IND vs NZ | 1st Test: Tim Southee picks up five-wicket haul to check India's progress

IND vs NZ | 1st Test: Shreyas Iyer hits century on Test debut to lead India's batting effort

Extending his dream run of form with the bat, Shreyas Iyer celebrated his Test debut with a magnificent century on the second day of the ongoing first Test in Kanpur. He was instrumental in taking India closer to the 330-run mark. He hit 13 fours and two massive sixes to reach the landmark. Iyer walked out to bat at the number five position when Cheteshwar Pujara was knocked out by Tim Southee and stitched valuable partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja to lead India’s batting efforts. Iyer was brought into the squad as the skipper Virat Kohli opted out of the first Test of the series against New Zealand and Hanuma Vihari was sent on the tour of South Africa with India A side. Still, he was competing with Shubman Gill for a place in the middle order but the injury to KL Rahul made way for his debut in the middle order. His century in this game that could well turn out to be a match-winning effort with the bat will complicate selection calls for the team management when Kohli will return for the second Test of the series. His century will also put pressure on the vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who is leading the side in this game in absence of Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, who suffered another batting failure in the first innings of the Test.

Pat Cummins appointed Australia's Test captain, Steve Smith to be vice-captain

Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been appointed as the captain of the Test team right ahead of the Ashes series. The decision comes after days of speculation when he and former captain Steve Smith appeared before a five-member panel constituted by Cricket Australia. Smith will be his deputy in the longest format. The decision to promote Cummins as the skipper can be seen as a seminal moment in Australian cricket as he has become the first pacer to take the full-time leadership position of the side. "I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer," Cummins said in a statement. “I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim (Paine) has given the group in the past few years. With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly-knit group. "This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to." His first test as a leader will come in the upcoming weeks as England are already in Australia for the all-important Ashes series and he will have the task of uniting the players to move on from the saga that his predecessor Tim Paine left behind him. His appointment as skipper was more or less on cards as he was deputy to Paine for a long time and that his candidature was also approved and promoted by many former Australian players.

Tim Paine takes indefinite break from all forms of cricket

It has been a shocking two weeks for cricket followers across the world and especially in Australia. After relinquishing the Australia captaincy ahead of the Ashes, former skipper Tim Paine has now announced that he has no ambition of playing any form of cricket in near future. Cricket Tasmania, the state that Paine represents in domestic cricket announced on his behalf that he has withdrawn from Tasmania’s Marsh Cup game against Western Australia and has also asked selectors not to consider him for foreseeable future. “Following discussions over the last 24 hours, Tim Paine has advised Cricket Tasmania that he will be taking a leave of absence from all forms of cricket for the foreseeable future. Tim’s decision makes him unavailable for selection for today’s Marsh One-Day Cup match against Western Australia. His place in the squad will be taken by Charlie Wakim,” Cricket Tasmania said in a statement at the same time committing to support the state legend in any which way possible. Although after his resignation over the derogatory texting scandal with a colleague, Cricket Australia’s current management hadn’t been kind to its former captain, but now after his indefinite break announcement, Nick Hockley, the CEO has promised full support to Paine. "We recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Tim and his family and are committed to supporting them. We respect and understand Tim’s decision to have a break at this time to focus on his and his family’s well-being,” he said.

T20 World Cup 2021 match between India & Pakistan most viewed T20I game: ICC

The T20 World Cup 2021 broke the viewership records as it recorded a television reach of 167 million and a record consumption of 15.9 billion minutes in India on the Star India Network for the India-Pakistan fixture. The clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is now the highest viewed T20I game. "We are pleased with these outstanding global viewership numbers, that demonstrate the power of T20I cricket to attract a huge audience across the globe on linear and digital platforms. It reinforces our belief that there is a significant opportunity and appetite to grow the game in our strategic growth markets including the USA, so more fans can enjoy it, more kids are inspired by it and sponsors and broadcasters want to be a part of it,” ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said. The overall TV consumption of the tournament was recorded at 112 billion minutes in India despite the side’s exit in the group stage itself. Pakistan had defeated India for the first time in a World Cup game and went on to win all the group matches before bowing out of the tournament in the semi-final. The Aaron Finch-led Australian side lifted the trophy eventually after beating New Zealand in the final in Dubai.