Cricket

Dhruv Jurel's impressive performance in the unofficial Test between India 'A' and Australia 'A' has sparked calls for his inclusion in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).Jurel, who arrived in Australia early with KL Rahul for match practice, showcased his batting prowess with scores of 80 and 68. His ability to handle the pace and bounce of the Australian bowlers, which can be challenging for Indian batsmen, has caught the attention of former Australia captain Tim Paine.Paine, who coached Australia 'A' in the match, was particularly impressed with Jurel's 80 off 186 balls in the first innings. "I don't know if you saw much of the highlights, but after seeing him bat – even though he's a wicket-keeper, from what I've seen on this tour and from India's batting in the last couple of months, I'd be staggered if he doesn't play," Paine said.Jurel's current role in the Indian squad is as a backup wicketkeeper for Rishabh Pant. However, with captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the Perth Test and KL Rahul struggling for form, head coach Gautam Gambhir may consider using Jurel as a specialist batsman."He's 23 and he's played three Test matches, but he looked a class above all of his teammates, to be fair, and handled the pace and bounce really well, which can be unusual for an Indian player," Paine added.Jurel's Test debut came against England earlier this year, where he impressed with a 46-run knock in Rajkot. He came close to scoring a century in the next match at Ranchi, where he made 90. In his three-Test career, Jurel has aggregated 190 runs in four innings at an average of 63.33.With his strong showing in Melbourne, Jurel has made a strong case for his inclusion in the Indian Test team for the BGT. His ability to bat in different positions and handle the Australian conditions could prove invaluable for India.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, is approaching the twilight of his illustrious career. While his recent form has raised concerns, many believe he still has much to offer. However, Australian media reports suggest that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) could mark Kohli's farewell from the Australian shores.Kohli's prolific batting has waned in recent times. In 2024, he has scored only 488 runs in 25 innings across formats, averaging a meager 20.33. In Test cricket, he has managed just 192 runs in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains a formidable force. He has a proven track record of success in Australia, having scored India's lone century in the 2012 series. The Herald Sun report acknowledges Kohli's impact on the Australia-India rivalry, stating that he "defined" it for the past decade.However, the report also suggests that Kohli's time in Australia may be coming to an end. It highlights the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, a left-handed opener who is seen as Kohli's potential successor. Jaiswal has impressed in recent months, establishing himself as one of India's most exciting young batters.While Jaiswal's potential is undeniable, it would be premature to write off Kohli just yet. India, the current holders of the BGT, have won their last two Test series in Australia. Kohli's experience and leadership will be crucial as India aims to retain the trophy.The BGT begins with the Perth Test on November 22. It will be a fascinating series, with Kohli's future in Australia hanging in the balance.

Jemimah Rodrigues, the Indian batter, is eager to incorporate the "Australian mindset" she has acquired from her WBBL teammates into her game. Rodrigues, who is back in the tournament for her third stint, has played four games for Brisbane Heat so far. She scored a match-winning 61 off 40 balls against Adelaide Strikers, crediting the turnaround to her Heat teammates' encouragement to play "positively."Rodrigues believes that the positive mindset instilled in her by her Australian teammates has been instrumental in her recent success. She credits Grace Harris and Laura Harris for their support and encouragement, which helped her overcome doubts and play with confidence."I think the last two innings of mine [in the WBBL] didn't go that well," Rodrigues said. "Grace Harris and Laura Harris both of them texted me and said, 'Jemi, your over extra cover drive is the best. Don't stop yourself from playing that. Even if you get out, it's fine. But just keep dominating'. So I think that really helped me in [the Strikers] knock just to have that kind of backing firstly from your team that the team still believes in you and at the same time, just they're like, 'No, we're still going to take the positive route. We're still going to play positive cricket and bat with intent'."Rodrigues believes that facing international bowlers in leagues around the world is beneficial for her confidence, especially with the ODI World Cup scheduled in less than a year. She emphasizes the importance of playing in different conditions and against top bowlers to prepare for the World Cup."Playing these foreign leagues and playing the WPL, it does help because you play against the best in the world in all these leagues and at the same time you get to play in different conditions," she said. "Every ground is so different to the other and I think that is one of the best parts of playing franchise cricket that you get used to the conditions and you get to play the top bowlers in women 's cricket."Rodrigues believes that playing in the WBBL will be good preparation for the ODIs against Australia in December, despite the format being different. She emphasizes the importance of assessing conditions and adapting her mindset to the longer format."For me, nothing much changes in my technique," Rodrigues said. "Nothing much will even change in my mindset. I think I will still back myself to play positive cricket, but at the same time being more sensible because it's a longer format and trying to extend this innings even longer, scoring more and more runs for India. So I think that's the similar mindset. Again, it's about how I assess the conditions and assess the situation."Rodrigues also welcomed the ICC's initiative to eliminate social media abuse in the women's game. She believes that the move will allow players to focus on playing cricket without dealing with harsh comments."I think that was a very good initiative by the ICC. I remember when I had gone in that line because sometimes social media can be harsh. At the end we all are humans, we all are we here doing our best, trying to do whatever we can. Some ways we are great. Some ways we are not. So it's just harsh when we see people just commenting all sorts of things on social media. But it was such a nice thing from ICC just to protect us and just to keep the game so pure. We [needed to] just go out there and play cricket and enjoy cricket than dealing with all these things. So it was, it was really nice from ICC."

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has sparked a social media frenzy with a viral post featuring himself alongside legendary South African speedster Dale Steyn. The image, captioned "Goat," has garnered immense attention, highlighting the mutual respect between the two bowling greats.Bumrah, who is expected to lead India in the upcoming Test series against Australia, has had numerous encounters with Steyn on the field, both in international matches and the Indian Premier League. However, they have never shared a dressing room.Steyn, who retired from international cricket in 2021, holds the record as South Africa's most successful Test pacer. His exceptional pace and swing bowling have earned him widespread recognition as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.Meanwhile, Bumrah is poised to take over the captaincy mantle for India in the opening Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the game due to personal reasons.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for Bumrah to lead the team for the entire series if Rohit is unavailable. He believes that Rohit should focus solely on playing in the series.However, former Australia captain Aaron Finch has expressed a different view. Finch believes that Rohit deserves ample time with his family if he is expecting a child.Bumrah's leadership qualities have been evident in his role as vice-captain of the Indian team. His calm demeanor, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire his teammates make him a strong candidate for the captaincy role.The upcoming Test series against Australia will be a significant challenge for India, and Bumrah's leadership will be crucial in guiding the team to success. His experience, skill, and determination will be invaluable assets as India aims to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has expressed his belief that Usman Khawaja can extend his international career for at least another two years, despite the left-handed batter turning 38 in December. Paine, who has witnessed Khawaja's recent resurgence firsthand, believes that the veteran opener's current form is a testament to his enduring quality.Since switching to the opening position at the conclusion of the 2021/22 Ashes series, Khawaja has been a revelation for Australia. He has averaged an impressive 54.04 as an opener, showcasing remarkable consistency and resilience. Paine, speaking on SEN Tassie, dismissed speculation surrounding Khawaja's retirement, stating that the left-hander has been "nearly the best player in the world" in recent times.Paine emphasized that age should not be a determining factor in assessing a player's ability, particularly in cricket, where experience often plays a crucial role. He pointed out that Khawaja's reflexes and eyesight remain sharp, and his batting technique is as polished as ever."With his age in cricket, in particular as a batter, is just a number," Paine said. "He doesn't look like he's lost reflex, his eyes are good and he's batting as well as he's ever batted. From what I'm seeing right now, I think Usman can play for another year or two at least."Khawaja's recent performances have silenced critics who questioned his longevity. He has been a key figure in Australia's batting lineup, providing stability and experience at the top of the order. His ability to adapt to the challenges of opening the batting has been particularly impressive, and he has shown no signs of slowing down.As Australia prepares for a busy international schedule in the coming months, Khawaja's experience and form will be invaluable. Paine's endorsement of his former teammate's longevity is a testament to the quality and determination that Khawaja continues to display.

Mitchell Starc's electrifying performance in the first ODI against Pakistan has reignited the excitement surrounding the Australian paceman. After a stellar Sheffield Shield performance, Starc's blistering pace and pinpoint accuracy left both opponents and observers in awe.On a lively MCG pitch, Starc tormented the Pakistani openers, beating them for pace and leaving them in his wake. He then proceeded to demolish the tail, lighting up the stumps with a thunderous delivery. His three maidens in the match marked a return to his dominant form.Starc's resurgence is a welcome sight for Australian cricket, especially after a challenging World Cup campaign last year. The physical issues that plagued him then seem to have subsided, as evidenced by his uninhibited training session at the MCG."I feel like the body is in a good space," Starc said. "I'm not really tweaking anything, but just focusing on a few things technically."The 32-year-old confirmed his participation in the next ODI in Adelaide but remained noncommittal about the Perth match. Josh Hazlewood is expected to join the squad for the second game, while a decision on Hazlewood's availability for both matches in Adelaide and Perth will be made later.Starc's return to form is a timely boost for Australia as they prepare for the upcoming Test series against India. His ability to generate pace and swing will be crucial in the challenging conditions of the subcontinent.

Kamran Ghulam's baptism by fire on Australian soil proved to be a baptism by fire indeed. The Pakistani batsman, playing only his second ODI, faced the daunting task of navigating the bouncy tracks of Melbourne against a formidable Australian bowling attack.Ghulam's debut innings began promisingly, with a crisp boundary off Adam Zampa's flighted delivery. However, the joy was short-lived as he soon found himself facing the wily Pat Cummins.Cummins, with his trademark precision, tested Ghulam's technique with a series of probing deliveries. Ghulam's mistimed pull shot and subsequent "wait on" drew a wry smile from the Australian captain.The decisive moment came when Cummins unleashed a venomous short ball that was aimed directly at Ghulam's head. The Pakistani batsman, caught off guard by the pace and trajectory, could only watch in horror as the ball took off his glove and flew straight into the waiting hands of Josh Inglis.Ghulam's dismissal was a testament to the relentless pressure applied by the Australian bowlers. Pakistan, struggling against the precision bowling, were eventually bundled out for a paltry 203, with Mitchell Starc and Cummins claiming three and two wickets respectively.Ghulam's experience in Melbourne highlights the challenges faced by young batsmen making the transition to international cricket. The flat pitches of Pakistan offer a stark contrast to the bouncy tracks of Australia, and the quality of bowling is second to none.Despite the setback, Ghulam's performance showed glimpses of his potential. His ability to hit the ball cleanly and his willingness to take on the short ball suggest that he has the makings of a top-class batsman. With time and experience, he could become a valuable asset to the Pakistani team.

Neil D'Costa, a renowned Australian batting coach, has cautioned against rushing 19-year-old sensation Sam Konstas into Test cricket for the upcoming series against India. D'Costa believes Konstas is not yet ready for the rigors of the five-day format, citing the cautionary example of Prithvi Shaw's decline in international cricket.D'Costa, who has coached the likes of Michael Clarke and Mitchell Starc, emphasizes the importance of allowing Konstas to develop his game in the Sheffield Shield. He believes that Konstas needs to gain experience and understanding of the game's nuances before being thrust into the international arena."He could be a good player for 100 Tests. If they put him in now, he might only play 10 Tests," D'Costa said. "Let him play two years of Sheffield Shield. Let him understand the grounds, the flows of the game, understand himself and understand the game."D'Costa's concerns stem from Konstas' recent performances for Australia A against India A, where he scored 2 and 43 in the first match and a duck and 16 in the second. While Konstas has shown great potential, D'Costa believes he needs more time to mature and develop his game.Other contenders for the opening spot alongside Usman Khawaja include Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft. However, D'Costa believes that Konstas should not be rushed into the team at the expense of more experienced players."It's just ridiculous (talk of rushing him in). How's Prithvi Shaw going? I could see his weaknesses before he went in," D'Costa said.D'Costa's advice is based on his extensive experience in coaching young players. He believes that Konstas has the potential to become a great player, but that he needs to be given the time and space to develop his game properly.

David Warner's recent comments about potentially returning to the Australian Test team have sparked a flurry of speculation, but his wife, Candice, has unequivocally stated that "it's not happening."Earlier this month, the 37-year-old Warner surprised the cricket world by expressing his willingness to don the baggy green once more, particularly against India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Steve Smith likely to drop down to his usual No. 4 position and Cameron Green nursing a back injury, an opening spot has become available.Warner's statement resonated with fans, who saw an opportunity for the veteran batsman to fill the void. However, Candice Warner has now put an end to any such hopes."He's very passionate about playing for Australia, and I think if George Bailey or Andrew McDonald called him up, he would jump at it," she said. "But it's definitely not going to happen."Candice Warner emphasized that her husband's comments were not a reflection of any disrespect towards the current openers or those vying for selection. She explained that if Warner were to consider a comeback, he would have to follow the same path as everyone else, including playing in the Sheffield Shield."If he genuinely didn't think he was capable of doing it, he wouldn't have said that," she added. "But it's not happening. End of discussion."Warner retired from international cricket in July 2023, ending a remarkable career that included 7,363 Test runs and 17 centuries. While his return would have been a welcome sight for Australian fans, it appears that the door is firmly shut on that possibility.