Cricket

Justin Langer Warns Against Underestimating India in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Australian cricketer and head coach Justin Langer has cautioned against underestimating the Indian team ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, despite their recent series loss to New Zealand. Langer emphasized the strength and resilience of the Indian team, highlighting their past successes in Australia."One thing you never do is write off champions, and that's in every sport, because they are a champion for a reason," Langer told The West Australian. "In India, there are one and a half billion cricket-loving people, and then count all the rest around the world, they expect nothing but excellence, and the team will be under intense pressure, so how they fight back will be important."Langer acknowledged the pressure on the Indian team but expressed his belief in their ability to bounce back. He also highlighted the star power within the Indian lineup, urging fans to savor their presence."And they'll be getting written off for being too old, but people say that all the time, and I just can't wait to see them play. I just hope, if this is the last time (Kohli) is out here, people enjoy it because he is a superstar, so is Rohit Sharma, so is (Ravi) Ashwin, so is (Ravi) Jadeja, so is (Jasprit) Bumrah."Langer drew parallels between the Australian and Indian teams, both boasting experienced bowling attacks, and encouraged fans to appreciate these players while they are still active."It's the same with the Australians; the bowling attack is a very senior attack now... so really enjoy it while you can; they are not going to be around forever,"To secure a spot in the World Test Championship final at Lord's next year, India needs to win at least four matches in the series. Langer believes India's recent loss to New Zealand might fuel their determination, making them a formidable opponent for Australia."India losing to New Zealand is a bit like North Melbourne beating Brisbane in the grand final at the moment. And not for one millisecond is that disrespect for New Zealand, because they are the great overachievers; they are brilliant."He acknowledged New Zealand's achievement in winning the series 3-0, emphasizing the pressure India will face to make amends for their performance."I think they'd won two Test matches (in India), and to win the series 3-0, that's an amazing achievement. They've just been beaten three-nil by New Zealand, so India will be humbled by that and equally determined to remedy it because the pressure on them will be intense."

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has come to the defense of India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, urging patience and support ahead of the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir's tenure as coach has been met with mixed reactions, particularly after India's recent Test series loss to New Zealand and ODI defeat to Sri Lanka. However, Ganguly believes it's premature to judge Gambhir's performance, given his short time in the role."All I will say is let him be," Ganguly told Revsportz. "I saw some criticism of what he said in the press conference. It is the way he is. Just because he has lost three Test matches and a one-day series against Sri Lanka, the straight talk has not been looked at nicely. But that is the way he is. Let's give Gambhir a chance."Gambhir's outspoken nature has drawn attention, particularly his comments about Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting. Ponting had expressed concerns over Virat Kohli's Test form, prompting Gambhir to suggest that Ponting focus on his own team.Ganguly defended Gambhir's direct approach, arguing that it could be beneficial in the high-stakes series against Australia. "Ultimately, you have to go and play the game hard," he said. "That is the way it is and it has happened for ages against Australian cricket teams. That makes this series even more competitive and more followed by people."India needs a 4-0 series victory to directly qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Ganguly believes that Gambhir's combative style could be an asset in this challenging endeavor."I think he is a good coach," Ganguly said. "He has got a good cricketing brain. He is a fighter. He is a winner. He has got a lot of experience. I think he will do well for India."

Team India is poised to embark on a challenging tour of Australia, aiming to secure their third consecutive Test series victory on foreign soil. However, the Aussies are determined to halt India's momentum and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.With captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the opening Test in Perth, the onus will fall on the rest of the Indian batting lineup to deliver. Virat Kohli, India's batting mainstay, will be under immense pressure to rediscover his form. Despite his impressive record in Australia, Kohli has struggled in recent times, averaging a mere 22.72 in six matches in 2024.Former Australian captain Michael Clarke believes that Kohli and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will play pivotal roles in India's quest for victory. "Virat Kohli's record in Australia is phenomenal," Clarke said. "If India are to win this series, it has to be Virat Kohli leading run scorer with Rishabh Pant just behind."Kohli has played two Tests in Perth, scoring a half-century in each innings in 2012 and a century in 2018. He will be eager to start the series strongly and set the tone for India's batting.Pant, known for his fearless approach, played a match-winning knock in the fourth Test of India's last tour of Australia at the Gabba in 2021. His unbeaten 89 off 138 balls helped India chase down 328 runs on the fifth day, securing a historic victory at a venue where Australia had been undefeated for 32 years.India's ultimate goal is to win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final, scheduled for Lord's in June 2025. The team will need to overcome the challenges of playing in unfamiliar conditions and facing a determined Australian side.

As the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia draws near, the Indian team's three-day practice game against India A has provided valuable insights into their preparations.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released snippets from the practice game, which was closed to fans. The footage reveals that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were in impressive form, troubling the India A batters with their pace and accuracy. Harshit Rana, who is yet to make his India debut, also showcased his bowling prowess.On the batting front, Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad were among those spotted in the video. India's fielding was also sharp, with some fine catches taken in the slips. Gaikwad reportedly impressed with his batting on Day 2 of the practice game.However, the most surprising moment came when opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal was seen bowling leg-spin. With uncertainty surrounding the availability of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the opening Test in Perth, Jaiswal's part-time spin bowling could be an option for head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management.India enter the series on the back of a disappointing 0-3 home sweep against New Zealand. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin struggled to perform, leading to a humbling defeat. While Rohit is unlikely to play in the first Test against Australia, India will also miss Shubman Gill, who fractured his thumb during the practice game. KL Rahul, who sustained an elbow injury in the same match, has resumed net practice ahead of the series opener.

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to commence in Perth next week, and former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes a strong start is crucial for India's chances of retaining the trophy.Despite a disappointing 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand, Harbhajan remains optimistic about India's batting lineup. He attributes the poor performance against New Zealand to the contrasting home conditions, which will be vastly different from the bouncy pitches in Australia."I am not considering the cricket India played recently because conditions were different," Harbhajan said. "Australia will have good conditions. Pitches will be good."Harbhajan believes India has a 50-50 chance of retaining the trophy, with the batters expected to perform well on the Australian surfaces. He emphasizes the need for a player like Cheteshwar Pujara, who can grind down the opposition bowlers.However, Harbhajan warns that a loss in the series opener could create problems and increase pressure on India. "The first Test will be very important. If India start well in Perth, then the team will give a solid fight in the series. If India doesn't start well, then problems will escalate for India."Harbhajan also backs KL Rahul to shine in Australia, despite his struggles in the home season. "KL Rahul has been criticized so much. He is a class player."After the Perth Test, India will have a 10-day break before the day-night Test in Adelaide. The third Test will be held in Brisbane, followed by the Boxing-Day match in Melbourne. The New Year's Test will start from January 3 in Sydney.

Virat Kohli Faces Pressure in Upcoming Test Series Against AustraliaFormer Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that the upcoming Test series against Australia could put significant pressure on Indian batsman Virat Kohli. India and Australia will face off in a five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22nd in Perth. India enters the series having won the last four encounters, but a recent 3-0 loss to New Zealand raises questions about their current form.Kohli, a linchpin of the Indian batting lineup for over a decade, has experienced a recent dip in form, averaging just 22.72 in six Test matches this year. With injuries potentially sidelining key batsmen Shubman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on Kohli's performance.McGrath suggests that Australia will be looking to exploit any vulnerability, stating, "So put the pressure on them and see if they're up for it." While Kohli boasts an impressive average of 54.08 in his previous four tours of Australia, McGrath believes the Indian batsman's emotional nature could be a factor in the upcoming series."I think he's probably under pressure a little bit, and if he has a couple of low scores to start with, he could really feel it. I think he's quite an emotional player. When he's up, he's up, and when he's down, he sort of struggles a little bit," McGrath added.Kohli's recent form has been a cause for concern for Indian fans, and McGrath's comments will only add to the pressure on the star batsman. India will need Kohli to be at his best if they are to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Alyssa Healy's hopes of playing in Australia's upcoming ODI series against India are hanging in the balance after she was ruled out of the remainder of the WBBL with a knee injury.The Sydney Sixers captain sustained the injury to her left knee during the team's last-start loss to the Brisbane Heat. The injury is not believed to be serious enough to rule her out of the multi-format Ashes, which begin on January 12, but it does cast doubt on her availability for the three-match ODI series against India, which starts just four days after the WBBL final.Healy has been battling injuries throughout the summer, having entered the WBBL with a foot injury that ended her T20 World Cup campaign early. She also missed the Sixers' last match due to body management.The injury is a significant blow to the Sixers, who are now facing the prospect of needing to win their last three matches to make the WBBL finals. If Healy does miss the international matches, Tahlia McGrath would be expected to deputise as captain again after doing so in the World Cup.Healy's injury highlights the challenges faced by female athletes in managing their workload during a busy summer schedule. The Australian captain has been open about the need to manage her pain and function throughout the summer, and it remains to be seen whether she will be able to play in all of the upcoming matches.

Australia, led by Pat Cummins, will face a formidable challenge from India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, as the visitors aim for an unprecedented third consecutive series win on Australian soil. India's quest will be spearheaded by new captain Rohit Sharma, who is eager to etch his name in history.The series opener will commence on November 22 in Perth, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated clash between two cricketing powerhouses. India has enjoyed remarkable success in Australia in recent years, securing back-to-back series victories under Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.Cummins, however, is confident in his team's ability to halt India's winning streak. "Yes, yes is the answer," he declared when asked about Australia's chances. He acknowledged India's strong organization and planning but expressed confidence in his team's recent successes in the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup.India's pace attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, who has an impressive record in Australia. Cummins identified Bumrah as India's X-factor, highlighting his ability to play a pivotal role in the series.The absence of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane from India's squad has been noted by Cummins. He praised Pujara's resilience and acknowledged the challenge of facing him. "It's going to feel a bit different without him," Cummins said.India's young bowling trio of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep will be eager to make their mark in the series, while Australia will rely on the experience of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be a captivating contest between two evenly matched teams. India will be determined to continue their dominance in Australia, while Cummins and his team will be equally determined to reclaim the trophy.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma is facing a race against time to be fit for the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting November 22 in Perth. Rohit and his wife Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child on Friday, and his availability for the first Test remains uncertain.In Rohit's absence, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the Indian team. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that Bumrah will take over the captaincy duties if Rohit is unavailable. Former India player Suresh Raina has endorsed Bumrah's leadership credentials, comparing him to Australia's Pat Cummins, who led the Aussies to victory in the World Test Championship and Cricket World Cup in 2023."For Bumrah, it's going to be a new opportunity. I think he is a good leader and has a good cricketing brain. Even Gauti bhai (coach Gautam Gambhir) said in the media that Jasprit has that astute leadership (quality), and I think he will be different," Raina told Times of India."Like if you see Pat Cummins, he won the World Cup for them (Australia), has done really well as a player and as a captain. I think Bumrah is close to that. If you look at it from the point of an opportunity, it's a gun opportunity for him. If he does well, I think we will have a future leader in Test cricket," he added.Gambhir has confirmed that Bumrah will lead the team in Perth if Rohit is unavailable. However, Rohit has not been officially ruled out of the series opener, and Gambhir has stated that the team will provide an update on his status closer to the start of the series.India's preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have been overshadowed by their recent 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand at home. The loss has made their path to the World Test Championship final more challenging. To qualify for the final in London, India must win the series against Australia by 4-0.