Cricket

Mohammed Shami Bowls in Bengaluru, Boosting Hopes for Team IndiaIn a significant development for the Indian cricket team, pacer Mohammed Shami has resumed bowling at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The session, which lasted nearly an hour, took place following India's defeat to New Zealand in the first Test on Sunday.Shami, who has been recovering from ankle surgery, engaged in an extensive bowling session with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. Despite having his left knee strapped up as a precautionary measure, Shami showcased his rhythm and accuracy, focusing on maintaining a consistent line and length.The experienced pacer also bowled to Shubman Gill with a slightly shortened run-up, while bowling coach Morne Morkel observed him closely. Shami's performance in the session has raised hopes that he may be fit for the upcoming Test tour of Australia.However, skipper Rohit Sharma had previously expressed concerns about Shami's fitness, citing setbacks in his recovery due to swelling in his knees. Rohit emphasized that it would not be wise to take an "undercooked" version of the pacer for such a high-profile series.Shami last represented India in the ODI World Cup final last year and has been recovering from the ankle surgery since then. He is currently working with physios and doctors at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to regain full fitness.The Indian team management will be closely monitoring Shami's progress in the coming weeks. If he is able to prove his fitness, he will be a valuable addition to the squad for the Australia tour, which begins in December.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the prolific opener, is poised to lead India A on their upcoming tour of Australia later this month. The 15-man squad will feature a host of talented players, including Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Devdutt Padikkal, who are all vying for a spot in the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.With Rohit Sharma expected to miss the first two matches of the Test series due to personal reasons, India will need to name a reserve opener. The matches against Australia A will provide an opportunity for Easwaran and Sudharsan to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a place in the Test squad.Easwaran, 29, has been in exceptional form this domestic season, scoring two centuries in the Duleep Trophy, another century in the Irani Trophy, and a ton for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. Sudharsan, 23, has also impressed with a first-class hundred for English county Surrey, a century in the Duleep Trophy, and a double-hundred in Tamil Nadu's ongoing Ranji Trophy match.The middle-order of the India A squad will be bolstered by Padikkal, B Indrajith, and Ricky Bhui, while Abishek Porel and Ishan Kishan will share wicket-keeping duties. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar will provide all-round options, and the pace attack will be led by Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.Reddy, 21, has recently recovered from a hernia and made his T20I debut for India against Bangladesh earlier this month. He is seen as a promising all-rounder who could benefit from more experience and exposure.India A will play Australia A in two four-day matches in Mackay from October 31 and in Melbourne from November 7. They will then face the India squad in a warm-up match in Perth between November 15 and 17 before the first Test against Australia begins on November 22.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rising star of Indian cricket, has been making waves with his impressive performances in Test cricket. Despite the rain-affected first day of the opening Test against New Zealand, Jaiswal spent an hour at indoor nets, showcasing his dedication to his craft.Jaiswal's childhood coach, Jwala Singh, believes that the 21-year-old's maturity and focused mindset will serve him well when he embarks on the biggest challenge of his career in Australia next month. "At this level, it's about handling pressure," said Singh. "Yashasvi has a mature head on his shoulders, which is crucial in Australia, where they play hard cricket."Since his Test debut in 2023, Jaiswal has amassed 1217 runs at an average of 64.05, including three centuries. Singh attributes his growth as a batsman to his association with senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. "Being around such masters has helped him a lot," he said.Jaiswal's aggressive batting style has been tempered with a more judicious approach. "He now has better awareness of his game and knows which balls to attack and which to let go," noted Singh. This was evident in his breakout series against England earlier this year, where he handled legendary pacer James Anderson with aplomb.However, the challenge of playing in Australia is vastly different. Former England pacer Alan Mullaly believes that Indian batters need to be prepared for short-pitched bowling and spicy pitches. "The Aussies will go hard at them with short stuff," he said.Despite the challenges, India skipper Rohit Sharma is confident in Jaiswal's abilities. "He has the game to play in all sorts of conditions," said Sharma. "We've found a great player."Jaiswal's journey in the next couple of years will be crucial in determining his long-term success. With his dedication, maturity, and adaptability, he has the potential to become a mainstay in the Indian Test team for years to come.

India's legendary spinner Anil Kumble has expressed his confidence in young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's ability to excel in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Kumble believes that Jaiswal's versatility and adaptability will serve him well on the challenging Australian pitches.Jaiswal has been a consistent performer in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, showcasing his ability to adjust his tactics based on the conditions and opposition. In the recent home series against Bangladesh, he displayed his versatility by playing cautiously in the first Test, where the conditions favored the fast bowlers, and then switching to his naturally aggressive style in the second game.Kumble believes that Jaiswal's aggressive approach will be an asset in Australia, where India has won two consecutive series. He also highlighted the psychological advantage that the Indian team has going into the series, having won the previous two encounters against Australia."This Indian team is heading to Australia with two back-to-back series wins over them, which is a great confidence booster for a youngster," Kumble said. "When other teams tour Australia, they often do so with some hesitation because of past failures. But for this Indian side, coming off two series wins against Australia, the situation is much more comfortable."Kumble emphasized the importance of Jaiswal's technique and hunger for runs, which he believes will be key to his success in Australia. He also noted that Jaiswal's ability to learn and adapt quickly will be crucial in navigating the challenges of playing in different conditions.Overall, Kumble is optimistic about Jaiswal's prospects in Australia and believes that he has the potential to make a significant contribution to India's success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently displayed his playful side as he engaged in a comical chase with enthusiastic fans. After a training session, Rohit attempted to evade the adoring crowd by sprinting towards his blue Lamborghini. The incident highlighted the skipper's ability to maintain his privacy while interacting with his fans.Rohit's playful antics come amidst preparations for the upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand, starting on October 16. The Indian team is riding high on a 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the recently concluded Test series.However, speculation is rife that Rohit may miss one of the first two Test matches in Australia's upcoming five-match series due to personal reasons. The series kicks off on November 22 in Perth, and there is a chance Rohit could skip either the first game or the second Test in Adelaide, scheduled from December 6-10."There isn't any complete clarity about the situation. It is understood that Rohit has intimated to the BCCI that there is a possibility that due to a pressing personal matter, he might have to skip one of the two Tests at the beginning of the series," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his availability, Rohit remains a key figure in the Indian team. His leadership and batting prowess have been instrumental in India's recent successes. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his availability for the Australia series, which is expected to be a highly competitive affair.

Mukesh Kumar, a rising star in Indian cricket, has emerged as a strong contender for a spot in the upcoming Test series against Australia. Despite being one of only two Indian male pacers to debut in all three international formats in the same series, Kumar has remained grounded and focused on his performances.After a remarkable tour of Australia in 2020-21, where he was part of the historic Test series win, Kumar has continued to impress with his consistent performances. In the recent Duleep Trophy, he claimed 15 wickets, second only to Anshul Kamboj's 16. His five-wicket haul for Rest of India against Ranji Trophy champion Mumbai further solidified his credentials.While Australia is considered a daunting prospect for many Indian Test cricketers, Kumar is unfazed. He believes that playing for India was his ultimate goal, and touring other countries is a matter of pride. He is eager to bowl in the challenging conditions Down Under and prove his worth.Kumar's humble upbringing in Kakarkund, Bihar, has instilled in him a deep appreciation for the game. He spent countless hours practicing, regardless of the quality of the pitch or the opposition. This unwavering dedication has paid off, as he has become a reliable performer for Bengal, Delhi Capitals, and the Indian national team.Despite his success, Kumar remains grounded and focused on his goals. He understands that selection is a competitive process, but he is confident in his abilities. He believes that if he continues to perform well, he will eventually earn a place in the Test squad.Kumar's journey is a testament to the power of hard work and determination. He has overcome challenges and remained true to his passion for cricket. As he prepares for the potential opportunity to represent India in Australia, Mukesh Kumar is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's omission from India's T20I squad for the Bangladesh series has sparked controversy, given his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and for India in T20Is. However, reports suggest that the selectors have a strategic reason for this decision: to prepare Gaikwad for a potential Test call-up during the upcoming Australia tour.Gaikwad has amassed 633 runs in 23 T20Is for India, averaging 39.56 with one century and four fifties. Despite these numbers, he has struggled to secure a regular spot in the Indian T20I team.Sources close to the selection committee have revealed that Gaikwad is being considered as the third opener for the Australia tour. With Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the first-choice openers, India lacks a backup option. Shubman Gill, who can also open, has been assigned the No. 3 spot, while Virat Kohli bats at No. 4.The selectors believe that Gaikwad's experience and ability to play in different conditions make him the ideal candidate for the third opener's role. They also want him to continue playing red-ball cricket to enhance his Test credentials. This is why he has been asked to lead Rest of India (ROI) in the Irani Cup.The decision to prioritize Gaikwad's Test development over his T20I prospects has drawn mixed reactions. Some experts believe that it is a wise move, given India's need for a reliable opener in Test cricket. Others argue that Gaikwad should be given more opportunities in T20Is to prove his worth.Ultimately, the selectors' decision will be judged based on Gaikwad's performance in the Irani Cup and, if selected, on the Australia tour. If he can translate his T20I success into the longer format, he could cement his place in the Indian Test team for years to come.

Mohammed Shami's Comeback Hopes Dented by Knee InjuryTeam India's hopes of a swift return for premier pacer Mohammed Shami have been dealt a blow as he has developed "swollen knees" during rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The injury could sideline Shami for an additional six to eight weeks, jeopardizing his availability for the upcoming five-Test series in Australia.Shami has been undergoing rehab at the NCA since February after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery. He was expected to join the Bengal Ranji Trophy team and participate in the first-class tournament starting October 11. However, the knee injury has flared up, casting doubt on his immediate return."Shami had resumed bowling and was on track to make a comeback soon. But this knee injury has flared up recently. The BCCI's medical team is assessing the injury, but it may require significant time," said a BCCI source.Shami's last competitive appearance was in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. He was selected for India's two-Test tour of South Africa in December 2023, subject to fitness. However, he was ruled out after the BCCI medical team withheld clearance.The injury is a setback for the NCA medical team, which has been working with Shami for over a year. The team has implemented a comprehensive workload management system, but the knee injury has emerged as an unexpected hurdle.The Indian team management has been cautious about the workload of its premier fast bowlers, including Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. They were expected to lead the attack in Australia, but neither has played five consecutive Test matches recently.The selectors will face a dilemma when selecting the squad for the three-Test home series against New Zealand starting October 16. They will hope that Shami recovers in time for the Australia tour, but his availability remains uncertain.

Team India's upcoming tour of Australia in 2024 for a five-match Test series has sparked concerns about the potential for targeted attacks on the team by opposition players and the local media. Former India batter Aakash Chopra has revealed disturbing incidents from India's previous tour in 2018/19, highlighting the tactics employed to tarnish the image of the visiting team.Chopra shared an incident involving Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, who had a heated exchange during a match. The Australian media, according to Chopra, amplified the stump mic audio and released inconclusive clips to the press, creating a negative narrative around the Indian team."They (Australian media) used to release videos. They did it in front of me when Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja had a heated exchange with each other while standing in the 30-yard circle. The broadcasters amped up the stump mic as they were abusing each other," Chopra said.Chopra also revealed that Ricky Ponting, who was in the commentary box, initially condemned the incident but later changed his stance on-air. "Ricky said they are 'Making a mountain out of a molehill'. The moment he went on air, he tore into the Indian team, and I was stunned that he had just said something else a few minutes back," Chopra added.These revelations raise concerns about the potential for similar tactics to be employed during the upcoming tour. India has enjoyed a dominant run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning the last two series in Australia and becoming the only Asian team to win a Test series Down Under on multiple occasions.However, the Aussies are eager to regain their dominance and may resort to underhanded tactics to gain an advantage. The Indian team must be prepared for such challenges and maintain their focus on the game.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been a fiercely contested rivalry, but it is important to ensure that the competition remains fair and respectful. The Australian media and opposition players have a responsibility to uphold the spirit of the game and avoid engaging in tactics that could damage the reputation of the Indian team or the sport itself.