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Jaiswal slams dazzling unbeaten 173 as India reach 318/2 against West Indies on Day 1 of Delhi Test

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NEW DELHI: Yashasvi Jaiswal drove with precision, cut with ferocity and defended with doggedness to decimate a hapless West Indies attack with another ‘daddy hundred’ that took India to a commanding 318 for 2 on the opening day of the second Test here on Friday.

Jaiswal displayed all facets of his extraordinary talent en route an unbeaten 173 off 253 balls.

He had skipper Shubman Gill (20) for company when stumps were drawn for the day.

Such was Jaiswal’s panache that there wasn’t a single awkward boundary during his knock which was laced with 22 hits to the fence.

The control with which he dictated the proceedings also gave enough confidence to another young batter Sai Sudharsan (87), who looked good for his maiden Test hundred but fell 13 short.

In a stand of 193 for the second wicket between the two 23-year-olds, Sudharsan was able to show his true potential and also justify the Indian team management’s decision to persist with him as the long-term number three in the Test line-up.

With a languid approach, Sudharsan managed to caress the ball to the boundary without any usage of brute force.

By the time, he got one from left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican that turned and came back into him thudding onto his pads, the Tamil Nadu southpaw had done enough to stop conversations on whether he is running out of time.

Gill also looked assured and would be hoping to make up for the disappointment of missing a hundred in Ahmedabad.

As far as West Indies bowling was concerned, they were disciplined during the first hour and pedestrian for the next five, bowling enough loose deliveries that resulted in 43 boundaries (including one six) on Day 1.

For Jaiswal, it was his control that was laudable but he was equally disdainful on pacers and spinners.

Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillips fed him with a lot of half-volleys and over-pitched deliveries that met the fate they ought to have.

As far as the spinners were concerned, Jaiswal was either gifted half-trackers or wide and overpitched deliveries that were driven with such impetuosity that at times, fielders left the chase halfway.

While Warrican still bowled a few wicket-taking deliveries — two of which accounted for KL Rahul (38) and Sudharsan –, Khary Pierre and Roston Chase were easily dispatched by the Indians throughout the day.

A standout aspect of Jaiswal’s innings was the manner in which paced each of his 50s.

If the first fifty runs (82 balls) were all about a cautious approach, there was controlled aggression between 50 to 100 (63 balls) and once he had reached the three-figure mark, he basically dictated the field placements not taking any risks but still managing to score freely between 100 to 150 (79 balls).

Among all his shots, the way he played the square cut and back cut was a treat for the fans, who had gathered at the Kotla to watch India bat.

Towards the end, the copybook cover-drive with a bent knee off Seales as he held the pose made for a perfect portrait.

In case of Sudharsan, with some good lessons in basics of cricket, most of his 12 boundaries came in the ‘V’.

There were some regal cover drives and on-drives.

The only man who might feel disappointed is Rahul as he got the best delivery bowled on the day.

Warrican suddenly changed the pace of his delivery and shortened the length.

Rahul came out and saw it turn sharply, beating his outside edge.

There was a century there for the taking.

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Kane Williamson announces retirement from international cricket

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New Zealand batting great Kane Williamson on Friday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtain on a career spanning more than 15 years across all formats.

The decision marks the end of an era in New Zealand cricket, following his earlier retirement from T20 Internationals in 2025.

“I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time. I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand,” Williamson said in a statement issued by New Zealand Cricket.

“Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms,” he added.

The 35-year-old retires as New Zealand’s all-time leading international run-scorer across formats, with 19,346 runs, including more than 9,500 runs in Test cricket, 33 centuries and six double hundreds.

“One of our greatest ever, signing off. Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from international cricket effective immediately,” the NZC said.

Williamson is currently in England for an ongoing Test series, where New Zealand lost the opening match by 115 runs.

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India set for bumper New Zealand tour featuring 10 white-ball matches and Two Tests

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India will undertake the biggest-ever international cricket tour of New Zealand later this year, playing two tests, five one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.

India will open the tour with the T20s in late October and early November quickly followed by the ODI series.

The first test takes place at Wellington’s Basin Reserve from November 19 to 23. The second test will be at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1.

“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” said New Zealand Cricket’s Glenn Critchley. “We’re expecting all of these games to sell out.”

After travelling to play four tests in Australia around the New Year, New Zealand will also host Sri Lanka in three ODIs, three T20s, and two tests in January and February, 2027.

The White Ferns women’s team will host Bangladesh for three T20s and three ODIs in December.

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No RCB victory parade in Bengaluru as fans celebrate title win indoors

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The passionate fans will not be able to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title defence with the team after the franchise decided against holding a victory parade in the city in order to avoid the crowd frenzy, which led to last year’s deadly stampede.

Virat Kohli once again delivered on the biggest stage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their IPL title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, extending his remarkable run of consistency in a format increasingly dominated by ultra-aggressive batting.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s second IPL title win came on Rajat Patidar’s 33rd birthday but more than that happy coincidence the skipper was pleased with his team’s start-to-end domination in the league.

The RCB took such a decision also keeping in mind the swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

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