Cricket

The Indian cricket team's dismal performance in the recent home Test series against New Zealand has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the team's preparation and strategy. The 3-0 whitewash marks the first time in Indian cricket history that the team has been clean-swept in a three-Test series at home.Former BCCI selector and ex-India player Sunil Joshi believes that the onus for the team's poor showing lies with the players rather than the cricket board. "The onus and responsibility lies more with the players, than the BCCI or the selection committee," Joshi told Times of India.Joshi emphasized the importance of individual responsibility and preparation, particularly in transitioning from white-ball cricket to the red-ball format. He urged players to take the initiative to participate in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy to gain match readiness for international Test matches."You know that you are going to play three Test matches, it's going to be on turners, or it's going to be on slow wickets. So from white-ball format, (there's need to) go back to Ranji Trophy and play (in order to get match-ready for the red-ball international season)," Joshi said.He also highlighted the significance of home advantage in Test cricket. "Think it's not easy when you lose a series. I am sure even the team management feels the same...If you want to win WTC or you want to be in the WTC final, or you want to be the number one Test team, we have to play well in India. For that, our preparations, the Ranji Trophy becomes a primary goal (tournament)," Joshi said.Joshi's comments echo the concerns raised by other former cricketers, who have criticized the team's lack of preparation and the BCCI's handling of the situation. The Indian team's road to the World Test Championship final has become increasingly challenging after the series loss, and the team will need to address these issues to regain their form and secure a place in the final.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating a phased retirement plan for senior players following India's dismal 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand. The future of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, all in the twilight of their careers, will be under scrutiny after the upcoming tour of Australia.While Rohit Sharma has expressed his focus on the Australia series, sources within the BCCI indicate that informal discussions may take place between board officials, selectors, and the coaching staff regarding the team's aging core. The BCCI is keen to avoid a repeat of the 2011 scenario, where an aging team was suddenly found to be out of touch.India's qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final in England is also a factor in the BCCI's decision-making. A 4-0 result in Australia is required for India to secure a direct berth, which appears unlikely. If India fails to qualify, the selection committee may prioritize long-term prospects, giving opportunities to younger players like Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal.Washington Sundar's emergence as a potential long-term replacement for Ashwin could lead to discussions about the latter's future in the Indian Test team. Jadeja's fitness and batting prowess may keep him in contention, while Axar Patel and Manav Suthar provide depth in the spin department.Rohit Sharma's recent batting form has raised concerns, with six scores below 10 and two below 20 in his last 10 home Test innings. Virat Kohli's returns have also been underwhelming, with one century in 25 home innings over the past four years.Despite Kohli's fitness, his poor form may limit his longevity in the team. Rohit Sharma is also unlikely to play beyond the current WTC cycle. Jasprit Bumrah's workload management may preclude him from being a long-term Test captain, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant emerging as potential candidates for the role.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied the Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) request to reschedule two home domestic matches due to the impending Cyclone Dana. The CAB had sought to postpone the Ranji Trophy and U-23 Col CK Naidu Trophy matches against Kerala and Railways, respectively, scheduled for this week in Kolkata and Kalyani.The Bengal senior team was set to host Kerala at the Jadavpur University Campus' second Ground in Kolkata for the third round of the Ranji Trophy, commencing on Saturday. The CAB had hoped for a longer gap between matches this season, but the BCCI declined their request. After the Bengal-Kerala encounter, both teams will have a week's break before their next fixtures.The Bengal Under-23 team was scheduled to host Railways Under-23 from October 27 to 30 at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani. However, the recent Bengal vs Bihar Ranji Trophy match at the same venue was washed out due to heavy rain, raising concerns about the upcoming match. The Under-23 team will have a week-long break before their next match against Vidarbha in Nagpur from November 8 to 11.Meanwhile, the Bengal senior team will be without key players Abhimanyu Easwaran, Abhishek Porel, and Mukesh Kumar for the next two Ranji Trophy rounds. The trio has been selected for India A's shadow tour of Australia.The BCCI's decision to reject the CAB's request has left the association disappointed. However, the matches will proceed as scheduled, with the Bengal teams hoping to overcome the challenges posed by the weather and the absence of their star players.

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.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction for the 2025 season is set to clash with the first Test between India and Australia, creating a scheduling headache for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcasters.According to Cricbuzz, the proposed dates for the auction, November 24 and 25, coincide with Day 3 and Day 4 of the Test match. This poses a significant challenge for the Disney Star network, which holds the broadcasting rights for both events.The report suggests that Saudi Arabia's capital city, Riyadh, is the frontrunner to host the mega auction. BCCI officials have reportedly visited the city and are considering it alongside Jeddah as potential venues.While IPL franchises would have preferred an Indian host city, it is no longer a possibility. The BCCI is urging franchises to finalize the auction venue to facilitate travel arrangements for delegation members.The mega auction is expected to take place in the final week of November, with the retentions list of all franchises to be announced on October 31. Each franchise is allowed up to six direct retentions, including a maximum of two uncapped players.The clash between the auction and the Test match has raised concerns among fans and stakeholders. The BCCI is exploring options to avoid a direct conflict between the two events, but the timing of the match and the auction may make it difficult.The IPL mega auction is a highly anticipated event that attracts global attention. It is a crucial opportunity for franchises to build their squads for the upcoming season. The clash with the India-Australia Test match adds an additional layer of intrigue to the proceedings.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied receiving any official proposal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan, but India's participation remains uncertain due to political tensions between the two countries.Media reports have suggested that the PCB has proposed a plan that would allow the Indian team to travel back to Delhi or Chandigarh after each game in Pakistan for security reasons. However, the BCCI has stated that it has not received any such proposal and that the decision on India's participation lies with the Indian government.India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series in over a decade, and their only encounters have been during international tournaments. While India's participation in the Champions Trophy remains in doubt, Pakistan traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.The PCB is reportedly prepared for the possibility that India may not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. However, the board has stated that it will not move the title clash from Lahore even if India qualifies for the final. The PCB's stance will be discussed at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting in Dubai from October 18 to 21.The BCCI may request the ICC to hold the tournament in a hybrid model, with India's matches being played in a neutral venue such as Sri Lanka or Dubai. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which hosted the final of the 1996 World Cup, is currently undergoing renovations to increase its seating capacity.The decision on India's participation in the Champions Trophy will ultimately depend on the Indian government's assessment of the security situation in Pakistan. The tournament is scheduled to be held from February 26 to March 19, 2025.

Washington Sundar Joins Team India for Second and Third Tests Against New ZealandNew Delhi, India - All-rounder Washington Sundar has been added to the Indian squad for the second and third Test matches against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the updated squad on Sunday.Sundar, who has been in impressive form for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, will join the team in Pune ahead of the second Test. The 23-year-old has played eight Tests for India, scoring 318 runs and taking 25 wickets.The addition of Sundar strengthens India's spin bowling options, which already include Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. Sundar's ability to bat in the lower order and contribute with the ball makes him a valuable asset to the team.India will be looking to bounce back in the second Test after losing the first match by 10 wickets in Kanpur. The second Test will be played in Mumbai from December 3-7, while the third Test will be held in Indore from December 12-16.

Ishan Kishan, the explosive left-handed batter, is set to make a comeback to the India A team after being dropped from the BCCI central contracts earlier this year. Kishan's return to the domestic circuit as captain of Jharkhand has paved the way for his inclusion in the India A squad for two four-day "Tests" against Australia A and an intra-squad match with the senior team.Kishan's omission from the central contracts raised concerns about his prioritization of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over domestic cricket. However, his recent performances for Jharkhand have demonstrated his commitment to the domestic game.The two "Tests" against Australia A will be held at McKay from October 31 to November 3 and at the MCG from November 7 to 10. While the BCCI has yet to announce the official squad, Ruturaj Gaikwad or Abhimanyu Easwaran is expected to lead the side.Easwaran, who has scored four centuries in his last four first-class matches, could also be called up as a backup opener for the senior team. Skipper Rohit Sharma is set to take a break during one of the first two Tests due to personal reasons.Bengal will be represented in the India A squad by seamer Mukesh Kumar and keeper-batter Abhishek Porel. The likely squad includes:* Ruturaj Gaikwad* Abhimanyu Easwaran* Devdutt Padikkal* Sai Sudharsan* B Indrajith* Abishek Porel (wk)* Ishan Kishan (wk)* Mukesh Kumar* Ricky Bhui* Nitish Kumar Reddy* Manav Suthar* Navdeep Saini* Khaleel Ahmed* Tanush Kotian* Yash DayalKishan's return to the India A team is a testament to his talent and determination. It also highlights the importance of domestic cricket in the development of Indian players.

The Tamil Nadu under-19 women's cricket team has etched its name in history by claiming the BCCI Women's under-19 T20 tournament for the first time. Their triumph over Uttar Pradesh by four wickets in a low-scoring match at Lahli, Haryana on Friday marked a significant milestone for women's cricket in the state.The TN U-19 women's team manager, Pushpa Sathyanarayanan, expressed her pride and joy over the team's stunning victory. She attributed their success to the players' unwavering passion for the game, determination, and exceptional teamwork. Sathyanarayanan emphasized that the team's journey to victory had been nothing short of inspiring, with the players' commitment and the unwavering support of coaches, parents, and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) playing a crucial role."This triumph is not just a victory for the team, but a celebration of women's cricket in Tamil Nadu," Sathyanarayanan said. "This is a dream come true for all of us. The Under-19 girls cricket team members would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the TNCA for their unwavering support and their motive to develop women's cricket in the region."The match itself was a tense and closely contested affair. Uttar Pradesh posted a modest total of 67 runs in 19.2 overs, with Janlin Chandra emerging as the standout bowler for Tamil Nadu, claiming four wickets for just 11 runs. In response, Tamil Nadu chased down the target in 19.1 overs, losing six wickets in the process.The victory has sparked widespread jubilation and recognition for the Tamil Nadu under-19 women's cricket team. Their achievement is a testament to the growing strength and talent of women's cricket in India, and it is hoped that their success will inspire future generations of young girls to pursue their dreams in the sport.