Cricket

Australia's Haddin Warns India of Pace Attack Threat in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has issued a stern warning to Indian batters ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, expressing doubts about their ability to withstand the formidable pace attack of the hosts.In a recent interview on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Haddin expressed concerns about India's batting lineup, particularly in the opening Test match at the bouncy Perth Stadium. "I don't think that the Indian batters are going to stand up to our quicks," Haddin said. "I know Jaiswal is a really good player, but he hasn't come out and seen Australia before, so I'm not sure whether he is going to handle the bounce. Opening in Perth is hard work."Haddin's comments stem from the fact that India's batting lineup has historically struggled against fast bowling in Australian conditions. In the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India's top order was repeatedly dismissed by the Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch offered a contrasting perspective, suggesting that both sides' opening batsmen could face challenges against the opposing bowling attacks. "I think the key could be Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant, the two wicketkeepers are going to be so important," Finch said. "At one time or the other in the series, the top order will get knocked over. Both fast-bowling attacks are so good that they will get on a roll and knock over the top order."Finch highlighted the importance of the middle order, particularly the wicketkeepers, in providing stability and momentum to their respective teams. "Carey is aggressive, Rishabh is aggressive," Finch said. "The game is going to go one or two ways really quick. And I think that will be so important."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth, is expected to be a fiercely contested series between two of the world's top cricketing nations. Australia will be looking to retain the trophy they won in India in 2017, while India will be eager to reclaim it on Australian soil.

India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia has taken on heightened significance following their 3-0 loss to New Zealand. To qualify for the World Test Championship final without relying on other teams, India must defeat Australia in at least four of the five Tests.Amidst this crucial series, reports emerged that skipper Rohit Sharma might miss the first Test due to personal reasons. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar suggested that if Sharma is unavailable for the first two Tests, the team should appoint a new captain for the entire series.However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch disagreed with Gavaskar's opinion. Finch emphasized the importance of supporting Sharma during a significant personal moment, stating that he should take all the time he needs.Sharma's wife, Ritika Sajdeh, expressed her appreciation for Finch's stance. She reacted with a 'salute' emoji on an Instagram post highlighting both Gavaskar and Finch's comments.The debate over Sharma's potential absence has sparked discussions about the importance of leadership and team unity. Gavaskar believes that a captain is essential to guide the team, especially after a disappointing series loss. Finch, on the other hand, prioritizes personal well-being and believes that Sharma should not be penalized for attending to family matters.As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, the Indian team faces a crucial decision regarding Sharma's availability. The outcome of the series will have a significant impact on their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has expressed concerns about the Indian cricket team's recent performances against New Zealand, attributing their struggles to a demanding schedule. Clarke believes that the team's mental fatigue is evident in their shot selection, bowling choices, and captain Rohit Sharma's admission of not being at his best.Despite these observations, Clarke remains optimistic about India's prospects in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. He believes that key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, once well-rested, will lead the team to a strong performance.Meanwhile, former Australian captain Aaron Finch has disagreed with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar's views on India's captaincy. Gavaskar had suggested that in Rohit Sharma's absence, the team's vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, should captain India for the entire series to maintain continuity.Finch, however, believes that Rohit Sharma should remain the captain even if he misses the first Test or two due to personal reasons. He emphasized the importance of family moments and the need for Rohit to take the necessary time off.The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series, consisting of five Test matches between India and Australia, is scheduled to commence on November 22. The series is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams boasting talented players and a rich history of rivalry.

Former Australian cricket captains Michael Clarke and Aaron Finch have expressed concerns over the timing of David Warner's recent remarks regarding the impact of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Warner, who is nearing the end of his international career, stated that he has faced the brunt of criticism since the incident.Clarke believes that Warner's comments are fair but poorly timed. He argues that other players, such as Cameron Bancroft, have also faced significant consequences. Clarke suggests that Warner's remarks may have been more appropriate after the World Cup rather than during the tournament.Finch echoed Clarke's sentiments, expressing surprise at Warner's timing. He believes that Warner's comments could potentially distract the team during a crucial stage of the competition.Warner's remarks have sparked a debate about the lasting impact of the ball-tampering scandal. Clarke acknowledges that the incident will always be part of Warner's legacy, but he believes that his brilliance as a cricketer will ultimately overshadow it.Warner's close friend, Usman Khawaja, has previously suggested that some of Warner's behavior before the ban was influenced by team instructions. Khawaja believes that Warner has changed his approach since his return to the team in 2019.Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, Warner remains a key player for Australia in the T20 World Cup. If the team wins the tournament, he could become one of only four players to have played in three finals across all three formats.

Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch has hailed Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as a "class player" due to his exceptional versatility that brings balance to any team he represents. Jadeja's recent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have further solidified his reputation as a top-class cricketer.In Chennai Super Kings' victory over Punjab Kings on May 5, Jadeja showcased his all-around abilities. He scored a valuable 40 runs and claimed three wickets, playing a pivotal role in his team's triumph. Finch, who has witnessed Jadeja's brilliance firsthand, was impressed by his performance."Ravindra Jadeja is such a versatile player, which makes him so effective. With the ball, he would have loved more wickets," Finch said. "He's been economical, going at under eight per over throughout the tournament. Leading with three wickets today (Sunday), he showed he is an absolute class player."Finch was particularly impressed by Jadeja's ability to return with figures of 3/20 in his full quota of four overs while defending a modest total of 169. "Three wickets for just 20 runs when the Punjab Kings were chasing a total of 170 odd runs is just superb. It just shows why he's one of the best players in the world," the Australian said.Finch also praised Kolkata Knight Riders' Sunil Narine, another versatile player who has been in exceptional form this season. The 2021 World T20-winning Australian skipper believes that it is extremely difficult to contain Narine for a long period of time."It's truly remarkable, isn't it? I mean, seeing Sunil Narine stride out to open the batting. Before this season, you're thinking, if we can just keep him quiet for a couple of balls, he'll try and do something and play a big shot. But this season, he's not only getting off to explosive starts but also batting smartly and seizing control of the innings," Finch said.The 35-year-old Narine smashed 81 off just 39 balls to power KKR to a comfortable 98-run win over Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday night. In the process, Narine also became the fourth player to score more than 450 runs and take 10 plus wickets in a single IPL edition.

India's vice-captain Hardik Pandya's struggles have become evident in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, with Mumbai Indians enduring a dismal campaign under his leadership. Former cricketers Aaron Finch and Graeme Smith have expressed concerns about Pandya's demeanor and the team's overall performance.During Mumbai Indians' recent loss to Kolkata Knight Riders, Pandya was met with loud boos from the Wankhede Stadium crowd. The team had begun the match promisingly, taking five early wickets, but KKR fought back to post a competitive 169 on the board. In reply, Mumbai crashed to 145 all out, despite Suryakumar Yadav's 56.Finch believes Pandya appears "flattened" and "drained," suggesting that the pressure of captaincy is taking its toll. He noted that Pandya's personal struggles have coincided with the team's poor performance, making it a difficult situation for him.Smith echoed Finch's sentiments, describing Mumbai Indians as a "confused team" under Pandya's leadership. He pointed to the constant changes in personnel and batting order, suggesting a lack of clarity in the team's strategy.Former Australia vice-captain Shane Watson also criticized Pandya's captaincy decisions, particularly his failure to deploy Jasprit Bumrah when KKR were struggling at 57 for five. Watson believes this allowed KKR to build a partnership and gain momentum.The former cricketers' comments highlight the challenges facing Pandya and Mumbai Indians. The team has won only three of their 11 matches this season, leaving them languishing near the bottom of the standings. Pandya's captaincy and the team's overall performance have come under scrutiny, raising questions about their ability to turn things around in the remaining matches.

Aaron Finch Expresses Surprise Over India's T20 World Cup Squad SelectionFormer Australian captain Aaron Finch has raised eyebrows over the composition of the Indian squad announced for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The squad features four spinners: Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, among the 15 selected players.Finch expressed his surprise at the inclusion of four spinners, stating that he would have preferred an additional fast bowler. "I was surprised by the four spinners as well. I had Rinku in there and only two spinners," he said.Finch believes that India's reliance on spinners could leave them vulnerable in the powerplay, especially considering the inconsistency of their fast bowlers apart from Jasprit Bumrah. "I wanted the extra cover of that quick. And if they want to play three spinners in the game, one of them has to be prepared to bowl in the powerplay, and I don't see any of those guys doing it consistently," he explained.However, former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop defended the selection, highlighting the potential behavior of pitches in the West Indies and USA during the T20 World Cup. Bishop noted that having four spinners could be an advantage, given their adaptability to varying pitch conditions."I guess spin will play a part in the tournament. The only concern I have is that the pitches for the World Cup may be slightly different from the ones we have seen in bilateral series or domestic tournaments. So I think it's a luxury to have four spinners rather than it being a necessity," Bishop said.The Indian squad also includes experienced batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, as well as all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. The team will be hoping to improve on their performance in the previous T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) dismal performance in the ongoing IPL 2024 has raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Former RCB player Aaron Finch has pinpointed several key issues that have plagued the franchise's campaign, highlighting the importance of strategic planning and player utilization.Finch emphasized the need for a balanced approach at the auction, stating that RCB's overemphasis on their batting lineup has left them vulnerable in the bowling department. He pointed out the lack of a world-class spinner, a glaring weakness that was exposed in their recent defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).Another area of concern for Finch is the team's decision to play Cameron Green out of position in the middle-order. Green, a highly-rated all-rounder, is more comfortable batting at the top of the order, where he can make a significant impact. Finch questioned the logic behind this move, especially considering the hefty price tag RCB paid to acquire Green.Finch also expressed disappointment over Glenn Maxwell's underwhelming form. Maxwell, known for his match-winning abilities, has failed to deliver for RCB this season. Finch attributed this to a lack of consistency and impact on the game.With just one win in eight matches, RCB's playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Finch's analysis provides valuable insights into the team's struggles and highlights the need for a comprehensive reassessment of their strategy and player utilization.

Aaron Finch Advocates for Virat Kohli at No. 3 for India in T20 World CupFormer Australian captain Aaron Finch has strongly recommended that Virat Kohli bat at the No. 3 position for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Finch believes that Kohli's stability and ability to anchor the innings make him the ideal candidate for this crucial role.Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket, possesses an exceptional ability to build and accelerate innings. His presence at No. 3 would provide India with a solid foundation and allow the team to capitalize on the momentum created by the openers.Finch, during a discussion on Star Sports, expressed his admiration for Kohli's batting prowess, particularly at the No. 3 position. "Virat Kohli is the best No. 3 this game ever produced in white-ball cricket, so I will keep him at No. 3 for the T20 World Cup," Finch said.Kohli has recently demonstrated his adaptability by opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite the change in role, he has excelled, leading the run charts with 379 runs in 8 matches and scoring a century against Rajasthan Royals.While Kohli's usual batting position for India in T20I matches is at No. 3, his impressive performances at the top of the order for RCB highlight his versatility and ability to excel in various roles. This versatility solidifies his status as one of the most complete batsmen in contemporary cricket.With the T20 World Cup set to commence shortly after the conclusion of the IPL, Finch's recommendation for Kohli to bat at No. 3 is likely to be carefully considered by the Indian team management. Kohli's experience, skill, and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset for India in their quest for T20 World Cup glory.