Rohit Sharma's 11th Test century -- 131 from 196 balls -- was laced with 14 fours and three sixes. He played a crucial role in India's recovery putting on 204 runs for the fourth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja.

In the 76 years since India gained independence, 53 recipients of the Bharat Ratna have been there. That's less than one every year, which is a healthy ratio given there is the sanctity of this gem of an award to preserve. But four recipients for the year were announced in a few days in addition to one announced earlier. That took the total number in 2024 to five in less than a month, the highest for any year, post-Independence, notes Shyam G Menon.

All-rounder Rachin Ravindra continued to bolster his reputation with three for 33 as New Zealand reduced a weakened but battling South Africa side to 220 for six on the first day of the second Test at Seddon Park on Tuesday.

'...Virat adds to the quality of any contest because he is such a wonderful player who brings fire, passion, competitiveness and great fan following to the sport. But personal matters always take preference over cricketing matters.'

IMAGES from the Under-19 World Cup final between India and Australia in Benoni on Sunday

Roundup of Ranji Trophy matched played on Sunday

Never got mentally down when people made fun of my weight: Neeraj Chopra in Fit India Champions podcast

India and Australia will battle it out for supremacy in the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup final on Sunday in Benoni. Check out Australia's road to final.

Two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen eked out a gritty win while Arundhati Choudhary too won her bout to advance to the semifinals of the 75th Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria on Thursday.

'My God, we could win half the world over just by our food alone.'

'There are three Tests left; opportunity to score a ton of runs.'

Young turks Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill made the difference with the bat, while Jasprit Bumrah was devastating with the ball.

'The wicket was good to bat on, a lot of the batters got starts but didn't convert. This win gives us a lot of confidence. Very proud of such a young squad.'

England lose Duckett chasing 399 against India

Images from Day 3 of the second Test between India and England in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

New Zealand's experienced batter Kane Williamson surpassed Virat Kohli and former Australia batter Don Bradman in the Test hundreds list on Sunday.

Rachin Ravindra scored his first Test century and Kane Williamson his 30th in an unbroken stand of 219 as New Zealand put on 258 for two on the opening day of the first Test against a depleted South Africa at Bay Oval on Sunday.

England batting legend Alastair Cook lauded star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah for his magnificent six-wicket haul in the second Test against Three Lions, saying that he changed the course of the game single-handedly and "ripped the heart out of England batting line-up".

Sudharsan and Rinku put on 55 runs for the fourth-wicket stand.

Bumrah finished with figures of 6 for 45 -- his 10th five wicket haul in Test cricket -- while also becoming the fastest Indian pacer to take 150 Test wickets.

Images from Day 2 of the second Test between India and England at Visakhapatnam.

Dhas (116, 101 balls) and Saharan (100, 107 balls), who added 215 off 202 balls, lifted India from a tricky 62/3 to a formidable 297/5 after they opted to bat first.

Shubman Gill once again failed to convert a decent start as he was dismissed for 34 off 46 balls on Day 1 of the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam.

IMAGES from Day 1 of the 2nd Test played between India and England in Visakhapatnam, on Friday

Real moved to 57 points, two ahead Girona and 10 clear of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

'Since God was being shown in live action on such a large scale, Prasanth was initially sceptical about going with an animated character.'

'Parents, students and coaching institutes will find alternatives to cater to the demand.'

IMAGES from Day 4 of the 1st Test played between India and England in Hyderabad, on Sunday.

Shamar Joseph took 7 wickets to lead the Windies to a big win

Aseem Chhabra rates the movies he's watched in 2023, and tells you where you can watch them!

The tourists had risked a defeat inside three days after India, having built a lead of 190, reduced England to 163-5 in their second innings in the second session of the day.

Windies were restricted in their second innings by economical seamer Josh Hazlewood (3-23) and spinner Nathan Lyon (3-42).

If you have never seen Sriram Raghavan fly, you would hardly realise that this time, he is happy in his cage, this time he isn't reaching for the skies, notes Sreehari Nair.

Manchester City clinched a 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur, while Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Aston Villa.

New opener Steve Smith, thrust into the role after David Warner's retirement, fell to Roach for six in the first over of Australia's innings when a seaming delivery was adjudged lbw on review.

India, who have not lost a Test series at home since 2012, finished day two on a commanding 421-7 in their robust reply to England's middling 246 in the first innings.

IMAGES from Day 2 of the 1st Test played between India and England in Hyderabad, on Friday.

The women bikers of the CRPF, BSF and SSB exhibited the strength of Indian values, including yoga.

For the first time in a men's Test, England went into the match with a lone fast bowler in Mark Wood, opting for a spin-heavy attack instead, which included debutant Tom Hartley.

Ben Stokes added 91 runs with the last 3 wickets to help England post 246.