Cricket

India's upcoming tour of Australia will be a daunting challenge, especially considering their recent 0-3 defeat to New Zealand. However, the team has opted to forgo practice matches in favor of match simulations with India A. This decision was made to maximize preparation time and ensure that all players receive adequate workload.Captain Rohit Sharma explained the rationale behind this choice. He emphasized that the team has a large squad of 19 players and only three days were allotted for practice matches. He expressed concerns that this limited time would not allow for sufficient workload distribution.Instead, India will engage in match simulations where batters can spend extended periods at the crease and bowlers can bowl a significant number of deliveries. This format allows for more targeted preparation and flexibility, as batters can be retired out to give others an opportunity to bat.India A, which includes several members of the Test squad, has already played a four-day game against Australia A. Rohit expressed confidence that the match simulation with India A will provide valuable preparation, especially given the similarities between the WACA and Optus Stadium, where the first Test will be played.The five-Test series in Australia has taken on even greater significance as India needs to win four matches to qualify for the World Test Championship final next year. Rohit's availability for the first Test is uncertain, but he remains hopeful of joining the team in Perth.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has hinted at the possibility of missing the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia due to personal reasons. The series opener against Australia is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.Rohit expressed uncertainty about his participation, stating, "Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed." If he is unable to make it, Jasprit Bumrah, the vice-captain, will lead the team in the first Test.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has gained added significance as both India and Australia aim to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). India's recent 3-0 Test series loss to New Zealand at home has put pressure on the team to perform well in Australia.Rohit acknowledged the need to recover from the defeats and focus on the upcoming tour. "We will focus on (upcoming) Australia series, and not look too far ahead," he said.After the first Test in Perth, which concludes on November 26, there will be a 10-day break before the Adelaide game, which starts on December 6. During this break, India will play a two-day warm-up match in Canberra.Rohit's absence, if confirmed, would be a significant blow to India's chances in the series. The team will be hoping that he recovers in time to lead them in the crucial opening Test.

India's quest for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 final has hit a roadblock following their home series defeat to New Zealand. This setback marks India's first home Test series loss since 2012 and has significantly impacted their qualification prospects.Prior to the New Zealand series, India held a commanding lead in the WTC standings with a percentage (PCT) of 68.06. However, consecutive losses have seen their PCT plummet to 62.82, with Australia lurking close behind at 62.50 and Sri Lanka trailing at 55.56.India's path to the WTC final has become increasingly challenging. Five of their remaining matches are part of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, a formidable opponent. To secure a place in the final, India must emerge victorious in four out of the five Tests against Australia.The outcome of other series will also play a crucial role in India's qualification hopes. South Africa, currently fourth with a PCT of 54.17, will host two Tests each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, in third place with a PCT of 55.56, faces a daunting series against South Africa as they aim to reach their first ICC final in over a decade.With several crucial series yet to be played, the final outcome of this WTC cycle remains uncertain. Teams will need to demonstrate consistency, handle pressure effectively, and seize every opportunity to secure a place in the final at Lord's.

Australia's white-ball season kicks off with a three-match ODI series against Pakistan, marking the first international cricket action for both teams in nearly a year. The series serves as a crucial preparation for Australia's Champions Trophy campaign, while Pakistan aims to build a competitive squad for the home tournament.Despite the absence of Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, and Cameron Green, Australia's ODI team remains largely settled. Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell headline the lineup, with Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short vying for Head's spot.Pakistan, on the other hand, has undergone significant changes since their last ODI outing. Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah return to the squad, while Mohammad Rizwan takes over the captaincy. The team is still searching for a stable XI, with Faisal Akram, a promising left-arm wristspinner, a potential inclusion.The series will be played on a pitch that has traditionally favored fast bowlers, and the overcast conditions could further assist the quicks. Australia holds a 10-4 win record against Pakistan at the MCG, but the visitors will be eager to break their recent losing streak.

Captain Pat Cummins has downplayed the significance of the "bat off" for the final spot in Australia's Test team, but acknowledges its value as a "final piece of information." The four contenders for the vacant opening spot, Marcus Harris, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and Cameron Bancroft, have been showcasing their skills in the Australia A game against India A.While McSweeney has emerged as the standout performer, Cummins emphasizes that the Australia A games are not the sole determinant for selection. He notes that some players have limited Shield cricket experience, while others have played for over a decade. The quartet is expected to get another chance to impress in the second four-day game at the MCG.Cummins is not concerned about making a late decision, as the current selection panel and leadership group prioritize giving players certainty. He believes that whoever is selected will have gained valuable experience and be well-prepared for the pressure of a Test debut.Regarding the batting order, Cummins suggests that Marnus Labuschagne could potentially open the batting to accommodate McSweeney at No. 3, his usual position in first-class cricket. However, he emphasizes that the batting order will be determined based on the overall functionality of the team.Cummins feels physically refreshed after skipping the UK tour to focus on training. He explains that he opted out of a Shield game to prioritize gym work and build up his fitness. He believes the ODIs against Pakistan will provide him with a good lead-in to the first Test.It remains uncertain whether Cummins will play all three ODIs against Pakistan. He has confirmed his participation in the first two, but may miss the final game in Perth to avoid unnecessary travel. If he does miss the Perth match, Australia will need to find a captain, with Mitchell Marsh unavailable due to paternity leave.

Australia's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in late January holds significant implications for both teams' aspirations in the World Test Championship and the Champions Trophy. The two-Test series in Galle could prove pivotal in determining who reaches the final of the World Test Championship at Lord's in June.The Tests, scheduled for January 29-February 2 and February 6-10, will be crucial for both Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia, currently ranked third in the World Test Championship standings, needs to perform well in this series to enhance their chances of reaching the final. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is placed seventh and will be eager to make a statement against a formidable opponent.The tour also includes an ODI on February 13, which will serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Australia will be keen to fine-tune their limited-overs skills ahead of the tournament.Australia's last visit to Sri Lanka in 2022 resulted in a 1-1 Test series draw. The visitors won the first Test in dramatic fashion, but Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya claimed 12 wickets on debut to level the series in the second Test.Australia may be without captain Pat Cummins for all or part of the tour due to the birth of his second child. Head coach Andrew McDonald has indicated that they will respect Cummins' decision if he chooses to miss a Test for family reasons.The selectors are expected to prioritize red-ball preparation for the spinners selected to support Nathan Lyon. Glenn Maxwell is in contention for a return, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann could be an option to supplement Lyon. Former Australia spinner Steve O'Keefe has urged the selectors to focus on developing the spinners' skills in Sri Lankan conditions.

Mohammed Shami's Absence a Major Blow for India in Border-Gavaskar TrophyAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia, the absence of star pacer Mohammed Shami has cast a shadow over the Indian team's prospects. Shami, who has been sidelined since November due to an ankle injury, is considered one of the most potent fast bowlers in the world.Former Australia captain Tim Paine has expressed his belief that Shami's absence will be a significant setback for India. "Shami is going to be a huge difference," Paine said on The Grade Cricketer podcast. "Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it's curtains for me."The Border-Gavaskar series, which begins on November 22, will feature five Tests played across Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The series is expected to be fiercely contested, with both teams boasting world-class players.India's squad for the series includes captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, and a host of talented batsmen and bowlers. However, the absence of Shami leaves a significant void in the bowling attack.Shami's ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a formidable threat to any batting lineup. His absence will put additional pressure on Bumrah, who is already India's leading fast bowler.India will need to find a way to compensate for Shami's absence if they want to challenge Australia in their own backyard. The likes of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna will be expected to step up and fill the void.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most prestigious Test series in cricket, and the absence of Shami is sure to add an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming contest.

Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain, has set his sights on conquering the final frontier of his illustrious career: a Test series victory over India. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) set to commence in Perth on November 22, Cummins is determined to fill the void in his impressive CV.Australia has enjoyed a golden era under Cummins' leadership, claiming the Ashes, World Test Championship, and ODI World Cup. However, a Test series win over India has eluded them, with India remaining undefeated in the BGT for the past decade."It's kind of the one big thing that I want to tick off," Cummins said at the launch of his book. "Particularly winning at home. Most Australians, me included, expect us to do well whenever we play at home."India's recent Test defeats at home against New Zealand have raised questions about their preparations for the Australia tour. However, Cummins remains wary of their formidable batting lineup."I think any time a team's under pressure, it's not a bad thing if you're playing against them," Cummins said. "But they've been out here before and performed well. Our job is to try and keep them quiet, see how we go."The BGT is also crucial for the World Test Championship, with India and Australia currently occupying the top two positions. A series win would strengthen their chances of qualifying for the final.Cummins is confident in his team's ability to perform well against India. "We feel like our team's in a really good place, so we've got no reason why we shouldn't perform really well," he said. "I just always expect us to do well against whoever we play. But India, particularly, is a big year, big season."

Australia is poised to enter the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) as the frontrunner, according to former Australian captain Tim Paine. Paine attributes this to India's recent struggles with form and injuries.Paine, who captained Australia in their previous two BGT losses, believes Australia's stability and home advantage give them an edge. "Australia are going to start pretty strong favorites," he said. "I think India have not been playing pretty well, their batting looks a little brittle."Paine also highlighted the absence of Mohammed Shami as a significant blow for India. "Shami is going to be a huge difference," he said. "Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it's curtains for me."Reflecting on India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand, Paine expressed concern about their batting. "No. They (New Zealand) are not very good. Is that harsh? Unbelievable performance, no doubt about that. But that makes me worry a little about India, totally honest," he said.Paine also acknowledged India's historic 2020-21 series win in Australia, crediting Cheteshwar Pujara as the series hero. "The guy who won them the series was Pujara," he said. "He wore us down, he wore our fast bowlers down."India's selectors have named an 18-member squad for the five-Test series, but Shami's absence has forced them to field an inexperienced pace attack. Bumrah will lead the bowling unit, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana.India's first Test against Australia begins on November 22 in Perth, kicking off the much-anticipated series.