakistan in white-ball cricket
Mohammad Rizwan was announced as Pakistan’s new white-ball captain, with Salman Ali Agha named as his deputy. Rizwan’s first assignment is Pakistan’s ongoing white-ball tour of Australia, where they are playing three ODIs and three T20Is.
The squad also marked the comeback of Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, the trio that was snubbed for the last two Tests against England. Pakistan lost the first ODI on Monday (November 4) by two wickets in Melbourne.
Wade retires
Matthew Wade drew curtains on his 13-year-long career for Australia, announcing his retirement from international cricket on October 29. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, who started his Australia career with T20I cricket in 2011, will continue playing domestic cricket for Tasmania and the Big Bash League with the Hobart Hurricanes.
For now, Wade will join Australia’s support staff during Australia’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka win Hong Kong Sixes title
Sri Lanka won the Hong Kong International Sixes trophy in Mong Kok on Sunday (November 3). The tournament returned after seven years including 12 teams.
India, led by Robin Uthappa, lost all their five matches, including a 1-run defeat against the UAE. In the India-England clash, Ravi Bopara slammed Uthappa for six sixes in an over. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the final to lift the trophy, while South Africa beat UAE by 1 run in the Plate final.
Performers of the Week
Stat of the Week
Editor’s picks
Rohit, Kohli, Ashwin under scanner after New Zealand thrashing
Race to WTC Final: every BGT scenario explained
South Africa register their biggest win in Test history
Interview: Naruto, ‘idol’ Kohli & tattoo – Nitish Reddy is ready for Test debut
Smriti Mandhana surpasses Mithali Raj to set an all-time India record
Why Mumbai Indians can’t use RTM on Ishan Kishan
Hunger, homework and humility: The making of Rachin Ravindra
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