Cricket

India's Bowling Depth Poses Significant Challenge for Australia, Says Usman KhawajaAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian opener Usman Khawaja has emphasized the formidable depth of India's bowling attack, cautioning that it extends beyond the renowned Jasprit Bumrah.While acknowledging Bumrah's exceptional abilities, Khawaja highlighted the equally impressive skills of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. "Everyone talks about Jasprit, but they actually have a lot of other good bowlers," Khawaja told Fox Cricket. "I think [Mohammed] Siraj is a very good bowler. He's a very good bowler to both right-handers and left-handers."Khawaja also praised Shami, describing him as "very underrated" and a "very good bowler" when fit. He further noted the presence of quality spinners in India's lineup, complementing their fast bowlers."So for me it's never ... I'm just not thinking about Jasprit Bumrah," Khawaja explained. "I'm thinking about where am I scoring runs against him. And I'm sure all good batsmen would tell you exactly the same thing because if he misses, well, then I'm coming and then if he bowls good stuff, then I'll respect that."Khawaja's approach to facing India's bowlers is centered on scoring runs rather than dwelling on the possibility of getting out. "You want to ask me where do you think... I'm not thinking about where he is getting me out," he said. "I'm thinking about where am I scoring runs against him."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy commences on November 22nd in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval under the lights. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.

Virat Kohli, India's batting maestro, is poised to make history as he prepares to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, commencing on November 22 in Perth. Despite a recent dip in form, Kohli's impressive track record in Australia makes this series an ideal stage for him to rediscover his peak performance and leave an indelible mark on the game.Kohli is on the cusp of several significant milestones during this series. He is just 458 runs away from surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 1,809 Test runs in Australia, a feat that would solidify his status as India's greatest batter on Australian soil. Additionally, he is within striking distance of becoming the visiting player with the most Test centuries in Australia, currently trailing English legends Jack Hobbs and Wally Hammond by just one century.The Adelaide Oval holds a special place in Kohli's heart, as it is his most successful Australian venue. With 509 runs in four Tests at an average of 63.62, he is just 102 runs away from surpassing Brian Lara's tally of 610 runs and becoming the highest-scoring visiting batter at this iconic ground.Beyond Test cricket, Kohli is also in contention to top the list for most fifty-plus scores in international cricket by a visiting batter in Australia. He currently boasts an impressive 30 fifty-plus scores across all formats, putting him in the running alongside legends Viv Richards and Desmond Haynes.Kohli's consistent performance in Australia extends to overall international runs. He has accumulated 3,426 runs across all formats, putting him 126 runs ahead of Sachin Tendulkar's record of 3,300 runs. He is also aiming to become the first Indian to reach 4,000 international runs on Australian soil, requiring 574 more runs to achieve this milestone.The Adelaide Oval has been particularly kind to Kohli, as he has already notched five centuries at the venue. Scoring another century there wouldn't just make him the first visiting player to reach 1,000 runs at the venue, but also surpass Jack Hobbs' record of five centuries at the MCG.This series will mark Kohli's 100th international match against Australia, likely during the third Test at The Gabba. This achievement would make him the second Indian to reach this milestone, joining the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar who has played 110 matches against the Aussies.Kohli's current tally of 16 centuries against Australia puts him in a strong position to chase down Sachin Tendulkar's record of 20 international centuries against the Aussies.Having faced a challenging year with the bat, scoring just 488 runs in 19 matches across formats at an average of 20.33, Kohli will be eager to use this series as a platform for redemption. Australia has historically been a happy hunting ground for him, and his performance in this series holds the potential to shape not only the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also cement his legacy in Test cricket.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has expressed optimism that Virat Kohli can rediscover his form during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Kohli's recent Test performances have been below par, with only one half-century in the five matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Shastri believes that composure will be key for Kohli's success in Australia. "Your juices are flowing, you're charged up. It's again a case with Virat. You want to see calmness because at times you are over-eager to get out there and throw the first punch," Shastri said on the ICC Review show.He emphasized the importance of Kohli avoiding rushing his innings. "But I think that calmness in the first half an hour where he gets out to bat or in the first three innings of the series will be extremely important. If he can be calm and play the game at his own pace rather than being in a hurry, I think he'll be fine," Shastri added.Kohli has a strong track record in Australia, with 1352 runs in 13 matches at an average of 54.08. He has also scored six centuries and four fifties in Australia. Shastri expressed confidence in Kohli's ability to perform well in familiar conditions."Well, the King is back in his territory. That's all I will tell them. When you've earned that title after your exploits in Australia, it will be on your (opponent's) mind when you go out to bat," said Shastri.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22nd and will feature five Test matches, marking the first time since 1991/92 that the series will have these many games.

Sarfaraz Khan Suffers Injury Scare in Team India's Perth Training SessionIndian batter Sarfaraz Khan has raised concerns after sustaining an injury during Team India's training session in Perth. The incident occurred while Sarfaraz was batting in the nets, preparing for the upcoming first Test against Australia.The 27-year-old was struck on his right elbow, causing him to walk off the field in visible pain. The extent of the injury is yet to be determined, but Sarfaraz's abrupt departure has raised concerns given his recent impressive form.Sarfaraz is a contender to play in the Perth Test at Optus Stadium, with captain Rohit Sharma likely to be absent due to personal reasons. He faces competition for the middle-order spot from experienced batter KL Rahul and promising wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel.Sarfaraz has a solid Test record, having scored 371 runs in six matches at an average of 37.10. He has registered a century, three fifties, and a top score of 150. However, he has yet to play a Test outside India, and the challenge of proving himself on Australia's fast and bouncy pitches awaits him.The Indian team management will be closely monitoring Sarfaraz's condition and hoping that the injury is not serious. His availability for the Perth Test will be crucial, as India aims to start the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series on a positive note.

Australia's Border-Gavaskar Trophy preparations have hit a snag as assistant coach Daniel Vettori is set to depart midway through the first Test to attend the IPL 2025 mega auction. Vettori, who is also the head coach of IPL runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), will need to be present for the auction, which clashes with the Test match days.The IPL 2025 mega auction is scheduled for November 24 and 25, coinciding with the first Australia-India Test in Perth, which runs from November 22 to 26. Vettori's absence will be a significant blow to Australia, who are looking to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after losing it in India last year.Vettori is not the only Australian coaching staff member who will be leaving for the IPL auction. Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, who are head coaches of Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) respectively, are also expected to depart midway through the Perth Test.The IPL's growing stature and financial clout have made it increasingly difficult for players and coaches to prioritize international commitments. The league is now one of the richest and most-watched in the world, offering lucrative contracts and the opportunity to work with top players and coaches.Vettori's departure highlights the challenges facing cricket boards in balancing the demands of international cricket with the allure of the IPL. While the IPL provides financial benefits and opportunities for players and coaches, it can also disrupt national team preparations and create scheduling conflicts.Despite the challenges, Australia will be determined to put on a strong performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They will be led by Pat Cummins, who is also retained by SRH along with Travis Head. The team will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss in India and reclaim the trophy on home soil.

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between Australia and India promises to be an enthralling spectacle, with both teams eager to prove their dominance. For the Indian cricketers, the challenge of playing in Australia's demanding conditions looms large.Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar emphasized the significance of the series, stating that it presents the ultimate test for Indian cricketers. India's recent dominance in the series, with four consecutive series wins, has instilled a sense of confidence within the team. However, Nayar cautioned that overcoming the challenges of Australian conditions requires a special mindset."It's one of the toughest challenges for an Indian cricketer, coming here and overcoming it," Nayar said. "I think a lot of the young boys are really keen and raring to go and hopefully make a name for themselves by the end of this tour."The Border-Gavaskar series will commence on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test, scheduled for December 6-10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the captivating day-night format. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30. The series will culminate with the fifth and final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series includes a blend of experienced and promising players. Rohit Sharma will lead the team, with Jasprit Bumrah serving as vice-captain. Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, and Virat Kohli are among the senior players expected to play key roles.The series is poised to be a fierce battle between two of the world's top cricketing nations. India will be determined to extend its winning streak, while Australia will be eager to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil.

India's Young Guns Embark on Transformative Test Series in AustraliaIndia's upcoming Test series against Australia is poised to be a transformative experience for the team's younger members, who will be making their maiden appearances on Australian soil. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and senior players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah have emphasized the profound impact that a Test series in Australia can have on a player's development.For players like Yashaswi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna, this series will be a baptism of fire. They will have the opportunity to prove their mettle against one of the world's most formidable cricketing nations.Kohli, Ashwin, and Bumrah, who have all experienced the rigors of Test cricket in Australia, have shared their invaluable insights with the younger players. They have stressed the importance of embracing the challenges and learning from the experience."Gauti bhai (Gambhir) had a chat with the boys just before we started, we had some of the senior boys as well," said assistant coach Paras Mhambrey. "Booms (Bumrah), Virat, Ash (Ashwin) having a chat with the guys how first they came here as youngsters with a lot of seniors around and how they sort of felt that once you finish an Australia series you go back a better cricketer."Bowling coach Morne Morkel described the series as "a showpiece on the international calendar" and predicted that both teams would engage in intense competition."I think it's a showpiece on the international calendar since it's going to be teams that not going to give anybody an inch or a sniff and it is going to be hard-fought sessions," said Morkel.Since 2014-15, Australia has not been able to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with India winning four consecutive series. India remains the only Asian nation to defeat Australia in a Test series on their home soil."It's become a big part of Indian cricket to come here and do well. It's obviously a very proud moment that India won here twice in the last two times as well as winning it in India," said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.The young Indian players are eager to make a name for themselves and contribute to the team's success. They will be tested to their limits, but the experience they gain will undoubtedly shape their careers.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is undergoing rigorous training in Mumbai to prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite uncertainty surrounding his participation due to family reasons, Rohit is determined to stay match-fit.Sources close to the team reveal that Rohit is training at both the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) facilities and Reliance Corporate Park (RCP). His training regimen includes treadmill sprints, weight training, and outdoor runs. The focus is on honing his skills and conditioning for the challenging series against Australia.Rohit's decision on his travel plans will be made after attending to family matters. Meanwhile, other members of the Indian team have already arrived in Perth. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammed Siraj traveled in two batches, while former captain Virat Kohli arrived with his family. Jasprit Bumrah joined the team later on Monday.As captain, Rohit faces added pressure following India's recent struggles in Test matches. His own form has also been under scrutiny. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which kicks off on November 22 in Perth, will be a crucial test for Rohit and the Indian team. The series features a day-night Test in Adelaide and concludes in Sydney in early January.

Virat Kohli, the star Indian batter, has been diligently preparing for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia in Perth. A recent video shared by Fox Cricket on Twitter captured Kohli's intense training session, showcasing his unwavering determination ahead of the crucial series.Kohli's presence in Australia has generated immense excitement among fans, who eagerly gathered at the Perth nets to witness their hero in action. The video highlights the lengths fans went to catch a glimpse of the "King," as Fox Cricket aptly described him.Kohli's popularity in Australia has always been evident, with his presence consistently attracting extensive media coverage and high viewership. However, this upcoming series holds immense significance for Kohli, who is facing pressure to regain his best form and secure his place in the Test squad.With younger players emerging and vying for spots in the starting eleven, Kohli's position in the team is under scrutiny. The Australian series presents him with an opportunity to silence critics and prove his worth. Kohli has a history of exceptional performances in Australia, and his supporters are hopeful that he can replicate his past success.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a pivotal moment in Kohli's illustrious career. It is a chance for him to demonstrate his resilience and reaffirm his status as one of the greatest batters of all time. With the eyes of the cricketing world upon him, Kohli is determined to deliver and lead India to victory.