Month: August 2023

India vs Sri Lanka, CB Series, Hobart, 2012
India won by seven wickets
It didn’t just suddenly happen on a cold, grey, windy Hobart evening. It had been building up in cricket for at least five years, and in the Indian team for a few months.
For a while till then, this kind of match had been a freight train coming: just around the bend. International T20s were six years old. Batters were finding liberation in the longer formats too. There had been a successful chase of 434 in 2006. Yet total blowouts of 300-plus chases were still rare.
There had been 346 targets of 300 or above till then, out of which 43 had been chased down, only one of them in under 40 overs. Numbers and probability suggested there was no need to shed conservatism batting first, but it was apparent batters now had the tools to take down big targets.
A hurting, defeated, frustrated Indian side found themselves in just the right circumstances. Just the previous year they had won the ODI World Cup. Since then they had been on a treadmill of defeat. A whole tour of England with no win: four Tests, one T20I and three ODIs lost. A whole tour of Australia, struggling to keep it together. A whitewash in Tests followed by a third-best showing in the ODI tri-series left them frayed and mentally exhausted.
Then, just to cruelly tease them more, a carrot was dangled. If they won their last match with a bonus point – that is, if they won inside 40 overs or kept the opposition to 80% of their score – there was a remote chance they could make the finals and still salvage something on the long, arduous tour.
Virat Kohli responded more combatively than most. Kicking and screaming, he refused to accept what the cricketing gods seemed to have ordained. In Sydney he flipped hecklers the bird and was caught on camera doing so. In Perth, he damn near broke down, asking why the scrutiny was only on him. He made 44 and 75 in that game. In Adelaide he became the only centurion for India in the Test series.
By the end of the ODIs, though, even Kohli was feeling exhausted. “It is mentally very tiring,” he said. “When you are winning, you can stay on tour for five months. You won’t mind a single day. But when you are not doing well as a team, it is really difficult to hold yourself together mentally… I won’t say I was not feeling mentally tired or mentally very sad sometimes, but there is no running away from it.”
By the time this match came around, Kohli stopped talking cricket to anyone. You can grow sick of each other if you travel together for so long without the desired outcomes. The same faces, the same training, the same results every day. Now he, and India, just wanted to give it a red-hot go with freedom, never mind the results.
Kohli and Raina featured in a partnership where they scored at 13 runs an over
© Associated Press
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had much more to lose, so they played with conventional wisdom after being put in by India, who had no choice but to chase. In a throwback to older eras, Tillakaratne Dilshan – a modern limited-overs batter, if ever there was one – scored 160 at just under a run a ball, one of only five innings of 150 and above (out of 141) to end in a strike rate of under 100.
Still, 320 was a daunting total going by what had happened in the tri-series until then. Except that, just like Kohli, the stalwarts in the Indian team too decided to play like there was no tomorrow.
What followed was a sensational chase. In an almost empty stadium, the sound of bat on ball echoed furiously over and over again. First when Virender Sehwag laid into Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara. Then when Sachin Tendulkar cut loose. Kohli and Gautam Gambhir “accumulated” 115 in 18.1 overs. Kohli and Suresh Raina plundered 120 in 9.1 overs. When a wicket fell, India responded with a boundary in the same over. This was an example of what was possible if the batters played without fear.
At the heart of it was Kohli, who had admitted to having been intimidated by all the talk about Test cricket – to the extent that he had veered from his natural game. When they were asking for him to be dropped after one failure in the Test series, Kohli reminded himself of the eight ODI hundreds he had already scored. “It can’t be a fluke,” he said. Now, in his favourite format, he reminded the world of the talent they had on their hands.
This was also perhaps the last time we saw the wild force of nature that Kohli was. He went on to become a more streamlined, more efficient run-machine, with neater hair and a studied beard.
Sixty-two chases of 300 or above have been successful since then, including many comfortable ones, but none so crushing and emphatic.
Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Day 3 of US Open 2023 from New York.
That’s it for the day!
It was a mixed emotion day for the top seeds. While Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Frances Tiafoe advanced to Round 3, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud were the big names to get knocked out on Day 3. Join us on Thursday (August 31) for Day 4 action from New York.
US Open 2023: Fritz advances to Round 3
Taylor Fritz strengthened American hopes at the US Open as he advanced to Round 3 after defeating Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
US Open 2023: Ruud cashes out
2022 US Open finalist Casper Ruud is knocked out after losing 4-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-0, 2-6 to Zhang Zhizhen in the second round.
US Open 2023: What a comeback from Ruud
2022 US Open finalist Casper Ruud will simply not give up. Despite trailing 2-1 in the second round, he displayed his resilience to claim the fourth set 6-0 and force a decider against Zhang Zhizhen. 4-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-0
US Open 2023: Another upset incoming?
2022 US Open finalist Casper Ruud is trailing 4-6, 7-5, 2-6 against China’s Zhang Zhizhen in the second round of the 2023 tournament. 
US Open 2023: Tsitsipas crashes out
Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed out of the US Open 2023 after losing 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 3-6 to Dominic Stricker in Round 2. It also happened be Stricker’s maiden top 10 win. 
US Open 2023: Swiatek takes 1st set
Iga Swiatek has taken the opening set 6-3 against Daria Saville and has looked dominating thus far.
US Open 2023: Tsitsipas vs Stricker into decider
Dominic Stricker won the fourth set tie-break against Stefanos Tsitsipas to take his second round match into the deciding set. What a match is has been! 
US Open 2023: Swiatek vs Saville underway
World No.1 Iga Swiatek is currently up against Daria Saville at Louis Armstrong Stadium. 
US Open 2023: Bopanna through to Round 2
Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden advanced to the second round of the men’s doubles after beating Aleksander Vukic and Christopher O’Connell. 
US Open 2023: Bopanna takes 1st set
Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden won the opening set 6-4 against Aleksander Vukic and Christopher O’Connell. 
US Open 2023: Gauff advances
Coco Gauff advances to the third round of the US Open after beating 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-2. 
US Open 2023: Tsitsipas takes 2nd set
After going down in the first, Stefanos Tsitsipas won the second set tie-break to make it 1-1 against Dominic Stricker
US Open 2023: Gauff takes the first set
Coco Gauff takes the first set 6-3 against Mirra Andreeva. After getting the service break at 2-1, Gauff did not look back. 
US Open 2023: Gauff vs Andreeva underway
Coco Gauff is currently locking horns with Mirra Andreeva. Gauff beat Andreeva in Wimbledon after rallying back from a set down. Can Andreeva now return the favour? 
US Open 2023: Trouble for Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas lost the opening set 5-7 to Dominic Stricker. Tsitsipas had a chance to break, but his opponent did not let his guard down. 
US Open 2023: Alcaraz not happy about losing No. 1 spot
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz, has set his sights on reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking in men’s singles from Novak Djokovic. The young Spaniard, who has already made a significant impact on the global tennis stage, is determined to regain his top spot as swiftly as possible.
Djokovic is assured of returning to the top spot in men’s singles rankings as he does not have points to defend after having missed the US Open last year. On the other hand, Alcaraz is the defending champion and he will be defending 2000 ranking points. 
“Right now, its a goal for me,” Alcaraz stated. “I said before that Novak and I are having a really good battle for No. 1. I knew hed recover No. 1 after the US Open. When the tournament is over, Ill try to recover it ASAP. Thats my goal. Im working for that. Ill try to recover it before the year ends.”
US Open live: Order of play on Wednesday, August 30
Arthur Ashe Stadium (Matches start at 9:30 PM IST)
Mirra Andreeva v Coco GauffBernabe Zapata Miralles v Novak DjokovicSebastian Ofner v Frances TiafoePetra Kvitova v Caroline Wozniacki
Louis Armstrong Stadium (Matches start at 8:30 PM IST)
Elise Mertens v Danielle CollinsIga Swiatek v Daria SavilleDominic Thiem v Ben SheltonElena Rybakina v Ajla TomljanovicJuan Pablo Varillas v Taylor Fritz
Grandstand (Matches start at 8:30 PM IST)
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Dominic StrickerVictoria Azarenka vs Zhu LinGauff/Pegula v Gleason/MandlikCasper Ruud v Zhizhen Zhang
Court 17 (Matches start at 8:30 PM IST)
Taylor Townsend v Bella Haddad MaiaBenjamin Bonzi v Christopher EubanksTommy Paul v Roman SafiullinJennifer Brady v Magda Linette
Court 5 (Matches start at 8:30 PM IST)
Yuriko Miyazaki v Belinda BencicLaslo Djere v Hugo GastonAnna Kalinskaya v Sorana CirsteaMcDonald/Miles vs Fils/Van Assche
US Open 2023: Second-round action to get underway in New York
The second round action at US Open will get underway on Wednesday. Big names, including Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas, will be in action in what will be a busy morning session.
India’s Rohan Bopanna will also begin his campaign in New York along with Matthew Ebden in the men’s doubles.

The Pakistan cricket team had a memorable start to their Asia Cup 2023 campaign on Wednesday as it defeated Nepal by 238 runs. For the Babar Azam-led side it was the perfect preparation for the India vs Pakistan clash that will see them pitted against the arch-rivals who have players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in their ranks. In the match against Nepal, Pakistan ticked all the right boxes as Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed stitched a record stand. Babar Azam smashed 151 in 131 balls consisting of 14 fours and four sixes while Iftikhar Ahmed smashed his maiden century, ending unbeaten on 109 in 71 balls, with 11 fours and four sixes.
Together, the duo added 214 runs for the fifth wicket. It is the third-highest partnership for any wicket in ODI Asia Cup history. This is also the highest fifth-wicket partnership in Asia Cup history. However, there was a point in the match, where the commentators found Iftikhar to be quite animated. The incident happened at the end of the 45th over with Iftikhar, batting on 74 off 56 balls.
“And Iftikhar being animated as well. I don’t know if Iftikhar is thinking about his hundred as well. He has gone up to the captain, and probably said ‘You know what, four overs remaining, let me get my first hundred’,” said one of the commentators.
“What could be the response from Babar Azam. You know the gestures we saw. He must have been telling ‘ let me deal with the job. Don’t worry about your hundred. It’s a team work which is required here’,” said the other commentator.
pic.twitter.com/ANJq3hnzeN
LePakad7 (@AreBabaRe2) August 31, 2023
Babar and Iftikhar played pivotal roles in powering Pakistan to 342 for six after opting to bat.
Babar (151 off 130) was involved in two crucial partnerships after a sedate start first stitching 86 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (44 off 50) and then sharing a whirlwind 214 runs for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar (109 not out off 71 balls) to take Pakistan to an imposing total.

‘Virat Kohli will be very dangerous against Pakistan’: Mohammad KaifThe T20 World Cup 2022 encounter between India and Pakistan witnessed a standout performance by Virat Kohli. His splendid pursuit played a pivotal role as India emerged victorious, clinching the match on the final delivery. The exceptional innings delivered by him turned the tide in India’s favor.

Premier League side Brighton could be about to beat Tottenham to the signing of Barcelona forward Ansu Fati.
Mundo Deportivo reckon the Seagulls are willing to make a big effort to land Fati before the transfer window closes.
Fati has been linked with a move to Tottenham in recent days and it has been reported that a deal is 99 per cent done.
However, it seems Brighton have also been in touch with Fatis camp to discuss a possible move after learning he could be available.
And Fabrizio Romano now says that the Seagulls are closing in on Fati and hes ready to head to the Amex Stadium rather than north London.
BREAKING: Brighton are closing in on Ansu Fati deal as Barça are prepared to accept the formal proposal received on loan #BHAFC
Ansu Fati has accepted Brighton as destination De Zerbi, key factor.
Final green light soon and then here we go pic.twitter.com/aHFWZcCIER
Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2023
Manager Roberto De Zerbi is said to be in love with Fati and is willing to make him a key player for his side.
Brighton have drawn plaudits in the Premier League for their attractive and attacking style of play under De Zerbi.
The team finished last season in an impressive sixth place in the table and will play European football this season.

Ryan Gravenberch may leave Bayern for Liverpool. Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
The summer transfer window will close this week in Europe, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Bayern want 30m if Gravenberch joins Liverpool
Bayern Munich will demand 30 million to part ways with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch amid Liverpool interest, according to Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg.
Editor’s Picks
The Dutch playmaker has reportedly expressed his desire to leave Bayern but is awaiting the green-light for the move. Liverpool remain interested in the 21-year-old but have not yet reached an agreement with Gravenberch, nor have they agreed upon a fee with the Bavarian outfit.
Bayern have been linked with Fulham midfielderJoão Palhinha, with Gravenberch’s potential departure helping fund their efforts to sign the Cottagers star before the transfer window closes.
Gravenberch joined Bayern from Ajax, last summer but has struggled to make an impact with the German outfit, registering just one goal and one assist in 33 appearances across all competitions last season. He has been limited to only one substitute appearance this season, signaling that his time with the Bundesliga giants could be coming to an end.
Liverpool have been keen to add to their midfield all summer after seeing several midfield players depart Anfield. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both made the switch to Saudi Arabia, whilst James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita also left the Premier League giants, which has seen the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai join the club.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
PAPER GOSSIP
– Al Ettifaq have approached Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum regarding a possible move, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report states that the Dutch playmaker is not in PSG’s plans going forwards, with Les Parisiens happy to part ways with the 32-year-old. Al Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard is reportedly keen to secure a deal for the former Liverpool player, with the deal in Wijnaldum’s hands.
– Barcelona will demand 20m for winger Abde Ezzalzouli’s transfer amid Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen interest, per Sport. The report reveals that Barcelona will not allow the 21-year-old to depart on a loan deal, with the Catalan club keen to secure a fee for the winger. Whilst Villa and Leverkusen have both shown interest in the Moroccan, it is reported that the price-tag set by the LaLiga champions has dampened the chances of a deal materialising.
– Wolverhampton Wanderers have seen an offer of 25m for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra rejected, according to Foot Mercato. Wolves are desperate to add to their midfield options, before the transfer window closes with Matheus Nunes set to join Manchester City. Diarra has emerged as one of the brightest talents in France, with the 19-year-old impressing in a breakout 2022-23 season, notching three goals and three assists in 31 appearances in all competitions.
– AC Milan and FC Porto are expected to reach an agreement for forward Mehdi Taremi, reveals Calciomercato. The 31-year-old endured a stellar campaign last season, notching 31 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, which has attracted the attention of several clubs in Europe. The report suggests that the Iran international has already reached an agreement with Milan regarding personal terms and is awaiting the two clubs to agree upon a fee. Porto were previously demanding 30m to part ways with the striker, however, it is understood they have dropped their asking price.
– Brighton are closing in on a deal for Barcelona forward Ansu Fati, reports Fabrizio Romano. The 20-year-old has reportedly accepted Brighton as his next destination, with manager Roberto De Zerbi understood to be a huge factor in making the deal happen. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have both been heavily linked to Fati, however, Brighton have seemingly piped their Premier League rivals to Fati’s signature.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 30: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round … [+] match between Chelsea and AFC Wimbledon at Stamford Bridge on August 30, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Perhaps one of the most surprising transfers of the summer window is Manchester Uniteds pursuit of Chelseas Marc Cucurella.
Due to Luke Shaws long term injury – which looks set to sideline him until, at the earliest, December – Manchester United have felt it necessary to look into the market and find a suitable replacement for this season.
While Diogo Dalot, as shown against Nottingham Forest last weekend, has the capabilities to play left back, Erik Ten Hag would feel far more comfortable knowing he is in competition with Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right hand side, keeping depth to two players per position.
Tyrell Malacia, bought by Man United last summer for £12 million, also faces time out on the sidelines. The Dutch international did not join the team in pre season to the United States because of injury, which he has yet to fully recover from and rejoin the first team group.
Which therefore leaves young Álvaro Fernandez. While the Spaniard did show promise during pre-season, Manchester Uniteds management staff believe it would be more beneficial to Fernandez to loan him out for another full season, rather than be blooded for the Red Devils in a difficult moment.
VILLAREAL, SPAIN – 2023/08/27: Marcos Alonso of Barcelona FC in action during the La Liga EA Sport … [+] Regular Season Round 3 between Villareal CF and Barcelona FC at Ceramica Stadium. Villareal CF 3 : 4 FC Barcelona. (Photo by Germán Vidal/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Ten Hag and his support staff looked at other options to Cucurella, such as FC Barcelonas Marcos Alonso, Tottenham Hotspurs Sergio Reguillon and free agent Ryan Bertrand, but the Chelsea full back has always been the top priority.
With the Blues bringing Ian Maatsen back into the fold at Stamford Bridge after his successful loan to Burnley last season, in which he helped them be promoted to the PremierPINC
League, Cucurella fell down the pecking order behind both Maatsen and Ben Chilwell.
Signed 12 months ago from Brighton & Hove Albion for £65 million, Cucurellas stock has fallen rather drastically and in record time with Chelsea fans. The constant chopping and changing in both management and also with the squad cannot have helped the Spanish left back, who failed to show consistency of an elite level on a regular basis as he did down on the South Coast.
Manchester United are looking to bring Cucurella to Old Trafford on a season-long loan which will cost them a fee of £5 million. It is to be believed that there will not be a buying option at the end of the agreement, but both clubs are happy enough to reengage towards the back end of the season, depending on how Cucurella has done.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 31: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea during a training session at the Illinois … [+] University Training Facility on July 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
While it has come out of nowhere, Cucurellas arrival could be a shrewd one. Not only was he Manchester Uniteds best option for the short term arrival needed that was attainable, Cucurella is also a fantastic player that will be looking to get back to his best.
One season does not define a player good or bad and Cucurella will be hoping to showcase that and some this season up in Manchester. He was electric for Brighton, as well as with Getafe before that, and provides Ten Hag with tactical flexibility due to his comfortability in possession.
The Spaniard can ease into life as a flying full back, or as part of a back three, occupying the left hand side and being a kickstarter in possession. Manchester United lack first and second phase build up players, so Cucurellas arrival will be welcomed by Ten Hag with open arms.
Whether or not Cucurella can rekindle his old form remains to be seen, but Man United have conducted themselves in a positive light in reacting quickly to Shaws long term injury and bringing in the best possible option.