Cricket

Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has arrived in Perth, Australia, to commence his training sessions ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against the hosts. Pant is expected to make his return to action on Australian soil when India takes on Australia in the opening Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, commencing on November 22.Pant boasts an impressive record against Australia, particularly on their home turf. In seven Tests against the Aussies, he has amassed 624 runs in 12 innings at an exceptional average of 62.40 and a strike rate of 72.13. His highest score against Australia is 159, and he has registered one century and two half-centuries.Pant's previous series in Australia in 2020-21 proved to be a turning point in his career. Known for his fearless counter-attacking style, Pant emerged as India's leading Test batter, accumulating 274 runs in five innings at an average of 68.50, including two crucial fifties.Two of Pant's most memorable knocks in that series include a game-changing 97 during a 407-run chase at Sydney in the third Test, which ended in a draw, and an unbeaten 89* that led India to a historic 328-run chase at the Gabba, ending Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue. These innings cemented Pant's reputation as one of India's premier Test players.Pant's arrival in Perth marks the beginning of India's preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team will be looking to retain the trophy they won in 2020-21, and Pant's presence will be crucial to their chances of success.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a highly anticipated cricket series between India and Australia, has sparked discussions among experts and former players. Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has identified two key battles that will shape the outcome of the five-match series.Vaughan believes that the clash between Australia's captain Pat Cummins and India's star batsman Virat Kohli will be a pivotal matchup. Cummins, known for his exceptional pace and swing, will face off against Kohli, one of the most prolific run-scorers in Test cricket.Another intriguing battle, according to Vaughan, will be between India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and Australia's left-handed batsman Travis Head. Head has been a thorn in India's side in recent encounters, including the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final.With Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test uncertain, Vaughan suggests that Bumrah could lead the Indian team in Perth. "Pound for pound, I think Bumrah is the best bowler in the world," Vaughan said. "I'm looking forward to that kind of confrontation."Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist also weighed in on the upcoming series, highlighting the rivalry between Rishabh Pant and Nathan Lyon. Pant has a history of attacking Lyon's off-spin bowling, and Gilchrist believes this matchup will be crucial."Rishabh can go through the gears as quickly as anyone, from complete defense to all out assault and attack on a bowler," Gilchrist said. "That would be fascinating."Other potential matchups to watch include Steve Smith against Bumrah and David Warner against Mohammed Shami. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams boasting world-class players and a history of intense rivalry.

KL Rahul's Form Woes Cast Shadow Over India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy PreparationsAs Team India gears up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the form of star opener KL Rahul has emerged as a major concern. Rahul's recent struggles have raised questions about his ability to deliver in the challenging conditions Down Under.In the recently concluded home series against New Zealand, Rahul endured a dismal outing, scoring just 12 runs across two innings. His poor form continued in an India A match against Australia A, where he managed only 14 runs in two innings.Rahul's struggles have put him under intense scrutiny, with many experts questioning his place in the Test team. The 30-year-old is one of India's most experienced batters, but his recent performances have left selectors and fans alike worried.With the first Test in Perth just over a week away, Rahul is desperate to rediscover his touch. He was seen working hard in the nets during India's training session at the WACA, alongside fellow openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.India will be aiming to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have won on their last two tours of Australia. However, they will need their key players, including Rahul, to perform at their best if they are to overcome the formidable challenge posed by the Aussies.Rahul's form will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the first Test. If he fails to find his rhythm, India may be forced to consider alternative options at the top of the order.

Australia's Haddin Warns India of Pace Attack Threat in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has issued a stern warning to Indian batters ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, expressing doubts about their ability to withstand the formidable pace attack of the hosts.In a recent interview on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Haddin expressed concerns about India's batting lineup, particularly in the opening Test match at the bouncy Perth Stadium. "I don't think that the Indian batters are going to stand up to our quicks," Haddin said. "I know Jaiswal is a really good player, but he hasn't come out and seen Australia before, so I'm not sure whether he is going to handle the bounce. Opening in Perth is hard work."Haddin's comments stem from the fact that India's batting lineup has historically struggled against fast bowling in Australian conditions. In the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India's top order was repeatedly dismissed by the Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch offered a contrasting perspective, suggesting that both sides' opening batsmen could face challenges against the opposing bowling attacks. "I think the key could be Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant, the two wicketkeepers are going to be so important," Finch said. "At one time or the other in the series, the top order will get knocked over. Both fast-bowling attacks are so good that they will get on a roll and knock over the top order."Finch highlighted the importance of the middle order, particularly the wicketkeepers, in providing stability and momentum to their respective teams. "Carey is aggressive, Rishabh is aggressive," Finch said. "The game is going to go one or two ways really quick. And I think that will be so important."The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth, is expected to be a fiercely contested series between two of the world's top cricketing nations. Australia will be looking to retain the trophy they won in India in 2017, while India will be eager to reclaim it on Australian soil.

Xavier Bartlett's return to the Australian cricket scene is a welcome sight for the national hierarchy, who are looking to bolster their fast bowling depth ahead of the grueling Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Bartlett, who has been sidelined since September due to a side strain, is set to make his comeback in the T20I series opener against Pakistan at the Gabba on Thursday.Bartlett's impressive performances in last season's BBL, where he was the leading wicket-taker and played a pivotal role in Brisbane Heat's title triumph, have put him on the radar of the selectors. His ability to generate late swing with the new ball, thanks to his immaculate upright seam positioning, makes him a valuable asset.With Australia's frontline quicks, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, facing the challenge of five Tests against India within seven weeks, the hierarchy is keen to build depth behind them. Bartlett's return provides a much-needed option, especially considering the recent fitness issues with fringe quicks like Michael Neser, Lance Morris, and Jhye Richardson.Bartlett, who has taken four-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs against West Indies and has an impressive average of 17.66 in T20Is, is eager to seize the opportunity. "Going forward there will be opportunities. Personally, the goal is always to try and play Test cricket for Australia," he said.Bartlett will be part of a second-string Australian team that will aim to salvage some pride after their surprise ODI series defeat to Pakistan. The batters struggled against Pakistan's pace attack, and Bartlett believes that Australia can learn from their opponents. "They have been amazing, the last two games they only used four bowlers," he said. "Hopefully we can emulate that."Bartlett is set to share the new ball with left-arm quick Spencer Johnson, a partnership that proved successful for the Heat during their title run. While the Gabba surface is known for its pace and bounce, Bartlett is confident that it will make for entertaining cricket.While Bartlett's performances in the T20I series could see him move up the pecking order of fringe Test bowlers, his Heat teammate Nathan McSweeney will make his debut in the first Test after being named as Usman Khawaja's opening partner. Bartlett expressed his excitement for McSweeney, saying, "To see his journey from when we were about 11 or 12 [years of age] to where he is now, making his Test debut, it's unbelievable."

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is poised to make a long-awaited return to competitive cricket after nearly a year of absence. The Bengal pacer has been named in his state team's squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy fixture against Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to commence on November 13 in Indore.Shami's inclusion in the Bengal squad marks a significant milestone in his recovery from a series of injuries that have kept him sidelined since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad last year. His fitness has been under close scrutiny in the lead-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth.Prior to the Test squad announcement, Shami expressed his desire to play one or two Ranji Trophy games for Bengal before joining the Indian team in Australia. However, with the Ranji Trophy season split into two and only one round remaining before the white-ball tournaments, he will have the opportunity to prove his fitness in just one red-ball game.Shami's injury woes began with an ankle injury that required surgery on his right foot in March. He subsequently spent several months at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, rehabilitating from both the ankle injury and an Achilles tendon injury that he played through during the ODI World Cup.If Shami demonstrates his fitness in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match, he could potentially be added to India's Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The current squad includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana as the frontline fast bowlers, with Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed in the reserves.Shami's return to action is a welcome boost for India, who have been without their premier fast bowler for an extended period. His experience and wicket-taking ability will be invaluable in the upcoming Test series against Australia.

India's Test Squad Begins Training in Perth, Practice Sessions Shielded from Public ViewWith the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) fast approaching, the Indian Test squad has assembled in Perth and commenced training at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Stadium. However, the team's practice sessions have been shrouded in secrecy, with the grill bordering the practice area covered to prevent public scrutiny.The Indian contingent arrived in Australia in two batches on Sunday and Monday and will undergo a 10-day acclimatization and training period before the BGT opener. However, uncertainty looms over the availability of captain Rohit Sharma for the first Test due to personal reasons.A Forbes cricket journalist shared an image of the practice nets at the WACA, revealing that they were covered with a black sheet to block public view. Notably, the Indian team is not training at the venue of the first Test, Optus Stadium, which is just a short drive away.India opted to cancel their practice game against India 'A', who are also touring Australia. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and his team believed that extended net sessions would be more beneficial than a practice match.India, who recently slipped to number two in the World Test Championship (WTC) table, are eager to redeem themselves after a disappointing 0-3 whitewash in the home Test series against New Zealand. To qualify for the WTC final for the third consecutive time, India must win four of the five Tests in the BGT.The Indian team's decision to shield their practice sessions from public view has sparked speculation about their strategies and preparations. However, it is clear that the team is determined to put in the hard work and regain their dominance in Test cricket.

India's upcoming Test series against Australia promises to be a fiery affair, with the Optus Stadium pitch in Perth prepared to offer "good bounce and pace." The pitch curator, Isaac McDonald, is aiming to replicate the conditions that proved challenging for Pakistan in December 2022, when the Aussies secured a massive 360-run victory.McDonald is leaving some grass on the pitch to enhance its spiciness, aiming for a similar starting point to last year's match. The Australian pacers, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, are expected to exploit the conditions, having grabbed 12 of the 20 Pakistan wickets in that match.India, however, will enter the Perth Test without any practice match experience, having canceled an intra-squad game. Instead, they will focus on center-wicket training at the nearby WACA stadium, where Australia will also hone their skills.The Perth pitch has a history of producing thrilling contests. In the 2017-18 Ashes series, England's James Anderson and Stuart Broad wreaked havoc on the Australian batsmen, dismissing them for just 103 in the second innings.India will need to be wary of the pace and bounce on offer, especially given their recent struggles against fast bowling. However, they will also be buoyed by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to lead the bowling attack.The opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22, and promises to be a captivating battle between two of the world's top cricketing nations.

In 1996, the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi, now known as the Arun Jaitley Stadium, hosted a historic Test match that marked the beginning of a legendary rivalry between India and Australia. The match, played as a one-off Test, was the first to be named the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, after Australian legend Allan Border and Indian icon Sunil Gavaskar.The series featured a plethora of debuts, including Brad Hogg and David Johnson for Australia and Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid for India. However, it was Nayan Mongia who stole the show, scoring a magnificent 152 in his 14th Test for India.Mongia, who had previously been a middle-order batter, was elevated to the opening slot for this match. He played a gritty innings, batting for over eight hours and facing 366 balls. His century was instrumental in India's victory, as they chased down Australia's first-innings total of 182.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has since become one of the most prestigious rivalries in Test cricket. The series has been played 15 times, with Australia winning nine and India winning five. The upcoming five-match series, starting on November 22, will be the first time India has played a five-match Test series in Australia since 1991-92.Former Indian wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, who played a key role in India's victory in the inaugural Border-Gavaskar Trophy, believes that the rivalry has grown significantly over the years. "The main rivalry was India-Pakistan that time still. Australia (rivalry) was just growing up," he said. "Border-Gavaskar Trophy gave a platform to have such a huge rivalry."Mongia also expressed his concerns about India's batting form ahead of the upcoming series. "Playing against Australia in Australia is not going to be easy," he said. "But we have top-class bowlers as well. We will miss Mohammed Shami, there is no doubt about it. But we have other good bowlers who can step up leading from the front."