'I have also previously topped the T20I rankings, but the ultimate ambition and goal is to lead the Test rankings, which are the real testament and reward to a batsman's calibre, reputation and skills. I understand to achieve this objective, I will not only have to perform consistently, but more importantly, against the top sides.'
Babar Azam now leads the Indian captain by eight points
The pacer took 4-60 as India were bowled out for 307 runs in their first innings, conceding a 28-run lead. The hosts finished at 90/2, leading overall by 118.
Babar has taken just 76 innings to score 13 tons while Amla, who until now was the fastest, had scored his 13th ODI hundred in 83 innings. Kohli had taken 86 innings to score 13 ODI hundreds.
Images from the second One-Day International between South Africa and India, in Paarl, on Friday.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the numbers you need to know about Virat Kohli in Test cricket.
Centurion Colin Munro credited New Zealand's "outstanding" bowling attack for the 40-run victory in the second T20 International, in Rajkot, on Saturday, saying dismissing the in-form India openers early was "massive".
'We thought 180-190 would we good on this wicket, but credit to Delhi for the way they batted, especially Sanju in the middle overs and Chris Morris in the end'
Seniors like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara came in for a lot of flak for their below-par showing with the bat, while Jasprit Bumrah also failed to live up to expectations.
Quizzed whether batting will be easier in the final Test as it will be a red ball game again, he answered in affirmative.
A summary of Day 2 action in the Ranji Trophy matches, played at various venues across the country.
South Africa's openers Dean Elgar (15) and Aiden Markram were positive at the start of the innings, but disaster struck as they lost two wickets in the final two balls of the middle session.
India aim to stay afloat against daunting South Africa in the second Test
Joe Root scored a breezy, unbeaten 67 and will resume on the third morning with Jonny Bairstow, who has 24.
Saini limped off the field due to groin pain and was taken for the scans.
Kagiso Rabada became the youngest South Africa bowler to take seven wickets in an innings as the hosts took charge of the fourth and final Test against England on Sunday.
Alastair Cook posted his first half-century of the series with an unbeaten 67 as England closed day two of the final Test on 138 for two, still 337 runs behind South Africa at Centurion Park on Saturday.
England, with a series win already secured, can complete South Africa's ignominious fall from the top of the rankings when the final Test of the four-match series starts at Centurion Park in Pretoria on Friday.
Home captain Williamson also praised the "special effort from" team man Wagner.
Sri Lanka had suffered crippling injuries to their bowling attack in the Test and were also without middle-order batsman Dhananjaya de Silva for the second innings, a major concern for their home series against England that starts on January 14.
Elgar looked set for his 13th Test ton until he offered Sri Lanka seamer Dasun Shanaka a sharp caught-and-bowled chance that was superbly taken.
The players, led by Quinton de Kock, raised their firsts after singing the South African national anthem
John Edrich scored a triple Test hundred and over 100 first class hundreds in a magnificent career.
Axar Patel took a dig at the English commentators and media for their take on the Chepauk surface.
Former Australia batsman Neil Harvey, who made his Test debut at the age of 19 in Don Bradman's formidable 1948 side, has urged selectors to consider young talents Will Pucovski and Cameron Green for the upcoming series against India.
Under Kohli, playing cricket will now be about winning, not avoiding defeat. India will not just be liked or admired -- it will be respected and feared. A country whose stars were labeled 'talented' or 'elegant' or 'inconsistent' now finds itself with a captain who is professional, tough, and combative, the embodiment of athleticism, aggression, and ambition. A fascinating glimpse from Pride, Prejudice And Punditry: The Essential Shashi Tharoor.
Rohit and vice-captain Rahane added 162 runs for the fourth wickets as India scored 300 for 6 at stumps
Centurion Steve Smith praised Australia's bowlers after they reduced England to 107 for eight in the first innings to set up a victory bid in the fifth and final Ashes Test on Friday.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya bowled in top-flight cricket for the first time since returning from a back surgery more than a year ago, with his team under pressure against Australia during the second ODI in Sydney on Sunday.
The player registration deadline closed on Thursday and the list comprises 207 international players including 21 capped Indians.
South Africa will appear in their first international assignment since the COVID-19-induced lockdown in March when they host England for three T20Is and as many ODIs, beginning on November 27 at Newlands.
'They totally blew us away during that partnership of Jonny and Ben Stokes. We didn't even have a chance during that partnership.'
Australia were on 103 for 2 in the second innings, a lead of 197 runs, at the close of play on the third day of the third Test against India, in Sydney, on Saturday.
The plan was to vary the pace of his deliveries and create angles, since there was not much turn on offer, said all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja after his four-wicket haul enabled India dismiss Australia for 338 on Day 2 of the third Test, in Sydney, on Friday.
The South African women's team's top-order fired in unison and helped their team clinch the five-match series against India with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory in the fourth ODI, in Lucknow, on Sunday.
India captain Virat Kohli held on to his second position while stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane broke into the top 10 after gaining five places in the latest ICC men's Test batting ranking released on Thursday.
In an attempt to honour swashbuckling batsman AB de Villiers, the Northern Cricket Union has named a suite after him at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
South Africa bowled poorly in the first hour, but still managed to reduce the visitors to 54 for three as Sri Lanka gave their wickets away with injudicious stroke-play.
Riding on Harmanpreet Kaur's fiery knock of 171 off 115 balls, India beat Australia by 26 runs to book a spot in the ICC Women's World Cup final.
Captain Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers shared a record unbroken double-century stand as South Africa took control of the first Test against West Indies on the opening day at Centurion on Wednesday.
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