New Zealand clinch historic Test series win in India

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Second Test, Pune (day three of five)

New Zealand 259 (Conway 76; Sundar 7-59) & 255 (Latham 86; Sundar 4-56)

India 156 (Santner 7-53) & 245 (Jaiswal 77; Santner 6-104)

New Zealand won by 113 runs; lead series 2-0

New Zealand completed a historic first Test series victory in India with a 113-run win in the second Test that ended the hosts' 12-year unbeaten streak.

The triumph in Pune gives the Black Caps an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and ends India's remarkable run of 18 consecutive home series wins since Alastair Cook's England clinched a famous 2-1 triumph in December 2012.

After New Zealand were bowled out for 255 on the third morning, India were set 359 to win and maintain their proud unbeaten home record.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's half-century gave them hope but that was soon extinguished by Mitchell Santner, who took 6-104 to finish with 13 wickets in the match.

India were eventually bowled out for 245 in the evening session.

"Every time you take wickets, you get a little more confident," said Santner, who had never taken a Test five-for before this match.

"I felt that. Every time I got a wicket, it got a little better."

The hosts had made a rapid start thanks to Jaiswal's quickfire 77, but, having taken seven wickets in the first innings, Santner began to work his magic again.

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Jaiswal all fell to the left-arm spinner before Santner ran out Rishabh Pant and he proceeded to claim the key wicket of Virat Kohli as India collapsed to 147-5.

"It is a collective failure," said India captain Rohit. "The team has failed to accept the challenge thrown at us."

There was some resistance from Ravindra Jadeja but the all-rounder was the last man out for 42, leaving New Zealand to celebrate a comprehensive, famous victory.

Australian cricket team loses 8 wickets for 1 run with 6 ducks in one of the craziest batting collapses of all time

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In one of the most calamitous collapses of all time in high-level cricket, an Australia One-Day Cup match between Western Australia and Tasmania at the WACA in Perth saw the hosts lose their final eight wickets for a solitary run as they were bowled out for 53.

Despite boasting plenty of Australian internationals such as Cameron Bancroft and Josh Inglis, the Perth-based team saw none of their final seven batters register a single run, as six ducks meant that their innings went from 52/2 to 53/10 in a matter of minutes.

In a 28-ball period, the dismissal of Cameron Bancroft triggered an incredible procession of batters returning to the dressing room.

Beau Webster of Tasmania was the wrecker-in-chief for his team, as he took 6 wickets, and 5 of those final 8 within the collapse. From the other end, Billy Stanlake also contributed with 3 wickets, with Tom Rogers having dismissed Aaron Hardie for the first wicket of the innings.

Western Australia lost 5 wickets at the score of 52, going from 52-2 to 52-7 in 14 deliveries. Any hopes of recovery were quickly dashed soon after.

WA had originally gotten off to a decent start despite losing Aaron Hardie early in the innings. Bancroft and D’Arcy Short stitched together a partnership to help the team to 45/1, but Short was dismissed at that point.

Breaking the partnership provided visiting Tasmania the opportunity to add on some more wickets, but the collapse was unlike anything they would have expected from their opposition.

Mini-collapse during chase as well

In response, needing only 54 from 50 overs, Tasmania unsurprisingly chased down the target comfortably. Mitchell Owen opened and got them off to a blazing start, but there would have been slight concerns as Tasmania themselves suffered a mini-collapse, going from 33-0 to 34-3.

The experience of Matthew Wade meant that there were no more hiccups, however, as he helped wrap up the chase within 8.3 overs.

This massive loss now sees Western Australia at the bottom of the table in the domestic one-day competition, with one win and three losses in four matches.Tasmania rise to third, behind powerhouses New South Wales and Victoria.

The WACA will be the focus of the cricket world in a month's time, as it prepares to host the opening Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, beginning on November 22.

Real Madrid face Barcelona with big stars out for the season’s first El Clásico

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Spanish soccer will be enhanced this Saturday, October 26th, when Real Madrid and Barcelona cross swords. The first El Clásico of the campaign arrives with overwhelming expectations, as every minor detail promises to set the pace in this massive duel. At Santiago Bernabéu, La Liga's round #11 promises much more than points at stake-it's about identity, talent, and finely honed tactics. With both teams riding high but facing big challenges and crucial absences, this Saturday's matchup already holds a prime place in the headlines.

Real Madrid: The Resilient Merengues, But With Key Absences

Despite still being undefeated in La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid goes into this clásico with the reputation for resilience. They proved their mettle with a 5-2 crushing of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, where Vinícius Júnior took the main stage. Madrid is doing all right and feels themselves. Clásicos are always tight, dramatic-they are soccer's own celebration, and we would love to entertain our fans well, as Ancelotti asserts while bestowing a summary of the atmosphere and confidence in the air of the Madrid team.

But everything is not hunky dory for Madrid. What that means is the lineup does have a number of important absences: Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo, Carvajal, and Alaba for Saturday's clash, while Brahim Díaz-who has recovered from an adductor muscle injury-could make the squad, though this is not to say it is certain. Ancelotti understands these absences change the dynamics, but he said, "We've prepared to do things well with and without the ball. These are matches where you have to be complete to win, and that's our goal."

Barcelona: The Best Offense With an Audacious Approach

Barcelona travels to Bernabéu in an enviable position. In addition to leading La Liga, the team also has the best offense of the tournament, having scored 33 goals at an average of almost 3.5 per game. Things also went well in the midweek Champions League match, beating Bayern Munich 4-1 to end a drought against the Germans and therefore re-igniting the confidence of the squad. Forward Brazilian Raphinha stole the show with a hat trick-a performance that only fires up Barcelona's offense.

It's very serious for coach Hansi Flick. He will not be able to count on some key players against Real Madrid: Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are already out, while Christensen, Araújo, and Ferrán Torres will hardly recover in time. Notwithstanding these obstacles, Flick dreams of an optimistic, resilient Barça. "We've got our approach and ideas… and I trust my players because they're well-prepared," said Flick in an expression of trust in the depth and quality of his squad.

Strategies in Play: Ancelotti and Flick Fine-tune the Minute Details

Carlos Ancelotti and Hansi Flick have spoken their minds on the clásico, giving away some of the tactics they come with into this clash. It speaks volumes on Real Madrid's confidence in their team play, as Ancelotti underscored simplicity and clarity: "This is the kind of game where we don't need to say much… in these games, Van Basten used to tell me the strategy was simple: You pass me the ball, and I'll handle the celebration." In a nostalgic touch, Ancelotti sums up the elite game: control, precision, and seizing offensive chances, especially against a Barcelona that's likely to press high.

Meanwhile, Flick focused on pressure and compact teamwork. The German coach in his philosophy mentions intensity and tight lines as a goal aimed at bringing Barça into a cohesive unit and blocking Real Madrid's counterattacks: "We've got to become a more compact unit… What we did was great, especially in the second half against Bayern," Flick emphasizes, underlining the necessity of maintaining possession and exerting pressure.

Who will win El Clásico?

The question everybody does is, however: Who's the favorite in this clásico? Even Ancelotti thinks, "In a game like a Clásico or a derby, it's tough to pick a favorite… it'll depend on the game's dynamics. If you choose a favorite, anything can happen." That's an honest opinion of such an unpredictable game. Both coaches perfectly understand that winning will depend on how well they adapt during the course of the match, seize their chances, and retain emotional balance during those moments of pressure.

World Test Championship Points Table After South Africa Beat Bangladesh In first Test

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South Africa have climbed to fourth spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Test on Thursday. The Proteas improved their point-percentage to 47.62 with the victory, which helped them jump over New Zealand and England and take fourth place on the standings. Bangladesh's loss sees their point-percentage drop to 30.56 and they continue to languish in seventh place with India and Australia still remaining in the top two spots on the standings.

Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bat first but the decision backfired as South Africa's pacers and spinners thrived in favourable conditions, bowling out Bangladesh for a mere 106. Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj each claimed three wickets.

Bangladesh's spinners fought back, with Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan sharing seven wickets between them. However, a resilient century from Kyle Verreynne, supported by Mulder (54) and Dane Piedt (32), helped South Africa build a commanding 202-run lead.

In the third innings, South Africa's bowlers, led by Rabada, once again dominated, reducing Bangladesh to 112/6. Mehidy Hasan (97) offered strong resistance, forming crucial partnerships with the lower order to push the total to 307. Rabada ended with impressive figures of 6/46, his best in Asia.

Google honours 'Hindustani Jalpari' Indian swimmer Arati Saha with a doodle

 Today is 80th birth anniversary of veteran Indian female swimmer Aarti Saha. He swam across English Channel in 1959. She was the first Asian woman to do so. During this time, she covered a distance of 67.5 kilometers in only 16 hours and 20 minutes. Saha competed in the 1952 Olympics at the age of just 12. The Olympics took place in Finland's capital, Helsinki. Saha had four more women in the Indian team. At the age of 18, she tried to cross English Channel. She failed once then she crossed it. 

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Born on 24 September 1940 in Kolkata, Aarti was awarded the Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian honor in 1960. She became the first Indian woman player to be conferred with this honor. She died on 23 August 1994 in Kolkata. Google has remembered making a doodle on the birth anniversary of Aarti Shaha. She is also known as 'Hindustani Jalpari'. Google has created a graphic of Aarti in English Channel in its doodle. She is seen floating in it.

It featured her photo with a compass. This photo was made by Kolkata artist Lavanya Naidu. In an interview, Naidu said that Aarti is the famous name of Kolkata. She also said that whenever the outstanding work of girls in any field are going to be remembered in the history of the country, the name of Arati Saha will definitely be taken.

Aarti won 22 state level competitions in West Bengal between 1945 and 1951. She competed in the 100m freestyle, 100m breast stroke and 200m breast stroke competition. In 1948, she participated in the National Championships held in Mumbai and won the silver in the 100 meter freestyle and 200 meter breast stroke and bronze in the 200 meter freestyle.

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Lionel Messi tells Barcelona he wants to leave

 Lionel Messi has informed Barcelona that he wants to leave the club, according to several breaking reports.

Following Barca's 8-2 humiliation against Bayern Munich, there have been suggestions that the argentine wanted to go away Camp Now.

And now, that has apparently been confirmed by the argentine.

Several high-profile outlets and journalists confirmed the maximum amount on Tuesday evening.

Journalist Alfredo Martinex tweeted: "Today is a very sad day for Barça fans. Leo Messi announces that he does not want to continue at Barcelona. After 29 years and 17 in the professional squad, the greatest player in history wants to go, and Bartomeu stays. The president who has not been able to retain him cannot continue."

Hoy es un día muy triste para el barcelonismo. Leo Messi anuncia que no quiere seguir en el Barcelona. Tras 29 años y 17 en la plantilla profesional, el jugador más grande de la Historia, se quiere ir.Y Bartomeu se queda . El presidente que no ha sabido retenerle no puede seguir

— Alfredo Martínez (@Alfremartinezz) August 25, 2020

 He later added: "Messi will no longer attend testing this weekend or training. The decision is final."

Messi ya no acudirá a las pruebas este fin de semana ni a los entrenamientos . La decisión es definitiva

— Alfredo Martínez (@Alfremartinezz) August 25, 2020

 That claim is supported by Marca, who write: "Leo Messi wants to leave Fútbol Club Barcelona. Difficult to write this sentence without exclamations.

"The player has sent a burofax to the club expressing his desire to execute the clause provided in his contract by which he can unilaterally leave the club at the end of each season.

"In principle, that clause ended before June 10, but the atypical of this exercise due to the coronavirus opens the way to request now to be released. it is considered a first step to open a negotiation for an exit, based on the fact that its clause is 700 million euros."

The club will no doubt fight the very fact Messi can trigger the clause that was due to expire on June 10 and that we haven't heard the end of this.

One thing is needless to say , Messi wants to go away the club he's been at for quite 29 years.

The biggest transfer story within the history of football is well underway.

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