Sports
What's happening around the world in cricket?
​
-Devansh mishra
With many bilateral series occurring simultaneously, one can truly say that the effects of pandemic on cricket seem to be long gone. Audience packing up the stadium till the brim has been a relieving sight to all cricket fans around the world. The major bilateral series going on have been India up against Australia, New Zeleand battling against a new-look West Indies, and the recently concluded South Africa vs England.
India’s T20I series against Australia was admittedly a let-down. Fans were promised a power-packed performance from two of the best teams in the world, and they did get one. However, the series didn’t live up to the intensity promised. We didn’t witness those fiery sledging battles and debates in the middle of the pitch. India walked away with the honours of the series 2-1, with Hardik Pandya winning the player of series scoring 78 runs.
On the other side of the world, England toured South Africa for 3 T20I and 3 ODIs. England won the shorter format 3-0 as they whitewashed South Africa off their feet. The contest didn’t have much of a flavour in it, because of the new prospective talents playing from SA. The visitors demolished the hosts in all T20Is, and were crowned victors. However, the scheduled ODIs series was postponed, due to unconfirmed COVID-19 tests in the squad. There was an alleged bio-bubble breach, due to which 3 undisclosed players from SA’s squad were isolated.
In the ongoing New Zealand vs West Indies series, the latter don’t seem to be putting on much of a fight. The Kiwi steam-rolled the Carribeans in the shortest format of the game, walking away with 2-0 win and one match that yielded no result. The on-going Test series promises to be an entertaining one, with plenty centurions and hard-fought sessions alike.
Post-pandemic cricket looks a lot more promising, as it is very heartening to see crowds come back even in a limited number. The only way from here is up.
Sources: Times of India
Some snapshots from the India vs. Aus, Eng vs SA and NZ vs WI ​series
Lights out for one last time
​
-n. shriman kumarappan
Sergio Perez was last at the end of the first lap in Sakhir, and about 86 laps later, he crossed the line first with a 10 second advantage over Renault's Esteban Ocon, while leading home a brilliant Racing Point F1 One-Three. Although Perez will start at the back of the grid in Abu Dhabi, I believe that points are never too far in what is the third best car on average. Infact, Ross Brawn has gone to the extent of saying that the Silverstone outfit have "underperformed" this year.
I'm in thorough agreement with that statement. That car has the the potential to consistently challenge Red Bull Racing throughout the year when it's in the right hands. Now the Pink Panther team have thrown away more podiums and possibly even wins than they have actually achieved. Stroll's catastrophic start during the Monza restart and an apparent front wing issue in Turkey cost him two possible wins. Then again, Hamilton was on another level during the latter race. As for Perez, he could have also won at those two races, although horrid strategy in the former and worn-out tyres in the latter cost him. In addition to that, poor decisions regarding changing tyres cost him in Imola and possibly even in Austria. Even more points were thrown away in Styria due to contact with Albon towards the end, after a brilliant fightback, and in Portugal - After a first lap collision with Verstappen. A poor start in Hungary meant that fifth was not possible. As for Stroll, a couple of bad races that saw him retire and not start due to a COVID diagnosis, in addition to finishing outside the points on one occasion - none of which should have happened if things had gone to plan, meant that he tumbled down the championship order from fourth. This just added to the teams woes. They should have been taking advantage of Verstappen's retirements and Albon's struggles to fight for third in the Driver's Championship and second in the Cnstructor's Championship . Instead, they find themselves fighting for fourth and third in the two Championship respectively. To make matters worse, McLaren seem poised to overhaul the ten point deficit to the team in Pink and Snatch third in Abu Dhabi, with Norris and Sainz fourth and sixth on the grid. Stroll ended up a disappointing eighth in qualifying with Perez starting his final Grand Prix for the team from the back post engine unit penalities. Furthemore' Renault are not far behind and Ferrari start from the row after. This race is going to be a thriller, and one can only hope that it does justice to the exciting season we've had thus far. I would place my bet on Hamilton, Bottas or either Red Bull for the win, but there is just one constant rule that has defined this year - it's not over until it's over!