Cricket

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy just a week away, the uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma's availability for the opening Test continues to linger. The Indian captain is expected to miss the first match in Perth, starting November 22, due to the birth of his second child. However, neither Rohit nor head coach Gautam Gambhir have provided a definitive answer, leaving the team in a state of limbo.Former India player Mohammad Kaif has expressed his concern over this situation, stating that it is not ideal for the team in such a crucial series. India needs to win the five-match Test series 4-0 to qualify for the World Test Championship final without relying on external factors. A poor result in Australia could jeopardize their chances of reaching the summit clash."This scenario is completely wrong. You want your best team to play such a big Test match. Rohit Sharma should be there. He will open for India in the series and exactly knows how to lead the team. Rohit has every right to miss a game due to family matter but he should inform early. The suspense is not ideal," said Kaif in a video on his YouTube channel.Kaif believes that Rohit's hesitation to confirm his availability stems from his desire to play. He knows that the team lost 3-0 to New Zealand in their previous Test series and is eager to make amends. "Rohit might not have given confirmation about his availability because he wants to play. He knows the team has lost 3-0 to New Zealand. His wife is pregnant but if things are better at home, he will be there in Australia. That is why he has not announced about his unavailability yet. I think he wholeheartedly wants to go there and play," he added.Earlier this week, Gambhir stated that vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side if Rohit is unavailable. However, Kaif believes that this is not an ideal solution. "No player agrees to captain a side for one game. It is not a good idea as well. It would be much better if Rohit leads India in the opening game," he said.The uncertainty surrounding Rohit's availability has created a sense of unease within the Indian team. With such a crucial series on the horizon, they need clarity and stability in their leadership. The sooner Rohit makes a decision, the better it will be for the team's preparation and morale.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Perth due to the birth of his second child. Sharma and his wife Ritika welcomed a baby boy on Friday night, and the Indian captain has decided to stay back in Mumbai to spend time with his family.Sharma's absence from the first Test will be a significant blow to the Indian team, as he is one of the most experienced and successful batsmen in the world. He has scored over 15,000 runs in Test cricket, including 30 centuries, and is considered one of the best openers in the game.In Sharma's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian team in the first Test. Bumrah is one of the world's leading fast bowlers, and he will be looking to make a statement as captain. KL Rahul is expected to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Shubman Gill is unlikely to feature due to a fractured thumb.The Indian team left for Perth in two batches on November 10 and 11, with Sharma staying back in Mumbai for the birth of his child. The team has been preparing for the Test series in Perth, and they will be hoping to start the series with a win.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on December 17 in Perth. The series is expected to be closely contested, and Sharma's absence from the first Test will give Australia a slight advantage. However, the Indian team will be confident of winning the series, and they will be looking to make a strong start in Perth.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has raised concerns among former Australian captain Tim Paine. Paine believes that Gambhir's "prickly" coaching style may not be a good fit for the team, especially in the wake of their recent 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand.Paine highlighted the contrast between Gambhir's approach and that of former coach Ravi Shastri, who was known for his positive and motivating style. He expressed concern that Gambhir's "prickly" nature could create a tense atmosphere within the team, especially under pressure.Paine's comments stem from a recent media interaction where Gambhir took issue with Ricky Ponting's remarks on Virat Kohli's struggling form. Gambhir's response, which Paine described as "prickly," has raised questions about his ability to handle criticism and stay calm under pressure.Paine believes that Gambhir's biggest concern is not the form of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, but his own ability to remain composed under pressure. He emphasized that the coach's demeanor can have a significant impact on the team's performance, especially in a high-stakes environment like the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir's appointment has also raised questions about the future of the Indian team. The team has struggled in recent months, and the loss to New Zealand has further dented their confidence. Paine believes that if India fails to start strong in the Perth Test, it could be a "long summer" for Gambhir and the team.

Australia, the reigning T20 World Champions, have opted to bat first in the second match of their three-match T20 series against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The hosts are looking to seal the series after a dominant victory in the opening match in Brisbane.Australia's captain, Josh Inglis, expressed confidence in the wicket, stating that it appeared conducive to a high-scoring encounter. The hosts have retained the same lineup that secured their triumph in the first match.Pakistan, on the other hand, have made one change to their team. Haseebullah, a powerful hitter, has been replaced by left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem. Muqeem has limited international experience, having played only three T20Is for Pakistan's second-string side at the Asian Games in 2022.

Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian cricket team's star batter, has extended his best wishes to the team ahead of their challenging Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign in Australia. The depth of talent in Indian cricket was on full display as Suryakumar led the Men in Blue to a 3-1 T20I series victory over New Zealand in the absence of key players.Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill were unavailable for the T20I series, focusing instead on the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, which begins next week in Perth. The high-stakes Test series could play a decisive role in determining the fate of the World Test Championship final, scheduled for next year in London. India, coming off a historic series whitewash against New Zealand, will need to secure four wins out of five Tests to guarantee their spot in the final."For the squad in Australia, I wish them all the luck. I know they're well prepared going into the series, and I know it'll be a challenging one, but at the same time, I wish them all the luck," Suryakumar said during the post-match press conference.Meanwhile, India ramped up preparations for the grueling series with intra-squad match simulations, focusing on adapting to Perth's pace and bounce-friendly conditions. Reflecting on the young players' performances in the T20I series, Suryakumar emphasized the strength of India’s cricketing foundation."I think it says a lot about how strong the base of Indian cricket is. Guys playing a lot of domestic cricket going back home... that speaks a lot about their urge to go back, play for their state, and do well," he added.The Indian team is confident of putting up a strong performance in Australia, despite the absence of some key players. The team's depth and talent will be tested in the challenging conditions, but they are determined to make India proud.

Virat Kohli's recent batting struggles have become a major talking point ahead of India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia. The former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the Australian pacers will target Kohli from the outset, given his lean patch in 2024.Kohli has managed only 488 runs in 25 innings across 19 international matches this year, averaging a meager 20.33. His Test numbers in the lead-up to the BGT have been equally dismal, with just 93 runs in three Tests against New Zealand and 99 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh.Manjrekar believes that the Australian bowlers will exploit Kohli's tendency to leave balls outside the off-stump and drive anything pitched up. They will also try to cramp him for room and attack his body, a tactic that New Zealand employed successfully."Virat knows exactly what's going to be planned," Manjrekar said. "They'll start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is. These days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that is pitched right up, he will look to drive.""Nowadays, they are also trying to cramp him for room and attack his body because he loves to get forward so much. So that is something New Zealand tried, which is very smart. And then if he is so focused outside off, that typical one (plan) of landing a ball on the middle stump, which Josh Hazlewood would try," he added.Kohli's form will be crucial to India's chances of retaining the BGT and qualifying for the World Test Championship final. The visitors need to win four of the five Tests Down Under, a daunting task that will require a significant contribution from their star batsman.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is set to join the team in Australia for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, according to his childhood coach Mohammed Badruddin. Shami has been out of action for over a year due to an Achilles injury but made a successful return to competitive cricket in Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh.Shami's return is a major boost for India, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The veteran pacer has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests and has been a key member of India's fast-bowling attack in recent years.Former head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Shami's return will strengthen India's pace attack and give them a better chance of winning the series. "If anything, I would have wanted a little more support for Jasprit (Bumrah) in the pace-bowling attack. So the quicker Mohammed Shami gets fit and is on a flight, I think it's better for India," Shastri said.Shami is expected to join the Indian team after the second Test in Adelaide. India need to win four of the five Tests in Australia to have a big shot at sealing their place in a third straight World Test Championship final.Shami has played a pivotal role in India's success in recent years, including their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19. He is a proven performer in Australian conditions and his return will be a major boost for India's chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia's Travis Head has sparked a friendly rivalry ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) by playfully assessing the attractiveness and cricketing prowess of India's players.When asked about the hottest Indian player, Head毫不犹豫地选择了印度队长Rohit Sharma。Head赞扬了Rohit的风格和能力，称他无论在场上还是场下都是完美的组合。"我认为他并不是那么英俊。也许[他需要做一些工作]。我认为有更性感的。我喜欢Rohit的工作，我很喜欢他的爸爸形象，我认为他在他们所有人中是最有风格的。他站在最前面，接受挑战，在比赛中双步走。两者[身体吸引力和板球技巧]，"Head在7 Cricket上说道。"我认为人们会[觉得他很有吸引力]。是的，我只是喜欢他做事的方式，是的，在棚子里。我很满意，我很满意他的设置。Jasprit，需要做一些工作。也许，在测试比赛之后[你传达了这一点]，"他补充道。备受期待的印度和澳大利亚之间的边境-加瓦斯卡奖杯将于11月22日拉开帷幕，第一场测试赛将在珀斯举行。第二场测试赛采用日夜赛形式，将于12月6日至10日在阿德莱德椭圆球场举行。随后，球迷们将把注意力转向12月14日至18日在布里斯班举行的第三场测试赛。传统的Boxing Day测试赛将于12月26日至30日在墨尔本标志性的墨尔本板球场举行，标志着该系列赛的倒数第二阶段。第五场也是最后一场测试赛将于1月3日至7日在悉尼板球场举行，为备受期待的系列赛带来激动人心的高潮。

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma faces a crucial decision as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) approaches in Australia. With the birth of his second child imminent, Rohit has remained in India and is likely to miss the opening Test in Perth.Rohit's recent red-ball form has been underwhelming, with a string of low scores in his last 10 innings against New Zealand and Bangladesh. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has advised Rohit to exercise caution against Australia's formidable pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood."At the start, he can be troubled by Mitchell Starc's lengths and lines," Gavaskar said. "He needs to get the shot-selection right. That's not just for Rohit Sharma, but for any batter."Gavaskar emphasized the importance of restraint on Australian pitches, despite their reputation for being batter-friendly. "Australian pitches are good for batters, and they use the Kookaburra ball. It doesn't swing or seam much after the first 15 overs...If you show some restraint in the first session, then you can score runs," he said.Regarding Rohit's availability for the series opener, head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that there is no clarity yet. Rohit continues to train in Mumbai, and his participation in the Perth Test will be determined closer to the match.If Rohit misses the opening Test, India will have to rely on vice-captain KL Rahul or Shubman Gill to lead the batting charge. Rahul has been in impressive form in recent Tests, while Gill has shown promise in his limited opportunities.The BGT is a prestigious series between India and Australia, and Rohit's absence would be a significant blow to the Indian team. However, with a talented squad at his disposal, head coach Rahul Dravid will be confident of defending India's title.