Cricket

Ishan Kishan, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, has made a triumphant return to the national setup after being named in the 15-member India A squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. The selection marks a significant milestone in Kishan's career, as he aims to reclaim his place in the Indian team.Kishan's journey back to the national fold has been marked by both highs and lows. Earlier this year, he was dropped from the BCCI central contracts due to concerns over his prioritization of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket. However, his impressive performances in the IPL and domestic tournaments have earned him a recall to the India A squad.The upcoming tour of Australia will provide Kishan with an ideal platform to showcase his skills and prove his worth to the national selectors. India A is scheduled to play two first-class matches against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne, followed by a three-day intra-squad game against the senior India team in Perth.Kishan's return to the national setup has been met with joy and excitement by his family and fans. A heartwarming video that went viral on social media captured the moment Kishan's mother and grandmother showered him with love as he left for the Australia tour from his hometown.The India A tour of Australia is a crucial step in Kishan's quest to regain his place in the Indian team. With his exceptional talent and determination, he has the potential to become a key player for India in the years to come.

Mohammed Shami, India's seasoned pacer, is on the road to recovery after a year-long absence due to an ankle injury. The 34-year-old underwent Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year and has been working diligently to return to competitive cricket.Shami's recovery has progressed steadily, and he recently shared a video on social media showcasing his bowling prowess in the nets. The clip, accompanied by a motivational quote, highlights his determination to regain his fitness."Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out," Shami wrote.The veteran fast bowler has been training intensively, even bowling to India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar in the nets after India's first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Despite nearing full fitness, Shami was ruled out of the ongoing three-Test series against New Zealand. However, he remains optimistic about his return as India prepares for a five-Test series in Australia next month."It felt great because I had been bowling with half a run-up on and off since I can't put too much stress on my body," Shami said earlier. "We decided that I would bowl properly, and I gave my 100%. It felt great, and the results are good. Hopefully, I'll be back on track soon."Shami emphasized the importance of spending more time on the field before India's crucial tour of Australia, which begins on November 22 in Perth. He also expressed his desire to play a couple of domestic matches to regain match fitness before embarking on the overseas tour."I know what kind of an attack we want for that Test series (against Australia), so it's better I spend some more time on the ground before going," Shami said. "If I get fit and I get a gap of eight to 10 days, then it's better I play one or two domestic matches before going to Australia."India will be hoping for a fully fit Shami to bolster their pace attack in what promises to be a high-intensity series Down Under.

Sitanshu Kotak, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) coach, is set to lead India A as their coach for their upcoming tour of Australia. The tour will feature two First Class fixtures and a "match simulation."The India A squad, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will assemble in Mumbai today and depart for Australia from there. The team boasts a strong lineup of consistent domestic performers and players on the selectors' radar.Abhimanyu Easwaran, the vice-captain, has been in impressive form in the domestic circuit and is a strong contender for the reserve opener slot. He will face competition from Sai Sudharsan, who recently scored a double century against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, and the elegant Gaikwad.The middle-order features Devdutt Padikkal and the consistent Baba Indrajith. Ishan Kishan is also back in the mix after his recent outings in the domestic circuit.The pace battery includes Khaleel Ahmed and Yash Dayal, indicating the selectors' desire for a left-armer seamer in the mix. The three fixtures will provide an opportunity for the selectors to assess the players' performances ahead of the five Tests against Australia.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batsman, is a strong contender for a spot in the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. His impressive performances on the last two tours Down Under have made him a valuable asset for the Indian team.In the 2018-19 series, Pujara emerged as the leading run-getter with 521 runs off 1258 balls. His resilience and ability to wear down the opposition attack were crucial in India's success. Three years later, he once again played a pivotal role, accumulating 271 runs off 928 balls.Pujara's experience and ability to face a large number of deliveries could prove invaluable in the upcoming series. He has faced more balls than any other player in the two teams, tiring out the Australian bowlers comprising Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.Despite not playing for India since the World Test Championship final in June 2022, Pujara has maintained his form. In the recent Ranji Trophy round, he scored a mammoth 234 off 383 balls against Chattisgarh.While Pujara's inclusion seems likely, the selectors may also consider other options. Nitish Reddy, who impressed in the Bangladesh series, has been picked in the India A squad for the shadow tour of Australia. Shardul Thakur, with his experience and all-rounder abilities, could also be in contention.In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep are likely to be included in the Test squad. Avesh Khan and Yash Dayal are also in the mix, while Mohammed Shami's fitness remains a concern.The Indian team will be hoping to continue their dominance in Australia, having won the series on their last two tours. Pujara's experience and resilience could play a key role in their quest for another historic victory.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to unveil India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia on October 28. The inclusion of veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is a strong possibility, given his impressive performances during India's previous two tours Down Under.Pujara, 36, has amassed 521 runs in the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy and 271 runs in the subsequent tour. His experience of 103 Tests and his ability to anchor the innings on bouncy Australian tracks could prove invaluable for India.Pujara's current form also supports his case for selection. He recently scored a mammoth 234 against Chattisgarh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.According to reports, Nitish Reddy will not be included in the T20I squad for the South Africa series. Instead, he has been named in the India A squad as part of the BCCI's plan to develop him as a seam-up all-rounder.The selection of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami will depend on his fitness and availability. India captain Rohit Sharma has indicated that they will not risk fielding an "undercooked" Shami in Australia.Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep are expected to be automatic choices for the fast bowling department. Avesh Khan and Yash Dayal are likely to be included as backup seamers.The BCCI is also considering sending India A to Australia for an intra-squad match with Team India ahead of the first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. This move aims to provide the Indian players with valuable experience on Australian conditions.

Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has expressed concern over the delay in announcing the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Ali, who played alongside Aaqib Javed, the head of the PCB's new selection panel, urged Javed to announce the team promptly.Ali, known as "Chocolaty" to Javed, emphasized the importance of announcing the squad before the third Test match against England, scheduled to begin on October 24 in Rawalpindi. He expressed concern that the PCB's current establishment, which he believes has favored certain individuals, may not support Javed's decisions."I pray that you continue to receive the support of the chairman, Mohsin Naqvi," Ali said. "But keep your eyes open. The talks that I have heard can hurt."Ali also urged Javed to intervene if Fakhar Zaman, who publicly backed former captain Babar Azam after his omission from the Test squad, faces sanctions from the PCB. Zaman received a show-cause notice from the PCB for his comments, but he defended his actions, stating that he felt compelled to speak out."Do send Fakhar Zaman (to Australia)," Ali said. "If there is an action taken (by PCB) against Fakhar Zaman, you should intervene."Ali's advice comes amid ongoing speculation about the future of Babar Azam, who was dropped from the Test squad despite being Pakistan's captain in all three formats. The decision has sparked controversy, with many fans and experts questioning the rationale behind it.The PCB has yet to announce the squad for the Australia tour, which is scheduled to begin on November 4. The series will feature three ODIs and three T20Is.

India's upcoming Test series against New Zealand serves as a crucial preparation for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. The five-match Test series in Australia, commencing on November 22, will pose significant challenges for the Indian team. However, Rohit Sharma and his squad remain confident, buoyed by India's previous victories in the BGT.Ahead of the eagerly awaited series, fans eagerly anticipate the return of star pacer Mohammed Shami. Shami's last international appearance was in the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia. Since then, he has undergone knee surgery and has been recovering.Earlier this month, reports emerged that Shami had suffered a knee swelling during a practice session, potentially jeopardizing his participation in the Tests against Australia. However, in a recent interview with NDTV, Shami confirmed that his knee is now fully recovered and he is eager to return to domestic cricket."I have repeatedly stated that I have not sustained any new injuries. There may be occasional setbacks, but it's unfair to blame anyone. Out of 365 days, one day can go wrong," Shami told NDTV."It's crucial to have faith in the team and our abilities. I hope to play at least one domestic match and be fully fit for the Australia series. That's my goal," he added.In a separate interview with ANI, Shami reflected on India's loss to Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final."We should have won the final. We shouldn't blame anyone or question anything. From a batting perspective, it's not that we didn't try to score runs," Shami told ANI."Our target was not limited. As bowlers, we gave our all. They had some luck on their side. We were almost unbeaten. We were determined to win. The entire nation supported us, but we fell short in the final. It wasn't our day," he added.

Ishan Kishan, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, has earned a recall to the India A team for their upcoming tour of Australia in November. The 24-year-old was dropped from the BCCI's central contracts earlier this year due to disciplinary issues, but has since worked his way back into contention with impressive performances in domestic cricket.Kishan's inclusion in the India A squad is a testament to his talent and determination. He has been in excellent form this season, leading Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy and scoring a century for India C in the Duleep Trophy. His performances have caught the attention of the selectors, who believe he is ready to make a return to the international stage.The India A team will play two first-class matches against Australia A in Mackay and Melbourne, respectively. They will then take part in a three-day intra-squad game against the senior Indian team in Perth. This tour will provide Kishan with an opportunity to showcase his skills against high-quality opposition and stake his claim for a place in the Indian team.Kishan's recall is a positive sign for Indian cricket. He is a talented player with the potential to become a world-class performer. His return to the national setup will bolster India's batting lineup and provide them with another option in the wicketkeeper-batter role.

Ahead of the Indian cricket team's crucial Tour of Australia, the recent loss to New Zealand at home has sparked concerns about the team's composition. One player who is likely to be omitted from the touring party is veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara.Pujara, known for his resilience and ability to grind out runs, has a proven track record in Australia. However, he has been overlooked for international matches since June 2023. Despite his absence, Pujara has continued to excel in domestic cricket, recently surpassing Brian Lara's tally of 65 first-class centuries.Australian captain Pat Cummins expressed his admiration for Pujara, acknowledging his ability to outlast opponents. Cummins also highlighted the growing rivalry between India and Australia, comparing it to the iconic Ashes series."It's going to be a shame that he (Pujara) is not there, but I'm sure they'll pick someone else who's in a similar kind of style," Cummins said. "It was always great playing (against) Pujara. He was one of those guys who never really felt like he was getting away from you. But then he would (just) bat, bat, bat and bat."Cummins also emphasized the significance of the India-Australia rivalry, stating that it is now on par with the Ashes. "I do think it is," he said. "Particularly, after the Indian team won the last couple of series at (our) home. We've had more success against England over the past decade. I think it's right up there."Pujara's absence from the Tour of Australia will be a significant loss for India. His experience and ability to anchor the innings would have been invaluable in the challenging conditions Down Under. However, the team management will have to make a decision based on current form and the need to inject fresh blood into the squad.