Sports News Live Updates: Afghanistan-New Zealand Test washed out; Ishan Kishan returns in style with a hundred

Batting superstar Virat Kohli spent about 45 minutes in the nets and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah bowled full tilt as the Indian cricket team on Friday began its preparations for a two-Test series against Bangladesh.


With the first Test against Bangladesh scheduled here from September 19, the entire squad, including skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli, assembled at the MA Chidambaram Stadium for a closed door training session.

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is thrilled about the prospect of watching modern-day greats Virat Kohli and Steve Smith battle for supremacy in the Border Gavaskar Trophy against India later this year. Kohli and Smith are among the 'Fab Four' batters of the modern generation, alongside England's Joe Root and New Zealand's Kane Williamson.

Disappointed and frustrated after rain forced their one-off Test to be abandoned without any play, head coaches of Afghanistan and New Zealand on Friday said only inclement weather was to be blamed for the fiasco as scheduling a match during monsoon season is "always tricky".

Australia's veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has identified the three Indian batsmen he believes will pose the greatest threat in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series.


The series will kick off with the first Test in Perth on November 22, followed by the second Test in Adelaide from December 6, the third Test in Brisbane from December 14, the fourth Test (Boxing Day Test) in Melbourne from December 26, and the fifth and final Test in Sydney from January 3.

Sachin Tendulkar has been sledged a number of times during his legendary career whenever he frustrated bowlers around the world by piling on the runs, but it's rare to see the soft-spoken batting legend getting under the skin of the opposition with his words.

The Dunedin Test during India's tour of New Zealand in 1998-99 is part of history for a reason that the lovers of red-ball cricket don't like to see happening on a cricket field.

India D captain Shreyas Iyer scored 9 and 54 in his team's opening Duleep Trophy match but couldn’t secure a victory as India C triumphed by four wickets.

In the second match, Shreyas won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that paid off as India D bowled out Mayank Agarwal's India A for 290 runs at the Rural Development Trust Stadium in Anantapur.

Ishan Kishan etched his name in cricket history during the third ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022. The young wicketkeeper-batsman unleashed a breathtaking assault, amassing an unbeaten 210 runs off a mere 131 deliveries.

His innings was studded with 24 fours and 10 sixes propelling India to an imposing total of 409/8.

If India beat Bangladesh in the first Test...

Gurjot Singh, a 19-year-old from Husainabad, overcame a severe head injury as a child and financial difficulties while keeping his dream to play hockey for India alive. His journey to the Indian team included days when he almost gave up the sport and started working in a slipper-manufacturing unit as a packager.