Cricket

India's Opening Test Dilemma: Padikkal and Jurel Set to Replace Rohit and GillWith just three days remaining before India's highly anticipated Test series against Australia commences in Perth, the tourists have been dealt a blow with the absence of key players. Skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the series opener due to the birth of his son, while Shubman Gill has fractured his thumb during a simulation game.To fill the void left by Rohit and Gill, India have a pool of reserves to choose from, including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel. However, recent practice sessions have hinted at the team management's preference for Padikkal and Jurel.During a practice session on Tuesday, Padikkal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal were observed fielding in the slip cordon, while Jurel, a wicket-keeper batter, was spotted in the gully. These fielding positions suggest that Padikkal and Jurel are likely to be included in the playing XI for the Perth Test.Jurel has impressed in the practice games he has played in Australia, scoring two half-centuries while batting in the middle order. However, with Rishabh Pant set to keep wickets, Jurel will need to play as a specialist batter in Perth.The names of Gaikwad and Easwaran were also considered as potential replacements for Rohit and Gill. However, the team management appears to have settled on Padikkal and Jurel for the opening Test.India's top six for the Perth Test is likely to be:1. Padikkal2. Kohli3. Rahul4. Jaiswal5. Jurel6. Pant (WK)This lineup will face a formidable Australian bowling attack led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon. India will be hoping that Padikkal and Jurel can provide a solid start and set the platform for a successful series opener.

Mohammed Shami, the star Indian pacer, has made a remarkable comeback in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Madhya Pradesh. His exceptional bowling performance has reignited Bengal's hopes in the contest.Shami's mastery of seam bowling was evident as he claimed four crucial wickets in MP's first innings. His pace, accuracy, and ability to extract movement from the pitch proved too much for the MP batters. He finished with impressive figures of 4/54 in 19 overs, with an economical rate of 2.80.Among his victims were MP captain Shubham Sharma and lower-order batters Saransh Jain and Kumar Kartikeya. Shami's wickets played a pivotal role in restricting MP to a manageable 167, giving Bengal a lead of 61 runs at lunch on Day 2.Shami's return has energized Bengal's bowling attack, which had struggled in their own batting innings, being bowled out for 228 on Day 1. His presence has provided a much-needed boost to the team's morale.However, Shami's availability for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia remains uncertain. He was initially left out of the squad due to fitness concerns. Captain Rohit Sharma had emphasized that they did not want to risk an "undercooked Shami" on the challenging Australian pitches.Despite his absence from the BGT squad, Shami's performance in the Ranji Trophy could potentially earn him a call-up. Cricket legends like Ricky Ponting believe that Shami's pace and bounce would be invaluable on the fast tracks in Australia.If Shami proves his form and fitness in this Ranji game, he could address what many see as a minor gap in India's pace arsenal. His experience and skill could strengthen the team's chances in the high-stakes series against Australia, which begins on November 22 in Perth.

As the Indian cricket team prepares for their upcoming red-ball assignment against New Zealand, starting October 18, talismanic batter Virat Kohli was spotted at the Mumbai airport. Kohli, as expected, was surrounded by paparazzi upon his arrival.While some photographers clicked pictures, others attempted to engage in casual conversation. As Kohli was leaving, one paparazzi remarked, "BGT mein aag lagani hai (You have to light up the Border-Gavaskar Trophy)." The comment left Kohli momentarily confused."Kismien (what do I have to light up?)" Kohli asked. The paparazzi clarified, "BGT mein (in Border-Gavaskar Trophy)." Kohli nodded and entered his car.Notably, Kohli missed India's home series against England earlier this year due to the birth of his second child. He is expected to be fully available for the BGT assignment, which begins in November.Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma is likely to miss one of the first two Tests of the series due to personal reasons. Sharma has played seven Tests in Australia, scoring 408 runs at an average of 31.38.The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will commence on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test will be played under lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18.The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), a Test series between India and Australia, has emerged as one of the most captivating rivalries in cricket history, rivaling the legendary Ashes. Since its inception in 1996, the BGT has produced countless unforgettable moments and intense battles between two cricketing powerhouses.Statistically, the teams have faced off in 56 Test matches as part of the BGT. India holds a slight advantage with 24 victories, while Australia has won 20. Twelve matches have ended in draws.Home advantage plays a significant role in the BGT. Australia has dominated on home soil, winning the majority of their matches Down Under. Similarly, India has been formidable at home, securing 18 victories in 29 matches.However, both teams have also shown resilience in away matches. Australia and India have each recorded six away wins in the BGT. India's overall superiority stems from their impressive home record.Beyond match victories, India has also won more series than Australia. Out of 16 BGT series, India has triumphed in 10, both home and away. Australia has won five series, while only one has ended in a draw.The upcoming BGT series, scheduled for November, promises to be another thrilling chapter in this epic rivalry. India will aim to extend their dominance by securing a fifth consecutive series win. They will also be eyeing a hat-trick of away series victories in Australia.The BGT has captivated cricket fans worldwide with its high-stakes matches, intense competition, and memorable moments. It has become a symbol of the fierce rivalry between two of the world's top cricketing nations.