IND vs NZ: Milestones To Watch Out For
India and New Zealand are scheduled to lock horns against each other in a three-match test series with the first game set to commence at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 16th, 2024. Both the teams have a lot to play for while fighting out for a seat at the World Test Championship (WTC) final, making it a series that could be a total belter for one looking to seal a top-two position in the WTC points table. India will be high on momentum after securing a 2-0 victory over Bangladesh, while New Zealand would be looking for redemption after a 2-0 loss against Sri Lanka. Milestones To Watch Out For During IND vs NZ Test Series Apart from team stakes, the series will also provide an opportunity for a handful of cricketers to achieve some big individual milestones. Here are some of the key records to look out for over the next three weeks: 1. Kohli’s Pursuit of 9,000 Test Runs Virat Kohli, is just 53 runs away from entering a very exclusive club of Indian batters who have gone past the 9,000-line mark. If he does so, then only four Indians would have gone past this line, after legends Sachin Tendulkar with 15,921, Rahul Dravid with 13,265 and Sunil Gavaskar with 10,122. 2. Williamson’s Chase into the 9,000-Run Club Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson is on the cusp of history, being the first Kiwi batter on the cusp of 9,000 test runs. With 8,881 runs to his name, Williamson will need 119 more runs for this historic figure. He has already bagged the top spot for New Zealand both in test cricket and across all formats, with an outstanding tally of 18,266 international runs. However, Williamson’s availability for the series is still hanging on the line given that he is recovering from a groin injury. Check more on groin injuries in cricket here. 3. Ashwin’s Bid to Surpass Kumble Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin stands at the doorstep of topping various all-time test cricket lists by removing Anil Kumble from the charts – with him now tying for most five-wicket and 10-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler. Ashwin and Kumble are tied with 37 five-wicket hauls and eight 10-wicket hauls, respectively, in tests. Another five-wicket haul would make Ashwin the man to second place on all-time list, Muralitharan being on top with 67. If he can pull off another 10-wicket haul, he will join two others who have such as the number of hauls in Test history: Richard Hadlee and Rangana Herath. 4. Kuldeep’s 300-Wicket Milestone 4. Kuldeep’s Entry In 300 Wickets Club Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav remains only six wickets away from achieving the milestone of 300 wickets across all formats. With 172 wickets in ODIs, 53 wickets in test matches and 69 wickets in T20Is, Kuldeep is likely to become the 13th Indian bowler if he adds a few more wickets to his tally in this series. However, in what is looking like to be an exciting contest between India and New Zealand, records in individual events will add another element of the thrill of the battle for WTC qualification, as the competition for qualification has been highly competitive. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Cristiano Ronaldo’s UEFA Euro Records – In a Nutshell Cristiano Ronaldo’s EURO Records: A Legacy of Goals and Appearances
Football’s biggest ambassador, Cristiano Ronaldo has left an indelible mark on the UEFA European Championship (EURO), holding numerous records that highlight his unparalleled impact on the tournament. Most Goals in EURO FinalsRonaldo stands tall as the all-time leading scorer in EURO finals, showcasing brilliance in high-stake games. He has scored a remarkable 7 goals in EURO finals, demonstrating his ability to perform when it matters most. Most EURO Final Tournaments PlayedThroughout his illustrious career, Ronaldo has participated in the most EURO final tournaments, showcasing his consistency and longevity at the highest level of European football. He has graced 5 EURO final tournaments, a testament to his enduring influence on the sport. Most Finals AppearancesRonaldo’s presence in EURO finals is unmatched. He has appeared in the final match of the tournament 5 times, highlighting his leadership and ability to guide his team to the pinnacle of European football. Most EURO Final Tournaments Scored InRonaldo’s ability to find the back of the net in EURO final tournaments is unparalleled. He has scored in 4 different EURO final tournaments, demonstrating his consistency and goal-scoring prowess across multiple championships. Most Appearances (Including Qualifying)In terms of overall participation, Ronaldo holds the record for the most appearances in EURO matches, including both the final tournaments and qualifying rounds. He has featured in 24 EURO matches, showcasing his dedication and commitment to representing Portugal on the international stage. Most Goals (Including Qualifying)Ronaldo’s goal-scoring exploits extend beyond the final tournaments. He holds the record for the most goals scored in EURO matches, encompassing both the final tournaments and qualifying stages. With a staggering 27 goals to his name, Ronaldo has consistently delivered exceptional performances throughout his EURO career. Cristiano Ronaldo’s UEFA EURO Records RECORD STAT Most Goals in EURO Finals 7 goals Most EURO Final Tournaments Played 5 tournaments Most Finals Appearances 5 appearances Most EURO Final Tournaments Scored In 4 tournaments Most Appearances (Including Qualifying) 24 matches Most Goals (Including Qualifying) 27 goals Cristiano Ronaldo’s records in the UEFA European Championship underscore his status as one of football’s greatest-ever players. His ability to perform under pressure, score crucial goals, and maintain peak performance over multiple tournaments has cemented his legacy as a true icon of the game. Cristiano Ronaldo’s UEFA EURO Records RECORD STAT Top Goal Scorer 55 goals Most Games Played 69 games Most Penalties Scored 11 penalties Most Minutes Played 5887 minutes Top Goalscorer By Season (2020) 16 goals Cristiano Ronaldo has set a couple of impressive records at the UEFA European Championship. He is the top goal scorer with 55 goals and has played the most games, totaling 69. Ronaldo has also scored the most penalties with 11, played the most minutes with 5,887, and was the top goalscorer in the 2020 season with 16 goals. These achievements highlight his exceptional talent and enduring impact on the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo’s EURO Finals Match Log Date Opposition Score WLD Goals Stage 12/06/2004 Greece 1–2 L 1 Group 16/06/2004 Russia 2–0 W Group 20/06/2004 Spain 1–0 W Group 24/06/2004 England 2–2 (W on pens) W Quarter-finals 30/06/2004 Netherlands 2–1 W 1 Semi-finals 04/07/2004 Greece 0–1 L Final 07/06/2008 Turkey 2–0 W Group 11/06/2008 Czech Republic 3–1 W 1 Group 19/06/2008 Germany 2–3 L Quarter-finals 09/06/2012 Germany 0–1 L Group 13/06/2012 Denmark 3–2 W Group 17/06/2012 Netherlands 2–1 W 2 Group 21/06/2012 Czech Republic 1–0 W 1 Quarter-finals 27/06/2012 Spain 0–0 (L on pens) L Semi-finals 14/06/2016 Iceland 1–1 D Group 18/06/2016 Austria 0–0 D Group 22/06/2016 Hungary 3–3 D 2 Group 25/06/2016 Croatia 1–0 W Round of 16 30/06/2016 Poland 1–1 (W on pens) W Quarter-finals 06/07/2016 Wales 2–0 W 1 Semi-finals 10/07/2016 France 1–0 W Final 15/06/2021 Hungary 3-0 W 2 Group 19/06/2021 Germany 2-4 L 1 Group 23/06/2021 France 2-2 D 2 Group 27/06/2021 Belgium 0-1 L Round of 16 As EURO 2024 approaches, the spotlight is on Cristiano Ronaldo to see how he will perform and how far he can lead his team in the tournament. Given his remarkable track record and numerous records in previous EURO championships, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Ronaldo can once again inspire Portugal to greatness. His experience, skill, and leadership will be crucial as Portugal aims for another successful campaign. The anticipation is building, and all eyes will be on Ronaldo to see if he can add to his legacy in this prestigious tournament. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Sunil Chhetri’s Football Career in Numbers, Records & Achievements
Indian football icon, Sunil Chhetri has declared to hang up his boots. He would be playing his last fixture in the national colours in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Kuwait on June 06th, 2024. The team’s captain, who has been with them for a long time, shared his decision in a video on his social media. CHHETRI’S RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT “The feel that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination of duty, pressure and immense joy,” the 39-year-old Chhetri said while announcing his decision to retire. Let’s quickly go through a couple of records and achievements in his 19 year illustrious career. Chhetri ranks third on the chart of the top goal scorers in the world. He’s just behind Messi and Ronaldo. He scored a hat-trick against Pakistan and moved up to fourth place in the list of all-time top scorers in international soccer, passing Mokhtar Dahari. He scored 15 of his 90 goals from penalty kicks, with Nepal and Maldives being his favourite opponents. Chhetri started his international career in 2005 with a goal against Pakistan and became the first Indian player to be among the top 10 international goal scorers. He played for several clubs like Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mumbai City FC, scoring over 140 goals. Though he briefly played for clubs abroad like the Kansas City Wizards and Sporting Club Portugal, he’s mostly known for his time at Bengaluru FC. He’s won many awards and trophies during his career. Here’s Sunil Chhetri’s International Goals Tournament-Wise. TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES GOALS SAFF Championship 27 23 Friendlies 40 19 Intercontinental Cup (Friendly League) 11 13 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 23 10 Nehru Cup (Friendly League) 14 9 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 12 8 AFC Challenge Cup 8 4 AFC Asian Cup 5 4 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers 6 3 King’s Cup (Friendly League) 1 1 Asian Games 2 1 Chhetri doesn’t just score against weaker teams; he’s also scored against tough opponents like Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Afghanistan. His goals often come in important matches, helping India win or get important points. Here’s a list of Sunil Chhetri’s Appearances and Goals Against Different Opponents OPPONENTS APPEARANCES GOALS Maldives 6 8 Nepal 13 9 Chinese Taipei 5 6 Bangladesh 7 7 Cambodia 3 5 Tajikistan 5 5 Kenya 2 4 Kyrgyz Republic 4 4 Pakistan 7 4 Afghanistan 10 5 Mayanmar 5 3 Bhutan 2 3 Vietnam 2 3 Guam 3 3 Lebanon 6 3 Syria 6 2 Malaysia 4 3 Oman 5 2 Thailand 3 2 Sri Lanka 3 1 Bahrain 2 1 South Korea 1 1 Cameroon 1 1 Philippines 2 1 Palestine 2 1 Puerto Rico 1 1 Macao 2 1 New Zealand 1 1 Curacao 1 1 Hong Kong 1 1 Vanuatu 1 1 South Korea 1 1 Kuwait 2 1 Chhetri’s goal scoring ability shows how good he is and how long he’s been playing for India. He’s been scoring regularly for many years against different teams, which proves how vital he is to the national team and how he’s one of India’s best players ever. Throughout his career, Chhetri has won many top awards: – Arjuna Award – 2011– Padma Shri Award – 2019.– Khel Ratna Award – 2021.– AIFF Player of the Year Award – 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018-19.– FPAI Indian Player of the Year – 2009, 2018, and 2019.– SAFF Championship Player of the Tournament – 2011, 2015, and 2021.– SAFF Championship Top Scorer – 2011, 2021, and 2023.– Hero of the Intercontinental Cup – 2018 Sunil Chhetri’s success in international football has not only made him popular in India but also gained him respect globally. As he chooses to retire from international matches, his reputation as a top goal-scorer and a role model for young Indian footballers remains strong. His path from a promising young player to the captain of the national team and its top scorer is a tale of determination, dedication, and exceptional talent. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.