Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav made a roaring entry into international cricket, smashing a quick-fire half-century on his T20I debut to lift in India in the 4th T20I against England at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.

The 30-year-old Mumbai batsman was drafted into the team as Ishan Kishan struggled with injury. SKY, as he is known amongst the faithful, started with a brilliant six of Jofra Archer's delivery and went on to wreck absolute carnage. He, in fact, got to his fifty in just 28 balls. His innings, however, came to a disappointing end in the 13th over. After hitting Sam Curran for a six in the first delivery, Suryakumar Yadav went for another big shot. This time though, he fell a little short of clearing the boundary, and as a result, Dawid Malan seemed to have gotten his fingers under the ball as he attempted a brilliant catch.

With the soft signal being out, the decision went to the third umpire. The ball appeared to have touched the ground, but with the on-field signal being out, the third umpire went with it as the TV evidence was inconclusive. The 30-year-old departed after scoring a brilliant 57 off just 31 balls, and here is how the fans are reacting to the dismissal.

Suryakumar Yadav goes for a fantastic 57 in 31 balls, the way he played just shows how brilliant he's been all this time and waited for his opportunity. A bad call by 3rd umpire, the ball was clearly grounded yet he's been given out due to soft signal.

�?Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 18, 2021

Unlucky Suryakumar Yadav poor decision by umpire onfield and 3rd umpire Hard luck SKY

�?Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) March 18, 2021

What the... Suryakumar was not out..!!!!

�?divyenndu (@divyenndu) March 18, 2021

Surya kumar was not out.. Terrible 3rd umpiring #IndvsENG

�?Sumit Kadel (@SumitkadeI) March 18, 2021

Not out for me. Even though TV replays make these look worse, the fingers aren’t underneath in this one for me. And the ball does touch the turf before the fielder has control of it. #INDvENG

�?Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) March 18, 2021

Great fielding effort. But not out IMO. Again, soft signal ... might pinch quite hard .. Why should the umpire have to observe a soft signal from so far out.. when it’s so tricky even for the third umpire on replays! #IndvEng

�?Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 18, 2021

Was cheering for @surya_14kumar Very well played! Disappointed by umpire’s decision for declaring it out. To me it was clearly not out. We all are so proud of you Surya. @soumghoshal & you played together as kids in the same Anushaktinagar colony ground. Feeling so happy for you!

�?Shreya Ghoshal (@shreyaghoshal) March 18, 2021

Unfortunately, the third umpire was with 9% of the people here http://t.co/9JBmcOxHIw

�?Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 18, 2021

That umpire must be a really different guy, his perspective is so different from everybody else’s. He saw something different from what all of us saw. He’s a Lone Ranger. Respect sir. Respect.

�?Danish Sait (@DanishSait) March 18, 2021

Third umpire while making that decision. #INDvENGt20 #suryakumar pic.twitter.com/JJp2NldcI8

�?Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 18, 2021

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jewel Samad

All-rounder Washington Sundar missed out on his maiden Test century by just four runs as the Indian cricket team was dismissed on 365 on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against England at Ahmedabad's Motera Stadium.

The 21-year-old came out to bat on Day 2 when India were reeling on 146/6. He went on to play a brilliant 113-run stand with Rishabh Pant, who scored 101, before playing another century partnership (106) for the eighth wicket with Axar Patel. India looked well on course for a bigger score, but the momentum changed to England's way when Axar Patel was run out by Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root. With two wickets still in hand and the century, a mere four runs away, there was hope.

Ishant Sharma walked in to bat, and Ben Stokes dismissed the lanky bowler with a peach of a delivery. The England all-rounder caught Sharma LBW right on the middle stump. Three deliveries later, Stokes dismissed Mohammed Siraj to end India's innings at 365 runs, and leave Sundar stranded at 96. This is the second time Sundar has missed out on his century, as he remained unbeaten on 85 in the first Test of the ongoing series in Chennai.

You can see the pain on #WashingtonSundar face!

Not century bt not less than Century!#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/6Eiu15pkNV

�?▪️ (@flickofkohli) March 6, 2021

Needless to say, the all-rounder and his teammates would be disappointed with the way how the innings ended, but the pain was shared on social media too. This is how the fans are reacting to it;

Surely all cricket fans feel bad for Washington Sundar�?genuine talent…played great once again, but stranded AGAIN�?so close to a maiden test ton.

Will make many in the future

�?Rob Moody (@robelinda2) March 6, 2021

Uh, oh, #WashingtonSundar stranded on 96. What a travesty. Had played superbly

�?Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 6, 2021

Washington Sundar's father to Axar, Ishant and Siraj. pic.twitter.com/68EvldN0Q5

�?Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) March 6, 2021

Washington Sundar is left stranded on 96 at the non-striker's end as he, once again, runs out of partners

But what an innings, he has put #TeamIndia in the driving seat after walking out in a difficult situation

- 365 (114.4)#INDvENG

�?Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 6, 2021

Washington Sundar appreciation tweet

Very very well played #INDvENG #OrangeArmy #KeepRising

�?SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 6, 2021

Feel for Washington Sundar, missed out on a well deserving century. What a knock by him, 96 not out! Hope his father won't be disappointed this time.

�?Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 6, 2021

85* in the first Test.
96* in the fourth Test.

Washington Sundar missed out two hundreds in the series as both times he run-out of partners at the other end.

�?Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 6, 2021

pic.twitter.com/weMeJyUzoY

�?शशां�?शेखर (@Ishashank16) March 6, 2021

Axar, Ishant and Siraj next time they meet Washington's father at a function
But seriously this 96* is no less than a hundred, very well played @Sundarwashi5 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/V6qRXBbwfl

�?Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 6, 2021

I Sharma and Siraj fall quickly. Sundar misses out on his century! He walks off 96*. Feel devastated for him! But it’s his highest Test score. What a brilliant young talent he is! On ya Washi! A delight to watch. HUGE things coming for him. India leads by 160. #INDvENG

�?Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 6, 2021

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / BCCI

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard became only the third player to hit six sixes in international cricket when he did so during his side's four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in first of three-match T20I series.

Kieron Pollard's six sixes came off Akila Dananjaya's deliveries in the sixth over of West Indies' successful chase at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. Pollard's achievement has made him only the third player to hit six sixes in international cricket and second in T20I. Former India all-rounder, Yuvraj Singh did it against England off Stuart Broad's deliveries during the T20 World Cup in 2007 and in the same year, South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs achieved the feat against the Netherlands in a World Cup 2007 game.

6 Sixes in International Cricket

2017: Herschelle Gibbs
2007: Yuvraj Singh
2021: Kieron #Pollard

Pollard becomes 3rd to hit 6 Sixes in an over pic.twitter.com/bkIDJmPLts

�?shivam jaiswal ❤️ (@7shivamjaiswal) March 4, 2021

As for Akila Dananjaya, it was a rather mixed outing as before being hit for six sixes, the 27-year-old had picked a hat-trick in the previous over, dismissing Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran. He ended with the figures of 4-0-62-3. Pollard, on the other hand, said that the thought of hitting six sixes only occurred to him after he hit the third six of the over.

"A couple of things went through my mind before the sixth ball - before the last ball, I thought should I go for the six or take the 30 runs in the over, he went around the wicket and bowled it onto my pads, I told myself 'Wait Polly, take a chance'.

"That's how I have played my cricket all along, especially against the spinners. Today was my day, unfortunate for him, but this was a good win for our team."

Twitter has been left amused with the massive turn of the events, and this is how the fans are reacting to it:

#SLvWI
1. When Akila Dananjaya took a hat-trick.
2. then Kieron Pollard hits six sixes in his next over... pic.twitter.com/ga1zDdoZoZ

�?마륵 타�? (@3939Mark) March 4, 2021

Take a bow , Kieron Pollard @KieronPollard55 !!!
One of the most powerful hitter in cricket. 666666. 3rd player in IC to hit 6 conductive sixes in 6balls. #WIVSL @ICC #pollard

�?Sanujeet Sarangi (@sanujeets) March 4, 2021

" Dananjaya celebrating his hat-trick"

*Le Kieron Pollard looking forward to smash 6 sixes* pic.twitter.com/tzDbpAxGXu

�?professor (@Sergio1254545) March 4, 2021

Well well, what drama!
Hat trick for @akilad04 and then goes for 6 sixes at the hands of @KieronPollard55 #WIvsSL #sixsixes #KieronPollard

�?Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) March 4, 2021

Kieron Pollard Six Sixes.
What was it.
All were biggie

�?Joydeep Mitra (@joydeep__mitra) March 4, 2021

#WIvSL
Herschelle Gibbs and Yuvraj Singh waiting for Kieron Pollard - pic.twitter.com/bX5EMgp2Ng

�?Omkar angane (@Upatsumbha) March 4, 2021

And the rest is history #SLvWI #akiladananjaya #kieronpollard http://t.co/r1OPOvsyn4

�?Prakash Venkat (@PrakashVenkat5) March 4, 2021

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @windiescricket

Indian spinner Axar Patel picked his best figures in Test cricket (6/38) in only his second match as India bundled England for a mere 112 runs inside the opening two sessions of the third Test at the Motera Stadium on Wednesday, February 24.

After having won the toss, England captain Joe Root had decided to bat first before Ishant Sharma, playing his 100th Test match for India, got the breakthrough in only the third over by dismissing Dom Sibley for a duck. Axar Patel followed suit by getting the better of Jonny Bairstow before Zak Crawley and Root played a 47-run stand to steady the ship. The partnership, however, was broken when Ravichandran Ashwin, who picked 3/26, caught the England captain off guard in an LBW.

England simply had no answers to India's spinning wizardry as they went from 4/80 to 112 all out inside 24 overs. This certainly isn't a first innings score England would fancy, but judging by the pace bowling attack they have in their ranks, things might take a turn for the good.

The opening two sessions, however, was all about Ashwin and a Patel, who picked his second Test five-fer in as many games. Root's men have a lot to play for from this point on but the fans on Twitter went head over heels with the way the Indian spinners skimmed through the English batting lineup. This is how they are reacting to it:

Second five-wicket haul for Axar Patel in 3 innings in Test cricket - dream start to his longer format career.

�?Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 24, 2021

#TeamIndia's spinners have rolled England out for just 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣ runs after being asked to bowl first

Axar Patel gets 6️⃣ wickets in his first match at his home ground #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/CmCm3FQaqc

�?Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 24, 2021

Axar Patel taking six wickets in a pink ball test is like Sean Dyche's mighty Burnley beating Manchester City while playing impressive possession-based football at the Etihad.

�?Kaustubh Pandey (@Kaus_Pandey17) February 24, 2021

On dry pitches with turn and bounce, Axar Patel is proving to be a lethal bowler. Not just a white ball specialist as was thought.

�?Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 24, 2021

#AxarPatel - just EXTRAORDINARY today. Making merry on his home ground with a six-wicket haul in what is just his second test match. Great support from @ashwinravi99 who also picked up 3. Now into the night, batting well will get us halfway to victory! #INDvENG

�?Siddarth Srinivas (@sidhuwrites) February 24, 2021

Axar Patel Test Career so Far:-

�?/40
�?/60
�?8/5

Excellent start his Test Cricket Career. #INDvENG

�?CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) February 24, 2021

England batsman as soon as they come on the wicket #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/vDpRgrsnP1

�?Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 24, 2021

AXAR! 6 wicket haul! How brilliant! And he finished with the beautiful clean bowl of Foakes. England all out for 112! #INDvENG

�?Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) February 24, 2021

Indian players taking ‘Vocal for Local�?a little too seriously. Ashwin in Chennai. Axar in Ahmedabad #IndvEng

�?Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 24, 2021

It’s the non spinning deliveries that England haven’t been able to play ... Scars from the 2nd Test me thinks ... England just don’t have enough skilled players in these conditions ... #INDvENG

�?Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 24, 2021

You can take a Patel out of the stadium’s name, but you can’t stop a Patel from leading his team off it #INDvENG

�?Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 24, 2021

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @BCCI

South Africa stalwart Faf du Plessis announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday, February 17. The former Proteas captain will, however, continue to be available for national selection in limited-overs cricket with T20 being his priority now.

The 36-year-old thus ended a nine-year Test career that started in November 2012. Du Plessis had made his Test debut on November 22, 2012, against Australia in Adelaide. 

The right-handed batsman amassed 4,163 runs in 69 Tests at an average of 40.02 with 21 fifties and 10 tons. He also captained South Africa in 36 Tests after taking over from his childhood best friend AB de Villiers in 2016. Under his captaincy, the Proteas recorded 18 wins, 15 losses and three draws. 

Faf du Plessis has announced his retirement from Test cricket.

He played 69 Tests for South Africa scoring 4163 runs at 40.02, including 10 centuries. pic.twitter.com/QfhRjsWqxr

�?ICC (@ICC) February 17, 2021

"It has been an honour to play for my country in all the formats of the game, but the time has come for me to retire from Test cricket. If someone had told me 15 years ago, that I would play 69 Test matches for South Africa and captained the side, I wouldn't have believed them. I stand in a place of utmost gratitude for a Test career full of blessings bestowed on me," the 36-year-old wrote in a statement that he posted on his Instagram handle. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Faf du plessis (@fafdup)

Du Plessis further stated that his focus now shifts to T20 cricket but ODIs will also remain a part of his plans.

"The next two years are the ICC T20 World Cup years. Because of this, my focus is shifting to this format and I want to play as much of it as possible around the world so I can be the best player I can possibly be. I strongly believe that I have a lot to offer to the Proteas in this format," he added. 

"This does not mean that ODI cricket is longer in the plans. I'm just making T20 cricket the priority in the short term," he said. 

"I will be in conversation with CSA over the next couple of months on what the future might look like for me over the next year to find a solution that works for both of us," he further said in his statement. 

"For now, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who had an influence on my Test career. I would like to single out my wife and family in particular -- I would not have been able to do without their support during the unforgettable journey that Test cricket has taken me on. 

"To my coaches, teammates and support staff over the years, I would also like to give a note of thanks of course, to Cricket South Africa for the opportunity to be able to represent and leady my country in the pinnacle of the game we all love. It has been an incredible journey, with many stories that I look forward to one day sharing," he concluded. 

Meanwhile, several former cricketers, experts and fans congratulated du Plessis on his stellar Test career.

Well played @faf1307. Another top player says goodbye to the South African test team. Opens up an opportunity, yes, but will be difficult to fill.

�?Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 17, 2021

Well done @faf1307 , you will be missed by those who played with and against you.

�?Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) February 17, 2021

Congrats on a lovely Test career and more power to you in the future.
Go well @faf1307

�?DK (@DineshKarthik) February 17, 2021

Faf has timed his Test retirement on @ABdeVilliers17's birthday. They have been great friends since childhood. The greatest friendship bond ever in cricket. #HappyBirthdayABD #HappyBirthDayAbDeVilliers pic.twitter.com/hN6IkFUTN4

�?George (@VijayIsMyLife) February 17, 2021

Test career of Faf Du Plessis will be always remembered for his famous Adelaide miracle - unbeaten 110 runs from 376 balls including 14 fours in the 4th innings to save the Test for South Africa on his debut.

�?Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 17, 2021

Think we saw it coming, with Faf, hope you get what you want from the other two formats. Good luck!

Thanks for the marathons in Adelaide and others.

�?Nikhil (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 17, 2021

Today Faf du Plessis announces his Test retirement on AB de Villiers birthday. Faf earlier said in 'DRS with Ash' that he respects ABD's retirement decision.
Both are great friends since high school days, as they were hostel roommates from 1998 to 2002. #FafRetires #ThankYouFaf

�?Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 17, 2021

Feature image courtesy: Christiaan Kotze / AFP

Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed FC Barcelona 4-1 in a Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash at the Camp Nou.

Hat-trick hero Kylian Mbappé takes the prize after THAT devastating display in Barcelona ⚽️⚽️⚽️#UCLPOTM | #UCL pic.twitter.com/ngFqYSgvTu

�?UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 16, 2021

The 22-year-old France international underlined his status as the rising superstar of world football as he upstaged Lionel Messi and further showed his capabilities of being the heir to Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo's throne.

In the absence of PSG talisman Neymar and Angel Di Maria, the Les Rouge et Bleu showcased their talent as they have taken a commanding 4-1 lead into the last-16 second leg at Parc des Princes on 21 March (as per IST).

Ronald Koeman’s men actually took the lead from the penalty spot in the 27th minutes, with Messi slotting home after Frenkie de Jong had his heel clipped in the PSG area. The home team had a chance to make it 2-0 but Ousmane Dembele failed to convert a decent chance in the 29th minute. 

However, from there on it was all PSG as Mbappe equalized three minutes later after an incredible pass from Marco Verratti. The Frenchman put his side ahead in the 65th minute as he got behind the Barca defence to net their second of the game. 

Moise Kean bagged PSG's third of the night five minutes later to put Barcelona up against the ropes in the Champions League again. Mbappe rounded off a perfect counter-attack to add a fourth goal and complete his hat-trick in the 86th minute. 

Meanwhile, Twitterati hailed Mbappe as they witnessed one of the competition's most devastating individual performances.

A hattrick from @KMbappe. We may be witnessing the changing of the guard.

�?Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 16, 2021

Big player! @KMbappe

�?Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) February 16, 2021

What a performance @KMbappe http://t.co/TBoXyCsUd3

�?Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) February 16, 2021

At 22, Kylian Mbappé is a transcendent talent who gives us these truly special days to suggest he is the Chosen One. To become that, he can’t stay in Europe’s 5th-best domestic league beyond this season.

�?Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) February 17, 2021

3 - Kylian Mbappe is only the third player to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona, after Faustino Asprilla for Newcastle and Andriy Shevchenko for Dynamo Kyiv (both in 1997). Magic. pic.twitter.com/eojfMDK7Cl

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 16, 2021

It's been nearly 25 years since a visiting player scored a hat-trick at Barcelona, but Kylian Mbappe did just that on Tuesday.

The last player to do it? A 21-year-old Andriy Shevchenko.

⚽️⚽️⚽️pic.twitter.com/E1CF5V3DeU

�?Goal (@goal) February 17, 2021

Meanwhile, Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane's goals helped clinical Liverpool defeat an errant RB Leipzig 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 fixture.

Feature image courtesy: LLUIS GENE / AFP