BY SACNILK

The government of India has honored Indian Men's Cricket Team captain Virat Kohli with India's most prestigious sporting honor Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan while Women's T20I vice-captain Smriti Mandhana received Arjun Award. The awards were given by President Ramnath Kovind on Tuesday, 25 September.## Virat Kohli is the only third cricketer to be received India's top sporting award. Weightlifter Mira Bai Chanu also honored with Khel Ratan with Indian skipper. Mandhana is the only 10th woman cricketer to win Arjun Award. Harmanpreet Kaur was the last woman cricketer to awarded with Arjun Award in 2017.## Virat Kohli has been in imperious form in last few years. He was the ICC Cricketer of the year 2017 and also swept most of the BCCI award this year. The No.1 Test and ODI batsman show excellent runs in South Africa and England this year across all formats. He was the top scorer in SA and England in Test series'.## "The Khel Ratna award is yet another feather in Virat Kohli's cap. He was named the ICC Player of the Year in 2017, he swept the BCCI awards and has now been conferred with the highest sporting award, which is truly a remarkable feat. His hunger for runs is insatiable and I am sure under his leadership, the Indian team will be a top-ranked side in all three formats," BCCI acting honorary secretary, Amitabh Choudhary, said.## "We are extremely proud that Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana are being conferred with top honors by the Government of India. Virat is just the third Indian cricketer to receive the prestigious Khel Ratna award. This is a testimony to his work ethic, dedication, and unwavering focus. He has led India with distinction and at the same time, set new records with the bat. Playing different formats of the game, Virat has shown amazing consistency leading the side by example. This Indian team is one of the fittest sides in world cricket and a lot of credit must go to the Indian captain for bringing about this transformation," Vinod Rai, Chairman of the Committee of Administrators, said.## On the other hand, Mandhana has been India's best player since World Cup 2017. Since World Cup, she is India's leading run-getter in both T20Is and ODIs. After her remarkable run, she named a deputy to Harmanpreet in T20I. In recently concluded England's Women Kia Super League, she topped the charts with 421 runs and a blitzing strike rate of 175. She is only Indian player to win player of the tournament award in the history of WKSL and WBBL (Women's Big Bash League).## Talking about Virat Kohli, it was yet another feather in his cap. The 29-year old is the first cricketer since Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2007) to be honored with this most respectable sporting award. The great Sachin Tendulkar was the first cricketer to receive this honor in 1997.## For more and latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

India women cricket team's dominance over Sri Lankan women continued as they clean Sri Lanka swept in 5-match T20I series. In fifth and final T20I, India beat Sri Lanka by 51-runs at FTZ Cricket Complex, Katunayake on Tuesday, September 25 and won the series 4-0 with the third match was washed out.## The series played as a part of ICC World Championship. India won both ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. Before T20Is, India emerged as the victorious in 3-match ODI series which they won 2-1.## Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was the star for India. Riding on her 63 off 38 balls along with Jemimah Rodrigues's 46 off 31 balls, India women posted 156-all out in 18.3 overs. ## India was 128 for 3 after 14 overs at one stage but Sri Lanka bounced back strongly to restrict India on the modest total.## For Sri Lanka Shashikala Siriwardene and Inoshi Priyadharshani were pick off the bowlers. Both bowled exceedingly well especially later part of the inning to stop India on that total. ## Siriwardene took 3 for 19 in 3.3 overs while Inoshi finished her spell with 3 for 24 in 4 overs.## Sri Lanka's run chase could never get going with wickets falling at regular intervals. They could not start well and lost two early wickets on 13 in 2.4 overs. ## However, Anushka Sanjeevani (29), Siriwardene (22) and Oshadi Ranasinghe (22) tried to bring Sri Lanka back in the game with 34 and 39 back to back partnership.## Once Sri Lanka loses their 4th wicket on 86, it was a matter of time for Sri Lanka to bundled out on 105 in 17.4 overs and lost by 51-runs. India's bowling was stand out once again. Deepti Sharma 2 for 18, Poonam Yadav 3 for 18, and Radha Yadav 2 for 14 helped India to win comprehensively.## For more and latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Bowlers set the ton and openers finished off in style. This has been India's story in the Asia Cup 2018 so far and today was no different. Riding on Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan's hundreds and 210-runs partnership between them, India thrashed Pakistan by 9-wickets in Super 4 match on Sunday, 23 September at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai and became the first team to qualify for the finals (After Bangladesh beat Afghanistan).## Once again the win was set up by the Indian bowlers especially by Jasprit Bumrah who executed the yorkers with perfection in the death overs. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav supported Bumrah with tight bowling. Their effort restricted Pakistan on 237 for 7 before Rohit Sharma (111* off 119 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (114 off 110 balls) century helped India to chase the target down with 63 balls to spare. Unfortunately, Dhawan fell short just 28 runs from target and got run out. ## Earlier in the day, Pakistan had won the toss and opted to bat first. And since then, the pendulum kept swinging in both teams favour. Pakistan's problem at the top order continued as Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul Haq again failed to provide the start Pakistan was looking for. In the first power play, they could manage only 28 and lost Imam (10 off 20 balls) who played a steady knock in the previous match against Afghanistan.## Fakhar Zaman who yet to get his first 50+ score in this Asia Cup was looking in good touch but the pressure of dot balls was always increasing and that made Zaman play a long sweep but stuck to the crease and became an LBW victim of Kuldeep Yadav. He made 31 off 44 balls. Pakistan's problem yet to end as Babar Azam got run out on the score of 58 in 15.5 overs.## After losing 3 for 58, Pakistan was needed two of their most experienced players Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed to stand out for them and they did exactly same. The duo put on a 107-run stand for the 4th wicket. When Pakistan was looking to set a big total, Kuldeep Yadav brought back India into the game by dismissing skipper Sarfraz Ahmed who played well for his 44 runs off 66 balls.## However, Asif Ali hit 2 sixes and a four to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and changed the equation of the match with 22-run over. The hope of a big score was still alive with Malik and Asif were playing blunder. But then, Bumrah came to bowl his last spell which turned out be the turning point of the match. On the 4th ball of his final spell, he took big of Malik who made 78 off 90 balls. In the next over Chahal dismissed Asif who played a quickfire cameo of 30 off 21 balls. With the dismissal of Malik and Asif, Pakistan's hopes of a big score were also dismissed and after playing full 50 overs, they restricted to a modest total.## With Bumrah e was executing his yorkers with perfection it became almost impossible to hit him for a boundary. He finished his spell with 2 for 29 in 10 overs. Chahal (2 for 46) and Yadav (2 for 41) also bowled exceedingly well.## Rohit Sharma scored his 19th ODI century and during the innings, he went past 7000 runs and has become 3rd fastest Indian to do that. On the other hand, Dhawan reached his 15th century and therefore he awarded Man Of The Match.## India's next match will be against Afghanistan which will be a dead rubber as Afghanistan has been out from the race of final after losing to Bangladesh.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Ravindra Jadeja who was making ODI comeback after almost fifteen months celebrated his return with an exceptional 4 for 29 before skipper Rohit Sharma starred with the bat in India's thumping 7-wicket win over Bangladesh on Friday 21 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai in the first match of the Super 4 stage.## India team once again were as clinical as they were against Pakistan in the previous match where they put on a very much similar performance to beat them by 8-wickets.## Much like against Pakistan, bowlers were again starred with the ball to bowled out Bangladesh on a modest total of 173 after Rohit Sharma asked them to bat first. And after that, without creating any sort of drama, chased down the target with 82 balls to spare. Shikhar Dhawan (40 off 47 balls) and MS Dhoni (33 off 37 balls) who was promoted at no. 4, batted brilliantly with Rohit Sharma.## Bangladesh while batting kept losing wickets at regular interval and therefore, they couldn't make any big partnership despite 66 for the 8th wicket between skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and Mehidy Hasan. Two of their most experienced batsmen, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim got out playing poor shots and that didn't help Bangladesh's cause.## Mehidy Hasan was the top scorer with 42 off 50 balls. Shakib Al Hasan (17 off 12 balls), Rahim (21 off 45 balls), Mahmudullah (25 off 51 balls) and Mortaza (26 off 32 balls) they all got the start but could not capitalize into big scores. And for that, They should blame themselves for showing poor batting display on a pitch which was excellent for batting.## On the other hand, Indian bowlers were brilliant both with spin and pace. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah again produced crucial wickets with Kumar dismissed Liton Das (7) while Bumrah grabbed Hossain Shanto (7).## Once both the opener dismissed, Jadeja ran through Bangladesh's middle order with his leg break. He was awarded Man Of The Match for his match-winning spell. Kumar and Bumrah sported Him well with 3-wickets each. They were equally brilliant at the beginning as well as in the death. Both finished their spell with 3 for 32 and 3 for 37 respectively.## In the 3rd match of the Super 4 stage on 23rd September, India will be against Pakistan and in the second match of the day, Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan.## For more updates and news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Looks like Murli Vijay hasn't thrown his towel after he was dropped from the Indian Test squad after the first two Test of recently concluded 5-match Test series against England in England. ## He was the part of the squad for first three matches but found it difficult to get his place in playing XI after his poor run in first two matches. ## Later on, he wasn't picked in the squad and young Prithvi Shaw replaced him for last two matches though he didn't get a match to play.## After he has been dropped from the Test squad, Vijay decided to play in English County Cricket Division One and has signed with defending champion Essex for rest of the season. Though he will get to play only 3 matches for his new Team. And now he is performing as if he was never been out of form. ## In the first three innings for Essex, Vijay has scored 56, 100, and 85 and he has looked in great touch so far.## It was surprising to see Murli Vijay struggled to score runs against England knowing that he is one of India's most reliable batsmen in overseas conditions. He was the best batsman for India when they toured England in 2014 with 402 runs in 10 innings. ## Even in Australia in 2015, he was the second best batsman after Virat Kohli. His technic in overseas conditions has always impressed Cricket Pundits.## However, in his last two overseas tours of SA & ENG, he didn't look in his best touch. Against South Africa he could score only 102 runs in 6 innings he played. Though the conditions in SA were hell for the batting, his performance was quite below average. ## Same can be said against England where he scored only 26 in 4 innings. He registered a pair in The Lords and that cost him his spot in Indian team.## There was a common thing in both South Africa and England. On both occasions, India's captain Virat Kohli was the top scorer in such hell conditions for batting. He batted as if he was playing on different pitches. So Murli Vijay would have been thinking that he wasn't the only batsman who struggled against moving balls. Yes, you still need to perform well but he didn't disappoint and always kept his head high.## The 33-year old stylish opener has been India's important part of the Test team since England tour in 2014. Looking at the India Tour Of Australia 2018-19, he will be a key for India's chances of winning the first ever Test series in Australia.## For more and latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Ruthlessness. This is the one word that can describe India's performance over their arch-rivals Pakistan in the 5th match of the Asia Cup 2018 on Wednesday, September 19 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.## There were a lot of talks about the India-Pakistan clash before starting the match but it ended with a one-sided affair as India beat Pakistan by 8-wickets chasing 163 with 126 balls to spare.## If India's was below average yesterday against inexperienced Hong Kong, they came up with all guns against Pakistan today. Their problem with not picking wickets with the new ball resolved in this match as Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed both the openers inside the first four overs after Pakistan's skipper Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bat first.## Pakistan heavily relied on their two openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq to get them a solid start. Bhuvneshwar Kumar who had an off day against Hong Kong split the water on Pakistan's hopes and dismissed both the openers cheaply. Their best batsman in recent past, Fakhar Zaman could not even open his account after facing 9 balls while his partner managed to score only 2 off 7 balls. Pakistan was left fumbled on 3 for 2 in 4.1 overs.## After losing both the openers cheaply, Pakistan was needed someone to play responsibly. Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik came to rescue them and put on 82-run partnership for the third wickets. However, their resistance could not last long as Babar Azam failed to read Kuldeep Yadav's wrong'un and bowled out after scoring 47 off 62 balls. Once Babar Azam dismissed the doors had been opened for India and Kedar Jadhav ran through Pakistan's middle order with his part-time spin bowling. Their problems were increased after Malik got run out on 43.## From 85 for 2 Pakistan was left wobbling 110 for 6 in 28.1 overs. Faheem Ashraf (21) and Mohammed Amir (18) tried to fight back with a 37-run stand for the 8th wickets but Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar came to the attack and wrapped up things quickly. They bowled out on 162 in 43.1 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kedar Jadhav were picks of the bowlers for India. Both took 3-wickets each. Bumrah also picked 2 wickets while Kuldeep took a wicket too. Bhuvneshwar Kumar awarded Man Of The Match for his brilliant bowling.## Chasing 163 India came off to a flier as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan both took Pakistan's bowlers all around the park. In the 8th over of Indian innings, Rohit smashed two sixes and a four to Usman Khan. He completed his half-century off 36 balls. However, he dismissed by Shadab Khan after scoring 52 off 39 balls. Dhawan also caught at point on just 4 short of his half-century. However, India did not lose any wicket further and Ambati Rayudu (31) and Dinesh Karthik (31) finished the match with an unbeaten partnership of 60-runs.## Pakistan did not have much success with the ball as they could manage only two Indian wickets. Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf took a wicket each but they could not put pressure on Indian batsmen.## This was India's sixth win over Pakistan in Asia Cup. Both teams will face each other again on 23rd September in Super 4 round. Before that India will take on Bangladesh in the first match of Super 4 round.## For more updates and the latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Former Australian captain and one of the greats of the game Ricky Ponting feels Indian batsmen will found it difficult in Australia if the ball starts swinging and seaming as it did in England in recently concluded 5-match Test series where India faced 4-1 lose.## After looking India's performance with the bat in England, Ponting has no doubt in his mind that India's top order will have to face the same difficulty in Australia as well if the conditions start helping the Pacers. Ponting was talking to the Cricket Australia website and said, "If the ball does swing around a lot or seam around a lot then I think India will find it difficult in Australia.## "I think any time we saw India struggle through the England series was when the ball moved. As soon as the ball started to move in the air or seam, the Indian batsmen will always struggle. It's no different to when Australia go to the subcontinent and the ball spins from day one. We always struggle with that as well," Ponting said.## India will be eying their first ever series win down the under. This will be India's best chance to win the series as Australia is not as strong as they were on previous occasions. Also, two of their best players, Steve Smith and David Warner will not be the part of the Australian squad as both the players are facing a one-year ban by CA after found guilty in the recent ball-tampering saga in South Africa.## However, this will not be as easy as India is thinking. Their previous record in Australia is not something that they can proud of. In their last two attempts in Australia, India have failed to win a single match. And therefore, India will be relying on their best player and No.1 Test batsman Virat Kohli once again who enjoyed a fabulous run with the bat in 2014-15. Kohli also was in sublime touch against England in recently concluded Test series and was the top run-getter with 593 runs in 10 innings.## Despite his excellent run with the bat, his captaincy went through under the scanner. Kohli as captain completely failed to read the conditions on two occasions if not many. And therefore, some of the former players raised the questions on his captaincy. However, Ponting rushed to the defence of the Indian captain.## "I've never sat back and tried to analyze what playing captains do as I know when I was captain on the field is about 30 or 40 percent of what you need to be in control of," Ponting said. "The rest of it happens behind closed doors or in the change rooms and quite often back in the hotel when you've got time to yourself.## "Trying to find ways to spend time with your teammates, learn about them inside out and trying to find a way to make them perform better on the field. It's not so much about a bowling change or a field placement as that part of the game is highly overrated as far as I'm concerned. ## The tactical stuff is normally worked out a few days before the game and then you go with your gut instinct about the game out on the ground once the game starts," He said.## India will begin their tour of Australia with a 3-match T20I series from 21 to 25 November before playing the first of the 4-match Test series in Adelaide on December 6. India and Australia are also scheduled to play 3-match ODI series as well.## For more and latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

India survives. Well, who would have thought that Hong Kong will scare India that much. They did and were on the line to creating history thanks to the 174 runs stand between the two openers but when it came to holding their nerve, they failed to do that and lost the match by just 26-runs on Tuesday 18 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.## On the other hand, it was an eye-opening match for India ahead of their biggest challenge against Pakistan tomorrow. They would have thought that it will be an easy outing for them but Hong Kong made it difficult by playing some excellent cricket. India should thank to both spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav and debutante Khaleel Ahamed who held their nerve well and saved India from a big upset.## Earlier in the day, Hong Kong put India to bat first after winning the toss in a must-win match for them. Stand in captain Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave a good start to India by adding 45-runs for the opening stand. Though Rohit could not make it big and got out after scoring 23 off 22 balls to Ehsan Khan.## However, Dhawan took full advantage of weak Hong Kong bowling line up and slammed his 14th ODI century. He added 116 runs with Ambati Rayudu (60 off 70) for the second wicket. When India was heading towards a big score from 240 for 2 after 40.3 overs, lost Dhawan after scoring 127 off 120 balls and from there on they lose the way and could manage only 49 runs in last ten overs and restricted to 285 for 7.## Hong Kong bowled well especially towards the end of the innings. Kinchit Shah was the pick of the bowlers. He took 3 wickets for 39 in 9 overs. Ehsan Khan also took 2 wickets for 65. Though they bowled well 285 was still looking uphill task for them.## To chase this target down, Hong Kong was needed a solid start. Nizakat Khan and skipper Anshuman Rath not only gave solid start but also they nearly took the game away from India. Remained wicketless for 33 overs, India was needed something miracle to happen. And all of sudden, Anshuman Rath (73) went for an expensive drive to Kuldeep but could not hold it to the ground and ball went straight to skipper Rohit's hand at the covers.## Once the first wicket fall, Rohit brought back debutante Khaleel on the attack and he didn't disappoint the skipper and produced a match-changing wicket of Nizakat Khan who batted brilliantly for his 92 runs off 115 balls. Once both the openers dismissed, it became almost impossible for inexperienced Hong Kong batting line up and fell just short of the target and managed only 259 for 8 in 50 overs.## For India, the 20-year old left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers. He bowled under pressure and took 3 important wickets for 48 in 10 overs. The spin duo of Chahal and Yadav was once again brilliant with the ball and took 3 and 2 wickets respectively in 10 overs each.## Shikhar Dhawan awarded Man Of The Match for his brilliant knock. With this win, India enters in super 4 stage along with arch-rivals Pakistan. India will now play against Pakistan in their second match of the group stage on Wednesday 19.## For more and latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading [email protected]

BY SACNILK

Sri Lanka suffered from another similar batting collapse in a must-win match against Afghanistan and knocked themselves out of the Asia Cup 2018 on Monday 17 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi after losing by 91-runs .## The five-time champion lost to Bangladesh in the opening match of this Asia Cup and therefore, this was the must-win match for them to keep their hope alive. But they failed to chase down the target of 250 and bundled out on just 158 in 41.2 over to handed Afghanistan a memorable win.## Afghanistan had won the toss and opted to bat first. Sri Lanka made three changes from their last match and included Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, and Shehan Jayasuriya in place for Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, and Amila Aponso.## Afghanistan started well as both Mohammed Shahzad (34 off 47) and Ihsanullah (45 off 65) added 57 for the first wicket. Both dismissed to Akila Dananjaya. But their leading run scorer of 2018, Rahmat Shah played a brilliant knock of 72 off 90 balls. His partnership worth 80-runs with Hashmatullah Shahidi (37 off 52) helped Afghanistan to reach 249 in 50 overs. It was a good effort by them knowing that they were 110 for 3 after 26 overs.## Sri Lanka did bowl well and restricted them on that total. Thisara Perera was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 55 in 9 overs. Akila Dananjaya supported him well with 2 for 39 in 10 overs. Malinga, Chameera, and Jayasuriya all three took a wicket each.## Chasing 250, Sri Lanka were needed a good start but the 17-year old Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Kusal Mendis on the just second ball of the inning without troubling the scorecard. However, Dhananjaya de Silva (23) and Upul Tharanga (36) tried to build a partnership but misunderstanding between the wicket ran de Silva out after adding 54 for the second wicket.## After losing de Silva, Sri Lanka could never build any big partnership further and kept losing a wicket at the regular interval. Kusal Perera (17), skipper Angelo Mathews (22), Jayasuriya (14), Thisara Perera (28) all got the start but could not save Sri Lanka from losing the match.## Afghanistan's bowling once again was brilliant. Mujeeb, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammed Nabi, and Rashid Khan all took two wickets each. Rashid Khan and Nabi were excellent in the middle overs and kept the pressure on Lankans. This was Afghanistan's first win over Sri Lanka in Asia Cup.## Rahmat Shah awarded Man Of The Match for his brilliant knock of 72 runs. After Sri Lanka lost, Bangladesh and Afghanistan became the first two teams to enter in super four.## For more updates and news, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

For the one last time, England's fans were seeing their beloved son and one of the greats of the game, Alastair Cook. All the memories were floating in front of their eyes and it should be as after giving so many reasons to cheer, Cook was saying goodbye to International cricket which he lived almost 12 years.## There was always talking about breaking the record of the great Sachin Tendulkar's most runs in Test cricket and without any doubt, Cook was the only cricketer among the current players who could break Sachin's record. The 33-year old had time by his side but he hanged his boots before reaching the milestone. Nevertheless, he still finished his career on high with a century in his last Test innings that turned out to be in fairy-tale.## England's fans were hoping that their greatest batsman will perform well one last time and he did not disappoint them by scoring a half-century and a century in his last match. There is always ups and downs comes in every cricketer's career, Cook also had faced them but he never been out of touch for a long time. Till the last match, he showed same determination, extraordinary patience and skill which he was known for throughout his career.## Even in the presentation ceremony looked had the same determination, self-belief on his face. He never showed that he had been playing his last Test innings for England.## "It has been the most amazing week. One you couldn't be able to script. Got a text from Beefy (Ian Botham) and he said 'Can I have your scriptwriter?' It is great to be contributing to a series win. The game going into the last session with all the three results possible was a great advert for Test cricket. The memories shared with my team is what I'll miss the most. Some very good moments. Today it showed how tough Test cricket can be. I leave with great memories. I have been very privileged to have worn the cap for as long as I have," Cook said.## Cook had played the most part of his career with James Anderson who went past the great Glenn McGrath to become the leading wicket-takers among the pacers. Both had created so many great memories together and when he was asked about Jimmy went past McGrath he said,## "To see Jimmy go past Glenn McGrath was brilliant. He and Broady are the ones that I have played most cricket with. To make the decision that I won't be standing at slips and dropping catches off their bowling has been tough (chuckles). Just has been a privilege to have played with England's greatest cricketer (Anderson). No disrespect to any other cricketer. He (Anderson) almost takes it for granted that he will hit the length from ball one. It is fitting that he got the last wicket, to knock out the middle-stump and win the series for us. The pressure that you go through, I won't miss that. You miss all the highs. I would miss playing for this team".## Although Cook had already taken his decision of retiring from international cricket and denied when he was asked if there was any chance he could make a comeback. "Not a chance, this week can't be beaten. I can walk away with my head held high and I have always wanted to do that".## Cook had a stellar career which saw him score 12,474 runs (Most by any English player) in 161 matches with an average of 45.35. Apart from runs, he is also England's leading century getter (33 Centuries). Though, Cook never had had a second thought about his batting style and his technic. He played with the same determination and patience throughout his career.## After watching him play for such long period (12 years) one can say that well-played chef. It's been a privilege to watching you from other side.## For more updates and news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

In the historic Test where England's all-time leading run scorer in the longest format of the game, Alastair Cook was retiring from the international cricket, James Anderson went past the great Glenn McGrath's 563 wickets to become the leading wicket-taker among the pacers and overall fourth in the list.## It was an emotional few days for England as two of their greatest players were on the line to create history. One was hoping for the fairy-tale goodbye and the other was in the race to become the greatest pacer ever.## Well maybe the history itself wanted to written in stars as Alastair Cook completed his fairy-tale century and became the only 5th batsman to score a century in both his debut and last match. Cook also went past Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to become leading run-getter among the left-handers and overall fifth in Test cricket history.## TOP 5 LEADING RUN GETTERS IN TEST :## 1. SACHIN TENDULKAR (IND) - 15,921 Runs## 2. RICKY PONTING (AUS) - 13,378 Runs## 3. JACQUES KALLIS (SA) - 13,289 Runs## 4. RAHUL DRAVID (IND) - 13,288 Runs## 5. ALASTAIR COOK (ENG) - 12,472 Runs## Both the players played a significant role in England's 4-1 win over India. Though, Cook didn't look his usual best but he made it special by completing his 33rd and final Test century. On the other hand, Anderson has been brilliant throughout the series and was the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets exactly the same were needed to went past McGrath.## TOP 5 LEADING WICKET TAKERS IN TEST :## 1. M MURLITHARAN (SL) - 800 Wickets## 2. SHANE WARNE (AUS) - 708 Wickets## 3. ANIL KUMBLE (IND) - 619 Wickets## 4. J ANDERSON (ENG) - 564 Wickets## 5. G McGRATH (AUS) - 563 Wickets## The 5-match series has been very competitive though, the scoreline is looking one-sided in England's favour (4-1). India had had their moments but they failed to catch them. Virat Kohli has stood out as alone warrior in the whole series and was the highest run scorer of the series with 593 Runs.## It was India's 3rd consecutive series defeat against England in England since they won 1-0 in 2007. India showed good promises but was not good enough to cross the line especially when they had an excellent chance to win the 1st and 4th Test.## For more updates and news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.

BY SACNILK

Smriti Mandhana continued to shine in limited overs as India Women crushed Sri Lanka Women by 9-wickets in the first of the three ODIs at the Galle International Stadium, Galle on Tuesday, September 11. This series is the part of ICC Championship.## It was an easy outing for the Indian Women as they comfortably won the first ODI. The foundation of this win was set up by the bowlers who bowled out Sri Lankan Women on a modest total of 98 in 35.1 overs. ## Right-arm pacer Manshi Joshi was the most successful bowler for India as she took 3 for 16 in 6.1 overs. ## Jhulan Goswami and Poonam Yadav took two wickets each while Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Dayalan Hemalatha grabbed a wicket each.## Sri Lanka never looked in the game as the biggest partnership was 29 between the skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Sripali Weerakkody. ## Athapaththu was the highest scorer for her side with 33 off 93 balls while Weerakkody made 26 off 32 balls.## The chase was never going to be trouble Indian Women and openers Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut made it even more. easier with a 96-run partnership. Raut caught out by Manodara off Ranaweera before 3 runs from reaching the target. ## She made 24 off 41 balls with the help of 2 boundaries. But it was Mandhana who showed her class once again with an unbeaten knock off 73 off 76 balls as India chased down the target in 19.5 overs.## Mandhana has been in sensational form since the South Africa series. She was the top run-getter in recently concluded Women's Kia Super League with 421 runs in 9 innings with a century and two half-centuries. ## She averaging 60.14 with a strike rate of 174.68 in that tournament. She has been India's best player in recent times.## For more and latest news about Cricket, stay tuned to us.## Thanks for the reading.