Cricket
IND vs ENG: India, England Locked in Tense Battle as Lord’s Test Hangs in Balance
Ray Sportz Web Desk: In a thrilling twist at Lord’s, India matched England’s first-innings total of 387 on Day 3 of the third Test, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. KL Rahul stood tall with a sublime century, while Rishabh Pant’s explosive 74 and Ravindra Jadeja’s composed knock steadied India’s innings after early setbacks.
However, Pant’s untimely run-out just before lunch—after a 141-run partnership with Rahul—shifted momentum slightly. England’s bowlers, led by the returning Jofra Archer, who clocked 90+ mph speeds, capitalized to wrap up India’s innings in the final session.
England ended the day at 2/0 in their second innings, holding a slender 2-run lead, with the match intriguingly poised heading into Day 4.
With the series level at 1–1, both teams now face a virtual one-innings shootout at the iconic venue, promising a dramatic finish to a hard-fought contest.
Cricket
South Africa Crush India by 408 Runs, Seal Historic Series Triumph
Ray Sportz Web Desk: South Africa completed a remarkable 408-run victory over India on the final day of the second Test in Guwahati, sealing a 2–0 series sweep and recording their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years. The emphatic result also marked India’s heaviest home defeat by runs, underlining a sobering end to a disappointing campaign for the hosts.
Resuming the day under immense pressure in their pursuit of an improbable 549-run target, India faltered quickly as South African off-spinner Simon Harmer ran through the batting order with clinical precision. Harmer, exploiting turn and uneven bounce, claimed six wickets in the innings, leaving the Indian side with few answers to his consistent probing.
Amidst the collapse, Ravindra Jadeja stood tall with a fighting 54 off 87 deliveries, offering brief resistance before becoming one of Harmer’s victims. Apart from Jadeja, no Indian batter managed to build a partnership of substance, and the innings folded for 140, sealing a lopsided contest.
South Africa’s dominance throughout the match was built on disciplined batting, sharp pace bowling, and Harmer’s decisive spell on the final day. Their commanding performances over both Tests signaled a significant shift in the balance of power, challenging India’s long-standing home supremacy.
For India, the series defeat raises urgent questions about batting resilience, strategic planning, and adaptability to pressure situations—even in familiar conditions. With the home fortress breached, the team faces a period of introspection ahead of future assignments.
South Africa, meanwhile, celebrated a landmark achievement—one that places this tour among their most memorable triumphs abroad, reaffirming their strength and cohesion in the longest format of the game.
Cricket
India Fight to Stay Afloat as South Africa Leave Hosts Chasing the Impossible
Ray Sportz Web Desk: South Africa tightened their grip on the second Test on Monday, declaring their second innings at 269 for 5 and leaving India an improbable 549-run target on a wearing fourth-day surface at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
The visitors, who already held a commanding position after posting 489 in the first innings and bowling India out for 201, chose aggression over caution as they accelerated through the morning. Tristan Stubbs once again led the charge with a fluent 94, falling agonizingly short of a century but ensuring South Africa’s lead swelled beyond India’s reach. Ravindra Jadeja offered resistance with the ball, returning figures of 4 for 62, but his effort was insufficient to halt the Proteas’ momentum.
Set a mountain to climb, India’s chase faltered almost immediately. Yashasvi Jaiswal looked promising but edged out for 13, while KL Rahul followed for 6, leaving the hosts wobbling at 27 for 2 by stumps. With 15.5 overs faced, India now stand not only far from the target but also perilously close to a defeat that would seal the series for South Africa.
As the final day approaches, India’s task has shifted from the realm of unlikely heroics to sheer survival. The pitch has shown increasing signs of deterioration, providing both seam movement and turn—conditions that South Africa’s bowlers are expected to exploit ruthlessly.
With the visitors firmly in control, the final day’s script hinges on whether India can summon enough resistance to push the contest into the afternoon, let alone threaten a miraculous comeback. For now, survival appears their only realistic ambition.
Cricket
India Clinch Historic Women’s Blind T20 World Cup in Colombo; Sri Lankan PM Graces Grand Finale
Ray Sportz Web Desk: India carved their name into sporting history on Saturday, emerging as the inaugural champions of the Women’s T20 World Cup – Cricket for the Blind 2025 with a decisive seven-wicket victory over Nepal at the P Sara Oval. The thrilling finale was further elevated by the presence of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, whose attendance underscored the growing global spotlight on women’s blind cricket. The championship clash began with Nepal choosing to bat first after losing key early ground. India’s disciplined attack paid off when B2 Sunitha Srathe dismissed Nepal skipper Binita Pun for just 5 in the second over. Nepal recovered through Sarita Ghimire’s gritty 35 off 38 balls and Bimala Rai’s quick 26 off 26, supported by 25 extras, taking the total to a defendable 114/5 in 20 overs. India’s chase, however, got off to a shaky start, with captain Deepika and star batter Anekha Devi falling early to Ghimire’s fiery spell. But the innings soon transformed into a showcase of resilience. B1 Karuna powered the comeback with an explosive 42 off 27 balls, while B3 Phula Saren anchored the innings with a match-winning 44 off 27. Basanti Hansda added a steady 13 to steer India to 117/3, sealing the nation’s first-ever Women’s Blind T20 World Cup crown. Phula Saren (B3) was named Player of the Match. Player of the Series honours went to Nepal’s Sushma Tamang (B1), Nepal’s Mankeshi Chowdhary (B2), and Pakistan’s Mehreen Ali (B3). In a celebratory gesture, Chintals Group announced a cash prize of INR 1 lakh for each Indian player, with promises of further support. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya hailed the athletes as “true inspirations,” applauding their courage and commitment. She emphasized that Sri Lanka was honoured to host a milestone event advancing disability inclusion and women’s participation in sport. “When guided by vision, discipline, and purpose, the dreams of women and persons with disabilities in sport are not just possible — they are unstoppable,” she remarked. Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Chairman of CABI, praised both finalists for raising global standards in women’s blind cricket. He urged Sri Lanka to strengthen pathways for its visually impaired women cricketers, noting, “These athletes have proved their talent — now they deserve the systems and backing to soar even higher.” The award ceremony was attended by distinguished diplomats, sports administrators, and corporate leaders, including Ms Meenakashi Lekhi, Mr Santosh Jha, Mr Sulthan Shah, and global representatives from Australia, the United States, and India. India’s triumph signals a transformative chapter for women’s blind cricket — a victory built on grit, solidarity, and a collective belief in redefining what is possible.
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